AlgomaTrad Family Camp

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.

2025 Camp Registration

2025 Registration will open April 1, 2025. If you want to be the first to know, please sign up for our newsletter below.

While fees are not set for the 2025 Camp, the information about 2024 fees will give you some idea of the costs for coming to Camp. There will be changes and increases for the 2025 year.

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2024 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, 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.

AlgomaTrad Family Camp terms and conditions

1. No fee adjustments will be made in the case of late arrival or early departure.
2. Cancellation refunds are available up to July 15 minus a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations after July 15 will receive an 85% refund.
3. 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.
4. Everyone must register, sign waivers and pay before the beginning of Camp.
5. Only registered campers, staff, and volunteers are allowed to camp on site.
6. 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.
7. There is a NO SMOKING policy at the AlgomaTrad Centre.
8. The AlgomaTrad Family Camp cannot be held responsible for loss, theft or damage of belongings.
9. 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.

AlgomaTrad has several bursary funds to support those who need financial help to participate in our programs and camps. For a description of each bursary and how to apply, please see below.

Bursaries are funded by generous supporters. If you would like to donate to an existing bursary, please click on the “Donate now” button beside the name of the bursary.

The Brook Nadjiwon Memorial Fund – Donate now

In memory of Brook Nadjiwon, this fund is to help music students discover and grow their love of music like Brook. More information about this Fund and its mandate will be added to this page soon.

Kate Murphy Memorial Bursary Fund Donate now

In honour of the late Kate Murphy (1950-2021)

Kate Murphy was a founding member of the Mulligan Dancers and part of several bands, including Murphy’s Law and the Dawnbreakers, and loyal friend to all. This bursary is open to people of any age who are interested in learning clawhammer banjo, traditional Ontario step-dancing and/or piano accompaniment for fiddling and could use a helping hand to pay for classes, lessons or an unforgettable trad music camp experience, including the AlgomaTrad Family Camp.

Mulligan Dancers, Kate at right

Anyone interested in applying for this bursary should write a short paragraph or record a short phone video about their music/dance background and interests.

Please email anne.lederman@gmail.com with your submissions by June 30, 2024

Annie Bartlett Bursary Fund Donate now

For One Learner at our 2024 Family Camp

In honour of the late Annie Bartlett (1998-2018)

AlgomaTrad was a life changing experience for Annie. Dance calling and art brought her new direction, joy and confidence in her teenage years.

When she was granted a ‘Make A Wish’, she chose to speak at a Be the Change youth rally about her Cystic Fibrosis and about how she did not want to be defined as a sick girl but as a ‘Speaker. Activist. Artist. Dance Caller.’

Annie in action!

Annie’s speech was a big success and, despite her frequent, lengthy stays in hospital, many speaking opportunities followed. With her husband Jack and her parents and siblings, she had an exciting life full of travel, joy and opportunities.

And Annie’s highlight? Bringing people together and Dance Calling at her own wedding with The O’Schraves providing the music.

Anyone interested in applying for this bursary should write a short paragraph or record a short phone video about their interests.

Please email sarah@algomatrad.ca with your submissions by June 30, 2024

Nicholas Missere Bursary Fund Donate now

for All AlgomaTrad Learners

In honour of the late Nicholas Missere (1993-2002)

This fund is to remember the fun-loving and musical example of our fellow fiddler Nicholas Augusto Missere. AlgomaTrad aims to do this by providing financial assistance to people who strive to expand their experience of traditional music, dance, and art as they continue to grow in their understanding of music, dance, and art in their lives.

In remembering the joy and talents of Nicholas, we offer financial aid from this bursary fund in areas of traditional music, dance, and art instruction and performance, with an emphasis on inspiring learners of all ages.

This bursary fund can:
● assist a learner to attend the Algoma Traditional Music and Dance and Heritage Arts Family Camp;
● assist individuals to enhance their music, dance or art abilities through workshops or lessons offered by AlgomaTrad throughout the year;
● be utilized from time to time, as determined by the AlgomaTrad Board of Directors, to assist the operations of the AlgomaTrad in  providing activities that promote the growth of traditional music, dance and art in the Algoma region.

Anyone interested in applying for this bursary should email music@algomatrad.ca.

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

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