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Welcome to Camp Pathfinder
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The Experience Camp Pathfinder has been a historic and fun-filled boy's camp since 1914. Our traditional summer camps and winter experiences provide an active and safe experience for boys aged 7-16. Here they are able to feel success, the value of making friendships with others, and experience a number of adventures in this outdoor adventure camp. The boys are able to eat and sleep well and are able to exercise in a number of ways in this dynamic boy's camp: sailing, hiking, canoe trips, swimming, climbing, court or field athletics, and camp chores are some of the ways which the boys are able to have fun and gain a sense of responsibility in this boy's camp. In this Algonquin summer camp the boy's head back from their experience here with a heightened self-esteem and ethic which can make a drastic impact on their life. They go back to school with much more energy and self-confidence. From their summer or time here they have much more energy from the strenuous activities provided here at the Algonquin Park boy's camp which transfers to their lifestyle. Thus they feed off of this and practice a healthier lifestyle which can transform the way they life to their adult life. Their sense of adventure is broadened by the activities in which they are exposed to here in the summer camp for boys. Some of the activities provided in the Algonquin summer camp mark the first time they experience such activities, which can spawn new interests in certain activities and with nature in general. The boys here at Camp Pathfinder are exposed to how to be a great leader. In comparison to traditional summer camps this Algonquin Park boy's camp, we boast a wonderful staff to camper ratio with Pathfinder counselors who have been campers themselves. They are able to empathize with the boys and are able to represent their personal experiences they had as campers to the boys in the camp. With a staff to camper ratio of 1:2, the boys will receive a great deal of personal attention. The location itself at this summer camp for boys at Camp Pathfinder adds to the amazing experience the boys receive. Located on Pathfinder Island in Algonquin Provincial Park, Camp Pathfinder is set on Ontario's oldest and largest park. Campers from Ontario, Quebec, a dozen U.S. states, and a number of foreign countries aged 7-16 come to attend. Under mature pines and hardwoods, traditional cabins and tent lodges provide a beautiful setting for this boy's woodcraft camp. In the tradition of historic summer camps, modern technology is extremely restricted for campers, which allows the boys to connect to nature and the activities which are provided. In addition, camp transport is provided to and from Toronto, Buffalo, and Rochester. This also includes airport service at Toronto's Pearson International. Many families choose to drive to Pathfinder from their homes in the U.S., Ontario, and Quebec. The drive to Buffalo, NY is under 5 hours. Activities The traditional overnight camp at Camp Pathfinder contains a number of core activities. These core activities are experienced at all age levels by our campers: canoe adventures, swimming and aquatics, paddling, Earth lore, and rope challenges. Also, campers are exposed to a number of stamina and skill-building activities, which are classified as supporting activities: kayaking, sailing, mountain biking, archery, and arts and crafts. Another popular category of activities are expressed in the category of general athletics: basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, tetherball, and disc golf. Wilderness canoe trips and canoe trip camps are a featured activity at the summer camp for boys with respect to how much water surrounds the area. The camps at Pathfinder are extremely action-packed. A typical day begins at 7 am where the boys gather around the morning Flag Pole by 8:20 am. Following this a delicious breakfast ensues, which is always a great experience in respect to the wonderful meals provided at this traditional overnight camp. After breakfast there are different activities which are explained to campers. They may engage in various support activities which include rope challenges, wall climbing, and swimming. These activities will last until 1 pm, which marks lunch time for the campers. An hour of rest follows lunch, and then the main activities ensue for which the camper has opted. After dinner in the evening more activities are available for campers. The younger campers go to bed at 9 pm and the older campers' bed time is at 10 pm. Age Groups Mic Macs & Chippewas:age 7-10 Campers At the boy's camp the Mic Mac and Chippewa tribes are known as the Mics ‘n Chipps. The Mic-Mac tribe is ages 7-8 and the Chipp tribe is ages 9-10. This age group is housed in rustic cabins called Lodges, located along the front shore of Pathfinder Island. These lodges accommodate 6-8 boys and 3 staff men. These senior counselors live in each Lodge, and a camp director is in charge of this age group. The Mic-Mac campers are able to attend one of two special one-week sessions. These one-week sessions give the campers all of the excitement provided by the in-camp activities along with a traditional overnight camp marked by canoe trips. This experience is only a taste of what the Algonquin summer camp has to offer, from these one-week sessions. Surely this taste will leave the boys wanting a longer stay at the North Woods summer camp. Our Chippewa campers have the same great choices traditionally offered at the Pathfinder summer camp for boys. The Chipps may attend for a 2-week or 3 1/2-week session. The older and more experienced of the Chipps campers are able to spend time in activities with age-11 Crees and also get a 4-5 day canoe trip. The unique