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AlgomaTrad Family Camp
AlgomaTrad Family Camp 2024 begins on Monday, August 12 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 18, 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. The public Staff Concert will be held at the Centennial Grounds in Richards Landing, 5 minutes away.
CLICK HERE to view the 2023 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 June 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.
Check-in
All campers may check in after Noon on Monday, August 12.
Daily Gathering
The camp will begin with a community meal at 5PM on Monday, August 12 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.
2024 Camp Registration
Registration Options:
- Full registration includes all meals, workshops, evening programming and camping.
Adult (18+): $800+HST, Teen (13-17): $640+HST, Youth (8-12): $470+HST, Child (4-7): $325+HST - Full registration with WorkTrade is a reduced fee for up to 2 hours of work exchange each day.
Adult (18+): $675+HST, Teen (13-17): $540+HST - Full fee for Accompanying guardian/parent/spouse includes all meals, Gatherings, and evening events, but is not registered to take any daytime workshops except when accompanying child/children to their classes.
$500+HST - Day camper registration includes lunch, workshops, and evening programming. Day campers 4-7 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Please inquire if parent/guardian would like to purchase lunch.
Adult (18+): $640+HST, Teen (13-17): $500+HST, Youth (8-12): $385+HST, Child (4-7): $275+HST - Children 3 years and under are welcome at no extra cost, but there is no specific programming for this age group.
Payment Options:
- E-Transfer
- Credit Card
- Pre-authorized debit (PAD)
- Cheque
Before continuing to the registration form below, please be sure to read the General Terms and Conditions for the AlgomaTrad Family Camp. You will be asked to confirm that you have read and agree to them
CLICK HERE to proceed to the Registration Form
If you have any questions or need help completing your online registration form, please contact Kyle Burghout at kyle@algomatrad.ca.
This year’s camp team! More to come!
Here’s a preview of who’s coming to camp this year. More staff will be added to this list in the coming months!
Shane Cook
A Canadian and US National fiddle champion, Shane Cook captivates audiences with technically thrilling and adventurous performances. Noted by The Canadian Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame as one of the “finest fiddlers in the world today,” Shane has distinguished himself as a master of the Canadian old-time fiddle tradition. He also enjoys playing and arranging everything […]
Adrianna Ciccone
A native of Northern Ontario, Adrianna Ciccone lives in Kjipuktuk / Halifax, Nova Scotia where she runs Merry Time Music Company – a community minded music school in the city’s historic Hydrostone neighbourhood. Raised in the Ottawa Valley fiddle tradition and greatly inspired by Québécois fiddling, Adrianna cut her teeth at fiddle camps across Ontario […]
James Stephens
James is known for his work both as a performer and producer/recording engineer. In performance, he plays a multitude of stringed instruments with an emphasis on fiddling. He has an abiding interest in traditional forms and styles of various ethnic origins, but also works extensively with singer-songwriters and was the principal songwriter in critically acclaimed […]
Áine Schryer-O’Gorman
Áine Schryer-O’Gorman has been playing fiddle for 16 years, learning music while touring and playing for dances with their family; being surrounded by the magic of their parents’ (Julie Schryer and Pat O’Gorman) music camp AlgomaTrad; and being influenced by many exceptional and generous musicians including their brother Benoît, uncles Raymond, Louis, Pierre, and Dan, […]
Kate Weekes
Kate Weekes is a multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter based in the Gatineau Hills of Quebec. As a touring and recording artist, Kate has released four albums of original material influenced by her time spent in the northern parts of the world working as a dog musher, canoe and hiking guide. On her most recent release, Better […]
Darrin Schott
Darrin received a mandolin for his 11th birthday, and has yet to be seen without an instrument since. He grew up in a musical family, where his father even hosted a weekly radio show in the 1950’s. Once Darrin had that first Mandolin he was hooked! He spent many of the next summers going to every bluegrass festival […]
Ian Bell
Ian Bell is a native of Waterford Ontario, a musician, visual artist, and former museum curator. As a folk musician, Ian Bell has performed across Canada and in the United States since the late 1970s On his own and with a number of groups, he has appeared at numerous folk festivals across Canada and abroad […]
Will Henry
Will Henry is a photographer, journalist, musician and tune maker based in Owen Sound. He is the author of Juggling the Notes, a collection of his photographs, original tunes and stories about the traditional music communities and musicians with which he has been associated. Henry has played fiddle for dances and concert performances in the […]
Laurie Cumming
“At a party long ago, I watched as a sheet of plywood was plunked down over her living room carpet and Kate Murphy jumped on and started to dance. I’ve been hooked ever since! Kate shared her love of step dance with me over the years and, in turn, I’ve been spreading the joy of […]
Emily Addison
Emily is a caller, trad musician, and dance organizer with a deep passion for building community, creating connections, and bringing joy to others in whatever role she is playing. As the caller at this year’s AlgomaTrad Camp, Emily will be weaving in lots of fantastic contra dances, some hot traditional squares, and a smattering of […]
Eli Howard
Eli Howard was first introduced to Irish traditional music at age five, when his school teacher began running tin whistle lessons at his elementary school. Eli quickly developed an obsession with traditional music which, since then, has led him to live in Ireland for an extended period, attend AlgomaTrad music camp for thirteen summers, as […]
Julie Schryer
Julie Schryer grew up in a Franco-Ontarian home that was filled with traditional music and song. She began playing piano in 1972. Having four brothers as fiddle players gave Julie ample opportunity to develop as a piano accompanist. During her youth she played for hundreds of fiddle players at competitions and events throughout Ontario and […]
Patrick O’Gorman
Pat O’Gorman (pipes, whistle, flute) began playing bagpipes in 1967 as part of the Ontario Highland Piping world and has studied traditional music in Ireland, Brittany and Cape Breton. He has been playing traditional music on wooden concert (Irish) flute for over 40 years and plays Irish Uilleann pipes and whistles as well. Pat has […]
AlgomaTrad Family Camp terms and conditions
- No fee adjustments will be made in the case of late arrival or early departure.
- Cancellation refunds are available up to July 15 minus a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations after July 15 will receive an 85% refund.
- Resident (overnight) children campers under the age of 13 years must be accompanied by a parent/Guardian who is a registered camper. Children are the responsibility of the parent or Guardian at all times.
- Everyone must register, sign waivers and pay before the beginning of Camp.
- Only registered campers, staff, and volunteers are allowed to camp on site.
- The AlgomaTrad Family Camp reserves the right to expel, at any time, registrants deemed to be behaving in a way that threatens the safety and/or well being of themselves or others, or who place at risk the property or other registrants. Refunds will not be granted in this case.
- There is a NO SMOKING policy at the AlgomaTrad Centre.
- The AlgomaTrad Family Camp cannot be held responsible for loss, theft or damage of belongings.
- While considerable precautions are taken to secure the safety of registrants, AlgomaTrad Family Camp cannot assume liability in the event of sickness or accident. Adequate health insurance is recommended.
By registering for AlgomaTrad Family Camp, you agree to discharge AlgomaTrad, its staff, and volunteers from any claims for damages or personal injury which may result from you or your family’s participation in the AlgomaTrad Family Camp.
You and/or your family also agree to conduct yourselves according to any and all Public Health directives from the provincial and federal governments.
Thank you for your efforts to make AlgomaTrad a safe, welcoming, and joyful community.
Accommodations
There are several available options for registrants who do not want to camp. Following is a list of motels, B&Bs, and cabins, or you can go to the St. Joseph Island Chamber of Commerce site.
The Clansmen Motel
H-K Units & Suites, high-speed wi-fi, cable TV, phones, in-room coffee, senior discount, weekly rates, seasonal pool, snowmobile trail, 5 minutes from AlgomaTrad. RR#2 Richards Landing, Teresa & Neil Caughil.
705-246-2581 | clansmenmotel.ca | clansmenmotel@gmail.com
Fred’s Trailer Park and Laundromat
Walking distance to downtown Richard’s Landing. Full boat hook-ups, boat launch and docking. Laundromat open 24/7.
705-246-2572 | Nancy and Heather Littleton
Hilton Beach Inn
Year-round accommodations in Hilton Beach. Guest rooms and suites, some with kitchens.
705-246-0063 | 866-946-0063 | hiltonbeachinn.ca
Maria’s Cabins
Quaint, lakeside cottage resort , 1 km outside of Richards Landing. Fully equipped housekeeping cabins with bicycles, canoes and kayaks, operating year round. Operated by Daniela and Detlef Gebhart.
705-246-1570 | daniela.gebhart@sympatico.ca | mariascabins.com
Stonefield House B&B
An idyllic country retreat on 80 private acres. Three spacious rooms, all with en suite baths and satellite TV. Irish Pub-themed breakfast room, close to amenities, open all year.
705-246-1616 | stonefieldhouse@live.com | bbcanada.com/12610
Sunset Bay B&B
Paul and Rilla Higgins
705-246-2177 | sunsetbay.bb@gmail.com | sunsetbay.ca
Sunnyside B&B
1328 Sailor’s Encampment
Richards Landing P0R 1J0
705-246-1555 | sunnyside1328@gmail.com | sunnysidebnb.com
Become a volunteer!
Contact us for details.