FAQs
WE’VE GOT ANSWERS!
We know that parents have tons of questions when sending their kids away to Camp! We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions below to help you understand Camp a little better.
We also recommend the Mini-Yo-We Mom’s Podcast (dads can listen too!) a podcast we designed specifically for first time parents sending their children to Camp Mini-Yo-We.
Registration
We launched registration for Summer 2019 on July 1, 2018! We’ve had hundreds of families already register already, eager to secure their spot for next year. You can register online at www.campmyw.com/register and apply for our leadership programs at www.campmyw.com/apply.
About Mini-Yo-We
Camps’ original name in 1946 was The Fountain of Living Waters, based on the Bible verse John 4:14.
On January 28, 1947 the organization was incorporated and the name changed to Camp Mini-Yo-We meaning “spring” or “fountain of living water” in the Dakota Sioux language.
We acknowledge that Mini-Yo-We is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinabek. The treaty signed for this particular parcel of land is referred to as the Williams Treaty of 1923. We celebrate the enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples on the land.
Camp Mini-Yo-We is incorporated as an Ontario not-for-profit and is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as Registered Charity # 119041721. If you would like to make a gift to our ministry please check out our Financial Support Page for more information.
Financial Support
Camp Mini-Yo-We has a robust sponsorship program that supports over 150 campers attend camp each year. You can find out more about the program and how to apply on our Financial Assistance page.
Health & Safety
All medication is given to our team during check-in. Nurses administer perceptions at meal times and in the evening as necessary. Campers are not permitted to keep medication in cabins.
The head louse is a tiny insect that lives on human heads. Head lice is a common problem amongst children and is occasionally identified in our incoming campers.As a community living in close quarters, head lice can spread quickly and be hard to eliminate. In an effort to prevent lice, we request that all parents check their child’s head for lice before check-in. We recommend checking for lice both one week and one day before arrival.
In addition to this, our staff team performs a head-check on each camper as part of the Sunday check-in procedure. If any lice or nits are found, parents will have one of three options:
- Return home and receive a full refund for the week of Camp.
- Return home and, after proper treatment has been received, return for any week of the summer which still has space.
- Parents can request Camp staff to treat the camper for lice. Parents will be subject to a $200.00 lice treatment fee payable upfront. This includes 2-3 on-site treatments as well as the supplies necessary to continue treatment at home.
At Camp Mini-Yo-We we value providing a safe and healthy experience for all of our guests and staff. We have been closely tracking with the Ontario Ministry of Health as it relates to ticks & Lyme disease. According to Ontario Public Health, the risk of Lyme disease-carrying ticks in Muskoka is very low. We will continue to follow this situation as it develops. Please check out of Ticks & Lyme Disease Information Sheet for more information.
Food & Diet
Our Staff
Camp would not operate without the 150+ operations volunteers who give their time each summer in various areas of Camp. These include camper parents, grandparents, friends of Camp, teenagers and everyone in-between. We need volunteers on our Food Service, Maintenance and Medical Teams. Find out more on our Adult Volunteer page.
Staying in Touch
You can leave mail with our staff during Check-In that will be delivered during the week. Please mark on the package the following pieces of information:
- Camper’s Full Camp
- The program they are attending (Girls Camp, Boys Camp, Discovery Camp, etc.)
- The date you want it delivered
Here are some pro tips….
- Camp is peanut aware. Do NOT put any peanut products in the mail.
- Write positive and encouraging letters! A pick-me-up from you will mean the world to your child while they’re away from home.
Absolutely! If the camper you are hoping to contact is only at Camp for one week we recommend leaving mail at our office during check-in. This will ensure it doesn’t get caught up in the mail and arrive after they leave. If the camper is here for multiple weeks feel free to address a package with the following information:
- Camper’s Full Camp
- The program they are attending (Girls Camp, Boys Camp, Discovery Camp, etc.)
Camp’s full mailing address is:
1878 Muskoka Road 10 West
Port Sydney, ON P0B 1L0
We have a camper message service where you can submit a message online and we’ll deliver it to the camper as quickly as possible.
Arrival & Departure
Our core programs (Discovery Camp, Girls Camp & Boys Camp) check-in between 2:00-3:00 PM on Sunday afternoons. Please note that check-in does not begin until 2:00 PM and that program begins at 3:30 PM!
If you are attending one of our youth camps or leadership programs please refer to your information package and emails regarding drop off times and locations.
Our core programs (Discovery Camp, Girls Camp & Boys Camp) pick-up is at 9:30 AM on Saturday. If you believe you will be late (after 11:00 AM) please contact our office so they can inform our program staff.
Please note that pick-up for our Enterprise is not until 10:30 AM.
If you are attending one of our youth camps or leadership programs please refer to your information package and emails regarding the pick-up time.
Other Questions
Lost and Found requests are processed through our online lost and found form.
Submit a lost & found request now!
We hold on to lost items for one month after Camp ends (until the end of September) after which we donate them to families in need.
For everything you need to know as a family once registered check out our Registered Families webpage.
You can download the information package & packing list for our core camps (Discovery Camp, Girls Camp, Boys Camp) at the link above.
At Discovery Camp each cabin has 10 beds for campers and 4 beds for staff.
At Boys Camp and Girls Camp our cabins have 6 beds for campers and 1 bed for staff. In some situations we will also use an additional cot so can have either 7 campers or an additional cabin leaders in the same cabin.