Camp Safety

Equipment & Activity Safety

• Ensuring safety is our top priority in every activity.
• All programs are overseen by skilled and experienced staff.
• Our team is well-trained in safety protocols, including First Aid.
• We provide and enforce the use of essential safety gear like helmets and life jackets.
• Campers receive clear safety instructions and demonstrations before participating in activities.
• All activities are tailored to the age and skill level of the participants.

Personal Safety

• Staff are carefully vetted with background checks and reference verification.
• Trained in child protection policies, staff create a safe, nurturing environment.
• Campers are supervised with a 1:6 staff-to-camper ratio.

Waterfront Safety

• Lifeguard-supervised waterfront with shallow and deep sections.
• Campers must pass a swim test to access deep water without a life jacket.

Emergency Procedures

• Staff are trained in emergency protocols (severe weather, fire, medical).
• 24/7 First Aid availability and direct access to emergency responders.

Behaviour Management

• Group leaders are trained in behaviour management and anti-bullying.
• Issues are addressed by discussing behavior and finding solutions with the camper.
• If behavior persists, parents/guardians are contacted to discuss options.

What to pack / What not to pack

What to pack

• Enough clothes for a week: shorts, t-shirts, long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
• Pajamas, underwear and extra socks
• Warm jacket or sweatshirt, hat and raincoat/poncho
• Swimsuit and beach towel
• T-shirt for swimming (recommended)
• Bedding (blanket/sleeping bag, pillow, sheet).
• Flashlight and mosquito/tick repellent.
• Personal hygiene products (toothbrush/paste, shampoo and shower gel), shower towel.
• Medication prescribed by a doctor. Upon arrival at the camp, during registration, you must hand over the medication to the medic to continue the treatment under their supervision.
• Water bottle
• Elegant clothes for the banquet

What not to pack

• Food that is not identified as peanut/nut safe, including homemade goods, loose or bagged candy from bulk food stores; or anything that says "may contain".
• Over-the-counter medication (these are supplied in the Health Centre).
• Gaming devices, iPods or MP3 players, smart watches or other valuables. Note that we are not responsible for any lost/stolen items;
• Cell phones are NOT permitted for campers. Please leave them at home. They will be confiscated and returned to the camper at the end of the session. Please see our Phone policy for extra information;
• Weapons, including pocket knives;
• Lighters, tobacco products;
• Vapes/e-cigarettes;
• Illegal substances. Note that if brought to camp, will be confiscated, reported and disposed of, not returned.

Health and Medication

Medical Care

• We rely on volunteer medical staff to respond to emergencies, distribute medications and provide basic first aid care for campers and staff.
• All medications must be submitted to the Health Centre staff in their original packaging during camper check-in.
• Parents/guardians will be consulted at check-in to decide if a camper’s EpiPen or inhaler should remain with the camper and be kept in the cabin leader’s room or nurse’s station.
• Throughout the camp week, campers will visit the Health Centre with their cabin leaders to receive their medications at designated times.

Parents/guardians will be contacted when:

• A camper sustains significant bumps, bruises, or cuts that could result in scarring, especially on the face
• There is an unusual occurrence (e.g., seizure or accident)
• A camper is exposed to a contagious disease, bug, or parasite
• A camper is sent off-site for professional medical treatment
• Any other concerning medical issues arise that staff deem necessary to communicate with parents

Medications

• Please bring any medications for your camper separately from their luggage.
• During check-in, you must submit medications to the medical staff.
• EXCEPTION: EpiPens and inhalers may be kept with the camper if preferred; please discuss this with the Health Centre staff.
• Common non-prescription medications can be dispensed as needed.

Check-in

Arrival Details

• Check-in begins at 4:00 PM every Sunday.
• Families arriving before 3:30 PM will need to wait for check-in to begin.
• If you will be arriving late, please notify us in advance via email or phone so we can arrange to meet you.
• All outstanding balances must be paid in full before you can check in your camper(s).

Pick-up Details

• Pick-up time: 10:00 AM on Saturday.
• Only individuals listed as authorized on the registration form can pick up the child.
• Notify the office promptly to update permissions if needed or if you plan to pick up your camper early.
• A photo ID must be presented at check-out.
• Go directly to the cabins to pick up your camper.
• Those leaving early should report to the camp office with a photo ID.
• A late pick-up fee will be applied for campers not picked up by 11:00 AM.

Transportation

Transportation options

• Parents may bring their camper to the camp territory for check-in and to explore the area.
• Alternatively, a bus service is available to transport campers from Toronto directly to camp for convenience.
• The bus also provides return transportation.

Bus information

• Drop-off/Pick-up Address: 70 Hilda Ave, North York, ON M2M 1V5
• Departure to Camp: Sundays at 2 PM
• Return to Toronto: Saturdays at 12 PM (arrival time is traffic dependent).
• Cost: $60 one way.
• Campers can utilize the bus service either on check-in day or pick-up day.
• To register for the bus, please visit the parent portal at tropinka.campbrainregistration.com

Schedule

Senior Weeks

• 8:00: Wake up
• 8:30: Morning workout
• 9:00: Breakfast
• 10:00: Cabin time
• 11:30: Activity 1
• 12:30: Activity 2
• 13:30: Lunch
• 14:30: Beach
• 15:30: Canoeing / water sports
• 16:30: All camp game
• 18:00: Dinner
• 19:30: Evening program
• 21:00: Snack / campfire
• 21:45: Cabin time
• 22:30: Lights out

Junior Weeks

• 8:00: Wake up
• 8:30: Morning workout
• 9:00: Breakfast
• 10:00: Bible lesson
• 11:00: Activity 1
• 12:00: Activity 2
• 13:00: Lunch
• 14:00: Beach
• 15:00: Canoeing / water sports
• 16:30: All camp game
• 18:00: Dinner
• 19:00: Evening program
• 20:00: Snack / campfire
• 20:30: Cabin time
• 21:30: Lights out

Camp Phone Policy

To avoid distractions from the camp program and to encourage new friendships among campers, mobile phones are PROHIBITED for participants at Tropinka.

If parents wish to send a message to their child, they may do so by emailing admin@tropinka.ca or by calling +1 (416) 824-9738 to leave a message with our camp administrator.

Campers will have limited access to the camp phone and may call home only in serious situations, typically about 30 minutes before bedtime.

Please note: No news is good news. If neither the camper nor the camp administration has reached out, it means everything is going smoothly. Should any serious need arise, we will not hesitate to contact parents directly.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.