Camp Wanapitei

Trip update and VII update Hi everyone, my apologies for the lack of blogs of late but all is well up here. I actually just returned from an overnight with the Juniors out on Lake Temagami. It was a lot of fun, great food and even better weather. It was so nice that we spent the better part of yesterday afternoon jumping off the rocks at Ferguson Point. I have to say I was impressed at how some of the campers can launch themselves off the rocks into the water all the while smiling and screaming for more. What happens to us as we age? Today we welcomed back 5 groups!!! Juniors, 4 week Cdb, 4 week Pioneer A (from the Dumoine River), Temagami’s and WLIT’s. All of them reporting great trips and amazing weather. Tomorrow both groups of 2 week Cdb’s and 4 week Pioneer B return to camp then on Thursday both Bay Trips and the 2 week Pioneers. It’s a busy few days prior to everyone leaving on Friday morning. We are looking forward to hearing about the trips and then seeing the trip skits Thursday evening. I also just heard that the Bay Trippers - at least one of the trips - saw a pair of Beluga Whales while on James Bay, fantastic. Our lone representatives in the wilderness this coming weekend (new campers arrive on Monday) are the VII’s. They just checked in and they are about two days from finishing their height of land, the point at which their travel turns from upstream to downstream, they are very excited. They are actually a couple of days ahead of schedule so they are looking forward to a 2nd rest day tomorrow. They sounded amazing and very happy to be where they are. Beyond beautiful according to the leaders. Tomorrow is day 25, almost the half way point of the trip. We are looking forward to the next few days as we bring session 2 to a close. I’ll put another blog up as the final few trips return to camp. Until next time, Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

Well what a stormy night last night/this morning, thankfully it blew through while all of us were still in bed, happy to say though that we won’t be having a fire ban any time soon. Despite hot dry weather early on this summer we have managed to have the right amount of rain keeping things just wet enough. Today we bid farewell to four trips, Cdb A, Cdb B, WLIT,s and Juniors. Both Cdb trips are in the local area and will return in 8 days. Both trips looked great, the routes very interesting including one that is a bit of a Pioneering route for us (not to be confused with a Pioneer route). The Cdb B’s (David, Jesse, Sam, Austin, Elia, Paul and Alex) left before breakfast (they had an early breakfast) and travelled into Red Squirrel Lake, Red Pine Lake, Jack Pine Lake, Chambers Lake, then west to Kokoko Bay, from there they have two choices both of which involve some of Lake Temagami and some smaller lakes off of it, returning on the 28th. I am sure the campers will be very proud of their accomplishment when it’s finished. The Cdb A’s (Anna, Mildri, Elise, Nowlan, Nathan, Cooper, Anthony and Mathew) are travelling from camp, into Diamond, Lady Evelyn, Lady Eve River, Anima Nippissing Lake, Red Squirrel Lake then out to Ferguson Bay on Lake Temagami and finally under the bridge on the 28th. They two will be feeling proud of their accomplishments. The WLIT’s are starting their 7 day whitewater course today, complete with tandem and solo boats. The focus here is not on distance but on whitewater skills. They are on the Dumoine River in Quebec and they will paddle in on the 27th as the end of the first month draws to a close. The juniors left today and are camped at Ferguson Point on Lake Temagami for their first night. A few of the juniors are here for one week and some are here for two weeks. All of the juniors will travel tomorrow to Pickerel Bay on Lake Temagami where they will portage over to Whitefish Bay. Once the portage is done the two week juniors will continue on for two more nights while the one week juniors will return to camp as they will be going home on Friday – where does the time go. The two week Juniors will return to camp the morning the new Juniors are due to arrive, just enough time to get cleaned up and ready to welcome the new campers. We should mention that the Temagami’s will leave for 6 days starting tomorrow. They will travel from camp through to the Canton Lakes then down through Obabika and finally back up Temagami to camp. They are pretty excited tonight holding down camp all by themselves. Overall the other trips seem to be doing well. We do operate on the no news is good news philosophy. We do get from time to time a SPOT from the trips giving us their location and all of the trips are on schedule and where they are supposed to be, always nice to know. Well that’s all for this update. Until the next time, Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

