What Winning Techniques does

Winning Techniques is a privately-held, founder-operated summer camp business headquartered in Emsdale (Perry), Ontario, Canada, founded in 1999 by Kim and Adam Grin. It delivers overnight and day camp experiences for children aged 4–17 through a tiered program architecture: a general Adventure Village core, four age-segmented programs (Explorers 4–6, Go Wilds 7–10, Thrill Seekers 11–13, and Mavericks 14–17), and five specialized sports programs (Figure Skating, Hockey, Towed Water Sports, Intense Water Sports, and Leadership Development with LIT/SIT certification tracks). All programs are unified by an in-house 'Top 8 Skills for the Game of Life' character development framework and operate at a 1:3 staff-to-camper ratio.

The underlying product is fundamentally a service operation, not a technology platform: there is no proprietary software stack, and the company explicitly identifies its core technology as 'Not applicable.' The only digital layer referenced is the Activity Messenger online registration platform, which handles direct-to-consumer sign-ups. Ancillary offerings include a standalone Water Sports School (individual lessons from $50 per session), GRIN's on-site Camp Store (Tuck Shop), and shuttle services to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport ($199 standard / $369 custom), which together extend the revenue surface beyond weekly camp fees.

The business model is direct-to-consumer weekly subscription pricing, with overnight camp at $1,249–$1,399/week, day camp at $479–$499/week, and specialty sports programs priced up to $1,799/week, all in Canadian dollars and inclusive of meals, activities, and supervision. Multi-week discounts, a Refer-a-Friend program, and a scholarship program (over $175,000 awarded since 2009 through Universal Youth Foundation) supplement the core pricing. Customer acquisition is driven by the company's website, YouTube/Instagram/Facebook channels, and word-of-mouth referrals, with international families enrolling from outside Canada. Marketing and operational accreditations include Ontario Camps Association membership (675+ standards), Skate Canada, Waterski and Wakeboard Canada, NCCP coaching certification, and Lifesaving Society affiliation.

Name

Winning Techniques

Legal name

Winning Techniques Incorporated

Website

https://winningtechniques.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Winning Techniques is a privately-held, family-owned summer camp in Emsdale, Ontario, founded in 1999, serving children ages 4–17 through overnight and day programs spanning general adventure, figure skating, hockey, towed water sports, and leadership development on a direct-to-consumer weekly subscription model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Summer Camp Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Summer camp services
• Youth overnight camps
• Specialty sports camps
• Children's day camps
• Camp leadership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Emsdale (Perry)

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Overnight Camp Registration: Core overnight camp experience with accommodation, meals, and all camp activities included. Priced at $1249-$1399 per week.
2. Day Camp Registration: Day camp programs Monday-Friday without overnight accommodation. Priced at $479-$499 per week.
3. Specialty Sports Programs: Premium programs including Hockey ($1699), Figure Skating ($1799), Water Sports ($1149), and Leadership ($1699) with enhanced specialized training.
4. Water Sports School Lessons: Individual lessons for waterskiing, wakeboarding, and other towed water sports. Lesson rates start at $50 per session.
5. Camp Store (Tuck Shop): On-site store selling treats, souvenirs, camp clothing, and essentials. Open specific hours throughout the week.
6. Transportation Services: Shuttle service between Toronto Pearson Airport and camp. One-way standard shuttle $199, custom shuttle $369.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Winning Techniques operates an Ontario-based summer camp providing overnight and day programs for children ages 4-17 across age-tiered tracks and specialty sports in figure skating, hockey, and water sports. The camp combines traditional camp activities with professional coaching, a leadership program for teens, and a structured character development curriculum.

