Hanging out around camp on the first day.....

Here we are hanging out all around camp....

 

The boys down at the waterfront :)

Here are the boys down at the waterfront this morning!

First morning reflection - why camp is so special...

Morning Reflection - The first morning of camp- Why camp is so special.....

 

 

Dear Families and camp friends,

It is very early morning on Monday, the campers are still sleeping (hopefully!) and today is our first full day of camp. It's a wonderful time to reflect on why camp is so special.... We often refer to the 'magic' of camp and there is a real feeling of excitement in the air as the kids settle in to their bunks and anticipate the adventures of the week ahead.

It is truly a gift to each of us who volunteer to help organize and run camp to have the chance to share these experiences with your children. Many of our team have known your children over the years as nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, camp volunteers and in other roles in health care, but we each cherish the opportunity to share camp with your kids. It is the chance for us to spend quality time, have quiet reflective moments, one on one conversations, walks through nature, time telling stories around a campfire, sitting on the dock and chatting where we are reminded of what it means to have a week away at camp. We often hear from the kids how much they appreciate the break from the pressures of city life, the chance to meet new friends with similar experiences, and the ability to just have a week of fun. We all enjoy the break from screens, noise, and routine, and relish the magnificent beauty of the camp itself...

Over the course of the week we will have lots of laughter, we will swim in the cool but stunning lake, we will canoe, sail, run and climb, we will overcome obstacles and challenges, we will watch your children make new friends, learn how to coexist in a cabin with many different children and have to adapt. They will learn new skills, try new things, explore new ideas and perspectives. They may feel frustrated or nervous at times, but they will overcome and they will be proud. They will have time to just relax and reflect, they will have time to push their boundaries, be encouraged to try things they have never tried before, they will smile and cheer one another on. These are skills and experiences they will carry for life and we are thrilled to share this magic with your children.

We have an absolutely amazing first day ahead!!!!!
Yours in Camping.
Stacey
On behalf of the Camp Team

Camp 2013 is ON!! The buses have arrived :)

Camp is officially ON!!!!!!!!!!!

The buses have arrived and the kids are settling in! Here are a few early pictures from the buses....

 Off to camp we go!!

 

And unloading at camp!

 

Meet your 2103 Volunteer Staff Team... 1 more day til camp!

Dear Campers and Families,


One more day until camp starts......... We are SO excited!! You can now follow us on twitter for news, updates and amazing pictures!! Follow us @CampKivita

We wanted to introduce you to your 2013 Volunteer Camp Team:





Emily



Christina



Bernie

Wendy!

Dr Jones

Lindsay & Blake

Carina

Stacey





Lindsay

Dr. Ng











A special thanks to our amazing 2013 donors and supporters who make camp happen: The Kidney Foundation of Canada, The Citron Family, David Foster Foundation, KRG Insurance, Paul Martin, Doug Ghent Painting, The Benjamin Walker Foundation, Moti Jungreis, and so many incredibly supportive friends and family who generously donated. We could not do it without you!
 

 Thank you for making our camp dream a reality!!

See you tomorrow at the buses,
Yours in Camping,
The Camp Team

A few days left until camp!!!!

We are just a few days away from camp and we could not be more excited!!!!  As the countdown begins for our buses to depart on Sunday, the excitement is building for summer 2013 at Camp Wenonah!!! Camp is in full gear, the waterfront is open with sailing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, land sports and so much more! The weather has been extraordinary; the staff are ready and eager to welcome you. Be sure to check back here daily for posts and pictures from around camp while it is happening. You can also follow us on twitter @CampKivita

Just a few reminders:

·         If driving your child to camp please note drop off time is Noon to 1pm.

·         Buses depart at 9:30 am SHARP Sunday August 11, at Vaughan Mills Mall (1 Bass Pro Mills Drive), entry #3 between posts 3D and 3E.