Quick VII update Today we received a SPOT from the VII’s. They are on day 15 of 52 and right where they should be. Currently they are on Braine Creek getting ready to move through Braine Pass as they make their way to the Wind River. For those who don’t know, a SPOT is a transmission we receive from a portable device which has a pre recorded message on it. The message is received by our computers here in the office with a direct link to Google Maps showing the current position of the trip. All is well here; slightly over cast today abut comfortable temperatures. Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

Arrival Day session 2! It is fantastic to have everyone here at camp for the start of our 2nd session of the summer. All of the campers have arrived and are now running around camp in their first evening program, called Scavination. The weather is really comfortable right now, not too hot, a nice breeze and some really nice clouds and colours as the sun begins to set. The first trip to leave this session will be the two week Pioneers and they are off to the Dumoine River in Quebec. They will leave Monday when the bus picks them up at camp and drops them off at Lac Ross (located west of the town of Kipawa, in Quebec). From there they will paddle and portage their way to Lac Dumoine, returning to camp July 29th – which is one day more than usual but due to very low water we have had to add an extra day to the trip. As the rest of the trips get ready we will let you know when and where they will be going. In addition to new campers arriving today, we have 65 campers who are still on canoe trips. The VII’s (out for 52 days and currently in the Yukon) are on day 14, both Bay Trips are on day 12 of 24, one month Pioneers group A and group B are on day 10 and 9 respectively of 20, the month long Cdb’s are on day 9 of 19. Last but not least, our WLIT’s are on day 2 of their 3 day solo’s, tomorrow they will paddle under the bridge. Tomorrow the campers will do their swim tests, visit the camp nurse, chat with the directors and get in some canoeing. They will also be busy getting to know their groups and getting ready for their trips. It will be a full day tomorrow hopefully they’ll get some sleep tonight. I hope you rest well tonight as we happily look after your children. Until the next time, Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

Hi everyone, We are happy to let you know that the VII’s have once again checked in with us using their SPOT locator. They are making good progress and looking at the map of where they are it looks beautiful, mountains all around as they make their way north through the Yukon. They are currently on day 10. We have received other SPOTS from various trips as well; everyone seems to be making good progress out there. More exciting news today, both our WLIT’s and Temagami’s returned from their trips. They looked good paddling under the bridge, the weather has been amazing. Lots of sun and calm winds today. Tomorrow we will welcome the return of the following groups; 2 week Pioneers who are on the Dumoine River and the 2 week Cdb’s, both in time for our end of session square dance. Thursday we will wrap up the session with our Regatta, followed by the banquet. Friday morning will be an early morning as we will eat breakfast at 7:00am in order to catch the bus south to its final destination of Toronto. Hard to believe this session is rapidly coming to a close. Thanks for tuning in and if you have any questions you can always drop us an email or give us a call. Until the next time, Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

Just a quick update about our phones - AGAIN - we did just email you all yesterday. Now we have another number that is an internet phone number which has become more reliable than the updated one we gave yesterday. The main thing is to update the 705-202-1019 to 647-478-2967. We are no longer taking messages or calls at the 202 number. Please don't let the Toronto exchange of 647 fool you, it does ring here at camp. Of course you can still call us at 705-237-8830 although the internet phone is much clearer, despite the delay when speaking. Ok on with the good stuff.... Yesterday and today we bid farewell to three trips. Tomorrow we have three more trips that leave. Yesterday our two week Cdb's hit the trail mid morning as they make their way toward Maple Mountain. The trip will be run as a loop and they are out for 8 days. Today the 4 week Pioneers departed (group A), their leaders are Morgan and Holly and the kids are (I'm telling you the names of the campers in this group as we have two, then you will know if your child is in group A or B): Max, Erin, Connor, Piper, Emma, Caleb, Cori-Anne, Harry and Keira. This trip left camp and is paddling its way toward and down the Dumoine River. The trip is 20 days. Also leaving the canoe dock today was our mighty Temagami's who are on a local 6 day trip - they looked amazing paddling out to Lake Temagmai! The month long Cdb's who leave tomorrow will be paddling from camp, toward the Sturgeon River down to the French River and ending on Georgian Bay. This trip is 19 days. Also tomorrow the second month long Pioneer group leaves from the town of Kipawa, from there they will paddle toward then down the Coulonge River in Quebec. This trip is 20 days in length. Lastly the WLIT's begin their 5 day flat water trip in the local area with the focus on leadership and each of the WLIT's being leaders of the day. Should be a great trip. The weather up here is still quite muggy and hardly a drop of rain. AS I write I can see beautiful thunder clouds forming as the setting sun shines from below, its a beautiful here. Til the next time Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

