Overnight Camp
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will my camper go on an outtrip? What does the outtrip entail?
A: Yes…if your camper is coming for a full session, they will definitely go on an outtrip. Learning to live comfortably in the outdoors, and appreciating and caring for nature are important to our mission, so we schedule overnight trips for every age group. Our youngest campers enjoy a one-night outtrip on Camp property. They hike to their site and sleep in tent platforms. They enjoy three cook-out meals while on outtrip. Our intermediate aged campers enjoy one or two night outtrips on Rock Island - a local site on Lake Vernon (approximately a 45 minute paddle from Tawingo). Our oldest campers enjoy two or three night outtrips in Algonquin Park. These trips involve paddling to a new site each day, setting up and taking down tents, portaging, and lots of cooking. Our oldest campers and their trip leaders are transported by bus to and from their tripping locations. Each outtrip is supervised by Camp Staff who not only lead the trips but teach the campers the skills they need to enjoy and help with the trip - fire building, cooking over the campfire, tent set up and take down, etc. Campers attending Introductory Sessions (A or B Sessions) may miss out on this special program.
Q: It is my camper’s first time at Camp, should I be worried that they will not know anyone?
A: No! It will only take a few moments for them to meet and make a new friend or two. Everyone arrives at camp eager to connect with new friends. Every camper’s first new friend is their Counsellor, their second new friend is their Circle Director. Once they settle into their cabins and meet their cabinmates, they have 7 more new friends. Connecting with others takes a matter of minutes once they arrive at Camp.
Q: What cabin will my camper be in? Who will be in my camper’s cabin?
A: You and your camper will find out which cabin they are in when you arrive at Camp. Campers will meet their cabin mates once they arrive at their cabin. Your camper’s Counsellor will be present to help with introductions.
Q: My camper is nervous, how can I help?
A: Feeling nervous about coming to a new place and staying away from home (and family) for the first time is normal! Everyone feels a little nervous on the first day of Camp - including campers who have been coming for years and the Camp Staff! Please let your camper know that if they are feeling nervous at Camp, we are here to help! 60+ 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 towards helping campers adjust, comfortably and happily, no matter the length of time it takes. To this we are committed.
Q: How will I communicate with my camper?
A: You can send letters and emails to your camper. Your camper can send letters to you.
Q: Are electronics permitted at Camp?
A: "There may be no WiFi in the woods, but the connections are better!" - Unknown
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/toys, and social media. For these and safety reasons, campers are requested to leave the following items at home:
Cell phones
Gameboys/PSPs
Laptops/tablets/iPads
Kobos/Kindles
Smart watches
All of the above items, if brought to Camp, will be collected and safely stored for the duration of the camper’s stay. They will be returned to the camper before they depart on the last day of the session.
Q: What time is drop off? Pick up?
A: You can bring your camper to Camp for 11am on the first day of the Session. Please don’t come earlier than 11am - our staff will be hard at work until 11am preparing for the arrival of 400 campers. We will be ready to tell you what cabin your camper is in at 11am, sharp…but not a moment earlier.
You can pick up your camper at Camp at 11am on the last day of the Session. There are lots of final announcements and goodbyes on the last day of the Session. Families who arrive at Camp earlier than 11am should expect to wait - your camper will not be ready to depart before 11am.