Camp FAQ

• Wake up and get ready for the day
• Morning object lesson or devotional thought
• Breakfast
• Cabin clean up – ready for inspection!
• 1st activity
• 2nd Activity
• Free Time
• Lunch
• Quiet Time (skit, story, or object lesson followed by cabin Bible discussion)
• Free Time (Tuck Shop open for business!)
• 3rd Activity
• 4th Activity
• Get ready for theme supper (twins, crazy hats, colour, dress your cabin leader, etc.)
• Supper
• Wide Game (all-camp activity such as capture the flag, staff hunt, dodge ball, etc.)
• Free Time
• Campfire (Tune up your singing voice!)
• Get ready for bed
• Lights out – Get your rest ’cause tomorrow’s comin’!

In our Pathway program we introduce campers at a beginner level to what is possibly the new idea of horsemanship. The campers learn how to be confident on the horse and master skills such as making the horse move forward, turning in a circle, stopping, and backing up. Riders first begin in an arena setting to establish and solidify these skills then move out on to beginner level trails to bring the western dream into reality. The Pathway wranglers are very knowledgeable and well trained to give the campers one-on-one support and instruction, as well as to give their greatest effort to ensure the campers best possible experience.

In Western Town, the horsemanship program caters to riders of all levels, from beginner to experienced, there will always be a new skill for them to learn. Circle Square Ranch Halkirk offers an exciting new program where riders learn beyond the average riding skills and have the opportunity to learn a rodeo style event that they have interest in learning – once the foundational skills needed for the event has been demonstrated by the rider. Campers will take part in many arena activities as well as fun trail rides gauged toward their riding ability and interest. They will also have one hour at minimum in the week to learn “Horse Sense” in class, and so much more on trail rides.

Beginner riders will be given lots of support to master how to control and work with their horse from ground as well as by horse back. Once campers are able to demonstrate safe control, they have the opportunity to work as a team with their horse by going through different obstacles on horseback as well as by ground. Skills will be taught such as: ground manners, how their horse responds to different leg and hand pressures, the principle of “Ask, Tell, Command”, and so much more.

Riders coming from an experienced horsemanship background must be able to demonstrate higher levels of control and equitation to safely take part in other exciting activities such as: Barrel Racing, Poll Bending, Calf Roping, Working a cow, and other fun games.

Yes. To help reduce lost and found items we ask that all possessions brought to camp be labelled. We attempt to help care for the camper’s clothing, but often considerable amounts get left behind. Clothes will be accessible at sign-out at the end of each camp session.

We will retain lost and found for one month following camp. If not claimed by then, we will donate appropriate items to a local charity. Medication will be disposed of within two weeks following the camper’s week of attendance. Calls to the camp regarding lost and found will be handled as time permits. We can only look for labelled items. Any found items will be sent C.O.D. (at your expense).

Campers are encouraged not to bring valuable clothing or possessions. Circle Square Ranch is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.

Your child will have a devotional time during the day plus an evening campfire that will focus on predetermined topics as laid out in the Circle Square Ranch general program. These are times of introduction to Christian values and beliefs presented through small and large group discussions, skits, songs and Bible study.

Our summer leadership team consists of individuals with previous camping experience as well as specific skills and training in their area of responsibility.

Campers should bring enough clothing for their camp session. Please label all clothing and luggage! (Labels or indelible markers)

*Circle Square Ranch is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.

Absolutely no alcohol, drugs or tobacco are permitted at camp. Campers who fail to cooperate with this may be sent home. Circle Square Ranch is a non-smoking facility. Please discuss this with your child prior to camp should you consider this to be a concern.

We suggest a weekly amount of $10 (Pathway) and $15-$20 (Western Town).

*Please note: Regular camp fees do not include tuck shop purchases, clothing, or souvenirs.

• We are unable to take early registration. If there is a pressing matter, please contact the office to see if other arrangements can be made. Additional fees may apply.
• A parent, guardian or a responsible adult must accompany ALL campers.
• ALL medications and tuck money are to be handed in at registration.

