201720172017

Camp Tawingo

A MUST READ in order to complete the Registration Process

We have fun building GREAT kids!

Dear Camp Tawingo Friends,

Summer Camp is almost here! We hope you and your

camper are as excited as we are about this. No doubt you

have a number of questions about Camp for this year.

Similarly, there is information we must receive from you

before Camp begins.

It is important, therefore, that you read both parts of this

booklet: “Important Information for Camper Parents” so

that we may be certain that Camp is ready to welcome and

care for your camper in every way possible. Please be certain

to share this information with your camper as well. Thank you.

We sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed

in us by selecting Camp Tawingo for your camper. Our entire

staff is enthusiastic about this summer. Together we will do

everything we can to ensure that your camper has a happy,

safe, and enriching experience.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or

comments regarding the information in this booklet and/or the

summer ahead. Warm regards,

Mike & Tia Pearse

John Jorgenson

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part One: A Guide To All Forms

1.Transportation 2.Spending Money & Camper Bank Account 3.Camp Tawingo Equipment 4.Clothing & Equipment 5.Lost & Found 6.Things to Leave at Home 7.Unpacking 8.Laundry 9.Cameras and Film 10.Visitors’ Day 11.Leaving Camp with Other Families 12.Overnight Accommodation for Visitors 13.Tawingo Promotional Material

Part Two: Important Information For Parents 1.Camp Dates, Fees, & Taxes 2.Camp Time 3.Medical Information 4.Food Parcels & Birthdays 5.Important Camp Policy 6.Camper & Parent Phone Calls 7.Letters, Faxes, E-mail 8.Vacation Address 9.Special All Camp Program 10.Books, Costumes, Games 11.Swimming Ability & Personal Fitness 12.Outtrips 13.Extended Canoe Trips (VA & WJ) 14.Tawingo Leadership Course (TLC) 15.Next Year’s Camp 16.In Closing…….

P L E A S E

R E A D

C A R E F U L L Y

P L E S E

S H A R E

T H I S I N F O R M A T I O N

W I T H

Y O U R

C A M P E R

PART ONE: A GUIDE TO ALL FORMS

1

A) CAR or BUS - FOOD FOR THOUGHT In recent years, more and more Tawingo campers have been driven to and from Camp by car. For first time campers, however, we invite you to think about the value of a Chartered Bus experience. Bus trips provide the opportunity for your camper to: 1. Meet and interact with other campers right away helping to ease the

transition into the Camp setting (where there will be familiar faces right off the bat);

2. Meet and interact with experienced Camp Tawingo Staff - who act as Bus Supervisors - providing another familiar face at Camp;

3. Ask questions of the Bus Supervisor about Camp; 4. Begin the journey towards independence and self-confidence, right

away. Many first-time campers find it easier to separate from their parents/guardians at the bus than at Camp. 5. Help us reduce our environmental footprint!

B) CHARTERED BUS SERVICE Special chartered buses transport campers, and their luggage, to and from

Toronto and Ottawa, at the beginning and end of 1st, 2nd and 3rd ses-sions. Session A and B campers, please see below.

We cannot guarantee a seat on the chartered bus unless you request it on the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”. The Camp office must

receive your order form at least 7 days prior to the departure of the bus. No refund of bus fare is issued unless cancellation occurs at least 7 days

prior to the departure of the bus. Please refer to the payment information in the following chart and/or on the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”.

Parents/Guardians of campers arriving by bus will receive a safe arrival e-mail from us once the bus has arrived, safely, at Camp.

1A, 2A, 3A, and 1B, 2B, 3B Campers Please Note: There is no Chartered Bus service FROM Camp for 1A, 2A, and 3A campers. However, you may request a seat on the bus TO Camp. There is no Chartered Bus service TO Camp for 1B, 2B, and 3B campers. However, you may request a seat on the bus FROM Camp. * Please note that we no longer offer a chartered bus to/from London, as there simply has not been enough interest over the past few years. We are sorry if this is an inconvenience for your family.

TRANSPORTATION

We regret that we cannot be responsible for your camper prior to the scheduled first day of Camp, except for campers arriving by airplane from beyond North America. If you plan to travel to Camp by car, or bus, please arrange to arrive on the first day of Camp. Please complete the transpor-tation section on the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”, based on the in-formation below, and return it by May 31st. Thank you.

CHARTERED BUS SERVICE INFORMATION

Please note that these prices include HST.

Luggage On Buses We would appreciate campers using soft luggage, rather than trunks, on

the chartered buses. Be sure to print your camper’s FULL name on the outside of ALL

luggage and equipment. All of our campers bring the same kinds of items to Camp. Labelling everything with full names will ensure that all items remain with the campers who brought them.

Paddles, P.F.D.s, and tennis racquets should not be tied to luggage because they are stored in a separate area on the bus.

You may wish to give your camper a nut-free snack for the trip to Camp. We provide each camper a lunch for the return trip.

C) AUTOMOBILE You may choose to drive your camper to and/or from Camp. Take

Highway #11 North (from the GTA and beyond), and Highway #60 from the East (Ottawa) to Highway #11 South. From Highway #11, take exit 221 onto Muskoka Road 2 West (Ravenscliffe Road) and travel 7.5 kilometres to Camp Tawingo’s main gate which is on your left. The Camp’s address is 1844 Ravenscliffe Rd and can be accessed from Google Maps.

The most convenient time for your arrival at Camp is 11:00 a.m. (Daylight Saving Time). Our staff will be engaged in meetings and final preparations during and after breakfast on the first day of each session, so please plan to arrive no earlier than 11:00 a.m.. The office will not be open, nor will cabin numbers be given out until we are fully ready for your arrival.

