Every Friday night the entire camp gets together around a campfire overlooking the lake, singing camp songs and discussing important values such as friendship, family, respect, appreciation or acceptance. Each summer the campers choose a theme to present to their fellow campers through song, poetry and creative expression. To the right you will see one of our guest speakers, from Toronto discussing the importance of giving to one’s community and how children can make a positive impact on helping those around us. The camp song is sung…. by the entire Manitou Family many times throughout the summer, whether at each Friday night Fireside, at plays, world games or the raising/lowering of the Flag. Camp fires and sing songs are a critical element of any camping experience.

  

  

Community week, and Random acts of kindness.
At Manitou the counselors, activity staff and head staff inculcate to the campers a sense of family and belonging. That means every single camper is respected for who they are, that differences are celebrated and that respect, tolerance and empathy are second nature to our campers. Throughout the summer campers, for example, do Random acts of Kindness as they learn to appreciate how fortunate they are. When children appreciate their opportunities they in turn enjoy life and engage themselves that much more!

Our community week, for example is the culmination of this culture, as campers in every activity and cabin partake in various programs to contribute to the Manitou community as well as the local community. We have a guest speaker talk to campers about the importance of helping people in our own communities as well as around the world over.Campers for example from our Rockn Roll, Guitar, Theatre and Dance programs present to the local seniors home in Parry Sound a 90 minute presentation. The entire camp on the last day of community week is involved in the March of Hope, whereby campers walk around Main field in celebration of how we can all make this world a better place and upon completion sign the March of Hope banner.

March of Hope
   

ACCEPTANCE THEME AT FIRESIDE 2006

For me acceptance is a topic I can easily relate to due to my experience at Manitou. When I first came last year by biggest fear was not being accepted into my new cabin….as time went on I found myself being around other kids- acceptance for me is a very important thing because it was responsible for my fantastic summer last year and is what brought me back this year. It can be difficult for someone to come to camp and make new friends but if the kids in the cabin accept that person no one will feel alone. When you are accepted you don't have to worry about making new friends because those friends are already there for you.
~ Soph Camper 2006

Acceptance and including means to me helping someone out , talking to them and being friends with them. I think it's important Including a person and it might not seem like a lot at the time but it means the world to that person. In my first year at camp, five years ago I knew only one person in my cabin but the cabin included me and it felt amazing and I'm still with these same friends five years later. After you take the step of acceptance it helps you become a better person and you make tons of friends.
~ Senior Boy

I have been asked to talk tonight on the theme of including others and acceptance and as its my sixth year at camp its easy for me to speak to. For those of you who don't know I am from Montréal and I did not come to camp with my friends from school or the city., So there I was with basically no friends and trust me its no fun being in a a strange place with strange people, but about a week into camp I started becoming more friendly with my cabin ….things continued to get better and in my second year at camp I became great friends with all of my cabin, We now have had the same cabin for six years running and we've become very tight. So for those of you who are struggling with making friends do not worry, it'll come, but more importantly for the kids that already have lots of friends, go up to next guy and start talking.. so try and help the new kid out and make them feel at home….
~ Junior Boy

Acceptance Speech
By: Felicia, Melanie & Stephanie

Manitou is a camp that prides itself on its rare and amazing ability to accept a variety of people just as acceptance is important at Manitou, it's important everywhere.

Everyone has their own personality, style, culture, and background. No one should feel obligated to change and everyone should be able to express themselves without any pressure.

With hundreds of Camps to choose from, why Manitou?

There are approximately 500 people from all over the world at camp. They come here because they can feel comfortable in a family – like environment.

Such a wide range of people would be hard to put together in any other place but because everyone at Manitou knows that acceptance is a key aspect, it all works out and everyone learns new things from each other.

Last summer, 3 new girls joined our cabin. Not knowing them very well, we openly welcomed them. After only a short period of time, we got to know them and we all became close friends. It may seem that difference push people apart, but in our cabin they proved to bring us closer.

