CAMP STEPHENS PARENT PACKAGE for WILDERNESS CANOE TRIPS

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Alicia Henry
5 years ago
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1 CAMP STEPHENS 2019 PARENT PACKAGE fr WILDERNESS CANOE TRIPS

2 Dear Parent/Guardian, Thank yu fr chsing YMCA-YWCA Camp Stephens. Yur child is abut t participate n the trip f a lifetime, experiencing the Stephens Wilderness Prgram firsthand. This package is designed fr bth parents and campers t adequately prepare yu fr this summer s camp experience. After saying gdbye t yur child at the West Prtage YMCA-YWCA, campers are transprted t Kenra by highway caches. All campers then take a 15 minute bat ride t camp. It s a gd idea t ensure yur child has warm clthing and /r a rain jacket fr this ride as it can be fairly chilly. Upn arriving at Camp Stephens, campers will be intrduced t their cunsellrs (we call them Trippers at camp) and cabin mates. Upn arrival, these trippers will facilitate the grup members in getting t knw each ther as they prepare fr their adventure. The grup will pack ut their fd, equipment and persnal belngings during their first day f camp. They will als g ver caneing emergency prcedures as well as visit the Wellness Centre t ensure they are healthy prir t the grup leaving. Yur trippers will als prvide infrmatin regarding the rute and g ver navigatin techniques. On Tuesday mrning, all the wilderness cane trips take part in a farewell ceremny explaining t all resident campers what rutes they are ging n, and what their wilderness camp experience will invlve. Wilderness cane trips are a great chance fr all participants t develp new friends, gain a greater appreciatin fr the wilderness and develp a strnger sense f themselves. Trail is a place where the cliques and barriers that ften inhibit teens in city life are left behind. These yung adults are given the freedm and expectatins t discver their full ptential. This wilderness educatin will be life learning and an experience they will never frget. At the end f the camping seasn, we will be sending yu a camper/parent evaluatin. This feedback has prvided us with valuable infrmatin n ur prgrams and services, and we have used this infrmatin t cntinue t imprve hw we deliver ur services. Thank yu fr entrusting us with yur child's care. Yu have ur cmmitment t d ur very best. If at any time yu have questins r cncerns please cntact ur Winnipeg ffice at We are lking frward t meeting yur caneist at camp this summer. Happy Camping! 2 P a g e

3 Table f Cntents Transprtatin 4 Sign-in/ut Prcedure. 5 Wilderness Prgram Overview 6 Health and Wellness.. 7 Camper Behaviural Cde. 7 Dress Cde. 8 Open Huse.. 8 Mail. 8 Camp Plicies. 9 Camp Packing List What nt t bring t camp.. 11 Lst and Fund Items 12 Cntact Infrmatin 12 3 P a g e

4 Transprtatin Infrmatin Camp Buses (Please check ywinnipeg.ca/campstephens fr current transprtatin infrmatin n the first/last day f Camp) All buses depart and return frm the West Prtage YMCA-YWCA, 3550 Prtage Avenue. We use highway caches t transprt the campers t and frm Kenra. The bus ride is apprximately 2 ½ hurs. Yu may pack a light snack fr yur camper fr the trip t camp. We als recmmend wearing a light sweater r a jacket as the bus and bat ride t camp can be fairly chilly. We will have a supervisr n each bus. **Please nte, Campers will be departing/returning with their specific cabin r trail grups, therefre, siblings may nt be n the same bus.** Barding time/west Prtage Drp-ff: Buses will be departing between 7:00 AM & 9:00 AM. Yu will be cntacted with the exact time yur bus will be leaving 5-7 business days prir t the start f camp. Return Time/West Prtage Pick-up: First camp bus return apprximately at 2:30 PM, weather and traffic dependent. Yu will be cntacted, with an apprximate time yur bus will be arriving, 24 hurs prir t the arrival date. Persnal transprtatin (Please check ywinnipeg.ca/campstephens fr drp ff / pick up times at the dck n the first/last day f Camp) Families wh are arranging fr their wn transprtatin t Kenra must be at the Kenra Harburfrnt (beside the MS Kenra). Kenra Arrival/Drp ff 9:30 AM Kenra Departure/Pick up 10:00 AM: This time is subject t change, yu will be ntified by if it des. *Camp Stephens prvides bat transprtatin frm the Harburfrnt in Kenra t Cpeland Island. The bat ride is apprximately 15 minutes. We will prvide a lifejacket fr each camper. Please make sure luggage is well-labeled and waterprf. 4 P a g e

