A Different Kind of Outdoor Program
We were established to provide educational and growth opportunities for all participants. No two programs are the same because we work with you and your students toward achieving school-specific goals. We do this by providing a fully staffed facility with well-trained facilitators tasked with leading each activity. Plus our location in Markham means that we are only a short drive from most schools in the GTA yet offer the environment of an overnight camp. Our inclusive pricing provides groups with a custom built schedule, BBQ lunch and a program that is fully organized and co-ordinated by our camp leadership. This gives your staff the ability to enjoy our camp experience alongside the students.
History
In 1946 a group of young educators and social workers at the University of Toronto recognized the values inherent in camping and outdoor education. They found there was an increase in self-esteem when participants worked successfully with peers in a variety of activities. Not only did participants have fun, but they learned skills, shared experiences and made friends that would last a lifetime. With this in mind, they initiated a day camp in Sherwood Park in Toronto, which naturally spawned the name Camp Robin Hood (CRH) and our story began. CRH is the oldest privately established day camp in Canada. In 1964 CRH relocated to a private 50-acre site in Markham. The last 6 decades have seen the CRH site branch out to develop into a recreational, sporting, and outdoor education complex, The Robin Hood Leadership Centre (RHLC). RHLC is recognized as an exceptional facility, staffed with experienced leaders who provide quality programming in a beautiful rural setting.
Love Robin Hood. Â Thanks for making things so easy.
- Emily Carr S.S. (YRDSB)
We thought your program was excellent – well planned and organized.
- Principal (YRDSB)
Health, Safety and Inclusion
RHLC has placed Health and Safety at the top of our list of priorities. We have established a Health Centre on site that is operated by staff qualified in first-aid to ensure the well being of our clients and staff.
CRH was the first summer camp to offer an integrated program that included campers with special needs. The CRH staff receive special training to give these campers the best summer camp experience possible. This training enables them to make accommodations and modifications to our activities to include participants of all abilities. To compliment these accommodations, our entire site is also wheelchair accessible.
In a Nutshell
At the Robin Hood Leadership Centre (RHLC) we believe that our camp-style program is the best place for young people to successfully learn together through play, while developing social skills that allow them to be productive and respected members of their community. We have designed our program to help inspire leadership, teamwork, friendship and education.
I just wanted to thank you so much for organizing today’s wonderful activities for our students. The students and teachers had a great day and I just wanted you to know how well organized it was and how amazing your staff were! Hopefully we can work together again next year!
- Miriam L. (YRDSB)
Keep up the wonderful work, we will continue to access Camp Robin Hood for our Grade 7 welcome to OLL school! Thank you for your leadership and commitment to quality education/camp experiences, it is appreciated.
- Our Lady of the Lake C.C.S. (YCDSB)
Our Programs
The Robin Hood Leadership Centre is unique in our offering of fully staffed, fully facilitated day programs. Couple this with the fact that our campus is designed to feel like an overnight camp with a focus on the outdoors and you don’t need to look any further for your next school trip. We have several standard program structures to choose from which can then be customized to mirror the uniqueness of the students that we serve.
High School (Grade 9) Orientations
What is the purpose of this program?
- To build your Grade Nine team & aid in the transition to high school.
- To form friendships through cooperation, problem-solving, and trust.
- To provide Senior Students from your school with a leadership opportunity.
- To have students reflect on the activities and take life lessons back to school through our thoughtful and interactive Debriefs.
How are students organized and supervised?
- Senior students (“Mentors”), selected by your school and trained by our staff, act as leaders for the groups
- Our staff, along with Mentors, lead and supervise all team building activities
- Teachers need only act in a supervisory role
MENTOR TRAINING AND PREPARATION
It has been a true pleasure working with Ehren and his team at Camp Robin Hood Leadership Centre over the years…The staff has been consistently kind, supportive, organized and thoughtful of our programming needs…Our September and May days at CRH have become a welcome part of our school’s traditions and we are thrilled to retreat to the Markham woods under such exemplary leadership provided by Ehren and his dedicated staff!
- Linda Izzo, Chaplaincy Team Leader & Teacher, Marshall McLuhan C.S.S.
Team Building
What is the purpose of this program?
- To provide training and team-building for your group.
- To select activities and an create debrief topics related to the goals of your school.
- To have students reflect on the activities through the implementation of school and experience related dialogue. It is our goal for the students to feel more comfortable amongst peers, teachers and the overall school environment through these discussions.
What types of groups would benefit from this program?
- Student & Athletic Councils
- Physical Education Classes
- Student Mentor or Peer Counseling Groups
- Leadership Classes & Outdoor Clubs
- School-based Conferences
How are students organized and supervised?
- Schools assign students to groups (average group size is 12-15 students).
- Schools provide one adult/group to rotate to activities with students.
- Our staff lead and supervise all team building activities.
Teacher PD Days
What is the purpose of this program?
- We provide a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities for school-led sessions.
- Our team-building activities help form a cohesive group amongst the teaching staff.
- We can provide prominent speakers in the camp community to enhance your sessions.
The day would typically be structured in one of three ways:
- All sessions led by the school utilizing our various facilities.
- School-led sessions coupled with RHLC staff facilitated team building activities.
- A program fully facilitated and run by the RHLC team.
Email us to learn more or fill out the form below:
Food
Our lunch is served in a camp-style dining hall with the intention of instilling the same level of organization, respect and cooperation that you expect from your students (and we expect from our summer campers). This means that it is not uncommon for the kitchen staff to encourage cheering and an enthusiastic demeanor while inside their facility. It also means that groups will be served lunch one-at-a-time and that students will be expected to clean up their tables before leaving the building.
- Our Food Service facilities exceed all Ministry standards and are inspected regularly.
- Our typical “camp style” lunch includes BBQ hamburgers & hot-dogs, fruit, chips and a drink.
- More elaborate meals can be designed upon request.
- Vegetarian options are always available.
- Special dietary restrictions can be accommodated (with a minimum of one week’s notice).
- We are happy to consider 3rd party catering.
- An afternoon snack is included with the provision of food services.
- Our dining hall features a stage to facilitate any presentations, slideshows or announcements.
Our students enjoyed all the activities…The program encouraged all students to participate and get to know each other. Excellent quality of program for team-building skills.
- St. Joseph Morrow Park (TCDSB)
It was excellent! The students had a wonderful time and we feel the program reached our goal of helping transition the kids to high school and meet new people.
- Students' Coordinator (Toronto Private School)