The posted speed limit at Camp Tawingo is 15 km/h. Campers and staff use the Camp roadway as a walking path, so please drive slowly and carefully.

One final note about travelling by car: For us at Tawingo, it is important that every camper experience the full Camp Session. If, for whatever reason, your camper must leave the Camp Session early, please clear the early departure with a Director long before the start of the Camp Session. We have important policies with respect to early departures. Thank you.

CITY BUS LOCATION

DEPARTURE TIME TO CAMP

ARRIVAL TIME FROM

CAMP

ONE WAY

PRICE

RETURN PRICE

TORONTO Vaughan IKEA 200 Interchange Way

Parking Lot

10:00 a.m. Daylight

Saving Time

2:15 p.m. Daylight

Saving Time

$79.10 (taxes

included)

$158.20 (taxes

included)

OTTAWA Loblaws: Bells Corners Robertson Road and Mood-

ie Drive SW Corner

8:00 a.m. Daylight

Saving Time

4:15 p.m. Daylight

Saving Time

$99.44 (taxes

included)

$198.88(taxes

included)

If you do choose to drive your camper to Camp, here are some sugges-tions that may help make the transition to Camp a smooth, positive, and quick one for your camper: 1. Please, try not to linger as it may make the good-bye harder for your

camper. 2. Please, allow your camper - no matter how old/young - to unpack and

make his own bed. The more he can make the space his own (with his counsellor’s help, if necessary), the easier it will be for him to feel like it’s his Camp “home”, and the greater independence and confidence he’ll feel as he begins his Camp journey.

3. Please, try not to show too much emotion when saying good-bye, avoiding such phrases as, “Will you be okay?”; “We’re going to miss you so much”; and the like. Despite the intent, research into missing home shows the underlying message to your camper is that you don’t have confidence in her ability to “make it” without you. Saying you will miss her can cause your camper to worry that you may not be okay, which in turn, may cause her to dwell on you and home rather than open the door, fully, to Camp. Try, instead, using phrases like: “You are going to learn great new things and make great new friends”; “You’re going to be a great camper”; “I’m so proud of you”; as expressions of your confi-dence in her and her readiness to be at Camp.

4. If your camper runs off to play/interact with his cabin mates, this is a clear signal that he is ready to embrace Camp and have you leave for home. At times, this happens earlier than some parents/guardians would like (perhaps before they even get a chance to say much of a good-bye!). While it may not be the good-bye you were hoping for, it’s a very positive sign and one about which you can be very proud! You have instilled in him the confidence to begin to strike out on his own.

5. If your camper has trouble letting go, the best thing you can do is express your confidence in her, using phrases like the ones above … and then, as hard as it may be … leave for home. Helping your camper through such challenging periods is what we are professionally trained and committed to do at Camp Tawingo. Once the parents/guardians are on their way, we find that campers begin their adjustment to Camp well and quickly.

D) AIRPORT – TORONTO If your camper is travelling by plane, we are prepared to meet your camper at the airport on the first day of the Camp session, or if necessary, at most, one day prior to the start of the session, if you live beyond North America. When arranging air travel, please keep the following guidelines in mind: 1. Flight ARRIVALS are best scheduled between the hours of 12:00

p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Daylight Saving Time, on the day Camp starts. Otherwise, your camper may arrive up to one day early.

2. Flight DEPARTURES are best scheduled between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Daylight Saving Time, on the last day of the Camp Session, only. The Toronto airport is 2 hours from Camp. In the interest of safety, flight times outside of these hours require over-night hotel accommodation for our staff supervisors/drivers and, per-haps, your camper. If your camper’s flight falls outside of these

hours, an extra charge will ensue, to cover overnight hotel costs. 3. If the airline you choose charges an “unaccompanied minor” fee, we

ask that you pay this fee—for both ways—at the time of your camp-er’s departure at the airport when coming to Camp.

4. Campers travelling between the United States and Canada also re-quire a passport.

5. We will e-mail you the name of the staff member meeting your child at the airport a few days prior to your camper’s flight.

6. Each camper travelling home by airplane is given a small amount of money for out-of-pocket expenses. This amount is charged to your camper’s Camper Bank Account (see Item 2 in this booklet), unless you provide such money, yourself. If you do, we will keep this money in our Camp safe until departure day.

7. Please remind your camper that passports, airline tickets, and all valuable items must be handed in for safe keeping at the Camp Of-fice upon arrival at Camp. The staff member picking up your camper at the airport will help with this process.

8. To cover the cost of getting your camper to and from the airport by a Camp Tawingo vehicle, payment of $196.62 return (taxes included) and $98.31 (taxes included) one way must be sent prior to your camper’s arrival. Please indicate your need for this service on the enclosed “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”.

9. If your camper must arrive a day early, please be sure that this infor-mation is marked clearly on the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”. Please indicate the flight date, time of arrival, flight number, flight from and to location, and airline carrier. Thank you.

10. Parents/Guardians of campers arriving by plane will receive a safe arrival text once their camper has met up with his/her/their Tawingo driver at the airport; and a safe arrival e-mail once the camper has arrived, safely, at Camp.

