Camp Menesetung: A camp to make lifelong memories and friends

Campers are at the centre of what Camp Menesetung is all about, and because of the experience they have and the memories they take home with them, campers keep returning each year.

Originally known as Goderich Summer School, what is known as Camp Menesetung today, began in 1921. Goderich Summer School was incorporated on April 8, 1947. The name was changed to Camp Menesetung, meaning ‘Laughing Waters’ in Ojibwe, in 1968.

Camp Menesetung is a non-profit, charitable corporation, that operates as a United Church

overnight and day camp located just north of Goderich.

Offering recreational and spiritual programming throughout the spring and summer seasons,

Camp Menesetung hires a staff team of post-secondary and high school students and

impacts the lives of hundreds of campers each year. Each staff is hired based on skills and knowledge they can offer to campers and are trained and certified to run programs in a safe and healthy manner.

Throughout the years there was always a close relationship between the local community and the camp. Many were actively involved with various camp activities, including program leadership, campfire, chapel services, kitchen help and sharing water resources.

“Our most recent board member attended in the 1980s and that was part of what drew him to

joining,” said Killian Sharp, Camp Coordinator. “In addition, our property is maintained by someone who lives nearby and truly loves what we provide for the youth in our community”.

School field trip opportunities are offered in May and June, and youth camps in July and August.

The facilities are available for rental during May, June, September and October.

Life and programming have changed over the years as different directors have come and gone but the central theme of building strong community and friendship outdoors is as strong as ever.

Walks to the beach, outdoor games, arts and crafts, campfire songs, archery, cook-out, free-swim, vespers in the evening are a few of the camp’s touchstones.

In 2016, some of the specialty camp programming began taking campers off-site for trips along the Maitland River Valley.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the gates were closed to the public for the first time in its history. In response, a small on-site team and generous group of volunteers re-imagined a summer camp experience online, bringing Camp Menesetung to life for campers through interactive community focused activities. While the fields were quiet, community spirit was alive planning for summers to come.

Camp Menesetung aims to lead the way in creating an inclusive, healthy and sustainable

community as individuals learn, play and grow with an underlying focus on spirituality and a

journey in faith.

And fond memories.

One of the biggest parts of Camp Menesetung is that people keep coming back.

“We also have multiple generations of families who have been coming for years and two members of the congregation at Lakeshore United Church told me they met at Camp Menesetung over 50 years ago and are still friends, having their lives apart from each other for decades only to return to Goderich and rekindle the friendship.”

A Short History of Camp Menesetung

The site was owned by Edward Lawson, one of the 100 people who attended Goderich Summer Camp in its first years and he sold what is the present camp property to Huron Presbytery of the United Church of Canada.

By the summer of 1935, some buildings had been erected on camp property, training and inspirational sessions occurred throughout the summer for children and young people, families and single adults.

Gradually, the property developed further, with permanent structures for sleeping quarters and a

recreational hall.

The original outdoor chapel was replaced in 1953 when the church building from Leeburn was

moved on site.

The present dining hall was constructed in 1964 to replace the original, which is currently used

as a craft hall. The inground swimming pool was also built in 1964.

A house for the director was built in 1974.

After the Walkerton water fiasco, a pumphouse was built in 2001, a chlorination system was

installed, and the camp water supply became self-contained.

In 2010, a 40-foot climbing wall was installed along with a forest low ropes course to facilitate

initiatives and adventure programming. A second face for the climbing wall was added in 2024 along with the rebuilding of the medical centre and updates to the electrical systems.