Thank you to everyone who attended our Information Session in Toronto last weekend! We had a huge turn-out – more than 50 people, unexpectedly spread over a period of 4 hours, due to the road closures and the Marathon! It was exciting to meet so many campers who will be joining Centauri for the first time this summer.
An Information Session is a terrific opportunity to meet the camp directors (and some of our camp counsellors) and also to view photos, videos, menus, handouts and testimonials about camp. It is also a chance listen to a presentation about Centauri and its philosophy, and to ask questions. As many of our new families live too far away to attend information sessions, I am listing some of the many questions our parents and campers had this past weekend, along with our responses. If you have a question not listed here, check our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ on the camp website, or be sure to call the camp office.
What makes Centauri unique?
Our three way focus: on Camp, on Community and on the Arts. Centauri is a special summer home for young people who love the Arts. It is also a place that values Community and family above all else – young people can feel free to express who they truly are, and to celebrate their uniqueness. And we use the exciting model of overnight Camp to do everything we do.
My child has special dietary requirements – can you tell me about the food at Centauri?
We offer wholesome meals, cooked with fresh ingredients in our kitchen. Very little is pre-packaged. There is a range of choice for breakfast, meat or vegetarian options for lunch and dinner, and we offer a salad bar with multiple options too. Snacks include homemade granola bars, fruit, cheese trays and muffins. We have occasional desserts – such as ice cream sundaes on the last evening of each session – and a tuck shop filled with healthy (and not so healthy!) treats. We do our very best to exclude nut and peanut products, and can often cater to other dietary needs with advance notice.
Do you have a Heath Centre on camp?
Yes. We have a well stocked health centre, a camp nurse and a medical assistant. We have an excellent health and safety record, and our camp is located just 10 minutes from local medical services.
How many counsellors will be working with my child? How many campers?
Most of our dorms hold a maximum of 8 campers. For younger children, there are always 2 counsellors with each dorm. For older children, one counsellor is with the dorm all of the time and a second counsellor is with the dorm part of the time. Campers are grouped according to age, with two grades often combined to ensure a good mix of new and returning campers.
What is your technology policy?
We strongly prefer than cell phones (or at least Sim cards) are left at home. Campers are permitted to use their hand held devices to listen to music, but only in the dorms. Please leave iPods and laptops at home unless you need them for your program. If your teenager absolutely must bring their cell phone to camp (for example, if they are travelling internationally) then they will be able to use it to call home approximately one day in three, at a designated time. Phones are never permitted in the dorms because of privacy issues, and because camp is about getting a break from all the social stresses we face in the real world!
What if I have more questions?
Our Camp Manual is now available on our website, and should answer all the practical questions you may have about camp (for example, what to bring, what time to arrive). Otherwise, please call us at 416 766 7124 and we would be delighted to help.