Camp Nominingue
Camp Nominingue is a traditional English-language overnight summer camp for boys aged 7-16, founded in 1925 on a 400+ acre property in Nominingue, Quebec, serving 210+ campers per session through session-based tuition, canoe tripping programs, and a custom cedar-canvas canoe side business.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1925
- HeadquartersNominingue, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Camp Nominingue does
Camp Nominingue is a traditional English-language overnight summer camp for boys aged 7-16, located on a 400+ acre property with 2+ km of shoreline on Petit Lac Nominingue in the northern Laurentians of Quebec, Canada. Founded on July 4, 1925 by F.M. Van Wagner and Hay Finlay with 10 campers and 5 staff, the camp has operated continuously for nearly 100 years and serves upwards of 210 campers at any given time during the summer season. The core program centers on tent-based accommodation (canvas tents on wooden platforms), a structured progression system (Feather Shield) across instruction areas such as canoeing, archery, climbing, and sailing, and a signature wilderness canoe tripping program with expeditions ranging from overnight outings to 10-day wilderness trips in La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve. The camp maintains a 1:3 staff-to-camper ratio with approximately 80 seasonal staff, of whom 85% are returning from prior summers and 20-30% are international hires from 9+ countries.
The business operates on a direct-to-consumer model with session-based pricing. Tuition ranges from $1,875 for an 8-day Discovery Session (ages 7-10) to $10,500 for a 54-day Extended Session, with a 26-day Full Session priced at $5,750. Additional revenue streams include a Leader-in-Training Program for 16-year-olds ($6,350), Family Camp sessions at end of summer ($150/day adult, $100/day child), a canoe company that builds and sells custom cedar-canvas canoes ($4,000-$4,300) and offers repair services, and a tuck shop. Campers are distributed approximately 70% from Quebec, 20% from Ontario, and 10% internationally, with about 20% of parents reporting their son speaks little or no English and choosing Nominingue for English immersion. Distribution is direct via the camp's website and CampBrain registration platform, with chartered bus transportation from Montreal and Ottawa, plus airport pickup from Montreal-Trudeau.
The camp has been family-owned since 2015, when Erik Blachford and his wife Maryam purchased it from Peter Van Wagner. The Blachford family has multi-generational ties to the camp spanning 4 generations. The business is co-managed by Camp Director Matt Cromey (an alumnus since 1990) and Business Director Nicole Larin, with the camp operating under the founder's 1925 charitable mission and accredited by the Association des camps du Québec, Ontario Camps Association, and Canadian Camping Association. Its competitive positioning rests on century-long brand equity, deep institutional culture, returning-staff continuity, and a diversified but capacity-constrained recreational product mix anchored by canoe tripping.
Camp Nominingue firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Camp Nominingue
- Legal name
- Camp Nominingue
- Website
- https://nominingue.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1925
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Camp Nominingue is a traditional English-language overnight summer camp for boys aged 7-16, founded in 1925 on a 400+ acre property in Nominingue, Quebec, serving 210+ campers per session through session-based tuition, canoe tripping programs, and a custom cedar-canvas canoe side business.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Camp Nominingue industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Summer Camp Services
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)
Keywords
Where Camp Nominingue is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nominingue
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Camp Nominingue business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Summer Camp Tuition: Session-based camp fees covering accommodation in canvas tents, all meals, activities, instruction, and canoe trips. Pricing varies by session length from 8 days to 54 days.
- Family Camp Fees: Family camp sessions at end of summer season, with daily rates ($150/adult, $100/child) or full session pricing.
- Canoe Sales and Repair Services: The Camp Nominingue Canoe Company builds and sells custom cedar-canvas canots ($4,000-$4,300) and offers repair services including canvas replacement ($879), custom painting, and parts replacement.
- Camp Store (Tuck Shop): On-site store selling essential items (toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, chocolate bars) and camp merchandise. $75 deposit required from all campers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 8-day Discovery Session for ages 7-10 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 12-day Session |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 15-day Session |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 19-day Session |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 26-day Full Session |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Leader-in-Training Program (3.5 weeks) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 40-day Extended Session |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 43-day Extended Session |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 54-day Extended Session |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Family Camp - Adult daily rate |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Family Camp - Child daily rate |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Family Camp - Full session adult |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Family Camp - Full session child |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Camp Nominingue product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Camp Nominingue operates a traditional English-language overnight summer camp for boys ages 7–16 on a 400+ acre property in the northern Laurentians of Quebec. The core offering is session-based enrollment (8 to 54 days) that bundles tent-based accommodation, meals, outdoor instruction (canoeing, archery, climbing, sailing, tennis, swimming), and supervised wilderness canoe-tripping expeditions in Papineau-Labelle and La Vérendrye wildlife reserves. Supporting programs include a Leader-in-Training program for 16-year-olds, a Family Camp at season's end, and the Camp Nominingue Canoe Company, which builds and repairs custom cedar-and-canvas canoes.
