The Manitou Story
Your questions, answered
Manitou is proud to offer fun, friends and fulfillment for each and every camper.
Faq
Where is Camp Manitou located?
Camp Manitou is located in the town of McKellar on Manitouwabing Lake in the heart of the Muskoka/Parry Sound Region.
Camp Manitou
10 Camp Road
McKellar, Ontario, Canada
P2A 0B4
PHONE: 705-389-2410
FAX: 705-389 3079
Who are the campers?
Our campers range from age 7 to 16 years old, (grade 1 and up) with the camp accommodating an average of 420 children per session. We have an equal blend of children in all age categories. In fact, we often have children as young as grade one, joining our grade two and threes, as part of our unique Manitou Freshkid program.
We welcome campers from all over the world including Canada, USA, Mexico, United Kingdom, China, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Barbados, Bermuda, South Africa, Lebanon, Australia, Germany, Vietnam and more!
How big is Camp Manitou?
Manitou is not small nor is it large. Many large camps have 500-1000 campers, while smaller camps have less than 100. At Manitou we have about 215 boys and 215 girls on average. We are able to provide the guidance, warmth and supervision of a small camp but have the numbers to ensure there will be enough boys or girls of the same age, all with different personalities, thus allowing us to match up children in the appropriate cabin group, in the hope they will create long lasting friendships.
At the same time because we are not a small camp, we can offer over 30 different programs, match children in appropriate activities, offer inter-camps and special colour wars such as “World Games”. We also have eight camp directors to work closely with the unit heads and counsellors and to provide the ongoing every day support for each and every person in camp.
How do campers pick their schedules and activities?
Our youngest campers participate in their cabin group for the entire morning, with one of these periods being a compulsory swim period. For the other three periods a day, they choose their own schedules. They sit down with their counsellor who is trained to ensure your child picks the most appropriate schedule. Your input as to what type of schedule you want for your child is passed on to the counsellor, unit head and head programmer as well as to the Camp Directors. This way we can create a schedule for your child that matches both the aims and goals of the parent and the camper. Most importantly, your child can change his or her schedule at least twice a week, allowing for total flexibility.
Campers are always placed with campers of the same age and are always with friends and in fact often entire cabin groups decide to do some activities together.
Our youngest campers have a traditional camping experience and are encouraged to participate in as many of the 30 activities as possible. As the campers mature and move from sophomore, to junior and senior, the staff work with each camper to make a schedule that takes into account their age, desire to specialize and of course the wishes of that camper and their parent(s). Please see our program philosophy page for more information. Ultimately we want every child to have fun, to make friends and to fulfill themselves at each activity. So while many children may decide to pick a general program and change their activities numerous times, others may decide to concentrate on just a few activities. Usually as the children get older many move from a more general program to a more specialized schedule. However, we also have many older campers who participate in a schedule that incorporates many of our 30 activities.
How do younger campers get to activities?
We only have 6-8 children per cabin in our youngest age group, therefore ensuring that the counsellors can work with each and every camper, and give them the supervision they need. The counsellor, for these campers, spends the entire day checking on the campers to ensure that they are happy, and receiving the necessary support and supervision that is so critical for this age group.
If your child is under 12, there is always one counsellor assigned to ensure that their campers are taken to their activity and feel comfortable being there; for a seven or eight year old for example it would be normal for the general counsellor to monitor and take these kids to each activity and check in on them. For an older child, such as a sophomore (age 10-12) usually after a few days or by the end of the week they are fine to get around on their own but of course we always like to have campers walking with their peers as much as possible. It depends on the child, and every camper will be managed as an individual based on their needs.
We also take attendance at each activity ensuring that if for some reason someone is late that we account for every Fresh or Sophomore camper immediately.
How are campers kept active?
At Manitou we seldom have to worry about campers being in the cabin and just “hanging out.” This is because they choose from over 30 activities ensuring there is always something for each and every camper to participate in. By creating their own schedule they are with campers who all want to participate and are placed with campers of similar age or ability. They make friends not only within their own cabin group but also with children of similar age from other cabins at the activities. We also take attendance at each activity so we know where every camper is and can ensure they are participating in the program. Its very rare at Manitou for campers to “just hang out” because they are part of a tradition and culture where campers really want to
Who are the staff and how are they selected?
Manitou’s greatest strength is its staff. Although we take great pride in our top facilities; as you know, it is the staff that make a child’s summer. We would trade great facilities for great staff any day and that is why we spend so much time in hiring and training our staff. It is important for you to speak to the Camp Directors and learn about their vision and philosophy as it is that vision that will be inculcated to the staff.
Because we have 200 staff, there are many new staff of all ages. (Often age 17 to 30, and sometimes older!). Head staff such as Unit Heads or Activity Heads can range from age 21 to 30 and sometimes even a few older people leading our activities. Counsellors usually range in age from 17 to 25. The average age of a Manitou counsellor is about 20, with at least two counsellors per cabin, usually a ‘Junior Counsellor’ who is 17/18 and a ‘Senior Counsellor’ who is 19-25 years old.
Staff are screened, references are taken and most importantly personal interviews and the experience of our five full time management team ensures we hire staff that are dedicated, caring, nurturing individuals. Because our campers come from all over the world, many of our staff do also, therefore adding to a more dynamic and socially interesting camp culture.
All our staff go through an intense week of pre-camp training with sessions on camper issues which include, for example, bullying, respect, team building, behavior management, homesickness, to very intense sessions on preventative rules regarding drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, theft, health and safety issues, risk management and the like. We hire professional guest speakers as well. Most importantly Jeff and Mark ensure respect for every person at camp, respect for the environment and respect for oneself. This starts right from the top and if campers and staff are not respectful, they can not stay at camp.