I am happy to report to you that the VII canoe trip sent us a SPOT yesterday (a means by which we can see where they are) as they work their way through the Yukon. It is not two way communication but still nice to see their progress. Yesterday, our 2 week Pioneers began their trip down the Dumoine River. They were bussed from camp to Lac Ross which is near Lac Watson and west of Lac Dumoine. Their trip is 10 days long and we will be picking them up on July 14th at Grand Chutte at the end of the Dumoine. Today both Bay Trips departed first thing this morning. One group (A) is on Kessagami River and the other (B) is on the Kattawagami River, both in the same area, both finishing with a Bay paddle. If you have a child in the Bay Trip program and you are actually reading this blog I will list the first names of Group A so you will be able to deduce which trip your child is on. Group A is Fraser, Emma, Kyla, Julia, Alex H, Nicole, Robert, Alex M, Christian and Harris. Group B is everyone else:-). Tomorrow we wish the 2 week Cdb’s a great trip. They are travelling through the Canton Lakes route of Temagami, a less travelled and very beautiful place. One of two groups of one month Pioneers depart on Thursday as do the Temagami’s . Friday the remaining trips leave, month long Pioneer’s, month long Cdb’s and the WLIT’s . We’ll give you more details in the next day or two. On a side not for the WLIT’s, they are wrapping up a two day wilderness first aid course today, they have really learned a lot. All is well up here and very hot. Today and tomorrow are above 30, we are drinking water and swimming like crazy, thank goodness for a lake to jump into. We hope you are having a good summer so far. We’ll be sure to blog shortly. Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

We are so pleased to tell you all that the campers have arrived and are doing really well - including our VII campers who are in Whitehorse getting ready to depart tomorrow morning for their 52 day canoe trip.

Campers began arriving this afternoon and our staff were more than ready to  welcome them, having just completed their staff training.  Our bus arrived about 5:45 full of campers ready to get off the bus and into camp.   The weather today was excellent for arrival day, no rain and lots of sun.  Shortly after arriving we sat down to a great dinner of pasta and now the campers are playing a game called Scavination, where they are running after leaders to ask them questions to which they need answers, by the looks and sound of things they are having lots of fun.

As I mentioned tomorrow the VII's begin their journey.  They will drive a few hours north of Whitehorse to a place called Mayo, from here they begin paddling and portaging their way to and through Brain Pass.  From here it's onto the Wind River then eventually the Peel and finnishing up in Inuvik.  Truly amazing.

The rest of the campers will be doing a variety of things tomorrow as we begin the first session, including a swim test, meeting with the directors, visiting the doctor and going canoeing.

JJ and I will endeavour to keep you up to date as the summer proceeds, including giving you the general routes and dates that your campers are out on trip.  It's nice to know where your kids are on their canoe trips.

I hope all of you are going to sleep well tonight knowing your children are in good hands here at camp.

Take care,

Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

The hot weather has all of us who work for Wanapitei thinking summer summer summer. The folks up at camp (Heffy, Tim Bourns, and Matt Thompson) are in an out of the lake to cool off already! All of the Voyageur II trip food (for their 52 day trip that starts in Whitehorse and ends in Inuvik) was packed a couple of weeks ago up at camp. Tomorrow, Matt Thompson(VII leader last year and Trip Director this year) will drive all of the packs and barrels to Toronto where he and Woody will supervise it's transfer to a large truck. It then makes it's cross-country journey (60 hours of driving time - 3400 miles/5440 kilometers) all the way to Whitehorse. The only foods to buy "up there" are cheese and summer sausage (which don't keep all that well in a boiling hot truck travelling across the prairies). :) We know that all campers and staff members are preparing for a summer full of friendship and adventure. We are counting down the days! All the best, JJ & Woody Directors, Camp Wanapitei

The crocuses are up, the birds are migrating, and spring is in the air. Woody, Trish and I are up to our eyeballs in preparation for summer. This is the time of year when things get more and more exciting. We spend our days immersed in finalizing hiring, starting our purchasing for summer and much, much more. We spend our nights dreaming of camp. The winter at camp was beautiful. Heffy (Jeff Geiler) has been looking after the site (as always) and tells us that there was very little snow this winter. This means that right now water levels are lower than usual for this time of year. We are hoping for some good spring rain. Soon we will be launching our online clothing store! New for Wanapitei, we are pleased with the store and the clothing line for summer 2010. Stay tuned! Wanapitei staff all over the world are preparing themselves for another summer leading campers on fabulous adventures. V2 leaders (Emma and E.T.) are already buying food and other materials for the V2 trip. The summer camp ball is rolling and it's picking up speed. We hope that our entire Wanapitei community has had a safe and happy winter. All the best, JJ Co-Director, Camp Wanapitei

 

Session 4 is off and running!

