Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, we require campers to attend the program within the age requirement posted on our website. Cabins are most successful in their relationships and friendship-building if peer groups are kept within a limited age gap. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at johnislandcamp@ymcaneo.ca.

Cabin groups are organized by age and gender. We do our best to accommodate cabin-mate requests, as long as the requested campers are of the same gender and close in age. Campers are typically placed in cabins with others who are within 1–2 years of their age. You may request cabin-mates during registration, but we kindly ask that you avoid requests with age differences greater than two years, as childhood development can vary significantly over larger age gaps. Each cabin houses 8–10 campers and is supervised by two staff members.

Please include all important health and dietary information, as well as any relevant details about your campers home background or support they receive at school. This information helps us to prepare for a successful stay at camp, ensuring that we meet your camper’s needs and provide the best experience possible. If there has been an update to your campers information please email us at johnislandcamp@ymcaneo.ca.

We’re committed to healthy living and an integral part of that is serving campers delicious and nutritious meals that sustain them throughout all the fun. Our kitchen can accommodate most allergies or dietary restrictions when given advanced notice. Please make sure to include all dietary restrictions & allergies when registering. For those with more severe allergies or dietary needs, we encourage you to contact us at johnislandcamp@ymcaneo.ca to discuss how we can best accommodate your camper’s needs. 

We understand that some campers have severe, sometimes life-threatening allergies to nuts and other food. We choose ingredients and design our menu to minimize the risk to these children and our Tuck Shop does not sell any items containing nuts. When packing, please do not send any products that may contain nut ingredients.

To request a cancellation or refund, please email a written request to johnislandcamp@ymcaneo.ca.

Please note that refunds are not granted for:

• Inclement weather.
• If a camper is withdrawn early by a parent/guardian.
• If a camper is sent home due to misconduct.

A charted bus service is available from locations in North Bay, Sudbury, Espanola, and Spanish. Please indicate on your camper’s registration form if they will be taking the bus To or From camp. All changes to transportation must be made in writing to johnislandcamp@ymcaneo.ca at least two weeks prior to the start of your camp session. Space is limited on the buses and last minute additions cannot always be accommodated.

Bus transportation is available for a fee of $45 per trip.

Bus transportation from North Bay is subject to an additional $20 fee. This bus only operates in July.

If you have chosen to use a family vehicle to bring your Camper(s) to or from YMCA John Island Camp, the drive is roughly 2 hours from both Sudbury and Sault St Marie.

Pick-Up

If you are arriving by car please plan to arrive around 12:30pm. As many as 100 campers are making their way to John Island on arrival days. Please drive carefully on the last leg of your journey — Walkhouse Bay Road. This is a residential neighborhood and the speed limit is 40km/hour. Parking is limited.

Drop-Off

If you are departing by car please plan to arrive around 1:00pm. Campers will be making their way over to Walkhouse Bay Docks by boat and will arrive in groups of 10-12. There will be cars parked and many pedestrians as you pick up your campers please be cautious as you make your way home.

YMCA John Island Camp is located near Spanish, ON, in the unique, inspiring setting of Lake Huron! As an island, campers will be transported by boat from the Walkhouse Bay Road docks to the camp itself. The boat ride is approximately 10 minutes each way, with each boat carrying groups of 10–12 campers at a time. Once all campers have been transported, luggage may travel separately in a designated boat with Camp Staff to ensure a comfortable trip.

Driving Directions from Sudbury

• Head down Highway 17 West to Cutler
• Turn left on Weegwas Road
• Turn left at the first stop sign onto Village Road West
• The camp docks are 6 kilometres down Walkhouse Bay Road

Driving Directions from Sault Ste. Marie

• Head down Highway 17 East to Cutler
• Turn right on Weegwas Road
• Turn left at the first stop sign onto Village Road West
• The camp docks are 6 kilometres down Walkhouse Bay Road

The speed limit on Walkhouse Bay Road is 40KM/H. Please drive slowly as the road can be rough and there are many children at play in the community.

We have three motorboats that transport campers to John Island Camp. Each boat carries groups of 10–12 campers at a time with Camp Staff, and the boat ride is approximately 10 minutes each way. Camp Staff will meet campers at the docks to guide them to the boats. For safety, lifejackets (PFDs) are mandatory for all campers and staff while on the docks or aboard a boat. Lifejackets are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Once all campers have been transported, luggage may travel separately in a designated boat with Camp Staff to ensure a comfortable trip.

Our cabins are rustic and cozy, each accommodating 8–10 campers with two camp counsellors. The cabins feature bunk beds, shelves, and solar lighting. Cabins do not have electricity, encouraging campers to embrace the natural camp environment. Campers should bring a flashlight or headlamp for nighttime use.

Washroom facilities are a short walk from the cabins. At YMCA John Island Camp, we use eco-friendly composting toilets, affectionately called “Rub-A-Dubs.” Each facility includes handwashing sinks, toilets, and solar-powered lighting for convenience. Campers also have access to a centralized shower facility with private stalls, and each cabin is scheduled for a designated shower time once per week. Additionally, there are three all-camp swim sessions daily, along with various water activities to keep everyone active and refreshed. Our staff is trained to support younger campers, providing gentle reminders for tasks like brushing their teeth or changing clothes while away from home.

At camp, we’re committed to healthy living, and an integral part of that is serving campers delicious and nutritious meals that sustain them through all the fun. Meals are served family-style in our Dining Hall or outdoors during out-trips, with hearty portions to keep everyone energized.

