Camp Kintail Teacher Information Package

Camp Kintail Teacher Information Package

Dear Teachers,

Camp Kintail has many opportunities for year-end school trips, leadership trips, environmental education trips and more. In this package you will find some general information about our programs, some information on pricing and menu options, our reservation form, and our waiver form. Our school group brochure contains more information as well as a frequently asked questions page. We always try to make your school trip better than you expect!

We are located 15 minutes north of Goderich on Lake Huron. For the 2018 season, we have built a 100 foot slide in the forest. This is a great addition to our program and has been a big hit with students and adults alike. Our High Ropes, Adventure Tower, Rock Climbing Tower, Flying Squirrel and Zip Line are an exciting and unique experience for students. They are intended to be challenging and exciting, and to help groups to communicate and work together. Each of these activities are operated with dedicated staff who have received special training from a licensed instructor and all safety equipment exceeds OPHEA requirements. Individuals will be challenged and will try things they couldn’t anywhere else, which will lead to new self-discovery and confidence. The high ropes activities do take extra time and recommended for grades 4 and up. We have also insulated several more cabins and made significant improvements to the decks on many of our cabins as well. In addition we have added three yurts and an accessibility ramp to the Glen and a fourth yurt is on Cabin Hill.

Pricing for Spring 2018:

·  Day program (grade JK-2) for $19.00+ HST/student ($21.47), students bring a bag lunch

·  Day program catered hot lunch (grade JK-2) for $24.00+HST/student ($27.12)

·  Day program (grade 3 and up) for $26.00+HST/student ($29.38), students bring bag lunch

·  Day program catered hot lunch (grade 3 and up) for $32.50+HST/student ($36.73)

·  Extended Day program (grade 3 and up, departing in the evening) for $50.00 +HST/student ($56.50), includes hot lunch and supper

·  2 day, 1 night program, meals included, $80.00+HST/student plus HST ($90.40)

·  3 day, 2 night program, meals included, $150.00+HST/student plus HST ($169.50)

·  4 day, 3 night program, meals included, $215.00+HST/student plus HST ($242.95)

*note: if you choose to include the zip line in your schedule please add $5.00 plus HST to the prices above for all students.

*Teachers and Adult Chaperones pay for their meals on day trips and 50% of the student rate (+HST) for overnight trips

However long you decide to stay, you choose the program options that interest you and your class. Always popular is our wide array of outdoor education sessions that can match with where you are in the curriculum. We have established, popular outdoor education sessions based on beach ecosystems or on the natural environment and habitats found around the campsite for each grade. We also have many other sessions that match with various parts of the curriculum, so if you let us know where you are at, we can recommend the best session. A good example is a trip that recently came for outdoor education was studying fossils, so we could customize both a nature session and arts and craft session to match up with this.

Our most requested school activities include our High Ropes and Rock Climbing Tower, our low and high ropes & challenge course that has a variety of individual and group challenge initiatives that promote teamwork and communication, archery, and our 18 hole disc golf course. Some groups like to add canoeing and kayaking or beach exploring on our beautiful, wide sandy beach, while others enjoy sports like soccer, ultimate Frisbee or ga-ga ball. Year after year the most asked for and repeated program is a classic game of capture the flag on the playing field and in the cedar forest. We highly recommend ending your stay with singing around the campfire and roasting marshmallows!

We are happy to discuss your needs and wants, and we customize each program to suit your requirements and the number of students coming. You are always welcome to come and have a tour of the site, meet the staff, and see the program options. Our website at www.campkintail.ca has lots of information, including facility descriptions, program descriptions, and the school reservation form in the School Programs section. Please e-mail or call 519-529-7317 with any questions you might have and to book your class in while dates are available.

