Camp Wanapitei

This morning our Bay Trippers and River Adventure’s set out for their respective canoe trips.  The Bay Trippers are off to travel the Kesagami River for 24 days in the James Bay Region.  The River Adventure’s are off to Missinaibi Provincial Park where they will embark upon a 10 day canoe trip down the Missinaibi River. 

Today has been a very full day at camp.  We started this morning with early morning paddling for those who want to work on levels.  The water was smooth as glass this morning so it made for a fantastic experience.  We also had Gathering this morning.  Here each group brings a rock to add to our rock cairn which has been around since 1956 and then each group presents a song or poem or both –always impressive what the groups come up with.  It’s a reflective time on a beautiful point overlooking the lake and the sound of nature is everywhere.  It’s always a treat to experience.

During this time Beth in our office received a phone call from our VII’s, they were checking-in to tell us that things were going GREAT!  They are right on schedule, which is great news; even better news is that the ice is all gone.  They did say they were catching many 3-5lbs Lake Trout and Char as well, just a little bit jealous as I write this. Overall things are going really well for the VII’s, they did say they were having an amazing time.

This afternoon the campers were placed in activities and were busy from 2:30 until 5:30, I am hoping there will be some good sleeps tonight.   In a few minutes we will be having a campfire, full of skits and songs.  It looks as if the weather gods will let us do it outside as well – generally the best place for a campfireJ.

Just so you know the following trips leave over the next couple of days; two-week Pioneers leave for the Temagami River tomorrow.  Both two-week Coureur de Bois leave Thursday morning, one travelling north from camp while the other will travel south.  Also on Thursday our one-week and two-week juniors leave for their overnight and three night trips respectively.  Friday the remaining trips depart, both two-week Temagami’s, both four-week Pioneer’s and the four week Coureur de Bois. 

Looks like we are in for some warm weather, happy to see.

Until the next time,

Woody

Session 3 is upon us!

All of our campers arrived safely today.  Two busses in total made the trip down the Red Squirrel Road with several parents dropping off their campers by car.  It’s really great to see everyone here, they are about to begin the traditional Scavenger Hunt which kicks off each new session.

We have a very full camp right now.  Our community is comprised of Juniors, two two-week Temagami’s, two two-week Coureur de Bois, one one-month Coureur de Bois, one two-week Pioneer, two one-month Pioneer’s, one Bay Trip, one River Adventure, two Voyageur I (VI’s) and our VII.  This morning our VI’s left at 7:00am and are heading into northern Quebec, one group will paddle the Kanaapuscow River and the other will paddle the Sakami River. 

Tomorrow the campers will spend the day getting to know camp, the different activities, a visit to the nurse, the swim test, a chat with me about things like bullying and group dynamics, getting on the water to paddle and spending time as a group planning the week(s) ahead – ie trip preparation etc.  Tomorrow night will end with a full out game of Capture the Flag followed by hopefully a good night’s sleep.

On Tuesday, the Bay Tripper and River Adventure trips begin their respective trips.  The Bay Trippers will be paddling the Kesagami River in the James Bay Region returning to camp the morning of August 21^st.  The River Adventure Group will be paddling the upper Missinaibi River returning to camp on August 7^th.

I will gladly fill you in as to when the other trips leave as the week proceeds.

Until the next time,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

Welcome back!

Today marks the beginning of a lot of action around these parts.  First we saw the Juniors off for their overnight on Ferguson Mountain, they left in great spirits and will be arriving home again tomorrow afternoon.  In addition to their departure this morning, both of our Temagami trips retuned, both groups looking great as they paddled in.

This afternoon, in fact they are currently up the beach gathering their stuff, the month long Coureur de Bois, one of the two week Pioneer trips and the WLIT’s are readying themselves to paddle in.  The Pioneers were on the Spanish River, the Coureur de Bois have been out on trip for the past 19 days, leaving camp and paddling to Georgian Bay via the Sturgeon and French River systems.  The WLIT’s were on the Dumonie River in Quebec for their instructional white water trip.  We had two white water ORCKA instructors with them along with the four other staff. 

Tomorrow the remaining trips return - two Bay Trips, which have called in to say they have arrived in Moosonee (they don’t actually paddle in until Thursday morning but arrive very late tomorrow night), the two week Cdb’s  (both trips), the other two-week Pioneer trip (on the Noire River),the month long Pioneers and the Juniors all paddle under the bridge.  Tomorrow will certainly be a full day here at camp, capped off with an all out Square Dance, should be a very fun day.  Of course the only trip not arriving here tomorrow is our VII’s who are now on day 25 of their adventure.

