Here are some quick answers to common questions about Laurentian Camp Cherith, our programs and activities, registration procedures, and other issues. If you have other questions that we have not answered, feel free to contact us and talk to someone personally.

Got a question that's not answered here? Go ahead and ask!

The Questions

1. Useful Statistics
2. What is Laurentian Camp Cherith?
3. I don't attend a Pioneer Club, can I still come to camp?
4. What are the ages that can come to camp?
5. Where do campers sleep?
6. What are your camper fees?
7. Do you offer camperships (subsidized rates)?
8. What are your staff qualifications?
9. Why is my son/daughter on a waiting list when there is still a spot in the cabin?
10. Do you have separate boys and girls programs?
11. What is the food like at camp?
12. Can I send letters to people at camp?
13. Will you send me directions to get to camp?
14. What should we pack for camp?

The Answers

1. Useful Statistics

Here are some general statistics about our summer camp programs:

• Number of campers per week (typical): 65
• Number of staff per week (typical, including cooks and activities): 30
• Staff-to-camper ratio (total): about 1:3
• Staff-to-camper ratio (in camper cabins): one staff to 6 campers, or two staff to 8 campers
• Property size: 160 acres
• Number of years in operation: 41 (since 1969)

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2. What is Laurentian Camp Cherith?

We are a non-profit, non-denominational, co-ed Christian summer camp located in Lanark, about an hour from Ottawa. We are one of eight Camp Cherith sites in North America. (Camp Cherith is a trademark owned by Pioneer Clubs, a mid-week church-sponsored children's club program.)

Camp Cherith gives campers an experience of living out of doors, making new friends and learning and developing new skills. We provide a variety of skills-based activities (such as archery, kayaking, woodworking, movie making, and much more) as well as plenty of free time, music, games, campfires, and other structured programming. Our Christ-centered program also includes Bible Exploration and Morning Watch devotionals designed to help children and youth learn about Jesus Christ and how to make Christ Lord in every aspect of life.

In short, Camp Cherith provides an experience and memories that will last a lifetime!

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3. I don't attend a Pioneer Club, can I still come to camp?

Absolutely! Everyone is welcome to come and experience camp regardless of whether you have attended any church programs, including Pioneer Clubs. Of course, if you do attend a Pioneer Club program, you will find that Camp Cherith complements it perfectly!!

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4. What are the ages that can come to camp?

We divide camp sessions into age groups based on what grade your son or daughter is going into. The age groups are:

Grades 3, 4, 5: Pathfinders
Grades 6, 7: Trailblazers
Grades 8, 9: Challengers
Grades 10, 11: Explorers
Grades 10, 11: Service Team
Grades 10, 11: Camper in Leadership Training (CILT)

(note that not all divisions may be offered in each week)

Our Camper in Leadership Training (CILT) program is a two-year program designed for former campers. Not only will you learn useful skills for being a camp counsellor, but the training you receive in this program will equip you to become a stronger leader and Christian in your home, school, church, workplace, and beyond!

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5. Where do campers sleep?

Campers sleep in wooden cabins. Cabins are divided into a girls' area and a boys' area. There are ten beds in a cabin: eight bunk beds (top and bottom) for campers, and two beds for leaders. A typical cabin consists of one leader and up to six campers, or two leaders with up to eight campers.

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6. What are your camper fees?

Because we are a non-profit organization and rely entirely on volunteer staff, we are pleased to provide what we feel is the best value for your money. We are a registered charity, and much of our ministry is made possible by generous donations from people like yourself!

Our camper fees vary by session. Please refer to the 2010 dates and fees chart for up to date information.

As our way of thanking our volunteer staff for their time and efforts at camp, we offer a discount of $25 per week ($50 per week for Pathfinders) for each of your dependent children if you volunteer as a staff member at camp!

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7. Do you offer camperships (subsidized rates)?

We don't offer a campership program, but we are often able to still provide assistance for those looking for financial assistance.

Unfortunately we are not able to administer a formal program at this time. We do, however, have contacts with many churches and individuals who are happy to consider offering camperships. We are fortunate to have been able to bring many kids to camp through these people over the past several summers.

Your first step should be to contact your home church or Pioneer Club leaders, if you go to one, to see if they can offer assistance. Otherwise, please contact us and we will try to put you in touch with someone who can look into your needs.

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8. What are your staff qualifications?

Staff members at Camp Cherith are students, parents, couples, grandmothers, graduates of our leadership training program, and working professionals. Some of our staff members have backgrounds in high-tech, medicine, police, teaching, administration, and more. In short, our staff are of all ages and from all walks of life!

