Your feedback is why our program has been continuously improving for over 40 years. If your daughter or son has been to our program and you haven’t had the chance to tell us about your experience yet, here’s the link to the NWL Parent Evaluation 2015. If you’re considering our program, please read on to see what parents and participants have to say…

The kids returned home with nothing but superlative descriptions of their trips with Northwaters, in particular of the staff and the ‘ethos’ of your camp.  The entire three and a half weeks appear to have been exceptional in every way.  They are sharing with us on a daily basis not only stories, but some of the practices and traditions they learned.  Chris and I are deeply impressed with what we are hearing and seeing, and thrilled that D and L had this opportunity. Thank you for providing such a wonderful experience. -Cathy J, first time Northwaters parent

I loved my experience at Langskib, it was super fun and taught me a lot about myself and what I could accomplish. -Simon L, second year participant, Viking trip, age 12

The trip has helped K mature into the kind of man that I admire: considerate of others, disciplined, adventurous and having true strength of character. The physical/mental challenged he faced tested him and he now feels he can accomplish ANYTHING! -Leanne J, second year Northwaters parent

This was a physical and mental roller coaster and I’ve never felt stronger. I have confidence in my body’s physical abilities and I really believe in myself. -Tessie O, first year participant, Burke Trip, age 17

Our boy came back home very happy from the camp. I want to congratulate you for your great organization and the involvement of all your team. There is not a day that A does not tell us a new story! Apart from improving his English level and making good friends, he has also learned something that is very important for us; to know himself a little better, to trust others and see that he is able to meet new challenges successfully. Thank you very much for making this possible. We hope to meet you again next summer! -Sebastian C and Anna P, first time Langskib parents

Northwaters was a really great experience that I recommend for anyone who wants the challenge or for anyone who loves nature and likes to have lots of fun! -Sydney D, first year participant, Northern Lights, age 11

So happy to have my boy back…. I just wanted to let you know that he was in tears after being picked up from the airport (OK, outside the house, before seeing his siblings) about “coming back home so soon”! He really loved his camp this year, told me all about his wonderful experiences, how he had plans going back, how it is “his kind of community”, how he enjoyed all the difficulties of the canoe trip too and just wants to study towards a job that will allow him to be outdoors like that. I wanted to thank you personally as I know P is a complicated and different teen. I think that you guys became his second home. -Michèle J, fourth year Northwaters and Langskib parent

An amazing and well put together program. I really enjoy how they gave us the tools/info we needed but let us decide how and when to use them. This was a very helpful way to learn how to lead. -Lauren T, fourth year participant, Leadership Program, age 18

THANK YOU! Our son is walking tall! He has explained that he was honoured for “Enthusiasm” and how fitting! He is now part of a ‘brotherhood’. I am honored that you have blessed my son with a larger work view. His leadership skills are honed and he is charged with MORE verve….thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! -The Hines Family, first year Excalibur parents

The friendship that the leaders share with their participants and each other really says a lot about this program. -Brynkly M, fourth year participant, Woman’s Bay Trip, age 16

I would like to thank you. Northwaters & Langskib truly lives up to its mission of ‘Teaching young people how to be with one another, and ultimately, how to be with themselves”. I love listening to L talk about his experiences. My son has grown & matured, having found new inner strength and confidence. Can’t wait until next summer. -Kathy T, third year Langskib parent

When people ask what the best experience in my life was, I’ll tell them about this trip. -Noah H, first year participant, Burke Trip, age 16

C had “the best time of her life”, and I was not surprised to hear those words, based on the last two years’ experience.  I know it will give her the strength and fortitude to face high school for the first time! -Marion B, second year Northwaters parent

The only boundaries I know are the ones I’ve pushed, the limits I’ve reached and the goals I’ve attained. -Jacob, second year participant, Northwaters Dumoine River, age 15

Both my boys came back home as more mature and caring persons with good spirits. I am so grateful they spent such precious time with your people in the depth of nature. Thank you all for everything they experienced this summer at Langskib.  -Sunao T, fifth year Langskib parent

NWL is such an amazing place. It’s a safe environment where you can be 100% you and not feel ashamed. You grow so much by taking personal journeys and also meeting all these other people (girls/woman) who are in the same place. Thanks for creating this unique place. -Annika CB, second year participant, Northwaters Makobe River, age 13

This is the first year in seven we haven’t made the trip to Temagami to witness and be part of the tremendous experience of welcoming trippers and leaders into camp and sharing in the celebration of their reunions with one another and families, their stories, and personal transformations. It has been one of our favorite days of the year! We have had the privilege of witnessing the rare and wonderful combination of courage, humility, tenderness, confidence, and community as expressed so unabashedly and uniquely by dozens and dozens of young people at the end of their journeys. We are acutely aware of what is happening through these few days on the shores of both Langskib and Northwaters camps. May it be great and grand, may you all be deeply fed by the entire display, may it fuel your commitment to this good work, may it inspire many, many others to come! With great love and gratitude for you and all that you do! -Megan G & Mark B, seventh year Langskib parents

