The goals of summer camp are to:

• Have fun!

• Improve athletic, artistic and intellectual skills

• Develop important life skills

• Make new friends and develop social skills

• Nurture independence and self-confidence

• Learn the value of teamwork and cooperation

• Experience living in a new environment

• Develop greater respect for nature

• Learn from a positive adult role model

• Improve communication skills

• Awaken children to their abilities, talents, strengths, weaknesses and potential.

 Our counsellors are trained to take every opportunity to work on life skills with your child, even when they don’t know it!  For example; a kayak lesson is a chance for your child to develop their self-confidence in the water, learn to work well with their peers, and if walking over the bow of their friends’ kayaks while they hold them together isn’t a lesson in teamwork and trust, then I don’t know what is!  Even a cabin conflict is an opportunity – what better way to learn how to resolve conflicts and live together happily as a group than being guided by your counsellor to this final result.

The personal objective of our staff members is to work with children to help them gain the important skills that will carry them successfully through life, and we know that camp is a great place for this process to occur.

Personal care products that are natural, organic and biodegradable are becoming much more commonly used and thus easier to find as people are becoming more knowledgeable about the damage that chemical laden toiletries can have on the environment, and on our bodies. 

Well-formulated natural products can actually be more effective than the alternatives that are full of potentially harmful chemicals. 

Plant extracts have amazing qualities that help us look and smell great!  

Using natural ingredients instead of cheaper synthetic ingredients eliminates the release of hazardous bi-products by laboratories and factories around the globe. By buying environmentally friendly products, you are not only looking after our Lake Temagami, but also the global environment.

Environmentally Safe Products for Summer Camp

I’ve done some of the research for you and listed the environmentally safe products I came across. They are available in most stores that stock fairly large selections of personal care products, or you could try organic/environmentally friendly shops such as “Planet Organic Market”.  Mountain Equipment Cooperative (MEC) has a small selection of biodegradable products (which can be ordered online). You also can order a wide range of products online from www.kissmyface.com .

Shower Gels and Body Washes:

• Kiss My Face Shower Gel and Sudz Foaming Soap
• Live Clean Body Wash
• Down Under Naturals Body Washes
• Alba Botanica French Lavender Shower Gel
• Sierra Dawn CampSuds
• Druide Citronella Soap (will also help keep the bugs away!)

Shampoos and Conditioners

Environmentally friendly Shampoos and Conditioners are available for many different hair types (including 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner for the efficient washers!!) and can actually leave your hair in better condition than the chemical-ridden alternatives. Making environmentally friendly decisions need not be a beauty sacrifice!! Here are some examples of companies that make 100% biodegradable shampoos and conditioners:

• Live Clean
• Kiss My Face
• Aussie
• Down Under Naturals

Shaving Foam

Shaving Foam is a bit more difficult to track down, but definitely worth the extra effort – residual shaving foam in the lake is not pleasant for anyone! Here is what I found:

• Kiss My Face Moisture Shave (for men and women in many different scents).
• I’ve heard that conditioner (biodegradable of course!) can also be a good alternative to shaving foam.

Natural Bug Repellent

For those of you who want to steer clear of DEET, but still wish to deter bugs, I also came across a natural Bug Repellent:

• Natrapel – citronella repellent

At Canadian Adventure Camp we ask that campers and staff bring only biodegradable toiletries with them. 

We are lucky enough to be situated on beautiful, clean, unpolluted Lake Temagami and I believe that we have a responsibility to keep it that way. I hope that this article will provide some interesting information about environmentally friendly personal care products, and will make your camp-shopping a breeze!! !

If you have any suggestions of products that I may have missed out, or good places to find them, please send a comment…

Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world! 

The Advantages of a Longer Camp Stay

At Canadian Adventure Camp, we like to keep up-to-date with summer camp discourse – it keeps us sharp!  A recent article in Camping Magazine about the advantages of a full-season camp stay got us talking.  We have campers who make C.A.C. their home for the full 8 weeks every summer; however, this is not as common as it once was.  Interestingly, the Camping Magazine article highlighted the increasingly positive feedback from prospective camp families regarding extended camp stays for their children after developing an understanding of the advantages a longer camp stay can have. 

