A History of Synod Camping

Cairn is four Christian summer camp programmes joined together by our Mission. We are owned and operated by the Presbyterian Church in Canada.   The Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda manages the day to day operations of our programmes.

Cairn is the face of Synod Camping and the home of the Glen Mhor, Iona, Dorothy Lake and Presbyterian Music Camp. Cairn has a central site in Baysville, ON, and a satellite site in Kirkland Lake, ON.

Following the report to Synod by the Special Commission on Camping in 2005, all the camping programmes in the Synod were centralized under one vision.

Cairn opened its doors in 2006 with all 4 camping programmes sharing a new hope for the future. Through dedicated service, deliberate excellence and faith in the power of camp ministry, Cairn will guide, develop and foster the growth of all the youth in the Synod.

Glen Mhor

Through the generosity of Mr. And Mrs. James Playfair of Midland, Ontario, – who donated the site – Glen Mhor was established in Beaverton as a summer girl’s camp in 1930.
In the 1970’s, the Lake Simcoe site was judged to be too small for the needs of a growing camp programme.  The search began for a new location, and it was not long before the 197 acre site on Echo Lake was purchased.
Now in Baysville, Ontario, Glen Mhor cabins currently house 96 campers per week (co-ed) as well as the Glen Mhor Outdoor Centre for school groups in May and June. Many other retreats as well as rental group opportunities fill up the seasonal calendar.

Iona

This wilderness style camp started on Hart Lake in Bala in 1962. For the first 43 years, Iona was located just a few miles outside of Bala in the rugged Muskoka region. It was moved to the Baysville site in the spring of 2006. Iona continues to have its focus on canoe tripping and learning to live in the wilderness. Children sleep in platform tents, help to cook their own food, and decide their own daily schedule as a unit.

Dorothy Lake

This summer camp began in Kirkland Lake, Ontario in the 1960’s. This pristine site offers sessions for families, for the youth of the Temiskaming Presbytery, and has weeks dedicated to the new and growing partnership with Native Ministries and Renewal Fellowship. The site is also available for rental groups. www.dorothylake.on.ca

Presbyterian Music Camp

PMC was originally organized as a one time event to introduce the new Presbyterian Book of Praise in 1972. This event was loosely organized under the Book of Praise committee and held at the Golden Lake United Church Camp site. After that camp, the organizing committee was encouraged to run a similar camp in the following year. It has been running ever since!
Presbyterian Music Camp has always been a self-supporting, non-profit organization and runs an excellent week of music and worship for families. It currently rents a site at Camp Tamarack in Bracebridge, Ontario. www.musicamp.ca