Algonquin Experience Camp

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Algonquin Experience Camp, was established as a joint venture between the Central Toronto YMCA and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in 1979, and operated for 3 years. The goal of the camp was to provide a residential summer camp experience in the natural park setting Algonquin Park for Ontario children, between the ages of 9 and 15, who otherwise would never have the opportunity to attend such a camp. The camp's first and only Director was Ted Fauteux, now Director, Resource Development at the United Way of Peel Region.^[1]

[edit] Setting

Algonquin Experience Camp was situated on the north east shore of Whitefish Lake in the south central area of Algonquin Park, just south of Highway 60. The Camp had several rustic buildings which were used for camp administration, mess hall, drying wet camping gear, and as a residence for the in-camp naturalist. The camper cabins, however, were constructed of portable structures, each named after one of the watersheds protected by the park: Bonnechere, Amable du Fond, Petawawa, and Madawaska.

[edit] Camp Activities

There were four "sessions" over the course of the summer, starting in early July. Campers arrived by bus from Toronto and stayed for two weeks. During each two week session, campers would go on 4-night canoeing trips into the interior of the park. The canoe route chosen depended on the age and general athletic capabilities of the campers taking the trips. When not on a canoe trips, days were filled with other activities such as swimming, canoeing or sailing on Whitefish Lake, rock climbing, and games such as "Ants" (a nature-themed variation on Capture the Flag) played in a sand quary, "Stones" played in an open field near the camp, and "Survival" (another nature-themed game in which participants were given animal roles of herbivores, omnivores or carnivores) played on an island close to the camp.