flavor of the Mics "n Chipps" program is merged and shared by the whole camp community with the excited activities offered. We take great pride in this age group at Camp Pathfinder as they represent the next generation of campers at this overnight summer camp. A normal Mic Chipp day involved a lodge clean-up after the camp breakfast. Following this is a morning of exploration, swim class, and a sports period. A lunch and rest hour follows, whereby campers are able to enjoy an afternoon of choosing their favorite activities. Then later these campers get to play all-camp games with the older boys following dinner. One favorite for these boys is the evening free swim, which would then be followed by a call to quarters, where counselors then read to the boys before they turn their lights out. The next day they may look forward to an overnight canoe trip. Crees:Age 11-12 Campers The Cree aged group is a large and busy group. These campers are able to take advantage of everything the camp has to offer, on the trail and on the Island. Cress are housed in tent lodges which are located along the waterfront of the Island. Each tent contains a counselor and three boys. In the morning Crees have small group instructional periods and optional in the afternoon. A typical day for a Cree would be marked by swimming, climbing, or paddling in the morning followed by choices of sailing, kayaking, archery, mountain biking, athletics, or survival skills after lunch. Canoe trips for Crees are a great way for the campers to explore the area. The canoe adventures may last for three days to a week at a time. This enables Cree boys to build their passion for trips and to get ideas for two or three-week trips as older campers. This age allows them to build size and strength in their development along with their increased interest in the canoe adventures in this outdoor adventure camp. An important focus with this age group is marked by social interaction with peers and counselors. The counselors and staff encourage positive friendships and portray positive ways to interact with others. Also, this age group is marked by the camper developing an expertise with his interest in athletics, canoeing, swimming, climbing, and camping skills. Ottawas: Age 13-14 Campers The Otts are a group which likes to take advantage of what this outdoor adventure camp has to offer. This group is very active; for example, they likely paddle in the backcountry for about half their camp stay of 25 days. A big focus for this age group involves opportunities for high achievement in camp sports. Otts also have the change to practice leadership skills and demonstrate independence in their living areas and activity choices. Otts maintain the 1:3 ratio in each tent lodge, which still maintains the staff's presence. However, campers maintain responsibilities by being allowed to choose how they handle their clean-up duties and how to divide responsibilities. The Otts' boy's camp members also agree to "house rules" in their living areas. Otts have the opportunity to sign up for all-day out trips in kayaks or on trail bikes. They can pursue interests in swimming and canoeing. Another way they can spend their time is to push their limits in rope challenges and survival skills. Otts are able to explore the area of this Algonquin summer camp. Trips can last from a week to over ten days at a time. Once they demonstrate sufficient experience in the area of Algonquin, they are able to go outside of Algonquin onto treks into Temagami and other areas of Ontario. Otts learn how to be an integral piece of the Pathfinder summer camp for boys. They learn how to become leaders around the council fire, develop friendships with younger campers, help with conservation and island stewardship, and set a good example for the camp with the staff in order to build character and become leaders. AAs: Age 15 Campers Age 15 campers are known as "Activity Assistants" or simply AAs. As they will be invited to become members of the staff the following year, they experience canoe trips in preparation for this next possible step. This age allows from wild river canoeing and the ultimate summer camp for boys. AAs will normally go on a 17-25 day canoe trip during the year. For some AAs who attend for the full summer program, they will likely have over 40 days of tripping before the summer ends. Friendship, excitement, and a sense of adventure are heightened in their journeys down rivers in northern and western Ontario. Within the Pathfinder boy's camp AAs who demonstrate a level of leadership potential in the traditions within the summer camp for boys may be invited to join the CIT Leaders Program. This invitation would then begin the next year, initiating a 3-year staff apprenticeship at Pathfinder summer camp for boys. Safety The staff at the Camp Pathfinder, an Algonquin summer camp, is very skilled in order to keep the boys as safe as possible. As there is a level of risk involved in the deep waters with respect to wild river canoeing and simple canoe adventures, our camper to staff ratio of 1:3 is very capable at the prevention of risk involved. Our counselors and guides are highly trained. They also have certifications in first aid, life-saving skills, and paddling. And as a high number of our staff are campers from previous years, they have experienced many of the same canoe adventures offered at Camp Pathfinder. Our high staff ratio is a safe way in which you can feel confident your child is safe. For every two children we are proud to say that there is one highly capable and experienced staff member overseeing these children. These preparations help ensure our canoe adventures, wild river canoeing, and adventure summer camps are the safest possible experience. For instance, a canoe trip typically contains nine men: three guides and counselors and