2. Camp Tawingo cannot accept cash from campers for purchases, so please do not send money with your camper to Camp (unless it is for sundry airport purchases-see Section 1: TRANSPORTATION). A camper bank account is established for each camper during his/her/their stay at Camp Tawingo. The purpose of a Camper Bank Account is to cover the cost of items such as stationery, stamps, laundry, toothpaste, sham-poo, soap, sunscreen, flashlights and batteries, and “Camp Tawingo” sou-venirs. As a guideline, only, we recommend $25.00 - $30.00 per camper per week (Voyageur Adventure, Wilderness Journey, and the Tawingo Leadership Course participants included). Please decide on an amount you would like to place in your camper’s Camper Bank Account, and record that figure in the appropriate section on the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”. You may pay by cheque, Mastercard or Visa. *Please note that if nothing is entered for the Camper Bank amount on the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM” then your camper will not be permitted to purchase

CAMPER BANK ACCOUNT

anything in the White House (i.e., the Camp store). At the end of the summer, we shall refund any balance remaining or bill you for any balance owing. If it is a refund you are getting, and if we have a credit card number on file for you, we will refund the amount to the credit card on file; otherwise we will send you a refund cheque in Canadian funds. If you are an International camper please note that it will be your credit card we either charge or refund. Please note, also, that in recent years TAWINGO souvenirs (e.g. crests, pins, buffs, journals, etc.) have become immensely popular. Some items (e.g. Tawingo blanket), due to their cost cannot be purchased by campers without their parents’/guardians’ permission. This can be given on the first, last, and Visitors’ days, and/or in writing to camp@tawingo.net, anytime before or during your camper’s Camp session. Although we take care that no undue or extra expenses are incurred, we do not monitor each camper’s Camper Bank Account unless we are specifically requested to do so. We would encourage you to discuss sundry purchases with your camper to ensure that clear guidelines for acceptable purchases have been established. Note: Campers who choose to test for Lifesaving Badges (Bronze Med, Bronze Cross) will have the cost of the award charged to their Camper Bank Accounts. Awards range from $9.60 to $19.00.

3. Every camper is required to bring to Camp: sleeping bag & pillow canoe paddle dry stuff sack P.F.D. Although all of these items are readily available at most Department, Hardware, and Outdoor Stores, we have found good quality suppliers for Canoe Paddles, and Camp Clothing. Canoe Paddles - TEAL PADDLES & YOKES

Camp Tawingo’s program emphasizes waterfront activities and outtripping. We regret we cannot provide all of our campers with pad-dles from the limited supply at the Camp Tawingo Waterfront. All camp-ers must bring their own paddles to Camp. THE CAMPER’S FULL NAME SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED ON THE PADDLE and pad-dles should not be tied nor attached to sleeping bags or other luggage.

If you wish to order a paddle from our supplier, please measure your camper from the ground to the chin, and complete the Equipment Section of the order form on our website. Canoe paddles purchased from us, will be labelled and given to each camper upon their arrival at Camp.

CAMP TAWINGO EQUIPMENT

Camp Tawingo Clothing If you wish to order “Camp Tawingo” clothing please go directly to our web site: www.tawingo.net (home page look for the link on the right margin). All clothing orders will be shipped directly to Camp Tawingo, where they will be labelled and given to each camper upon their arrival at Camp. Applicable charges will be added to camper bank accounts. The cut off date to pre-order clothing is May 31st, 2017.. P.F.D.s: Campers must have P.F.D.s for all boating activities at Camp Tawingo. When purchasing a Personal Flotation Device (P.F.D.), please ensure that you have chosen the correct size for your camper. A camper weighing less than 90 lbs./41 kg. requires a Life Jacket, whereas a camper who weighs over 90 lbs./41 kg. requires a P.F.D. Please have your camper bring to Camp a P.F.D. or Life Jacket that is labelled with YOUR CAMP-ER’S FULL NAME.

4.

Please refer to the “SUMMER 2017 EQUIPMENT LIST” as a packing guide.

Remember that all Camp clothes receive rough treatment. Please do not send anything that will not withstand washing in an ordinary laundry.

Please do not have your camper pack too much clothing; otherwise, it becomes difficult to find shelf space, in the cabin.

Clean, casual Camp clothing is often worn for special programs such as the Banquet on the last evening of each session. We discourage camp-ers and staff from bringing jackets, ties, and dresses for these occa-sions as they tend to detract from the camp-like atmosphere.

Paddles can be ordered by filling out the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”.

We guarantee to fill all equipment orders received by

May 31st, 2017. After May 31st, our supplier will do its best to complete your order in time for Camp.

FOR INTERNATIONAL CAMPERS: Because we appreciate how difficult it can be to travel with large items such as sleeping bags, pillows, paddles, and P.F.D.s, we provide an equipment rental program for our international campers, only. The Camp Tawingo rental program provides each international camper with any or all of the following items: a paddle, a P.F.D., a sleeping bag, and/or a pillow for use during the Camp session. The camper is responsible for returning these items to the Camp Office on departure day. If items are not returned, the family will be in-voiced for the replacement cost of the lost items. If you wish your international camper to rent any of these items, please fill in the appropriate section on the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”.

CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT

During mealtime in our Dining Hall, we ask campers, TLCs, and staff to

wear clothing that covers the midriff and lower back. We do not allow flip-flops in the Dining Hall - sturdy sandals, YES, but flip-flops, NO. They do not offer the support necessary to carry hot food and dishes to and from the kitchen.

Flip Flops may not be worn for any outdoor activity except going to and from the waterfront, so be sure sturdy running shoes are packed.

We also ask that bathing suits brought to Camp fully cover the body parts they are meant to cover. This is particularly the case with bikinis.

Please ensure your camper comes to Camp with appropriate clothing and footwear, including rubber boots.

Please note that we may not be able to fit outtrips into all of our A & B Sessions. A & B Campers who do not go on an outtrip will not need the outtrip equipment listed on our “SUMMER 2017 EQUIPMENT LIST” - with the exception of a water bottle. Please refer to the “Outtrips” section of this booklet for more information.

