The Spring of 2018 has seemed elusive around here! The weather has been mostly cold and windy, with flurries and ice pellets.  It’s hard to believe that we will eventually feel that wind warm up and the sun strengthens.  But, Spring is much more than that isn’t it?  It’s a time of making plans and starting new projects. It’s a time when all of the birds return to add their voice to the morning choir.  It’s a time when the crocuses peek through the hard ground to smile up at us.  New, fresh, fragrant, and longer brighter days are happening! Camp O’s forests and fields are coming back to life!  The greening and the budding has begun! 
 
Before we know it, our Leadership team will be arriving in early May with an armload of enthusiasm to get going on projects and preparation for campers and younger staff to join us! Now that excites us and certainly puts us in a spring-like state of mind!!
 
We haven’t been hibernating, however!  It’s been busy here with plans and projects! Presently, we are finishing up the maple season. The sap started running earlier than normal and decided to stay right into April! We have been clearing  trees and brush out the Senior girl’s cabin area, completing the Trip Centre (it needs a flashier name!), transforming the old Blanchard’s cabin spot into a welcoming Gazebo, continuing to work on repairing the cedar strip canoes to add to our summer fleet……… the list of our “to do’s” continues!
 
On the people side, there have been many smiling friends, alumni and interested families dropping by to help us make the maple syrup, and get a tour of the place!  We are very excited to have a full crew of staff, including a new Kitchen Manager on board and ready to make this summer shine like a basket of gladness! Camper registration is in full fabulous swing. It’s been wonderful to connect with many families through email and phone calls. All connections add to the upbeat energy that permeates the air!  Before we know it, we will be seeing many of you at our annual Open House in May! 
 
So, let’s get everyone up to speed……… here are a few pieces of information and highlights:
 

 
Registration for our Camp Sessions is up from this time last year! We have many returning campers and many new campers who will be joining us! If you haven’t registered your child/children yet, we encourage you to sign up soon!  Thank you to everyone who has promoted Camp O and referred new families! It is greatly appreciated.  As you know, we are all strong believers that every child benefits from coming to camp! 

You are invited to join us at our annual Open House and Information Day.   It’s a great day to help us kick-start the summer, to meet our staff, to take a tour of the property,  to see and learn more about Camp O’s programs and activities, to enjoy a treat right out of our wood-fired oven.  It’s a great day for our returning families and alumni to join us too!  There’s nothing like reuniting with friends to remind you that Camp Otterdale is a place where everyone belongs!

Pathfinders (ages 15-16) and Double Classic Camp (ages 7-14)

JUL Path/D-Class	Saturday, 30 June - Friday, 27 July
AUG Path/D-Class	Tuesday, 31 July - Monday, 27 August

.
Classic Camp  (Ages 7-15)

JUL A	Saturday, 30 June - Friday, 13 July
JUL B	Saturday, 14 July - Friday, 27 July
AUG A	Tuesday, 31 July - Monday, 13 August
AUG B	Tuesday, 14 Aug - Monday, 27 August

 
 Super Starter Camp (1 Week for Ages 7-9)

JUL A Super week 1	Saturday, June 30 - Saturday, July 7
JUL A Super week 2	Saturday, July 7 - Friday, July 13
JUL B Super week 1	Saturday, 14 July - Saturday, 21 July
JUL B Super week 2	Saturday, 21 July - Friday, 27 July
AUG A Super week 1	Tuesday, July 31 - Tuesday, Aug 7
AUG A Super week 2	Tuesday, Aug 7 - Monday, Aug 13
AUG B Super week 1	Tuesday, Aug 14 - Tuesday, Aug 21
AUG B Super week 2	Tuesday, Aug 21 – Monday, Aug 27

 
 OtterDailies Day Camp: (Ages 6-10)

OtterDailies Week 1	Monday, Aug 13 - Friday, Aug 17
OtterDailies Week 2	Monday, 20 August - Friday, 24 August

Each two-week camp session has a fun theme that are chosen from the dozens of ideas we receive during the winter from staff and campers.  We attempt to incorporate the theme into our daily routine and our evening programs. All in good humour, the themes provide a springboard for hilarity, creativity and the forming of our Camp Otterdale community.  With the themes chosen for the Summer of 2018, we have no doubt that a few good laughs will be had by all!  To the campers and staff……..let your imagination soar and don’t forget to pack a costume!

July A: Globe Trotting Tourists
July B: Space is the Place
Aug A: Disco Safari
Aug B:  Camp O’s Got Talent