six campers. Each canoe adventure is headed by the Headman, who is then assisted by two assistants: one Second man and one Third man. We have a professionally trained full-time nurse in the infirmary who takes care of health complaints and issues which may arise during the stay in the boy's camp. We also have a full-time on-call consulting physician from the local community, if needed. At the Algonquin Park boy's camp of Camp Pathfinder, the owners and senior camp staff have nearly 15 years of experience. They have varied experience as educators, counselors, and sports instructors to give the children the best experience possible in this traditional overnight camp. Their experience, knowledge, training, and positive spirit allow them to be respected role-models for their traditional summer camp and recreation summer camp that defines Camp Pathfinder. All of the Trip Staff are Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certified. All staff members at the boy's camp is a Red Cross or National Lifeguard Service (NLS; which is certified by the Royal Lifesaving Society of Canada) certified. The counselors are young men aged 17-24, who possess specialized certifications as life guards and wilderness first aid providers. They are also certified swimming, ropes, or paddling instructors. Trip guides and area supervisors are required to pass a three year apprentice phase to works at the North Woods summer camp of Camp Pathfinder. They also have many years of additional camper experience. Safety is top priority at the Pathfinder boy's camp. The director, Mike Sladden, is willing to combat any notion of safety-related concerns. Every session is preceded by a mandatory fire and emergency drill. Our staff's experience, certifications, and training which is inherently based in safety is crucial to the summer camp for boys. Their instruction and knowledge within the activities themselves is an important step in the prevention of safety-related issues and concerns as well. The boy's camp practices are in accordance with our accreditation by the Ontario Camping Association and conform to the health, hygiene, and safety laws of Ontario and Canda. Food The summer camp for boys hosted by Camp Pathfinder is an exclusive source for amazing food at the overnight summer camp. Food is a top priority: on canoe trips and trails, and upon the many physically strenuous activities offered, the boys become very hungry. Our food is homemade on the Island by a chef staff member or put together by the Headman on the trip trail. Our daily fresh meals on the Island are prepared by our chef staff at the Algonquin summer camp of Camp Pathfinder. The ingredients are brought by water to the island, which make for delicious meals. Our own baker prepares amazing breads and desserts which are great after canoe trips and physically-demanding activities. Our menu is based in home cooking traditions and served family style in the Dining Hall where each table seats six campers and two counselors. Our meals place an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean meats, and real fruit juices. The meals at this boy's camp serves whole grains as well. Special Sunday dinners include roast beef and ice cream. After each session we have award banquets, which are famous for the menu and dessert tables. This traditional overnight camp at Camp Pathfinder is able to accommodate special dietary needs and preferences. Vegetarian meals and meals for dietary restrictions are provided. There is a meal plan for nut-allergic campers who are able to self-manage their eating with minimal adult supervision. Before enrolling parents of nut-allergic campers should check with the Camp Director to ensure we are able to take care of their needs at this exciting summer camp for boys. On canoe trips, our Headmen are very skilled in their open-fire cooking. On canoe adventures our campers are able to pack items which can be cooked by our Headmen. A great amount of our trip food is fresh and staple foods, though some freeze-dried trip food is used. For the first night on the trail steaks are often packed. Fajitas, other wraps, and pasta meals are a popular choice. Peameal bacon is a favorite for those on our outdoor adventure camp excursions. Fresh vegetables and potatoes are great for flavor on the open camp fire. Pizza, beef stroganoff, chimichangas, and vegetarian chili also remain trip favorites. Traditional bannock mix for everything from trip bread to cinnamon rolls and fresh tuna-cheese calzones are used at Pathfinder's overnight summer camp. The boys also love Pathfinder's trip fudge. Programs Offered The Algonquin summer camp of Camp Pathfinder's Summer Camp Program is the staple of the program. The boy's camp involves a number of fun and character-building activities, from canoeing camps to trails and more. Canoe adventures are a fun way for boys to spend the summer, in which the red canoes of the summer camp for boys cruise the 3000 square mile area of Algonquin Park backcountry. The younger boys enjoy shorter trips ranging from three to ten days, while the older boys can go wild river canoeing in Ontario and Quebec. These longer trips can range from 12 to 25 days of wilderness canoe trips. The Summer Camp Program at Camp Pathfinder also offers a great in-camp life in this summer camp for boys. This North Woods summer camp allows the boys to learn a number of different activities in the morning, which is devoted to instructional; and in the afternoons, the boys are free to choose from the offerings of one of the best historic summer camps in the area. The boy's summer camp at Camp Pathfinder offers the Pathfinder Mini-Camp. This camp is designed for younger boys aged 6-9. In line with the 1:2 ratio upheld at Pathfinder's summer camp for boys, this mini-camp allows the boys to get a taste of the boys summer