5. Lost clothing (and other items) are a major concern at Camp. You and

your camper can help, immeasurably, to ease the problem. Please label each clothing item (and cameras, flashlights, etc.) with your camper’s full name, with a permanent marker or label in a conspicuous place (the existing label tags are perfect for this). Remember to mark each shoe! Initials are not helpful when trying to return found items.

To help your camper recognize clothing that has been lost, or misplaced, it is a great idea to have your camper assist with the packing for Camp. This is particularly helpful for campers when we display our collection of unlabelled lost and found items on the last full day of each session.

If an item is left at Camp, we are happy to send it to you if you request it, if it is labelled, and if we can locate it. The cost of mailing these items to you will be added to your camper’s Camper Bank Account. All unlabelled clothing is donated to various charities at the end of Septem-ber. All unclaimed, labelled clothing will be donated, as well several months after Camp.

Please understand that we cannot assume responsibility for clothing or belongings. These are the responsibility of your camper.

SUMMER SUNSENSE Over the years our Health Care Team has been helping our staff and campers understand the problems associated with exposure to the sun. We have established specific policies that protect our campers and still allow them to enjoy the out-of-doors. We have asked and continue to ask that our staff remain vigilant regarding sun safety with our campers and with themselves throughout the summer. Staff encourage campers to protect themselves by reminding them to do the following: Wear a hat (the best have a full brim shading the face, neck, and ears); no

visors, please. Hats are a must for outdoor activity at Camp;

LOST & FOUND

Wear appropriate protective clothing (light, loose-fitting); Wear sunscreen (SPF 30 or better). Campers are reminded to reapply

their sunscreen as necessary throughout the day;

Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes and delicate skin surrounding them; Avoid sun bathing. Please take time to discuss these things with your camper and to provide appropriate sun protection/education. BUG SENSE We have developed a set of guidelines to help protect campers from the discomfort that may come from insect bites. Here are some things that you can do to assist us in encouraging “BUG SENSE”: Provide appropriate clothing for mosquito protection including

long-sleeved, hooded sweatshirts and/or bug jackets; Educate your camper on the application of insect repellent and ensure

you send with your camper a repellent containing 10-30% DEET. Here at Camp we are: Reducing the number of standing water areas where mosquitoes breed; Including Bug Sense with our Sun Screen/Sunsense training of staff and

campers; Reinforcing our existing policies with staff and campers concerning

‘dressing for the activity’ at Camp; Encouraging campers to apply insect repellent before evening activities

and activities in the woods.

6. At Camp Tawingo, we believe that Camp ought to be an oasis from “city” life...an opportunity to live, learn, and interact in a natural setting, free from electronic devices and toys. For this and safety reasons, campers are re-quested to leave the following items at home: * cell phones* portable DVD/Blu-ray players * iPods/MP3 players * gameboys/PSPs * laptops/tablets/iPads

(Note: All of the above items, if brought to Camp, will be collected and stored for the duration of the camper’s stay. They will be returned to the camper on the last morning of Camp.) We also suggest that campers leave the following items at home: * expensive watches * expensive cameras * jewellery

*Hatchets, hunting knives, or any such sharp and potentially dangerous items, must not be brought to Camp.

7.

Campers are required to unpack all items from all of their luggage (including backpacks, fanny packs, and toiletry kits) onto their shelf space under the supervision of their counsellors. Please review this important policy with your camper prior to arrival at Camp.

THINGS TO LEAVE AT HOME

UNPACKING

8. There is a laundry service offered once a week at Camp, should your camper wish or need it. Laundry costs are charged to your camper’s Camper Bank Account. Since it is difficult to judge how often campers need to change their clothes in a day, counsellors may deem it necessary for your camper to have a laundry (or two) done, even if your camper has not planned to do one. Note: Camp Tawingo has employed a new laundry service. Campers no longer need to bring a laundry bag with them to Camp. One will be supplied by the new service provider to each camper who does a laundry while at Camp.

9. Camp does not sell camera batteries or memory cards. When packing for Camp, please include an adequate supply of these items, should your camper wish to take photographs with a camera. Remember expensive cameras and equipment are best left at home. Since many cameras look alike (especially digital ones), it is important that you label your camper’s camera with his/her/their FULL NAME. We are sorry that we cannot allow any digital cameras that double as cell phones/tablets/iPods/iPads at Camp.

10.

We look forward to welcoming visitors to Camp on the scheduled Visitors’ Days: Saturday, July 15; Saturday, August 5; and Saturday, August 19.

Visitors’ Day is not compulsory and some parents might feel that it is neither necessary nor convenient to visit Camp, and their campers each summer. Some may feel a visit could cause their camper to suddenly miss home, mak-ing it a challenge for him/her/them to re-enter the Camp Program with confi-dence at the end of Visitors’ Day. Please note that there is a full and special program for campers who do not receive visitors on Visitors’ Day.

If you choose to come, you may visit your camper between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Daylight Saving Time).

We plan a fun, all inclusive, All Camp program for all Campers to begin short-ly after 4:00 p.m. (Daylight Saving Time) on this day to re-integrate our camp-ers into Camp life. It is important that your camper is back in time to partici-pate. Please help make this happen. Thank you.

LAUNDRY

CAMERAS

VISITORS’ DAY

We regret that it is not possible to serve meals to visitors. The Dining Hall and kitchen facilities are already operating at their maximum. Some visitors take their campers into town for lunch. Others bring picnic lunches to share with their campers in Camp. Feel free to use the picnic tables that we have placed around Camp.

We are sorry that, for safety reasons, we cannot make the Camp’s Waterfront or Watercraft available to visitors. Families wishing to swim together should depart Camp and visit a public beach in the area. One such beach on Lake Vernon is at the end of Hutcheson Beach Road (approximately 5 km. toward Huntsville from Camp, turn right on Hutcheson Beach Rd.). Feel free to ask our Office Staff for other swim locations.