Building Relationships at Camp

I am always amazed by the friendships that can develop over a two week session at Canadian Adventure Camp due to the friendly, welcoming atmosphere cultivated by the adult counsellors who live in the cabins with the children.  I have always believed that smaller, overnight camps have a huge advantage when it comes to enabling children to bond with their peers.  As great as two weeks are to begin building friendships, it always takes a while to settle into camp whether it is your first time at camp or your tenth.  Longer camp stays allow time for friendships to develop at their own pace, and relationships built over longer periods tend to be more enduring and based on who people genuinely are, rather than the image they may initially project.  Children and teens are under increasing pressure to be viewed in a certain way by their peers, and for this reason I believe that the authentic relationships that can develop at camp are incredibly valuable.  I believe that becoming comfortable and confident with who you are is one of the most important things a child can learn at camp. 

Skill Development

Skill acquisition is (or should be) a critical part of any camp stay, whether the skills in question are learning to stern a canoe or learning to solve a minor conflict.  Longer camp stays certainly have an advantage when it comes to giving campers a chance to build their skills.  Two weeks goes surprisingly quickly, especially with the number of different activities offered at Canadian Adventure Camp.  A longer camp stay enables campers to try lots of different activities, but also find activities they particularly enjoy and have time to work on their skill set.  A longer camp stay also give staffs members a better chance to get to know individual campers, and work with them towards their goals using approaches that best match their abilities and learning style.  This principle also applies to working with children to develop their social skills or leadership skills, and gives time to try various approaches to help children determine what works best for them in various situations.

I hope that this article has given you some food for thought and may become a topic of discussion as it did for us.

Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world! 

Is the camp I am choosing OCA accredited?

Yes, Canadian Adventure Camp has been OCA accredited for over 30 years.  This means that the operation of Canadian Adventure Camp follows over 400 standards that are constantly being redefined to ensure that campers are provided with a safe and enriching environment.  If you are interested in finding out more about the standards, or the OCA, you can find this information on their website at www.ontariocamps.ca  

What is the camp’s staff-to-camper ratio?

Canadian Adventure Camp’s staff-to-camper ratio is better than three to one.   This is a good indication of the excellent level of supervision we pride ourselves on at CAC.

What measures does the camp take to ensure the safety of the campers?

The safety of our campers, both physical and emotional, is of utmost importance.   It is for this reason that we only hire mature, well-qualified staff.  Our staff must be at least 19 years old, but the vast majority of our staff are well into their twenties.  Our staff must have a minimum of Bronze Cross lifesaving certification, but most of our staff have their NLS Life Guarding qualification and Standard First Aid.  Campers are always supervised by a qualified lifeguard whenever they are participating in a water-based activity, and we use a buddy system with larger swimming groups as an added safety measure.  The daily structure of camp including activity periods, mealtimes, and cabin time ensures that individual campers are always accounted for.  All of our counsellors live and sleep in the cabin with their cabin group, so campers are cared for and supervised around the clock.  We believe that by providing this level of supervision we can ensure camper safety by recognising and resolving situations that have the potential to become risky before they reach that stage.  We also believe that having counsellors living in the cabins with the campers provides a safe, nurturing environment where campers can be guided towards developing important life skills through everyday experiences.  During our extended staff training, our staff members are taught to work with the guidelines and policies we have in place to protect campers, and to pass on an understanding of these expectations to the campers.  In this way our staff are consistent enforcers of policies, and our campers are active participants in making healthy, safe decisions.        

What programs does the camp offer?

