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Camp Columbia was a summer camp program established by students at the University of Waterloo and run under the Federation of Students (now the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, WUSA) in 1968. The program was intended to be a philanthropic, non-profit organization for underprivileged children selected from applications distributed by the local Children’s Aid Society.[1]
The first camp program was financed with $8000.00 in student and private donations and accepted approximately 100 campers.[2] Future programs were financed through the federal government’s Opportunities for Youth (OFY) grant, and donations from the Federation of Students, local businesses, university administration, faculty and through student sponsored activities at the university.[3]
The camp operated at Lake Columbia (also known as Columbia Lake), a man-made lake near Westmount Road and Columbia Street close to the University of Waterloo.[4] The camp program ran in bi-weekly periods for typically eight weeks during the months of July and August and was available to children between the ages of 8 and 12.[5] The camp intentionally offered participants a less structured environment with few rules, except those for safety. Campers travelled by bus to have meals at the Waterloo Cooperative Residents on Philip Street, enjoyed cookouts each Sunday and went for daily swims at the Grand River Conservation Authority’s Laurel Park. Campers were not able to swim in Lake Columbia as health inspectors reported it had an unhealthy bacteria count. The children also took bus trips to various attractions including the Ontario Science Centre, Elora Gorge Park, and the African Lion Safari farm at Rockwood.
The camp also provided summer jobs to university students who could work as camp counselors.[6]
After five years of operation, the camp was notified in August 1973 that they were no longer going to receive the OFY federal grant and would have to find financial support through donations from the local community. It’s unclear if the camp operated past 1973.
More than 1000 children attended Camp Columbia between 1968 and 1973.[7]
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Created by NM in 2024.
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[1] “Camp funds running dry but volunteers work on.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Saturday, August 15, 1970, p.25. ; University of Waterloo Archives. Jim Keron fonds. Camp Columbia brochure. GA508-13.
[2] Tegelberg, Henning. “Escape city in the city: A do-your-own-thing camp.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Friday, July 9, 1971, p. 13.
[3] “Camp funds running dry but volunteers work on.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Saturday, August 15, 1970, p.25.
[4] “Summer camp providing a service, but funds to be cut off.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Wednesday, August 15, 1973, p.19.
[5] University of Waterloo Archives. Jim Keron fonds. Camp Columbia brochure. GA508-13.
[6] Tegelberg, Henning. “Escape city in the city: A do-your-own-thing camp.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Friday, July 9, 1971, p. 13. ; “Camp funds running dry but volunteers work on.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Saturday, August 15, 1970, p.25.
[7] “Summer camp providing a service, but funds to be cut off.” Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Wednesday, August 15, 1973, p.19.