Christie Lake Kids

What Christie Lake Kids does

Christie Lake Kids is a registered Canadian charitable organization founded in 1922 in Ottawa, Ontario, that delivers free recreational programs to children and youth from low-income households. Its core product is a portfolio of in-person recreational programming — including summer camp, sports, arts, music, curling, and pickleball — delivered across 14 program locations and at an 88-acre dedicated camp property. The organization served over 600 children in 2025 and is expanding into new formats such as an intergenerational music program in partnership with Perley Health and a pickleball program.

The business model is donation-funded rather than revenue-generating. Income is derived from a diversified mix of corporate sponsorships (Enbridge, Altis, Welch LLP, Telesat, and others), grants (e.g., Ontario Trillium Foundation), individual giving, and a calendar of signature fundraising events including the Enbridge Canoe for Kids, Christie Lake Kids Golf Tournament, and Curling FUNspiel. The organization employs 11–50 staff and operates within a CRA-registered charitable structure, with governance provided by a volunteer board of directors.

Distribution is anchored in the National Capital Region, with service delivery tightly localized to Ottawa-area children and families. The organization complements direct programming with community outreach initiatives such as the Toy Mountain holiday campaign and benefit gaming events held in partnership with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group.

Name

Christie Lake Kids

Legal name

Christie Lake Kids

Website

https://www.christielakekids.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Christie Lake Kids is a summer camp organization for children and youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Recreation and Community Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), Child and Youth Services (624110), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Marina RV & Waterfront Campgrounds (THAMAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK)

Keywords

• Youth recreation programs
• Summer camp services
• After-school programs
• Nonprofit community services
• Youth development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting free recreational programs for children from low-income households. Donations can be designated to STAR Program or Area of Greatest Need.
2. Corporate Sponsorship and Giving: Corporate partners make financial gifts, sponsor events, participate in team fundraising, and provide volunteer support. Includes camp work parties and event sponsorship opportunities.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Revenue generated from signature fundraising events including golf tournaments, soirees, canoe races, bocce battles, and adventure climbs. Funds support specific programs like Leaders in Training, STAR City Programs, and camp operations.
4. Vehicle Donations: Partnership with Donate a Car Canada allows donors to contribute vehicles which are recycled or sold with proceeds benefiting Christie Lake Kids.
5. Government and Foundation Grants: Grant funding from organizations like the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support organizational capacity and recovery initiatives.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Christie Lake Kids is a registered charity that delivers free recreational and skill-building programs to children and youth aged 6-17 from low-income households in Ottawa. Its core offerings are the overnight Christie Lake Kids Camp on an 88-acre site in Westport, Ontario, the year-round STAR City Programs delivered at 14 community locations across 8 Ottawa priority neighbourhoods, and Leadership Programs (including Leaders in Training for ages 13-18). All programs are provided at no cost to families, with activities spanning art, music, sports, swimming, STEM, and outdoor recreation.

Product overview

Christie Lake Kids is a charitable organization (not a technology company) providing free recreational programs to children and youth from low-income households in Ottawa for over 100 years. The organization operates three core programs: Christie Lake Kids Camp (a free overnight summer camp on 88 acres in Westport, Ontario), STAR City Programs (after-school and weekend activities across 14 locations in Ottawa's priority neighborhoods), and Leadership Programs (including the Leaders in Training program for youth aged 13-18). The organization also organizes signature fundraising events including the Four Seasons Soirée, CLK Golf Tournament, Enbridge Canoe for Kids, and Climb for Kids international trekking adventures. Programs include activities such as art, music, basketball, hockey, swimming, STEM, canoeing, and outdoor recreation at no cost to families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STAR City Programs: Skills Through Arts and Recreation programs that help kids develop important life skills, taking place after-school and on weekends in Ottawa's priority neighbourhoods.
• Christie Lake Kids Camp
• Leadership Programs
• Climb for Kids

