Pathfinder News and Notes - June 2008
This month ...
Parents, read the June 1 bulletin here for key information. June 1 bulletin ...
Campers, see the latest roster current to June 1. Newest camper roster ...
Pathfinder News and Notes - May 2008
May highlights. Ice-out and early work crews reach camp ... students from Lakefield College and Wilson High School experience Pathfinder ... bugs bite and moose feed ... June crew arrives ... read and see more ...
The Newest Pathfinders: Wilson High School Outdoor Club
30 outstanding people became part of the Pathfinder family with a first-ever foray into the backwoods from their inner-city Rochester high school. The group worked with Pathfinder Headmen from May 23-26, and were among our camp's best-ever school guests. Oh, there's photos.
Wilson OC album 1 ...
Wilson OC album 2 ...
April's Notes ...
The ice is out at Source Lake!
Friday, April 25, 2008.
Pathfinder 'green' is doing the little things - Essay ...
Pathfinder to use water bottles sans BPA - Read more ...
Camper Roster, Current to March 27 - Camper roster ...
Current parent eMail News April 9 - Parent news ...
Mini-Camp Aug 8 - 10, 2008!
This is our 3-day camp just for new boys, ages 6-9, who are ready to try camp fun, in anticipation of attending Pathfinder next summer. Mini-camp details ...
Source Lake April 22, 2008
View from the Ministry helicopter on Earth Day '08. The Park staff are watching developments from the air, in anticipation of major lakes being ice-free in a few days' time. Last year, Source was already open at this date, but the recent winter saw a huge build-up of snow and lake ice after a big January '08 thaw. Right now, the Source Lake road is barricaded and washed out in several places. Snow is still deep in the bush, and in places on the road. The parking lot is too soft for vehicles. Reports from our guys at the MNR say that water is several feet over the Car Dock, and as you can see from the aerial photo, the Canoe Dock may be partially submerged, while the Motorboat Dock, Kitchen Dock and main Swim Dock are all invisible, with water and ice well over them. Stay tuned for updates! sladds
Classic Snapshots Found
March 26 - Corot Reason sent me these yesterday, just what we're looking for in the 95th year! sladds
"I read on the alumni chatter page on the camp site about the pics you are accumulating ...
1967 AA trip: Taken on the canoe dock before the trip left. A young Richard Swift is also in the shot. Campers: myself, Herman, Lundquist, Hayes, Reed Lannom and Tim Arem.
Bob Roggow, JLay Leighbody and Jack Hurley, taken at the end of the trip at Opeongo. Note the decals on the three red canoes.
AAs and staff on the trip at the Pick Up showing the old stake truck that AO had.
An unusual shot of a logging truck on the road somewhere between Phillips and Radiant. We convinced the driver that he was going in the wrong direction. So we rode the logs over to Radiant. I'm sure it was very safe."
Pathfinder News and Notes - March 2008
March 27 - see the latest camper sign-ups so far! Click roster ...
March 20 - You can find the latest parent forms for Summer 2008 on this web site, at the Parent Info page. To see the clothing list, the camper transport form, and the camper health form, click to Parent Info/forms.
March 10 - this morning Sladds was interviewed about Pathfinder by Spirit Magazine, a publication of the Tennis Clubs of America affiliate in Rochester. The piece runs in the April issue. Read the interview ...
March 1 - another Pathfinder article appeared in the March issue of Rochester Magazine, published by the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. The short piece by Nancy O'Donnell highlights Pathfinder's school group programs. Read the article ...
Looking Ahead to 2008, the 95th Summer
Enrollment Update March 2008
Only a few places remain available for camp ages 13-15. Many Mics and Chipps are already signed up, but there are openings still in each 2-week session. The Cree tribe (11-12) has places as well, for either First Half or Second Half.
Contact Camp for updates on sessions and space available.
Call Sladds at 585.249.0716
Don't forget Mini-Camp '08, a 3-day trial camp session for our youngest prospects, ages 6-8. There's more info. about this special event on the News & Notes page.
95th Anniversary Celebration
Plans or the 95th anniversary alumni celebration are taking shape. Alumni, check regularly on the Alumni Chatter page of this web site!
Will Pathfinder Boys Need US Passports Next Summer?
As of March, US border policy is that American citizens returning by AIR to the US from Canada must have a valid passport. For Americans returning to the US from Canada by ROAD (e.g. camp bus or parent car), a passport is not required, only a birth certificate. Children age 18 and under are only required to prove citizenship with a birth certificate. Check our information in the Parent Info. section of this web site!
Cool Maps of Algonquin Park
Check out these cool maps:
Vintage map of Algonquin Park, ca. 1940s
Map of Ontario showing canoe regions
Algonquin Park Map current, viewable pdf
February News
Camp Trails is Out!
Pathfinder's 2007 Summer yearbook Camp Trails is a hit with Campers. All Campers receive a copy of Camp Trails! Staff and Alumni can get a copy, too: please email Sladds to have one sent for $25.00. This 108-page full color book highlights the people, trips and fun of the 94th Pathfinder season.
Camp Trails was designed again this year by Corey Floyd!
Scholarships for Our Campers
Partial and full scholarships for Pathfinder campers in need are provided by a group of Pathfinder alumni who formed the Algonquin Campership Fund. Started in 2001 the Fund helps boys have the life-changing experience of attending Camp Pathfinder. The Fund is administered by the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
To see details about the scholarship process, click to
The Algonquin Campership Fund ...
To print an application for scholarship assistance, click to
ACF application pdf ...
To get details about giving to the Fund, email me
redcanoes@att.net ...
