It is pretty quiet around here! After a busy fall with several groups joining us for some Camp O fun, we’ve stored the craft supplies and the paddles for another season. The boats are tucked away, and the sails are furled. The Dining Hall and Kitchen are closed for the season.  Woodworking, archery, climbing…all packed up, ready to be revisited in the spring!
 

After a day of “winterizing”, we took a walk around Camp.  Despite the silence, except for the squirrels clamoring to get ready for winter themselves, we were convinced we could hear the echoes from a spirited summer of 2018.  So many wonderful memories came to mind! From singsong campfires to those amazing “Goku” inspired plays that he wrote and directed for us every session, from the Otter Lake Canoe days when everyone cheered on the paddlers, to a wide open game of “Stones,” we recognized again just how lucky we are!

 
It was an honour to have led a terrific community of Campers and Staff, and to have shared so many life enhancing experiences!  It truly was a summer to remember! Who will ever forget that heatwave? Or the “Suzuki environmental program” that Mimzie and Beamer introduced and led so beautifully?
 
So, here we are, tucking away our memories of 2018 and planning the foundation for new ones in 2019!  We are now looking ahead at the projects planned over the winter months AND kick-starting registrations, staffing and scheduling for next summer! Exciting times ahead!!!
 

 
2019 Registration time! Registration opens November 15!  
 
Our aim is to offer a camp experience to as many children as possible.  Camp provides so many opportunities to grow, to learn, to meet new friends, to be challenged AND to be living in nature! We are absolutely thrilled with the results last summer.  We had full camps for each session last year and there were families who weren’t able to choose their first choice of sessions.  With that in mind, we encourage you to register your children as early as possible!  

 
Classic Camp Sessions (2 week sessions ages 7-16):
 
JUL A            Saturday, June 29 to Friday, July 12
JUL B            Saturday, July 13 to Friday, July 26
 
AUG A           Tuesday, July 30 to Monday, August 12
AUG B           Tuesday, August 13 to Monday, August 26
 
 
Super Starter (1 week session for ages 7-8):
 
After extensive consideration, we have made a change to the age eligibility for our Super Starters program and will be opening registration for ages 7 and 8 years only. Please keep in mind that we only have 8 spots for girls and 8 spots for boys each session.
 
July A
 
Week 1           Saturday, June 29 to Friday, July 5
Week 2           Saturday, July 6 to Friday, July 12
 
July B
 
Week 1           Saturday, July 13 to Friday, July 19
Week 2           Saturday, July 20 to Friday, July 26
 
August A
 
Week 1           Tuesday, July 30 to Monday, August 5
Week 2           Tuesday, August 6 to Monday, August 12
 
August B
 
Week 1           Tuesday, August 13 to Monday, August 19
Week 2           Tuesday, August 20 to Monday, August 26
 
 
Pathfinder Leadership Program (4 week sessions for ages 14-16)
 
July                 Saturday, June 29 to Friday, July 26
August            Tuesday, July 30 to Monday, August 26
 
 
Otter Dailies (Day Camp for ages 6-9 years):
 
Week 1           Tuesday, August 13 to Saturday, August 17
Week 2           Monday, August 19  to Friday, August 23
 
Otter Dailies Weekend Camp (3 days for ages 7 and 8):

Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25
 

 
The Bridge:   It’s been almost 2 years in the planning stages, but we are pleased to announce that we are close to knocking down our office and staff hub, known as “The Bridge” and rebuilding on the same site! Like our Dining Hall, the new Bridge will be a Timber Frame construction with many environmental considerations. We are very excited to move to the next step with the intention of having the building ready for summer, 2019!
Stay tuned for more updates!
 
Our Chestnuts! Nothing is more satisfying and perhaps more “Canadian” then watching a camper or a staff kneeling and soloing a cedar strip chestnut canoe.  Both Muskie and I learned how to paddle in them as campers, so they are dear our hearts.  With the help of our local canoe restoring expert, Dave, we will be working on restoring even more of them this winter.
 
Sail Ho! Last year, we added two new RS Quests to our fleet that complimented our smaller Picos and our 26 ft McGregor dubbed “The Mystic.”  Our plan is to add two more Quests for next summer with an enhanced sailing program that will promote skill development along with the growing love of the sport!
 

 
If you have a camper in your family who is interesting in applying to be a Junior Leader, please encourage them to send a resume and an email to Captain and Muskie by November 30^th.  They can send it to: info@campotterdale.com
 
May you and your family enjoy the last vestiges of autumn, and may your day include at least one camp song!
 
Yours in Camping,
 
Captain and Muskie