Canadian Adventure Camp offers a choice of general camping, or one of three speciality programs: gymnastics, trampoline or water-skiing.  The camper’s schedule is determined by their choice of program, with the speciality program choice taking up a part of every day.  Campers have a choice of over 40 activities to fill their day, including old favourites and new additions being added all the time!  Highlights include our exciting waterslides, our great climbing wall, our fun water-trampoline and our European-style  sauna.  During their stay at CAC, every camper will also have the opportunity to go tubing with their cabin group, and try water-skiing, gymnastics and trampoline, even if it is not their chosen specialty.  In addition, every cabin goes on an overnight canoe trip which is a fantastic cabin-bonding experience, a great chance to see some more of beautiful Lake Temagami, and a brilliant opportunity to learn some basic outdoor skills.  Our themed lunches, day of camp-wide games (the Panasmugglican Games) and fun evening programs also bring variety and excitement to their camp stay. 

How do the campers choose their programs at camp?

Speciality programs have to be registered for in advance, and places fill up quickly so be sure to register early!  Once at camp, campers choose and sign up for their activities in “sign-up” books that are passed in rotation from table to table during meals.  In this way campers have a choice about what they would like to do while at camp, and also make friends from out with their cabin group.  Some activities such as cabin tubing and water-skiing are organised ahead of time to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate.  The younger campers are given a bit more guidance and structure when choosing their activities to ensure that they try a wide variety of activities while at camp, and also so that they receive instruction at the correct level.        

What does the Camp Director/staff want the campers to take away with them at the end of their camping experience?

Our goal is to help young people grow into responsible, well-rounded citizens by expanding their skills and knowledge within the fun and friendship of a warm camp atmosphere.  At the end of their camp experience we want campers to leave with fond memories and friends, but also a variety of life skills that will help them succeed in life.  We want children to leave with an increased sense of confidence and a ‘can-do’ attitude, improved social skills and the ability to live successfully with others, the capacity to set and work towards personal goals, and a greater appreciation for the wonder of nature, to name a few!

How does the camp and staff deal with issues like homesickness, bullying, and campers with special needs?

An important part of our staff training and professional development throughout the summer is focused on making sure that our staff are well prepared to effectively deal with the multitude of issues that arise at camp.  At Canadian Adventure Camp we have a number of strategies in place to make children feel comfortable and at home as soon as they arrive at camp, which significantly reduces the likelihood of children becoming homesick.  You can read more about this in the article entitled, “Homesickness: Prevention is Better than a Cure”.  It is a reality that some children will feel a little homesick from time to time, so we make sure that our staff are able to recognise the diverse signs of homesickness and help the child to successfully overcome it.  Bullying has no place at summer camp.  The existence of bullying has the potential to destroy the safe, nurturing community that we work so hard to create.  At CAC we are quick to respond to any signs of bullying – being disrespectful to another camper is absolutely unacceptable.  The level of supervision made possible by having counsellors living in the cabins with the children means that even very subtle “hidden” bullying can be detected and dealt with.  We recognise that all children have individual needs, and we always strive to identify and meet those needs.  Through working with parents we are able to cater to the needs of children with mild learning, behavioural or physical needs.  Our camp environment is not set up to meet the specialised needs of children who face large challenges in their everyday lives, so if your child requires one-on-one attention there are other camps that may be better suited to meet their needs.

What is the Camp Director’s background and what are his/her qualifications?

Justin Gerson, the Director, has been involved in camp since he was a child.  It was his background in gymnastics that originally brought him to CAC as a camper and then as a coach.  Alongside his university degree, Justin enjoyed running a program for under-privileged youth in New Mexico; his first taste at running a camp!  After years of working as Head Gymnastics Coach at Canadian Adventure Camp, Justin began to work full-time for the camp in 2005 and has since worked his way up to become the Director.  He leads by example and fosters mutual respect which results in a motivated and engaged staff team.  His love for working with children drew him into the camping industry, and the children remain his first priority.  He remains committed to building a relationship with each camper despite being pulled in a million directions during the course of a summer!

Skip Connett, the Senior Director, is the founder of Canadian Adventure Camp and started building the camp from the ground back in 1972.  Skip’s involvement in the Boy Scout Association originally brought him into camping.  Alongside creating and developing Canadian Adventure Camp, Skip became increasingly involved in the Ontario Camps Association and is now an Honorary Life Member.  Skip is committed to playing a part in the constant improvement of the camp experience for children and the camp industry as a whole.  He is continually involved in various projects and schemes to meet this commitment.   

