Camp Wanapitei

Session 4 is officially underway! Campers arrived this afternoon to beautiful skies and warm temperatures. The bus arrived just before 6pm and the first portage of session 4 commenced. A great dinner by our chef Golder and his amazing kitchen crew. A good game of Scavination is happening as I write this. Tomorrow our River Adventure group heads out to the MIssissagi River which is a few hours wet of us here at camp. The trip actually ends at Lake Huron, they will start near Aubrey Falls provincial park. On Wednesday our two week Pioneers begin their adventure down the Noire River in Quebec. As for trips already out there: 4 wk Cdb’s are on day 9, both 4 week Pioneers are on day 10 and 11 respectively, Bay Trips are on day 12, VI’s on day 17 and both VII’s wake up to day 45 tomorrow. Amazing! Woody

The final full day of session 3 is here. Today all of our two week campers are readying themselves for Regatta, trip skits and generally packing getting ready to go home. It has been a good session. Trips have been successful and the weather for the most part was really good, the last couple of days has given us some much needed rain. Yesterday we did have a storm blow through camp, quite spectacular as a few trees came down but otherwise all was fine. Last night ended with a great Square Dance. I did hear from the VI’s via a SPOT and they are making their way down the Mosie River and on schedule. I also heard from the Bay Trippers (they are great) as there is currently a forest fire burning east of them on the Ontario Quebec border, they have been seeing smoke so they just wanted to check in to make sure all was fine. The fire is in fact a long ways off and does not pose any danger to them at all. It’s been quite a year for forest fires in Ontario. According to the MNR fire report there have been 855 to date in Ontario and 100 currently burning, most in the northwest. Most of the fires are started by lightning. Tomorrow will come early as wake up is at 7:00am and breaky at 7:30. The bus should be on its way by 8:30am. Thanks for lending us your campers for the past two weeks. Best, Woody

Just a quick update as all our trips are out on the trail. Today our Juniors started their three day trip, excited and ready to roll. Tomorrow we welcome back our two week Temagami’s then on Friday the rest of our two week programs return. They are the River Adventures, Pioneers, Cdb’s and Juniors. It will be a busy few days here as we close out session 3 then prepare for the final session of the season. The month long Cdb’s are on day 4, the Pioneers are on day 5 and 6, both Bay Trips are on day 7, the VI’s on day 12 and the VII’s on day 39. All is well up here, a little cooler and finally some much needed rain came our way, most of it at night. Best, Woody

All is well up here at camp. It has been very busy with lots on in-camp activities and several canoe trips departing. Last night was an amazing campfire complete with an incredible sunset and beautiful moon. As the moon dipped over the horizon the stars were incredible. You could see the Milky Way and several major constellations without any difficulty, which is how it is most nights but last night the image of the stars was really crisp. On Wednesday our two week Pioneer group started their journey toward the Temagami River for a 10 day trip. Thursday both Bay Trips left for 24 days, one on the Kesagami River and the other on the Natogami River. Our Juniors left this morning for their 3 day trip, tackling the Pickerel Bay portage before settling into their campsite for the evening. The juniors return from trip on Saturday morning. On Friday (tomorrow) both 2 week Cdb trips leave as do one of the one month Pioneer trips. The Pioneer trip is gone for 20 days and will be doing a route we refer to as the Coulonge/Noir crossover. The Temagami’s and other one month Pioneer trip leave Saturday morning. The Temagami’s will be in the local area and the Pioneers will begin from camp and paddle to and down the Dumoine River in Quebec. The one month Cdb trip departs on Sunday morning. Hope you are staying cool wherever you are. Best, Woody

