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.
Registration
You will always be able to find out the most current registration information at www.campmyw.com/register!
Your deposit is safe with Camp Mini-Yo-We. We know that plans change. You can get a refund, no problem!
Your deposit is fully refundable up until June 1. For cancellations after June 1, there is a $300 cancellation fee.
Click here to learn more about your refund options.
Laundry services are available to campers staying two or more consecutive weeks. Laundry services include a colorful Mini-Yo-We laundry bag (you get to keep!) and are provided by a local laundry service. Camp Mini-Yo-We is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items. For pricing, please see the bottom of our register webpage.
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
Yep! All of our August sessions are discounted $50!
Yep! Families receives $150 OFF for their third children and an additional $250 OFF each child after that.
We have a number of early bird discounts for families! The best way to find out about these offers is to scroll to the bottom of this page and get on our Summer Camp Updates email list. We’ll make sure you know whenever a discount code becomes available.
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.
Early each week, our core programs perform a routine practice drill. This ensures everyone knows what the alarm sounds like and where to go in the event of a missing person or emergency situation.
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
Overnight campers at Discovery Camp, Girls Camp & Boys Camp check-in between 2:00-3:00 PM on Sunday afternoons.
If you are a Day Camper or registered for a youth camp program, please find additional information on our Registered Families webpage.
Overnight campers at Discovery Camp, Girls Camp & Boys Camp get picked up at between 9:00-10:00 AM on Saturday morning.
If you are a Day Camper, Express Camper or registered for a youth camp program, please find additional information on our Registered Families webpage.
If you have purchased a bus ticket home for your child, please refer to your ticket information for the pick-up time at your bus stop.
If you believe you will be late (after 11:00 AM) please contact our office so they can inform our program staff.
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.
Here you can download the packing list specific to your child and the program they are registered for.
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 for a camper or staff member.