What kind of health care facility/staff is available to the campers?

At Canadian Adventure Camp we have a fully equipped medical facility with a doctor and nurse always on site.  The medical staff store children’s meds for them and ensure that they take them at the appropriate time.  Having a facility and medical staff on site enables us to respond quickly and decisively to emergency situations as well as issues relating to everyday wellness. 

Does the camp have a system to transport campers to and from the camp?

Yes, we provide transportation to Canadian Adventure Camp from Toronto with additional pick-ups in Gravenhurst, Orillia and Barrie.  Our camp bus is great fun – we watch movies, stop for lunch and the journey is a brilliant opportunity to start making friends!  For our campers arriving from further away we can also organise a meeting service at Toronto International (Pearson) Airport including fully-supervised overnights at either end of a camper’s stay as needed.  The bus transports the campers to the access dock to Adventure Island where they are met by Canadian Adventure Camp water-taxis – what an exciting way to arrive at camp! 

First off, homesickness is defined as distress or impairment caused by actual or anticipated separation from home.  It is characterised by acute longing and preoccupying thoughts of home and other beloved objects.  Now, before you start to worry, here are some important points to bear in mind concerning homesickness:

•  Mild homesickness is normal and many children have some homesickness feelings during their time away from home.

• It is very rare for children to feel severely homesick.

• Talking about homesickness will not cause homesickness, nor will it make it worse.

• There are many things that you can do before your child leaves for camp to lessen their feelings of homesickness, and to help your child feel more prepared to deal with homesickness if it happens.

• Remember that homesickness, and getting over it, is a normal and important process that helps children to develop independence and self-confidence.

Our staff at Canadian Adventure Camp are well trained to recognise and deal with the signs of homesickness, but it is much better to prevent your child feeling homesick, or at least help them feel more prepared to deal with it.  Here are some hints and tips:

•  Educate your child – help them understand that homesickness is normal and there are many things that they can do to feel better. 

• Practice some coping strategies such as writing a letter home, talking to their counsellor or sibling or friend, reminding themselves of all the exciting things they were looking forward to doing at camp, etc.

• Practice being away from home (such as staying overnight at a friend or relative’s house) and discuss with your child how it went for them and things they need help working on.

• Don’t make a pick-up plan – it undermines a child’s confidence in their ability to cope and enjoy their camp experience.

• Discuss with your child what camp will be like before hand – consider role-playing such as using a flashlight to get ready for bed, and what living in a cabin might be like. 

• Send a letter to camp ahead of time so that your child will receive it at the start of their stay.  Make sure it is positive and full of encouragement.

• If your child becomes anxious leading up to their camp stay, talk about it and help them put their anxiety in perspective – everyone gets nervous when they go to camp for the first time.  Talk about their specific concerns – once you know what exactly they are nervous about you can help them come up with strategies to deal with it.

• Encourage them to talk to friends who have been at camp – hearing encouragement and having questions answered by a peer may help them feel more at ease.

• Help your child put the amount of time they will be spending at camp into perspective by making a camp calendar with them.

Being concerned about how your child will deal with being away from home is natural, but it is important to make sure that they don’t take on these anxieties as well.  Here are some tips to help:

• Don’t express concerns to your child – “I hope you will be OK…” or “What will I do without you?” can make your child feel guilty about being away from home or could undermine their confidence that they will be OK during their time at camp.  Better things to say may include, “I know that you’ll love camp.  I’m so excited to hear about your big adventure!” or “I loved going to camp when I was your age.  I missed home a bit, but that is normal.”.

• Share your feelings about missing your child with another adult – never with your child.  Many parents will be dealing with similar feelings and speaking about it may help you feel better.

 I know that this is a lot of information to absorb!  I hope that you feel better equipped to help your child deal with any feelings of homesickness they may have, and get the most out of their camp experience. 