Sincerely,

Shelagh O’Neill - Director of Outdoor Education

Camp Kintail Reservation Form

You will be e-mailed a schedule for approval once we receive this reservation form

School Requesting Reservation:______

Contact Person: ______

Phone Number: ______E-mail: ______

Dates Requested: ______

Expected Time of Arrival: ______Departure Time: ______

Grade / age of students: ______

Goals for the trip: (e.g. fun, team building, environmental education, etc) ______

Day Trip:

Number of Students ______Number of Teachers/Volunteers ______Lunch: Yes / No

Overnight Trip:

Number of Participants boys: ______Girls: ______Total:______Number of Teachers/Volunteers ______Number of Meals: ______

Programming Requested (please choose what your class would prefer):

ð  High Ropes (Gr4+)

ð  Rock Climbing(Gr3+)

ð  Zip Line (Gr5+)* adds $5.00 + HST to the daily rate per student

ð  Arts and Crafts

ð  100’ Slide (Gr1+)

ð  Slingshot Range (Gr3+)

ð  Beach Study or other Outdoor Education

ð  Nature Hike

ð  Music and Drama

ð  Canoeing and Kayaking (Gr4+)

ð  Swimming

ð  Archery(Gr3+)

ð  Disc Golf (Gr3+)

ð  Sports and Games (volleyball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, gaga ball, etc.)

ð  Low Ropes Course (team & communication building adventure activities)

ð  Dance

ð  Camp Wide Game (ex. Capture the Flag)

ð  Gaga Ball (type of dodge ball game)

ð  Geocaching (Gr4+)

ð  Campfire

ð  Other (please specify)

Other relevant information: (accessibility concerns, dietary requirements, meal requests, allergies, etc: ______

Camp Kintail FAQ

How many staff/volunteers do I need to provide for my group?

This is up to you. We will provide staff to go with the groups around our site and to safely facilitate all of our activities. Usually this means the teachers can drift from one group to another to really get a feel for how much fun their students are having. Each group of students will have a dedicated staff with them for the day, to ensure their safety and to get to know them.

How much will it cost the staff / volunteers to come for the day?

Teaching staff and volunteers are free to attend a day trip. For day trips with a catered lunch teachers and volunteers will pay the price of the lunch only. Teachers and volunteers are half the price of a student for overnight trips. There is complimentary coffee and tea all day for teachers and volunteers, we recommend bringing a travel mug with you.

Do you meet all of the OPHEA guidelines for the activities we will be doing?

We have reviewed the OPHEA guidelines for all high risk activities, and we exceed all the requirements. All of our staff have professional training, and we use certified safety equipment that the staff will instruct the students on how to use. There are first aid kits at all activities, and an AED on site. Our staff have professional short range radios for communication around the campsite.

How and when do I pay for the trip?

We will provide you with an invoice for your trip before you leave at the end of your visit. The school can then mail a cheque to the camp for the amount on the invoice. We do it this way so that you are invoiced for the number of students who actually come on the trip. If you require an invoice prior to your trip we can provide one based on the predicted number of students attending.

Will I have to lead any of the activities?

Camp Kintail’s trained and experienced staff will lead all of the activities for your groups. They are experienced, enthusiastic and excited to work with your students. We encourage teachers to join in and try activities with your students, and to encourage and enable them during the day.

What insurance do you have?

We have $5,000,000 liability insurance, and a comprehensive package that goes with it. A certificate of proof of insurance is attached at the end of this package.

Where will teachers stay for overnight trips?

Teachers will typically stay in the Feathers Cottage. It has a full kitchen, bathroom, living room and three bedrooms. It is fully heated and air conditioned. Typically it is one of the favourite features of Camp Kintail for the staff and volunteers who come with school groups on overnight trips.

What if it rains while we are there?

While we cannot guarantee the sunshine, we are rarely rained out at Camp Kintail. If it is a light rain or drizzle we will usually continue with the program as planned. If it is raining heavily we have a lot of indoor space for activities and we have rain options already planned.

Camp Kintail FAQ

I have a student with a physical disability; will they be able to participate?

