Swimming is where Camp Chikopi began.
Founded in 1920 under the direction of University of Michigan and U.S. Olympic swim coach and International Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee Matt Mann II, Camp Chikopi was the world’s first swim camp. From its earliest days, Chikopi developed swimmers who went on to compete at the highest levels, including Canadian, American, and international Olympic teams.
More than a century later, swimming remains a defining part of camp life, guided by Matt Mann’s original philosophy: the physical, moral, and personal development of each boy.
While competitive swimming has changed over the decades, one thing has not: swimmers thrive when training is balanced. At Camp Chikopi, swimming is part of a broader, active camp experience that supports long-term athletic development, injury prevention, and overall well-being.
Some campers arrive with strong competitive swimming backgrounds. Others are learning basic skills or building water confidence for the first time. Our program supports both, without forcing boys into a single pathway.
Every camper is swim tested on arrival and placed according to Life Saving Society and Red Cross standards, ensuring appropriate instruction and supervision from day one.
Chikopi’s competitive swimming program focuses on individual improvement, strong fundamentals, and healthy training habits.
Rather than year-round, single-sport intensity, swimmers at Chikopi benefit from a program that maintains swim fitness while incorporating cross-training through other sports and activities. This approach helps swimmers stay strong, motivated, and mentally fresh.
Competitive swim training emphasizes:
Stroke technique and efficiency
Starts, turns, and streamlining
Sprint-focused conditioning
Race strategy, pacing, and control
Swimmers train in our one-of-a-kind 50-metre pool built directly into the lake, using fresh, flowing water rather than indoor chlorinated pools. Training outdoors in clean northern air supports respiratory health and reduces common issues associated with indoor pool environments.
Open water swimming is also a key component of our program. Competitive swimmers are introduced to open water gradually, building confidence, strength, and stamina. Highlights include:
The Chikopi Mile Swim
The Ahmic Lake Swim
The Chikopi to Magnetawan Swim
Every camper has the opportunity to complete the Chikopi Mile and have his name placed on the dining room wall, a tradition that represents personal achievement rather than competition.
Chikopi is equally well known for teaching swimming fundamentals to boys at every level.
Campers who are learning to swim or improving basic skills receive daily instruction focused on:
Water confidence
Stroke fundamentals
Safety awareness
Enjoyment of being in the water
Recreational swimming takes place in supervised settings, including the beach and lakefront areas. Instruction is progressive, encouraging steady improvement without pressure.
All water activities at Camp Chikopi begin with safety instruction and are supervised by certified lifeguards. Open water swimmers are accompanied by a canoe or kayak at all times.
Campers swim in Ahmic Lake, part of the Magnetawan River system. The lake provides clean, flowing freshwater with no chlorine or chemical treatment.
Many members of our coaching staff grew up at Chikopi and understand both swimming and the camp environment. Instruction focuses on developing strong swimmers and confident young people.
In addition to swimming, campers participate in activities such as kayaking, sailing, tennis, basketball, soccer, cycling, and more. This variety supports athletic balance and helps prevent burnout.
Unlike year-round swim programs, Chikopi allows swimmers to build friendships with boys from different sports, backgrounds, and countries. These relationships often become one of the most meaningful parts of the summer.
The camp’s waterfront spans nearly a mile of Ahmic Lake shoreline, one of Ontario’s most unspoiled lakes. Beyond the 50-metre pool, the lake itself becomes a natural training and recreational environment.
The beach is open daily during elective periods and offers supervised swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, and relaxed lake time.
Swimming at Camp Chikopi is not about specialization at all costs. It is about building strong swimmers, confident boys, and lifelong appreciation for health, activity, and challenge.
If you would like to enroll your son for Summer 2026, visit: Register Today
or call us at (705) 387-3811. November to May (954) 566-8235
