First Year FAQs
Between now and your child’s first day, you probably have questions. Some of them feel too small to ask. Some feel too big. Here are the 20 we hear most often at this time of year!
About the basics:
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What does a typical day look like?
Each morning starts with a “Cabin Huddle” – time to create meaningful bonds between campers. Campers then have six activity periods, each 50 minutes. Five of them will be activities, like soccer, drama, recording studio, arts and crafts or camp field games. One period will be lunch. In between periods 5 and 6, we have afternoon snack at our community Schmooze – basically a camp-wide pep-rally of games and fun!
Each afternoon ends with an afternoon Cabin Huddle. Camp runs 9am – 4pm (and we have Extended Care available from 8am-5:30pm!) -
What do campers eat? Can you accommodate allergies/dietary needs?
We can accommodate most allergies and dietary needs! Our full lunch and snack menu can be found here. We are a nut safe space. -
Can campers bring their own food?
Yes! Campers are welcome to bring additional snacks and their own lunch, if they wish. All food should be nut-safe. -
What time does camp start and end each day?
Camp runs 9am – 4pm (and we have Extended Care available from 8am-5:30pm!)
About safety:
- What is your staff-to-camper ratio?
Including all of our activity specialist staff and our Leadership Team, our overall staff-to-camper ratio is 1:4.
In our Bunnies Unit (JK), camper-to-counsellor ratio is maximum 1:5.
In our Froggies Unit (SK), camper-to-counsellor ratio is maximum 1:7
In our Kangas Unit (Gr 1/2), camper-to-counsellor ratio is maximum 1:8
In our Tigers Unit (Gr 3-6), camper-to-counsellor ratio is maximum 1:9 - Who are your staff? How are staff trained?
Our staff are teens and young adults who care about the camp experience of our campers. We hire volunteers the summer after Grades 9 and 10, to serve as additional staff above our above ratios. Our paid staff team range from Grade 11 students to qualified teachers. All our staff complete an approximately 10-hour online training, followed by a four-day jam-packed schedule of in-person training. Our staff learn everything from how to create an inclusive camp culture to how to get a group of campers to follow your lead – and everything in between! Learning continues during morning meetings, all summer long. - What is your policy on phones and devices? Are the staff distracted by their phones?
Our staff are required to keep their phones in their lockers, if they bring their phones to camp. We love our tech-free culture so staff can focus on getting to know their campers well. - But then how do I communicate with my child’s counsellor?
Our Leadership Team all have e-mail addresses that are checked three times a day. Please send any questions or concerns directly to your child’s Unit Head, who will coordinate with the counsellors. You will receive an introductory email from your Unit Head the week before your child starts at Adventure Valley
About homesickness and hard days:
- What should I do when my camper is having a hard time saying goodbye in the morning?
We have found that the easiest goodbye for campers are when caregivers say goodbye quickly and confidently, and then walk away. The longer you allow the child to hug/cling/mull in their feelings, the more desperate they will become to keep you nearby. Remember, children borrow their confidence from the adults around them! If you have a very hard goodbye, we will give you a call once your child has settled in with the group. - Can we call to check in?
Please feel free to call us anytime! 905-901-4862. Our Office Admin will answer the phone and can direct a message to your child’s Unit Head. - When would you call us?
When your child is at camp, we may call you for several reasons. For example:- To chat about your camper’s behaviours and your recommended strategies
- To ask you if your child can buy tuck
- To confirm changes of plan in your transport on the way home
- To let you know about a medical emergency
- To let you know that your child is sick and they need to be picked up.
- What happens if a camper is struggling socially?
Our staff are trained to notice if a child is struggling socially. But, sometimes we miss things – if your child shares anything with you that you think we ought to know, please update us! Our counsellors will work with the child to help them find solutions in the group. Our conversation with you can be kept confidential if that is in the best interest of the child.
About the experience:
- What activities are available? What if my child doesn’t like a specific activity?
Campers participate in a variety of activities, like Arts & Crafts, Nature, Co-operative Games, Easy Science, Field Frenzy, MusicFest, Drama, Dance, Kangoo Boots, Archery and more! Because campers are scheduled into activities as a group, they will get to experience many different activities. Encourage your camper to approach camp with an open mind – many of our campers find new hobbies and activities that they don’t expect! Our counsellors are trained to convince our campers to try everything for at least a little bit! - Will my child be with their friends?
We fulfill 100% of same-birth-year friend requests submitted before June 1. After that, we will try our best to make it happen! Email camp@adventurevalley.ca if you would like to add a friend request. - What if my child doesn’t know anyone?
No problem! Many of our campers come without existing friends. Our counsellors spend the first period of each week playing get-to-know-you games and facilitating friendships. They have a watchful eye on all campers and ensure the group is bonding throughout the week. - What should our campers wear to camp each day?
Campers should wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in. Please only send clothes that are okay getting a little messy! Campers are encouraged to wear running shoes, or, at a minimum, sandals with an ankle strap, like Chacos or Tevas. We do not reocmmend Crocs or flip flops.
About our family specifically:
- How do I reach someone if I have a question during the summer?
Questions about your child and how they are settling in should be emailed to your Unit Head. They will answer within 24 hours (not including weekends).
If you have a time-sensitive update, please call camp at 905-901-4862. - What if plans change and we need to adjust or cancel sessions?
We get it, we are parents too. We try to have as much flexibility as possible for our camp families. If it is 7 days or more before the session in question, you are welcome to move your child’s session to another week, with no penalty. If you need to cancel, you can either keep the credit on file for Summer 2027, or, you can receive a refund less a $100 cancellation fee per camper per week. Please see full details of our Cancellation Policy here. - How can I stay updated on my child’s camp experience?
We send out your child’s schedule via our weekly newsletter, The Camp Chronicles, which is delivered Saturday mornings. The Camp Chronicles will also include links to unit-specific weekly blogs.
Adventure Valley also uses Waldo to deliver photos directly to you as they are uploaded. Stay tuned for more information! - What’s the one thing first-year parents always wish they’d known?
The Camp Corner section of our website contains everything you need to have a successful summer! Many first-year parents speak about how they wish they used it more.
Want to check it out? Here’s a link!
If you have a question that isn’t here, reply to this email. I’m happy to help!
Yours in Camp Spirit,
Ashlee Woolfson
Camp Director, Chief Fun Officer, Dance Party Enthusiast
Adventure Valley Day Camp
905-901-4862
ashlee@adventurevalley.ca