Northern Ontario summer camps prepare for their big comeback


For many camps, summer 2022 marks the return of campers and normal activities.

For Pierre Dorval, who is part of the Ongrandi camp volunteer team, both the team and the campers are impatiently awaiting this return.

A red cottage

The refectory where the children of the Ongrandi camp take their meals during their stay at Lac Rémy.

Photo: Camp Ongrandi

Over the past year we’ve tried a number of things like a virtual camp, which hasn’t been popular because the students have spent the year at school virtually, so we’ve quickly converted to doing camp days in the communities. This is where parents and young people told us they were really looking forward to camp coming backsays Mr. Dorval.

He adds that the camp management still had to adapt certain processes to take into account the realities linked to the pandemic.

Dinner times may need to be adjusted to limit larger groups and larger gatherings, and all of our large gatherings will have to be outdoors.he explains.

Other changes will be attempted at camp this year. We return with the camp experience as before, except that we will try an experiment to offer day camp services during the summerexplains Mr. Dorval.

Children at Camp Ongrandi in Moonbeam can canoe on Lac Rémi.

Children at Camp Ongrandi in Moonbeam can canoe on Lac Rémi.

Photo: Radio-Canada

Mr. Dorval says that by offering day camps, it is possible to offer experiences to younger children.

Unlike many businesses in Ontario, Camp Ongrandi had no trouble finding its workforce to complete its team for the year.

We take a chance

At Camp Soleil, in Noëlville, campers are also expected for a complete experience for the first time since 2019.

But on the side of the management, we approach the next camp season with certain apprehensions.

Kayaks on the beach.

Young people enjoy the kayaks during their stay at Camp Soleil.

Photo: Radio-Canada / courtesy Summer camp at the Soleil du Nord

According to Régent Dupuis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Camp Soleil, several aspects remain uncertain regarding the 2022 camp season.

We are taking a chance in the sense that the pandemic, we do not know where it will take us. […] But since we feel that it is better managed, that there are many more people vaccinated, we think that we can navigate the risks during the summersays Mr. Dupuis.

A smiling man

The president of the board of directors of Camp Soleil, Régent Dupuis.

Photo: Radio-Canada

Among the risks, the organization could have to change its plans temporarily if some of their workers have to take a break due to the virus.

Since we are a non-profit organization, we do not have the flexibility to hire additional people in case of absenceadds Mr. Dupuis.

The organization still keeps a list of people who could come and replace workers who are absent.

As far as recruitment is concerned, Camp Soleil had for a rare time to advertise numerous positions to be filled in view of the summer, particularly in order to recruit new students to work as counsellors.

In two years, a lot of things may have happened to our post-secondary students, they may have graduated, they may have moved to another city, they may have found another job, so we lost over 50% of our past employeesobserves Mr. Dupuis.

If he is feverish at the idea of ​​reopening the camp, Mr. Dupuis does not want his camp becomes a source of transmission of the virus in the community.

We don’t want to be forced to close the camp, that would be the worst case scenariohe adds.



Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca

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