2010 Summer Camps..
Hey, summer is coming! And I can't wait! ... Can you?
Check out our summer camps with the buttons below.
Please Note:
Grade is by grade this Sept.
Age is by Dec. of current year.
All registration fees include the HST.
To know if cabin space is available, or to guarantee a spot, please contact the camp office.
Mountain Bike Trail Info..
We are planning improvements on the mountain bike trail at the main camp, to make it wider and more traversable. We will also make
use of a powerline trail above the other side of the highway for more experienced riders.
Please note that this trail is not a BMX course. It is a trail made for mountain bikes. You may bring your mountain bike or BMX, but our
staff will not allow BMX tricking on the course. The $15 fee for use of the trail, bike maintenance and other costs is only for the bike course
at the main site. Extra fees are already worked into the Ride the Wild SWAT trip.
We encourage users to bring their own helmets and safety equipment. Please be sure to tag your personal items with your name so
that equipment doesn't get lost. Biking will be limited to specific times of the day, and will be shared between other users. Use of the trail
will be subject to the safety rules placed on the trails by supervising staff. Camp reserves the right to cancel the use of the trail or to
disallow dangerous users access to the trail.
Can Parents Help?
There are times when a parent asks if it is possible to help at camp during the week that they drop off one or more of their children.
Reasons may be vaired, but the good news is that we do accept applications for volunteer support staff when we are able. We ask
that you assist your child in their success by keeping distractions to a minimum, and allowing cabin leaders and program staff to
do their jobs.
Support positions may include kitchen, crafts or maintenance help. Please contact the office about this at the time you register.
FAQs for Parents..
About Camper Care
How do I know my kids will be cared for?
Letter from the Director
Staff Training
Trail Ride Training
How do you select the cabin leaders and other staff?
Staff Selelction Process
Criminal Record Clearance
Do cabin leaders stay in cabins with campers?
Cabin Supervision
How do you handle discipline?
Behaviour Management
Discipline
About Camper Life
Are cabins co-ed?
Cabin / Teepee Life
Can I request cabin sharing with a friend?
Cabin Sharing Policies
Encourage New Friendships
What is the average day at camp like?
Average Day at Moberly
Average Day at Trail Rides
What is Tuck?
Our Tuck Shop
Crafts at Sagitawa
About Registration
How do I register for a camp program?
Easy Ways to Register
When is the registration deadline?
Moberly Lake
Trail Rides
Off Season
What if I have to cancel after registering?
Cancellation Policy
What financial programs are available for assisting campers to attend?
Sponsorships
Other Questions
What if my question was not answered?
Main Site 250-788-2361
Trail Rides 250-781-3395
Letter from the Director
Dear Parents,
Over the years our caring staff have worked hard to bring us to the leading edge of Christian camping. We continue to strive for excellence
in programs that are exciting and safe. We provide our carefully chosen staff with intensive training in leadership and safety. This training is
recognized by several colleges across Western Canada.
Gary, with his wife, Audrey. Gary has been directing at Sagitawa since January 1997.
Sagitawa Christian Camping Society is a non-profit, interdenominational organization. We teach the application of Biblical Christianity to the
whole life, upholding moral and ethical values of the home and family.
It is for you that we are committed to excellence, integrity and safety in every part of our program. Since we value people, we also welcome
any questions you may have. Camp Sagitawa is accredited with the BC Camping Association and Christian Camping International.
We look forward to meeting you.
Gary Pryzner
Staff Training
We are serious about providing qualified staff. New applicants and returning staff are normally required to attend our three week Leadership
Training Camp. Applicants to Sagitawa Trail Rides must take part in Trail Ride Training, and are
strongly encouraged to attend our LTC.
While training is normally provided to build levels of quality, we also use it as a measuring tool for that level of quality. It helps us place the
right individual in the right position, much like a final step in the application process.
(see also: Staff Selection )
Being on camp staff is very demanding and we expect a high level of commitment and service from our staff. We train them to consider the
physical, soical, mental and spiritual health of campers a priority: We teach appropriate discipline techniques, and behaviour management.
We teach about homesickness, psychological needs, solving arguments, how to stop the bully. Staff learn how to work as a team, and how
to work the same team thinking into the cabin. Visitors from other camps have often commented on how we accomplish this camp unity far
earlier each week than they have seen elsewhere.
We work on teaching techniques and consideration of the choice of the individual. These are as important while teaching a skill, as they
are while leading discussions about God. Staff learn about servant leadership, effective judgment, risk management, and communication.