Please complete the “Summer 2017 Visitors’ Day Camper Travel Permission Form” to confirm with whom your camper is entitled to leave Camp on Visitors’ Day.

Visitors wishing to take campers out of Camp during the day on Visitors’ Day must be a minimum of 21 years of age. If the visitor is a minimum of 21 years of age, but not a relative or the parent of another Tawingo camper, written permission is required at least 24 hours prior to Visitors’ Day.

Please note, if you are the parent of a 1A, 2A, or 3A camper, there is no Visitors’ Day in the middle of the session. Instead, you are welcome to spend some extra time on pick-up day touring Camp with your camper before you take your camper home.

There is no Visitors’ Day for Sessions 1B, 2B, or 3B campers and their families.

Please discuss, in advance, your Visitors’ Day plans with your camper.

FOR CAMPERS WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, Understanding that it may not be possible for our out-of-province and out-of-country campers to receive visitors, we offer these campers a 2-3 hour supervised excursion into Huntsville on Visitors’ Day. Campers will be transported by van or bus between Camp and Huntsville for a small fee. *Campers who choose this Huntsville Excur-sion may wish to have additional spending money. Parents/Guardians are asked to supplement their camper’s Camper Bank Account for this purpose. We will withdraw money for your camper for the excursion, to the maximum amount entered on the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”. *If you wish to sign your camper up for this excur-sion, please indicate this in the appropriate section of the “2017 CAMPER ORDER FORM”.

11. Campers who do not receive visitors on Visitors’ Day and who still wish to have an outing on that day may choose, should they be invited, to leave Camp in the vehicle of other parents or guardians of other Tawingo campers, with your permission. Please complete the “2017 VISITORS’ DAY CAMPER TRAVEL PERMISSION FORM” (due May 31st 2017) to allow for these arrangements.

12. Due to it being tourism season in Muskoka, sometimes it is a challenge to arrange overnight accommodation at nearby hotels, motels, resorts, and B & Bs. For your convenience, we have listed several options at the back of this booklet so that you can make arrangements in advance if you wish. It is a good idea to book early. Some places require a minimum two-night booking.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION FOR VISITORS

LEAVING CAMP WITH OTHER FAMILIES

At-a-glance Checklist Please complete and return the following:

2017 Camper Order Form

(please return by May 31st)

Important Confidential Information About Campers

(please return by May 31st)

Visitors’ Day Camper Travel Permission Form

(please return by May 31st)

Reminders...

Label Everything with my camper’s full name

Pack Raingear

Check for Mandatory Items from the Checklist (including a whistle and a water bottle)

Label equipment and do not tie it to my camper’s luggage

Refer to this booklet all summer for any questions I may have regarding my camper’s time at Camp

13. Each year, Camp Tawingo produces a new Camp Brochure, makes changes to our Website, and creates other TAWINGO promotional materials. Photographs of current campers, staff, and programs are extremely valuable for this purpose. We do not ever include campers’ names with photo-graphs. Please give careful attention to the “Confidential Information Form” on which you will find an opportunity to accept or decline that your camper’s photograph be used in Camp Tawingo promotional material.

TAWINGO PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL

PART TWO: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS 1.

Camp fees must be paid in advance to: Camp Tawingo 1844 Ravenscliffe Rd. Huntsville, ON P1H 2N2 The balance of the Camp fee was due on April 1, 2017. At the time of application, we requested postdated payments either by cheque or credit card. If you are still owing the balance, you will receive a Statement of Account. No refund of fees can be made to campers withdrawing from Camp after May 1, 2017, except in the case of illness/injury covered by a doctor’s certificate. Please note that you will receive an official receipt, along with your camper bank statement (see Section 2 in “A Guide to All Forms”) at the end of the summer.

2. During the summer, we choose to have Camp time run one hour behind Daylight Saving Time. Therefore, when it is 11:00 a.m. (Daylight Saving Time), it is 10:00 a.m. Camp Tawingo Time. The reason for this is to allow our younger campers to enjoy their campfire programs in the dark and still get to bed in good time. It also allows time for the sun to warm the air and dry the grass for an extra hour before campers rise each morning.

2017 CAMP DATES, FEES, & TAXES

CAMP TIME

3. Camp Tawingo is committed to providing, as best we can, a healthy and happy summer environment for children. In an effort to ensure that our Health Centre Staff provide the best care possible, we have included information below relating to medications that you may choose to send to Camp with your child. It is extremely important that you follow the guidelines listed below in order to ensure your camper’s and other campers’ health and safety.

1. It is the policy of Camp Tawingo that all camper medications (prescription or otherwise) are kept in the Health Centre. No camper may keep any medication (including alternative supplements) in the camper cabin. An exception may be made for inhalers and epipens, with your written permission.

2. All prescription medications must be sent to Camp in their original containers, with dispensing directions written in English, or in blister packs prepared by a pharmacy,

3. We request that you send only doctor-prescribed medications to Camp for your camper. Please DO NOT send OVER-THE-COUNTER medications such as Tylenol, Gravol, Advil, Benadryl, etc. Our Health Centre is well-stocked with these medications. All OVER-THE-COUNTER medications sent to Camp will be considered a donation to our Health Centre stock. Thank you.

4. Our policy for Homeopathic Supplements, Vitamins, and Herbal Sup-plements is as follows: a. These supplements must be stored at the Health Centre; b. The Camp Tawingo Health Centre Nurses are not responsible

for the administration of these supplements; and c. Campers must visit the Health Centre and administer these

medications themselves, while in the presence of a Camp Tawingo Health Centre Nurse.