Camp Kintail is accessible to all visitors. We have a ramp down to the beach, we have ramps to several cabins, and our lodges are accessible. Our staff have received accessibility training to allow most participants to access the high ropes course and rock wall.

Do your staff complete a criminal record check?

Yes, all of Camp Kintail staff have to successfully complete a criminal record check as a condition of employment, and have 2 written references annually.

What will the food be like?

For school groups that choose to have Camp Kintail cater their meals, our kitchen staff ensures that students are offered all the daily requirements in Canada’s Daily Food Guide. We work hard to ensure our food is excellent, both hot and tasty, and that there is enough for everyone to have seconds. Camp Kintail does not serve juice crystals, only real juice.

Is Camp Kintail a nut free site?

We are a nut aware facility. We do our best to keep nuts and products that may contain nuts off of our site but we cannot guarantee that our site is 100% nut free, as sometimes students or guests bring something with them. When this happens, our staff will ask that the item containing nuts be put back into their bag or put into the garbage. If it was opened, the person will be asked to wash their hands. We have staff with nut allergies, and almost every group has someone with a nut sensitivity.

What if one of my students forgets their packed lunch?

Don’t worry; we won’t let a child go hungry. We can always come up with a healthy lunch for the inevitable times when a student forgets their packed lunch.

Is there anywhere to get a hot coffee or tea at Camp Kintail?

Yes! There is always complimentary hot coffee and hot water for tea or hot chocolate available for the teachers and parents/volunteers. We recommend you bring a travel mug with you.

What about my campers’ special dietary concerns?

At Camp Kintail we take special care to ensure that children with food allergies or sensitivities will not need to worry or miss out on the great food at camp! Our kitchen staff works hard to provide an excellent alternative to these campers. As well, we offer a vegetarian option at all of our meals.

If your camper has a very specific or difficult to manage food allergy, please contact us prior to your child coming to camp. In the past, these campers have brought up their own alternatives which our kitchen staff has been more than happy to prepare for them for meal times. We will work with you to find a suitable solution for your camper!

What if my camper is just a picky eater?

Not every meal is for everyone, and at Camp Kintail we understand that! Fruit, bread, jam and soy-butter is offered as an alternative at every meal that is catered by Camp Kintail. And with a Camp Kintail staff member at every table, we will ensure that your camper is happy and healthy with the meals!

Camp Kintail FAQ

What training does your staff receive?

All staff members have training in first aid and hold Standard First Aid Certificates and CPR “C”.

Waterfront staff hold National Lifeguarding Service certification, as well there are several staff members who hold Bronze Cross certification. Some staff have high ropes and zip line training, all staff are trained to belay at the rock wall, and some staff have taken low ropes training. Some staff receive archery training, almost all staff have taken training in non-violent crisis intervention and mental disorders. All training courses are taught by professionals with certifications in each area.

Will there be other schools / groups on site at the same time as us?

There might be other school groups at Camp Kintail during your visit. We do our best to keep the programs separate. In fact, some schools don’t even realize that another group was on the site until the end of the day.

How often will my camper swim and how safe is your waterfront?

At Camp Kintail we love to swim and we love to stay safe! There are two senior staff members every summer, whose job involves ensuring that our waterfront is safe for campers.

The Waterfront Directors must have a current National Lifesaving Service (NLS) certification, a current Standard First-Aid/CPR-C certification. They ensure that our beach meets all of the OPHEA Guidelines and Lifesaving Society’s regulations for a safe swim zone and they provide training for our guard staff specific to our Kintail beach. The Watercraft Directors are in charge of our canoeing and kayaking program, and always take part in an Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association training course.

All campers swim in a swim area marked with buoy-lines and guarded by multiple qualified NLS lifeguards. Anyone going out in a canoe or kayak wears a properly fitting PFD, and each boat has a rescue kit attached to it. Our swimming area is both sandy and shallow, no one will be swimming in an area they cannot touch the ground.