I am pleased to let you know that the 3rd session is now underway and all the campers have arrived. So far all is well. As I write evening program just finished and the campers are beginning to gather in their groups for the night. Tomorrow morning our first trip of the session leaves, our River Adventures. They leave bright and early tomorrow morning as they head toward the Magnettawan River. There’s lots of white water on this river and the group will have a ton to look forward to and learn. Our Voyageur 1 (V1) has completed their first day on the Moisie River in north eastern Quebec, their put-in just south of Labrador and finishing at the Gulf of St.Lawrence. We will see them return to Sandy Inlet on Aug 27th. Both of our Voyageur 2 trips (VII) are now within a few km’s of their height-of-land locations, likely reached in a couple of days. Both trips called the other day to check in. All are in good spirits and continue to marvel at the sheer beauty of their surroundings. For the past while they’ve been creeping along as they work their way up stream and over land. I am guessing in about a week’s time they will be putting an amazing number of km’s under their boats, 60-80 km per day likely. It was really great to hear from them. As for the rest of this week our 2 week Pioneers depart on Wednesday for the Temagami River, on Thursday both Bay Trip’s depart for 24 days and the Juniors leave on their 3 day trip in Temagami. The other trips leave later in the week and I will update you on those a bit later. Woody

Things are picking up here at camp as trips start to return. Today we welcomed back the following trips: two Temagami groups, the one-month Cdb’s, one of the one-month Pioneers and the WLIT’s. Tomorrow the trips that return are the Bay Trippers (currently in Moosonee and paddling under the bridge on Thursday), the Juniors, a one month Pioneer, a two week Pioneer and both two-week Cdb groups. Tomorrow night is our square dance and on Thursday Regatta. Time is quickly winding down for this month. Before we know it we’ll be welcoming all the new campers on Monday August 1st. Great month so far! Woody

I just thought I would let you know that none of our canoe trips have been or are being currently affected by the forest fires in Nortwestern Ontario. It is remotely possible although unlikely that some smoke may be evident in the James Bay area depending on wind but that would be due to fires several hundred km’s away. The only trip that we have in the James Bay area is east of Moosonee at the moment and will be arriving in Moosonee come Tuesday/Wednesday. I am thankful none of our trips are in the area currently affected as some camping colleagues have had to contend with fires in the Northwest this summer. As for the Temagami area, the fire rating is “High” but no fire ban yet as we have had bits of rain here and there, enough to keep a fire ban at bay. Camp continues to go well. The juniors returned from their 3 day trip this morning and had a blast (perfect weather). This afternoon a few new juniors joined the program and it won’t be long until they are all out on trip again – Monday. Today is gorgeous with a beautiful breeze from the north making things much more comfortable weather wise. Woody

All trips are out for the session. Our mighty Juniors left for their 3 day trip this morning, looking amazing I might ad. Both Temagami groups departed from the docks this morning as well. Yesterday both Cdb groups and the WLIT’s who are on the Dumoine River doing a white water course left. I just received a SPOT from Toban and Shauna’s VII and they are currently heading up stream on the Natla River working their way to their height of land before heading down the Redstone River. Lauren and Hugh did send one a few days back as they continue their upstream portion. These trips are always slow at the start but once they start downstream they really move (Toban and Shauna just did about 100 plus km down the Keele River in a very short period of time). We continue to have incredible weather up here at camp. It is hot but we are in the water lots and the kids are literally jumping out of their canoes to swim (yes they are wearing PFD’s). Last night we were treated to another spectacular light show from Mother Nature, which most the kids didn’t seem to know it actually happened, oh to sleep like that. We are grateful for the warm weather and to be on the water. Juniors arrive back on Saturday morning ready to welcome a few new juniors who are arriving for the second week of Junior camp. Hope you are well and staying cool. Woody

A quick update for you - all WLIT’s solo’s have returned safely and in good spirits. We are really looking forward to hearing the stories at dinner tonight. Also wanted to let you know the 2 week Pioneers are off tomorrow morning headed for the Spanish River. Right now they are busy packing and preparing to go. Their trip will be 10 days in length. Juniors are hiking to the Red Squirrel falls at the moment where they will be able to cool off in the river and others are busy with swim tests and the like. We are hoping some of this heat breaks by evening time, in time for a camp wide game of Capture the Flag, thank goodness for the lake. Best, Woody

