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 Tuesday evening Staff Concert will be held  on the Centennial Grounds in Richards Landing, 5 minutes away.

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.

Level 4/Master Class – For experienced musicians who can play a large repertoire of tunes at dance tempos. Tunes will be taught more quickly with greater attention to style and technique. Advanced accompanists will be integrated with this level.

Schedule

In the Forge.

A schedule of workshops is sent by email in mid-July so each camper can select workshop preferences. A schedule will be posted on-line at the same time. There are 4 classes during the day and an elective period in the afternoon that can be used for special workshops, practicing, swimming….or napping! Evenings are full of concerts, dances, sessions, and other special events. 2019 Workshop Schedule is available HERE.

Check-in

Overnight campers can arrive and check-in anytime after Noon on Sunday, August 11th. 

All AlgomaTrad registrants may check in, complete registration details, pick up name tags, schedules, workshop maps, etc. from 2PM onwards.

Daily Gathering

Dance at the Old Town Hall

The camp will begin with a community potluck at 5PM on Sunday, August 11 followed by an orientation Gathering and introduction to the Instructors  at 7PM. All registrants/students, including Daycampers, should plan to attend!  A dance and jam sessions will follow the Gathering – the dance is a good way to get to know your fellow campers, to begin to build the community that you will get to know with for the week, and hear some great tunes!

Attending the daily mid-morning Gathering is part of the community-building experience that AlgomaTrad endeavours to foster – you’ll find out all kinds of daily information and get to know your fellow campers PLUS elective period choices, special events, presentations, performances, song sharing and other often unexpected fun stuff occur during the Gathering.

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 under their care as an observer.

Camping

AlgomaTrad 2019 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, but there are no water/sewage hook ups for trailers.
• Electrical outlets are limited and restricted to light use (no A/C).

Registrants 13 and under who are camping must be accompanied by 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. We offer our campers a good selection of locally grown produce, August being the bountiful month up here for gardeners and farmers. Wholesome, delicious and nicely prepared food are 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.

 In-house live and silent auctions

On Thursday night we will have our Famously Fun Fundraising Auction. 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. This is a fun event, and your imagination can make it even more fun!! Smaller items will be placed in the Silent Auction area.

Conduct and behaviour

AlgomaTrad reserves the right to expel, at any time, campers 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 campers. Refunds will not be granted in this case.

Safety

While considerable precautions are taken to secure the safety of campers, The Algoma Traditional Music and Dance Family Camp cannot assume liability in the event of sickness or accidents. Adequate health insurance is recommended. Day class registrants 8 to 18 not accompanied by a parent or guardian should  provide their Canadian Health Insurance card number upon registration and a emergency contact number. There is a NO SMOKING ALLOWED policy on the AlgomaTrad Centre site.

Personal belongings

The Algoma Traditional Music and Dance Family Camp cannot be held responsible for loss, theft or damage of belongings.

What to bring

Aside from your usual camping gear and toiletries, instruments and accessories bring a simple recording device as most workshops are taught “by ear”. A few weeks before camp starts we send out a final letter with specific advice what should be on your packing list and what to expect.

Registration payment options

Registration may be paid by cheque payable to AlgomaTrad, by email money transfer to music@algomatrad.ca, or by credit card through PayPal  (FYI:  PayPal takes 3% from the camp). Visit the registration page for fees and options.

Scholarships

There are limited openings for campers in need of financial aid to receive scholarships from the needs-based Nicholas Missere Bursary Fund. Please inquire about availability.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations and refunds available up to July 31. No fee adjustments will be made in the case of late arrival or early departure.

Use of photos, videos and recordings

Sidekick and Cowboy Jim

AlgomaTrad reserves the right to use digital media (photos, videos, audio recordings) for camp promotional purposes and we welcome your contribution to our YouTube channel and web albums.

Internet

At this time, there is no Wifi at the AlgomaTrad Centre. The local library is 5 minutes away and offers a high-speed connection and/or WiFi at a nominal fee.

Local/regional weather

For up-to-the-minute local weather forecasts shieldsweather.com is the best source. Nights can be damp or cool (they can also be hot!); days can be pretty hot at this time of year.  Bugs are minimal this time of year and it is unlikely you would need insect repellent, but if you do bring some, please use something that is natural or non-toxic.

How to get to camp

AlgomaTrad Centre

AlgomaTrad 2019 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. (On Google maps,

AlgomaTrad Centre is still listed as Algoma Music Camp.)

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.

