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In-person Program
Swallowdale Camp
by Canadian International Student Services (CISS)
Swallowdale Camp combines outdoor learning, waterfront sports and arts with Canadian camp traditions and a supervised leadership track.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Swallowdale Camp at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Forest School or Leader-in-Training
Age range / Year group
Ages 8-16
Location / Region
Rosseau, Ontario, Canada
Cost
$5,625; $7,950
Duration
2-3 weeks
Format
In-person
Environmental ScienceArt
Accommodation: Shared school residence rooms
Meals: Three meals plus daily snack
Certificate / Outcome: Forest School Certificate of Completion
Campus experience: Waterfront, sports fields and art studio
Learning cadence: 10 lesson hours; 15 activity hours weekly
Supervision: Resident staff; 24-hour monitoring
Excursions: One full-day trip each Wednesday
Swallowdale Camp summary
Swallowdale blends Forest School or supervised leadership training with waterfront sports, arts and Canadian camp traditions.
Expect hands-on learning, a choice of activities, shared residential life and staff-organized evenings rather than a narrowly academic summer course.
It suits campers who want to build independence, try unfamiliar activities and make friends through a structured group experience.
What is Swallowdale Camp?
Swallowdale Camp is CISS’s traditional Canadian residential summer camp at Rosseau Lake College. Its Forest School track uses hands-on exploration of plants, wildlife and outdoor skills, while Leader-in-Training develops planning, communication and teamwork through supervised camp responsibilities.
Campers combine lessons with waterfront activities, land sports and arts, then join staff-organized evening activities. Shared residences, communal meals and weekly excursions make the experience as much about independence and group life as formal learning.
Why Succeed highlights Swallowdale Camp
Forest School gives outdoor curiosity a structured learning focus through local ecology, practical skills and teamwork.
Leader-in-Training connects leadership classes to supervised responsibilities rather than keeping leadership entirely theoretical.
The combination of waterfront sports, arts and land activities lets campers explore several interests within one experience.
Resident staff, 24-hour monitoring and designated health support give families concrete welfare arrangements to assess.
Weekly full-day excursions include supervision, transportation, entrance fees and meals.
Who is Swallowdale Camp for?
Best for
Campers who enjoy nature, varied activities and communal living, or want to practice leadership through supervised responsibilities.
Not ideal if
Your priority is intensive classroom study, substantial privacy or an unstructured vacation with optional group participation.
Is Swallowdale Camp worth it?
Swallowdale can be worthwhile when the goal is greater independence, outdoor confidence and friendships built through shared experiences. Forest School provides a clear learning focus, while Leader-in-Training offers a practical way to test interest in supporting and leading others.
The residential fee makes personal fit especially important, and shared living with mandatory evening activities will not suit every camper. Families seeking intensive academic instruction should weigh the broad activity program against a more specialized course.
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Cost and what is included
$5,625; $7,950; includes 10 weekly hours of Forest School lessons or leadership classes., 15 weekly hours of instructed camp activities., School residence accommodation., Three meals and a healthy snack daily., Staff-organized evening activities., One weekly full-day excursion with supervision, transportation, entrance fees and meals., Bed linens, study materials and weekly laundry service., A complimentary camp T-shirt., Emergency medical insurance for international students., A Certificate of Completion for Forest School..
Accommodation
Shared school residence rooms
Meals
Three meals plus daily snack
Provider details
Review the Canadian International Student Services (CISS) provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2-3 weeks; Rosseau, Ontario, Canada.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Swallowdale Camp need?
Effort level
Moderate preparation, followed by an active daily routine.
Best started
Several months before your chosen July session, allowing longer for international travel authorization.
Main challenge
Adjusting to shared living and sustained group participation.
Typical preparation
Choose Forest School or Leader-in-Training according to age, interests and English requirements.
Prepare complete health information and discuss medication or allergy arrangements with CISS.