We had a very good session, perhaps the biggest July we have ever had and there is much excitement here.  I will likely do one more blog for this session.

I hope your summer continues to go well.

Until the next time,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

Hi everyone.

I am happy to report that 2^nd session is running well and two of our trips have departed for their respective rivers.  One trip is on the Noir in Quebec and the other on the Spanish – both Pioneer’s.   We were trying to do the Temagami River for one of the trips but the water level there is very high, we have just had so much liquid sunshine this year that water levels in this area remain plentiful – this bodes well for our August trips.

Yesterday our day began with Gathering – a beautiful spot where we gather as a camp.  Each trip group brings a rock to add to our rock cairn – started in 1956 – and each group contributes a song, a story or a poem to share with the camp.  It’s a magical time among the white pines and the vista of Lake Temagami makes for a beautiful back drop.

The rest of the day was filled with various activities such as Sailing, Kayaking, Archery, Soccer, Swimming, Arts and Crafts and finally capped off with an amazing campfire.   We did start the campfire at campfire point but were chased into the dinning hall for the remainder of the campfire (now minus the actual fire) as the rain came down.  The rain certainly didn’t dampen (bad pun I know) our spirits – the campfire was great!

As we move through the summer here I am continually reminded how caring this community is and how important a sense of community really is.  This sense of community is certainly strong among those at camp and then even stronger while on trip.  It’s really wonderful to witness the campers come together as a group and even more amazing to see them return from trip, a much tighter and stronger group for having had this experience.

I trust all of you are well and enjoying your summer.

Until the next time,

Woody, Director, camp Wanapitei

Session 2 off and running!

I am happy to tell you all that our second session campers have all arrived and dinner was a great success!  The bus arrived on time and everyone carried what they could and the ATV with trailer carried the remainder of gear.

Tonight the campers will enjoy a camp wide scavenger hunt complete with a prize as they run all over camp getting to know the place.  It’s always a great success and returning campers really like to help the new campers get around camp.

Tomorrow will be a full day with the campers visiting our nurse (Nurse Ally), meeting with me, doing a swim test, going to the canoe docks, doing activities and generally getting ready for their trips (as some leave as early as Monday).   The juniors will have a very full day doing the above and also going on a hike up to the falls.

In addition to the campers that arrived today, we still have another 55 out on trip.  We are always thinking about them and before we know it the month long trips will be paddling under the bridge.

I’ll do another Blog either tomorrow or the next day just to fill you in on general events here at camp.

We are looking forward to another great session.

Until next time,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

Regatta Day!

Today is Regatta day here at camp.   All of our two week trips have returned and by the sounds of things everything went really well.  Both Pioneer trips had lots of water and lots of stories too – one trip in particular could now write a cookbook on how to cook with one small pot, two spoons, dill and salt, hmmm.

Last night we had a grand square dance with two great callers and the usual camp band holding the beat.  With most campers dressed in some kind of costume the square dance did not disappoint.  This morning our campers are working on their trip skits and packing up.  This afternoon is Regatta followed by our awards banquet.

Hopefully campers come home with all they were sent with, we do our best to reunite all items with campers but as is the case every year there are some articles of clothing that get left behind.  It is certainly easy for us to return clothing that is labelled but when it is not it is very difficult to do so.  We hang onto clothing for a very short period of time then send it to charity if it is not claimed.  In the event there is a name on it and we do find it and it is not underwear or socks, we will try to return to you, otherwise it will be passed on.

We still have many trips out and all is going well.  The Bay Trippers (both trips) are on day 11, the one month Pioneers and Coureur de Bois are on day 7 while our VII’s are on day 13 of their adventure.  

Tomorrow we say goodbye to our two week campers who will be leaving us in the morning.  It has been a really great session and we look forward to seeing your campers back at camp next summer.  Speaking of next summer, dates and rates will be on our website by the end of August, stay tuned for our early registration mailing in the fall.

Thanks for sending us your children and I hope you have a great rest of your summer. 

Until the next time,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

Today we welcomed both our Temagami’s and WLIT’s back from their 5 day trips.    The Temagami’s paddled up to Centre Falls and back and the WLIT’s paddled the Obabika Loop – short for them but it was full of workshops and leader of the day opportunities.  They won' t be in camp for long as they will be setting out on their solo's Friday morning.

