Overnight Camp Instructions for Parents

On this page you will find:

•  Transportation information for arrival and departure days
•  Accommodations in the area
•  Important health & safety policies
•  Information on communicating with your camper while at camp
•  Suggested list of items to bring
•  Code of conduct for Arrowhead campers

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Arrivals and Departure Information

Always check in and out with the Camp Office. The Camp Nurse will take any medication(s), and discuss any concerns you or she may have. When checking out, the Director will settle the camper bank account and discuss your child’s stay at camp with you.

Transportation

If you are bringing your camper by car, please bring these directions with you. There isn’t a “Arrowhead Camp” sign at Ronville Road and Highway 35.

From Ottawa

Go West on the Queensway (417) to Highway 17. Past Arnprior, to Renfrew. At Renfrew change to Highway 60.  Travel through Eganville, Barry’s Bay, Whitney, Algonquin Park.

20.7 km from the west end of the Park, turn left on Highway 35 south. Drive for about 3.5 km to Ronville Road (on the right) then drive 1.3 km on Ronville Road to Arrowhead Camp which is on the left.

It takes approximately 4 hours to drive depending on traffic.

From Toronto

Go north on Highway 400 to Highway 11. Highway 11 to Huntsville.

At Huntsville, turn right on Highway 60 (toward Algonquin Park) then drive 23.2 km (through Dwight) to Highway 35 (turn right). Drive for about 3.5 km to Ronville Road (on right) then drive 1.3 km to Arrowhead Camp which is on the left.

It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive depending on the traffic.

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Local Accommodation Information

If you plan to stay overnight in the area when dropping off or picking up your child, here is a partial list of motels / hotels in the area.  July and August are very busy months in the area, especially on weekends so make sure to book your room well in advance.

There are countless additional resorts and motels in the vicinity. Most resorts do not accept single night guests unless they have last minute vacancies.

Please understand that we are not recommending any of these accommodations. Our list is based on places others have stayed in the past.

Camping

If you are interested in camping overnight, we are 20 minutes from some of the best camping in Ontario – Algonquin Park!

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Health and Safety Information

Be sure to notify us if your child is in contact with a communicable disease within three weeks of coming to camp. If you do not live in Ontario, be sure to provide any other insurance information. Any medical costs paid on behalf of an out-of-province camper are added to the Camper Bank. Parents are also given the paid receipt so they can be reimbursed. Out-of-country campers are covered by the camp insurance policy.  

Medication

If your camper is on medication of any kind during camp it must be turned over to the Camp Nurse. The  medications, including over the counter, must be in blister packs. This can be done at your local drugstore.  If your child is coming to camp by bus, please turn the medication over to the counsellors on the bus. We request no aspirin, tylenol or advil be brought to camp.  They are available at camp if needed. Please check that your camper has not packed any medications to keep in their cabin.

Head Lice

Please check your camper(s) for lice at least one week prior to arriving at camp. If you are unsure how to complete a proper lice check read the suggestions from the Canadian Paediatric Society. This is the best way to identify lice in time so that it does not prevent your camper from attending camp. A lice check will also be completed by Camp Staff upon arrival. If lice is found we will ask that your camper return home to complete the proper lice treatment and then return once finished the treatment and clear of lice. Or Camp Staff can do a treatment at Camp, and the cost will be added to your camper bank account.

Camper Bank

You must set up a Camper Bank for your camper(s) to use during their stay with us. You can do this by filling out the “Camper Bank for Sleepover Campers” form on your online account. Tuck shop purchases, paraphernalia, and laundry may be charged to your camper bank.  Any outstanding balances or credits are collected or refunded at the end of the camper’s stay at Camp. Note: All Camp purchases and services have appropriate HST added to the Camper Bank. 

“Tuck”

The tuck shop is open at a specific time once a day for campers to purchase a beverage and/or snack. The camp imposes a limit of  2 tuck items from the tuck shop per day on all campers. New for this year, the fee for Tuck Service/week is $20+HST.  

Paraphernalia

Besides sundries, hats and water bottles (which we will sell to a camper if they have misplaced theirs because these items are essential for a successful camp stay), we will only be selling clothing and Camp gear through pre-orders or on check-in and check-out days when guardians are present.

Laundry Services

One-session campers do not normally send out laundry unless specifically requested by the parents. Campers who stay longer will automatically send their laundry out at a cost of $28+HST. These campers are provided with numbered bags which must be returned when the campers leave. Laundry charges are added to the camper bank account. Camp will provide a laundry bag to those requiring laundry service. Please note: If this bag is not returned at the end of their stay a $10 charge will be applied to the camper’s tuck account. Please be advised that all laundry sent out is dried in a dryer and not separated into light/dark.

Camp Visitors

If a camper is staying only one session, a visit is neither expected nor required. In fact, a visit from parents may upset a young child who has been just fine until that time. If parents of longer-term campers choose to visit, the best time is Saturday / Sunday on a changeover provided you have called and made arrangements with the camp.  We cannot provide meals or accommodation for visitor’s – both are available nearby. Campers are never allowed to leave camp with “friends” except with the written permission of their parents, and at the discretion of the Director. Please inform us of any potential problems regarding custody and visiting rights.

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Mail Service and Packages

Mail

Campers love to receive mail. We hope your child will write to you from camp and we will encourage campers to do so, but we do not censor what they write. Be assured that in the event of serious concern regarding your child, you will hear from us directly. Please no not send registered mail as it is not delivered directly to your camper.

