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Camp Wanapitei
Temagami, Ontario, P0H 2H0
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Type:Overnight camp, Family programs
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Focus:Wilderness Out-tripping
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Cost:$1,090 to $1,250/week
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Ages:7 to 18
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Gender:Coed
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Main language:English
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Capacity:Varies
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Programs:View 8 available; 3 TBD
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Summary Profile
About Camp Wanapitei
The Camp Wanapitei mission is to inspire, through the wilderness canoe trip, a sense of adventure, self-awareness, confidence, compassion, and deep connection to the natural world. Our highly skilled staff has introduced young people from around the world to adventures in beautiful and majestic Canadian landscapes. An experience with Wanapitei is an investment in life.- Special needs: Not available
- LGBTQ+ friendly community
Photo Gallery
Video Gallery
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Programs, Rates & Dates
Programs and Sessions Calendar
Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Camp Wanapitei currently has 8 programs available; 3 TBD.
Filter activities :
Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 16
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$5,440 to $5,490Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 01-28 Cost TBD Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 31-Aug 28 $5,490 Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 12 - 13
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$2,540 to $5,030Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 01-13 Cost TBD Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 31-Aug 28 $5,030 Temagami, ON
Sandy InletAug 15-28 $2,740 Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 1 - 18+
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$123Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 01-Aug 28 $123 Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 14 - 15
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$2,705 to $5,355Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 01-13 Cost TBD Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 31-Aug 28 $5,355 Temagami, ON
Sandy InletAug 15-28 $2,905 Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 10 - 11
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$2,540 to $2,740Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 01-13 Cost TBD Temagami, ON
Sandy InletAug 15-28 $2,740 Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 18
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$11,215Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 01-Aug 28 $11,215 Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 12 - 17
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$11,305Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 01-Aug 28 $11,305 Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 17
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$6,830Temagami, ON
Sandy InletJul 31-Aug 28 $6,830 Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 17
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$6,630Temagami, ON
Sandy InletDate TBD Cost TBD Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 16 - 17
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$2,905Temagami, ON
Sandy InletDate TBD Cost TBD Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 7 - 9
Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity)$1,090Temagami, ON
Sandy InletDate TBD Cost TBD
Financial Aid & Payment Details
Payment Options:
Deposit required with acceptance Yes Credit card payment Yes Maximum installments available 4 Discounts
Discount if paid early 2% Discount for 2nd child 10% Discount for 3rd child 12% Discount for 4th child 12% Scholarships & awards:
Total annual scholarship fund: $4,000 CAD-
Camp Wanapitei Camper Bursary Fund
Type: Need basedAmount: 75% Deadline: Rolling annually
Details: Concession of full or partial program fees awarded to 1-2 campers annually at the discretion of the camp directors. Based on need.
Application Details: Inquire by e-mail: [email protected] -
Taylor Statten Camping Bursary Fund
Type: Need basedAmount: 75% Deadline: February 28, 2014 annually
Age: 11 to 16
Details: Families demonstrating financial need with children aged 11-16 (exceptions may be made for older campers) wishing to attend camp for up to one month.
Application Details: Please contact Camp Wanapitei for an application form: [email protected] The TSCBF webpage outlines the full application process. -
Kids in Camp
Type: Need basedAmount: 50% Deadline: Rolling annually
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Insider Reviews & Perspectives
The Our Kids review of Camp Wanapitei
For some, the concept of canoe tripping can be a bit daunting, something that Wanapitei director Eoin Wood readily admits. Wrapped up within the concept, at least to the uninitiated, is the need for parents to let their kids get out there, to make their own experiences, and find their own place in the world. Tripping is conducted with those kinds of goals in mind. Member of Parliament Carolyn Bennett, a great proponent of canoe tripping, has said that “kids need to be able to forge friendships and again experience and take risks … Figuring out who you can trust and who you go to with problems, how you sort out who is a leader you can trust.” She notes that the people she has brought along with her, particularly around the development of Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, are the people she has been on canoe trips with. It’s precisely in that spirit that Wanapitei has developed its tripping programs since it was founded in 1931. It’s challenging, and that’s part of it, though the risks are personal, not physical—the leadership at Wanapitei is as good as it gets, and the strength of the program is a testament to that. The experience of being out in nature, far from the noise and bustle of the world, working closely together with a group of peers and leaders is one that can be utterly transformative in the life of a young person.