Products and services

• Christie Lake Kids Camp A free overnight summer camp located on 88 acres in Westport, Ontario, offering children from low-income households opportunities for outdoor recreation, swimming, hiking, canoeing, and skill-building activities in a safe, inclusive environment.
• STAR City Programs Skills Through Arts and Recreation (STAR) programs offering after-school and weekend activities in eight of Ottawa's priority neighbourhoods at 14 locations, including art, music, basketball, hockey, swimming, STEM, and outdoor recreation for children and youth aged 6-17 from low-income households.
• Leadership Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports 600+ children annually across 8 Ottawa neighbourhoods and 14 locations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ottawa Rapid FCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 June 2026Christie Lake Kids partnered with Ottawa's professional women's soccer team. Through this partnership, 10% of every ticket purchased using a special link is donated directly to Christie Lake Kids. Sport has the power to inspire confidence, build connections, and strengthen communities.
• Ottawa BlackJackscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2025Christie Lake Kids became the Official Charitable Partner of the Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). $10 from every ticket purchased for any BlackJacks game comes back to CLK. Basketball is used as a tool for teaching teamwork, leadership, and overcoming challenges.
• Ottawa Young Construction Leaders (OYCL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOYCL donated time and expertise to give Christie Lake Kids Camp a makeover, including painting, repairs, and site improvements. They also raised funds to support year-round programs for children from low-income households.
• Donate a Car CanadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation program allowing donors to contribute cars, trucks, RVs, boats, or motorcycles. Donate a Car Canada handles all details from free towing to disbursal, and donors receive a tax receipt.
• House of EnsembleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Neighborhood Project program where CLK youth explore songwriting, music production, podcasting and marketing, led by local artist Luigi 'City Fidelia' Fidelia.
• Perley HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristie Lake Kids launched an inaugural intergenerational music program in collaboration with Perley Health, bringing together youth and seniors for musical activities and shared meals.
• Ottawa International Writers Festival (Republic of Childhood)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStep Into Stories creative writing program where youth from Leaders in Training programs explored poetry and storytelling. Youth wrote poems and short stories collected into a published book.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa: Operates after-school and recreational programs for Ottawa children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Most direct local peer in mission, beneficiary base, and delivery model.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa: Provides mentorship-driven youth development programs for underserved children in Ottawa. Strong overlap in target population, mentoring model, and volunteer-driven delivery.
• Kidsport Canada: National charity removing financial barriers to sport for children from low-income families. Directly mirrors CLK's mission of subsidizing recreational access for underprivileged youth, including hockey and swimming programs.
• Camp Ooch & Mushtague (Camp Ooch): Charitable overnight camp serving children affected by childhood cancer. Closely comparable Canadian non-profit camp model — free programming, donor-funded, volunteer-driven, and evidence-based child development focus.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region: Major regional charity offering overnight camps, after-school programs, child care, and youth leadership in Ottawa. Larger, broader portfolio that overlaps with CLK's three core program areas.
• Right To Play International: Global charity using sport and play for child development in disadvantaged communities. Comparable in using sports/recreation as a vehicle for youth skill-building, though at much larger scale and international scope.

Emerging players

• Easter Seals Canada: National charity operating accessible summer camps and recreation programs for children with disabilities and special needs. Comparable camp-based recreational funding model and donor-driven revenue stream.
• Sport Matters Group (Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities): National charity funding sport participation for children from low-income families. Comparable mission of removing financial barriers to sport for youth, with corporate (Canadian Tire) anchor funding model similar to CLK's Enbridge relationship.

Others

• United Way East Ontario: Regional umbrella funder for many Ottawa social-service charities. Comparable as a funding/partner ecosystem player, though it operates as a grantmaker rather than direct service provider.
• Canadian Camping Association: National association for accredited camps including many not-for-profit children's camps. Comparable in overnight camp operations and accreditation standards, though it functions as an industry body rather than service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/christie-lake-kids
• Xx.com/christielake
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChristieLakeKids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Christie Lake Kids