January News
- photo: Ferrara
A Camper Photo Album
Several campers have sent in gorgeous trip photos from the summer. Here is an album from Nick Ferrara and Alex Dillon. Nice job boys! Click and enjoy ...
New Maps From Brack
When you look at your Pathfinder island map, you're looking at the early cartography of Chris Brackley. Chris moved on to study cartography, and has just told us his latest project is coming on line. He's worked at University of Toronto for over two years to bring the Historical Atlas of Canada to the web. Check out his interactive maps on line!
Click for Brack's Atlas ...
Happy New Year to All!
sladds
New Years Day at Camp 2008
- photo: Karl Doench
December News
Dec. 2
Saturday, brilliant sun and biting cold covered the Park near Source, along with two feet of fresh snow from squalls on Thursday and Friday. Last year at this time, I was able to paddle to the Island on Nov. 30 in 45-degree weather. Today, a year later, the ponds are frozen and the larger lakes half-so. Here is a view from the portage looking back at the pond of the Madawaska River known to so many of our trippers. If you portaged your pack down the old rail bed out of the camp car dock, the shoreline on the far side of this photo is where you slid down the bank to the pond. Then, the muddy load-up and short paddle to the take-out where I stood to take the picture. To get to Tanamakoon Lake and points south, portage across Hwy. 60 and into another beaver pond.
December 7
The Headman's Cookbook Project ...
an assortment of trip food recipes from Headmen past and present.
Addendum: Details on Sandy Gage's Punjab Rice ...
November News
- War canoe sprints, 2007 Regatta
November 15
This latest group of photos is about .... Groups. They're all group shots, ranging from Mischievous Mic-Chipps, to Cleaned up Crees, Wacked out Otts, Meanest Link Trippers, Camper All-Stars, Pyramid Builders, AA trip crews, Apache Scouts, Mungdastic Munday competitors, Raft Rockers, Headmen, SecondMen, CITs and Ladies of CPI '07.
I'm busy building web albums with more photos of '07. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, be sure to attend the Pathfinder events this fall: Saturn Club Autumn Reunion Nov. 23, and Rochester Reunion, another Paddle Tennis party at Midtown Athletic Dec. 8.
Noonway for now,
sladds
September News - Final Banquet, August 19
Nick Cavallo spoke for the Campers, and Ben Bristow spoke for the Staff. Austin Ferguson, whose father Read and uncle Whit also attended Pathfinder, was voted both the Pathfinder Award and the Tripping Award this year. Here, he hammers up the paddle with DOT Zach Arem lending a hand.
August News - Your Guides Race Champions
Zach Arem and Adrian Kelly, Aug. 2007
Mini-Camps 2007-2008
August 10-12, 2007 / August 8-10, 2008
3 Days of Adventure for New Boys ages 6 - 8
Mini-Camp was a huge hit in 2007. We had a dozen new boys, who came to check us out. They had a blast and want to sign up in '08. We are repeating this offering!
The best way to get a future Camper excited about Pathfinder is for him to visit and spend time here. Doing activities with the Staffmen and other Campers, swimming in Source Lake, discovering the food is amazing, and falling asleep to the wind in the pines and the calls of loons.
Mini-Camp is devoted to just 12 boys, ages 6-9 years. They come for a 2-night mini-camp. They’ll live like Pathfinder Campers, sleep in a lodge, have meals with us in the Dining Hall, go to activity periods, choose Optionals, play Evening Program, hit the Forts, jump in for Soap Bath, and visit Candy Store. All just like real Campers.
Parents will be welcome to spend first and last mornings of mini-camp on the island, but have their own Algonquin experience at one of the excellent nearby lodges. This is your chance to let your son be independent, while you enjoy all that Algonquin Park has to offer.
For more details, contact Sladds and request your invitation!
What Does My Son Need to Go To Camp?
Some nuts and bolts.
Parents – Once your son is enrolled you can visit this web site for standard camp forms: Transport – Health – Clothing List/Gear. To save paper and postage, we are providing our Camp Forms on this web site. Please print these out and complete them as soon as possible. Click to them from the Parent Information page on this web site, then fax them to camp. Faxing up to May 30 is to Sladds' winter office in Rochester, 585.586.4323 . After that time, you may fax to camp itself, 705.633.5500 . Any questions, contact Sladds at 585.249.0716.
Transport Form
This is the form that tells us how you plan for your Camper to travel to and from Pathfinder. Fill it out including signature, then fax back to us at camp.
About Passports
As of 2008 passports are required for AIR travelers returning to the US from Canada. As of Summer 2008, Canada and the United States say they will require you to have a child's birth certificate to enter and leave Canada by ROAD.
Health Form
To be filled out by parent and doctor’s office. Please note: there is no requirement for a physical exam for your son. The doctor’s office just needs to complete some basic health information and have the doctor sign. The Parent also signs the health form, and then mails or faxes it to the Rochester office as above.
Clothing List
The clothing list is available as a link from this page and the Parent Information page. View only or print it out. Please don’t hesitate to call if you want some advice.
Pathfinder Gear Available
As always, Pathfinder is offering families good quality sleeping bags, life vests and dry bags at cost. Call if you would like to order something and have it waiting for your son at Camp.
Canoe Paddles from Pathfinder
If your Camper is an Early Bird, he receives a free trip paddle when he arrives. If you are not an Early Bird, but would like to get your son a paddle, please email me and we can arrange it. Paddles are worth approximately $25.00 cn and are gorgeous maple trip blades from Oconto Paddle.
Remember: a personal paddle is not required. We have plenty of paddles, but some boys like to have their own. Your call!