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;
• 1 white T-shirt (for the camp’s end-of-week group photo). Please note that this shirt will likely get stained with colored Holi chalk;
• Warm pajamas, underwear and extra socks;
• Warm jacket or sweatshirt, cap and raincoat/poncho;
• 2 pairs of sneakers (required);
• Swimsuit and beach towel;
• T-shirt for swimming (recommended);
• Swim shoes/sandals that can get wet and flip flops;
• Rain boots (optional but recommended for rainy weather);
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, shower towel);
• Single/twin size sheet to cover the mattress (optional) and pillow, and either a sleeping bag or a fitted sheet for a single bed with a blanket.
• Water bottle (optional, water bottles provided at check-in);
• A nice change of clothes for the banquet;
• Insect repellent;
• Sunscreen;
• 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.
• Plastic bag for dirty/wet laundry.

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);
• Game consoles/devices, tablets, iPods, smart watches, and other valuables. Please note that we are not responsible for lost or stolen items;
• Mobile phones are PROHIBITED for camp participants. Please leave them at home. Phones will be confiscated and returned to the participant at the end of the session. For more information, please refer to our phone usage policy;
• 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.
• Cabin leaders receive a list of camper medications along with the scheduled times for administration.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 / Pick-up

Arrival Details

• Check-in is at 2:00 PM every Sunday.
• Campers arriving before 1:30 PM will need to wait for check-in to begin.
• If arriving late, please notify us in advance via email or phone to arrange a meeting.
• All balances must be paid in full before arrival to 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 Administration area to pick up your camper.
• Those arriving early should report to the Administration area with a photo ID.
• A late pick-up fee of 20$ per hour will be applied for campers not picked up by 12:00 PM.

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 Montreal directly to camp for convenience.
• The bus also provides return transportation.

Bus information

• Drop-off/Pick-up Address: Walmart Parking Lot: 5400 Rue Jean-Talon Ouest, Montreal, QC H4P 2T5
• Departure to Camp: Sundays at 12 PM.
• Return to Montreal: 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

Schedule

• 8:00: Wake up
• 8:45: Morning workout
• 9:00: Breakfast
• 9:30: Morning program
• 10:00: Bible lesson
• 11:00: Activity 1
• 12:00: Activity 2
• 13:00: Lunch
• 14:00: Activity 3
• 15:00: Activity 4
• 16:00: All camp game
• 18:00: Dinner
• 19:00: Evening program
• 21:00: Snack and campfire
• 22:00: Lights out

Camp Phone Policy

To ensure that children can fully immerse themselves in the camp program and actively participate in all activities, the use of mobile phones by Tropinka camp participants is not permitted.

If parents wish to send a message to their child, they may do so by emailing campmontreal@tropinka.ca or by calling +1 (514) 871-4611 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.