I really like the balance between living in the moment and knowing what’s next. Also enjoyed the balance between the inner and outer journey and between getting to the destination, but knowing that it’s the journey that matters in the end. Great way of teaching that to us and keeping us together in that way. -Zoë S, second year participant, Northern Lights, age 12

I could cry (from joy) when I look at this picture. Saw it on the slide show and couldn’t wait until you posted it. It’s really hard to describe, but all I can say is that H looks like himself. The himself he wants to be. The himself that is within him. Strong, confident, and at peace. I get to truly see and feel him in this photo and there is an instant soul-to-soul connection. Thank you. -Christie W, first year Langskib parent

After doing Northern Lights I feel so much more confident and better about myself. -Grace H, first year participant, Northern Lights, age 11

So nice to have B home! He has been nonstop talking about his trip!! Even mentioned that he volunteered to talk to participants who aren’t sure about going to the camp or would like to know what it’s like from someone who’s been there. He’s your next poster child!! On the way home from the airport he says “Mom I know I’m not supposed to lie…but can I tell my brothers the camp was awful so they don’t want to go next year?? I really want to go back! I miss my friends already!” -Christin L, first year Northwaters parent

Every year I have come up here it has been an eye-opening and positive refresher to keep my mind focused on what is important and carry the skills I have acquired with me into my life. -Robert M, fifth year participant, Leadership Program, age 19

The boys are back – they were looking great and their stories were full off amazing adventures. They have again made memories that will keep them going for a long time. I believe strongly that these trips make them stronger and develop them in a different way – more open, strong, with patience and love. Thank you for everything that you and the team have done for our boys. 🙂 -Ilse V and Laurent D, fourth year Northwaters and Langskib parents

I really found my true self on this trip and learned many different things that will help to bring out the light in me. -Wren V, first year participant, Northern Lights, age 11

T shared many pictures, videos and stories. I am very grateful for what he experienced and I see him again growing into a strong young man. Please continue the great work you do for children and I thank you all again. -Yumiko Y, fifth year Northwaters & Langskib parent

We are so happy and grateful to have our girl back home, especially because of the great experiences she has been sharing every day. Please thank her guides for their leadership and example.  Also, thanks to you and everyone involved in any, any aspect of this beautiful camp.  It is opportunities like this that change people and we can se that our daughter obtained so many benefits.  We see a young woman that has reconnected with her soul and is aware of her place, time and power to share her inner beauty with everyone.  This is priceless and a gift to the whole family as she is now passing on to her sisters and us many things she has learned and valued. -Georgina M, first year Northwaters parent

I am sorry that we were unable to pick C up from Northwaters this year and see all of the staff and personally thank them for once again giving her an experience of a lifetime. After three weeks on the Dumoine trip, she has returned to us happier, more confident and more enthusiastic than she is normally. Your staff does an exceptional job organizing and running your programs. She’s already looking forward to next year! Thank you for everything you do for the participants and best wishes for the rest of the season. -Angela and Paul S, fourth year Northwaters parents

We couldn’t be more proud of N!!!  Not just for the physical capabilities that he went through, but for the mental and emotional ones as well.  We have had a couple of heart-to-heart conversations already; all initiated by him…which left us both crying.   The leaders really tapped in to his mind and his heart.  You have an incredible staff!! -Tricia H, first year Northwaters parent

He is back home! As last year, he is so happy to share with us his best memories of the trip! He is especially happy of the two journeys he did: the one outside paddling with the group, and the one “inside”. Thank you from the bottom of our heart for the wonderful experience kids can live because of the great and fantastic job you do with NWL. -Christine H, second year Northwaters parent

E’s experiences these past two summers gave her a very powerful sense of her own strengths. She tends to be quiet and shy so we’re delighted to see how strong and proud she is. –Amy S, second year Northern Lights parent

Having a chance for J to integrate learning resilience, communication skills, appreciation of nature and survival skills while working in a team was so valuable. At first he didn’t think he would enjoy it but he totally did. -Rose T, first year Northwaters parent

Most important is that this is not a “keep my kid busy” program, but a profound “coming of age” life experience that helps her be her best self. Thank you! I am more than grateful for this program and her guides, that led her to understand teamwork and pulling her weight, to complete tasks, while steadily guiding her confidence and consciousness. -Michelle W, first year Northern Lights parent

Year after year it exceeds both ours and our son’s expectations. We love to see him come home relaxed, confident, self-reliant and significantly more aware of his environment and in tune with other people’s needs. There is clearly a lot of maturing that goes on at Langskib! –Korina D, third year Langskib parent

Your program is terrific because it appeals equally to kids and parents. My kids love the atmosphere, the camaraderie, the challenge, the beautiful nature, and the ability to do things they normally wouldn’t. We love that they learn to work with a group, realize their limits are beyond where they think they are, and are spending time away from electronics and the hustle of bustle of city life! -Tom P, second year Excalibur parent