The Breakdown of an Overnight

We are well into our second week of Period B here at YMCA Wanakita and things are looking as busy as ever. Trips and overnights have been busy leaving and returning and for this reason we have decided to talk about our overnight programs.

Bark 1 Campsite

Our Junior and Intermediate cabins participate in a one-night overnight on one of Koshlong Lake’s campsite. Prior to the overnight each cabin attends a camping session with our out-tripping staff. The campers learn how to set up a tent and while the rest of the gear is tested by the counsellors. The cabin also discusses Wanakita’s camping practices and our leave no trace camping policy.

Rainy Rock Campsite

On the day of the overnight the cabin eats lunch in the dinning hall before gathering their gear. At about 2:30pm they meet at canoeing with their packs and load up their canoes. Just like the special out-tripping session, the cabin has had a canoeing session where they improve their strokes and other canoeing skills before leaving on their overnight.

A Canoe Prep. Lesson

Koshlong Lake has many campsites available for overnights that are all different and unique in their own ways. Each site is just as beautiful as the next and provided a lovely view of its surroundings.

Once arriving at a campsite, the gear is unpacked and tents are set up. There is always time for swimming and games before dinner. Dinner is always delicious no matter what option the cabin chooses; pita pizzas, stir-fry or hot dogs with a dessert of ‘smores or scrambled brownies. Campfires are a guarantee (unless we are under a fire ban) and oftentimes overnights result in an earlier bedtime which campers love!

Pita Pizzas!

In the morning all gear is packed up and a breakfast of fried granola or bagels is eaten. A site clean up and garbage sweep is done to ensure that we leave no trace. The group paddles back to camp and is ready to go for morning activities.

The View from One of the Campsites

It is a quick trip, but the overnight gives a taste of what the Senior Traditional Section is all about. The overnight is a great way for campers to learn responsibility and independence. They are involved with the cooking, cleaning and navigation to and from the site. It is a bonding experience for all and a fantastic program here at camp.

That is the breakdown of a typical overnight for Juniors and Intermediates. Sometimes our overnights are extended to two-nights for older sections (Senior Specialty and 2^nd Year SCs) and the days’ activities are roughly the same. Our staff love our overnight program and we hope that upon their return, the campers do too!!!

~ The Wanakita Staff Team

Wanakita has joined Facebook

We are excited to announce that we have created a Facebook page, providing another opportunity for us to share the happenings here on Koshlong Lake.

Why not take a minute to "Like" our page so that you can receive updates and share the magic of Wanakita throughout the year!

Session B has arrived!!!

Welcome to Session B everyone! We said good-bye to our Session A and A-2 campers on Saturday. We hope the campers left with new friends, as well as stories to share with their families. The staff cannot wait to see them again next year!

Staff Welcome Campers at the Core

Well, now we are once again in full swing here at YMCA Wanakita. Session B is the only session of the summer that there are solely two-week or four-week campers on site, making it very unique. The arrival of Session B is also marks the half-way point for our SCs who are still busy working in placements and organizing/running the family camp carnival.

Yesterday we welcomed our first year SCs back from Temagami and more will arrive today. They were quick to unpack and hop into a shower before greeting all their friends. They have been sharing and comparing trips and stories with the other groups. We are sure that they all experienced trips that they won’t forget!

Group Shot of a Senior Traditional Cabin- Ready for their Out-Trip

Just as the SCs return, our Senior Traditional Girls are leaving to canoe Megnetawan and Bon Echo for their five-day trips. We hope they have a fantastic time and cannot wait to hear their stories upon their return. The Senior Traditional Boys are participating in PCAs and will head out on trip next week.

Last night the entire Senior Section played a camp-wide game of Plutonium Defenders. This game is similar to Capture the Flag, however the flags can move throughout the territory and one flag is ‘fake’. The team that captures the other team’s ‘real’ flag first is declared the winner. Monday evening program saw the section playing ‘The Donger Games’. This double-elimination game of dodge ball paired girl and boy cabins together with a fight till the end! Both games were a hit as the odds were in anyone’s favour.

The Donger Games

 Junior and Intermediate cabins are preparing for overnights that will begin tonight and carry on throughout the week. The campers spend their morning participating in their choice activities and afternoons with their cabins. Hiking, swimming, boating (kayaking, canoeing, sailing), ropes and wilderness environmental pursuits are common afternoon programs. One of the newest programs we have included this year is astronomy. Campers learn about the stars and constellations and on a clear night, can test their knowledge outside. Both campers and counsellors are learning a lot!!!

Sailing PCA

That’s all for now! Seems like the summer is going by quickly. Before we know it we will be half-way through the summer and into August! Hopefully it won’t go too fast.

~ The Wanakita Staff Team

Everything is Fine and Dandy: Period A-2

Here is an update as to what has been happening here at YMCA Wanakita. Well, after an extremely hot first week the temperature has cooled down, people are running around playing games, camping and participating in all the activities that camp has to offer.