If my child becomes ill, will they receive medical care?
We not only have a full time physician on staff but this physician is experienced as a family practitioner or pediatrician, such that they are experienced doctors dealing with children. We also have four full time nurses or student nurses/medical personnel and provide sick call twice a day as well as medical dispensing whenever necessary. Our doctor and nurses are on call 24 hours a day and our nearest hospital is only 20 minutes away with a full time on duty emergency vehicle and driver. We also have a child psychologist and pediatric pharmacist on call, and available for advise if necessary. We will attempt to notify all parents first before dispensing antibiotics so you are aware of any illness that may necessitate such medication and if your child is in the health center for a day we will call you as well.
What is the food like?
Its hard to believe its camp food. That’s what parents and campers say! We have always had a high standard when it comes to food. That means a flexible and well balanced diet, with fresh baked goods, a salad bar, a vegetarian meal and alternative meals for those that do not like the main course served. Fruit is also available at every meal and in fact is available all day long! The food is all prepared on premises and all breads and baked goods are homemade. We also have snack in the afternoon and at bedtime as well as tuck every other day. We eat family style, such that campers eat with the cabin group and counselors. One morning a week we have a sleep in with a buffet brunch and a lunch where campers can sit with whom they choose. We also host two outdoor meals a week to allow campers to sit with siblings, cousins or their friends.
What are the cabins like?
Manitou’s cabins sleep from 6-14 campers depending on the age group. All cabins have sinks, toilets and showers, electricity and bunk beds with good quality mattresses. These cabins are rustic cedar buildings and many are located with a view of the lake.
What age group is Camp Manitou best for?
All ages are well represented at Manitou and in fact in our latest focus group, our return ratio for the younger age group is almost 100% when you remove the odd child that decides to go on a family trip, etc. Our focus is on every single camper with particular emphasis on our youngest campers who get special cabin group activities, and a counsellor specifically checking on the kids all day long.
Sophomores have a designated counsellor as well to check up on the kids at activities but usually after a few days most of these kids are quite independent but this counsellor still watches over the kids and ensures they are comfortable and ready to move around camp. It is well known around camp that this group of children is our future and we have to ensure they are happy, safe children who benefit fully from the Manitou experience. Each child must be adored, respected and truly cared for! We have a camp philosophy that teaches all staff to watch for any child ever walking alone as it is our goal that campers are always with their peers as much as possible.
It is also important to know that our youngest campers are encouraged to try all their activities and our evening programs are geared to each particular age group, while our special programs cater specifically to all ages.
Furthermore our special two week sessions for ages 5-9 first session, and all ages second session is designed to give the all campers the same sense of achievement, fun and positive experience that the older or more experienced campers enjoy.
Is Camp Manitou an accredited camp?
Yes, we are a member of the Ontario Camping Association that does inspections on the Camp and we must meet all camping standards. In fact Mark Diamond, co-owner and Director, has helped draft the newest and most up to date safety standards for the O.C.A and has sat on the Board of Directors.
When is visiting day and how does it work?
Please see our Camp Calendar of important dates. On Visitors day we encourage campers and parents to stay in camp during the entire day, as our activity heads have planned special events that combine parents and campers, in arts sports and outdoor adventure. Go to the Art Gallery and learn to paint a portrait with your child, or watch your child on the climbing wall. We also serve a special outdoor BBQ lunch and we hope that you will stay and enjoy the food and pleasant atmosphere.
Families of first session campers who have not seen camp can come for Visitors day or can visit camp the day that their children leave. Second session camper families can visit camp also on visitors day if they wish or can pick up their campers at camp and thus take a quick look around. Or if visitors day is not an option because you are out of town or for other special reasons you can not make it, contact us to make arrangements to visit camp on another day. You must give us lots of notice to ensure the camping environment is not affected, but we want you to see camp and be proud of where you child is all summer long!
Of course you are always welcome to tour the camp during the time your child is not at camp.
What is your policy regarding phone contact, fax and email?
We believe mail is the best way to communicate with your child but if you live outside of Ontario we do allow email. Phone calls are not allowed home except on their birthday, or of course in case where a child for a special reason must speak to a parent. (Medical/Psychological/Social issues). We will contact you for any medical reason or if a social/emotional issue comes up that would benefit from your input. We tend to call parents more than most camps so don’t worry if we do!
If you do not hear from your child just contact us and of course you can call us at any time to get an update regarding your child. We do a full call around day four or five about your child but we always want you to feel comfortable so if you need to call us, please do.
If you want more information on our communication policy please contact us personally or just ask us for our written communication policy as to why we follow a traditional camping approach on such issues and how that policy contributes to the success and well being of the campers.
For all the reasons summer camp was created, we think that unplugging is right at the top of the list. Our kids live with technology all day long at home to the point where they forget how to communicate face to face. Summer camp is a place to create fun in new ways and to teach children about the best form of communication; talking to each other. Without gadgets and games campers learn to play cooperative games with each other rather than isolate themselves. Its all about relationship building with fellow campers and staff. Our goal is to promote and encourage positive social interaction among the Manitou family. We do allow campers to listen to music in the cabin and find this absolutely acceptable.
Are there many trips?
Each group has one or two trips per session, for a day trip to experience the Georgian Bay, or Muskoka parks, to play in the famous crystal clear water, and adventure in the park among their peers with their counsellors and/or swim staff. Of course about half of our campers participate in canoe trips, hiking, or similar trips, depending on what is available for their schedule.
Why do you have a “no package” policy?
We truly feel that camp is about equality and that campers do not need anything extra at camp. Of course campers can always be sent up reading material or an extra sweater if they are cold. But packages other than on a birthday can cause many complications, and a sense of an unhealthy competition among campers and parents feel they have to send something up as good as the next child package that they receive.