5 Sign-in Prcedure 10 business days prir t departure: T ensure accuracy and regulate camp transprtatin, changes t the fllwing infrmatin must be received by ur camp ffice 10 BUSINESS DAYS befre yur camper s departure: Transprtatin ptins Camp bus r persnal transprtatin Authrized persns t sign (ther than parent/guardian specified n their registratin) Bus sign-in prcedure: Day f departure frm West Prtage: Ensure yur camper has all necessary items prir t barding the bus. Unless it is an emergency, parents are discuraged frm barding the buses. Give any medicatins t the staff designated t cllect them. Each highway cach is allcated a bus #. Please: Depsit yur camper s luggage t yur designated bus. Sign in yur camper with the designated staff and prmptly bard the bus. Buses depart exactly at yur designated time frm 3550 West Prtage Ave and are nt allwed t stp n the rad t pick up passengers. If yur camper misses the bus, yu will be respnsible t transprt them t camp. Persnal transprtatin sign-in prcedure: Give any medicatins t the staff designated t cllect them. Depsit yur camper s luggage with the staff designated t lad the bat. Sign in yur camper. Sign-ut Prcedure 10 business days prir t day f arrival t West Prtage T ensure accuracy and regulate camp transprtatin, changes t the fllwing infrmatin must be received by ur camp ffice 10 BUSINESS DAYS befre yur camper s return: Transprtatin ptins Camp bus r persnal transprtatin Authrized persns t sign (ther than parent/guardian specified n their registratin Any names that are nt included n ur list are nt authrized t pick up the camper. If yu are unsure f the names prvided n the registratin frm, please cntact the camp registrar. Bus sign-ut prcedure: Day f arrival t West Prtage: Check the buses estimated time f arrival (via yur r ur camp website). Keep nte f registrar s annuncement regarding which set f campers are n the bus. Campers wh have been given permissin by their parents/guardians t sign themselves ut will disembark first and shuld cllect their baggage. Once signed ut, campers are free t depart. Campers whse parents must sign them ut must stay with camp staff until parents sign them ut. Claim yur camper s medicatins frm the camp staff assigned. Take yur camper s belngings nly nce unlading f everyne s luggage is finished. Persnal transprtatin sign-ut prcedure: Claim yur camper s medicatins frm the camp staff assigned. Pick up all yur camper s luggage at the Harburfrnt. Sign-ut yur camper with ur staff. 5 P a g e

