By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
A family owned campground for 75 years, this family summer getaway has evolved into one of Northern Bruce’s premier camping and cottage resorts. With its beach facilities, entertainment and restaurant/ice cream shop, it is also a favorite place to visit for locals/seasonals and visitors. Summer House Park is open from May to October and offers long term and short stay camping. With the manicured landscaping and nestled in a beautiful hardwood forest, the well laid out campground offers various rental options. Many of their guests are now 3rd and 4th generation campers, coming back to their “happy place” every year; the campground and recreational amenities exudes a Disney-like feel.
Family oriented business
Owners Sharon (nee Corbetta) Lombard and Darci Lombard say that “since the early days family has been a top priority. Our family and friends have gathered here to share time with one another and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the area. It gives us great joy to know that so many families have chosen our place as their family vacation destination, from generation to generation.” They feel strongly that the Park maintains simple family values, a sense of community and offers a safe and inclusive environment.
Owned by one family for 75 years
The Corbetta family purchased a 100 acre property from Art Nobel in 1949. Curtis Corbetta, Sharon’s older brother, had a dream to open a campground and this beautiful property on Miller Lake, with a natural spring for fresh water, felt like the perfect place to do so. For the first several years, the only access to the property was by water. Sharon remembers that on various winter weekends, they would visit the property using a sleigh on the frozen lake. The Corbettas would contact a local resident farmer who owned a team of horses and sleigh to bring them to the property.
and Darci Lombard
Photo: Gertrude Corbetta with daughter Sharon, circa 1960’s. 
Photo: Sharon Lombard (nee Corbetta) circa 1970s with a fresh catch of fish in front of the Park office.
Over the years, the family oversaw a gradual expansion of the property. In the early 50’s, family and friends helped build the first rental cottages, most of which are still standing today. Gradually campsites were added, and visitors would stay to enjoy a relaxing time in Miller Lake, and a taste of Grandma Corbetta’s delicious spaghetti dinners and fresh baked pies! A small store was opened in the 60’s selling ice cream, various camping supplies and a few local crafts.
At the time, none of the buildings on the property were winterized, so when Sharon and her husband Jim Lombard decided to move up to the area permanently in the early 70’s, winter months were cold! After a number of snowy winters with no running water, and enjoying breakfast wearing a snowsuit, as Darci recalls, it was decided a fully winterized building was a good idea. The Main lodge and restaurant was completed in 1977. In the mid-70’s Curt Corbetta’s partner, Myron Albro, opened the Candle Shop on the property, which many locals have fond memories of visiting. The building in later years served as a Halloween Haunted House for local fundraisers, and is currently The Art Shoppe.
Photo: The entrance to Summer House Park circa mid 1970s. 
Photo: The office and store before the construction of the large giftshop and restaurant in 1977.
Full range of camping options and services
Today Summer House Park has expanded to include over 235 campsites, and a number of housekeeping cottages, RV rentals, camping cabins, guest house accommodations, and a glamping tent, a store selling supplies, gifts, ice cream and coffee, a pizzeria, breakfast and lunch restaurant, a water park and a whole suite of recreational opportunities. The Lombards say they always look at the trending wants and needs of their guests and plan for development accordingly, while still protecting the natural beauty of the Park.
Supportive of Community events
In keeping with Summer House Park’s sense of community, the Park hosts various local community events such as the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club’s meeting each spring, the annual Christmas Farmers’ Market, the Biosphere Association’s Forest Escape activity, fundraising events for the Hospital, Alzheimer Society, and a number of sponsorships and youth-focused activities, including the Bruce Peninsula Multisport Kid’s Race and the Green Heron’s Young Naturalist Camp. It is a popular spot for weddings, retreats, family reunions, RV rallies and church groups. The facility is a viable option offered at a nominal cost to local Associations looking for a venue for their event and is always open to collaboration with other local groups in the future.
Current trends
Although the summer months are typically always fully booked, the Lombards are seeing an increase in day visitors mostly from the GTA. The spring and fall are particularly popular for European visitors and local campers. Many campers and locals come to enjoy beautiful fall colours and the Park’s organized Halloween events!
For more information on Summer House Park, please visit https://www.summerhousepark.ca/
