Welcome to Circle R Ranch’s Summer Day Camp!
As a camp that has been operating since 1966, we are delighted that you have chosen to be part of our summer camp family! We hope that you and your camper are excited about the coming summer camp season, and we understand that you may have some questions about preparing for camp. Our commitment is to make the entire camp experience enjoyable as well as a successful venture into personal growth and development.
Below you will find information about:
Food
Transportation
Medical Information
First Aid Treatment
Weather
Mosquitoes
Drinking Water
Sun Protection
Horseback Riding Helmets and Attire
Pictures and Videos
Staff
Parent Visits and Phone Calls
Behavioural Guidance Policy
What to Bring
This package is designed to answer your questions, and to share other information that is important for you to know. Please share this information with your camper. Children who come to camp prepared for the experience are able to get the most from their time at camp! If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to email us at registrar@circlerranch.ca
We sincerely appreciate the confidence that you have placed in us by selecting Circle R Ranch for your camper. Our entire staff is enthusiastic about the coming summer and we will do everything possible to ensure that your camper has a safe, happy and enriching experience with us.
Day Camp Information
LUNCHES AND SNACKS
No Food Service is provided 2025. The camp does provide apples or carrots in the morning and a small snack for each camper at the end of the day (granola bars, fruit gummies, etc).
Campers are to bring their own lunch, as well as extra morning and afternoon snacks. Please no peanut products and other nut products as we may have severe nut allergies.
Campers will be outside and active for most of the day meaning that they may be hungrier than usual, so be sure to pack a hearty, nutritious lunch, 2 nutritious snacks, along with a refillable water bottle. We suggest that you send lunch and snacks in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Plan to arrive at your designated bus stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Every effort is made to ensure that buses run on time. The bus will need to leave each stop as close to the pickup time as possible. For example, the bus will leave Lambeth PS as close to 4:40pm (the official pick up time) as it can. Families picking up from this stop need to be there for 4:30pm. If you are running late, you must call this office so we can make a plan of where you will be picking up your child. Children will remain safely on the camp bus and continue on to the next stop if their designated person is not there to pick them up.
Contact the camp office as soon as possible (at least 30 minutes) before their pick up time 519-471-3799 if:
- your camper will not be at their designated bus stop
- they are getting picked up early
- they are getting picked up by someone different than who you have already authorised
- you are running late to pick up your camper
When leaving a message, please include the camper’s first and last name and spell out the last name.
“Being early is being on time.”
Times below are approximate. Final times will be emailed a week prior to your camper’s session.
For Summer Day Camp we have three buses:
Star Bus:
Wortley Rd Public School – 301 Wortley Rd – 8:00am/5:25pm
White Oaks Public School – 565 Bradley Ave. – 1119 Jalna Boulevard. – 8:15am/5:10pm
Southwest Optimist Park – 682 Southdale Rd. W. – 8:30am/4:55pmLambeth PS – 6820 Duffield St.(A.E. Duffield) – 8:45am/4:40pm
Heart Bus:
Masonville PS – 25 Hillview Blvd. – 8:10am/5:15pm
Old North Public School – 940 Waterloo St. – 8:25am/5:00pm
Sherwood Forest Mall – 1225 Wonderland Rd. N (near Beckers convenience store) – 8:40am/4:45pm
Moon Bus:
Oxbury Mall – 1295 Oxford St E (corner of Mornington Ave. by the Burger King) – 8:00am/5:30pm Catholic Central High School – 450 Dundas Street (loading zone on Dundas St) – 8:10am/5:20pm
Oakridge – Centre 760 Hyde Park Rd.(by the CIBC) – 8:25am/5:00pm
Byron Northview – 1370 Commissioners Rd W (bus loading zone on Stephen St) – 8:35am/4:50pm
Kilworth (Hillside Restaurant) – Kilworth Park Dr. & Glendon Dr. beside the Hillside Restaurant) – 8:45am/4:40pm
Drop-Off & Pick-Up at Circle R Ranch
If you are driving your child to and from camp, please arrive at camp at 9:00am for drop-off, and at 4:15pm for pick-up. Please make sure to check-in at the welcome area with a senior staff member when dropping off in the morning and to sign them out when picking up your camper at the end of the day.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
If you have not already done so, please submit your camper(s) Medical Form so that our Health Care team can be prepared for your child’s time at camp. To complete the medical form log in to CampBrain Portal: circlerranch.campbrainregistration.com. If you have any changes to your camper’s medical form after it is submitted, please email our Health Care Coordinator at healthcare@circlerranch.ca or call our main office at 519-471-3799.
It is extremely important that you follow the guidelines listed below in order to ensure your campers’ health and safety.
