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Outdoor Education at Ontario Pioneer Camp
Parent F.A.Q.
Your child’s class is going on a trip to participate in the Outdoor Education Program at Ontario Pioneer Camp. We have had the joy of hosting and instructing schools and other groups for over 30 years and are excited that your child’s school will be coming to OPC. The following is some more information that you may find helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions Where is Ontario Pioneer Camp located? What will my child be doing at OPC? What kind of accommodations do you have? What kind of supervision is there? What is the daily schedule like?
Where is Ontario Pioneer Camp located? Ontario Pioneer Camp is located approximately 2.5 hours by car north of Pearson International Airport, near Port Sydney. We are located halfway between Bracebridge and Huntsville, both of which have hospitals. There is a map with more detailed directions available on the main office section of our site.
What will my child be doing at OPC? Your child and their classmates will be participating in a variety of outdoor education activities and programs while they are here at Ontario Pioneer Camp. The activities depend on the selections of your child’s teachers and the season, and can include Archery, Astronomy, Canoeing, Challenge Course, Forestry Impact, Guided Hike, High Ropes, Low Ropes, Initiative Games, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Wetland Discovery, Wilderness Survival, Woodland Discovery, Broomball, Cross-Country Skiing, Quinzee Building, Snowshoeing, Tubing, Toboggan Physics, and Wilderness Survival, along with a variety of evening and last day wide-games.
What kind of accommodations do you have? We have three separate sites, The Lodge, Clearwater, and Cedarwood. Your child’s school will be the only one at the site of which they are staying at. Your child will be staying in a room with 3-5 of their classmates. All of our lodgings are fully insulated, carpeted, and have their own thermostats. As well, all rooms in the main Lodge and at Clearwater (Meadowlands and Lakeview buildings) have their own washroom facilities connected to them (with toilets, sinks, and showers). Yes, we have running water! Our water is tested daily and is safe to drink.
What kind of supervision is there? While at OPC, students participate in daily activities in groups of approximately 15 students. Each group is led by one of our qualified Outdoor Education Instructors, and a teacher or volunteer from your school acts as a supervisor. Our staff are well-trained and are qualified.
Our kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and supper daily. We have our own bakery and make our own bread. Ontario Pioneer Camp is a peanut-aware camp, and as such, we do not serve foods containing peanuts or other nuts. We ask that our guests do not bring any foods containing nuts with them as well.
Evening snacks are provided. As well, our Tuck Shop is typically open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Tuck Shop is stocked with snacks, drinks, OPC clothing items, as well as various souvenirs that your child may purchase. A drink machine is available at all times. How can I contact my child? Payphones are available in the building your child will be staying in, feel free to send along a Bell Calling Card if you would like them to call you while they are here. Please understand that the students will be outside most of the time participating in activities. Because of this, we cannot have your son or daughter come to the phone if you call, but we can pass on any emergency messages during regular office hours if you call our general telephone number at 1-800-361-2267. We generally ask for students to not bring cellphones with them as they may get lost or misplaced, and being that cellular reception is unreliable in our area and they will be unable to make or receive any calls.
Please use the following What to Bring List as a general guideline: Spring & Fall For up to a 4 day stay include: • Bedding: sleeping bag; (or sheets and a blanket), pillow, and pillowcase • 2 towels and wash cloth • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, comb/brush, toothpaste/toothbrush, personal hygiene, others as needed) • 2-3 pairs of long pants (1 pair of jeans, 2-3 pairs of loose pants hiking pants/ synthetic fabric) • 3-4 t-shirts (one long sleeved shirt, 2-3 cotton t-shirts) • 1-2 sweat shirts/ fleeces • Warm Coat • Rain wear (coat and pants if possible) • 1-2 pairs pyjamas • 1-2 pairs of shorts • 1 -2 swimsuits • 2 pairs of socks per day (1-2 pairs of cotton, 3-6 pairs of synthetic socks) • 1 pair of shoes (athletic ) • 1 pair indoor slippers • 1 pair sturdy shoes or hiking boots • 1 flashlight with batteries • Insect repellant • Sun block • Rimmed hat • Water bottle Winter Stay Include most of the items in the list above plus: - Snow pants and jacket (insulated) • 2-3 pairs of snow mittens or gloves (insulated). Mitts are warmer then gloves. • 1 toque (winter hat). Ear muffs are not warm enough • 1-2 scarves • 3-4 wool/acrylic (winter) socks • Snow boots (insulated with removable liners that can be removed and dried) Optional Items: • Spending money - Camera • Ice skates with helmet • Telephone card
• Any foods containing nuts. • Chewing gum • Pets/animals • Radios, CD players, i-pods/MP3 players, video games • Cell phones, knives, weapons • Alcohol, drugs, cigarettes
What is the daily schedule like? Schools typically arrive around lunch time and have students bring a bag lunch. Upon arrival, students settle into rooms and have a welcome talk with our staff. That afternoon they participate in two activities, have a little bit of free time, supper, participate in an evening activity, then go to bed. Bedtime is up to the school to set. Each full day your child is here, they will participate in much the same schedule, plus the addition of breakfast and two activities in the morning, before a lunch prepared by our kitchen. On the last day, students have breakfast, clean up and pack up their rooms and belongings, and then participate in a last day activity before having lunch and departing.
Please feel free to ask your child’s teacher any of the additional questions you may have, or call or email us. As well, if your school has scheduled a parent information night, one of our staff will be available to answer any of the questions that you may have. We also run summer camp sessions for ages 5-17, as well as Family Camp. Please let us know if you would like more information, we would love to hear from you! Ontario Pioneer Camp 942 Clearwater Lake Road RR2 Port Sydney, ON P0B 1L0 Phone: 1-800-361-2267 Fax: 705-385-3649 Website: www.pioneercamp.ca Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
