Camper Information
Camp Opemikon – Summer 2012
IMPORTANT INFO - Please read carefully.
Thank you for registering your child with our summer residential program taking place at Camp Opemikon. The following is provided to facilitate your child’s camping experience. Please read this information carefully and share with your camper.
Visitors’ Day: Sunday, June 24th, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Please park in the upper parking area beside Hanna Road, near the camp gate. Proceed to Callow Hall, the dining hall in the centre of camp. Check with staff members at the hall boardwalk upon arrival. Hot dogs and cold beverages will be served. Summer staff will be on hand to provide guided tours. Swimming/beach area will be open with lifeguard supervision from 1:30 to 3:30. The responsibility of your child’s safety while in camp however, remains with you the parent or guardian.
Transportation
BY BUS:
The arrival and departure point for buses is the parking lot at the Scouts Canada office, 1345 Baseline Road in Ottawa. The route is direct to and from camp with no scheduled stops en route. When heading to camp at the beginning of the period, campers are to report to the loading area at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Check-in begins at 1:00. Buses leave promptly. When returning home from camp, expected time for buses to arrive at the Baseline office is between 12:15 and 12:30 each Saturday. Refer to schedule below for the departure and return times for campers in the various programs.
BY PRIVATE CAR:
The arrival and departure point for campers coming in private cars is the TeePee. This is the large structure located next to the parking lot at the camp entrance. Check-in begins at 3:15. At the end of the camp period, campers are to be picked-up at 10:30 am.
At the start of the camping period, parents are to ensure they check-in with a camp staff upon arrival at both locations, Camp Opemikon and Baseline Office. Also at pick-up at the end of the period, parents are to confirm with a staff member before taking their camper off site.
Programs run Saturday afternoon to the following Saturday morning, with the exception of Gold Pack which runs Saturday afternoon to Wednesday morning. Please note that during the time between camper departure in the morning and camper arrival in the afternoon, staff are busy doing laundry, moving to new quarters and attending to personal matters. They are not available to supervise campers arriving early. Also note that while there are campers on site, adults must be accompanied by a staff member to tour the camp.
Important: If for any reason the camper’s travel arrangements change, please notify the administrative centre at (613) 225-2770, ext 500 or if already at camp call the camp office directly at (613) 273-5291.
Campers cannot be picked up at camp without prior written notification to the Administrative Centre office, or to the on-site camp office from one of the persons listed as contact on the consent form.
Transportation Schedule
One Week Programs
Junior Programs: Cub Field - Gold, Red, Black and Total Packs
Senior Programs: Scout Field - Brownsea, Campcraft, Survival, Paddling, Kayaking
Senior Adventure one week programs: Rocks Camp
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Period
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Departure Dates from Ottawa
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Departure Times
CHECK-IN at 1:00
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Return Dates
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Return Times
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1
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June 30
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1:45 pm
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July 7
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12:30 pm
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2
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July 7
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1:45 pm
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July 14
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12:30 pm
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3
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July 14
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1:45 pm
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July 21
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12:30 pm
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4
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July 21
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1:45 pm
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July 28
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12:30 pm
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4 (a) Gold
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July 21
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1:45 pm
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July 25
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12:30 pm
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5
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July 28
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1:45 pm
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August 4
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12:30 pm
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6
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August 4
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1:45 pm
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August 11
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12:30 pm
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Two Week Programs: OSL (Outdoor Skills and Leadership) and CIT (Counsellor In Training)
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Period
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Departure Dates from Ottawa
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Departure Times
CHECK-IN at 1:00
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Return Dates
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Return Times
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1-2 OSL and CIT
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June 30
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1:45 pm
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July 14
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12:30 pm
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3-4 OSL and CIT
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July 14
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1:45 pm
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July 28
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12:30 pm
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4–5 CIT
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July 21
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1:45 pm
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August 4
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12:30 pm
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5-6 OSL
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July 28
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1:45 pm
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August 11
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12:30 pm
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Equipment and Camp Attire
ALL baggage is to be marked with the camper’s name and program area (eg. Brownsea, Gold Pack). Baggage will travel to camp on a separate bus. Do not pack equipment in plastic bags; it will not make it to camp in tact.
We recommend that campers bring old clothes to camp. Label all clothing and personal articles with the camper’s name. Campers do not always remember or recognize their personal gear when in a camp filled with similar articles. Name tags are an easy way to return lost items to their owner.
LOST AND FOUND items are brought to the dining hall throughout the week for campers to claim their articles. Only valuable items, such as sleeping bags, will be returned to the Administrative Centre in Ottawa. These items will be kept in the office until 31 August and remaining articles will then be donated to a local thrift store. The official Scouts Canada uniforms are not required at summer camp.
Make a careful check of the enclosed equipment list to ensure you have included all items. This list is the minimum required. Please go over the articles with your child to ensure they are aware of what is coming with them to camp. It is very important that a raincoat, waterproof footwear and a warm sweater or windbreaker are provided. A small daypack is required for all Cub programs, school bag size is great.
Campers in a program with an overnight or multi-night out-trip will require a larger backpack. Overnight trips are included in ALL programs except Gold and Red Packs. Hiking boots are also recommended for these trips. Campers going on overnight trips will require eating utensils such as a plastic plate, bowl, mug and cutlery.