Visit camp's website
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Location & Site Details
Address
Sandy Inlet, Temagami, Ontario, P0H 2H0, Canada
Busing
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Toronto North Bound (To Camp) (Bus fee: $35-$115, depending on stop)
Location Address Pick up Drop off Toronto/Vaughan - Julliard Public School 61 Julliard Drive, Vaughn, ON 10:45 am 3:30 pm Gravenhurst - McDonalds 1105 Bethune Drive South, Gravenhurst, ON, Canada 12:30 pm 2:30 pm Huntsville - Harvey's/Swiss Chalet 150 Hanes Road, Huntsville, ON, Canada 2:00 pm 12:30 pm Temagami - Train Station Temagami, ON, Canada 4:45 pm 9:15 am -
Ottawa South Bound (To Camp) (Bus fee: $81-$115, depending on stop)
Location Address Pick up Drop off Ottawa - Immaculata High School 140 Main Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada 10:45 am 3:30 pm Deep River - Tim Hortons 33235 Highway 17, Deep River, ON, Canada 2:00 pm 12:30 pm North Bay - Bus Station 100 Station Road, North Bay, ON, Canada 3:30 pm 10:30 am -
Toronto South Bound (From Camp) (Bus fee: $35-$115, depending on stop)
Location Address Pick up Drop off Temagami - Train Station Temagami, ON, Canada 9:15 am Not provided Huntsville - Harvey's/Swiss Chalet 150 Hanes Road, Huntsville, ON, Canada 12:30 pm Not provided Gravenhurst - McDonalds 1105 Bethune Drive South, Gravenhurst, ON, Canada 2:30 pm Not provided Toronto/Vaughan - Julliard Public School 61 Julliard Drive, Vaughn, ON 3:30 pm Not provided -
Ottawa North Bound (From Camp) (Bus fee: $81-$115, depending on stop)
Location Address Pick up Drop off North Bay - Bus Station 100 Station Road, North Bay, ON, Canada 10:30 am Not provided Deep River - Tim Hortons 33235 Highway 17, Deep River, ON, Canada 12:30 pm Not provided Ottawa - Immaculata High School 140 Main Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada 3:30 pm Not provided
Accommodations
Sleeping Accommodations
- Cabins
- Tents
Washrooms Facilities
- Outhouses
- Showers (indoor)
More details about accommodations: When in camp, campers stay in single-gender dormitory-style cabins – each with up to 12 beds. Older campers will often stay in tents. The camp is “off the grid” with limited hydro coming from an on-site generator. Outhouses provide the toilets with running-water wash stations nearby for hand washing and incredible hot water showers in the shower house. All running water on our property is potable.
Are meals provided? Yes
Is Camp Wanapitei technology free? Yes We are fortunate enough to be in an area of Ontario without cellphone coverage. Nevertheless, cell phones are not permitted at Wanapitei. Campers are permitted to listen to music in their cabins during rest periods and at night. No electronic devices, except for cameras, are permitted outside the cabin. On trip, our policy is "unplugged" music only - instruments and voices, no devices.
Property Details
Sports facilities
- Archery Range
- Soccer Field
Landscape
- Beach
- Forested Area
- Lake/Pond/River
- Nature Trails
- Open Field
More details about property: The Wanapitei site is on 42 acres of mixed pine and deciduous forest on the north shore of Lake Temagami. A two-kilometer stretch of white, sandy beach is perfect for playing and swimming and campers can have their first taste of river canoeing on the Red Squirrel River which flows through the middle of camp. The picturesque Red Squirrel Falls are only a short hike away and the camp is an easy departure point for many beautiful hiking trails and thousands of kilometers of flat and white water canoe routes.
Rentals & Services
Offers outdoor education program for schools or corporate groups: Yes
Please contact us to custom design your program.
Available for private rentals: Yes
We offer private rentals of cabins during our off-season. We also have an on-site heritage lodge with rooms available during our summer season.
Associations
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Toronto North Bound (To Camp) (Bus fee: $35-$115, depending on stop)
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What's New
Director's Message
Erin Sunstrum and Gill Thompson, Director
Over 30 years combined experienceI fell in love with summer camp immediately upon starting my first camp job in 2004. I started as an Outdoor Centre staff and Arts and Crafts instructor at Camp White Pine and knew right away I had found my calling. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Bachelor of Education, I spent a year teaching abroad… but camp was calling me home. In November of 2010, I accepted a position with Camp Wanapitei to cover a maternity leave. I spent an amazing year getting to know the community and knew that I had found my place. After some part-time work as the Administrative Director, I joined the full-time staff team officially in January of 2015. Fast forward to the fall of 2019 when I accepted the role of Director.
I come into the position with tonnes of institutional knowledge and training from our outgoing leadership team. I am an active member of the Ontario Camps Association, sitting on the Annual Conference Committee since 2016 and presenting at camping conferences on topics such as Wilderness Trips and Your Health Centre and Incorporating Mindfulness Programming into Summer Camp. I am certified in Mental Health and Psychological First Aid, as well as a trainer for Project Wild and AdventureSmart. I am currently pursuing post-graduate studies in the field of Counselling Psychology, with the hopes of finishing my Masters in the next three years.
I believe the most important part of summer camp is the community – a place for children and youth to find a sense of belonging away from the pressures of an increasingly challenging world. The Wanapitei experience allows for campers and their leaders to have that sense of place while challenging themselves in new and exciting ways, all with the backdrop of some of the most beautiful parts of our country. We are passionate about our programs and all that they offer.
We invite you to call or email us to discuss Camp Wanapitei with you and your family. Phone: 519-767-91714 or email: [email protected]
Erin Sunstrum
I love Wanapitei! I first came here as a 2-week Pioneer camper in 2004 and haven’t really left. As a camper I felt immediately connected to this community. My leaders were positive and inspiring role models who encouraged my love of adventure, and who helped me learn how to be comfortable in my own skin. I want to help others find that same sense of belonging.
