Month: July 2020

📢Cabin Activities Are Here!

Posted on by Alec Amato
We hope everyone enjoyed their Thursday morning sleep in – make sure to grab your laundry bag before starting your super-duper clean up. We are thrilled to announce that our first set of Cabin Activities have been released! In honour of our classic Thursday afternoon programs, we wanted to bring some Cabin Activities to you. The first 2, SWEET TREATS WITH ARLY and TRY NOT TO LAUGH CHALLENGE can be done ANYTIME. Grab your cabin mates, your friends or family to enjoy together either in person or over your own ZOOM. Each of these 2 activities is in a google folder with all the instructions and videos.

On Tuesday, August 4th, we will have a LIVE Cabin Activity – ZACH PERFECT with camp legend Zach Friedman. Sign up with your cabin or as an individual for 1 of the 3 time slots for an ultimate trick shot competition. Learn and show off your best trick shots LIVE over ZOOM. Limited spots available, so fill out the form to join!
SWEET TREATS WITH ARLY
Ready to test out your chef skills?! Follow along with last summer’s Head of Culinary Arly Abramson to make some delicious Camp themed sweet treats! Click below for a list of ingredients and instructions…get ready to make some ice cream at home!
TRY NOT TO LAUGH CHALLENGE
Do you think you have what it takes to keep a straight face?! Watch some of Manitou’s funniest staff members try to make you break. You’ll need to work hard not to laugh…good luck!
THIS TUESDAY: “ZACH PERFECT” WITH ZACH FRIEDMAN!
It’s time for trick shots with Zach! Sign up with your cabin or as an individual for 1 of the 3 time slots this Tuesday over ZOOM. Learn and show off your best trick shots LIVE. Limited spots available, so fill out the form today!

WATCH TALENT SHOW STREAM!
For those of you who were unable to join us for the YouTube premiere of our Virtual Talent Show, we have included a recording of the performances – a big round of applause for all of our incredible acts!

MANITOU HALLOWEEN IS COMING!

Get ready to relive the magic of Halloween at Manitou tomorrow on Friday, July 31st. Keep an eye out for treats, costumes and amazing memories across all social media.

Also, we want to remind you that we have a new project creating our camp newspaper, “The Mosquito” from home. E-mail us your articles, crossword puzzles, drawings, photographs, mazes and more to be featured in our first ever online edition!

👏TONIGHT AT 7:30 PM EST: Virtual Talent Show!

Posted on by Alec Amato

Tonight is our first ever Virtual Talent Show! Join us in just 3 hours for the Youtube premiere at 7:30 PM EST! It’s going to be a night full of special surprise performances that you will not want to miss. While we wish we were watching the talent show in the Theatre up at camp, you will have the added bonus of being able to spread out on your couch at home.

Grab your tuck, some Manitou swag and get ready for some top notch performances from both longtime and new members of our Manitou community!

Tonight’s Talent Show will premiere on YouTube. Please click the button below to join the stream and give us a shout out in the live chat.

Don’t forget to press the Set Reminder button to receive an e-mail alerting you that the stream is going live!

YOUTUBE STREAM

We hope to see all of our Manitou families, staff and friends join us for tonight’s special show!

COMING SOON: Virtual Talent Show and more!

Posted on by Alec Amato

MANITOU VIRTUAL TALENT SHOW!
We are excited to announce that our first ever Camp Manitou Virtual Talent Show will be broadcast on YouTube this Wednesday, July 29th at 7:30 PM EST! Join us for what will be a night of talent and some special surprise performances that you will not want to miss. While we wish we were watching the talent show in the Theatre at camp, you will have the added bonus of being able to spread out on your couch at home. We hope to see you all there – the YouTube link will be sent out on Wednesday!