I am happy to report the second session of camp is well under way. After a lengthy bus ride the campers were very happy to stretch their legs and complete their first portage into camp. It was another beautiful arrival day, lots of sun to greet all of the campers. Right now the campers are playing a camp wide activity for evening program. From my perch here in the office I see a lot of staff being chased by their campers clearly in pursuit of information for the game. The evening sky around here is gorgeous at the moment. A perfect breeze keeping the bugs at bay and the colour of the setting sun making the shadows grow longer. As this new group of campers arrived I want to acknowledge all of the campers who are still out on trip at the moment. Our 4 week Cdb’s are on day 9 of 19, both month-long Pioneers are on day 10 and 11 of 21 respectively, Bay Trippers on day 12 of 24, WLIT’s on day 2 of their solo’s and both VII’s on day 14 of 52. Tomorrow our new arrivals will partake in their swim test as well as visits to the camp nurse, camp directors and a whole host of other activities for the day. We are very thankful to be on a lake in this hot weather and the hot weather that appears to be coming our way. I’ll keep you posted as trips begin to depart, as early as Tuesday for our two week Pioneers. Best, Woody

All is well here at Camp. Today marked the return of the WLIT’s from their 5 day flat water trip and the mighty Temagami’s returned from their 6 day trip. Everyone looked great and the campers said they loved their trips. The weather was perfect for them, only a wee bit of rain yesterday (happy to actually get some rain as things were quite dry around here). We have also heard from both of our VII trips via their SPOTS. They are making slow and steady progress which is par for the course on VII, especially in the beginning. It was great to see they are making headway. Tomorrow our two week Pioneer’s arrive under the bridge late afternoon marking the end of all two week trips for session 1. We’ll look forward to a great square dance on Wednesday evening then Thursday we have our Regatta. Hard to believe but the first session comes to an end on Friday. Hope your summer is going well. Best, Woody

The sun has been shining and happily the wind blowing, at least here on site. Camp is really off to an excellent start. Today the Bay Trip campers left for the Kesagami River and tomorrow the first of two one month Pioneer trips depart for the Dumoine River paddling right from camp. The Bay Trippers are out for 24 days and the month long Pioneer 21 days. Campers on that Pioneer trip are Elia D, Austin R, David O, Austin G, Kimberley P, Kimberley H, Jenna G and Frida H. They are really excited to be on their way. Today was day number 3 of 52 for both VII trips and day number 2 of 10 for the two week Pioneers who are paddling the Temagami River. Today was also day number 2 of wilderness first aid for the WLIT’s who are currently doing a first aid simulation. The rest of camp is playing in the evening activity, which from where I sit looks amazing, so much so that I too am going to play. I’ll keep you posted on the other trips as they prepare to depart. One last thing, we had an incredible campfire last night complete with one of the nicest sunsets I have seen in sometime. It’s good to stop every now and then to admire the natural beauty around here. Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

Here we are with the first blog of summer 2011. After several days of intensive staff training we are thrilled to have all of our campers arrive. The bus arrived right on time and the sun was shining along with a beautiful Lake Temagami breeze to keep the bugs at bay. It was a perfect arrival day. We have a really exciting first month of camp planned along with some fantastic canoe trips. The first trips to head out don’t actually leave from here. They depart from Whitehorse. Those campers who are a part of our Voyaguer II program (VII) arrived in Whitehorse yesterday and both have begun their journey to their respective put-ins. The VII’s will spend 52 days out on trip – amazing to think about. We will do our best to keep you updated on their progress and in the next few days I’ll give you a full route description. The first trips to depart from camp are the two week Pioneers who leave Monday for 9 days on the Temagami River then the Bay Trippers who depart Tuesday for 23 days on the Kessagami River, ending in James Bay. I will keep you posted on the other trips and their departure dates as we move through the first week of camp. In addition to this Blog please “like” us on Facebook for frequent updates on the summer. Here’s to an amazing summer! Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