Review Canadian entry requirements and coordinate travel with the scheduled arrival and departure dates.
Use the packing list, label belongings and practice managing personal items independently.
Useful if
You want to build independence or practice leadership through camp life.
What do students do on Swallowdale Camp?
Campers follow a structured mix of course lessons, instructed activities and communal camp life. Forest School centers on outdoor discovery, while Leader-in-Training adds practical work alongside experienced staff.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Join Forest School lessons or leadership classes for 10 hours each week.
- 2
Choose land, water or arts activities, with 15 instructed activity hours weekly.
- 3
For Leader-in-Training, shadow staff and gradually practice leading activities under supervision.
- 4
Take part in staff-organized evening activities with fellow campers.
- 5
Join a supervised full-day excursion each Wednesday.
Swallowdale Camp dates and deadlines
Date not confirmed
Forest School - 2 weeks, first session
11-24 July 2027
Two-week residential session.
Forest School - 3 weeks
11-31 July 2027
Three-week residential session.
Leader-in-Training - 2 weeks, first session
11-24 July 2027
Two-week residential leadership session.
Leader-in-Training - 3 weeks
11-31 July 2027
Three-week residential leadership session.
Forest School - 2 weeks, second session
18-31 July 2027
Two-week residential session.
Leader-in-Training - 2 weeks, second session
18-31 July 2027
Two-week residential leadership session.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Date not confirmed | |
Forest School - 2 weeks, first session | 11-24 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Forest School - 3 weeks | 11-31 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Leader-in-Training - 2 weeks, first session | 11-24 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Leader-in-Training - 3 weeks | 11-31 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Forest School - 2 weeks, second session | 18-31 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Leader-in-Training - 2 weeks, second session | 18-31 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Forest School: ages 8-14.
Forest School accepts all English levels.
Leader-in-Training: ages 15-16.
Leader-in-Training requires high-intermediate to advanced English.
A complete health form is mandatory for registration.
Life-threatening allergies require an Epi-Pen and knowledge of its use.
How much does Swallowdale Camp cost?
Two-week camp fee
$5,625 — Forest School or Leader-in-Training.
Funding or discounts
- Three-week camp fee: $7,950 — Forest School or Leader-in-Training.
- Direct-booking deposit: $500 — Required at booking through CISS; partner terms may differ.
- Unaccompanied minor fee: CAD 75 each way — Applies to airline unaccompanied-minor travel.
- Custodianship fee: CAD 150
- Extra night: CAD 250 — Applies to early arrivals or late departures.
- Extra transfer: CAD 250 — Applies to travel on non-scheduled dates.
- Late arrival / Early departure: CAD 200 — Applies to flights arriving after 21:00 or departing before 10:00.
What's included
10 weekly hours of Forest School lessons or leadership classes., 15 weekly hours of instructed camp activities., School residence accommodation., Three meals and a healthy snack daily., Staff-organized evening activities., One weekly full-day excursion with supervision, transportation, entrance fees and meals., Bed linens, study materials and weekly laundry service., A complimentary camp T-shirt., Emergency medical insurance for international students., A Certificate of Completion for Forest School.
How to apply to Swallowdale Camp
- 1
Complete the CISS pre-application inquiry form and select Residential Summer Camp - Swallowdale.
- 2
Provide student and contact details, then explain your preferred track and session.
- 3
Work with the local representative CISS recommends, or receive registration support directly.
- 4
Request the application documents and complete the mandatory health form.
- 5
Arrange the required deposit and any full payment needed for visa-support documents.
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What does Swallowdale Camp cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Forest School
Explore local plants, wildlife and ecology while practicing outdoor skills, problem-solving and teamwork.
Leader-in-Training
Study communication, teamwork and activity planning, then practice supporting younger campers alongside experienced staff.
Waterfront and land activities
Try canoeing, kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, archery and team sports through instructed activities.