To send mail to your camper please use the following address format:                         

Your child’s name
c/o Arrowhead Camp
1111 Ronville Road
Dwight, Ontario
POA 1HO

Care Packages

Please do NOT send fruit, candy, gum, soft drinks or any food item to or with your child. Food in cabins attracts unwanted pests and animal life, and can also cause real problems with peer pressure within the cabin. Any food sent to camp will be taken and donated to the local food bank.

Our biggest concern are life threatening allergies by campers to certain food products. Therefore if you choose to send a care package, please send only non-food items. For example, consider sending magazines, comics or books. 

Fax and Email

The Arrowhead Camp fax number is (705) 635-1630. If you wish to send your camper a fax, you may do so, but we ask for your co-operation: limit the length of your fax to two pages.  Please do not use the fax daily or in replace of normal letters – campers love to get mail! 

Our email address is [email protected] and you may communicate occasionally in this manner. With 150+ people in camp at any given time, the volume of e-mail can be overwhelming. High speed internet service is not available in our region. We will print emails from parents and family members only. Please limit pictures to low size i.e. not over 1MB and ensure there is content to fill a good portion of the page. For example an email that only contains, “Hi Billy. Hope all is well. TTYL xoxo,” is not worth killing a tree to print.

Campers are not able to send email or faxes.

Telephone

Campers are not allowed to use the telephone. We encourage campers to write letters. In the case of an emergency, call the camp at (705) 635-1600. If you have a concern or question, you are welcome to call the camp. Typically, an Arrowhead Staff member answers the phone during office hours (9:30 am – 12:00 and 2:00 – 5:00pm). At other times you may call and leave a message on the camp answering service.

Campers must not bring cellular phones to camp. Any cell phones found will be taken and stored in the office until your campers is finished their stay at camp.

Family Situations

Please let us know if there has been a change in your marital status or living arrangements over the past year. This helps us understand your child’s behaviour and moods. We would also appreciate knowing about any recent births, deaths or serious illnesses in the family. If there are custody issues, please be sure to discuss them directly with the Camp Director.

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Arrowhead Camp Suggested Items to Bring

This list is intended only as a guide, and varies with camper and length of stay.

Items Recommended for all Campers

*If your child is troubled with enuresis (bed wetting), please send 2 (preferably washable) sleeping bags. Soiled sleeping bags will be laundered or sent out for dry cleaning. (Any cost is added to the camper bank account.)

**Sun Protection is Absolutely Necessary

Please provide your camper with a waterproof sunscreen of at least 30 SPF and waterproof lip balm. Our counsellors will be instructed to check their campers for sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Visors are not acceptable sun protection. Hats and water bottles are for sale at camp.  If your child(ren) does not come to Camp with a hat or water bottle we will provide one for them and charge it to their Camper Bank.

***Once a week we have a dance, and on the last night of the session we have a banquet and presentation of awards. For these occasions, most campers like to “dress up” a little. This usually means a pair of dress cotton pants and a clean shirt, for example. Some of the girls like to wear a dress or skirt and top.

Optional Items

Many campers like to bring musical instruments, cameras, binoculars, fishing gear and tennis racquets.  Valuable articles may be left in the office for safe keeping, but we cannot be responsible for damage or loss.

Please Do Not Bring

Firecrackers, cigarettes, matches, lighters, slingshots, pocket knives, electronics, laser pointers, aerosol products, food/candy, GUM or cellular phones. Parents are requested to co-operate in ensuring that these items do not come to camp. Items which arrive accidentally are kept in the office until camp is over.

Do not bring any food items, this includes chewing gum. As stated earlier, snack foods are not needed, and cause problems. Fresh fruit is available during the day and snacks are available at the Tuck Shop.

Stereos, Hair Dryers and Video Games

A portable music player (Ipod, mp3 Players, etc), without internet or cellular capabilities, are considered antisocial and not appropriate for camp use. Campers are only permitted to use these items in their cabins during bedtime as an aid in falling asleep. Any other use will result in the item being taken from the camper and kept in the office until the end of their stay. Hair dryers, curling irons, etc. are permitted, but must be used with care.

Please do not bring video games and/or other electronics to camp.

Valuables

Campers should not bring valuable items, such as jewellery, expensive watches and cameras to camp with them. Disposable cameras are worth considering. It is very important that disposable cameras are clearly labelled with the camper’s name. Campers must not keep cash in the cabin. It must be turned into the Camp Office on arrival, for safekeeping.

When packing for camp ensure your child is familiar with all items. Have your camper assist you with the packing so he / she knows what is being sent with them.

Lost and Found

Each summer an incredible amount of unidentifiable clothing is left behind at camp.  A lost and found is maintained throughout the session and the items are presented daily to campers. Please pack for camp with your camper(s) to ensure they are aware of what is theirs and what they have brought.  

When picking your camper up from camp, please thoroughly check that you have everything, and be sure to visit the lost and found. Remember, this is all much easier if your child’s name is on all possessions! 

If you would like to purchase labels, Oliver’s Labels provides this service for our camp.  These can be ordered directly through your camper’s Arrowhead account.   

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Code of Conduct for Arrowhead Campers

At Arrowhead Camp, we do not have a lot of extraneous rules for our campers. All of the rules that we do have are in keeping with our need to keep all campers safe and happy.

Thank you for choosing Arrowhead Camp for the summer ahead.

We pledge to do everything in our power to ensure that your family will be pleased with this experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at any time.