Founded in 1985, Circle Square Ranch Grand River (formally Brantford) has been operating as a life-changing summer camp for children and youth. We are committed to seeing young people transformed by the love of God actively at work in their lives.

We run day camp & overnight programs throughout the summer for ages 6-16. Year-round, we host overnight retreats, day trips, and school field trips.

Activities vary depending on the camp, but they include: horseback riding, swimming, high ropes, initiative course, wall climbing, archery, crafts, sling shots, trampolines, variety of recreational activities, large camp games, canteen, devotions, campfires, theme meals, and more.

We have a mixture of cabins, lodge & occasionally wagons with bunk beds. Your accommodations may change from week to week depending on how many kids we have at camp & your job assignment. If you are an international staff or volunteer, you may also have a separate residence on the weekends in various staff accommodations around the property. Click here to see some photos of our various facilities.

Yes! All bathrooms have electricity, regular flushing toilets and showers. All cabins & covered wagons have electricity.

The process to become a volunteer or staff depends on your age and the type of involvement you would like to have. Click here to find specific details on hiring requirements.

Camp happens with the help of an amazing volunteer team made up of teens, young adults, parent volunteers, and community members. If you are 13+, please click here to find an overview of how we can get you on our Summer Volunteer team!

Those on our Senior Team & Core Team will spend their whole summer at camp. If you are joining our Impact Team, you do not need to come for the whole summer. Some Impact team members only come for one week, or volunteer for days here and there throughout the summer. Others spend the majority of their summer at camp. When applying online, you can check off what dates you are available. We will finalize the dates you will be at camp after you are accepted and can adjust those dates as needed.

No problem. There is a spot on the application to indicate that you are unsure of your availability. It is better to under commit than over commit as we plan our numbers based on staff availability. You are always welcome to add more weeks later!

Volunteers (with the exception of Jr. Volunteers, Community Volunteers, and Parent Volunteers) will receive an honorarium based on their age and number of weeks worked. All volunteers will be required to submit direct deposit and tax forms to receive an honorarium. Volunteers that work 2 weeks or less, will receive an honorarium of $60/week. Volunteers working 3 or more weeks will receive an honorarium based on the following ages:

16yrs – $100/week

17yrs – $150/week

18+ – $200/week

Honorariums are subject to government deductions and are paid out at the end of the summer, or end of September, depending on paperwork submission. Staff Training and Week 9 (Staff Week) do not count towards “Weeks Worked” as we do not typically provide honorarium for these weeks.
There are also a few ways to make additional funds such as:

• Inviting friends
• Summer Missions program to fundraise support for your work

We also have a variety of other positions on our Senior Team and Core Team that may receive additional pay.

Depending on your role at camp this summer, there may be various training days for you to attend in the spring (eg. Horse Staff training, Adventure Staff Training, Senior Team training, Jr. Volunteer training, etc.). The last week of June each year we also run a 3-5 day training week that all members of Senior Team, Core Team, and Impact Team should attend (with the exception of Parent Volunteers in the kitchen, Community Volunteers, and Jr. Volunteers). This is a fun week to get to know each other and get prepared for camp. We understand that not everyone will be able to attend this training, so most of the training can be done online and we will catch you up on a few additional sessions when you arrive at camp to work. Some specialty training can only be done in person (Eg. Horse Staff and Adventure Staff).

Yes, we will provide all your meals from Sunday at dinner until Friday at dinner. We will also provide food for staff & volunteers who have been approved to stay over the weekends (i.e. international staff and those that live 1.5 hours or more away). Circle Square Ranch has an experienced team of cooks who prepare delicious meals for campers and staff. Afternoon and bedtime snacks are provided. We can accommodate most vegetarian, lactose free, and gluten free dietary restrictions. Staff & volunteer members with particular dietary needs are encouraged to consult with camp prior to their arrival to make sure we can adequately meet their needs. You are welcome to bring your own nut-free snacks.

We hold a staff & volunteer meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon to discuss job roles, expectations for the week, provide extra information, and to pray before the week begins. We also meet as a team after camper sign out on Friday and are typically done around 8:30pm. Parent Volunteers, Community Volunteers, and Junior Volunteers will have different start and end times.

Staff & Volunteers are off duty from Friday night until early Sunday afternoon. Staff & Volunteers who have been approved to stay over the weekends (i.e. international staff and those that live 1.5 hours or more away) can remain at camp. Other volunteers should go home to do laundry and rest. This provides a good opportunity to recharge before the next week begins, if you are working the next week. International staff members and other staff ages 18+ can arrange transportation and leave the camp property during their time off to shop and explore.

Members of our Senior Team & Core Team are hired for specific roles at camp and will be given a job description. Most members of our Impact Team will have the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles through the summer depending on their skill set. Job roles include: overnight camp counselling, day camp counselling, group leading, program staff, adventure staff (extra training provided), barn staff (extra training provided), maintenance, kitchen help, etc.

Your job role may change from week to week over the course of the summer depending on the camps we are running, the number of volunteers we have, and to give everyone the opportunity to try out new things.

Parent Volunteers will serve either in the kitchen or as group leaders. Community Volunteers will serve in the kitchen. Jr. Volunteers will primarily work with our day campers.

Job roles include: overnight camp counselling, day camp counselling, group leading, program staff, adventure staff (extra training provided), barn staff (extra training provided), maintenance, kitchen help, etc.

Your job role may change from week to week over the course of the summer depending on the camps we are running, the number of volunteers we have, and to give everyone the opportunity to try out new things.

Typically, we will discuss job assignments with you before they are given.

Our general expectation of you is that you will help to create a positive & caring camp environment centred on serving God in whatever way you can. More specific expectations will be taught to you throughout the training process and within our weekly staff meetings.

We enjoy being able to place volunteers in areas they are gifted in & passionate about. In order to be considered for a barn or adventure role, you will need to attend our specific training for those departments. Job assignments may change each week, so there may be some weeks you are in the requested area and other weeks where you are placed in other roles. The reason for this is to give others the opportunity to try out new positions & also dependent on what our needs are for the week based on camper numbers. We will talk with you about potential positions to ensure you feel equipped and comfortable filling your role.

The list below is for local staff. If you are an international staff member, you will be sent a different list. Some additional items may be needed depending on your position at camp.

We will give you a list of what to bring a bit closer to summer but it would be a good idea to pack:

• Enough clothes for the week for a variety of weather conditions
• Bathroom/ hygiene items including towels
• Swim suit
• Variety of foot wear including close-toed shoes
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Water bottle
• Fan
• Pillow/ bedding
• Flashlight
• Bible
• Theme meal costumes (we have some fun evening themed meals. Our calendar for these will be ready closer to summer)

You will be given a minimum of a 1 hour break each day from Monday-Thursday. You will also be off duty from Friday night until Sunday after lunch.

Circle Square Ranch exists for the purpose of helping introduce campers to who God is, and come alongside them as they grow in their faith. Likewise, serving at camp is an amazing way for you to also grow in your faith. Each morning we participate in devotions as a camp, and each night we host “Campfire”. During these time periods, we will come together to sing some camp songs and worship songs, pray, and hear a story from the Bible. We also incorporate prayer and other times of ministry throughout the day. Members of our Impact Team will also have the opportunity to attend staff-specific devotions during the week. Our Senior Team members will come alongside you throughout your time at camp to pray with you and encourage you. We recognize that everyone is in different stages in their faith journey, and will support you in your various job roles as you go about your day.