FOUR things to do when you arrive at camp:

1. Go to registration table. Both the child and the parent or guardian MUST report together to the registration table. Pertinent information on your child’s application will be confirmed. In order to move through as quickly as possible, please have the following ready in your hands:

• Provincial Health Care Number
• Additional contact numbers (if not on application)
• Change of address information (if applicable)
• Any fees still owing
   

2. Talk to the First Aid Worker if your child has any medication, specific health concerns, diet restrictions, etc. All medications must be in original containers marked with the child’s name and dosage of medication. These will be handed to the Camp First Aid Worker for safe keeping and administering. Campers requiring inhalers or epipens should bring a spare one to leave with the First Aid Worker. Lice checks will also be done at this time.

3. Turn in your spending money at the General Store(also known as the Tuck Shop) for Western Town and the registration table at Pathway. The amount of money will be recorded on an account sheet which is kept in the store. Purchases made during the week are recorded and a daily balance is calculated. At the end of the week, the remaining money will be in an envelope for you to retrieve from the sign-out window at the Rodeo.

4. Move into your cabin and meet your cabin leader. Cabin lists will be posted just inside the main doors of the hotel, as well as available through ranch staff on the wagon.

These can be done in any order, but your registration is not finished until you have completed all four procedures.

• Pathway – 11 am
• Western Town – 12 pm
   

Please be ready to assume responsibility for your child at the completion of the rodeo. Sign-out is immediately following the rodeo at the Trading Post. Campers must be with their parents/guardians to sign out.

• Leftover tuck money, unused medication, and camp photo will be handed out at sign-out.
• All campers must be signed out before leaving. Please notify the office if someone else will be picking up your child at departure as they will be required to sign them out.

With that in mind, we encourage parents and family not to visit during the week. If a child is homesick, a visit by family is usually not helpful. As well, other campers who are feeling homesick and are aware of the visit may request similar privileges and in most cases, this is not possible. We encourage family to spend as much time on arrival as they feel necessary.

Due to the structure of our program, Circle Square Ranch requests that medications required throughout the year be sent with your child to camp. All medication brought to camp MUST be kept by ranch staff, including vitamins, puffers and Tylenol. They must be labelled properly with medication name and directions for use. Prescription medication MUST be in the original container with user’s name printed on label. If you want your child to carry their puffer or epipen with them please bring a fanny pack for that purpose. We also request that a second puffer or epipen be checked in with the camp nurse.

Please do not use the week of camp as a break from medication.

All medications left behind after camp will be disposed of after two weeks.

Details regarding medical/behavioral concerns are to be communicated in writing. Please call to discuss any concerns/special needs by phone.

To learn more see our Policy on Bullying and Misbehavior

• Cabins and activity groups are much smaller – 6 in each cabin, 12(6 boys and 6 girls) in each group
• Staff to camper ratio is higher (about 1 staff for every 3 campers)
• Activities are more experience-based, so the campers all get a chance to try new things that we do here, like archery and mountain biking and horseback riding.
• Bedtime is also quite a bit earlier, because most of the campers are younger than those that attend Western Town camps.
   

Western Town is a larger setting, geared for an older child (9-18).

• Cabins are larger (from 9 to 14 campers in each cabin)
• Staff to camper ratio is about 1 to 4
• Activities have an added competitive aspect to them – archery is scored, the obstacle course is timed, horsemanship level is tested, and awards are presented at the end of the week.
• Physical demand on the camper is higher – the activities are more challenging, and bedtime is later.

Here are some things to consider when choosing the right week of camp for your child. If a camper is going to Western Town for the first time after being in Pathway, it is usually easier for them to adjust if they are put with a younger age grouping at Western Town (for example, 9-12 age group instead of 11-13, even if they are 11).Consider your child’s maturity – mentally, emotionally, and physically. Consider the grade level that they are in and the age that most of their peers are at. Cabins are typically grouped by age. Also, the boys and girls do activities together and girls at 13 are often much taller and stronger than boys at 13, so think about that aspect as well. We do increase the level of competition and physical demand of games and activities with older age groups as well, so if your child is small for their age, or doesn’t enjoy competitive games, perhaps register them in a week with mostly younger campers.

Lastly, we would suggest that you ask what your child prefers as they might have their own preference about being with kids mostly older or mostly younger than them.