My apologies for not getting this blog to you earlier!  All is well here at camp as session 4 started yesterday and what a smooth arrival day it was.

This morning we bid a warm trip departure to our River Adventure’s who are driving to Missinaibi Lake Provincial Park where they will camp tonight and then beginning tomorrow travel down the upper Missinaibi River to Matice on Hwy 11.  The length of this trip is 11 days.

Meanwhile here at camp the weather is HOT – first time I can write this word all summer – and the campers are busy paddling, swimming, talking to JJ and myself and visiting the Doctor’s office to make sure all is well.  It’s a full day here complete with a big game of capture the flag tonight – likely a swim to follow.

This afternoon we had the chance to welcome back our WLIT’s who completed their three day solo portion of their month.   They left on Saturday morning when all of session 3 campers were leaving and then returned to see a bunch of new faces welcoming them back.  Now they will prepare for their 7 day white water course on the Temagami River beginning Thursday.

As for the rest of the trips they will depart on Wednesday and Thursday.  Both two week Cdb’s and  Pioneers leave on Wednesday then Thursday the WLIT’s and Temagami’s are off.   It will be quiet for a few days but once the trips begin returning it will be anything but quiet here.

I hope all is well in your world, wherever you may be.  I will blog again shortly.

Take care,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

 

Session 3 winding down.

I am pleased to let you know that all of our 3^rd session 2 week campers (and one week for some juniors) have all returned home safe and sound from their canoe trips.  Spirits were flying high as each paddle under the bridge generated more and more excitement.  Hard to believe everyone leaves on Saturday.

Both Cdb trips as well as the Pioneers returned today, now its time to clean up after trip, both the gear and bodies.  Most will have a Sauna then it’s off for afternoon activities.   After dinner tonight is the 3^rd session square dance complete with our own camp band.   Tomorrow will be a full day; highlights include regatta, awards and trip skits.   It really has been a great session!

It’s good to note that all of the one month trips are still running, some in Ontario and some in Quebec.  Of special note the Bay Trip is on day 9, the VI trip is on day 10 and both VII’s are on day 39!  We are always thinking of the trips when they are out there.

It’s been a pleasure having your kids here and I hope you have a great rest of your summer.   We are looking forward to welcoming the campers of session 4.  

Until the next time,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

 

All is well here in Temagami.

We are mid way through our 3^rd session of the summer.  Currently we have 110 campers on trips and 9 juniors here in camp.   The juniors who just completed their 4 day trip are now getting themselves cleaned up and ready for more in camp fun.  Even though they were gone for four days they look like they have been out on trip for a month, happy, healthy and very dirty – perfect really.

Yesterday our month long Coureur de Bois left for their 19 day trip paddling from camp to the Sturgeon river, to Lake Wanapitei, to the Wanapitei River and onward for a quick shuttle where they will commence their trip down the French River to Georgian Bay and Kilarney.   We also waved goodbye to our WLIT’s as they began a 5 day Obabika Loop with a focus on leadership.  Each WLIT will get a chance to become a leader of the day and all will take part in a variety of scenarios meant to give them exposure to general leadership situations.

I wanted to take a moment to tell you what trips campers this session are doing.  Both Temagami groups are tripping in the local area.  The 2 week Cdb’s are doing what we refer to as the Eagle Lake loop – again a local trip mainly north of where we are located.  This particular trip has many lakes that most people don’t get to so they may actually not see other people on their trip.