UPCOMING PROGRAMS!
From Ultimate Fort Building to Airplane Crash, we hope everyone had a great time at EP Week! We have some exciting programs coming up starting with Tribal Games Day this Sunday, July 26th – keep an eye out for a Tribal Games celebration across all social media. Our Cabin Activity Programs are starting this Thursday, July 30th – stay tuned for more information in our next e-mail! Also, we have a new project to share with you which is creating our camp newspaper, “The Mosquito” from home. E-mail us your articles, crossword puzzles, drawings, photographs, mazes and more to be featured in our first ever online edition!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: ELLIE SOKOLOWSKI
Our long time camper and first year staff Ellie Sokolowski is currently organizing a charity Barry’s Bootcamp Class. It will be a 50 minute zoom workout class with a Barry’s instructor this Sunday, July 26th. All proceeds will be donated to the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Emergency Fund for Community Resilience. There is also a raffle for participants. It’s not too late to sign up – CLICK HERE to register for the best workout and to support a great cause all in 1 hour!

EP WEEK IS COMING…

Posted on by Alec Amato

EP WEEK IS HERE!
Get ready for…EP Week! This week each night at 7:30 pm EST, we’re bringing your favourite unit evening program to you virtually! We can’t wait to hang out in our 2020 units and have some fun!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

After signing up, you’ll receive an e-mail with the ZOOM link. Please feel free to e-mail us (mail@manitoucamp.com) with any questions. We hope you’ll join us for this one time opportunity to unite in our 2020 units!
FRESHKIDS: ULTIMATE FORT BUILDING

MONDAY , JULY 20TH AT 7:30 PM

Freshkids, we have an exciting EP for you! Are you an expert fort builder? Do you see a bunch of pillows and blankets and imagine all the crazy things you can build? Then get ready for Ultimate Fort Building!

You can gather supplies for your fort in advance. Anything you want to use in your house or your backyard is fair game (as long as you check with your parents!). We can’t wait to see what you create!
SOPHOMORES: AIRPLANE CRASH!

TUESDAY , JULY 21ST AT 7:30 PM

Hey Sophomores – we have an exciting EP for you! It’s time to board your flight, but make sure you have your oxygen mask on hand because there’s going to be an AIRPLANE CRASH! Join us this Tuesday to participate in this classic camp evening program and help rescue the victims of the plane crash!

JUNIORS: AIRBANDS

WEDNESDAY , JULY 22ND AT 7:30 PM

Hey Juniors, are you ready for Airbands?! Join us this Wednesday for a new take on this classic EP! Make sure to sign up and prepare for a great night of catching up, lots of laughs and some great performances! Absolutely no preparation is required!
SENIORS: MTV CRIBS

THURSDAY , JULY 23RD AT 7:30 PM

Hey Seniors – get ready to show us your epic crib! Whether it’s the chillest place in your house to watch TikToks or where you spend your time perfecting your bread recipe, we can’t wait to see your ideal crib! Join us this Thursday to participate in a Senior favourite. Make sure to sign up and prepare for a great night of catching up, lots of laughs and some awesome crib tours! No preparation required!

✊ THE TIME IS NOW: Fireside Recap

Posted on by Alec Amato
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for what will be remembered as one of our most impactful Manitou Firesides.

We came together as a camp and learned not only about racism, but also anti racism. We educated ourselves on how to be better allies to the Black community and we now know this is only the first step in learning about racism and prejudice.

Thank you to our inspiring speakers Orlando Bowen, Jama Mahlalela, Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa, Anthony Maclean and our very own camper Naiya Forrester for sharing their stories. We continue to have an obligation to learn from those with lived experience so we can finally make real and lasting change in our communities.

We were grateful that so many of us joined together as a Manitou family to listen and learn how we can begin to truly make a difference. For those of you who were unable to join us for the YouTube livestream, we have included a recording of the evening below.

We strongly believe we all have a responsibility to acknowledge our privilege and unconscious bias. We hope you will take an hour out of your weekend to learn from our incredible speakers. Please feel free to share this video with family and friends beyond the Manitou community.

WATCH THE FIRESIDE LIVESTREAM

RESOURCES TO KEEP LEARNING
Below is a list of updated resources recommended by our speakers. We encourage you to uphold our commitment as a camp community and continue to learn about the Black experience and how we can create real change.

