The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Camp!
Can I call my kids and can they call me?
Generally, we do not allow phone calls. An exception is made if it is the camper’s birthday. Sometimes, parents would like to speak to their child on the phone if they are deciding about extending from Northland Experience to the full month session or from Period Plus to Full Summer. In that case, and if we think it makes sense to do so, we will facilitate a short phone call to take place towards the end of the session.
How will I know if they are okay?
For new camper parents, our Unit (girls) and Section (boys) Heads make phone calls or send emails out within the first few days of camp to update them on how their child is adjusting to camp life. We also make phone calls to parents to inform them if something serious has happened to their child (this is of course a very rare occurrence).
When do cabins get made?
The Unit and Section Heads place the campers in cabin groups only a few weeks prior to the start of camp, and we only announce the cabins upon the campers' arrival.
Accommodating cabin requests
We allow campers to make up to three cabin-mate requests. The purpose of these requests is to give the camp a sense of the desired group dynamics. The camp goes through extraordinary analysis of the multiple and often competing requests to place campers in the cabin with the best chance of success and opportunity to thrive at camp. Typically this process results in each camper getting one or more of their cabin-mate requests, but that is not guaranteed. It is also not guaranteed that large established peer groups will all remain together year over year. The cabin placements analysis happens every spring and we never simply move a cabin group forward year over year (unless the fresh requests and dynamic assessment supports this by coincidence). Our experience has shown that this almost always works out better for the campers in any event, as they make new friends, expand their lens, and become more deeply entrenched in a wider social environment at camp, creating a healthier social dynamic overall.
Notwithstanding our general policy, first time campers will be guaranteed one of two things:
1. At least one of their cabin-mate requests so long as those requests are all from the same session and program (eg. the 2 week Northland experience)
2. Advance notice if their request of at least one cabin-mate could not be achieved. This notice will only be provided if the requests were for people from the same session and program. Eg. If a one week camper request people in the longer session, those requests will be disregarded and not addressed in our process.
There are no guarantees of placement and campers will not find out their cabins until arrival to camp.
We do not accept ‘disrequests’ ie: my child should not be placed in a cabin with camper X. If the dynamic is particularly bad with another child, please contact the camp director to discuss the situation and see whether or not camp can assist in facilitating a healthy social dynamic.
What if circumstances change in the city? (i.e family, friend, health, etc)
Please inform us if any major changes have happened to your child over the past year (i.e. divorce, death in family, bullying, anxiety, illness, etc.) as these things may have an impact on how your child acts at camp. We want to be able to properly support your child, and by knowing their needs this will help us to care for them. This should all be included on the medical form.
What if my child needs to use the washroom at night?
We do not have washrooms in the cabins, so we encourage every camper to use the washroom prior to bedtime. If they need to go in the middle of the night, they should wake up a staff member to accompany them. Our staff are available to support campers with washroom visits as needed. For our older Unit and Section 1 campers (grades 3 and 4), they can select a buddy to go with them (if they feel comfortable doing that). We tell them not to wake up the same buddy every night if they need to go every night.
Can they bring their own food?
On the first night of camp, cabins usually have a candy party to finish the ‘junk food’ sent on the buses with the children or packed for the campers. Everything must be strictly nut free and Kosher or it will be donated to the local food bank or thrown out. Anything outside of original sealed packaging will be thrown in the garbage. At the end of the night, all the food is collected. If it makes sense in the camp’s discretion, some or all the left-over food may be stored to surprise the children with additional candy parties at a later date. The removal of the food from camper cabins is because we do not want to attract any animals. It also creates an inequity if some children have secret treats and others do not.
Campers will never go hungry. They get three meals a day, an afternoon snack, an evening snack, and tuck twice a week. There is always fruit in the Mess Hall throughout the day.
Exceptions are made for campers who have specific dietary restrictions, such as gluten free diets. In that case, they can bring their own gluten free snacks which will be labeled and stored for the camper. They can also bring Kosher gluten free food items such as cereal or breads which will be stored under the camp’s supervision in the mess hall.
