Child 1 Age 15 (Female)
Program(s) focused in Wilderness Out-tripping, Super Camp, Canoeing
(5) Overall experience
Having never been to this camp before, or an overnight camp for this long, my daughter was both excited and nervous. I attended this camp as a counselor for two years in '91 and '92, so she's heard me tell camp stories for years and sing all the songs. I was so excited to be able to send her at 15, knowing she's great with new experiences and making friends. I was nervous if she'd like it though, especially since she'd never been on a canoe trip before. She absolutely loved it and was all smiles when I picked her up, "telling" me she was going back next year. She made some close friends that she's still in touch with. We live in California and she came back with a new appreciation of the Canadian wilderness, having only been familiar with Toronto and Vancouver. It means the world to me that she gets to experience Northway, just as I did years ago. She's already signed up to go back next summer for her CIT experience!
(5) Reason for choosing the camp
We chose this camp for her because I had been a counselor at this camp for two years in high school and absolutely loved it. I had spent my grade school and middle school years attending various summer camps in Algonquin Park, but none of them really felt like "home". What I loooved and still love about Northway is that it's a small, very personable experience where you get to know every single camper and have the opportunity to make great friends outside of your tent-mates. The other, larger camps, I attended growing up seemed so large. You did every activity with your cabin mates, every meal with her cabin mates, and even the canoe trips with your cabin mates. What is so unique about Northway that I hold dear, is that the activity choices are left up to the child to decide, you sit wherever you want at meal times (and with different girls of various ages), and the canoe trips are crafted to select girls from different tents and even different counselors. You really get to know all of the campers and counselors so well during your time there, which allows for amazing friendships to form and memories!
(5) Program quality and activities
The itinerary is really well planned as it gives time for the girls to have downtime and just enjoy the wilderness experience, whether it's on the dock reading, chatting with friends or downtime in the tent each day. It really allows for the girls to stop and just enjoy the wilderness. The activity times, mealtimes, and campfire times are well planned as well and not overloaded, so they don't feel rushed from one thing to the next. My daughter was worried about learning to canoe and going on a canoe trip before she left. She was hoping she'd only be sent out for a 2 night-er. But I knew at 15, she may be sent out for longer with girls her age who have been out on trips before. Turns out she went out on a 5 night and LOVED it! She came back gloating about her canoe skills and all the stories. ;)
(5) Social dynamics and experience
My daughter made some really close friends that she continues to stay in touch with on social media. We live in California, so I just love that my U.S. born daughter is making friends with some Canadian girls and learning some differences in the culture and schools. She went in knowing no one but did just great. As a counselor/camper myself, I know how wonderful the environment is and how inclusive so that all girls get to know everyone. During the time my daughter was there, I went on a canoe trip in Algonquin with my good friend (that I was a counsellor with at Northway), and we stopped by the camp to see it, after 35 years. My daughter was out on her canoe trip when we showed up, and the counselors, assistant director, and campers were so welcoming as we wandered around the tent and reminisced! A young girl introduced herself and said she knew my daughter and offered to take us around the camp and point out her tent. I just loved that the girls were so friendly and everyone very welcoming!
(5) Skills and growth
Definitely learning to canoe and go out on a trip was new to my daughter. She's been paddleboarding before and tent camping, but not yet canoeing. She was really proud that she learned to "bow" and try to keep the canoe out of the rocks during her trip. She even tried lifting the canoe on her shoulders with the counselor and guide's help during the trip to see how it felt and the weight. I thought that was so cool that she got a chance to do that. She didn't get a chance to sail and I wished she had tried that, but hopefully next summer!
(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
Brookes and Joan Prewitt were directors of the camp when I was a counselor and Becca Prewitt was just 8 years old or so! So, to be able to meet her as an adult as the current director, when I dropped off my daughter at the bus, was just wild. Emails and communication beforehand were appreciated, the website is super easy to use for registration and Joan worked with me on several options for payments with US vs CAD $$. After my daughter returned from camp, we got a report in the mail along with a picture of her and her tent mates and counselor. Super-cool to have that. Joan and the team have been wonderful now as we get my daughter registered and set up for summer '25.
(5) Preparation and packing
My daughter asked to buy for next summer a "Crazy Creek" chair that can fold up and pack away but would be great to sit on the dock for reading and be able to have back support. She brought an air pad for her canoe trip but didn't bring it as the girls just slept on the tent ground without it. She did wish she had a watch and a small mirror for her tent.
(5) Advice and tips
For someone that's been a camper at several large camps in Algonquin Park growing up and then being a counselor at Northway for two years, my Northway memories are definitely what I hold near and dear. They have shaped my love of Ontario, Algonquin Park, camping and canoeing.
My friend and I still tell Northway stories 35 years later and the memories, songs, campfire time and Northway traditions have really made an impact on my life. The small, close culture of the camp really creates a unique and comforting experience. I can't recommend it enough! I'm so glad my daughter loved it and will be going back.
Naomi was a little nervous about going to overnight camp her first season. She was a shy child, and a bit introverted, and we weren't sure how she would respond to a completely new social environment....