 

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

“Hair Love” (Oscar Award Winning Short Film)

Sesame Street Racism Town Hall

PBS’ Books About Racism and Diversity

13th a full feature Netflix film available for free on YouTube

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man with Emmanuel Acho

FOR GRADE 6+

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Code Switch Podcast by NPR

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (and movie!)

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: NATE DAVIAU

Long time camper and staff member Nate Daviau has spent the last two months, compiling an exciting project called the Isolation Station/Audio Relief. It is a collaborative album created through the combined efforts of fifteen folk artists, Nate included.

The entire album is recorded entirely on iPhone voice memos: here is the download link: Isolation Station/Audio Relief on Bandcamp. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Know Your Rights Camp, founded by Colin Kaepernick – an incredible campaign whose mission is to raise awareness on self-empowerment and interacting with law enforcement. Know Your Rights Camp recently created a COVID-19 Relief Fund to help Black and Brown communities who, due to systemic racism, are disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

✊THIS THURSDAY: How to Speak Up and Make Real Change

Posted on by Alec Amato

JULY 16: HOW TO SPEAK UP AND MAKE REAL CHANGE
Please join us this Thursday at 7:00 PM EST on YouTube LIVE for our 2nd Summer Fireside Speaker Series. This important evening will inspire our entire Manitou community to speak up and make real change. Please feel free to tell family and friends to save the date – all are welcome to attend and learn from our incredible group of speakers. Click below for the YouTube link, and press “Set Reminder” to receive an e-mail to alert you that the stream is going live!

CLICK HERE FOR THE YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM

Many of us have shown our support for the Black community here in Toronto and around the world, but that is not enough. We all need to learn to create real change, take responsibility and commit to addressing these systemic issues together as Manitou family. Even at home in Toronto, Canada we are not immune to this global reality and we have an obligation to learn from those with lived experience so we can finally make real and lasting change in our communities. You will hear from several speakers about racism, prejudice and the Black experience here in our country and around the world. We are proud to hear the stories of Orlando Bowen, Jama Mahlalela, Chika Stacy Oriuwa and Anthony Maclean who was a part of fireside speaker series last summer.

Orlando Bowen was a linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League in the 2000s. His career was sadly cut short after he suffered a severe concussion at the hands of two corrupt police officers. Orlando has turned his experience into a position and founded One Voice One Team Youth Leadership Organization to inspire and to teach resilience, leadership and teamwork to youth.

Jama Mahlalela started with the Toronto Raptors in 2006 as a member of the community development staff, leading the Raptors Basketball Academy and various clinics throughout Canada. Mahlalela is now the new head coach for the of the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. Jama will share with us the discrimination he and countless others have experienced throughout his career in Basketball.

When Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa started medical school at the U of T four years ago, she was the only Black person in a class of over 250 students. She triumphantly graduated this June as the valedictorian. We will learn about Oriuwa overcoming the adversity she has encountered and the success of her advocacy, which resulted in 24 Black medical students being admitted to the university’s medical program for the class of 2024, which is the largest group in Canadian history.

We are also thrilled to welcome back Anthony McLean. He is a rapper, YouTuber and motivational speaker and will remind us what it truly means to be an inclusive community where differences are celebrated, and issues like privilege and racism are things we can be open about.

We look forward to having you log on to our livestream for what is sure to be important evening of growth for our entire Manitou family. We sincerely hope you will take the time out of your week to join us.

 

Virtual Talent Show Auditions and More!

Posted on by Alec Amato

MANITOU VIRTUAL TALENT SHOW!

Calling all campers, staff, families and alumni! We are excited to announce our first ever Camp Manitou Virtual Talent Show that will be broadcast on YouTube! We want to see all of your wacky dance moves, hear your beautiful voices and so much more! All acts welcome from magic tricks to airbands. Want to be a part of it? Please email mail@manitoucamp.com with a link your video audition by Wednesday, July 15th using WeTransfer, Google Drive or Dropbox. We can’t wait to see your incredible performances – triple tuck will be given to all who participate!

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: ORLANDO BOWEN

We are very excited for our next fireside this Thursday, July 16th at 7:00 PM where you will hear from several speakers about racism, prejudice and the Black experience in Canada and around the world. 

