What You can expect from US
Great Lakes Cultural Camps EXPERIENCE:
Experiential learning is one of the most effective tools available for helping individuals learn and apply knowledge. Solid facilitation, opportunities to process learning and real life experiences ensure a unique way of learning. Whether the focus is team building, leadership, cultural enrichment, science, survival or skill building, we promote hands-on learning. This approach to teaching acknowledges and meets the needs of participants' varying learning styles.
Outdoor Education Program Goals
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•To provide opportunities for participants to develop personal growth, leadership, teamwork and to learn with and from each other in a range of outdoor settings;
•To provide opportunities for participants to develop self esteem and confidence;
•To provide participants with opportunities to experience genuine adventure and to be challenged mentally, emotionally, physically and socially through outdoor activities and experiences;
•To provide a friendly, safe, caring and supportive learning environment.
What To Expect
Our adventures are fun, exciting, and challenging because they involve the active participation of each individual. If you wish to participate, you should be aware that very little will be done for you. Our friendly staff will take the time to share their knowledge and skills on how to live on the land. Consequently, your satisfaction will be enhanced knowing that it is your effort that leads you through the wilderness and your determination that helps your team. You will also derive satisfaction knowing that it is through your cooperating spirit that everyone in the group is able to accomplish their day-to-day goals. You can expect a safe environment, wonderful snacks, awesome pre-cooked meals, and a unique experience to remember!
It is mandatory participants and parents/guardians sign a waiver and fully completed. In addition, participants must be properly equipped for our adventure. Upon the confirmation fee deposited a gear checklist & waiver / Terms & Conditions will be forwarded. Failure to have the proper equipment will result in you not being able to participate. We adhere to a zero tolerance policy on all our camps.
Our Enthusiastic Participants
The key to a great trip is a group of participants who are highly motivated to participate. Great Lakes Cultural Camps is not the type of program where participants are sent against their own will. We only accept participants who express a strong desire to join our expeditions and contribute positively, which assures everyone of having the best possible group experience. You will return home with not only a variety of fascinating skills, but also with new friends and a true First Nation Cultural experience.
Safety Practices
All of our staff hold current first aid & CPR certificates, have experience working with children and youth, and have taken part in our extensive staff training. In addition, we ensure that staff carry a knapsack containing a fully stocked first aid kit, participant information, bear deterrent, a whistle, sunscreen and extra clothes. All staff facilitating adventure programs, have related qualifications, training and experience. Proper safety equipment for all of our programs is used and regularly inspected (i.e. first aid kit, PFDs, water rescue equipment, personal locator beacon, GPS etc.).
Medical Training of Our Instructors
Great Lakes Cultural Camps requires all instructors to be trained at a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). Industry standard medical training for backcountry instructors is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification. Wilderness First Responder certification means the instructor has passed an 80 hour intensive course, focused first on prevention and treatment of back country emergencies.
Instructor Student Ratio
For a backcountry adventure trips, the maximum instructor to student ration should be 1:6. Lower ratios mean a safer experience, better supervision, more opportunities to learn, and better interaction with role models. In our water activities our staff to participant ratio is based upon the industry standard established by ORCKA (Ontario Recreational Canoeing & Kayaking Association) certification guidelines. Our student ratio is 1:5 in solo boating, 1:6 in kayaking, 1:8 canoe tripping. Our staff always work in teams of two or three. There are no individually facilitated programs. We have 2 instructors on all our programs and additional support staff larger groups.
Instructor Experience Level
The complex responsibility of leading wilderness trips and the maturity needed to work with people is best handled by older, more mature instructors who have been working in the outdoor adventure industry. It takes several years to gain the wealth of experience needed to become an expert wilderness instructor. Great Lakes Cultural Camps maintain program continuity, safety, quality and consistency by having seasoned staff.
Customize Your Program
We will custom fit any of our unique programs to meet your own personal needs including First Nation Cultural Education, Workshops, Corporate Team Building, Cultural Dance Performance, Group Size, Location, Time, Private Instruction and unique personal requests. It’s your choice! Make your experience one to remember!
Prepare for an unforgettable cultural experience through the woods and mountains taking in unbelievable scenery! Our mobile unit can travel and deliver our programs almost anywhere.
High Performance Equipment - Great Lakes Cultural Camp Adventure Equipment
Great Lakes Cultural Camps uses high performance gear including Kokatat, Esquif Canoes, MSR Stoves, Hooligan Gear, Sweet Helmets, Jackson Kayaks, H20 Paddles and Salus. All guests are outfitted with Coast Guard approved PFD’S (personal flotation device) wetsuits, splash jackets and helmets which are all included in the price . Our gear is new top of the line and in great condition. We wash and air the gear after every trip.
Canoes and Kayaks
Great Lakes Cultural Camps maintains over 18 whitewater kayaks and 25 whitewater canoes. By having a large inventory of kayaks and canoes, there is something to paddle for all skill levels and body types. GLCC provides our Week of Rivers clients with their preferred boat each and every day, without the hassle of bringing a boat down from home.