What if they don’t like the food?
We have a variety of offerings at every meal. Between the main meal, salad bar, and side dishes, your child will find something to eat.
What if they don’t want to participate in the activity or overnight?
We encourage our campers to take advantage of all of the amazing activities and programs that camp has to offer. Our counselors participate in the activities with the campers, which often comforts our younger campers who may be nervous or afraid to try new things. Ultimately, we cannot force a camper to try an activity that they do not want to do, however we do our best to encourage each camper to participate.
In terms of the overnight (a small trip to one of our on-site dedicated campgrounds), the youngest campers are not forced to go on one. The older Units and Sections do go on an overnight in most sessions, however if you notify us that your child has a condition where an overnight is not in their best interest (i.e. bad back, extremely terrified of overnights) then we would allow them to be boated back before bedtime to sleep in the Health Centre under the care of our medical staff.
How do you handle medications?
All medications are kept in the Health Centre. Campers who take medication every day typically go before or after meals (based on the camp schedule), unless they need to take it at a specific time (i.e. if they usually take their medications before eating or if they need to take responsive medication in real time for a symptom).
How many letters will I get?
We encourage campers to write home at least twice a week, but they have time to choose to write every day.
How many letters can I send?
You can send your child as many letters as you like!
Can I send my child a package?
We do not allow packages. Packages will not be delivered nor returned. They end up being opened, separated, and then donated or thrown out depending on the contents.
Can I email my child?
Yes, children can receive two emails per week (regardless of sender). Make sure to only have appropriate people email your child on an organized schedule. They will not get a third or fourth (etc.) email sent in the same week.
What if they wet their bed?
Typically, we expect campers to be fully toilet trained before coming to overnight camp. However, we recognize that accidents can still happen. If you suspect this could become an issue at camp, please send them with a few pairs of extra sheets and indicate this expectation in the camper medical form. Our staff will help change campers’ sheets when a camper wets the bed and sends them to ‘special laundry’ (discreet) to get washed. We have a few campers who sometimes wear pull-ups, which is completely fine. Please inform your child’s Unit or Section Head if this is the case and include this information on the medical form.
What if my child gets hurt?
Our staff all have some level of First Aid and CPR training. We have a medical doctor on site and nurse(s) supporting the health centre collectively ensuring that our campers receive the appropriate care. If the injury needs further attending to, there is also hospital in town. Our campers never go to the hospital alone and are always accompanied by a staff member. If a camper gets seriously injured (which is extremely rare) the Health Centre will phone home to inform the parents. They do not phone home for every bug bite or scratch, or minor incidents or illness, and use their discretion and standing medical orders to determine when it is necessary to call home.
What if my child is scared at night?
Although our staff get some free time between evening programs and our staff curfew, there is always a rotation where at least one counselor stays in the cabin on ‘night duty’, so your child is never alone. Our staff are nurturing and there to support your child when they have fears.
What if my child gets homesick?
All children experience homesickness to some degree at different times. We help campers to understand that it is ok to be homesick, while at the same time enjoying their experience at camp. Our staff are trained in helping campers to manage these feelings. We have a team of more senior and professional staff to assist when homesickness interferes with the overall camper experience.
What if they need a nightlight?
Many staff members bring ‘Christmas lights’ and hang them up in the staff area. This allows the cabin to have some light during the nighttime, and it often comforts the campers. Campers can also bring flashlights or the round mini tap lights as nightlights as well. These are both battery operated.
Can they bring a stuffed animal?
Yes, they can. Many campers bring stuffed animals, usually something small.
What skills should my child have before ever attending sleepaway camp?
Generally, we do not allow phone calls. An exception is made if it is the camper’s birthday. Sometimes, parents would like to speak to their child on the phone if they are deciding about extending from Northland Experience to the full month session or from Period Plus to Full Summer. In that case, and if we think it makes sense to do so, we will facilitate a short phone call to take place towards the end of the session.
