SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Training resilient, Christ-centred helpers to be leaders through adventure, discipleship, and service.

For youth ages 14-16 years old.

Looking forward to summer 2026!
If you’re interested in growing as a leader through faith, service, and adventure, we invite you to explore our media kit and consider applying for next summer. Applications open December 1st, 2025.

Widjiitiwin’s Skills and Leadership Training (SALT) Program provides a remarkable experience to shape participants into servant leaders. SALT is designed as a transitional program to grow participants in character and competence to be leaders at camp and in future ministries.

The two-week LITE (Leaders in Training Experience) Program is patterned after the four-week SALT program and is designed to inspire and equip future leaders for whom a two-week experience is a better fit. It allows participants to catch the vision of what leadership in ministry is all about!

Agenda for the 4 weeks of the SALT Program

SALT participants will start their 4 weeks by enjoying some of the super fun Widjiitiwin camp culture and activities. They’ll take part in meals, playing games, chapels and the recreational experiences of camp. The SALT cohort will quickly move into theological and camp leadership training in their first week, with lessons such as Gospel 101, conflict resolution, and cross-cultural ministry among many other topics. SALT participants will also start working on skill building such as first aid, Bronze Medallion lifeguard training and canoe basics. 

In the second and third weeks of the program, SALT participants will continue their skill building and they will start their in-ministry training; volunteering at camp. These placements give participants real leadership experience by serving under the direction of an experienced leader. A SALT participant may be placed in a cabin with campers at Widjiitiwin, alongside activity leaders leading rec activities or helping with housekeeping or tuck.

In the final week of SALT, participants will go on a 4-day canoe trip in beautiful Muskoka, led by trained staff. Here, participants will learn important outdoor skills, create memories with their cohort and practice spiritual disciplines to carry with them after camp. Throughout all four weeks, participants will be studying the bible, practicing spiritual disciplines, developing team and leadership skills, and learning about and forming their own identity.

Finally, camp will end with a SALT graduation and special celebratory dinner where participants will be honoured for their hard work and learning.

SALT has been a transformational program in the lives of up-and-coming leaders for many generations. We hope that you’ll consider applying today!

Agenda for the 2 week LITE Program

MBC and Widjiitiwin have introduced the LITE (Leaders in Training Experience) Program, which is designed to give your teenager a taste of what the full SALT Program is all about, in only 2 weeks! We know that a month away from home can be hard for some campers, so we’ve developed a new, two-week option that we think will help future leaders catch the vision of what our leadership training and Widjiitiwin is all about. The first part of the LITE Program will be all about learning in community – having a blast helping with our camp programming at Widjiitiwin, learning about leadership and how God wants us to live.

In the second week of LITE, participants will continue to participate in Widjiitiwin programming, experience community games and learning, and also participate in a one-night overnight at Widjiitiwin Island, in the middle of beautiful Mary Lake. Just like SALT, LITE participants will be studying the Bible, practicing spiritual disciplines, developing team and leadership skills, and learning about and forming their own identity.

Program Highlights

The SALT and LITE Programs have an active schedule combining camp activities, discipleship and leadership opportunities. Community is at the heart of the program as the participants live and learn together through many fun and challenging activities.

• Participants get to enjoy the Widjiitiwin camp experience through participating in and learning to lead campfire songs and skits, activity groups, Choose Your Own Destiny, evening games and chapel singing.  

• Participants develop leadership skills through intentional experiences in camp activities, outdoor safety, out tripping, worship services, sharing from the Bible, and community living. 

• Participants are encouraged to grow in their faith through daily devotional time, Bible studies, prayer partners and group prayer, community worship, guest speakers, testimonies, and discussions about what the Bible has to say about a wide range of issues. 

• Wilderness skills will also be developed in preparation for overnight camping experiences. LITE goes for one overnight to Widjiitiwin Island; SALT goes for one overnight to Widjiitiwin Island as well as a four-day canoeing out-trip. 

• These programs conclude with a graduation ceremony where family is invited to come and celebrate what each participant has learned and experienced before it’s time to head home. 

• SALT participants can elect to work towards an Ontario Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education credit (PAD3O). 

• SALT Participants can elect to try for Bronze Medallion lifesaving qualifications. 

• Both SALT and LITE participants receive training for Emergency First Aid certification. 

SALT Experience

What is PAD3O

Thanks to a partnership with Toronto District Christian High School, participants in Widjiitiwin’s SALT Program have the option of working towards an Ontario high school credit. The course code PAD3O refers to the Grade 11 physical education credit entitled “Healthy Living and Outdoor Activities”. There are no prerequisites to this course.

SALT programming is designed to meet the curriculum expectations of PAD3O, fully integrating it into regular programming. Campers who elect to participate in PAD3O will receive regular feedback, a midterm update, and a final report card. This report card can be submitted directly to a guidance counselor to be added to the student’s high school transcript.

PAD3O units are as follows: Healthy Living, Outdoor Physical Activity Safety, Aquatics Active Living & Competence, Canoeing Active Living & Competence, Outdoor and Out Tripping Living Skills, and Leadership in Active Living. 

Application Process

This application is a request to participate in Widjiitiwin’s SALT program and should be completed in partnership between the participant and their parents. It does not guarantee a spot or a preferred placement option. Since the placement phase gives real leadership opportunities at camp, each applicant will be interviewed, and references checked. Applications submitted in December will be followed by interviews in January and acceptance will be communicated at the beginning of February. Applicants who submit after these dates will be informed whether there are any spots remaining and will be processed accordingly. Once acceptance has been communicated, parents/guardians will be expected to complete a medical form as well as a conditions of enrolment form before participants can be confirmed for their participation in SALT.

The total cost for a SALT participant to take part in the full 4-week program is $2,100+HST.

The total cost for a LITE participant to take part in the full 2-week program is $1,100+HST.
(Prices are from 2025 and subject to change for 2026)

If this sounds like you, sign up today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Where do I stay during the program?
Answer: SALT and LITE participants have their own cabins located alongside camper cabins in the Boys End or Girls End of Widjiitiwin. The cabins contain bunk beds and some storage and shelving options. Bathrooms are located in a nearby building.

Question: What is the schedule like?
Answer: Participants wake up at the same time as Widjiitiwin campers to get ready for breakfast at 8:30AM. The morning contains time for devotions, activities and learning. Lunch happens at 12PM and is generally followed an active afternoon with blocks of time for outdoor activities as well as topical learning. Dinner is at 5:00PM and is followed by involvement in Widjiitiwin activities and some quality SALT/LITE community time. Curfew is generally around 11PM, depending on the nature of the day.

Question: What about phones?
Answer: SALT and LITE participants turn in phones when they arrive at camp. The phones are provided once a day for a short period to allow campers to communicate with family and friends. Participants should bring their own chargers; a station for plugging in and charging will be provided.

Question: What happens on weekends?
Answer: Participants are encouraged to stay at Widjiitiwin for the weekend, but can also sign out in order to visit or stay elsewhere.

Question: What if I have never been camping before?
Answer: Our program contains intentional preparation lessons to equip anybody for overnight tripping experiences. Don’t be afraid!

Question: Why are PAD3O and Bronze Medallion only offered at SALT?
Answer: Both of these accreditations have time requirements set by the Ministry of Education or the Lifesaving Society. PAD3O requires 110 classroom hours and Bronze Medallion requires 16 classroom hours. It would be difficult to fulfill in these requirements while still running a balanced program during the two weeks of LITE, but the four weeks of SALT provide ample time.

Question: What should I pack?
Answer: Take a look at the following packing list to get an idea of what to bring to camp! 

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16