Our staff have a very important role in preventing homesickness at camp and all receive training and support to enable them to fill this role successfully.  Here are some of the things that our counsellors, coaches, senior staff and directors do to prevent homesickness at camp:

•  Know and use campers names from the moment that they arrive on the island.

• Go on a camp tour as a cabin group so that children know where everything is and can see the activity areas and gymnasium.

• Play games to fill any down-time on arrival day with fun, to make sure that everyone in the cabin knows each others names, and to help campers develop relationships with each other.

• Work on cabin rules as a group so that everyone is aware of expectations.

• Help children to unpack and organise themselves.

• Get to know individual children’s interests, talents, goals and personality so that they can be celebrated and encouraged.

• Make sure that children know what to expect during their camp stay – activities, special days, how scheduling works, when they will be going on their overnight...  A schedule will be posted in their cabin so that they can check it whenever they want.

• Address any fears that they may have such as darkness, meeting new people, sleeping in a new place…

• Help children set goals for their stay at camp.

I hope that this article has made you feel more informed about homesickness.  I hope you feel secure in the knowledge that our staff at camp are trained to prevent and deal with homesickness, and that there are many things that you can do prior to your child’s summer adventure that will help them feel more prepared.  Summer camp has so much to offer children and our goal is to make sure that they make the most of it.

Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world! 

The Advantages of Healthy Risk Taking

As a teacher, summer camp professional and parent, I am always on the look out for interesting topics regarding the healthy development of children.   A topic that has recently grabbed my attention is the concept of the “risk-takers advantage”; the idea that allowing children and teens to take appropriate risks is important to their development.  It is a subject currently being explored by the TV series Bubble Wrap Kids, and was also examined by one of the keynote speakers at the recent Ontario Camps Association Conference.  Dr. Michael Ungar , a professor at the School of Social Work at Dalhousie University, argues that the right amount of risk and responsibility helps children and teenagers to thrive, and that so-called bubble-wrapping children denies them important opportunities to develop belonging, trust, responsibility, and confidence in their capabilities. 

The world is a safer place for children and teens in Canada than it has ever been, yet the media often seems to portray the world as a minefield with dangers at every turn for our children.  This has left a misleading impression of the actual dangers facing children now.  As parents, keeping our children safe is extremely important, but I wonder if there is such a thing as keeping children too safe and I worry about what children may be missing out on in an attempt to eliminate all risk. 

Camp is an ideal place to foster the healthy risk taking that helps build belonging, trust, responsibility and feeling capable – all of which are extremely important to a child’s biopsychosocial development.  I believe that camp is such a great place because I know that the safety of the campers is of utmost importance to everyone working at camp, yet there is still space for risk-taking.  Just going to overnight camp and spending time away from parents and friends is a healthy risk.  It may be daunting for your child to go somewhere by themselves, but luckily at camp they will be surrounded by staff who are trained to help children successfully build friendships and learn to live with other people.  Camp, particularly overnight camp, certainly develops a sense of belonging and the friendships that are established help children gain confidence in their ability to enter a situation without knowing anyone and come away with friends. 

I believe that the Panasmugglican Games, the day of team activities that take place in the middle of the session, is a brilliant opportunity for risk taking at C.A.C.  The older campers have an opportunity to be team captains which gives them a sense of responsibility, and following the day a sense of achievement that they were able to successfully lead a team, whether they won or not.  The vast majority of the ‘games’ are team challenges, such as getting everyone over the challenge wall, which builds trust and helps team members get to know each other by working together.  Sometimes the activities push campers out of their comfort zone, but with the encouragement of staff and their peers, it is amazing what children can accomplish.  Teaching children that taking informed risks can enable them to achieve something they did not think was possible is a very valuable lesson for their education and future success.  Always ‘playing it safe’ can stifle creativity and the realization of potential.

This is definitely a topic I will continue to explore so I am able to provide beneficial opportunities for risk-taking at summer camp for our campers, in my classroom for my students and at home for my daughter.  I’ll keep you posted!

Kids today are inundated with technology, and parents often find it difficult to know how to determine when it has all become too much.
 