How will I know if they are okay?
For new camper parents, our Unit (girls) and Section (boys) Heads make phone calls or send emails out within the first few days of camp to update them on how their child is adjusting to camp life. We also make phone calls to parents to inform them if something serious has happened to their child (this is of course a very rare occurrence).
When do cabins get made?
The Unit and Section Heads place the campers in cabin groups only a few weeks prior to the start of camp, and we only announce the cabins upon the campers' arrival.
Accommodating cabin requests
We allow campers to make up to three cabin-mate requests. The purpose of these requests is to give the camp a sense of the desired group dynamics. The camp goes through extraordinary analysis of the multiple and often competing requests to place campers in the cabin with the best chance of success and opportunity to thrive at camp. Typically this process results in each camper getting one or more of their cabin-mate requests, but that is not guaranteed. It is also not guaranteed that large established peer groups will all remain together year over year. The cabin placements analysis happens every spring and we never simply move a cabin group forward year over year (unless the fresh requests and dynamic assessment supports this by coincidence). Our experience has shown that this almost always works out better for the campers in any event, as they make new friends, expand their lens, and become more deeply entrenched in a wider social environment at camp, creating a healthier social dynamic overall.
Notwithstanding our general policy, first time campers will be guaranteed one of two things:
1. At least one of their cabin-mate requests so long as those requests are all from the same session and program (eg. the 2 week Northland experience)
2. Advance notice if their request of at least one cabin-mate could not be achieved. This notice will only be provided if the requests were for people from the same session and program. Eg. If a one week camper request people in the longer session, those requests will be disregarded and not addressed in our process.
There are no guarantees of placement and campers will not find out their cabins until arrival to camp.
We do not accept ‘disrequests’ ie: my child should not be placed in a cabin with camper X. If the dynamic is particularly bad with another child, please contact the camp director to discuss the situation and see whether or not camp can assist in facilitating a healthy social dynamic.
What if circumstances change in the city? (i.e family, friend, health, etc)
Please inform us if any major changes have happened to your child over the past year (i.e. divorce, death in family, bullying, anxiety, illness, etc.) as these things may have an impact on how your child acts at camp. We want to be able to properly support your child, and by knowing their needs this will help us to care for them. This should all be included on the medical form.
What if my child needs to use the washroom at night?
We do not have washrooms in the cabins, so we encourage every camper to use the washroom prior to bedtime. If they need to go in the middle of the night, they should wake up a staff member to accompany them. Our staff are available to support campers with washroom visits as needed. For our older Unit and Section 1 campers (grades 3 and 4), they can select a buddy to go with them (if they feel comfortable doing that). We tell them not to wake up the same buddy every night if they need to go every night.
Can they bring their own food?
On the first night of camp, cabins usually have a candy party to finish the ‘junk food’ sent on the buses with the children or packed for the campers. Everything must be strictly nut free and Kosher or it will be donated to the local food bank or thrown out. Anything outside of original sealed packaging will be thrown in the garbage. At the end of the night, all the food is collected. If it makes sense in the camp’s discretion, some or all the left-over food may be stored to surprise the children with additional candy parties at a later date. The removal of the food from camper cabins is because we do not want to attract any animals. It also creates an inequity if some children have secret treats and others do not.
Campers will never go hungry. They get three meals a day, an afternoon snack, an evening snack, and tuck twice a week. There is always fruit in the Mess Hall throughout the day.
Exceptions are made for campers who have specific dietary restrictions, such as gluten free diets. In that case, they can bring their own gluten free snacks which will be labeled and stored for the camper. They can also bring Kosher gluten free food items such as cereal or breads which will be stored under the camp’s supervision in the mess hall.
What if they don’t like the food?
We have a variety of offerings at every meal. Between the main meal, salad bar, and side dishes, your child will find something to eat.
