Be sure to read our SLC Info Guide for additional information. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE AT CAMP? Click here to learn about a typical day at camp. HOW FLEXIBLE IS THE TYPICAL SCHEDULE? In terms of flexibility we have an overall set of activities each day and we feel that this structure is helpful to the campers so that the 'down time' is limited. There is often time in the day to drop by the basketball courts and play some ball for a few minutes or relax on the cabin steps with counsellors for a bit. We believe in the philosophy that busy campers make happy campers. It seems that with many children, time left unfilled means time to think about and miss home. In terms of activities, the choices that the campers make on the first day are usually what we encourage to keep for the session, however, we are here to please the campers and all efforts will be made to alter a camper's choices, if possible, to ensure the camper's happiness while at camp. WHAT DO CAMPERS EAT? Our menu is based on the Canadian Food Guide and we provide nutritious, balanced meals. All the campers eat together in the dining hall and we also have two cook-out nights per regular camp session where the food is prepared over a fire. Here are some sample menus from the camp. Special diets can be accommodated. The menu below is just a sample we do not guarantee that exactly these meals will be served. BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SNACK Cold cereal, muffins, fruit salad, orange juice, milk Roast beef, corn, herbed roast potatoes, gravy, rolls, jello Juice & Water Chicken Soup with rice, tuna & cheese sandwiches/pita, veggies and dip, apple pie Milk & Water Juice, teddy grahams Oatmeal, croissants, oranges, apple juice, milk Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccini & tomato sauce, yellow/green beans, bread, choc. mousse, Juice & Water Beef tacos/wraps, tossed salad, banana cake Milk & Water Juice,cereal bars Cheese omlette, English muffins, melon, orange juice milk Ham, scalloped potatoes, fresh veg. mélange, bread, peaches with whipped cream Milk & Water Hot dog cook-out, carrots & celery, apple, cookies Juice & Water Juice, apples Pancakes, bacon, watermelon, orange juice, milk Chicken nuggets, rice, peas, butterscotch pudding Juice & Water     WHAT IS YOUR NUT POLICY? Sparrow Lake Camp cannot guarantee a peanut-free environment. We do not use or serve peanuts, peanut products, nuts, or products containing nuts. However, the foods we purchase and serve may contain traces of nut products. Do you have a tuck shop? No, we do not have a tuck shop. Instead, we have three tuck deliveries throughout the camp session. These include a treat like a chocolate bar or package of candy. These costs are covered in the camper fees. WHAT’S THE STAFF : CAMPER RATIO? In our cabins, our ratio is 1 staff member to 5 or 6 campers. In sessions, depending on the activity, it can be as low as 1 : 4 but is usually in the area of 1 : 6 . At bedtimes, counsellors are assisted by cabin mascots so the ratio drops to 1 : 3 or 4. Overall, we hire approximately 70 staff, and there usually is a maximum of 136 campers at camp at any given time. This would then mean a 1 : 2 ratio, however, some of our staff are not directly working with campers (kitchen/site staff). For Pee Wee camp the ratio of staff to campers is 1:4. HOW MANY OF THE STAFF ARE FORMER CAMPERS? Approximately 75 percent of staff are former campers and approximately 60% have gone through the Leader-In-Training program at SLC. Many of our senior staff have been campers since they were Pee-Wees (age 5 to 8 years old). WHICH TAXES ARE CHARGED ON CAMPER FEES? We charge 6% GST and 3% PST on our camp fees. Each year in January we send out tax receipts for the amount of the camp fee. WHAT IS YOUR CAMP FEE POLICY? DO YOU GIVE REFUNDS? A non-refundable registration fee of $100.00 is required to register your child. If a post- dated cheque is received for the deposit, your child will not be registered for the camp until the date listed on the cheque. A post-dated cheque for the balance of the total camp fees dated May 1, 2008 is also requested at the time of registration. Please note that registrations after May 1, 2008 must be accompanied by a full payment. Payment of camp fees can be made by personal cheque (before June 1 only), certified cheque or money order, to Sparrow Lake United Church Camp. Payments may also be made by Visa and Mastercard. Credit card payments will not be taken if it less than 2 days prior to the session starting. If a written cancellation request is received at the registration office 14 days or more prior to your child’s departure for camp, the camper fee less registration fee will be refunded in full. If a written cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to your child’s departure for camp, a partial refund may be given at the discretion of the Sparrow Lake Camp Board of Directors. Further documentation may be required and a refund (if applicable) may not be issued until the fall. If a camper is sent home for camp for displaying inappropriate behaviour, or has not complied with the rules of camp, or is found to have a pre-existing communicable disease/condition, no refund will be offered. Any N.S.F Cheques received will incur an additional charge of $25.00, and may affect your child’s chances of attending the camp period of his/her choice. WHAT IS THE CAMP DOING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF WEST NILE VIRUS? Campers are reminded to wear long sleeves and pants and to use repellent Screens in the cabins are checked regularly for holes Where possible standing water areas are eliminated For more information about West Nile visit (http://nile.healthcanada.net) WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO THE SLC STAFF HAVE? Staff is screened, references are taken and personal interviews are conducted to ensure we hire staff are dedicated, caring and nurturing individuals. Each staff member is also required to provide a Police Reference Check. All our staff must participate in an intensive pre-camp training program of approximately 100 hours. Our camp nurses are all registered nurses or nurse practioners and are available 24 hours a day. WHAT SAFETY MEASURES ARE TAKEN AT THE WATERFRONT? All campers and staff must wear pfds when out in a sailboat, canoe or kayak. On the first day of camp all campers must complete a swim check. Those who are deemed strong swimmers are given a deep end bracelet. They must show this bracelet to our staff whenever the enter the deep-end of the swimming area.