The Pioneers (2 week) are on the Temagami River (day 5 of 9).  Our 4 week Pioneers group A, led by Tim and Shauna (campers are:  Rebekah, Julian, Teddy, Graham, Liam, Helen, Lian, Stuart Fowler, Camille, Robin and Katie) are doing the Dumoine River.  They started here at camp and will make their way to the headwaters of the Dumoine River and paddle its length until they reach the Ottawa River.  They will cross the Ottawa and in 20 days will be picked up at Driftwood Park on the Ontario side of the Ottawa.   They are on day # 4.   The other 4 week Pioneer group B are led by Jamie (Chino) and Hallie (campers are: Tess, Dan, Stephanie, Lauryn, Lukas, Tyler, Roisin, Stuart Murray) and are paddling to and down the Coulonge River, also in Quebec.  Their trip departed from the town of Kipawa in Quebec (North East of North Bay) and will end 20 days later just north of the Grand Chutte on the Coulonge River (just up river from the town of Fort Coulonge, QC) – the Coulonge also feeds into the Ottawa River further south than the Dumoine.  They are on day #3.

On Tuesday Aug 4th the Juniors will go out for one night and then on Wednesday trips begin to return.   Both Temagami trips and the WLIT’s return Wednesday then on Thursday both Cdb trips as well as the Pioneers return.  This session ends on Saturday August 8^th and a new group of campers arrive on Sunday August 9^th (to begin the fourth and final session of the summer). 

I hope all of you are having a good summer thus far; certainly our weather is turning nicer by the minute up here, windy but sunny and dryJ

Take care.

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

 

Great news!

We have now received a call from both of our VII trips!  It was very exciting around here to hear their voices.   Both trips are on schedule and they are having really good weather.  Spirits are high as both trips enter down stream portions of their trips – all the way to the finish.  Both groups are now on day 31 of 52 – really amazing.

The VI trip left Monday (Broadback River) morning first thing and our Bay Trippers (Kessagami River) left yesterday and this morning our two week Pioneer campers began their journey toward the Temagami River where they will spend the next 9 days.

Tomorrow (July30th) both groups of 2 week Cdb’s, Juniors and one of the two 4 week Pioneers begin their trips.  I’ll be sure to let you know who is on which trip (for the trips where there are double groups) in my next blog.   The Cdb’s are in the Temagami area and will spend 8 days on trip and the Juniors will spend two days out and those staying for two weeks will be out for 4 days.  The Pioneers are out for 20 days.

On Friday the other 4 week Pioneer trip departs as do both groups of Temagami’s.   This Saturday the 4 week Cdb and the WLIT’s leave on their trips.   Again I will pass on more details to you in my next blog.

The weather has started to improve up here.  Last night during our campfire we had a beautiful sunset as the sky’s cleared and the breeze kept the bugs at bay.  It was a great campfire complete with skits, songs and stories.  The WLIT’s are in their second day of the 2 day wilderness first aid course, I think their brains are stuffed with information right now. Later today they will do a scenario where they need to apply their newly learned skills.

One last thing, the blueberries are ripe for picking, plentiful and delicious.

I hope the sun is shinning where ever you are and take care.

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

 

Session 3 is here!

So glad that all have arrived and we are in full swing again.   Today two busses rolled down the Red Squirrel Road right on time.

Camp is certainly working at a high frequency right now.  We have over 100 campers here and excitement is in the air.  Tomorrow morning our VI’s depart at 7:30am with at least a 12 to 14 hour drive ahead of them.  They are paddling the Broadback River ending on the Eastern Shore of James Bay and the small town of Waskaganish, QC.  Twenty six days later they will paddle in under the bridge.  We wish them well. 

For the rest of us tomorrow the campers will visit the Nurse, speak with the directors, go canoeing and do a swim test.   They will also begin planning their canoe trips.  The day will end with a camp wide game of Capture the Flag.  The Juniors will also participate in the above and will be busy with many of the camp activities.  It’s going to be a full day tomorrow!

Over the course of the next few days all of our trips will leave camp.  I’ll be happy to fill you in on who is leaving and when. 

I just wanted to let you all know that we are off to another great start.  

I will post another note in the next day or two.

Please pass along your good vibes for some good weather.

Until the next time,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

 

Hello from Temagami.

All is well up here on Lake Temagmai.  Our Juniors returned a couple of days ago from their 4 day trip and were on hand to welcome a new crew of Juniors yesterday.  They had a grand time on this local area trip.  In fact they are getting ready to leave again for a night (2 day) trip – leaving Monday returning Tuesday.