·         Please arrive at least 30-60 minutes early at the buses to check-in medications and review for ms. If you are sending your child with a light lunch or snack it must be NUT FREE

·         If you are dropping your child at camp, ensure we have been informed and please arrive between 11:30-12:30

·         Do NOT send your child to camp with cell phones or electronic internet enabled devices – these are not permitted at camp and will be confiscated. No exceptions.

·         Remember to bring a sheet and sleeping bag or blanket

·         For any emergency’s or delays the morning of departure please be sure to message Stacey or Emily campkivita@gmail.com or for medial issues you can phone Christina: 416-909-2863

See you on Sunday!!!!!!!!!!
Yours in Camping,
The Camp Team

           

 

The countdown is on to camp 2013!!!

Dear campers, families and friends,

The countdown to Camp Kivita 2013 has started -  there are less than 7 weeks until camp!!!!!!!!

We are getting so very excited for summer 2013 and are thrilled to report that there are now over 60 campers registered!!!


We will be updating this blog leading up to camp with news and to introduce you to your camp nursing and volunteer team. And of course once camp starts, you will once again be able to check here for pictures and exciting news stories from camp itself, as well as reflections from your leadership team on camp! Once again we will be posting pictures from camp and use this space to share news of exciting activities and camp events with you so that you can share in the magic and joy of camp.


In addition to sharing news, this blog has become a vehicle for those of us who passionately endeavor to bring camp to each of you summer after summer to share our thoughts and reflections on what camp means and why we love it so much.. We are proud to be growing in our fifth summer and acknowledge the incredible team of volunteer staff and our incredible and generous donors and supporters who continue to allow us to offer camp at no charge. We are grateful for the support of the Kidney Foundation, the Citron family in memory of Dr. Ken Citron, Paul Martin & KRG Insurance, The David Foster Foundation, Ben Walker Foundation, and so many friends and families whose donations mean so much. Without them our dream would not be possible.

As school ends and the excitement mounts for time to be outdoors, I cannot help but reflect on what camp meant to me over the years and how this has stuck into my adult life. I recall the first time I went up to sleepaway camp at the age of 7, signed up for 7 weeks....a shyish young girl who loved school and had very little affinity for nature and the outdoors. I remember the trepidation as the bus pulled up that first day at Camp bustling through the dirt road that eventually led to a rustic green paradise on the lake, surrounded by trees and wooden cabins. I recall nervously getting off the bus, with all my belongings in hand.... and being surrounded by a group of grinning, cheering teenagers who literally scooped me up and swept me away into a group of similar aged girls who would go on to become some of my closest life-long friends. Those summers I learned how to throw myself into an icy lake and love it, how to sail, how to make boondoggle bracelets and clay vases, how to canoe and what to do when the boat tips. I learned to love campfires and singsongs and discovered a passion for cheering crazy songs while capturing the flag. I learned that I really did adore rainy days as they allowed my quiet time to talk with my friends and that a camp wide mud fight can actually translate to one of the best days of my childhood life. I learned that it was ok to try new things, to make mistakes, to win and lose, to share and help others. Most of all, camp was a place where I could be free of the humdrum of city life, where I could shed my worries, where we could learn to safely explore our independence, try new foods, new sports, new activities... This is  what camp is all about.

It is magical and can be life changing. It is this magic that we hope to share with your children this summer. We believe that our new camp home at Wenonah -  with its enhanced programming, outstanding leadership team and counsellors, beautiful facilities and health centre, and of course our own awesome committed team of volunteer nurses and staff will make summer 2013 our best one yet. We are thrilled that each of you will be joining us this summer!!!

By now you should have received confirmation and information packages from Camp Wenonah, with detailed information about packing lists, bus departure information, and other important news. If you have any questions or need any information you can log on to the website at www.campwenonah.com or email us campkivita@gmail.com. Medical questions can be directed to Christina, operational questions to Emily, and funding and publicity questions to Stacey.

Stay tuned for more news and pictures.

Yours in camping,
Stacey

On behalf of the camp advisory committee and volunteer team