They have done it! The VII’s have arrived at their destination on Inuvik today. They are doing really well and begin their journey home tomorrow. So hard to believe but 52 days of trip, can’t wait to see their smiling faces (through tear filled eyes) as they paddle under the bridge Saturday Aug 28th. Makes me want to jump out of my chair thinking about it. Tomorrow we will welcome back the first of 2 one-month Pioneer trips then throughout the day on Thursday several more trips will return (2 week Cdb’s, the 2nd month long Pioneer, the WLIT’s and the month long Cdb’s). Friday the 2 week Pioneers return then Saturday both Bay Trips and the VII’s paddle under the bridge. We are really excited as things begin to wind down here at camp for another year. Until the next time, Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

This morning our 2 week Pioneers left from camp via bus to the Coulonge River via Lac Bryson Lodge in Quebec. They will paddle up Lac Bryson then onto the Coulonge River. The trip is 10 days and they will finish with a pick up at the Terry Fox Bridge on August 27th, just a few km north of the Grande Chutte on the Coulonge. Tomorrow morning the 2 week Cdb’s leave for what we call the Emerald Lake loop here in Temagami. Their route is 8 days long and will take them through such lakes as Temagami, Turtle, Emerald, Gull and many others including Obabika. We’ll see them back here August 26th. Finally on Fridsay the last trip of the summer departs – the WLIT’s. They are on a 7 day whitewater trip on the Dumonie River in Quebec, focusing on whitewater skill development. We wish them all great success. All is well here although all of us are feeling tired of the wind that has been blowing hard and steadily for 4 days now. We are hoping things calm down a bit tomorrow. Just in case our Cdb’s are planning an early breakfast and an early get a way to get a jump on the weather. Hope you continue to enjoy your summer. Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

Today the campers for session 4 arrived safe and sound. Right now they are busy playing a big game of soccer in the field and it looks really fun. It feels great to get the final session of the summer into full swing. In addition to the campers that arrived today we have another 60 campers still on trip and will be for a few more days. For those who have campers that arrived today we’ll be sure to let you know when they are leaving on trip and what route they are taking. It’s always great info to have. we’ll get that to you tomorrow Today we also had the pleasure of speaking with one of the VII leaders who was just checking in. They are fantastic and loving every minute. They are certainly trying to cherish every last moment out there. Currently they are on the Peel River and have completed day 44 of 52. They may in fact now be in the North West Territories depending on how much water they paddled today. It sounds like they are really doing well. We also continue to receive SPOTS form our other trips out there, again everyone is on schedule and doing well. Tomorrow our WLIT’s return from their 3 day solo’s so we will look forward to hearing from them and what that was like for them. They paddle in after lunch tomorrow. Hope you are well and until the next time take good care. Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

A grand return. We are happy to report that all of our two week trips have now returned back to camp. Today both two week Cdb trips paddled in along with the 2 week Pioneers and the River Adventures. It’s always great to have campers return. We’ve also heard from all of the other trips who are out on the trail still. They have all sent us a SPOT recently - a signal that comes to our computers complete with a link to Google maps showing their location. It’s nice to get a sense of where they are at a given time. Tonight is our square dance, always a fantastic time to be had. We assume the energy level will be high tonight and hopefully we’ll be able to have a dip before bed time. It’s getting dark quite a bit earlier these days so some of our evening programs need to start earlier. Life is pretty good up here despite the high temperatures. As always we are very happy to have a lake to jump into. Looks like we have a couple more days of this really hot weather to contend with before more seasonable weather returns. Many folks have been wondering about the meteor shower and if we could see anything. Last night started out cloudy but cleared around midnight so if anyone was still up or out on trip they may have seen it. A couple of people who stayed up to watch said they could see one a minute for quite a bit of time last night. This will be the last blog of the session. Just a reminder that campers are to be picked up on Sunday between 8am and 10am and please check your handbook for bus arrival times if your camper is coming home by bus. Thanks for sending your campers to us and we’ll be in touch in the fall. Best, Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