Product overview

Winning Techniques is a sports and adventure-focused summer camp in Ontario, Canada, offering both overnight and day camp experiences for children ages 4-17. The company operates Adventure Village as its core camp experience, supplemented by four age-specific programs (Explorers for ages 4-6, Go Wilds for ages 7-10, Thrill Seekers for ages 11-13, and Mavericks for ages 14-17) and five specialized sports programs (Figure Skating, Hockey, Towed Water Sports, Intense Water Sports, and Leadership Development). Additional offerings include a Water Sports School for individual lessons and GRIN's Camp Store for merchandise and supplies. The camp also provides transportation services to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport. All programs are unified by the 'Top 8 Skills for the Game of Life' character development framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adventure Village (Camp Program)
• Go Wilds (Camp Program)
• Thrill Seekers (Camp Program)
• Mavericks Leadership Program
• Figure Skating Program
• Hockey Program
• Water Sports School
• Intense Water Sports
• GRIN's Camp Store
• Airport Shuttle Transportation

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $175,000 in scholarships awarded since 2009
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universal Youth FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Partnership for scholarship program and tax receipt issuance. Since 2009, over $175,000 in camp scholarships awarded to worthy young people through this partnership.
• Children's Foundation of MuskokacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding and camperships to help kids attend summer camps and programs, supporting access to camp for children in the Muskoka region.
• Kids in CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram that works with accredited Ontario camps to provide camperships and opportunities for children through subsidized partnerships.
• District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers community supports including child care fee subsidy for camp, helping local families access camp programs.
• Ontario Camps AssociationcoreOthersMembership association providing accreditation. Camp adheres to over 675 safety, facility, and programming standards as a member.
• Waterski and Wakeboard CanadacoreOthersNational governing body providing coach certification and progressive skills development model for towed water sports programs.
• Skate CanadacoreOthersNational figure skating governing body. Skate Canada test days are offered during camp weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8.
• International Camping FellowshipminorOthersInternational organization connecting camping organizations worldwide for best practices and professional development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camp White Pine: Ontario residential summer camp focused on multi-activity and water-based programming. Comparable in product structure and target market of Ontario cottage-country families.
• Camp Tawingo: Long-established Ontario residential summer camp serving similar age groups with multi-activity programming. Directly comparable as a family-owned Ontario camp; notably, an advisor to Winning Techniques (Pat Birnie) is associated with this operator.
• Camp Wenonah: Muskoka-region Ontario residential summer camp with multi-sport and outdoor adventure programming. Directly comparable in market, customer profile, and activity mix; led by an advisor (Jeff Bradshaw) connected to Winning Techniques.
• Camp Pine Crest: Canadian residential summer camp with strong multi-sport, waterfront, and adventure programming. Comparable in offering breadth and target market of Canadian and international families.
• Camp Couchiching: Historic Ontario residential summer camp on Lake Couchiching offering traditional multi-activity programming. Comparable as a long-tenured Ontario camp competitor for the same family demographic.
• Muskoka Woods: Large Ontario-based residential summer camp offering multi-sport and leadership programming with a similar mix of specialty sports, waterfront activities, and character development. Comparable in geography and customer base, but at meaningfully larger scale.
• Camp Arowhon: Ontario Algonquin Park residential summer camp with multi-activity outdoor programming. Comparable as a premium overnight Ontario camp competing for similar family segments.
• Camp Manitou Canada: Quebec-based residential summer camp with multi-sport programming including water sports and adventure activities. Comparable in offering mix; serves similar international family market.

Others

• Skate Canada Affiliated Skating Schools: Network of Skate Canada-aligned figure skating training programs that overlap with Winning Techniques' Figure Skating specialty program. Not a direct camp competitor, but a partial alternative for families seeking figure-skating-focused summer development.

Emerging players

• Hockey Camp Operators (e.g., GTHL Hockey Camps / Canlan Ice Sports Camps): Specialty hockey camp and ice-sports operators that compete for the same hockey specialty enrollment at Winning Techniques. Overlap is partial (specialty sport only), but they represent the competitive set for premium hockey program fees.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@winningtechniquessummercam9716
• Facebookfacebook.com/WinningTechniques
• Instagraminstagram.com/winningtechniques
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/winningtechniques

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Winning Techniques