While smartphones and laptops have definite benefits for helping kids stay in touch with their loved ones and complete homework, there are also downsides to spending too much time staring at a screen.
 
As your child reaches the age when they begin to use electronics with greater independence, keep this information in mind about the importance of helping your kid learn how to unplug.

Understand the Benefits of Unplugging

At first glance, a kid who is engaged with their computer or smartphone looks like they are doing fine. You may even enjoy knowing that they are able to talk to their friends after school or look up new information.
 
Yet, spending too much time on the Internet or phone can hinder kids from developing other skills such as their athletic abilities. Kids who spend a lot of time on social media can also experience stress from constantly trying to live up to expectations of others.
 
Unplugging gives your child the space they need to grow as individuals without feeling judged.

Set Limits on Your Child’s Electronic Usage

Electronics should be treated like any other privilege in your household. Sit down with your kids and explain to them the limits that you have placed regarding how long they can spend on their phone or computer.
 
While your kid’s time limit may vary according to their age, emotional maturity and behavior, most experts recommend keeping screen time below one to two hours a day.

Designate Time to Spend as a Family

At home, you can model the importance of unplugging to your children. Set aside a special time each evening when everyone’s phones go on the chargers.
 
You could plan this to happen during dinnertime so that you can all fully engage in a conversation, or you could plan a special homework or game time each night.
 
Either way, spending time together unplugged shows your kids the benefits of interacting face-to-face with the people they love.

Counteract Summer Temptation with Summer Camp

While school rules and sports activities make it easier to limit your kid’s screen time during the academic year, parents often run into trouble once the summer begins. Older kids may turn to their video games and smartphones as a way to deal with summer boredom.
 
This summer, have a plan in place to counteract temptation by sending your kid to summer camp. At camp, kids are encouraged not to bring their electronics so that they can focus on spending time in nature.
 
Since everyone else there is engaged in exciting activities such as wilderness hiking and waterskiing, unplugging becomes second nature to kids.

Nurture Your Child’s Hobbies and Interests

A kid who clings to their electronic devices may be doing so out of boredom. Help your child find activities such as gymnastics or archery that gives them challenges to conquer.
 
Once your child finds activities that give them a thrill in real life, they will be less likely to want to spend their time online.
 
Learning how to unplug is essential for kids to grow up to be happy and healthy adults. While you will likely hear a groan or two at the suggestion that your kid put their devices away, the truth is that kids enjoy spending time engaged in real world activities.
 
This year, set an example by planning electronic-free family events, and provide your child with alternatives such as summer camp to stimulate their development.

Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world! 

Summer camp represents independence and freedom for kids who embrace the opportunity to spend several weeks away from home. Yet, new and younger campers sometimes need a little help getting over those jitters that accompany trying something new. Now that the opening date for summer camp is just around the corner, you can use these strategies to help your child prepare emotionally for a fun-filled season.
 

Plan a Practice Session
 

While you might not be able to send your child to camp until the season opens, you can still find ways for them to practice spending the night away from home. For younger children, ask a family member or a close friend if your child can stay at their house for a night or two. This gives both you and your child a chance to get used to spending time apart overnight. And you can ask for a report from your loved one that helps you gauge your child’s readiness.
 

Get Them Excited About the Activities
 

Camp is the one place where kids can try out tons of new activities they would never be able to do at home. After all, most families just don’t have aerial hoops hanging in a state-of-the-art gym. And your kid would never be able to go waterskiing in the backyard pool. Talk to your children about a few of the amazing things they will get to try this summer. Then, watch some videos online of people performing tricks in your child’s favorite sport. You might also help them practice a few skills that they can do at home to increase the excitement. For instance, your little gymnast could practice stretching to prepare for their trampoline training.
 

Let Them Know They Can Reach Out
 

Up until this point, your son or daughter has always known that they could reach you easily any time they needed help. While you know that you are still just a short trip away, your little camper may worry about how they will handle things on their own. Typically, summer camp programs encourage parents to limit phone calls. This allows kids to have a chance to develop their independence. However, you can still set it up so that your kid can send special messages to you online using their summer camp’s email service. Once that is set up, help them pick out some awesome stationary and stock them up on stamps so that they know it’s possible to let you know how things are going.
 

