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General Information
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LIT/CIT Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Questions

Staff Questions





Q: What activities can my child participate in at camp

We have a number of regular activities that are offered every summer including: archery, low ropes initiatives, arts and crafts, sports, biking, skateboarding, survival, pottery(new), bouldering wall(new), canoeing and swimming. We also offer a variety of other activities that varies from summer to summer based on the staff’s knowledge and ability to teach them, these have included: cooking club, yoga, pilates, self defense, drawing/painting, dance, music, fishing.

Q: How many activity periods are there in a week?

Each day your child will participate in 4 instructional activity periods from Monday to Thursday. Friday’s offer a variety of activities and off site trips such as biking, hiking, canoeing and tubing (depending on week).

Q: What other types of things will my child experience during their stay at camp?

Each week the Program Director designs a theme that will be carried throughout the program and includes special events and challenges. As well they will participate in 3 campfires, a variety of field/forest games as a large group, some weeks involve a 1 night camping trip across the river, a movie night and many other surprises.

Q: Do you offer any trips?

Depending on the week a variety of trips may be offered. Our biking trip visits Allen Park, approximately 10mins away where 15 to 20 km's of trial can be found with a variety of terrain available that makes it fun and exciting.

Our canoe trip follows the Saugeen River from our property through the country to the second concession, taking approximately 1 hour and includes lunch on the shore.

Our hiking trip follows the Hanover community trial that skirts around the countryside along the Saugeen River.

Our tubing trip follows the Saugeen River to the first bridge where a 15 min walk brings you to the River above the property, and a leisurely trip returns you to the camp property. This takes approximately 1 ½ hours.

Q: What are the themes?

Each year the weekly themes change based on the imagination and creativity of the Program Director. Former themes have included: Medieval Day, Harry Potter Day, Olympics, H2O week, Safari Week, Blast from the past, Circus Week, World Travel and Pirate Week. Anything is possible, and all themes are well-planned and played out with props and costumes etc. Always lots of fun!

Q: Should my child bring any equipment?

It’s not necessary to bring any personal equipment, because we provide all the equipment for each of our activities. However, campers are welcome to bring their equipment with the understanding that the camp is NOT responsible for lost, stolen or broken equipment. Bring at your own risk. It is also recommended to label well any equipment brought.

Q: Is my child going to be limited from activities due to their age?

Most activities do not have age restrictions, however the biking program, low ropes and the new bouldering wall are for campers over 10 years of age due to their need for greater strength and endurance.

Q: What is the camper to staff ratio?

Within each cabin there are 2 counselors to a maximum of 10 campers. However, including the remainder of the staff, there is approximately 1 staff to every 3 campers.

Q: How are staff selected?

All potential staff go through an extensive process of selection. They must fill out a detailed application and obtain three references and provide a resume before being considered for an interview. After that a personal interview is arranged to determine their suitability. The final step involves a police check to determine if they have ever been in trouble with the law.

Q: How old are the counseling staff?

Counseling staff must be a minimum of 17 years of age in accordance with the OCA standards for accreditation. But they rage from 17 to 25 years old. Many of whom are enrolled in College or University.

Safety Questions

General Questions

Special Needs

Q: What is the staff return rate each summer?

Usually we see a third to one half of the staff return the following year. It is our hope to provide some continuity from summer to summer for our return campers.

Q: How closely supervised are the campers?

Campers are supervised all the time. Counselors sleep in the same cabin as the campers. During the day the level of supervision changes according to the activity.

Q: What safety standards do you have?

Camp McGovern adheres to a high standard of safety, by which we have established a Risk Management Manual to define how activities are to be run and the safety precautions to be taken in each. We exceed the standards established by the government and meet or exceed the standards of the Ontario Camping Association. Every four years there is an extensive review process to be accredited. We do our best to ensure your child's safety.

Q: How close is the nearest hospital?

Hanover Hospital is less than 15mins away and the camp always has a vehicle available to transport campers there in an emergency.

Q: My child is bringing medication to camp, how will this be handled?

Each year we hire a certified Nurse to manage health concerns and medications. All medication is to be handed over to the Health Center where it is organized and distributed on the required schedules.

Q: My child will be first-time camper this summer; can I arrange a visit to the camp before my child attends?

Yes. Please contact the office and after June 18th we would be more than happy to give you a tour and answer any questions you may have before your child arrives for a week.

Q: Can I visit my child while they’re at camp?

Due to the short stay a child will have at camp, we prefer that parents, friends or relatives do not visit the camp. Visits can disrupt the program and take children away from their activities and social time with peers. During a child’s arrival and pick-up on the weekends are appropriate times to hang out and visit with campers.

Q: Can my child be in the same cabin as their friend?

We do our best to honor camper requests for a cabin mate, although we may not be able to accommodate request where more than 3 years separate the children in ages and where they are of the opposite gender.

Q: What is the food like?

Amy Dow, a registered Dietitian, has overseen the development of the menus to ensure they’re nutritious, tasty and fun. Our kitchen staff work hard to prepare each meal and are always seeking to provide proper substitutions for those with dietary needs and or allergies.

Q: How can I correspond with my child during camp?

There are a few ways to do so. As always good old fashioned letters in the mail are the most personal way to correspond with your child. All letters are handed out at the end of meal times. You can also sign up for “Hello Camper” and send email messages to your camper which will be handed out daily. We will also accept faxes for campers. Please DO NOT send personal correspondence for campers to the camp email address. This address is intended for business correspondence only.

Q: My child functions at a lower level than their peers. What kinds of accommodations can be made for them?

We will attempt to place campers in an age grouping where they function best, regardless of their age. It is our goal to see each camper have a successful and enjoyable week at camp. Also, age limits are meant to be a guideline. Exceptions are made for campers who function at a different level than their age would suggest.

Q: My child needs some assistance (either physical or socially) in order to function in a group setting like a camp. How can they be included in camp

We have developed an inclusion program that offers a one-on-one counselor for children in need of assistance. Your child will be placed in a regular cabin group, but receive assistance from their one-on-one counselor throughout the day. This allows your child to socialize but receive the assistance they require to function as part of the group, or to gain the focused attention needed to understand and excel in the activities. Please contact the camp office if you would like to apply for this program.