Also returning Tuesday are the month long Coureur de Bois, four week Pioneers who were on the Coulonge/Noir Crossover trip, Temagami’s and the WLIT’s.    On Wednesday we welcome home the two week Cdb’s, month long Pioneers on the Coulonge and both groups of two week Pioneers.  On Thursday we welcome the Bay Trippers who actually arrive at our beach in the wee hours of Thursday morning, having taken the train from Moosonee to Cochrane then the bus from Cochrane to camp.

Wednesday evening is our square dance then Thursday afternoon is our Regatta, followed by a banquet, awards and trip skits.   Friday we are up early and all of the campers are on their way home.

We are looking forward to a great ending to what has been an excellent summer, despite the excessive amount of liquid sunshine.

Until the next time.

Woody

 

Pioneers and Juniors off on their trips.

What a beautiful day we had here, by far the nicest day of the summer thus far.  Today we said goodbye to both groups of two week Pioneers and our mighty Juniors.

One Pioneer group led by Tim and Holly (campers:  Peter Lilly, Ben Simak, Aftab Narsinham, Jon Sarjeant, Danny Glassman, Sam Thomas, Lucas Moore, Austin Haw, Iain Mellis, Reid Dobell, Mathieu Henry, Julien Sasseville) took a bus today to the beginning of the Noir River in Quebec, ready for a 10 day trip on this beautiful river.   The other group of Pioneers led by Sam and Hallie (campers: Robert Hill, Emile Roy-Foster, Duncan Todd, Zachary Chamot, Isaac Maynes, Taylor Herbert-Copley, Grant Conover, Andrew Calich, Brian Kirsipuu, Caleb Guthrie, Dakota Randall-Duke, Lindsay Ophel) also took a bus to the beginning of the Spanish River in Ontario.  This trip is also 10 days in length and again in a beautiful part of Ontario.

The Juniors left today for their 4 day trip.  All of the Juniors this session are staying for the full two weeks.   They paddled out onto Lake Temagami today and will be camping to Pickeral Bay for the night.   They will have a great adventure as they travel the local area.  We will welcome the Junior’s back on Friday afternoon, complete with a paddle under the bridge.  They will have a quiet evening here Friday night as we ready ourselves to welcome the next session of Juniors.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) our Cdb’s and WLIT’s depart for their trips.   The Cdb’s are working there way through and to the South Channel of the Lady Evelyn while the WLIT’s are on their 7 day white water training trip on the Temagami River.  On Thursday the Temagami’s will leave for their trip too.   They are doing a local trip to Centre Falls on the Lady Evelyn River.  This trip is a classic for our Temagami age children.

We are hoping for some more stable weather.   All of us are doing well up here and as I write the entire camp is fully engaged in a classic Wanapitei soccer match – it is looking and sounding like an epic match.

I hope you are well.

Until the next time,

Woody

 

Session 2 is here!

Welcome to all of those camper families who have just checked the blog for the first time.   I am very happy to report that all of the campers arrived safely at camp today. Fortunately the weather co-operated later this afternoon and most of us missed the downpours of earlier in the day.  Now we are having a beautiful evening complete with a beautiful Lake Temagami sunset.

Tomorrow will be a full day for all.  Campers will visit our camp Nurse, Woody and JJ (Directors), the swim dock (swim test) and the canoe docks where they will meet the canoe instructor Keenan.  While not doing the above the groups will spend some time getting to know one another and begin to focus on the trips ahead.   I know that a couple of groups have hikes planned for the local area along with various activities here at camp.   I’ll comment more on this sessions trips in my next blog and let you know what the different sections will be doing over the next two weeks.  I will include camper names where we have more than one trip of the same section ie we have two groups of 2 week Pioneers this session.  The rest are single groups so if you know what section your child(ren) are in then you will be able to easily figure out what trip they are on.

