Our Impact

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty — One Summer at a Time

Camp Dakota has a strong track record of making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth from subsidized, low-income housing communities. We believe that poverty shouldn’t define a child’s future — yet it often isolates, marginalizes, and limits access to the very opportunities that help break the cycle.

At Camp Dakota, we offer more than just a summer camp — we provide an exit strategy. By creating a safe, welcoming place to belong, we help youth build confidence, explore their potential, and see beyond the barriers of poverty.

In today’s world, where anxiety and mental health challenges are on the rise among young people, connection is more important than ever. Camp Dakota gives youth the chance to unplug from screens and spend their summer outdoors — forming healthy relationships, gaining new experiences, and growing under the guidance of caring, positive role models.

camper weeks for 2026

Day Camp runs for 6 weeks for children 6 - 12 yrs. Registration to be announced in Spring 2026.

TIME: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Except for National Government Holidays.

Campers and Leaders in Training are children who reside in government funded low income housing communities, and can be fully sponsored and funded through donations, grants from Canada Summer Jobs and bursaries from Jumpstart.

No child is turned away.

Communities We Serve

Camp Dakota is a safe, supportive, and energetic space for children and youth from Oakville, Burlington, Acton, Jane-Finch, and Etobicoke.
To date, we’ve proudly provided over 1,200 camper weeks, offering life-changing summer experiences filled with friendship, fun, and personal growth.

👉 Want to get involved? Contact us to learn more.

Leaders in Training (L.I.T.) Program

Our Leaders in Training program runs for 6 weeks and is open to youth ages 13 to 17.
This hands-on leadership experience empowers youth to develop confidence, responsibility, and teamwork skills—helping them become inspiring role models at camp and beyond.

👉 Ready to lead the way? Apply now for our L.I.T. Program and start your leadership journey today!