Our staff training program is one of the few recognized for credit by several Bible Colleges across Western Canada.
Trail Ride Training
Trail Rides normally uses shorter term staff, and therefore they have seen a need to provide a training program that is specific to each week
of camp. Some of the training will be done by mail/email, and some the day prior to starting each camp, while the remainder is accomplished
during the camping week. Areas of training are similar to those offered at the main camp, with the exception of not needing to learn about skills
or water activities more specific to Moberly Lake.
Staff Selelction Process
Applicants must follow the following selection process prior to becoming staff at either Trail Rides or Moberly Lake or in our Wilderness
Adventure Trips.
Staff must be at least 18 years of age. They are required to relate well to children and youth, and should show a desire to be involved in a
self-giving ministry. They must demonstrate a high level of responsibility and integrity.
Required Steps within the Application Process:
Submission of a completed Camp Sagitawa Application.
Submission of at least 2 adult references (prefer 3). (We contact unfamiliar references.)
Personal interview with the applicant.
Prayerful consideration of each application.
Proof of having no prior criminal convictions or arrests with respect to children.
Acceptance to our Leadership Training Camp.
Successful completion of this training.
Criminal Record Clearance
All applicants (Staff, Seed, Colt) are required to apply to the RCMP for a Criminal Record Clearance. We are most concerned about convictions or
arrests that relate to child abuse. We recognize that these screens do not prove innocence or guilt, and entirely miss individuals who have not yet
been arrested. For this reason we also rely on personal references for information in this area.
How does a criminal record check work?
The applicant signs an agreement for the RCMP to issue a statement to the Camp Director about possible criminal convictions and arrests. The
RCMP computer does a search on similar names and birthdates. For example, a Canada wide search for "John Doe, born on Jan 1, 80" would
turn up as "may have a criminal record" if a record was found for a "Jonathon Do, born on Jan 1, 80." Positive identification cannot be made
without fingerprints.
Our next step of action would be to further question the applicant and references. We would also have the option to request fingerprints so that we
could obtain the actual copy of any matching records. Records are not given without fingerprint identification. If a young offender has a conviction,
the search is returned as "may have a criminal record." However, in this case the RCMP can only issue copies of the record to the offender. The
applicant has the right to give this record to the Camp. Our concern is that maximum care be provided, and that we give no opportunity for campers
to be abused in any way. So our approach and use of the criminal record check is done with care and understanding.
Cabin Supervision
Our cabin leaders fill the position of the 'camp counselor' from years ago. They instruct, lead, supervise and play with their campers. However,
only some camp activities are cabin-oriented. Most are open to all cabins by choice. This flexibility in programming is by design for the sake of the
camper. This means that campers have as much choice of activity as possible. We schedule cabin leaders to lead specific areas of interest during
these optional activities times. Other staff are scheduled to encourage floating campers to join one of these activities.
We design our program with the consideration that all of our campers must be under a high level of supervision at all times. We understand that it is
not possible to have 24 hour supervision. For example, kids going to the washroom are not escorted to the door. Supervision then must be practical
and should demonstrate trust. Yet trust should not compromise appropriate supervision.
One of our models is to schedule daily events so that a complete attendance of campers is taken 9 or 10 times a day. Campers may not even be aware
that staff take attendance during during meals, skills, chapel, discovery, etc. If a camper is missing, the procedure is to inform one of the directors.
Another model is our defined limits during times of optional activites. Campers are only permitted in specific areas. Some staff, selected as floaters,
are responsible to move around and redirect non-purposeful cloisters or individuals to other areas of activity.
After chapel, cabin leaders are required to supervise campers from the time of chapel dismissal until breakfast the next morning. They encourage
a quick washroom break to prepare for the night, getting back to the cabin for some final reflections of the day, and lights out. Cabin Leaders are
encouraged to sleep with one ear awake, and to stay in the cabin through the night, taking leave only for a bathroom break if necessary.
Our standard procedure is to have a maximum cabin leader - camper ratio of 1:8. When spending the night on an out-trip, an assistant joins the
cabin for a 1:4 ratio. During the day, other staff and Seed bring the supervision ratio closer to 1:4. In Trail Rides and SWAT programs, the ratio is
also lower.
Behaviour Management
Managing behaviour is a positive approach, with a preventative objective. The idea is to provide good activities, and teach positive responses
so that campers learn to avoid inappropriate behaviour. This is also an great opportunity to teach the practical application of biblical Christianity,
i.e. learning not to hit back, or to walk away from a negative situation. Staff are taught to recognize potential problem situations early and to help
campers learn how to redirect.