VII update I just wanted to let you know we just received a SPOT from our VII’s. They are on the Wind River very close to the Peel making good time. So great to “hear” from them! Tomorrow marks day 40 for our VII’s, meaning only 12 days left of paddling, wow. The rest of our trips also look very good. We have received various SPOTs from our many trips out there, both two week and one month trips. Tomorrow the Temagami’s return as do the Juniors from their overnight. The next day the rest of the two week trips return in time for Square Dance. Just a short update for you all. Hope you are well!! Woody

Hello from Wanapitei My apologies for being a little slow with the Blog this session, rest assured all is well up here and camp is moving along smoothly. Today the last junior session began. They are holding down the fort here until tomorrow when the WLIT’s return from their five day leadership trip. The juniors will go on their 2 day trip on Wednesday, returning Thursday late afternoon. The Temagami’s return on Thursday and both Cdb’s, two week Pioneers and River Adventures on Friday. Saturday is our Regatta day, awards night and trip skits. All of the session 3 campers return home on Sunday August 15th. As for the month long trips they too continue along their routes. We have had the odd SPOT here and there sent to us and the trips look like they are all making excellent time. I am sure as this summer comes to a close many of the trips will continue to experience very low water conditions throughout the Ontario and Quebec region. We are really hoping for lots of snow this coming winter and a wet spring to make up for the low water conditions. The weather up here is now very warm and the lake continues to be used daily, thanks goodness for it. Hope you are enjoying your time wherever you are. Until the next time, Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei

Here we are on Day 4 of session 3. So far 4 canoe trips have departed. The first on Monday was the River Adventures who are on the upper Missinaibi River. Second to leave this session were our 2 week Pioneers who are on the Dumoine River in Quebec, really learning how to paddle white water, they will return on August 13th. Today we said farewell to both of the Bay Tripper trips. One group (Stephanie, Roisin, Stuart, Dan, Eliza, Tess, Katie and Lukas) lead by Chino and Hallie are on the Katawagami River. The other group (Amos, Lucas, William, Jake, Nicholas, Eric, William) lead by Graham, Holly and Emma are on the Kessagami River. Both of those trips return in the morning of August 28th – just before the VII’s who will also return the morning of the 28th. Tomorrow five more groups leave. The WLIT’s for their five day flat water/leadership trip, both two-week Cdb trips, one junior trip and the first of two one-month Pioneers. The day after that the remaining three trips leave, the one month Cdb’s, the second one-month Pioneer’s and the Temagami’s. I’ll happily supply you with some details on the routes leaving tomorrow. Both Cdb trips are in the local area of Temagami and both trips are 8 days long. For the juniors we have some campers who are here for one week and several who are here for two weeks. They all go out together and spend tomorrow night at a campsite, the following day they all help the two week juniors get over a portage. The one week campers will then return to camp and the two week campers will return the morning of August 9th. The one month Pioneers (Jordanna, Nicholas, Emma, Shea, Tessa, Mark, Sam, Cameron, Lea and Stephanie) lead by Sam and Maeve paddle from camp and finish on the Dumoine River, a “classic” 20 day trip Pioneer trip. I’ll be sure to update you on routes for the trips leaving on Saturday. A note of interest for you all, the VII’s are on Day 33 today, hard to believe. The weather so far this session has been a bit of everything, sun, heat, rain, wind, calm and now as I write a cold front appears to be blowing in. I believe the sun will be out tomorrow as August marches on. Hope you are well. Woody and JJ, Directors, Camp Wanapitei