6 Wilderness Cane Trips Overview With ver 50 years f extended wilderness cane trips, ur legacy speaks fr itself. Camp Stephens wilderness cane trips are full f adventure and challenge amidst the beautiful backdrp f the Canadian wilderness. Thrughut their trip, participants are encuraged t test their limits and explre new abilities with the supprt f an encuraging cmmunity. Time and again, these wilderness experiences have prven t be instrumental in develping leadership, self-cnfidence, respnsibility, teamwrk, and memries fr a lifetime. We are glad that yu ve chsen t trip with us! Trippers Tw Wilderness staff members called Trippers lead all trips. Being a Tripper ges beynd the requirements f having their Brnze Crss, Standard First Aid and CPR Certificatins. In additin, Trippers must have multiple years experience cunselling, tripping and wrking with yuth under their belt alng with their Wilderness Advanced First Aid and paddling certificatin. Trippers are hand-selected fr their lve f the wilderness, superir cmmunicatin skills and cmmitment t the Y philsphy f helping yung peple learn and grw. Safety Yur child s care is a respnsibility that we d nt take lightly. Prir t leaving Camp Stephens, each trip s rute with help frm detailed infrmatin frm past years and/r frm the Ministry f Natural Resurces is planned meticulusly. At base camp, the Wilderness Crdinatr has a detailed, day-t-day itinerary f each trip and clsely mnitrs the trip s prgressin. All trips are required t check-in, using their GPS tracker r cell phne. If trips are significantly late fr their check-in, r if they request assistance, an emergency prcedure is immediately implemented. Our trips ffer amazing pprtunities fr thse wh want t experience nature s raw beauty. Hwever, the rutes are physically and mentally challenging, and will take yur caneist int remte wilderness areas. It is imprtant that parents and participants fully cmprehend that utdr adventures can be unpredictable frm wildlife encunters, t accidents, t the vagaries f weather. Trips During their adventure, each grup has apprximately six t eight hurs f paddling per day. Each night they stp at a different spt, set up tents, ck their evening meal and get sme rest fr their next day s jurney. Tw-Week Explre During this trip, caneists paddle n large pen bdies f water n Lake f the Wds (and the surrunding area), with the ptential f a cuple prtages. Grups travel tgether under their wn strength, explring the lake, camping utdrs, cking n stves r ver fires, etc. The trip fcuses n the jy f being in the wilderness and the skills necessary t enjy life n the trail. Tw-Week Advanced Cane trips travel n Lake f the Wds and surrunding area (typically ging int unppulated and secluded lakes). Caneists will be paddling n large, pen bdies f water with multiple prtages thrughut their rute. Grups travel tgether, pushing themselves further int the wilderness and increasing their knwledge and utdr skills. Tw-Week Jurney t Cpeland (New fr 2019) A next-level challenge fr advanced tw-week cane trip campers. Campers will be driven by vehicle t a drp-ff pint apprximately 150 kms away frm Camp Stephens. Fr the next 10 days the grup, alng with tw trip leaders, will paddle their way t Camp Stephens, lcated n Cpeland Island. Adventures await them alng the way, bringing the grup t sme f the mst beautiful areas in the regin that are nt accessible by any ther Camp Stephens trip. 6 P a g e

7 Fur-Week Cane Trip This trip is reserved fr thse experienced campers wh ve cmpleted ur Pathfinder r Leadership Develpment Prgram. The mst remte and challenging f ur cane trips, participants will be paddling up t 8 hurs a day, carrying as much as 100lbs n their back ver rugged prtage trails and shting up t class 3 rapids. We recmmend participants visit their dctr t discuss any medical cncerns they may have, as they need t be physically fit and mentally prepared t embark n this trip. Electrnic Emergency and Health Histry Frm Health and Wellness By nw yu shuld have filled ut the Emergency and Health Histry Frm which is available n ur website at It is recmmended that parents cnsider any restrictins t activity r any ther medical prblems that the camp shuld be aware f, any dietary cnsideratins (allergies, vegetarian, etc.) and please send us any further infrmatin if it is needed. Medicatins and Health Cncerns If yur caneist is n any medicatin, please send a nte stating the medicatin usage instructins (e.g. Anne must take ne pill befre each meal) and yur signature. Please send all medicatin in the riginal cntainer with the child s first and last name and hand it t a staff member n the bus. Medicatins are available fr pick-up n the day f their return. If, after yu have returned the frm, yur camper is placed n any medicatin, please send the abve infrmatin and signature t camp with yur camper. If it is necessary t btain a prescriptin fr yur child while they are in attendance at camp, yu will be cntacted and infrmed f the situatin. Parent/guardians will be inviced fr any csts related t prescriptins r medical fees. IMPORTANT: Please infrm the camp in writing f any changes (medical, scial, emtinal, family envirnment) that ccurs between filling ut these frms and attending camp. Camper Behaviur T ensure everyne at Camp Stephens has a safe and psitive camping experience, all campers must adhere t the Camper Behaviur Plicy. If behaviural issues arise, Camp Stephens cunsellrs quickly identify and reslve cncerns within grups. Cunsellrs have a supprt netwrk f supervisrs and resurce staff t aid them in situatins &/r cncerns. Althugh we hpe t keep every camper at camp during sessin, we will nt hesitate t infrm parents/guardians f their camper s behaviur if it endangers their wn safety r the safety f thse arund them. It is ur plicy t cmmunicate cncerns immediately t parents/guardians t find a slutin. Hwever, if a slutin is nt fund, the camper will be sent hme at the parents expense and there will be n refund f camp fees. Fighting, bullying, lighting unsupervised fires, smking, drinking, stealing, abusive language, hitting and general misbehaviur will nt be tlerated and are grunds fr being sent hme. 7 P a g e