We also provide clear camp rules right from the start. We keep them simple and short, and explain their purpose. We make every effort to treat each
camper with respect and love.
Another application of behaviour management occurs with our team model. One of our first activities in each camp is a Team Development Activity.
The activity requires thought and unity from a group that has in some cases just met. They attempt to attack the problem together. It is concluded
through a cabin debriefing. The group sits in a circle, and discuss how they felt as indidviduals about the way the whole cabin worked together.
Learning to talk like this provides an open atmosphere which helps to control discourage hidden behaviours. The idea is to learn to talk about the
problem rather than fight about it.
Discipline
The meaning of "discipline" is "training." The goal is therefore to assist the individual in behaviour modification. Generally speaking this means
that we may respond differently to two campers with the same negative behaviour. The reason is that campers will respond to discipline in different
ways. After creating a fight one very angry camper finally understood what his behaviour had been like. He responded to me with apologies and
wished he could erase what he had done. I explained the difference between forgiveness and trust. Since he wanted to earn that trust again, I
gave forgiveness, and offered a practical assignment with measureable goals, with accountability. This camper completed his week of camp
satisfactorily. In another situation I started with a similar approach, but the camper responded by assuring me that he was going to continue to be
aggressive. The purpose was unknown, but unyielding. Since he was unwilling to change, discipline was pointless. His lack of wanting to be
accountable meant that he was a danger to the other camper. I put him under constant surveillance until the next morning when he was sent
home.
Methods of discipline might include confrontations with a cabin leader, the cabin group, the program director, or the camp director. It could mean
a phone call or a trip home. It might involve appropriate apologies or compensations. We make every efffort to help campers survive their week
at camp. Only two reasons exist for sending a camper home: 1) a refusal to change behaviour, 2) if the nature of the offense puts other campers
in danger or the camp in a compromising situation.
We believe that discipline is only effective if it is consistent in its goal, fair to the individual, and understood. We teach our staff how to discipline
effectively.
Cabin Life
At the main camp we live in cabins. Trail Riders live in teepees. Campers on our Wilderness Trips live in tents. Each of these provide excellent
opportunities for learning to relate to others. How do you learn to get along with 7 other peers who think differently and have varied ideals? Living in
peace can be difficult for adults at times. So staff are trained to provide leadership by creating team within each cabin unit, teaching communication
skills, and modeling the graces of forgiveness, patience and love.
Parents tell us their kids often change after a week at camp. "They just seem to get along with others better." Alumni tell us, "I made my lifetime
friends at camp." So a week of cabin life is sure to leave its mark.
Though our camps are co-ed, the living units are not. We train male and female cabin leaders to provide live-in care for about 8 male and female
campers respectively. These leaders work hard to help campers have a positive experience away from home. We value the trust relationship that
Sagitawa has with parents, since it helps us provide quality care while keeping lines of communication open.
Cabin Sharing Policies
We recognize that campers come with friends because they desire to have fun together. This is a good thing, and we encourage it by providing for a
maximum request of 3 friends to bunk together. We will split up larger groups however, as it quickly becomes detrimental to the cabin experience. For
example, in a cabin group of 8 campers. 6 close friends will tend to share all their experiences and the 2 new campers are generally left out. In this
case we would randomly split the larger group into 2 groups of 3 and put them in separate cabins. We do not see this as harmful since it encourages
the building of new friends.
Please help us put your camper with the friends you request by ensuring the name(s) are on the registration form. Cabins groups are formed prior to the
camp start, and our general policy states that changes will not be made after the start of the camp session.
Encourage New Friendships
Camp is an excellent place to build new friendships. Some of our activities are done as cabin groups, while others are done as teams, or by camper
choice. Campers who do not end up in the same cabin, may end up eating together or taking skills, swimming and playing together. This type of
schedule also fosters the development of new friendships.
Average Day at Moberly
During the summer we want to take advantage of the daylight. We have chosen to do this by adjusting the schedule so that campers stay up an hour
later and sleep in an hour longer each morning. So after camp, you may find them a bit off the normal schedule. But camp tends to do this to a person
anyway... there are just too many fun things to do.
Generally speaking, we try to keep activities from 60-90 minutes in length. Regular change helps maintain interest for a healthy and growing experience,
while providing consistent and planned opportunities to verify the presence of all campers.
Campers Rise
Breakfast
Clean up (cabins)
Devotions (about 10 min)
Skill 1 (chosen 1st day)
Discovery (Bible time in cabins)
Munch on Lunch
Craft & Optional Activities
Tuck
Swim & Options Activities
Skill 2
Supper
Wide Game
Mug Up
Chapel Fun
Prepare for bed...
