family - YMCA of Greater Toronto

2012familycampWELCOME GUIDE

Welcome to Family Camp 2012!Get ready for a week of fun, relaxation, outdoor activities and quality time with yourfamily. You’ll enjoy boating and swimming in Clear Lake, and hiking on many trailsover our 650 acres of land in the middle of Muskoka.Some of the activities we offer at Pine Crest include low and high ropes courses,a climbing wall, canoeing, kayaking, natural arts and crafts, hiking, swimming,campfires, games night, outdoor cooking and much more. During the Family Campweek there’s a balance between optional programmed activities and time to enjoythe site on your own. Programs are offered for children, adults or the whole family.Each family will have their own cabin, located close to each other in a woodedarea not too far from the washroom facilities. We also have three dorm-stylelodges with washrooms located indoors for use that week.Families are expected to arrive at camp any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. onSunday, July 29, 2012. This will give you time to settle into your cabin and explorethe site on your own, or get a guided tour by one of our staff members.We’ll provide a buffet-style lunch between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., followed by thegroup welcome at 2:30 p.m. Then will be an afternoon program. Dinner will beserved at 5:30 p.m.On Friday, August 3, 2012, there will be open programs in the morning, lunch at12:30 p.m. and then it’s time to pack up. Departure is between 2 and 3 p.m.I’ll send updated schedules, menus and thematic costume ideas a few weeks priorto your arrival. If you have any questions prior to camp, please contact me at:laura.cottes@ymcagta.org705-762-3377 or 1-877-878-9622We look forward to having you join us for a fantastic week next summer!Sincerely,Laura and the Pine Crest staff2

Table of ContentsYMCA Camp Pine Crest Guiding Principles page 4Features of Pine Crest page 5Programs and Schedules page 5-6Meals page 7Packing and Preparations page 8-9Additional Information page 9-10Directions to Camp page 11Mapback cover3

YMCA Camp Pine Crest Guiding PrinciplesYMCA mission statementThe YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity offering opportunities for personalgrowth, community involvement and leadership. Our success is built on ourcommitment to the mission of the YMCA. In pursuit of this, and to distinguish campfrom other experiences offered by our YMCA and the community, our camping andoutdoor education centre services are based on the following guiding principles.Small-group experience interpersonal problem solving and leadership development.Natural focus setting and are not as readily available to children in their home or schoolenvironment. stewardship, creating exciting experiences in the outdoors.Democratic living to make decisions that serve both the individual and the group. leadership to all children at camp.Enjoyable programs Inclusive community socio-economic backgrounds together in one community. that would make campers feel isolated during their time at camp. equal access to our programs at Pine Crest.Healthy lifestyle choices and lots of hydration for out busy days in the sun. physical activity daily.4

Features of Pine CrestProperty and facilities Program support And much more!Programs and SchedulesTypical day at Pine Crest7:15-7:55 a.m. Wake-up and Radical Risers8:00 Table setters 8:15 Breakfast9:30-10:45 Program activity #111:00-12:15 p.m. Program activity #212:30 Lunch1:30-2:30 Rest hour2:30-3:15 Program activity #33:30-4:30 Program activity #44:30 General swim5:15 Table setters5:30 Dinner6:30 General boating7:30 Evening program and snack5

Program activities include: Parents are welcome to drop children off at supervised program activities.Daily programs are offered for participants based on age:Bantam: 3-6Junior: 7-10Senior: 10-13Pioneer: 14-16Adult: 17+Family programs are offered in the evening and throughout the week. Aswimming area will always be staffed by Pine Crest lifeguards during programactivity times so families are welcome to go for a dip throughout the day.Rainy daysAll camp programs operate rain or shine, although the water-based and highor low ropes programs may be affected. In the event that the program must bealtered, special programs are offered. The fun doesn’t stop because of liquidsunshine!6

MealsOur kitchen staff prepare nutritious, tasty meals, along with a nightly snack forparticipants. Individuals who have special dietary needs can enjoy a supplementalmenu modified to suit her/his needs. These special requests are to be noted onthe Family Camp registration form. We provide a vegetarian and lactose-freeoption at every meal. The food service supervisor will be on hand during arrivalday and throughout the session if you have any particular concerns about foodallergies or dietary questions.Three-day sample menu:BreakfastLunchDinnerCoffee, tea, hot chocolate and fruit are provided all day inside the main dining hall.Nut sensitivityDay one Day two Day threeCereal (hot andcold)Milk and juiceCinnamon bunsCroissantsJuice and waterMushroom soupSalad barFruitMilk and waterChicken stir frywith riceSalad barLemon tartsCereal (hot andcold)PancakesSausageYogurt and fruitJuice and waterTomato soupGrilled cheeseSalad barFruitMilk and waterLasagnaGarlic breadCaesar saladBrowniesCereal (hot andcold)Cheese omelettesMuffinsFruitJuice and waterMinestrone soupMake-your-ownsandwichbuffetFruitMilk and waterFajitasSteamed veggiesRiceIce cream barsVegetarian Tofu stir fry Veggie lasagna Tofu fajitasSnack Popcorn Cookies Cheese andcrackersWhile we cannot guarantee a completely nut-free site, we do take every actionpossible to ensure that participants and staff with nut allergies are protected.All meals are prepared without any kind of nut products and we make sure thatall participants are aware of products that may have been manufactured in thesame factory as other nut products.Please do not bring any food containing nuts or nut products to camp.7