All staff members at Laurentian Camp Cherith must:

• be a mature Christian
• be at least 18 years old, or
• be a graduate of the CILT program if under 18
• be willing to volunteer one or more weeks of time to come to camp
• enjoy working with and witnessing to children
• be willing to sign our Statement of Faith

Staff members are all volunteers; they receive room and board while at camp as well as a discounted registration fee for their children.

All staff are interviewed by the directors, receive a police background check, and are given two weekends of training, both "pre-camp" in May and "in-camp" just before camp starts.

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9. Why is my son/daughter on a waiting list when there is still a spot in the cabin?

We are a ministry which relies entirely on volunteers. Understandably, many parents can only volunteer as camp staff members when their children are also at camp during the same week. In order to accommodate these needs, while trying to be as fair as possible, we have implemented a special waiting list policy. Initially, two beds in every cabin are allotted for "staff kids". When the rest of the bunks have been filled, a waiting list begins, even though these beds might not be filled yet. If we need a volunteer who can only come to camp with their children, we are able to provide their child a spot in the cabin. These spots are made available as soon as the division is fully staffed or by May 15, whichever comes first. Campers on the waiting list are placed into the cabin on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are placed on a waiting list, don't fret; there's still a good chance that you'll get a spot. If a division is very popular, we may (at the camp director's discretion) rework the cabin/division assignments to best accomodate the demand.

We will contact you immediately when your child is on a waiting list and suggest options such as waiting it out or moving to a different week.

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10. Do you have separate boys and girls programs?

Some summer camps provide boys-only and girls-only weeks, and others run "parallel camps", meaning that two separate programs run concurrently on different areas of the campsite. We have been fully co-educational (mixed) since boys first started attending camp in 1987. We believe that camp is a positive environment where boys and girls can interact, become friends, and develop social skills without many of the pressures associated with the "real world".

All our elective activities, evening campfire programs, all-camp games and activities, and free time are enjoyed by boys and girls together, just like at school or elsewhere in the "real world". We eat in a common dining hall, though campers are seated at tables with their own cabins.

At night, boys and girls have well-separated sleeping areas, and are strictly prohibited from interfering with the other side. Violation of this rule is grounds for immediate dismissal from camp.

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11. What is the food like at camp?

In a word, delicious! Camp meals are varied and nutritious, and include popular selections such as taco salad, chicken wraps, pasta, baked chicken, salad bars, grilled cheese sandwiches, roast potatoes, make-your-own subs, and of course the ever-popular macaroni and cheese. For breakfast we serve hot and cold cereals, bacon, eggs, sausages, pancakes, French toast, hot chocolate and more! You can also look forward to an outdoor BBQ and a banquet on Friday night, featuring a turkey dinner with all the trimmings! We serve a variety of tasty desserts after every meal, as well as an evening snack before bedtime. At free time you may buy a limited amount of "junk food" -- chips, chocolate bars, candy and soft drinks from our tuck shop.

Our meals are all created "home style" and from scratch -- mashed potatoes are made by boiling and mashing real potatoes, not by adding water to a boxed mix. Our cooks are among the most celebrated staff members at camp!

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12. Can I send letters to people at camp?

Yes, though keep in mind that camp sessions are only one week long. By the time your letter arrives through the postal system, the session may be over! You are welcome to leave letters with the director at registration time to be delivered to your child throughout the week. Please visit our Contact page for mailing information.

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13. Will you send me directions to get to camp?

Yes, you will receive a package by mail or e-mail which includes a confirmation of your child's activities, a list of things to pack, a map with directions to the campsite, information about the summer themes (including costume ideas for dress-up activities), and more. If you require clarification of any of these items please feel free to contact our registrar for assistance.

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14. What should we pack for camp?

You will receive a comprehensive packing list (see above). You can use this list as a checklist both to confirm that you have packed everything you need, and to help your child confirm that he/she is bringing everything back! We encourage you to label all of your child's belongings, using sewn-on tags, stickers, or a permanent marker.

Essential items to pack include clothing for the week, including a jacket, hat, extra running shoes, long-sleeved shirt and long pants, a sleeping bag, toiletries (including toothbrush and toothpaste), and a flashlight. You may want to bring a camera and/or a musical instrument to play with. Please do not bring electronic items, including video games, MP3 players, or cell phones, or any other valuable items (in case of theft, loss, or damage). You'll be so busy having fun at camp that you won't have time for them anyway!

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