Do NOT send cell phones, IPods, electronic games, expensive cameras or other valuable items. These items will be collected, placed in a secure location and returned to the camper at the end of the period. Fishing gear is permissible if properly packed and labelled.
Medication – Important
Campers are not permitted to carry medication in their luggage while travelling to camp, with the exception of Epipens carried on their person. If your camper requires medication while at camp, place in a secure package (zip lock bag is good), and deliver to the staff conducting the check-in at camp or at the buses in Ottawa. The medication is to be labelled as follows: Camper’s name, program and period, type of medication and dosage, and reason for medication. An example would be: John Smith, Red Pack 4, Ibuprofen, one tablet at bedtime with water, for inflamed knee joint. Medication is dispersed at the required times by our medical staff.
Badge Work
Many activities centre on established Scouts Canada programs. A letter outlining highlights of the week and completed badge requirements will be included in your camper’s package going home. In the fall, when you register as a Scouts Canada member with your home Group, bring this letter to your leader to receive credit for the completed requirements.
Stay Overs
Laundry services are available for campers signed up for two or more consecutive week programs. On the Saturday changeover day, these campers will have lunch and will be supervised during this period.
Camp Mail
To ensure mail delivery at camp, please use the following address only. Do not use Priority Post.
Camper’s Name
Camp Program Area and Period (Brownsea 2)
Camp Opemikon
RR # 3, 530 Hanna Road
Maberly, ON K0H 2B0
We suggest you write a note to your camper and mail it before she/he actually leaves for camp. Or, deliver your note in a sealed envelope to one of our staff at the check-in on the day of departure. We urge parents to exercise discretion when writing children, especially first time campers. Please avoid phrases such as: “We miss you!” “We are having a great time while you are away.” Phrases such as these may cause undue apprehension or homesickness for younger campers. Be positive in your letters. “Hope you are having a good time.” “What has been your favourite activity so far?” These phrases help the camper focus on current activities and to enjoy their stay. Consider providing your camper with a journal and pen to write a daily journal so they can share their fun with everyone at home. Mail is distributed by the counsellors at various points throughout the week. Timing is based on campers comfort level and program activity level. Mail is not delivered daily. Please note there is no
e-mail address for campers.
Please do not send any candy, chips, gum or the like. These only invite forest critters to visit the campsites.
Program Overview
Scouts Canada is a member of a world-wide youth movement. Summer programs at Camp Opemikon are designed around the expertise and experience such a movement provides. Campers learn by doing; work in small groups and at individual tasks; are challenged to do their best; and to try new activities. A typical day includes a variety of age appropriate activities. Younger campers are served meals in a dining hall, while Scout aged youth will prepare some of their meals outdoors on out-trips. Daytime schedules may include sessions in swimming, canoeing, archery, high or low ropes courses, crafts, nature lore, stories, wide games, hikes, picnics, pioneering work, and orienteering challenges. Evening activities include a variety of “electives” where campers may choose one of their favourite daytime activities or additional ones such as cooking in our large kitchen, fishing off the dock, swamp walk or cruising around the bay in a paddle boat and kayak.
Each week OPE hosts a Carnival Night with carnival style games, music and dancing for the campers. On Wednesday campers from the entire Cub Field participate in a special Theme challenge in the morning such as a treasure hunt, and water challenges in the afternoon. Both Carnival Night and Cub Theme days see campers and staff dress up in theme related clothing and props. Thursday evening is the OPE’s Got Talent competition, always a favourite with campers. All Scout Field campers come together on Friday afternoon for their week ending regatta. Friday evening includes a banquet and presentation of certificates for special accomplishments throughout the week.
This year themes are Space, Disney and Pirates versus Ninjas;with Space for periods 1 and 4; Disney for periods 2 and 5, and Pirates versus Ninjas for periods 3 and 6.
The goal of our summer camp is to provide our campers with a safe, fun, healthy and worthwhile camping experience. Our staff is carefully selected and trained in working with children and in various outdoor skills. Our motto at Camp Opemikon is: “the camper comes first”. All aspects of camp life remind the staff of their personal commitment to the camper’s safety and well-being.
Our camp staff and overseeing body of Scouts Canada, believe the outdoors provides the ideal setting for personal growth and recreation. Since 1938, Camp Opemikon has provided an outdoor focus for youth and adults. It is perfectly suited to its role as a year-round activity centre for a variety of camping and outdoor activities.
Canteen
There is no canteen or trading post at camp. Campers do not require any money. Certain camp souvenirs are available for purchase at the administrative office during weekday hours. Ricki, the camp mascot, is a stuffed racoon in a red camp hoodie sells for $10.00 each. Stainless steel water bottle with camp crest sells for $10.00 each. Prints of camp scenes as done by Ben Babelowsky are $10.00 each. All taxes are included.
Receipts
Receipts for camp fees will be included in the envelope sent home with your camper at the end of his/her camping period. Please file in a safe place for use when completing your income tax return.
Cancellation
Should you cancel your application prior to the start of the camp, your fee will be refunded less a $50.00 administration fee. Please advise the Administrative Centre of any cancellations at least one week prior to the start date for your camper’s program. Contact numbers are on covering letter.
Thank you for choosing Camp Opemikon for your summer camping a