A typical day includes breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner, and an evening snack. Here are some examples of meals campers might enjoy:

• Breakfasts: Pancakes with syrup and fruit salad, scrambled eggs with hashbrowns and toast, or waffles with bacon and yogurt.
• Lunches: Chicken burgers with lettuce and tomato, grilled cheese with tomato soup, or macaroni and cheese with a side salad.
• Dinners: Spaghetti with garlic bread and Caesar salad, chicken stir fry with rice, or BBQ burgers with French fries and veggie sticks.
• Snacks: Granola bars, fresh fruit, crackers with cheese, cookies, or Rice Krispie squares.

We can accommodate most allergies and dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, and halal diets, as long as we receive advanced notice. For more severe allergies or dietary needs, we encourage you to contact us at johnislandcamp@ymcaneo.ca to discuss how we can best support your camper.

Please note that we minimize the risk of exposure to nuts by carefully selecting ingredients and designing our menu, and our Tuck Shop does not sell any items containing nuts. We ask families to avoid sending any food when packing for camp.

Let us know if you have any additional questions!

At John Island Camp, we encourage campers to try new foods, but we also understand that not everyone has the same tastes. Our menu is designed to be both nutritious and child-friendly, with meals that appeal to a variety of preferences.

Each meal includes a main dish along with several side options, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Additionally, our toast station is always available during meals, and fresh fruit is readily accessible throughout the day.

We strive to create a positive dining experience for all campers, helping even the pickiest eaters feel comfortable and well-fed. If you have concerns about your camper’s eating habits, feel free to reach out to us before camp begins!

You can stay connected with your child during their time at John Island Camp in the following ways:

1. Email: You can send emails to your camper through the BUNK1 email service. Details on how to use this service will be included in the Camp Guide, which will be sent to all registrants closer to the camp season.
2. Mail: Letters and packages are always a welcome way to stay in touch. We recommend sending your camper with pre-addressed and stamped envelopes so they can easily write back to you. Please use the following address:Camper Name and Session
   c/o YMCA John Island Camp
   Spanish, ON P0P 2A0For shorter sessions, it’s a good idea to send mail before your camper leaves home to ensure it arrives while they’re at camp.
3. Drop-Off Letters/Packages: During camper drop-off, you may leave letters or packages with camp staff. Simply let us know when you’d like them delivered, and we’ll ensure your camper receives them at the specified time.

We’ll include more details about staying in touch in the upcoming Camp Guide, so stay tuned! If you have additional questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out.

Please do not send your camper with any electronics. We encourage campers to “unplug” and focus on connecting with the natural world and those around them. Electronic devices are not allowed during their time at camp. If any devices are found, they will be held in the Camp Office for the duration of the camper’s stay.

Digital cameras are permitted at camp; however, please note that the camp is not responsible for any loss or damage to these items. Campers should take care to keep their cameras safe while enjoying their time at camp.

At John Island Camp, we offer a diverse range of activities grouped into four key categories: Adventure, Waterfront, Outdoor Living Skills, and Creative. These activities allow campers to explore their interests, build new skills, and create lasting memories.

Adventure Activities:

• High ropes challenge course
• Low ropes course
• Climbing wall
• Team-building activities and initiative games
• Archery

Waterfront Activities:

• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Windsurfing
• Paddleboarding
• Swimming

Outdoor Living Skills Activities:

• Fire-building
• Orienteering
• Shelter-building
• Nature hikes and exploration

Creative Activities:

• Arts and crafts
• Drama and skits
• Guitar

Whether your camper loves adventure, enjoys the water, wants to connect with nature, or prefers to express their creativity, there’s something for everyone at John Island Camp. These activities are designed to promote fun, learning, confidence, and teamwork. We can’t wait for your camper to join in!

The Tuck Shop is our camp store, offering a variety of fun items like candy, chips, stickers, patches, shirts, sweatshirts, postcards, and more.

New this summer, families can conveniently pre-load Tuck Shop funds as part of their camper’s registration, making purchases easy and hassle-free.

For general spending, we recommend adding $25 to $50 for the week. If your camper would like to purchase larger items, such as sweatshirts (typically $45), we suggest allocating additional funds to cover these purchases.

As part of their camper fees, all campers will receive a complimentary camp t-shirt to take home as a keepsake!

The safety of our campers is our top priority. All of our staff are trained in First Aid and CPR and receive specific training on how to respond to medical emergencies at camp.

In the event of a medical emergency, our team is equipped to provide immediate care. Both the Blind River Hospital and the Elliot Lake Hospital are approximately a 45-minute drive from camp, and we maintain communication with local EMS, who are notified at the start of the camp season to ensure they are ready to provide support if needed.

Additionally, our remote trip leaders hold Wilderness First Responder certifications, which prepare them to handle emergencies during backcountry trips. Parents or guardians will be promptly contacted in the event of a serious incident involving their camper.

Our goal is to ensure a safe and secure environment where campers can enjoy their time and create lasting memories.

Yes, you will receive updates and have access to photos during and after your camper’s session. Here’s how:

1. Bunk1 Platform:
   • We will be posting photos on Bunk1, which parents can use to send letters to their campers.
   • The specific Bunk1 access code will be provided in our Camp Guide, which will be sent out prior to camp.
   • Parents can create an account to view photos as they are uploaded throughout the week.
   • Only children for whom we have received photo consent will be included in the photos posted here.
2. Social Media:
   • We will share select photos on our social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram).
   • To protect camper privacy, photos will not be posted while campers are currently attending camp. Photos will be shared after their session has ended.
   • As with Bunk1, we will not post photos of campers for whom we have not received photo consent.
3. Email Updates:
   • Cashel, the Camp Director, will send email updates throughout the week to give parents insights into camp activities and highlights. These updates can help parents engage in meaningful conversations with their campers when they return home.

If you have any additional questions about photos or updates, feel free to reach out!