5. If your camper wears eyeglasses, it would be wise to send an extra pair to be kept in the Health Centre in case they are needed in a

hurry. 6. All campers undergo a scalp examination on the first day of Camp.

Should we discover lice, professionals (including our Health Care Staff) will be brought in to delouse the camper and the expense for this service will be charged to the camper’s Camper Bank Account: $100.00 for each treatment. Please help us by checking your camper for lice before his/her arrival at Camp, and fully treating it if lice is discovered, since treatment at Camp is costly, as is the potential for spreading it!

MEDICAL INFORMATION

Thank you for your attention to this very important medical information.

4.

We provide every camper with a daily snack, in addition to 3 meals. Therefore…...Please do not send or bring parcels of food to your camper. We know you will appreciate the fact that we have campers with life-threatening allergies who must not be exposed to certain food substances. Also, food in and around the cabin will attract unwel-come ‘critters’. Finally, we would like to avoid the garbage that tends to be generated by food sent in such parcels. We need your help to administer this important policy in a fair and consistent manner, and we are sure you will want to play your part.

* Please note that if food does get sent to a camper, it is confiscated and thrown out. We simply cannot risk cross contamination due to allergies.

* For campers celebrating a birthday at Camp, we serve birthday cake for their cabin group at one of the meals. As well, birthday campers may make a call home on their birthday on the Camp phone, usually after the supper meal.

5.

It is a Camp Tawingo policy that campers, TLCs, and staff do not bring to Camp nor use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs at any time or in any place during their stay. Violation of this policy by anyone results in immediate dismissal from Camp, without re - imbursement. Please be clear in communicating this policy and consequence with your camper prior to the start of Camp.

6. Due to the number of campers at Camp Tawingo, our attempt to make Camp an oasis, and to foster campers’ independence, campers are not permitted to use the Camp phone or computers.

Please Note:

FOOD PARCELS AND BIRTHDAYS

POLICY RE: TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

CAMPER & PARENT PHONE CALLS

The vast majority of our campers settle comfortably into Camp life. Indeed, our Tawingo staff are trained to recognize all signs of missing home, and to respond so that each camper acclimatizes quickly and successfully to the cabin group and Camp setting. In the very few instances when we have concerns about a camper’s adjustment, we will initiate the call to discuss these concerns. For this reason, we would appreciate it if you would not call and ask us to check on your camper’s well-being, unless you have information through a letter home that suggests there is a concern of which we may not be aware. In all other cases, if there is a concern, we shall call you. With 400 campers on hand, please know how grateful we will be for your support of this request. Should you need to get important information to us or your camper, please call the Camp Office and speak with a Tawingo Staff member.

7.

Campers are encouraged to write home, regularly. Indeed we offer a complimentary postcard to all first time campers (with the exception of 1B, 2B, 3A & 3B campers due to the shortness of these sessions), the postage of which we cover - just to be sure parents/guardians of these campers receive at least one letter from Camp! Campers do appreciate receiving letters/e-mails from home. While letters from home are sent directly to Camp, e-mails need to be

arranged through CAMP BRAIN. Please see the form titled “E-mail Service to Your Camper”. If you choose to use CAMP BRAIN please note that the very last e-mails we download for campers each session are at 10:00 a.m. (D.S.T.) on Banquet Day (the day before your camper leaves to come home). Any last minute transportation details should, therefore, go through our main office.

It would be good if your letters/e-mails were cheerful and avoided mentioning how much your camper is missed at home or about the fun the family may be having while your camper is at Camp or any other such news. The content of your letter/e-mail might centre around such things as what fun it must be to be at Camp, the many new skills being learned, and all the new friendships being made.

Please note that too many letters/e-mails from home may keep the camper’s mind on family attachments and can delay or prevent adjustments to a happy Camp life. However, as mentioned, letters/e-mails are important.

Campers do not have access to computers and, therefore, cannot send e-mails.

If you do not receive mail from your camper, please be assured that this is a positive sign that your camper is likely too busy having fun outside with Camp friends!

Campers who live outside Canada may write a 1-page letter once a week, which our Office Staff will scan and e-mail to the address provided on the “Confidential Information About Campers” form. The first e-mail will not be sent until at least the 5th day of Camp, after campers have had a chance to settle in.

Please do not send EMERGENCY messages by e-mail or fax. Instead, please phone and speak to a Tawingo Staff member.

YOUR CAMPER’S NAME

CAMP TAWINGO

1844 RAVENSCLIFFE RD.

HUNTSVILLE ON P1H 2N2

CABIN #:

(if known)

LETTERS, FAXES, E-MAIL

8. During Camp, if you change your address temporarily, please inform us of your temporary address and telephone number so we may keep the information on file at the Camp office. Thank you.

T / . 1. Letters/e-mails or pre-Camp conversations that promise a shortened stay at Camp, if the camper communicates nervousness about Camp, make it very difficult for us to help the camper acclimatize to cabin living and Camp life. Research has shown that promises of this kind: “We’ll-come-and-pick-you-up-if-you’re-not-having-fun”, convey to the camper a lack of confidence in him/her/them on the part of the parent(s); a lack of confidence, in the camper’s ability to cope with and overcome his/her/their discomfort. Please be assured that, with our help, campers who miss home have and do overcome discomfort and gain tremendous confidence in themselves as a result. Please help us help your camper by choosing to not make such promises, either before or during Camp. Thank you.