8 Dress Cde Trail participants are expected t adhere t the Camp Stephens dress cde while n Cpeland (main) island. Life at Camp Stephens is infrmal. Please send cmfrtable clthes (the kind that yu can affrd t lse r dn t mind getting dirty). It is hped that all campers dress in a manner becming t themselves and camp, realizing that campers cme frm a diverse backgrund and as yung as 8 thrughut the summer. Spaghetti straps, halters, bikini tps r tps that expse the midriff, shrt-shrts, clthing with inapprpriate language r advertising are nt suitable fr camp. Girls may wear mdest ne r tw piece swimsuits in the swim areas nly and guys may nt be shirtless utside f the swim area. If yur child is wearing smething that we feel des nt meet these standards, they will be asked t change. Open Huse If yu wish t visit Camp Stephens with yur child, ur pen huse is n Saturday June 1, 2019 frm 10:00 AM t 1:00 PM. Please meet at the Harburfrnt (beside the MS Kenra) in Kenra between 9:30 and 10:00 AM. We will use ur bats t transprt yu t and frm the island. There will be a buffet lunch, turs and a chance t explre camp n yur wn. Camp Stephens des nt have a frmal visitr s day while we are in sessin. It can be a disruptive influence n the camp; sme children d nt have parents attend, it is difficult t ensure that all campers wuld be in camp and nt n their vernight cane trip, and the children als lse a full day f the camping prgram. Mail Please feel free t write t yur caneist fr the end f the trip. In-cming mail is held at camp until the end f the trip and is always nice t get after spending ten r mre days n trail. All mail sent t yur caneist shuld be addressed as fllws: Yur Caneist s name (Cane trip and date they are n) YMCA-YWCA Camp Stephens Fish Market Dck Kenra, ON P9N 1W2 Out-ging and in-cming mail is delivered daily. Please send sufficient envelpes and statinery with yur camper. As stamps have a way f sticking tgether, we suggest parents prvide self-addressed stamped envelpes. In the past we have fund that mail takes abut 5 business days t arrive in Kenra frm Winnipeg. Please d nt use a private curier cmpany as they cannt reach us n the island nr will they leave packages in ur mailbx. There is n fax r available fr campers. Camp Stephens will nt be held respnsible fr lst r undelivered mail. 8 P a g e