Grandma’s Cozy B&B

1430 F&G Line (a minute from the Camp).

705 246-3811 |14ursula@gmail.com

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
www.sunnysidebnb.com

In addition to updates on this page, in early August registered campers will receive detailed information about all aspects of camp.

Camp dates

Monday, August 10 to Sunday, August 16, 2019.

Arrival time

for those camping: anytime after 12PM on August 10.

Registration

At the AlgomaTrad Centre: August 10, 2pm onwards for all registrants to pick up name tags, schedules, workshop maps, etc.

Orientation Gathering

Monday, August 10 at 7pm at the AlgomaTrad Centre, 1249 F&G Line, St. Joseph Island. All registrants/students, including Daycampers, should plan to attend! A dance and jam sessions will follow the Gathering.

Workshops

Workshops take place daily from Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM. Workshop options will be sent out mid-July. You will have the opportunity to build your own schedule at this time. Workhshop Schedule from 2019, for reference, is available HERE. 2020 Workshop Schedule will be made available to registered campers in July.

Departure time

August 16 after Final Morning Gathering. Volunteer wrap-up bee will follow.

Evening events

Evening events will include concerts and dances. On Tuesday evening, August 11th there will be the Staff Concert featuring all the AlgomaTrad staff. Wednesday and Thursday will feature dances open to the public. Friday will feature the ever amazing Live Auction at the Legion Hall, which raises money for our Nicholas Missere Bursary Fund that helps learners access camp and our programs throughout the year (There is a Silent Auction at the same time). On Saturday there will be a Student Showcase concert  followed by a dance in the Pavilion at the AlgomaTrad Centre. Evening schedule for campers will be sent directly to them, or will be available at the camp.

Become an AlgomaTrad volunteer! Contact us for details.

Cancellations

Cancellations and refunds are available up to July 31 and no fee adjustments will be made in the case of late arrival or early departure.

Registration and payment of fees

Everyone must register, sign waivers and pay before the beginning of camp or before the gathering on the first night.

Parent/guardian

Overnight campers under the age of 14 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please contact us if you are 14 to 18 years of age and would like to attend camp without a parent. Day campers between the ages of 4-7 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children are the responsibility of the parent or guardian at all times. A registered Guardian may attend lunch and evening events but is not registered to attend any daytime workshops except when accompanying a child/children under their care as an observer. Everyone must register, sign waivers and pay before the beginning of camp or before the gathering on the first night.

Community

AlgomaTrad attempts to create an atmosphere of community and in this regard all campers will be encouraged to participate in Dining Hall preparation and clean up and Camping Site maintenance.  For safety reasons, only registered campers or volunteers are allowed to camp on site.

Conduct and behaviour

AlgomaTrad reserves the right to expel, at any time, campers deemed to be behaving in a way that threatens the safety and/or well-being of themselves or others, or who place at risk property or campers. Refunds will not be granted in this case.

Smoking

There is a strict no smoking allowed at all times, in all locations used by AlgomaTrad.

Personal belongings

The Algoma Traditional Music and Dance Family Camp cannot be held responsible for loss, theft or damage of belongings.

Safety

While considerable precautions are taken to secure the safety of campers, The Algoma Traditional Music and Dance Family Camp cannot assume liability in the event of sickness or accident. Adequate health insurance is recommended.

Digital media

AlgomaTrad reserves the right to use photos, videos and audio recordings for promotional purposes in print or online.

Contact information

By registering for Camp, I agree to let AlgomaTrad share my contact information with participants at this year’s camp and understand that my name/email will be added to the AlgomaTrad mailing list (to which I may easily unsubscribe or manage my subscription at any time).

Registration is full!

There are still openings for daycampers without meals, please email or call us if you would like to take a specific class for the week; a schedule can be found HERE.  You can always email us to let us know if you would like to be placed on a waiting list or if you are interested in future camps. We recommend that you go to our home page and subscribe to the email list –that way you will know about all the wonderful AlgomaTrad programming we do throughout the year, as well as be among the first to know when camp registration is open!

Scholarships

There are limited openings for campers in need of financial aid to receive scholarships from the needs-based Nicholas Missere Bursary Fund. Please inquire about availability.

WorkTrade

WorkTrade campers, ages 13 to adult, can receive a reduction in fees in exchange for a commitment of up to 2 hours a day on a WorkTrade team. You can select this option when registering.

Registration is opening soon

We recommend that you subscribe to the email list (at left) – that way you will know about all the wonderful AlgomaTrad programming we do throughout the year, as well as be among the first to know when camp registration is open for the next session!

Scholarships

There are limited openings for campers in need of financial aid to receive scholarships from the needs-based Nicholas Missere Bursary Fund. Please inquire about availability.