One of our speakers Orlando Bowen was a linebacker for the CFL in the 2000s. His career was sadly cut short after he suffered a severe concussion at the hands of two corrupt police officers. Orlando has turned his experience into a position and founded One Voice One Team Youth Leadership Organization to inspire and to teach resilience, leadership and teamwork to youth. Orlando was recently interviewed by the Toronto Star in regards to the tragic death of George Floyd. CLICK HERE to read the article.

Stay tuned to learn more about our other fireside speakers who will help us to speak up this Thursday July 16th at 7:00 PM and make real change.

TRY OUR VIRTUAL ESCAPE ROOM!

On Tuesday, we announced our FIRST EVER Virtual Escape room was finally here for you to experience with our epic trailer! Try your hand in raiding the tuck shop with this escape room! CLICK HERE to access the Google Form to begin your escape. You can connect with your cabin, gather your family around the computer, or tackle it on your own! How quickly can you navigate through the various instruction videos and tasks to make it to the end and escape with a stash of delicious tuck???

This escape room is designed for grade 6 and older (including staff), but younger campers and their families who want a challenge are welcome to give it a try! Need a hand? Direct message our special Instagram account (@campmanitouescapes) for hints and clues along the way!

🔑🔒🍫 IT’S FINALLY HERE: Manitou’s Virtual Escape Room!

Posted on by Alec Amato
We are excited to announce that Halle, Jonah and our programming team have been hard at work designing Manitou’s FIRST EVER Virtual Escape room and now it’s finally here for you to experience!

Try your hand in raiding the tuck shop with this escape room! Get on Zoom with your cabin, gather your family around the computer, or tackle it on your own! Have 1 member of your team CLICK HERE to access the Google Form to begin your escape. You will need to put your answers into the form and will not be able to continue to the next step until the correct response has been input. Your completed time will be recorded – how quickly can you navigate through the various instruction videos and tasks to make it to the end and escape with a stash of delicious tuck???

This escape room is designed for grade 6 and older (including staff), but younger campers and their families who want a challenge are welcome to give it a try! Need a hand? Reach out to a former counsellor or CIT, an older sibling or a parent. Direct message our Instagram account (@campmanitouescapes) for hints and clues along the way!

Watch our official Escape Room teaser below!

CLICK HERE TO START!

Spotlights and Sneak Peeks!

Posted on by Alec Amato

SOMETHING IS COMING…

Our newest virtual program is coming sooner than you think. Follow @campmanitouescapes on Instagram and stay tuned for exciting details coming soon… Can you guess what we have in the works???

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: GEORGE THOMSON

Our Eco-Adventure staff from across the pond, George Thomson recently wrote an article for Everyday Getaway about his impactful experiences as a Manitou staff member. This would have been George’s 4th summer as a part of our staff team. Please CLICK HERE to read his insightful words about why being a Manitou staff can broaden your horizons and be life changing!

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: DR. ORIUWA

We are very excited for our next fireside on July 16th where you will hear from several speakers about racism, prejudice and the Black experience in Canada and around the world. 

Our first speaker we want to spotlight is Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa. When she started medical school at the U of T four years ago, she was the only Black person in a class of over 250 students. She triumphantly graduated this June as the valedictorian. We will learn about Oriuwa overcoming the adversity she has encountered and the success of her advocacy, which resulted in 24 Black medical students being admitted to the university’s medical program for the class of 2024, which is the largest group in Canadian history. Stay tuned to learn more about our other fireside speakers who will help us to speak up on July 16th and make real change.
Prior to our next fireside, we are continuing to compile a list of resources for our Manitou community. We will continue to share more throughout the summer.

VIDEO/MOVIE
13th a full feature Netflix film available for free on YouTube
BOOKS
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (and movie!)
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

THIS WEEK’S TIKTOK TREND!

After our first Manitou TikTok got over 3.6K views, there’s been a demand for more! We are finally back with a new post! CLICK HERE to see our director team take on the “Full House” challenge!