In addition to new arrivals today I also wanted to acknowledge the trips that we still have in progress.  The 4 week Coureur de Bois are on day 9 of 20.  They are paddling from Camp all the way to Georgian Bay via the Sturgeon and French Rivers.  One of the 4 week Pioneer trips (kids are: Julia Higgins, Cameron Tarle, Meghan Jackson, Alexander Hodgins, Fraser Cepella, Alex MacPhail, Kyla Gardner, Jacob Fischer-Schmidt, Carly Gardner, Sandy Hartley, Jamie Flynn and leaders Chino and Rebs) are on day 10 of 20 as they paddle from Lac Dumoine to the Coulonge River then crossing over to the Noir River in Quebec.   The other 4 week Pioneer trip (kids are: Cori Anne Huisman, Max Adshead, Emma Gilmore, Will Radden, Cecilia Gregory, Max Correale, Selma Huxley-Gannage, Connor Cepella, Keira Towers, Harry Silbaugh, Connor MacLeod, Chris Mueller and leaders Shauna and Zorah) is on day 9 of 20 as they paddle from the town of Kipawa to the Coulonge River where they will paddle the river all the way to just north of Fort Coulonge in Quebec.   The Bay Trippers are on day 13 of 25 on the Kessagami River which ends at James Bay and both VII’s are on day 15 of 52 travelling a variety of rivers from about 100 km north of Whitehorse all the way to Inuvik and the MacKenzie Delta.

Last but not least are the WLIT’s (Wilderness Leadership in Training).  Tomorrow marks their return from a 3 day solo.  It will be great to hear their stories when they return tomorrow.  The camp will be ready and waiting for them to paddle under the bridge all together tomorrow afternoon.  They have had a very full program thus far.

Well the forecast looks great for the next few days and we are really looking forward to another great session.  Our first session was excellent and we look forward to more of the same.

I will look forward to writing in a couple of days to update you on the latest happenings here at camp.

All the best,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

 

The first under the NEW BRIDGE.

Today we welcomed back our mighty Temagami’s – the first group to paddle under the new bridge.  They looked amazing doing it.  Shortly after the Temagami’s return we welcomed back the WLIT’s, fresh off of a 5 day leadership trip where they all took turns being leaders.   It was fantastic to be standing on the bridge which has been “in process” for more than 3 years.

Despite the wet weather up here, the Temag’s had a great trip, all 6 days of it.  They were dirty, smelly and grinning ear to ear, only as a group of 10 and 11 year olds can after a canoe tripJ.  The WLIT’s also had a very successful trip – complete with scenarios and role playing the variety of issue that can arise on trip.   I think there was a tremendous amount of learning that took place.

Last night we received a nice phone call from Matt and Britt, one pair of our VII leaders, they were right on schedule and checking in with us because they were in the small village of Old Crow and felt like calling.  They sounded amazing and were feeling energized by the amazing amount of light.   Their weather has been hot and sunny, much better than ours down here.  Great to hear from them. 

Tomorrow we will welcome the return of our 2 week Pioneers and the 2 wk Cdb’s.   Wednesday evening we will celebrate with a Square Dance complete with our camp band.  On Thursday we have our Regatta and Awards/Skit night.   It’s always fun to see the trip skits on the last evening. 

I hope the sun is shinning in your part of the world.

All the best,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

 

All trips are out on the trail.

Thursday and Friday (yesterday) saw the last of first session trips depart.   One of the month long Pioneer trips and the Temagmi’s left Thursday followed by the four week Cdb, the other month long Pioneer and finally the WLIT’s on Friday morning.  The site is quiet while we await the return of trips beginning Tuesday with the Temagami’s and WLIT’s.

The VII’s are now on day 7 of their journey (both trips).  We are always thinking of them and wishing them well.  I am afraid before we know it we will be welcoming them under the bridge even though we have just recently started, the summers here go by so quickly.

I do want to take this opportunity to mention to you about food here at camp - specifically about campers bringing their own food with them.  As you know we ask that you do not let your campers bring food to have in the cabin yet many of the campers end up finding a way to bring it.  I want to remind you we do have campers here with life threatening allergies to some food products.  In addition despite having lots of people around, from time to time we do see black bears here, as we have this summer.  We are able to deal with them and often scare them away, however if their food source is not good they do seek other means of food ie junk food etc that may be left in cabins etc.   It is of upmost importance that you do not send your kids with food.   They do get three very good meals a day and do get tuck a couple of times when they are with us.  I cannot emphasize this enough – PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR KIDS WITH FOOD or send food to your kids in the mail.  If bears get too comfortable around here we are then forced to trap them or worse, dispose of them.  We really appreciated your assistance in this matter. 

Today the sun is brilliant, the winds are keeping the bugs at bay and the air is fresh - a perfect weather day for July – especially if the wind is at your back.   I hope the sun is shinning in your neck of the woods and I will gladly “blog” once trips begin to paddle under our bridge. 

Be well,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei