AlgomaTrad Family Camp 2025 begins on Monday, August 11 with camper arrival anytime after 12pm. Classes occur for 4 days, Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, with breaks for lunch and an elective period. Every evening after supper there are concerts, dances, and other events, including a Staff Concert open to the public and a camper Variety Night. Saturday is reserved for community gatherings, sessions, special events, optional class performances, and the Final Farewell Dance. Sunday morning, August 17, we have a Final Gathering at 10am before campers depart. Volunteers are welcome to stay to help wrap up the Camp.
Classes and workshops
All workshops, meals, dances, sessions, mini-concerts, and programming occur at the AlgomaTrad Centre, 1249 F&G Line, Richards Landing, St. Joseph Island, Ontario.
2025 Camp Schedule won’t be ready until after Registration opens in April, but you can view the 2024 Schedule for a good example of what Camp looks like.
CLICK HERE to view the 2024 Camp Schedule.
Skill levels
Descriptions of levels are simply guidelines for instrument players and stepdancers only; if you have questions/need some guidance, please feel free to consult us by email or phone at 705-257-6106. We want your experience to be both fun and challenging!
Introduction – introduction to the basics of a new instrument.
Level 1 – has learned the basics, can play a few simple tunes.
Level 2/Novice – has a good grasp of the basics and can play or accompany approximately a dozen tunes at a slow speed.
Level 3/Intermediate – has mastered the basics, can play or accompany many tunes at a medium tempo with ease and proficiency, and has experience learning by ear. Advanced accompanists will be integrated with this level.
Level 4/Master Class – For highly experienced musicians who can play a large repertoire of tunes at dance tempos. Tunes will be taught quickly with greater attention to style and technique.
Schedule
A schedule of workshops is sent to registrants by email and posted on-line by July so each camper can select workshop preferences. There are 4 class periods during the day and an elective period in the afternoon that offers special workshops or can be used for practicing, swimming….or napping! Evenings are full, with concerts, dances, sessions, and other special events.
2025 Camp Schedule won’t be ready until after Registration opens in April, but you can view the 2024 Schedule for a good example of what Camp looks like.
CLICK HERE to view the 2024 Camp Schedule.
Check-in
All campers may check in after Noon on Monday, August 11.
Daily Gathering
The camp will begin with a community meal at 5PM on Monday, August 11 followed by an orientation Gathering and introduction to the Instructors at 6:30PM. We encourage all registrants/students, including Daycampers, to attend! A dance and jam sessions will follow the Gathering.
Attending the daily mid-morning Gathering is part of the community-building experience that AlgomaTrad endeavours to foster – you’ll find out information regarding elective period choices, special events, presentations and performances, PLUS you can take part in song sharing and other often unexpected fun stuff that occurs during the Gathering, AND get to know your fellow campers.
Accompanying parent or guardian
Children between the ages of 4-7 taking day classes must be accompanied by a guardian when not in class. Guardians are encouraged to attend classes for this age group. All children are the responsibility of the parent or guardian at all times. A registered full-time guardian may attend lunch, supper, and evening events but is not registered to take any daytime workshops except when accompanying child/children to their classes.
Camping
AlgomaTrad is a residential camp, but at this time there is only camping available at the AlgomaTrad Centre. A list of motels, B&Bs, and cabins are available under the Accommodations tab, or you can visit the St. Joseph Island Chamber of Commerce site – www.sjichamber.ca.
- There are washrooms, showers, potable water on-site. Although trailers are welcome there are no water/sewage hook ups.
- Electrical outlets are limited and restricted to light use (no A/C).
Registrants 13 and under who are camping must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Please let us know if you are between the ages of 14 and 18 and are attending the camp without a parent/guardian.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Our chefs and volunteer kitchen staff will prepare breakfast, lunch and supper plus snacks between workshops. Wholesome and delicious food is a priority. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available upon request. We do our utmost to accommodate dietary restrictions, please let us know if you have any.
Online and silent auctions
During the week we have our annual Online Auction and a silent auction for campers. The proceeds from this auction go towards our needs-based Nicholas Missere Bursary Fund as well as towards educational programming throughout the year. We welcome campers to contribute handmade items, art, services, disservices, massages, dinner, babysitting, hair braiding, holidays, whatever you can imagine. Campers will receive more information about this in July.
Public Health and AlgomaTrad Family Camp
AlgomaTrad follows all Federal and Provincial Public Health guidelines and directives concerning public events and travel restrictions. In the event that the AlgomaTrad Family Camp is cancelled due to governmental directives, full refunds will be administered to registrants.
Registration payment options
Registration may be paid by pre-authorized debit (PAD), credit card, e-Transfer, or by cheque payable to AlgomaTrad via snail mail. Registrations will be open soon!
Bursaries
There are limited openings for campers in need of financial aid through our bursaries: the Nicholas Missere Bursary Fund, the Kate Murphy Bursary Fund, and the Annie Bartlett Bursary Fund. Please visit the bursaries page for more info.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation refunds are available up to July 15 minus a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations after July 15 will receive a 85% refund. No fee adjustments will be made in the case of late arrival or early departure.
Internet
At this time, there is no wifi at the AlgomaTrad Centre. The local library is 5 minutes away and offers high-speed internet and/or wifi at a nominal fee.
How to get to camp
AlgomaTrad Centre
AlgomaTrad Family Camp takes place at the AlgomaTrad Centre, 1249 F&G Line, Richards Landing, ON on beautiful St. Joseph Island in Ontario. View the map here where you can print out detailed directions.