9 Camp Plicies BEHAVIOUR - YMCA-YWCA Camp Stephens strives t be a fun, safe and active envirnment where everyne has a chance t be their best. All campers, staff and vlunteers pledge t treat each ther with dignity and respect. Behaviur that prevents thers frm enjying a psitive camp experience will nt be permitted. Campers may be asked t leave based upn inapprpriate behavir such as swearing, aggressin r use f prhibited items such as (but nt limited t) tbacc & E-cigarettes, alchl, nn-prescriptin drugs r ffensive printed materials. PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO Phtgraphs and/r vide taken at camp may be used fr public prmtinal initiatives by the YMCA-YWCA f Winnipeg. All phts are the prperty f the YMCA-YWCA f Winnipeg. T exclude yur child frm these initiatives, written request must be sent t the attentin f the Camp Directr. AUTHORIZATION All parents/guardians MUST cmplete and sign an Emergency & Health Frm. This frm authrizes: yur child t participate in the full range f camp activities the Camp Directr and their appintee, in the event f accident r illness affecting yur camper, t authrize n yur behalf all prcedures, including admissin t hspital and necessary treatment therein, as they may deem essential fr the care and well-being f yur child. (Such actin is t be taken nly when immediate cntact with the parent/guardian cannt be made.) This frm als utlines yur respnsibility t: accept financial respnsibility in excess f the benefits allwed by Prvincial Health and/r Medical Insurance. ntify the camp in writing f any changes that ccur in yur child's health between cmpleting the Emergency and Health frm and attending camp ntify the camp in writing if yur child is expsed t an infectius disease during the three weeks prir t camp ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE - YMCA-YWCA staff and instructrs make every reasnable effrt t minimize expsure t knwn risks. Hwever, by registering yur child in a YMCA-YMCA Camp Stephens prgram, yur child will be invlved in physical activities and with any physical activity, there is a risk f injury. All parents/guardians must sign the Emergency & Health frm that releases the YMCA-YWCA f Winnipeg, and its respective fficers, directrs, emplyees, vlunteers and agents, and their successrs and assigns, frm all liability fr damages sustained in cnsequence f lss, injury r damage t yurself r yur child, and frm all ther actins, causes f actin, claims, demands r damages f any kind with respect t death, injury, lss r damages t any persn r prperty including yurself r yur child arising ut f r cnnected with preparatin fr, r participatin in YMCA-YWCA prgrams r activities. CANCELLATION & REFUNDS - Cancellatins must be submitted in writing n later than 14 days prir t the start f camper s sessin in rder t receive a full refund (less a 20% camp fee). N refunds will be prvided fr cancellatins submitted after deadline. All camp fees are nn-transferable. RETURNED PAYMENTS - A service charge will apply fr each returned payment. Service may be suspended until the accunt is paid in full. The assciatin reserves the right t cancel registratins with utstanding payment. Unpaid accunts will be sent t a cllectin agency. 9 P a g e

10 Camp Packing List PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS WITH YOUR CANOEIST S FIRST AND LAST NAME Divide clthes int three grups dry, wet and traveling hme. Dry clthes are fr nighttime and arund the campfire while Wet clthes are fr paddling. Having a change f clthing which is always kept dry ensures bth hygiene and cmfrt. When packing fr camp, think in terms f layering clthing change in weather simply means remving r adding a layer f clthing. Persnal Equipment list Sleeping bag and stuff sack lined with garbage dry t keep it dry Enslite pad r Thermarest - used as a buffer layer between bdy and grund VERY IMPORTANT - Rain jacket and pants (please make sure this is waterprf and NOT water resistant) Windbreakers are nt acceptable as a raincat; Raincat that is large enugh t accmmdate a heavy sweater. 30L dry bag such as Seal line r a stuff sack lined with a garbage bag. Everything t be brught n trail shuld fit int this dry bag 1 Cup - Thermal mugs are gd 1-litre capacity water bttle gd fr lng prtages Wet Clthes (fr the day) - These will get VERY dirty and wrn 1 2 pairs f nyln r cttn shrts 1 2 T-shirts 1 pair pants (N jeans r heavy materials): fr sun and bug prtectin and will be wrn fr prtaging 1 pair lng jhns: plyprpylene r wl is best fr warmth when wet 1 lng sleeved under shirt; preferably plyprpylene (n cttn) 1 lng sleeved flannel r cttn shirt: fr sun and bug prtectin 1 Bathing suit Warm fleece jacket r wl sweater d nt use cttn Tque and mitts (fr cld windy rainy days) Hat baseball cap r wide-brimmed t keep nses and ears frm burning Underwear 2 pairs f wl scks (cttn draws heat away frm cld feet when wet) VERY IMPORTANT - 1 pair f hi-tp sneakers r hiking bts; these will get wet and must have plenty f ankle supprt fr prtaging and walking n wet slippery rcks (an ld pair f gd quality runners wrks well) Dry Clthes (fr evening) 1 pair f shrts 1 pair f pants: army pants r nyln pants are gd 1 T-shirt 1 lng sleeved shirt 1 set lng underwear 1 warm sweater 2 pairs wl scks Pajamas r sleeping T-shirt and bxer shrts Underwear1 pair dry shes light cttn runners, r sturdy sandals like Tevas r Chacs 10 P a g e