Product overview
Camp Nominingue is a traditional boys summer camp founded in 1925, offering a unified camping experience centered on tent-based accommodation in the Laurentian wilderness. The core program includes the Traditional Summer Camp for boys aged 7-16, the Canoe Tripping Program with wilderness expeditions, the Leader-in-Training Program for leadership development, and Family Camp for multi-generational experiences. Additionally, the Camp Nominingue Canoe Company operates as a separate offering providing custom cedar-and-canvas canoe construction and repair services. The camp emphasizes outdoor skills development, independence, and traditional camping values.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Traditional Boys Summer Camp Program Session-based traditional English-language overnight summer camp for boys ages 7-16 located in the northern Laurentians of Quebec, providing canvas-tent accommodation, meals, supervised outdoor instruction (canoeing, archery, climbing, sailing, tennis, swimming), and access to the canoe tripping program.
- Canoe Tripping Program Wilderness canoe expedition program with age-appropriate trips ranging from overnight outings to 10-day expeditions in La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve and Papineau-Labelle, teaching navigation, campcraft, and wilderness cooking to boys ages 7-16.
- Leader-in-Training Program Leadership development program for 16-year-olds (Grade 10+ completers) providing certification training in first aid, lifesaving, and canoeing, including an 8-day canoe trip and solo experience to prepare candidates for camp counselor roles. Priced at $6,350 for a 3.5-week session.
Quantifiable outcome
- Staff-to-camper ratio maintained at 1:3
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Camp Nominingue
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Camp Nominingue technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Camp Nominingue partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Camp Nominingue competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Camp Kandalore: Traditional wilderness co-ed camp in Haliburton, Ontario, with canoe tripping and outdoor skill programs. Comparable target market (Canadian families) and outdoor programming.
- Camp Arowhon: Traditional wilderness co-ed camp in Algonquin Park, Ontario, offering canoe tripping and outdoor activities. Direct competitor for Ontario/Quebec families seeking traditional wilderness experiences.
- Camp Wabikon: Traditional wilderness co-ed camp in Ontario with canoe tripping and outdoor skills programming. Comparable Canadian wilderness camp offering.
- Camp Tamakwa: Traditional wilderness co-ed summer camp in Algonquin Park, Ontario, with canoe tripping as a core program. Most comparable peer in Canadian wilderness-camp market.
- Camp Wanapitei: Wilderness canoe-tripping camp in Temagami, Ontario, focused on multi-week expeditions. Shares Nominingue's expedition-based wilderness programming and Canadian camp market.
- Keewaydin Camps: Historic wilderness canoe-tripping camp in Vermont and northern Minnesota. Closest analogue worldwide for canoe-tripping-first program design and alumni tradition.
- Camp Pathfinder: Traditional boys' summer camp in Ontario emphasizing wilderness canoe tripping. Directly comparable gender-specific positioning and program mix.
Regional players
- Camp Manitou: Traditional boys' summer camp in Quebec serving similar anglophone market in the Laurentians/Ottawa region. Direct regional competitor for Quebec families.
Emerging players
- Camp Towhee / Camp Indigo: Specialized Canadian camps focused on particular child populations (e.g., social-emotional learning, therapeutic). Adjacent market segment competing for the same family summer-spend dollars.
Broad incumbents
- YMCA Cedar Glen (and similar Y camps): Large Canadian YMCA camp network offering traditional overnight camping. Broader incumbent competitor with overlapping programming but lower specialization in wilderness tripping.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Camp Nominingue social profiles
Digital presenceCamp Nominingue compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Camp Nominingue financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Camp Nominingue leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Camp Nominingue funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Camp Nominingue M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Camp Nominingue
What does Camp Nominingue do?
Camp Nominingue operates a traditional English-language overnight summer camp for boys ages 7–16 on a 400+ acre property in the northern Laurentians of Quebec. The core offering is session-based enrollment (8 to 54 days) that bundles tent-based accommodation, meals, outdoor instruction (canoeing, archery, climbing, sailing, tennis, swimming), and supervised wilderness canoe-tripping expeditions in Papineau-Labelle and La Vérendrye wildlife reserves. Supporting programs include a Leader-in-Training program for 16-year-olds, a Family Camp at season's end, and the Camp Nominingue Canoe Company, which builds and repairs custom cedar-and-canvas canoes.
Is Camp Nominingue a public or private company?
Camp Nominingue is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Camp Nominingue founded?
Camp Nominingue was founded in 1925. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Camp Nominingue based?
Camp Nominingue is headquartered in Nominingue, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Camp Nominingue make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Summer Camp Tuition is the primary driver. The others are family Camp Fees, canoe Sales and Repair Services and camp Store (Tuck Shop).
Who are Camp Nominingue's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Camp Kandalore, Camp Arowhon, Camp Wabikon, Camp Tamakwa, Camp Wanapitei, Keewaydin Camps and Camp Pathfinder. Camp Manitou is listed as a regional player. Camp Towhee / Camp Indigo is listed as an emerging player. YMCA Cedar Glen (and similar Y camps) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Camp Nominingue have an API?
No public API is recorded for Camp Nominingue.
What industry is Camp Nominingue in?
Camp Nominingue's product category is Summer Camp Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAOAG, Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps), with a secondary code of EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports). Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7000.