Kayaks
Jackson Karma Large
Jackson Karma Medium
Jackson Villain
Jackson Villain S
Jackson Super Hero
Jackson Hero
Jackson Zen 75
Jackson Zen 65
Jackson Zen 55
Jackson Fun 2
Jackson Fun
Jackson Fun 4
Wavesport Diesle 65
Solo Canoes
Esquif L’Edge
Esquif Spark
Esquif Zephyer
Esquif Taureau
Esquif Raven
Esquif Spanish Fly
Bell Ocoee
Madriver Outrage
Madriver Outrage X
Tandem Canoe
6- Esquif Canyon
2- Evergreen Starburst
Flatwater Canoe
10 - Oldtown Appalachians (Mike Yee Outfitted)
10 - Nova Craft Prospector
2016 Great Lakes Cultural Camps Fine Print
Choose A Program or Two
Feel free to mix and match topic areas. We can customize most of our programs to meet the needs of your individual needs, group or organization. Our adventure based educators will concentrate on the universal teachings about First nation culture, traditions and customs.
Location
We are able to operate ALL of our programs as outreach programs. We have worked across the province of Ontario have have accessed some pretty neat places. Give us a call to discuss options suited for your program idea.
Payment
A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking; this includes a $500.00 non-refundable administration fee. 50% of the balance is due 90 days prior to the course commencement, the full amount is due 60 days prior to course commencement. Balances will be automatically charged on these dates. Medical reasons not withstanding, should the client withdraw from any course, a 50% cancellation fee is automatically deducted from the full registration cost. If withdrawing with less than 45 days notice prior to course commencement, there is no refund. Cancellation and Refunds.A full refund will be received for cancellations made 60 days prior to the trip departure date less the $250.00 administration fee. Cancellations made within 60 days are non-refundable. Great Lakes Cultural Camps, reserves the right to refuse a student's participation in any course should safety become a factor.
We Reserve The Right
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary prior to and throughout the trip as we constantly improve the Great Lakes Cultural Camp experience. Itineraries may change due to: Severe weather, student ability, motivation and conditioning, high or low rivers, high, unpredictable natural disasters and acts of God, vehicle breakdowns, road closures, forest fires, illness, any potential threat to safety; even a brilliant idea from an instructor or student. In the event of a schedule change, comparable activities will be substituted when possible and you will be notified by e-mail of significant changes.
Cancellation and Refunds
A full refund will be received for cancellations made 60 days prior to the trip departure date less the $250.00 administration fee. Cancellations made within 60 days are non-refundable. We highly suggest purchasing cancellation insurance through your travel agency.
Medical Circumstance Refunds and Withdrawal
For students who are required to discontinue their course/program for medical reasons, each course has its own specific policies that may require contacting the coordinator of that course. However, most courses do not provide a refund unless it is for a medical or emergency reason. Medical circumstances require an official written doctor's note. The refund amount is specific to each course and may be pro-rated based on course time completed at time of withdrawal. All medical requests must be made in writing and be fully supported and documented by a practicing medical physician with the Medical Association.
Registration Process
Upon receipt of your paid registration we will forward our Health & Safety Form and an Assumption of Risk, Responsibility Form. Please complete these and return them immediately. We must receive these completed forms in order for you to begin the course. There is a practical skills evaluation as part of the certification process during this course.
The Course Fee Does Not Include
Personal equipment/gear requirements, personal expenditures while at Great Lakes Cultural base camp (i.e. equipment purchase, travel snack purchase) nor does it provide replacement for lost, stolen or broken equipment.
Insufficient Registration
From time to time, courses are cancelled due to insufficient registration. Every effort will be made to contact people 14 days prior to the start of the course. Great Lakes Cultural Camps is not responsible for any other expenses incurred by registrants as a result of cancelled courses such as travel and accommodation.
Evaluation and Attendance
Practical assessment is ongoing. Instructors will do everything they can to accommodate students with different learning styles and needs. Please let us know what we can do to help you succeed. Attendance for 100% of class time is mandatory. If you cannot make a session you must get permission from the instructor in advance. Students who miss a section of the course without pre-approval may be asked to leave the course for the sake and safety of the other students.
Our COMMITMENT
It is our privilege to continue to provide high quality, ethical professional service to clientele, keeping to our guidelines:
•Service-directed, client-learning centred; action-oriented and culturally-relevant;
•Maintaining the dignity and integrity of all clients we serve
•Pre-service references provided on quality of service as the clients’ rights;
•All-training designs custom-tailored to meet the needs of clients requesting service.
•On-site consultation as part of training programs.
Once You Book A Program
A detailed program description, letters of reference, poster for advertising, needs assessment, participant requirements will be forwarded upon receipt of you confirmation fee deposit. Dates are subject to confirmation and availability.
Good luck with your planning! We look forward to the opportunity to share our culturally enriched, adventure packed learning programs with you.