Lights out
Average Day at Trail Rides
Trail Rides is a fun and exciting time of being outdoors 24-7! We are nestled along Moose Creek, sheltered by tall, beautiful spruce trees. Trail Rides
provides a unique experience of sleeping in teepees, meals being cooked over the fire, a chance to expand one's horse knowledge, and the opportunity
to experience God's blessings to us, which are renewed every morning. Our days begin fairly early and end at a reasonable hour. The first few nights
tend to be late due to all the excitement of being back at camp, but by days 4/5, everyone seems to be glad to go to sleep.
NOTE: Riding groups are switched around as much as possible to provide interaction on the ride with each of the other teepees.
Campers up
Breakfast
Group 1 Group 2
Saddle Up Chores
Riding Devotions
Lunch on Trail Activities Crafts
Back at Camp Lunch
Tuck shop Games
Devotions Swim & Tuck
Activities Swim Riding
Crafts Back at Camp
Camp Activity
Supper & Chores
Games
Chapel & Mug up
Wash up & bed
Our Tuck Shop
Camp has a Tuck Shop at Trail Rides and at Moberly Lake. Campers may purchase confectionary items, t-shirts, Bibles, and a few camp souvenirs.
We sometimes sell postage stamps and other items as needed. We also sell crafts. (see below)
Crafts at Sagitawa
Camp and crafts have gone hand in hand for many years. At Sagitawa, we try to provide a variety of options. Which of the following would interest you?
Paint a plaque or a picture, make something in leatherwork, make a beeswax candle, design a hemp bracelet or necklace, card embossing, or making
a special window hanging. We do other crafts from time to time. Our prices on crafts reflect the cost only.
Trail Rides has begun to provide a few crafts as well. Model rockets has been one of the enjoyable areas. They are looking onto other options as well
to help make the day interesting.
Easy Ways to Register
Space is reserved by registering in advance, and a minimum deposit must accompany the registration form. Please choose from one of the options
below.
Payment:
We accept cheques, Visa, MC, and cash. Cheques must be mailed or hand delivered. Credit card information may be phoned, faxed, or
mailed. Do not mail cash.
It is possible to register by only paying the minimum deposit. You may wish to pay the full amount up-front. For some of the camps, a $10 discount is
available for those making a full payment prior to May 1. Parents wishing to pay for tuck and t-shirts ahead receive the benefit of skipping registration
lines on the first day.
Registration Form:
The registration form is available online, by mail, by fax and at various locations within your community. The on-line form may be accessed by looking
for the camp of your choice in the Program section of this web-site. At present the only on-line method is to print, fill out and fax or mail the form. (We
are working on a submit form for next year.) If you cannot access this site, you can ask us to send you one, or we can direct you to a place to pick it
up in your area.
Registration Deadline: Moberly Lake or SWAT Trips
We accept 96 campers per session at Moberly, and about 12-16 on SWAT Trips. Registering early can guarantee a reserved space. We have no
actual deadline, but some camps fill up by May 1 while others do not fill up until the week prior to camp.
Our office policy is to respond to each registration as it comes in. Acceptance is shown by receipt, and if a camp is full, we will phone immediately. If
you are still concerned about a camp being full, please call.
Registration Deadline: Trail Rides
Trail Ride camps tend to fill up quickly since there are only 3 sessions of about 30 campers each. Generally you should register before May 1 to assure
acceptance. But please do not ever assume that camps are full until the day after it started.
Registration Deadline: Off Season
Off-season camps do not usually fill up completely, though there are exceptions. But we encourage you not to delay too long as we prefer to have a
general count on who is coming about 7 days prior to the camp start date. This helps us finalize staffing, set up cabins and purchase food.
|
Cancellation Policy
When cancellations are made 2 weeks or more before the start date of camp, 50% of the deposit and all other fees are returned.
If a cancellation is made within 2 weeks of the camp, the whole deposit is kept.
If it is made after the camp has begun, the deposit and the remainder of fees is kept.
Concerns should be directed to the Camp Director. An additional fee will be charged when transferring fees to other campers.
Sponsorships
The Sponsorship Program at Sagitawa is designed to assist with payment of registration fees to those who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Application is made by request and completion of a confidential form available from the camp office. Sponsorships have helped many families and
individuals to enjoy and benefit from attending weekend retreats, special programs and summer camps. This is made possible only through the
generous gifts from individuals and groups who wish to make a difference in someone's life.