What if they don’t want to participate in the activity or overnight?
We encourage our campers to take advantage of all of the amazing activities and programs that camp has to offer. Our counselors participate in the activities with the campers, which often comforts our younger campers who may be nervous or afraid to try new things. Ultimately, we cannot force a camper to try an activity that they do not want to do, however we do our best to encourage each camper to participate.
In terms of the overnight (a small trip to one of our on-site dedicated campgrounds), the youngest campers are not forced to go on one. The older Units and Sections do go on an overnight in most sessions, however if you notify us that your child has a condition where an overnight is not in their best interest (i.e. bad back, extremely terrified of overnights) then we would allow them to be boated back before bedtime to sleep in the Health Centre under the care of our medical staff.
How do you handle medications?
All medications are kept in the Health Centre. Campers who take medication every day typically go before or after meals (based on the camp schedule), unless they need to take it at a specific time (i.e. if they usually take their medications before eating or if they need to take responsive medication in real time for a symptom).
How many letters will I get?
We encourage campers to write home at least twice a week, but they have time to choose to write every day.
How many letters can I send?
You can send your child as many letters as you like!
Can I send my child a package?
We do not allow packages. Packages will not be delivered nor returned. They end up being opened, separated, and then donated or thrown out depending on the contents.
Can I email my child?
Yes, children can receive two emails per week (regardless of sender). Make sure to only have appropriate people email your child on an organized schedule. They will not get a third or fourth (etc.) email sent in the same week.
What if they wet their bed?
Typically, we expect campers to be fully toilet trained before coming to overnight camp. However, we recognize that accidents can still happen. If you suspect this could become an issue at camp, please send them with a few pairs of extra sheets and indicate this expectation in the camper medical form. Our staff will help change campers’ sheets when a camper wets the bed and sends them to ‘special laundry’ (discreet) to get washed. We have a few campers who sometimes wear pull-ups, which is completely fine. Please inform your child’s Unit or Section Head if this is the case and include this information on the medical form.
What if my child gets hurt?
Our staff all have some level of First Aid and CPR training. We have a medical doctor on site and nurse(s) supporting the health centre collectively ensuring that our campers receive the appropriate care. If the injury needs further attending to, there is also hospital in town. Our campers never go to the hospital alone and are always accompanied by a staff member. If a camper gets seriously injured (which is extremely rare) the Health Centre will phone home to inform the parents. They do not phone home for every bug bite or scratch, or minor incidents or illness, and use their discretion and standing medical orders to determine when it is necessary to call home.
What if my child is scared at night?
Although our staff get some free time between evening programs and our staff curfew, there is always a rotation where at least one counselor stays in the cabin on ‘night duty’, so your child is never alone. Our staff are nurturing and there to support your child when they have fears.
What if my child gets homesick?
All children experience homesickness to some degree at different times. We help campers to understand that it is ok to be homesick, while at the same time enjoying their experience at camp. Our staff are trained in helping campers to manage these feelings. We have a team of more senior and professional staff to assist when homesickness interferes with the overall camper experience.
What if they need a nightlight?
Many staff members bring ‘Christmas lights’ and hang them up in the staff area. This allows the cabin to have some light during the nighttime, and it often comforts the campers. Campers can also bring flashlights or the round mini tap lights as nightlights as well. These are both battery operated.
Can they bring a stuffed animal?
Yes, they can. Many campers bring stuffed animals, usually something small.
What skills should my child have before ever attending sleepaway camp?
- Personal care and hygiene
- Independently able to shower, brush teeth, wash up, change clothes
- Pack and unpack (with staff assistance if needed)
- Be able to control nighttime bathroom needs
- Comfortable with sleepovers away from home
- Eat and make food choices independently
- Comfortable in social settings
- Knowledge and awareness of personal medical/medication needs (i.e. known allergies, etc.)
- Basic problem solving skills (age appropriate)
- Emotional awareness and control
