Last week, we had the honour of presenting “Camping in Ontario 101” at York University’s School of Continuing Studies. For us at Camp Rentique, it was more than just a lecture — it was a full-circle moment.
When Camp Rentique’s founder first arrived in Canada as an international student, camping seemed intimidating, expensive, and out of reach. Fast forward a few years, and we were standing in front of a lecture hall filled with international students, sharing the very knowledge and confidence we once wished we had.
A Welcoming Space for Newcomers
The room was full of students from around the world — curious, thoughtful, and eager to learn about exploring Ontario’s outdoors. We understood them instantly, because we had been in their shoes not long ago.
What mattered most wasn’t just talking about tents and gear, but showing that camping in Ontario is accessible to everyone, even if you didn’t grow up with it.
3 Practical (and Not-So-Common) Camping Tips for Ontario
We shared many basics during the session, but here are three tips that stood out for students — the kind you don’t always find in guidebooks:
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Campsites book up fast — but cancellations happen every day. If Ontario Parks looks full, check again in the morning. Many sites open up last minute.
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Fall camping is easier than summer. No bugs, fewer crowds, and cooler nights mean better sleeps. First-timers often find September the best time to start.
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You don’t need to buy everything. Renting gear is cheaper, simpler, and saves you from storing bulky equipment in your apartment.
Why It Mattered
The best part of the day wasn’t the slides or the gear examples — it was the conversations. Students asked thoughtful questions, shared their curiosity, and left with the confidence to plan their first trip.
For us, being invited to York University was recognition that what we’re doing at Camp Rentique matters: making camping simple, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.
Bring Camping 101 to Your School or Event
If you’d like Polina, Founder of Camp Rentique, to give a lecture on camping at your university, college, or even high school, reach out to her directly at [insert Polina’s email here].
We don’t just bring the talk — we bring the experience. Camp Rentique can provide all the equipment for the event, from tents to lawn games for ice-breaking team activities, and even “just for fun” add-ons that make learning feel easy and welcoming.
We’re also available to participate in conferences and community events, where our Camping 101 sessions inspire newcomers, students, and teams to discover Ontario’s outdoors with confidence.
