Camp Mishewah
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Located on beautiful Round Lake, Camp Mishewah is where you can watch the sun rising over the water in the morning and the moon sparkling on the lake at night! There is a wide sandy beach, and plenty of space for the waterfront activities offered at camp. These include canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and swimming. Other activities offered during family camp include crafts, campfires, chapel times, workshops and various sports activities.

History of Mishewah
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As the sixth decade slipped into 1970, a number of members of the Missionary Church, Canada East District, became concerned that the denomination's camping program needed to be upgraded in order to appeal more effectively to the people they hoped to attract. "You can't help those who won't come," it was maintained.
So in September of that year a special Camp Commission was appointed to study the situation and come up with recommendations designed to meet the needs of the coming generation. Over a period of two years they examined each of the present programs and visited other camps, both church and non-church, to see how best our own Stayner Camp could be effective. A questionnaire sent out showed that most of the 19 to 39 age group wanted a lakeside program that would better accommodate modern families.

About that time Rev. Bill Smith, pastor of the Pembroke Church, became aware of a campsite not far away at Round Lake that was being offered for sale. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Middleton had run an Inter-denominational youth camp there, but after her husband's death Mrs. Middleton was unable to carry it on. Another group directed a camp there called Kirjath Arba. They had a financial share in the property but had no interest in developing the grounds. The grounds had become quite run down and Pastor Roy Stuart, who was then part of the group, had invited Pastor Smith to speak to a group of Jesus People at one of their camps. He also made Pastor Smith aware of the state of the Camp. Pastor Stuart then went on and became Pastor of the Missionary Church in Wakefield, Quebec, and enjoyed Family Camp at Mishewah.

When Pastor Smith first saw it, a group of hippies were occupying the place; and some, under his teaching, began finding the Lord. It was to be sold for an amazingly low price and he felt that the church just could not pass up this opportunity. The property consisted of 56 acres with a lakefront of 1600 feet. At the next district conference Pastor Bill described the site with such enthusiasm that the purchase price of $23,000.00 was voted in unanimously. This included the amount to be paid back to the Kirjath Arba group.

Only a few buildings remained including a dining hall, dormitory, washrooms, boathouse, craft and workshop, and a building originally used as a chapel, clinic and sleeping quarters for workers. The land along the lakefront, the stream and behind the chapel was mostly swamp, and the mosquitoes were multitudinous. Much had to be done to make the place suitable for camping. The first step was to hire a camp administrator/director. Ross and Audrey Gardiner were well qualified to administer the new Missionary Church Camp at Round Lake. They soon were appointed to direct the first youth camp in the summer of 1973 and with great enthusiasm they took hold of the new work, caring for the spiritual, physical and social needs of the campers. Since then many upgrades have been made to buildings and the grounds, including new washrooms, new chapel, and in 2004, a water purification system to comply with MOE Bill 170/03.

Upon the purchase of the property the District had to come up with a name for the camp. The word "Mishewah" was chosen, meaning, "heart" in the Algonquin Indian language. A large sign bearing this symbol greeted the first campers as they arrived at the edge of the property. A dove below a rounded "m" formed a heart that spoke of the kind of atmosphere people could expect to find while camping at Mishewah.

Camp Mishewah is accredited with the Ontario Camping Association.