Everything you need to know to get ready for camp

About CNIB Lake Joe

Our latest documentary, Ripples: CNIB Lake Joe is info-packed and inspiring! Learn about our facilities and programs and listen to guests who have been enjoying the transformative experiences camp offers since we opened our doors in 1961.

Ripples screen shot

What to Pack

Packing List - General 2023 - May 9 23.docx

everything you need for your stay at CNIB Lake Joe, plus some things to leave at home.

Girl wearing hat and overall shorts packing a blue backpack with camera, boots, etc.

How to Get to CNIB Lake Joe

We welcome guests from across Canada and around the world! CNIB Lake Joe is located at 4 Joe Finley Way, MacTier, Ontario. Download our "Getting to Camp" directions sheet if you plan to drive.

Map with a tiny car on it.

A Typical Day at Camp

There's actually nothing typical about a day at CNIB Lake Joe with special programs and activities available to entertain and energize guests at ever age and stage of life. Here are some outlines to give you a taste of what's in store for all our guests. Note: in each of our weekly programs, guests arrive Monday afternoon and depart Saturday morning.

Children & Youth programs:

8:30 a.m. Breakfast: Keep your sunny side up by enjoying a yummy breakfast with your friends. With advance notice, we will happily provide vegetarian options and will adapt our menu to suit any special dietary requirements.

9:15 a.m. Cabin Clean Up: Make beds, tidy rooms, sweep floors and get ready for the day ahead.

9:30 - a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Morning Programs: There’s so much to do! Learn. Laugh. Test your limits. Friendly staff will help you squeeze the most out of every day with lots of scheduled activities and support which may include:

Water fun: swimming, pontoon cruise, paddle boarding, paddle boating, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, tubing, kayaking, sliding down the water slide, etc.
Work up a sweat: tandem biking, lawn games, shuffleboard, mini golf, climbing tower, soccer, archery, hiking, basketball, volleyball, tennis, beep baseball, etc.
Get competitive: playing Power Showdown or cards/board games
Get creative: arts and crafts, music, drama, creative writing, and more

Additional activities are offered in specific programs:

Camp Abilities participants will be coached in blind hockey, 5-a-side soccer and sailing
PLAY participants get to learn about and sample a wide variety of sports
Summer Camp participants will make friends with French-speaking campers from Quebec
SCORE Scholars will also focus on getting career-ready (receiving a certificate when they complete the program)
Canadian Leadership Development Program participants will develop leadership skills, including public speaking and advocacy
Counsellor-in-Training attendees will learn and develop job skills in all areas of camp
Braille Writers' Retreat will meet professional writers and contribute to a braille-themed art project
CNIB Buddy Dog graduates deepen their bonds with their dogs…and fellow campers too

12:30 p.m. Lunch: We bet you're hungry after such a busy morning. Enjoy a tasty lunch in the Dining Hall...or on picnic tables outside! Did you know we also have an outdoor pizza oven? Mmmm.

1:15 p.m. Rest Time: Quiet time in cabins to rest, play quiet games, do crafts, etc.

1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Afternoon Program Block: Each day's schedule is different with new activities planned…and some surprises.

5:30 p.m. Dinner: Is your stomach rumbling? Grab a bite with your friends and swap stories about the day.

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Rest Time: Catch your breath with some quiet time in your cabin - rest, play quiet games, do crafts, etc.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Evening Program: But wait, there's more! We'll wrap up the day with fun night-time activities like campfires and cookouts, outdoor movies, Kangaroo Court, talent shows, and more.

9:00 p.m. Lights Out: Sweet dreams!

Programming for Adult, Family & Holiday Weeks:

8:00 a.m. Music in the morning: Music is played over the PA system to get you up and ready for the day!

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast: Get your day started right with a nutritious and delicious breakfast. Enjoy a wide variety of options – hot and cold – that will please every palate (with advance notice, we will happily provide vegetarian options and will adapt our menu to suit any special dietary requirements). Each day features something different! You can discover what’s on the menu via a button you push for an audio recording or check it out on a large-screen TV in the Dining Hall.

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Morning Programs: There’s so much to choose from. Activities are scheduled at certain times…simply sign-up for whatever interests you. Program options are tailored each week. Here are some of the things you can choose from:

Enjoy some surf: swimming, water exercise classes, water skiing, pontoon cruise, paddle boarding, paddle boating, sailing, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, tubing, kayaking, water slide, and more
Or turf: yoga, tandem biking, lawn games, mini golf, climbing tower, soccer, archery, hiking, shuffleboard, basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, beep baseball, and more
Or pick your pleasure: watch TV/movies, listen to music, read, get a tan, play Power Showdown in the Rec Hall, play cards/board games, shop at CNIB Lake Joe, etc.
Special for Family Weeks: qualified lifeguards offer swimming lessons for kids who want to improve their swim test results
Special during Holiday Weeks: most activities are open and set up as drop in so you can participate without a staff member accompanying you (except for pontoon rides and watersports which are always sign-up)

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch: It’s time to fill up the tank with a tasty lunch. Meals are served in the Dining Hall or, weather-permitting, outdoors in the picnic area for some al fresco dining. Bon apetit!

Though we’re sure you’ll be full, you can also purchase affordable snacks at our Tuck Shop!
If you forgot what happens next in the day, no worries! Our staff do reminder announcements at each meal so you can get where you want to go without missing a thing.

1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Afternoon Programs: What didn’t you do this morning? Now’s the time to try something new. Look at our full program list and have a blast with fellow campers.

Special for Family Weeks: “Kids Camp” is offered from 1:30-2:30 p.m. daily with activities just for kids (and a bit of a break for parents/guardians!)

5:30 p.m. Dinner: Relax, enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner, and share stories with fellow guests.

6:30 p.m. Free Time

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Evening Program: We’re not done yet! Choose from activities like meet ‘n’ greets (on arrival nights), Bingo, outdoor movies, campfires, talent shows, special events like Murder Mysteries, and more.

Photo Galleries

Enjoy our six Facebook photo galleries featuring everything that makes CNIB Lake Joe great: our welcome centre, fully accessible facilities, comfortable cabins, our wonderful waterfront, and all the incredible ways you can enjoy the great outdoors.

Photo Gallery #1: Welcome to CNIB Lake Joe

CNIB Lake Joe welcome sign at the camp entrance