Packing and PreparationsBelow you will find a suggested list of what you and your family should bring to camp.BeddingFamilies bring their own sleeping bags and pillows. If bedwetting is a concern,the camp laundry service is available to quickly launder any bedding.Eyeglasses/contactsFor participants who require eyeglasses or contacts, we recommend bringingalong an extra pair to be kept in the Wellness Centre in case they are needed.Shoes, sandals and flip-flopsBecause of our natural setting, we highly encourage participants to bringsuitable footwear. We ask all participants to wear sandals with a back strapand low ropes courses. If you plan on joining us for the overnight canoe trip,please bring two pairs of close-toed shoes.Suggested packing list for each participant 1 rain coat with hood(not windbreaker style) sun hat sunscreen (minimum SPF 60) (sweats instead of jeans) Water bottle Optional items 8

Travelling with young childrenPine Crest has a limited number of high chairs, playpens and baby/childcarriers. Please let us know prior to arriving if you need to borrow any of theseitems. Most programs can be access by a gravel road; however, due to our rockyterrain, a more durable stroller would be recommended.What not to bring to campAt YMCA Camp Pine Crest, we believe that a camp experience should be areturn to the basics, where campers can develop a sense of harmony with nature,themselves and others. In keeping with these values we encourage you to leavethe following items at home for the week of camp: (e.g. GameBoy) Additional InformationThe camp storeOur store is open for business on arrival day, departure day and most of the timein between. We accept cash, cheque, debit and credit cards. This summer we’repleased to offer: various styles Book9

ParkingPine Crest has a large main parking lot. You’re welcome to drive your car closerto your cabin to unload your luggage, but will be asked to move your car to theparking lot after doing so. Our main roads need to be accessible for emergencyvehicles and on-site maintenance vehicles.Alcohol and cigarettesPine Crest is primarily an overnight children’s camp, and for this reason we askor in your cabin. As well, we ask that you use plastic containers; plastic cups willYou’re also welcome to leave camp at night to go to Bala, our local community, toenjoy these activities. Please let us know if you will be leaving during your stay.We do make an exception for Family Campers to smoke if they need to duringtheir stay. We ask that you only smoke in one of our designated areas. All of ourbuildings are made of wood and we go through many dry seasons and would notwant to see our site damaged in any way.Swimming and boatingAt Pine Crest, we ask that no one uses our waterfront without two Pine Crestlifeguards present. This includes all boating and swimming activities. Whenparticipating in any boating activities you must wear a lifejacket at all times.Emergency situationsIn the case of an emergency on site, Pine Crest staff will take full responsibilityfor ensuring all details are taken care of. We require all guests to provide us withhealth concerns and information so we can best be prepared for any situation.Pine Crest staff will call an ambulance, fill out all incident/accident reportforms, act as the primary rescuers on the scene and accompany the person tothe hospital.Please make sure to have all family OHIP numbers with you foryour visit.Can’t wait for the summer?Join us for our winter programs! New Year’s Family Camp Holiday Camp Family Weekend March Break Camp10For more information please call 1-877-878-9622or email camp.pinecrest@ymcagta.org.

Directions to CampFrom Toronto and the southSouthwood Road and immediately left again onto Clear Lake Road. Camp isabout 3.3km down the road.From North Bay and the north21km northwest to Torrance. Turn left onto Southwood Road and immediately leftagain onto Clear Lake Road. Camp is about 3.3km down the road.From Sudbury and the westonto Southwood Road and immediately left again onto Clear Lake Road. Camp isabout 3.3km down the road.From Ottawa and the east169 about 21km northeast to Torrance. Turn left onto Southwood Road andimmediately left again onto Clear Lake Road. Camp is about 3.3km down the road.Join us for an extra day in Muskoka to participate inour annual Strong Kids Triathlon, where you can run, swim andpaddle to help raise money to send children to camp!Saturday June 16, 2012 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.Race as an individual or in a team.Contact the camp for more information!11