After my camper career, I was a Wanapitei trip leader for seven summers, and trip director for three summers. I led every level of trip that Wanapitei offers, travelling through incredible places with wonderful people. After finishing school for Outdoor Recreation in 2012, I spent my time travelling and working at different camps and outdoor centres. In 2014 I started working at the Kandalore Outdoor Centre where I was an instructor for several seasons before moving to a full time position as Program Director in 2017. Although I will always love being out on the “front lines” on canoe trips or at activities, I also really love approaching camp from a management position, and I’m grateful to continue doing that work at Wanapitei. I feel very fortunate to be able to do this job with Erin.
We can all learn from being in nature. Whether it’s self discovery, making connections with others, or just learning some cool facts about frogs, being on a canoe trip can really give you a new perspective. I love hearing stories about trip - paddling the beautiful waters of Temagami, making your way to James Bay, or even dragging your boat up some unnamed creek in the north. Our experiences may be different, but the common thread of our community ties us together. Looking forward to hearing your stories next.
Gill Thompson
In the News
December 13, 2018
Emotionally Preparing for Camp
The lead up to camp is an incredibly exciting time for a child - and it can also be an anxious time as well. ... Read More
November 10, 2015
Wanapitei 101: What is Family Camp?
Family Camp runs from August 12th to 17th this summer, with a three night option available beginning August 14th.... Read More
November 10, 2015
Co-Ed Rocks
How co-ed camps break down gender roles and encourage a whole person perspective.... Read More
Stories
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Reflections 52 years Later
Here it is 52, yes 52 years, since i first started at camp with Stan and Laura Belle...we went to their home in Kitchener from Windsor, met up with other campers and continued with the Hodgins on to Wanapitei ...as a small child it was hard the first time, but over the next seven years it was the best experiences of my life. To this day, I remember camp like it was yesterday. It shaped me into the person i am today, and i am forever grateful. We have a cottage,and I still canoe and appreciate all that mother nature has to offer. Thanks again Wanapitei!
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ORCKA Clinic
Each session our Wilderness Leaders in Training take part in a seven day moving-water clinic run by an ORCKA certified instructor. This past summer our August WLIT group traveled to the Dumoine River, where they had the opportunity to learn new paddling skills. All of the campers worked extremely hard and achieved levels through the ORCKA program.
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Going Bananas
To mark the beginning of each session, we like to welcome the campers with an Opening Campfire. The Wanapitei staff truly enjoys nothing more than dressing-up in costumes and leading the campers in both new and old songs and skits. Whether a camper is at his or her first or fifth campfire they are guaranteed to have fun.
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Taking in Centre Falls
This past July, our Temagami campers (ages 10-11) set out on a six day canoe trip in the Temagami area. The group left from Wanapitei and paddled to Diamond Lake, with its ancient pictographs, and into the famous Lady Evelyn Lake. From there they paddled up the south channel of Lady Evelyn to Center Falls. At Center Falls the group took a well deserved break from paddling and the heat. An afternoon of playing in the water at the base of the falls was exactly what the group needed before they began their journey back to the shores of Sandy Inlet and Wanapitei.
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50 Days in the North
This past summer a group of 12 Voyageur II campers and two leaders set off at the beginning of July for the Yukon Territories. The group flew to Whitehorse and then took a shuttle to the South MacMillian River, where they began their 50 day adventure. From the South MacMillian, the group began a challenging up-stream portion that brought them to the South Nahanni River. After paddling down the South Nahanni for a few days, they headed up-stream to the Natla River. The group followed the Natla to the Keele River and ultimately to the MacKenzie and their final destination of Norman Wells. The group traveled through two territories, completed two challenging up-streams, and paddled some amazing whitewater. Their stories and pictures of the landscapes they saw are absolutely breathtaking. The trip truly was the experience of a lifetime.
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The Best Summer
I completed the Wanapitei Leader in Training program and it was the best summer of my life so far. I was having adventures with my best friends, doing worthwhile work and learning a wide variety of new skills that will serve me well in whatever path I choose to follow. Most importantly for me, however, is that I spent almost every day, 24 hours a day, with my friends; creating together, supporting each other and learning from each other. Another thing that made it significant is that I spent time as a counselor and got to share what I love about camp with young children. The only downside was having to go back to school after such a fabulous summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of programs does Camp Wanapitei offer?
Camp Wanapitei runs: overnight camps. Programming specializes in: Wilderness Out-tripping, Traditional (multi activity) . Browse the program calendar for rates and dates.What age does Camp Wanapitei start?
Camp Wanapitei has programs for children aged 7 to 18.How much does is cost to attend Camp Wanapitei?
Fees to attend Camp Wanapitei range from $1,090 to $1,250/week.Does Camp Wanapitei offer support for children with special needs?
Camp Wanapitei does not offer support for children with special needs.Does Camp Wanapitei offer busing?
Yes, Camp Wanapitei offers transportation. Find busing info and fees here.
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Reflections 52 years Later
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