Preparing for Camp

The Parent Handbook

From important dates to transportation information, there’s a lot of information to share in preparation for camp, especially if it’s your child’s first summer away from home. We’ve compiled all of that information into one convenient place and called it the Parent Handbook. We made a shorter, modified version for parents of Stepping Stones campers. We recommend all families to read through the handbook every year to review all important preparations you need to make in advance of the summer. For quick reference for the most asked about information, see below. 

Important Information

Stepping Stones: 3 days – Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23
Session 1: 4 weeks – Sunday, June 30 – Thursday, July 25
Session 2: 2 weeks – Sunday, June 30 – Thursday, July 11
Session 2a: 1 week – Sunday, June 30 – Friday, July 5
Session 2b: 1 week – Saturday, July 6 – Thursday, July 11
Session 3: 2 weeks – Friday, July 12 – Thursday, July 25
Session 4: 4 weeks – Sunday, July 28 – Saturday, August 24
Session 5: 2 weeks – Sunday, July 28 – Saturday, August 10
Session 6: 2 weeks – Sunday, August 11 – Saturday, August 24
Session 6a: 2 weeks – Sunday, August 11 – Friday, August 16
Session 6b: 2 weeks – Monday, August 19 – Saturday, August 24

Check out Mabel’s Labels or Loveable Labels for personalized clothing labels! Labeling your camper’s clothing cuts down on Lost and Found and makes it easier to keep track of all your belongings.

All buses depart from and arrive at IKEA in Vaughan at Hwy 400 & Hwy 7. We will use the far west side, Section G, of the IKEA Vaughan parking lot.

Bus transportation is provided from Toronto for one*, two and four week campers.

Stepping Stones
Due to increased costs of bus transportation, we will not be offering a Stepping Stones bus at this time

Summer Camp
DEPARTURE FROM TORONTO
Dates: Sunday June 30, Friday July 12, Sunday July 28, Sunday August 11
Time: 10:30am

ARRIVAL IN TORONTO
Mid Month: Thursday July 11, Saturday August 10
Time: 5:30pm
End of Month: Thursday July 25, Saturday August 24
Time: 2:30pm

*For Session 2a, 2b, 6a, 6b there is no bus service on July 5, July 6, August 16 or August 19.

Directions to IKEA in Vaughan. For information on IKEA in Vaughan, check their store page.

All arrivals should meet us at Lamoureux Landing, Whitestone, ON at the arranged time. Driving directions can be found by searching Google Maps for Lamoureux Landing or 99 McLennan Ln, Wahwashkesh, ON. Written directions can be found on our Location page.

Stepping Stones
ARRIVAL AT CAMP
Dates: Friday June 21
Time: 2:00pm

Campers arriving at camp by car should be at the Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da Drop-Off Point at Lamoureux Landing by 2:00pm. with their lifejacket accessible. We do not have visitors on arrival days.

DEPARTURE FROM CAMP
Dates: Sunday June 23
Time: 12:30pm

Summer Camp

ARRIVAL AT CAMP
Dates: Sunday June 30, Saturday July 6, Friday July 12, Sunday July 28, Sunday August 11, Monday August 19
Time: 2:00pm

Campers arriving at camp by car should be at the Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da Drop-Off Point at Lamoureux Landing by 2:00pm. with their lifejacket accessible. We do not have visitors on arrival days. It is difficult for campers, especially new campers, to settle in if their parents visit on arrival day.

DEPARTURE FROM CAMP
Mid Month: Friday July 5, Thursday July 11, Saturday August 11, Friday August 16
Time: 12:30pm
End of Month: Thursday July 25, Saturday August 24
Time: 10:00am

We have specific days each session where visitors can visit their campers on Birch Island. We do not accept visitors on any other day. Please be sure to fill out your Visitor Form within your CampBrain profile two weeks prior to your daughter’s arrival.

If you have already filled out your Visitor Form, you can view the information you provided by selecting “Download Printable Registration Confirmation” on your CampBrain Profile. 