2.Fifty - six summers of experience have shown us that the vast majority of campers quickly make a full and positive transition to Camp. For most, the adjustment period is a few minutes, for some a few hours, for a very few - a few days. Our entire leadership philosophy and Camp program are geared to helping campers adjust, comfortably and happily, no matter the length of time it takes. To this we are committed. It may be the case that campers who take a wee bit longer to adjust to Camp, choose to express some sadness in their first letters home. After all, to miss home is natural. In a very few cases these feelings may be verbalized quite strongly. (“Please come and get me.”) If you get a letter like this, please don’t panic. Chances are we have already picked up on these feelings and helped your camper. Nonetheless, please contact Camp and let us know that you have received a letter like this and we will follow up with your camper at the earliest opportunity, and be back in touch with you just as soon as we can. Experience, again, has shown us that in virtually all cases, by the time the letter reaches home, the feelings of missing home have lessened markedly, or subsided altogether, and the camper is out enjoying all Camp has to offer. Comments like, “I’m having a blast, now” or “I was sad at first, but love it, now” are very common. To be sure, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, be in touch if we have a con-cern, and we will encourage your camper to write another letter home ex-pressing his/her more positive feelings.

VACATION ADDRESS

SPECIAL ALL CAMP PROGRAM 9.

On one day each session, the entire Camp community gathers in the “Joan West Memorial Chapel” for a program of appreciation, reflection, and celebration.

A program of songs, stories, poems, and skits based on a non-religious theme (e.g., living in harmony with one another and in the out-of-doors) is created and presented by TLCs, campers, and staff.

As part of this program campers are invited, if they wish, to make small donations, which are charged to their Camper Bank Accounts. For summer 2016 donations were given to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation to buy state-of-the art equipment for this community’s hospital. Last summer, campers and staff donated close to $4000 to this important Foundation! We are in the process of determining to whom to give this year’s donations.

10. We have built Camp Tawingo’s “Lalla Pearse Memorial Library” from the generous contributions of camper families like you! If your family can add a new or used book or two to the Library, it would be greatly appreciated. We are making a special effort to increase the number of French and Spanish language books in the Camp Library. Camp Tawingo can also make great use of discarded clothing (especially hats, old coats, dresses, and specialty items). These are used in our costume department for skits and other special programs. For quiet times in the Health Centre and Li-brary, we would appreciate the donation of any table/board games that you no longer use, but that still have full sets of pieces. Thank you for this consideration.

11.

For safety reasons, we assess each camper’s swimming ability on the first day of each Camp session.

From these evaluations, we determine to what extent campers may participate in programs in and on the water.

During the remainder of the Camp session, campers have plenty of opportunity to improve their swimming qualifications.

Your camper may want to practise swimming before arriving at Camp in order to be well prepared for the first-day swim assessment.

In addition to preparing for the swimming assessment on the first day, it is a good idea to have your camper work on personal fitness for the active life of Camp. Vigorous outdoor activity for three parts of every day may be a departure from a camper’s normal routine at home. Therefore, it is advisable to “get into shape” for Camp rather than at Camp.

BOOKS, COSTUMES, GAMES

SWIMMING ABILITY AND PERSONAL FITNESS

OUTTRIPS 12.

All campers in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd sessions experience an overnight canoe or hiking trip.

Canoe trips for older campers may be two or three nights in length. On some canoe trips for older campers, Camp vehicles and/or

chartered buses are used to transport campers and trip leaders to and from their canoe routes.

Please note for all A and B campers: we may not be able to fit outtrips into Sessions 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. Families of A & B campers should expect to see an e-mail verifying whether or not their camper(s) will be participating in an outtrip, one or two days prior to the Full Session start date.

TENTATIVE 2017 TRIPPING SCHEDULE

*Please note that the following information is TENTATIVE and is for general information/planning purposes only. Additionally, we cannot guarantee the age ranges noted in each section until the time that cabin placements are completed one or two days prior to the start of each Full Session. ALL campers learn their age grouping (i.e., Circle) and cabin number when they arrive AT Camp.

13.

When next year’s literature is sent to you, we may invite your camper to apply for our extended wilderness canoe trips - the Voyageur Adventure (VA) for boys and the Wilderness Journey (WJ) for girls. Both trips are 15 days long and take place in the pristine wilderness of the Kipawa Forest Reserve in Quebec.

EXTENDED CANOE TRIPS (VA and WJ)

Session Boys Girls

1A All age groups will go on an outtrip except for Cree (Aged 12).

All age groups will go on an outtrip except for Ojibwa (Ages 13-14).

1B Only the Cree age group (Aged 12) will go on an outtrip.

Only the Ojibwa age group (Ages 13-14) will go on an outtrip.

2A All age groups will go on an outtrip. All age groups will go on an outtrip except for Seneca and Ojibwa (Ages 11-12, 13-14).

2B No age groups will go on an outtrip. Only Seneca and Ojibwa age groups (Ages 11-12, 13-14) will go on an outtrip.

3A No age groups will go on an outtrip. Only the Ojibwa age group (Ages 13-14) will go on an outtrip.

3B All age groups will go on an outtrip. All age groups will go on an outtrip except for Ojibwa (Ages 13-14).

TAWINGO LEADERSHIP COURSE (TLC)

To be eligible for our extended canoe trips, campers must be 14 years of age at the beginning of Camp and have a Camp Tawingo Fox Crest.

A camper who has attained these minimum prerequisites receives a separate application form for the Voyageur Adventure or Wilderness Journey early in the fall.

C ’ VA WJ 6-8 .

14.

Also next fall, we will provide an opportunity for all Tawingo campers who have a Fox Crest and who will be 16 by July 1, 2017, to apply to be a par-ticipant in the Tawingo Leadership Course. From the applications received, up to 20 boys and 20 girls will be chosen to take the summer - long TLC. The purpose of the TLC is to prepare its participants to be Tawingo Staff members.