A-2 Welcoming

Thought of the Day Presentation

On Saturday we said good-bye to our A-1 campers, however, it wasn’t too long before we welcomed a whole new group of campers for session A-2. Everyone was really excited to start their week here and after the opening ceremonies they quickly adapted to the day-to-day routine. Along with their PCAs and cabin activities, many of the Junior and Intermediate cabins are heading out on Koshlong lake overnights tonight. We wish them a night of fun and excitement in the great outdoors.

Kayaking

The Senior Traditional girls are out on trip in Bon Echo and Magnetawan and the boys who were out last week have safely returned home. They have been sharing their trip stories and participating in other programs at camp.

The Senior Specialty Section spent the weekend out on their three-day overnight on the lake. They returned ready and rested for their next PCAs and a week packed full of activities.

The First Year Student Counsellors continue each morning with swimming and canoeing lessons. They are also preparing for their six-day trip that will begin later this week. We wish them the best of luck and hope they have a great time.

Some of Second Year SCs are now completing the placement portion of their program where they shadow counsellors in cabins. They are so enthusiastic and it is great to see them practicing their leadership skills. The other SC group spent today canoeing down the Gull River. The trip took a little longer due to low water levels, but all immensely enjoyed themselves. All SCs are currently playing a friendly competitive game of dodge ball and their cheers reach us here in the office.

That about sums it up for now. We will write soon!

~The Wanakita Summer Staff Team

It's been busy... and HOT!

Session A is well underway and boy has it been busy here at YMCA Wanakita. The past few days have been sunny and hot but the lake has welcomed all campers for well-deserved swims. Luckily there has also been a slight breeze, which is perfect for our sailors and windsurfers! As the week comes to a close I think it is important to check in with all sections of residential camp. Here is what each section has been up to this week:

Day Camp: This was the first week of day camp and it was a busy one. Everything revolved around the zoo, as campers went out in search of ‘animals’ (rocks) that had escaped from the zoo. A beach day was also a hit with sand castle building and swimming. On the water the campers went in the voyager canoe and even kayaked. There was also an overnight with a campfire and s’mores. It was a busy week but a great one!

Counselors Andrea and Hannah dress up with day campers!

Juniors/Intermediates: This session there have been both one-week and two-week campers. Both groups have had a lot of fun participating in regular programming canoeing, kayaking, swimming, crafts, sports, etc. Some other highlights from the week have included a giant scavenger hunt as well as a digital scavenger hunt. Last night the two-weekers celebrated Halloween in July while the one-weekers went to a beach themed dance.

One-weekers dance the evening away!

Seniors: The seniors have had an exciting week as well. The senior traditional boys are out on trip at Magnettawan and Bon Echo, and the traditional girls are preparing for their trips as well. The traditional girls have also been participating in some team building activities and creating their trip shirts. The senior specialty section has been busy participating in high ropes, astronomy, drum circles and hiking. They also participated in a fashion show and are preparing for a two-day out trip.

Section Director Neil Armstrong leads a senior group in a drum circle.

SCs: Our first year SCs have been spending their mornings in the lake and practicing their canoeing skills. They are working towards their ORCKA canoeing levels and passing their Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross swimming levels. They have been bonding during campfires and working on leadership skills and interacting with different group dynamics. The second years just returned from a two-day overnight and have also been working on their teambuilding and leadership skills. The other night the SCs had their first SC Challenge, which involved teams creating a cheer and being ranked on the best cheers.

SCs practice their canoe docking skills.

Today, the camp went to Corey’s Place to enjoy music, dance and theatre performances presented by campers in those PCAs (Personal Choice Activities). Kangaroo Court, our light-hearted camp judicial system was also called into session for the first time this year.

Music PCA performs at Corey's Place

Kangaroo Court Honourable M. Weber & Honourable J. Fisher

Well that about sums up our week here at YMCA Wanakita. Be sure to check out our YMCA Wanakita – Scenes of Summer Blog for more photographs. For those going home, we hope that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to see you next summer! And for those who are arriving or staying for another week (or three)… get ready because we have another week of jam-packed fun up our sleeves!

~The Wanakita 2012 Summer Staff Team

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

Summer camp has finally begun! YMCA Wanakita is now swarming with kids and counsellors ready to have a fun-filled summer in Central Ontario with fresh air and clean lake water. After ten days of pre-camp staff training we were all ready to have the masses come and join us. Some highlights to training week were: Strawberry Social, morning swims, the Giant Staff Relay Race and the Strong Kids Auction. This year staff raised $8700 for the Strong Kids Campaign, which will help send kids and school groups to camp throughout the year. WAY TO GO STAFF!

Senior Staff display the Strong Kids Auction Donation

 After that intense week we were ready to welcome the 300 campers to Session A. Sunday was the first official day of camp and it was filled with excitement and energy! After a packed afternoon in the rain, a campfire outside was the perfect way to finish the official opening day of camp.

Opening Greeting

Opening Campfire

Monday was a busy day for kids and counsellors as they headed to their chosen morning activities. The afternoon was left open for fun cabin group activities and swimming. The day and weather was fantastic!

Out on the Water

We would like to wish the best of luck to our Senior Traditional Boys that are heading into Bon Echo and Magnetawan today for their five-day trip. See you upon your return!

If these two days are any indication of what the summer will bring, then by golly we will have the time of our lives!