Important Notes About Visiting:

  • We ask that you do not visit the island if you are not feeling well or have been in close contact with someone who was unwell in the past 10 days.
  • We only allow visitors on the following days:
    • Sunday, June 23 – Stepping Stones Visitors
    • Friday, July 5 – Session 2a Visitors
    • Thursday, July 11 – Session 1, 2, 2b Visitors
    • Saturday, July 13 – Session 1 Visitors
    • Thursday, July 25 – Session 1, 3 Visitors
    • Saturday, August 10 – Session 4, 5 Visitors
    • Friday, August 16 – Session 6a Visitors
    • Saturday, August 24 – Session 4, 6, 6b Visitors
  • We do not have visitors on arrival days or Sundays (exception for Stepping Stones departure day).
  • Please arrive at Lamoureux Landing on time to catch the boat to the island:
    • 12:30pm (June 23, July 5, July 11, July 13, August 10, August 16)
    • 10:00am (July 25, August 24)
  • We will not be serving lunch for visitors. Please plan to eat either before or after your visit. Some snacks will be available in the lodge for visitors. Campers will be served their meal prior to visitor arrival.
  • For Health & Safety reasons, we ask that visitors do not bring a picnic lunch.
  • Mi-A-Kon-Da is NUT FREE – please do not bring nuts/nut products to the island
  • Mi-A-Kon-Da has a NO CELL PHONE policy and we ask that visitors respect this rule while visiting.

We have compiled a list of Accommodations near the Parry Sound area for families, if they would like to stay in the area while their daughters attend camp. Feel free to get in touch with the camp office should you have any questions about accommodations.

Terms & Conditions

Fees

  • All fees are subject to 13% HST.
  • All fees are in Canadian Dollars.
  • A $50 discount is applied to each new sibling registered for a Summer Camp Session.
 
We accept the following payments:
  • Cheque (Mail to Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da, 756 Mineral Springs Road, Dundas ON, L9H 5E3)
  • Interac e-Transfer (Send to plamont@miakonda.com; please indicate who payment is for)
  • Families with US bank accounts can send a US Cheque (Please account for exchange rate) 
  • International Campers will need to use a wire transfer service
 
If you have any issues with payment, please contact us at info@miakonda.com.
 
Final Payment Due Date: May 1st (July 1st for Women’s Wellness Weekend)

Deposit

Each registration must be accompanied by a deposit to secure your spot. Submitted deposits are applied towards your camp fee total. 

  • Session 1-8: $500 deposit is required
  • Stepping Stones: $50 deposit is required
  • Women’s Wellness Weekend: $50 deposit is required
 

All camp fees and taxes must be paid in full by May 1st (July 1st for Women’s Wellness Weekend).

Inclusions

Camp Fees Include:

  • All food and accommodations
  • Tuck allowance for snacks and essential items
  • Use of all activity equipment 
  • All trips and excursions
 

Camp Fees do not include: 

  • Bus transportation fees
  • Camp merchandise
  • Any special travel arrangements
  • Medical work and prescription drugs beyond the scope of the camp healthcentre
  • Swim test fees for Bronze Cross, Medallion and Star
  • Select specialty instructor programs (Women’s Wellness Weekend) 

Cancellation Policy

If cancellation occurs for any reason before May 1st (July 1st for Women’s Wellness Weekend):

  • Session 1-8: $450 of deposit is refundable
  • Stepping Stones: $50 of deposit is refundable
  • Women’s Wellness Weekend: $50 of deposit is refundable
 
Cancellations made after May 1 will result in your deposit being forfeited. 

Discounts

Each additional sibling will receive $50 off of their registration fee. 

Campers registered for multiple sessions will be eligible for a discount specific to the sessions they are registered for. 

For sponsorship information, please visit our Sponsorship page.

Arts & Crafts

Summer camp would not be complete without a fun and extensive arts and crafts program! Camp Mi-A-Kon-Da offers a wide variety of arts and crafts, including tie die, macramé, beadwork, hemp, mask making, painting and much more!

Creative expression is a wonderful way for a camper to enhance her sense of self. Our staff work hard to nurture a creative environment where campers can create unique crafts and express their personality. Campers can work on larger projects as well, such as paddle making. Guest Artists also lead Special Arts and Crafts workshops, such as Knitting 101, Cartooning, or Henna.

Archery

Archery is a sport everyone can be successful at regardless of age, size or physical ability. It develops hand-eye coordination, dexterity and teaches the importance of focus and concentration.

Mi-A-Kon-Da’s archery program offers campers a chance to learn fundamental skills as well as more advanced techniques, incorporating fun through theme days and archery games. Campers practice under the careful supervision of trained counsellors on our range which is safely tucked away at the far end of the island.