What are the benefits of sending my child to summer camp?
Self-Esteem
Confidence comes from knowing you can do what you set your mind to do. Taiga Adventure Camp (TAC) inspires campers by tailoring challenges and goals for each girl to accomplish and build upon during the camp session.
Healthy Lifestyles
TAC campers are are well looked after. They eat well and get plenty of exercise. Confidence and leadership activities teach campers about self-respect, having respect for others and making healthy personal choices.
Role-Modeling
Camp staff, guest speakers and peer campers arrive at camp with unique talents, diverse backgrounds and personalities. Each one is a role model.
Relationship Building
TAC is an opportunity for campers to create friendships with girls their age from across the Territories. They will encourage each other to become involved in school and community activities which promote travel and exchange opportunities.
Outdoor Skills
TAC offers a variety of outdoor activities lead by qualified professionals, including: water and wildlife safety, all levels of swimming, canoeing, group sports, nature study and overnight camping.
Travel
Each year TAC sets up a camp in a new community. What a tremendous opportunity to experience the diverse regions of the NWT.
Independence
Most campers will have had few, if any, experiences living away from home. By developing their independent living and social skills, campers will be better able to manage their responsibilities and emotions - especially for those who will attend high school, university, college, or travel and work in larger communities, down south or overseas.
Fun
Having fun is an important part of life. Going to camp is an exciting event that campers look forward to and enjoy.
Cultivate New Skills and Talents
Campers have multiple activities to choose from and are encouraged to try out new activities and develop their many talents.
How can I make sure my child will be safe?
Safety is our number one concern. Campers will be housed in a secure building to which only TAC staff have access. Camp staff have all cleared security checks and know first aid. While out on the land, campers will be travelling with guides and persons trained in outdoor survival. All campers will be supervised when swimming by trained lifeguards. All campers will also be instructed in bear safety, water safety, and outdoor land survival.
What does my child need to bring?
Sleeping
- 1 Sleeping Bag
- 1 Pillow
- 1 bed sheet
- 1 blanket
Please ensure that any medication your child needs, along with instructions is included in their camp gear. All medication is to be given to the Camp Health and Safety Coordinator upon arrival at the camp.
- Emergency contact information
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo, soap and toiletries
- Band-aids (just in case)
- Bug Spray and Sunblock
Remember it's camp and clothes will get dirty. Campers will not typically be doing laundry while at camp so be sure to take enough clothing.
- Swimsuit and towel and facecloth
- Hat and sports clothes
- Rain gear
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Pants
- Sweatshirt
- Undergarments and socks
- Pajamas
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Running shoes
- Jacket
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Whistle
- Backpack (for canoe trips)
- A book, small game or deck of cards
- A journal or plain paper and addressed, stamped envelopes to write home
How much will it cost?
The cost to each camper is $250. This can be paid online or by cheque or money order payable to YWCA (Taiga Adventure Camp).
Please send your payment to:
Taiga Adventure Camp
PO Box 1196
Yellowknife NT. X1A 2N2
The actual cost per camper is $2,500, but through fundraising efforts Taiga Adventure Camp is able to subsidize that cost. We welcome additional contributions and will provide you with a charitable tax receipt. If you're interested in making a donation click here.
How long is each camp session?
In 2008, there will be two camp sessions during the month of July. Each session is ten days in length from beginning to end.
What is my role as a parent/guardian?
Pre-Camp
Be supportive of your child's camp adventure. For many campers going to camp is an exciting, but also daunting experience. If your child is anxious about the time away, reassure her that camp will be fun. You can also make the trip more comfortable by:
- Going over the schedule together before she leaves by reading over the list of activities and events. This will help your child understand anything she is unsure about. Your enthusiasm for all the fun things she will be doing and all of the friends she will make will surely add to her excitement.
- Mail a letter to camp ahead of time so it arrives mid-week during your child's stay. Check in with the camp administrators to make sure mail will be delivered to your child.
- Pack a special surprise in your child's luggage. This could be a note, a funny family photo, a book to read or something your child can share with other campers, like a few small treats. A journal to record her camp memories is a great gift she will treasure for years to come.
- Try out some of the activities ahead of time. If your child is afraid of canoeing, take her out yourself so she can experience it for the first time with you. This will build her self confidence. You can also look up camp songs online or at your local library. Teach her some lyrics so she will be ready for campfire sing-a-longs.
- Finally, don't forget to send them off with excitement and hope.
Avoid calling unless it's an emergency. Sometimes camp is hard on parents and guardians because they miss their kids. It's a lot easier for your child to get used to camp and have more fun if they are not always thinking of home.
Post Camp
Discuss camp with your child. Ask her what she learned and experienced. Young people are gifted in so many ways and camp is an opportunity to discover new talents and develop old ones. To continue her growth experience, you may want to register your daughter in programs available in your community.
How can I contact my child while she's at camp?
For many campers, being away from home is a challenging experience - at first! TAC recommends that parents and guardians not contact their daughter unless there is an emergency. Campers can always be contacted through either the Camp Manager or the Camp Director. Campers do not have phones in their rooms. Cell phone use by campers will not be permitted while they are at camp.
Where will my child sleep?
Camper accommodations in Fort Smith will be at Aurora College's Avens residence. There will be approximately four campers to a room. Campers will share washroom facilities.