camp. Parents drop off the boys and are able to spend Friday afternoon and Sunday morning participating in the fun. The rest of the weekend allows the boys to experience the fun activities away from their family to gain some independence and a taste of what it is like in the normal, longer in duration summer camp for boys. In spring and autumn the summer camp for boys at Camp Pathfinder offers canoe trips and activities in our Wilderness Programs for School Groups. These off-season weeks allow the boys to get a taste of the Algonquin summer camp. Each even features the 3- and 5-day experiences which offer the same activities featured at our traditional overnight camp featured in the summer season. For campers 11 and up we offer winter trips at the traditional summer camp at Camp Pathfinder. These weekend trips are a great way to engage in adventure during the winter season. While staying safe and comfortable in the Algonquin winter climate, campers can see animal tracks, play broom hockey, and try to see the stars and Northern Lights at night. These weekend trips are a fun way to be adventurous while remaining comfortable in our insulated cabins. The Algonquin summer camp of Camp Pathfinder also hosts 3-day events for Pathfinder Family Camp. With great meals, fun things to do, and a great staff this is a great way to enjoy the environment as a family. You may choose to learn how to start your own canoe trips, and learn how to kayak, perform the ropes' course, bush hikes, and more. You may also relax and enjoy the sun while swimming and taking it easy over this weekend as well. This is a perfect way for those contemplating sending their son the following year to enjoy the camp, as well as those families who have campers to stay with their son after his boy's camp is complete. Why Camp Pathfinder? We wholeheartedly believe that our canoe trips and adventure summer camp represents how our atmosphere at Camp Pathfinder's summer camp for boys is a positive and character-building experience. Our programs which are centered on sports and the activities in the outdoors allows the boys to find confidence, ways to build friendships, and a positive environment for the development of many important traits. By engaging in team sports and outdoor activities, the boys are allowed to interact and help with others. We pride ourselves on the positive interaction developed from the stimulating exercises in which the boys engage. The teamwork and comradeship involved in our canoe trips and recreational activities offers an exciting way for them to develop interests in sports and the outdoors. Our atmosphere offers a healthy way for the boys to enjoy the Algonquin summer camp hosted by Camp Pathfinder. The boys are offered a delicious and healthy set of meals, which will develop positive eating habits but not limit their tastes in food and even candy. In moderation, and combined with exercise, we allow the boys to eat their favorite candies while developing healthy eating habits which are supplemented by physical activity. This creates a nutritional and healthy way for the boys to live and to build their own knowledge of healthy eating and exercise habits which they will need throughout their lives. The physical activities presented at the overnight summer camp are also very important for the boy's development. In the emphasis on activity and healthier habits for children the activities offered at the summer camp for boys at Camp Pathfinder allow them to develop their strength, stamina, and cardiovascular exercise while having a lot of fun. As with other positive aspect at our traditional overnight camp we believe these positive aspects which are taught and sustained in their time here at the summer camp for boys will endure throughout their lifetime. The boys are also exposed to the enjoyment of nature and outdoor activities. With emphasis on the lack of technology within the Algonquin summer camp's environment, we believe that this and the number of activities at the boy's camp are instrumental in the development of appreciation for nature. With the beautiful setting offered at the Algonquin Park boy's camp the boys are able to enjoy the water and environment the area has to offer. This and the focus on new and fun activities will offer campers a deeper appreciation for the outdoors and outdoor activities. With all of these dynamics we believe this is a great way for your child to spend his summer at a North Woods summer camp. The experiences and activities gained from his stay will impact his life. Furthermore, these focal points expressed at the canoe camp for boys at Camp Pathfinder will provide a strong foundation for your child's life. From the experiences here to traits such as leadership and friendship-building, and additionally what is learned from a nutritional and health standpoint, we feel the summer camp for boys at Camp Pathfinder would be a great experience as it has been for children in the past. For More Information and Enrollment For more information you may visit www.camppathfinder.com for contact numbers, e-mails, and supplementary information. You will also find enrollment forms and a lot of helpful information, such as parent frequently asked questions (FAQ) and information about the staff and the area. There you will find information on enrollment and other questions or concerns you may have. Additionally, feel free to contact the boy's camp at Camp Pathfinder for a list of parents you may contact who have had children at Camp Pathfinder in the past. This is a great way to get a feel of a parent's perspective and feel more at ease if you are considering a wilderness summer camp for your boy. Of course you may also talk to or contact a member of the staff directly for more information or if you have specific questions pertaining to the boy's camp at Camp Pathfinder. |