Both trips experienced fantastic weather, lots of sun, warmth and even strong winds at times, though not great for paddling if travelling into it, but really great to keep the bugs at bay.  Today was the only day in the past five days that it rained for the campers but the sun is shinning now so great for drying out the gear.  Everyone looks healthy and happy, not to mention completely filthy.  One Temagami was very proud of his tripping shirt and how dirty it actually was – I can vouch for him, it really is filthy and likely maybe tossed upon arrival back homeJ.  Thankfully the campers are heading to the sauna and for a swim.

Tomorrow we welcome back our remaining two week camper trips - two Pioneers and one Coureur de Bois.   Tomorrow evening will be our square dance then the next day we have our Regatta in the afternoon and then our awards banquet complete with skits in the evening.  Here’s to another great closing to another great session here at camp.

As usual time is really flying by up here – hard to believe in three days this session will be over and in four days session 2 begins.  I hope all of you are having an excellent summer.

I do want to send out one reminder to you all.   Please do not send food to your campers, as I mentioned in a letter earlier it becomes problematic for a number of reasons.   When it comes in we do confiscate it.  We appreciate your co-operation with this.

Until the next time,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

Today we said goodbye to a hearty group of Temagami’s – off and paddling by 10:30am this morning.  They were in great spirits as they headed off toward Centre Falls on a beautiful sunny day.  The Temagami’s will be returning on Tuesday July 8^th with many stories I am sure – I wonder if they will be successful in catching the “big one” with their stick, 6 feet of fishing line and a hook – apparently they almost landed a real beauty here at camp.

Yesterday we bid farewell to the 2 week Coureur de Bois as they headed out for an 8 day canoe trip.  Tomorrow we are sending the reaming three trips out on trail. The month long Pioneers leave for 20 days paddling from camp and ending on the Dumoine River.  The month long Coureur de Bois leave for 19 days paddling from camp and ending on Georgian Bay via the Sturgeon and French river systems.  The WLIT’s are on a five day flat water trip in Temagami working on leadership skills. Today is also the first official day the VII’s are on the move in Nunavut.  Very exciting for all involved on that trip.

Overall camp is going very well and the campers are working hard on their various paddling levels and camp craft skills.  We are getting some great weather now and it looks like things are going to be warming up quite a bit for the next few days.  Currently the WLIT’s are in their wilderness first aid course which will end tonight with a scenario, complete with make up and props, all used to create a medical situation where they must work as a team to achieve success.  It can be one of the highlights of the month for the WLIT’s.

It will be several days before I report to you again as all trips are out and there is very little to report on when all campers are out.  Trips begin returning on the 8^th so I will gladly let you know as the groups return.

Have a great few days,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei

First few trips are out!

Today is Tuesday, Canada Day....Happy Canada Day to you all.

Of course while here at camp we are lucky if we remember what day of the week it actually is, time moves so quickly here and so much is going on all the time that the days melt into one.

I am very happy to tell you that yesterday our Bay Trippers got away successfully and all the campers were really pumped about beginning their canoe trip.  Both trips start on Kesagami Lake and from there will branch off on separate rivers eventually arriving in Moosonee.  One group who are lead by Emma and ET are paddling the Kesagami River ending with a short “Bay” paddle while the other group led by Hugh and Lauren will paddle the Netogami River, which also incorporates the French and Moose Rivers.  They too will take some time to do a day trip out on the “Bay” weather and time permitting.  Both trips will board the train on July 23^rd returning to camp late that evening and paddling in on the 24^th.

This morning we said goodbye to our two two-week Pioneer trips.  The first trip is paddling from Camp all the way to the Temagami River.  For most, this will be their first time in white water so there is plenty of excited anticipation for their trip.  The other two-week Pioneer trip is being bussed to Biscotasing, Ontario, where they will begin their journey down the Spanish River.  Both of these trips will be returning July 9^th, just in time for our Square Dance.

All other groups are doing well.  Everyone is busy readying themselves for trip, learning camp craft skills and paddling skills.  Yesterday some campers were sailing while others kayaked, swam, did archery and played a great game of Stones in the field.   I suspect after another full day of camp campers will fall asleep quickly.    We are enjoying some sun today and the forecast looks quite nice, we do need some drying time up here.

One last update to report; our VII’s are in Baker Lake where there is still plenty of ice on the lake, although it is rapidly melting now.    Our plan is to fly the crew a little farther south where they will pick up their original route.   In the meantime, they are getting out on the land hiking around Baker Lake and experiencing more of the community than they otherwise would have.   I will gladly let you know more details once they are off and running.   For any VII parents reading this I will be sending you an update later today.  

Until the next time,

Woody, Director, Camp Wanapitei