Arts and movement
Choose activities including arts and crafts, yoga, beginner guitar and woodworking.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Swallowdale Camp?
A typical day during the program.
Morning blocks
Three blocks begin the day; Leader-in-Training morning sessions cover teamwork, communication and activity planning.
Afternoon blocks
Two blocks continue the daily program; Leader-in-Training participants shadow staff and assist with camp activities.
Group activities
Mandatory staff-organized activities include campfires, games, talent shows, dances and house activities.
Weekly excursion
A full-day supervised trip includes transportation, entrance fees and meals.
Who teaches on Swallowdale Camp?
CISS describes its camp staff as caring and qualified, with personal attention and support for campers’ independence. Leader-in-Training participants work alongside experienced staff and gradually take on leadership responsibilities under supervision.
A designated First Aid-certified Health Care Provider is available 24 hours a day.
Where do students stay on Swallowdale Camp?
Residential plan
- School residences: Campers live in three residence houses and are grouped by age and gender.
- Dining and meals: Three meals and a healthy snack are served daily, with campers eating alongside their group and counselor.
- Residential support: Staff live with campers in the residences, with 24-hour monitoring and designated health support.
- Lakefront facilities: The campus has waterfront facilities, two sports fields, an art studio, classrooms and student lounges.
Bathrooms are shared, and campers must bring their own towels and toiletries.
What happens after Swallowdale Camp?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn a Certificate of Completion through Forest School.
Develop outdoor skills, problem-solving and environmental awareness.
Build confidence and independence through shared camp life.
Practice planning, communication and teamwork in Leader-in-Training.
Gain supervised experience supporting younger campers and leading activities.
Where does Swallowdale Camp take place?
Swallowdale takes place at Rosseau Lake College on the shores of Lake Rosseau in Ontario’s Muskoka region. The boarding-school grounds combine waterfront access, sports fields and indoor facilities at 1967 Bright Street, Rosseau.
Travel outside scheduled dates or flight times can incur additional fees.
Swallowdale Camp FAQs
Campers explore local plants, wildlife and ecology through hands-on outdoor learning. They develop outdoor skills, problem-solving and teamwork, with English developing naturally through participation.
Participants take 10 hours of leadership classes each week, then shadow experienced staff and support camp activities and younger campers. They gradually take on supervised responsibilities while practicing planning, communication and teamwork.
The day has three morning blocks and two afternoon blocks, with lessons in two blocks and instructed activities in three. Staff organize evening activities, and a full-day excursion takes place each Wednesday.
Campers stay in school residences with shared bathrooms and are grouped by age and gender. Staff live in the residences, and campers are monitored 24 hours a day.
Campers receive three meals and a healthy snack each day. Meals are cooked on-site and served in the dining hall, where campers sit with their assigned group and counselor.
CISS provides a designated, First Aid-certified Health Care Provider who is available 24 hours a day. Serious injuries are referred to a clinic or hospital, with parents notified immediately; international students receive emergency medical insurance.
Pack clothing for outdoor activities and cool or rainy weather, swimwear, water shoes, towels, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle. Label belongings and leave valuables at home; weekly laundry service and bed linens are provided.
Forest School includes a Certificate of Completion.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- What are the visa requirements? - CISS Canada
- How does CISS care for sick or injured students? - CISS Canada
- Why do you require such a detailed health form? - CISS Canada
- How do I register? - CISS Canada
- Do we need to pay a deposit? - CISS Canada
- Is there a deadline to register? - CISS Canada
- Contact Us | CISS
- Contact Us | CISS
- Swallowdale Camp Brochure
- International Student Programme FAQ | CISS
- Swallowdale Camp Packing List
- Swallowdale Camp | CISS
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
2027 session dates verified
Track requirements reviewed
Canadian-dollar fees checked
Residential arrangements reviewed
Health support guidance checked
Application destination verified
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Swallowdale Camp
by Canadian International Student Services (CISS)
Applications open
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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