Take Technology Breaks
 

While homesickness is always a concern, kids today also worry about leaving behind their online social life. If your child is used to turning to their smartphone to relieve boredom or catch up with an old friend, then help them start to break the habit now by implementing technology breaks at home. Grab some board games, books and art supplies to keep your kid busy, or encourage them to get out of the house and go for a bike ride. Either way, he or she will be better able to walk away from their electronic devices without suffering from feelings of withdrawal.
 
Whether your kid is going to camp for the first time or just seems a little nervous this year, keep in mind that they are also looking to you to figure out how to feel. As you talk to them about their upcoming season, remember to reflect confidence and excitement about the many adventures offered at their new home away from home.

Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world! 

Sending your child to an overnight camp is a huge step toward helping them develop independence. Naturally, you have a lot of questions, and it is important to have all of them answered. 

These are five of the top questions that parents tend to ask about summer camp, along with the answers that will reassure you that your kid is in for the adventure of a lifetime!

#1 What is Your Summer Camp Philosophy?

Our camp has been operating since 1975. While we’ve made a lot of changes to the campground over the years, one thing that stays the same is our core goals and beliefs. 

Our camp founder, Skip Connett, had a vision of giving kids from all over the world a safe place to spend their summer. We’ve continued to welcome a diverse set of campers every summer since that day. 

When kids arrive at our camp, our goal is to give them a warm welcome. We also strive to help them develop character traits that they will use for the rest of their lives. 

Kindness, leadership and a can-do attitude are but a few of the traits we cultivate in our camp. Our philosophy is that every kid has the ability to reach their full potential with support from the adults around them and opportunities to get out there and take safe risks.

#2 How Do You Keep Campers Safe?

Safety is always at the forefront of our minds. We also know that it takes deep trust for you to send your kids far from home to a place where they stay overnight without you. We take this trust seriously, and have developed safety protocols for every foreseeable situation. 

Our safety plans focus on prevention as being the most effective ways to avoid injuries. Our camp offers awe-inspiring specialty classes in aerial acrobatics, gymnastics and wakeboarding. 

Since these activities carry risks, we hire only qualified and experienced coaches who know how to teach children with an emphasis on safety. We also use state-of-the art equipment, such as harness systems that are checked on a daily basis.

# 3 What Is the Camper to Staff Ratio?

We love it when parents ask this question. Not only does it show that you care, but it also shows that you know how important it is for kids to have individual attention. We follow the best practices for ratios as outlined by the Ontario Camps Association, and we often exceed it. 

Our cabins usually have a ratio of eight campers to one counselor who oversees the overall safety and happiness of the kids in their group. To ensure the best experience, all of our counselors are adults.

During the day, the campers are very busy with activities. For this reason, we have more staff on hand, and the ratio tends to be closer to two or three campers per staff member.

#4 What Is the Food Like?

You can forget about anything that you might have heard about camp food. We know that campers need fuel to build strong bodies and minds. Our menu is full of healthy options such as fresh fruits and vegetables. 

There are also options for kids on special diets so that everyone can eat well at camp. We also include a few fun desserts such as banana cake and brownies. 

#5 What Should My Child Bring?

A positive attitude should be number one on your kid’s packing list. After that, we encourage them to bring classic summer clothes such as swimsuits and shorts. 

Your child may also want to bring a comfort item such as a family photo or small stuffed toy. We also provide a list of items to all of our parents to help you know what to stash in their overnight bag.

You can never ask too many questions about summer camp. Be sure to check out your parent’s guide and continue to seek answers so that your family is fully prepared for their summer away from home.

Canadian Adventure Camp is a North Ontario coed sleepover summer camp for kids located on a beautiful private island in the wilderness lakes region of Temagami. Founded in 1975, it provides acclaimed programs to children from around the world!