FAQ

1. Where is Camp Riverwood located?
Camp Riverwood operates at Petticoat Creek Conservation Area in Pickering (PCCA). PCCA is located approximately two kilometres south of Highway 401 on Whites Road. Click here for map to camp. 

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2. What are the camp session dates and what are the hours of camp?
Each camp session is one week in duration. Traditional Camp, Sports Camp and Arts & Science Camp are offered from June 30 to August 22. There will be no camp on July 1 2008 (Canada Day) and on August 4 2008 (Civic Holiday). Full day sessions run from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We do offer before and after camp care for an additional cost.

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3. How old does my child have to be to attend camp?
Camps are offered for children completing nursery through grade 7. High school students that have completed Grade 9 & 10 are eligible to apply for a volunteer position to complete their high school volunteer hours.

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4. What do I do about lunches and snacks?
Parents send a lunch to camp and extra snacks as desired. Campers' lunches are not refrigerated at camp. As a result, lunch boxes or thermal lunch bags must include an ice pack to keep the lunch fresh. Please note that younger campers have a snack time during the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Older campers will be given snacking opportunities throughout the camp day.

Note: For safety reasons, food cannot be eaten on the camp bus. However, water may be consumed when the bus is at a complete stop (i.e. when bus is stopped at a red light).

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5. What is the camper to staff ratio?
The cabin group ratio for staff to campers for our younger campers (completing nursery, JK and SK) is 1:6. For our older campers (completing grade 1 through grade 7) the ratio is 1:8.

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6. What should my child wear?
There is no special camp clothing is required. One bathing suit and a towel must be sent to camp each day. These are brought home daily to be rinsed out.

Campers should have a small lightweight backpack to carry their belongings each day. Generally, shorts, slacks, T-shirts and sneakers are most practical. We suggest inexpensive clothing be sent to camp. Sandals should not be worn to camp. Sun hats are a must!

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7. How do you deal with injuries and sick campers?
Our first commitment is to the well being of each camper. Please be aware that all our senior staff are trained in CPR, first aid and emergency procedures.

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8. Can my child be in the same group as his/her friends?
Our general policy in the Traditional Camp and Arts & Science Camp is to group campers in cabins according to the grade in which they have completed. Our general policy in the Sports Camp is to group campers according to their age and ability. If it is your child's first camp experience and they are a bit nervous, please be assured that our day camp provides an excellent opportunity to meet and make new friends. If your child wishes to be in the same group as a friend, please indicate such a request on the registration form. We will always do our best to accommodate such requests, but cannot guarantee placements.

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9. How often does my child swim? What if my child is not a strong swimmer?
Swimming is offered everyday. We therefore ask that parents pack a bathing suit and a towel for their child daily. We recommend that campers, especially little ones, wear their bathing suits to camp in the morning under their clothing and pack underwear in their backpack.

At swim time, the children are well supervised both by Camp Riverwood staff as well as by the Petticoat Creek pool lifeguards. Children that are not strong swimmers are restricted to and are supervised in the shallow end. Children that do not wish to swim will be well supervised and have the option to participate in games, relax with their friends on the grass or play in the playground.

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10. Do you provide bus transportation and what do the campers do on the bus?
Safe, supervised school bus transportation is offered to and from camp at no additional cost. Camp Riverwood provides point-to-point bus service to Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Brooklin. Your child will get on and off the bus at the stop you designate on your application form. No child will be let off the bus unless a parent or legal guardian is at the stop or unless the camp has received written authorization indicating alternate arrangements.

Campers can expect to participate in creative and outstanding bus activities and camp wide bus programs such as: "Hawaiian Luau" "Medieval day", "Superhero Day" to name a few. These special programs make the trips to and from camp much more enjoyable for campers.

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