11 Traveling Clthes (prepare fr either warm r cld weather) 1 pair shrts 1 T-shirt 1 pair f pants 1 sweater Because cttn des nt keep misture ff skin when it gets wet, it is better t get plyprpylene prducts fr insulating layers next t the skin and wl r fleece fr warmer layers: these materials have air pckets between the fibres, which serve as an insulatr. Tiletries On Trail Tthbrush; Hairbrush; Lip balm with sunscreen; Sunscreen (with at least 30 SPF) - reflectin frm water and canes makes the summer sun very intense. Bring lts f sunscreen as yu need t lather up yur ENTIRE bdy at least twice a day; At Camp Shamp; Sap; Ltin; Dedrant; Twel; Optinal sunglasses flashlight r headlamp camera and film in waterprf cntainers bum pack t carry small persnal stuff jurnal and pen Bk crafts (embridery, thread, seed beads) Msquit repellent - nn-aersl, cnsider citrus based repellents since DEET prducts (i.e. Muskl) are quite strng (they melt plastic) r a bug shirt/hat. Extra clean bathing suit t keep at camp fr use upn returning t the island What nt t bring t camp Please help us ensure that these items d NOT cme t camp: Electrnic devices such as radis, ipds, mp3 players, GameBys, PSPs, etc. Cellphnes; Knives, cigarettes, alchl and drugs; Watches r jewelries 11 P a g e

12 Lst and Fund Items When the campers arrive at camp, they are requested t depsit all pcket mney, wallets and valuables with the camp bank. This prtects these items frm being lst during the trip. If yur camper returns hme missing an item they tk t camp, please call r the Winnipeg ffice and we will try t lcate the article (if it has been labeled). We d nt accept respnsibility fr any lst r damaged articles. All lst and fund items are brught t ur Winnipeg ffice, 3550 Prtage Ave. thrughut the summer. T pick-up a lst item r medicatin, please visit ur ffice between 8:00 t 4:00, Mnday thru Friday. Items nt claimed by September 30 th will be dnated. Unclaimed medicatins will be dispsed at a pharmacy. Imprtant Parent Infrmatin The majrity f crrespndence is thrugh . Due t the Gvernment Anti-Spam Legislatin, we require yur cnsent t cntact yu via . Please ensure give us cnsent by filling ut the frm at ywinnipeg.ca/cnsent This infrmatin is required t receive infrmatin r changes abut camp prgrams, bus times and tax receipts. Cntact Infrmatin Winnipeg Office (3550 Prtage Ave., Winnipeg) Please cntact ur camp registrar fr inquiries abut registratin, payment infrmatin and ther general camp questins. Office hurs: Mnday thru Friday, 8:00 AM t 4:00 PM Direct line: Fax: Website: campregistrar@ymanitba.ca r visit ur website t use ur frm ywinnipegcamps.cm Camp Stephens Directr Telephne: (end f September t end f April) mat.klachefsky@ymanitba.ca r visit ur website t use ur frm Shuld yu have questins and cncerns abut yur child during camp sessin, please cntact the Winnipeg Office and yur message will be delivered as sn as pssible. Due t prgrams running during the day, Camp phne is nt available fr public. We are lking frward t a great camping seasn with yur caneist this summer! 12 P a g e

CAMP STEPHENS. INFORMATION PACKAGE for FAMILY CAMP CANOE TRIP

CAMP STEPHENS. INFORMATION PACKAGE for FAMILY CAMP CANOE TRIP CAMP STEPHENS INFORMATION PACKAGE fr FAMILY CAMP CANOE TRIP Table f Cntents Transprtatin 3 Camp Packing List. 4 Open Huse.. 4 Camp Itinerary... 5 Sample Menu... 6 Camp Plicies..... 7 Lst and Fund.... 8