1. It is the policy of Circle R Ranch that all camper medications (prescription or otherwise) are kept in the Health Centre. Our Health Care Coordinator will administer these medications, while in the presence of a Circle R senior staff member.
2. Epi-Pens: If your child requires an EpiPen, please provide two non-expired ones. The camper carries one in a belt bag (provided by parents). The second one will be kept in the office until the end of the session. The parent/guardian must contact the office if the second EpiPen must be sent home every day along with the other one. Contact the office if the counsellor needs to carry the EpiPen instead of the camper.
3. Inhalers: Inhalers that are used regularly can be kept by our Health Care Staff who will make sure that your child takes it on a regular schedule as specified on your health form. If your child uses an inhaler “as needed”, please send along two—one to be kept in the Main Office and the other to be carried by your child. Again, we recommend sending a hip pack for easy carrying.
4. All prescription medications, homeopathic/herbal supplements, etc. must be sent to Camp in the original container, with dispensing instructions written in English.
FIRST AID TREATMENT
If your child becomes ill or injured while at camp, immediate care will be provided. If further medical attention is required, we are only minutes away from the SW Middlesex Health Clinic and only 25 minutes away from hospitals in both London and Strathroy. It is highly recommended that campers have an up to date tetanus shot as they will be around animals and in the outdoors. If there are any medical changes between the time you send in the medical form to us and when your child comes to camp, please inform us in writing.
WEATHER
Camp runs rain or shine! If it is lightly raining, we try to continue the program as planned so please dress for the weather. With extreme weather or continuous rain, we take shelter as needed and have fun backup plans.
MOSQUITOES
With wet, humid summer weather, there tend to be mosquitoes around! We recommend packing thin layers to cover up if extra sensitive to bug bites. Loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, pants, closed-toed footwear, and a hat or hood that covers the head and neck are all very effective. Light colours and tightly woven fabrics like nylon or polyester are particularly useful. A buff type scarf or something else to cover the more sensitive neck area can be helpful, too.
DRINKING WATER
All of our water systems are approved by and registered with the Ministry of the Environment, and are in compliance with Regulation 170/03. Our drinking water is tested regularly in accordance with Reg. 170.
SUN PROTECTION
With continued concern and awareness of the health risks resulting from time spent outside under the sun, there are a few things that can be done to minimize the risks of exposure while at camp. Please send the following items to camp with your child:
· A good sun hat (to cover the ears and the back of the head and neck)
· Waterproof sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30
· Refillable Water Bottle
HORSEBACK RIDING HELMETS AND ATIRE
All staff and campers are required to wear a helmet while participating in our horseback riding program. American Society of Testing and Materials– Safety Equipment Institute (ASTM-SEI) approved helmets are mandatory for all riders under 18 years of age for horseback riding (Ontario Bill 12) at all riding establishments. If you choose you may send your own properly fitted and ASTM-SEI approved riding helmet with your child (helmet can stay overnight at camp). Circle R provides ASTM-SEI approved riding helmets for all campers and staff. Please note that bicycle helmets are NOT approved for horseback riding. Also campers must bring rubber boots to camp that have a 1.5 cm heel for riding.
PICTURES AND VIDEOS
Pictures and videos are taken by Circle R staff throughout each session of camp. We share a group photo with each family at the end of the week, as well as use pictures and videos taken for marketing purposes. These pictures and videos will become the property of Circle R Ranch and will not be sold to any external parties. Please contact the Camp Director Jeremiah at jeremiah@circlerranch.ca with any questions or privacy issues.
STAFF
Circle R Ranch staff are a very dedicated group of young adults (teachers, university, college and high school students) who are carefully selected for their skills, leadership abilities and sincere interest in the growth and development of children. There are program specialists in the areas of horses, swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, sports, mindfulness, nature connection and other land based programs. Many of our staff have attended Circle R as campers and often are graduates of our Leadership Training programs. All of our staff participate in an intensive training program prior to camp and many attend other related training events and workshops to enhance their preparation for working at camp. Our overall camper to staff ratio is approximately 1:3 in Day Camp.
PARENT VISITS AND PHONE CALLS
A valuable outcome of a camp session is gaining a sense of independence. In our experience, parental visits or contact during camp can be very disruptive to this process. We ask that parents do not plan a visit or tell their campers that they will call/visit during camp time so that false expectations are not created.
If you have important information that needs to be relayed to your camper while they are at camp, please call the camp office and we will arrange to convey the information to them. Due to the number of campers attending Circle R Ranch, campers are not permitted to use the camp phone unless there is no alternative method of conveying important information.