15.

Our Camp literature for next year’s Summer Camp is usually sent to you in the first week of November. This year, we are going to, once again, offer a Premiere Registration Opportunity - an opportunity to register in early November, for 2018, at a savings.

The Premiere Registration Opportunity Camper Application forms will be sent to summer 2017 campers, only.

These will be e-mailed in November. As you know, most programs at Camp fill rapidly each year. This was

especially the case this year: 1st, 2nd & 3rd sessions for boys and girls were filled by November 21st! We do not want your Camper to be disappointed. If you have not heard from us by the middle of Novem-ber, it would be advisable to contact our Camp Office (705-789-5612; summer@tawingo.net).

16. We are fully aware and accepting of our responsibility to guide your camper through a very happy and fulfilling Camp experience. We appreciate your confidence and support, and we assure you of our complete concern for your camper’s happiness, health, safety, and personal growth.

Here’s to a great summer!

We have fun building great kids...

NEXT YEAR’S CAMP

IN CLOSING…………...

Please remember that Camp OPENS and CLOSES on a different day each session.

Summer 2017 dates are as follows:

1st Session: Tuesday, July 4 - Friday, July 21 Session 1A: Tuesday, July 4 - Saturday, July 15 Session 1B: Sunday, July 16 - Friday, July 21 2nd Session: Sunday, July 23 - Friday, August 11 Session 2A: Sunday, July 23 - Saturday, August 5 Session 2B: Sunday, August 6 - Friday, August 11 3rd Session: Sunday, August 13 - Monday, August 28 Session 3A: Sunday, August 13 - Saturday, August 19 Session 3B Sunday, August 20 - Monday, August 28

If you are not using the Chartered Bus Service or the Airport Service to Camp, the best time to ARRIVE at Camp is 11:00 a.m. (Daylight Saving Time). If you are not using the Chartered Bus Service or the Airport Service from Camp, the best time to PICK UP your camper is 11:00 a.m. (Daylight Saving Time).

Visitors’ Days 2017:

1st Session: Saturday, July 15 Session 1A: * No Visitors’ Day Session 1B: No Visitors’ Day 2nd Session: Saturday, August 5 Session 2A: * No Visitors’ Day Session 2B: No Visitors’ Day 3rd Session: Saturday, August 19 Session 3A: * No Visitors’ Day Session 3B: No Visitors’ Day

* Sessions 1A, 2A, and 3A end on our regular Visitors’ Day for the longer session. If you are the parent of a 1A, 2A, or 3A camper, please feel free to tour Camp with your camper on that day.

Bus Departures and Returns (All times are Daylight Saving Time):

OTTAWA Loblaws: Bells Corners SW Corner Robertson Road and Moodie Drive Departs: 8:00 a.m. Returns: 4:15 p.m.

TORONTO Parking Lot of The Vaughan IKEA 200 Interchange Way Departs: 10:00 a.m. Returns: 2:15 p.m.

ONE MORE TIME…

Critical Numbers

Camp Phone (Main Line): (705) 789-5612 (Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Daylight Saving Time)

Camp Fax: (705) 789-6624

Camp E-Mail: Please refer to the CAMP BRAIN information contained in this package (E-mail Service to Your Camper). Please remember that neither we nor CAMP BRAIN are able to provide opportunity for an e-mail response from your camper to you.

Camp Website: www.tawingo.net

Other:

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

At-a-glance Checklist: Pack only necessary medications in original containers

Please check for & treat lice before camper arrives at Camp

Notify Camp of any change of address or contact information

Do not pack or send food/candy

Camp Tawingo time - one hour behind Daylight Savings Time

Name of Resort/Lodge Lake Km. from Town Phone #

Blue Water Acres Resort www.bwacres.com

Lake Of Bays 20 km. 705-635-2880 800-461-4279

Cedar Grove Lodge www.cedargrove.on.ca

Penn Lake 8 km. 705-789-4036 800-461-4269

Colonial Bay Cottage Resort www.colonialbay.com

Penn Lake 10 km. 705-635-2008 800-916-2008

Deerhurst Resort www.deerhurstresort.com

Penn Lake 7 km. 705-789-6411 800-461-4393

Hidden Valley Resort www.hvmuskoka.com

Penn Lake 8 km. 705-789-2301 800-465-4171

Pow Wow Point Lodge www.powwowpointlodge.com

Penn Lake 8 km. 705-789-4951 800-461-4232

Spring Lake Resort www.springlakeresort.net

Spring Lake 20 km. 705-635-9995 877-635-9995

Tally Ho Inn www.tallyhoinn.ca

Penn Lake 10 km. 705-635-2281 800-461-4232

Name of Hotel/Motel Website Phone #

Arrowhead Inn www.arrowheadinn.ca 705-789-7307 800-561-9189

Best Western Muskoka Inn www.bestwestern.com “Huntsville”

705-788-3345 800-780-7234

Comfort Inn www.huntsvillecomfortinn.com 705-789-1701

Highland Court Motel www.highlandcourt.ca 705-789-4424 888-238-9319

Huntsville Inn www.huntsvilleinn.com 705-789-4431 866-222-8525

Roadway Inn King William www.kingwilliaminn.com 705-789-9661 888-995-9169

Motel 6 Huntsville www.motel6.com 705-787-0118

Rainbow Inn www.rainbowinn.ca 705-789-5514 800-565-5514

Tulip Inn www.tulipinn.ca 705-789-4001 800-565-4001

Name Of Bed & Breakfast Address/Website Phone #

Morgan House Bed & Breakfast 83 Morgan’s Road www.morganhousewoolworks.ca

705-380-2566

Hotel, Motel, and Resort Choices near Huntsville