Frequently Asked Questions

Is transportation provided?
Can we contact our child while they are at camp?
How does the camp handle homesick campers?
Is camp accredited by any camping organizations?
What is the camper to staff ratio?
What percentage of campers return each year?
What is the refund policy?
What kinds of credentials do your staff have?
Do campers choose their own activities?
Does this camp do Bible study?
What is the food like?
How are prescription drugs and other medications administered?
How do I collect my child's lost and found?
Is there anything I should not bring to camp?
What should I bring to camp?
What is the camps privacy policy?

Is transportation provided?


Campers may arrive at camp by car or they may take the bus. Camper pick-up and drop off are at the southwest parking lot at Harry Ainlay High School (4350 111 Street, Edmonton). Weeks one to six, the buses leave from and arrive back at Harry Ainlay at 6:00 pm. Week 7 and LIT the buses leave from Harry Ainlay at 4:30 pm and return at 6:00 pm.
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Can we contact our child while they are at camp?


Feel free to send your child mail while they are at camp. The mailind address to the camp site is:

Camper Name, Camp #
c/o Camp Maskepetoon
RR#1 Thorsby, AB T0C 2P0
In order to arrive on time, mail should probably be sent before your child has even arrived at camp. We prefer that parents not call their children or visit, as this presents a number of logistical issues and can often have the unintended consequence of initiating homesickness. If you feel you must call your child at camp, please contact the camp registrar. Contact info can be found on the Contact Page . We of course welcome parents to meet with staff and explore the camp upon arrival on the first night, or when picking up your child on the last day.
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How does the camp handle homesick campers?


Generally, campers are so engaged with activities that they don't even think about what they're missing at home. However, some campers do miss home and we have a hierarchy of strategies for dealing with such cases. Homesickness tends to be the worst at meal times and bedtimes, when campers slow down and are reminded of their family routines. During these times, campers receive extra attention from our compassionate program staff to talk about home. Often a distraction such as a bedtime story, a borrowed teddy bear or blanket and the promise of fun activities still to come is enough. Once campers are engaged in activities again, they forget they were homesick at all. Campers may be encouraged to write a letter to mail home. We try to discourage phone calls home, as in our professional experience, this often escalates homesickness. Campers that really want to call home will speak with the director and he or she will arrange the call.
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Is camp accredited by any camping organizations?


Camp Maskepetoon is accredited by the United Church and the Alberta Camping Association.
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What is the camper to staff ratio?


We typically host 75-85 campers a week. We have nine programming staff hired to provide the activities and necessary supervision. In addition, we recruit 12-15 trained volunteers to act as senior counsellors for the week (15 to 18 years old). These volunteers are assigned a group of six to ten campers. Counsellors are responsible for providing round the clock care and ensuring that their campers are having a memorable experience. Each cabin is buddied up with a programming staff member who ultimately oversees the supervision and well-being of campers. This works out to a ratio of about nine campers to one staff member. When volunteer counsellors are considered, the ratio drops to about four campers to one supervisor (volunteer and paid): a higher than industry-average rate.
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What percentage of campers return each year?


It is common for most campers to return year after year and eventually become camp counsellors at Camp Maskepetoon!
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What is the refund policy?


The full amount of the registration fee must accompany the registration form. In case of cancellation after June 1st, $25 will be retained by the camp. A charge of $20 will be levied for NSF cheques. Notice of cancellation must be given at least 4 weeks prior to the camp start date for a refund.
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What kinds of credentials do your staff have?


All our staff are certified in Standard First Aid and CPR. Our lifeguards are certified by the National Lifeguarding Society. All our staff are subject to police record checks.
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Do campers choose their own activities?


We have a variety of programming that allows campers to choose some activities while enjoying all the favorites with the whole camp. A typical day at camp, complete with activity descriptions may be seen on the Typical Day at Camp page
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Does this camp do Bible study?


While we are run under the auspices of the United Church and are rooted in Christian values, we do not do bible study nor do we engage in conversion tactics. We recognize that our campers come from a variety of diverse backgrounds and we welcome all denominations. Our Spirits program focuses on values such as friendship, sharing, and belonging and we always begin each meal with a fun song of thanks. Some of our campfire songs are also rooted in Christianity.
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What is the food like?


Camp serves a wide variety of healthy, well-balanced kid-friendly meals. Fruits and vegetables are served with all meals, and are available both during afternoon snack and evening cocoa. Typical favorites include spaghetti, roast chicken, pizza, hamburgers, tacos, pork chops, pierogi, and french toast.
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How are prescription drugs and other medications administered?


We ask that parents fully disclose medications that their child will need throughout the week. Medication should be sent along with the child in the original packaging or blister packs with full instructions. Upon arrival at camp, our first aid attendant will collect, log and safely secure all medications. Light remedies, such as tylenol and cough syrup, will be administered only with your permission as indicated on the registration form. As per our policy, all drug administration is documented.
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How do I collect my child's lost and found?


Lost and Found is brought in to Edmonton and held by a volunteer. This is because most of our campers are from the Edmonton area and it facilitates reuniting lost items with their owners. Items not collected by September 15th will be donated to charity. Once the lost and found volunteer has been determined for 2011 their contact information will appear here.
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Is there anything I should not bring to camp?


Please leave all valuables, electronics (including iPods and Cellphones), and knives at home. While camp is generally a safe and secure place, personal items sometimes do go missing or are damaged unintentionally, so choose with caution what you want to bring with you.
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What should I bring to camp?


A list of what to bring can be downloaded from the Summer Camp page or from the following links:
What to Bring for camps 1-6
What to Bring for camp 7
Luggage Notice

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What is the camps privacy policy?


  • Information collected on campers, their parents/guardians, on hired staff volunteers will be kept confidential and used only on a need to know basis for the operation of the summer camp sessions. Medical information will be shared only with the Summer Director and the Health Care Professional responsible for that camp session. The Health care Professional or Summer Director will only share this information with other hired staff members if that information is required and only if it is in the best interests of the child.

  • Collection of personal information is limited to only what is necessary for the safe and efficient running of the summer camp sessions for children. The medical and registration forms outline what is required information. These forms are signed by parents/guardians to give permission to use the information in the limited fashion as outlined above.

  • Addresses and registration information of the summer campers will be kept confidential and only used to mail out relevant future camp news and sessions. Camp Maskepetoon will not share or sell any of this information with any other organization or individual.

  • Any volunteer or hired summer staff resumes and files will be kept in a confidential manner and not shared with anyone outside of the Camp Maskepetoon Hiring Committee. The information is kept in strict confidentiality by the Hiring Committee.

  • This policy, as outlined, is available for any individual giving us personal information. This policy is available through our staff manual, board manual, and website.

  • Any individual who has concerns about Camp Maskepetoon's compliance with this Policy will have their concerns addressed and have a written response by the Board of Directors to their satisfaction. Contact the facility administrator, as outlined on the website, with any concerns regarding privacy and protection of personal information.

  • The Camp Maskepetoon registration brochure clearly identifies that Camp Maskepetoon reserves the right to use photos and video of campers for promotional purposes.

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