As part of the Manitou family we are accepted for ourselves and for that we're very grateful.

FRIDAY NIGHT FIRESIDE 2006

Before I got on the bus for my first year I was very nervous and I thought I wouldn't make any friends but surprisingly I made a ton. Not just at camp but on the bus. Also I did woodworking which was cool.
~ DAVID LIPSON 2006

Hi, this is my first year at Manitou… I never have been to sleep away camp and I was trying something new. And I didn't know what to expect or even what to do…I stepped off the bus at Manitou and was welcomed by a crowed of songs and cheers, seeing a place so beautiful took away some of my fears. Everybody was so nice and helped me to unpack and even though it been an hour I already didn't want to go back. I made new friends who I feel I've known forever and I know we'll always be friends forever and ever. My counselors are awesome and really cool, they make me feel happy when I am sad and blue but I never sad and blue at Manitou. There are so many activities that are great, like radio, ropes and riding the wakes. So thank you Manitou . I'm having a blast, it seems like the summer is going by way too fast.
~ Sophomore Girl Connecticut

For the new kids at camp you should never worry, You will make lots of friends and love it here. If you have any problems there is always someone to talk to…the thing I love about camp is you get to pick your own activities and still get to have fun with your cabin. Camp is like our own little town where you do your own thing and know everyone in the neighbourhood
~ Adam- age 10

My name is Tyra, its my second year here. I know its will be a fantastic year
Last summer when I got off the bus my mom was making such a fuss
I realized camp wasn’t bad at all, I knew for sure I would have a ball
At all activities I learned something new, I was open to everything, I never yelled boo hoo
My favorite activity at camp was ropes, higher I climbed in search of antelopes….
Mark and Jeff you make good cabins, I know you would never make us sleep in wagons
I told mom I missed her for only a day, she was surprised and smiled, letting me stay
~ Tyra- age 8

My name is Carly and this is my third summer at camp….my mom came home one day and told me I would be flying up to Canada for a month and I would have a great time. I had never been out of the country before and just the thought of going on my first experience without knowing anyone was overwhelming. I was nervous , excited, scared, anxious because I did not know what to expect. When I got to camp it was late at night but my whole cabin was really nice and made me feel welcome. The next day we got to choose our activities. There were so many to choose from and they all sounded like so much fun. The days were so busy and that I didn’t have much time to be homesick. The counselors and other campers in your cabin if you are homesick make you feel better. I now keep a countdown until camp, as I can’t wait to see my friends , go on canoe trips, do cabin activities and get tuck. I especially look forward to all of the spcial activities such as beach day and tribal games and I can’t wait to try and learn new things. Camp is a home away from home that you will want to come back to summer after summer.
~ Carly age 12.

Without camp I would have lost out on amazing friends, and numerous new experiences. At camp you can be whatever and whoever you want to be in a beautiful and clean environment.
~ Lauren age 15

From the first time I got off the bus at Manitou back in 2000 I knew there was something very different and special about what I was about to experience…There is an unspoken bond between campers, Cits and staff….It is something that can never be properly explained to people who have not been to Manitou….To me Manitou is a place where materialistic things don’t matter and people’s differences are celebrated. Manitou is a place where boys have been known to cry when its time to go home. Manitou is where heroes and legends are born and everyone has the opportunity to be one. Manitou is a place for maturation: the maturation of individuals and of friendships. Manitou is the place where you can hone past skills and explore new skills and interests. Manitou is a place where lifelong friendships and memories are formed and finally Manitou is my home away from home.
~ Spencer age 16

I have spent a lot of time thinking about what Camp means to me and my mind kept scanning through a montage of camp memories including a surprise birthday party, my amazing canoe trip, intercamp, beach days and other adventures. But the one word that kept circling back to me is love, love for this place, love for these people and love for this experience. Camp is the place that makes your heart hurt because it is so full.
~ Brian Tripper