BEHAVIOURAL GUIDANCE POLICY
Before camp, parents and caregivers should discuss behavioural expectations for camp as outlined in our Camper Code of Conduct. Camp offers an excellent venue for learning problem-solving skills, and subsequently, campers are involved in each step of the resolution process when problems occur. If behavioural problems arise, we follow this procedure:
· The camper works out a solution with their counsellor and other group members
· If further intervention is required, a supervisory staff member will be involved in the problem-solving process. The camp director may also become involved at this stage.
· If behaviour problems persist, the camper’s parent or guardian may be contacted to ask for guidance, and be involved in the resolution process
· If behaviour issues continue, and are negatively impacting the camp experience of other campers (including, but not limited to, violent conduct), a camper may be sent home.
Campers may be sent home without warning for certain behaviours that include, but are not limited to: possession of alcohol or non-prescription drugs, smoking, or violence/aggression toward another camper or staff member. These decisions are made at the discretion of the camp director. Fees for a camper sent home for behavioural reasons will not be refunded.
At Circle R Ranch, we are aware of the severe negative emotional consequences associated with bullying. Our camp’s philosophy is based on cooperation, learning new skills, taking responsibility and developing respect for self and others. Unfortunately, persons who are bullied may not have the same potential to get the most out of their camp experience. Circle R addresses all issues of bullying seriously and trains staff to promote communication with their campers so both staff and campers will be comfortable alerting us to any problems during their camp experience. We believe every person has the right to have the best possible experience at camp!
Thank You!
Thank you for reviewing this important information package! Please do not hesitate to contact the camp office if you have additional questions, or would like to further discuss any information contained within this package. Please call 519 471 3799 or email registrar@circlerranch.ca
Happy Trails!
Summer Day Camp Equipment List
The following contains general information on what to bring (or not to bring) to camp. There is also a handy checklist at the end!
- All campers will be given a schedule on the first day of camp. Please dress the child to be prepared for the first programmed activity of each day.
- All campers need to wear long pants, to protect their legs while riding. Riders must wear boots or shoes with a 1.5cm heel following Ontario Camps Association Standards. Please measure from the sole to the bottom of the heel.
- Label all clothing with your camper’s full name, with a permanent marker (including footwear).
- To help your camper recognize clothing that has been lost or misplaced, it is often helpful to have them help with packing for camp.
- Camp clothes receive rough treatment—don’t send anything that might not stand up to the rigours of camp life!
- Bring clothing that is appropriate for physical activity and the informal atmosphere of camp.
- If clothing or equipment is left at camp, and it is labelled, we will contact you to arrange its return. One month after camp, all unlabelled and unclaimed clothing and equipment will be donated to local charities in need of such items.
PLEASE MARK CAMPER’S NAME ON ALL BELONGINGS.
(YES, ALL BELONGINGS, EVEN SUNSCREEN).
You can help minimize lost and found this year! We highly recommend Mabel’s Labels for labelling everything and anything. They are dishwasher safe, laundry safe, versatile. and have fast and free shipping.
Please pack belongings into a backpack that can be easily carried by your child on their shoulders. Campers have a home base where they will be able to leave their backpacks once they arrive at camp. All items will be sent to and from camp every day, however campers may leave their rubber boots and personal riding helmet at camp.
Things NOT to Bring to Camp
Circle R Ranch strives to create a simple and relaxed lifestyle, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We believe that time away from video games, TV, the internet and the fast paced world of electronics helps place a greater emphasis on what camp is all about—making friends, connecting with the natural world, and increasing self awareness and self-esteem. For these reasons, please do not bring any of the following items to camp:
- Cell Phones, Video Cameras, Stereos, MP3 Players, etc.
- Cigarettes, Matches or Lighters
- Money (we do not have a Tuck Shop)
- Knives or Firearms
| THINGS TO BRING TO CAMP EVERYDAY CHECKLIST | |
| Lunch and 2 snacks (for mid morning and mid afternoon) | |
| Long pants for riding | |
| Boots with a 1.5 cm minimum heel for riding | |
| Sun Hat | |
| Reusable Water Bottle | |
| Rain jacket and rain pants | |
| Shorts for hot days or active programs | |
| Bathing Suit and Towel (for boating, swimming, and water games) | |
| Running Shoes (for active games) | |
| Extra socks | |
| Long Sleeved Shirt or Sweatshirt (for cool days and protection from mosquitoes) | |
| Waterproof Sun Screen (minimum SPF 30) | |
| Your string game string (handed out at the start of each week) |
Optional Items
| Riding Helmet – Must be ASTM-SEI approved (helmet can stay overnight at camp rather than carried back and forth each day) | |
| Bandana (to wear under riding helmet) | |
| Bug Spray | |
| Sandals (strap on type only please – ‘flip-flops’ are not suitable for Ranch use!) |
Thank you for reading to the end! We can’t wait to see you and your camper/s this summer!
