School FAQs

Camp Kintail is a Presbyterian Church Camp. We recognize that faith-based activities and curriculum are not a part of all school trips – and that’s completely fine! It will not be included as part of your school trip programming unless requested by you.

The Camp Kintail store will be open during your visit. Students can bring money and pick up some gear while visiting, or if you would like to add on an additional $20 per student each child can pick out a hat or a t-shirt to take home. Other available Kintail gear includes hoodies, scarves, bags, stickers, and more!

We have reviewed the OPHEA guidelines for all high risk activities, and we exceed all the requirements. All of our staff have professional training, and we use certified safety equipment that the staff will instruct the students on how to use. There are first aid kits at all activities, and an AED on site. Our staff have professional short range radios for communication around the campsite.

Yes, all Camp Kintail staff have to successfully complete a Criminal Record Check as part of their condition of employment with us. We also staff obtain two written references annually.

An invoice will be emailed to you after you have visited the camp based on the actual number of attendees. Then your school can mail a cheque to the camp or send an electronic funds transfer. We can provide an invoice or quote prior to your visit at your request if necessary.

It is your choice how many staff/volunteers you would like to bring. Camp Kintail will provide a dedicated staff member to travel around the site with your group all day, and staff to facilitate activities. This enables teachers to drift from group to group and enjoy their day at camp!

Teaching staff and volunteers are free to attend a day trip. For day trips with a catered lunch teachers and volunteers will pay the price of the lunch only. Teachers and volunteers are half the price of a student for overnight trips. There is complimentary coffee and tea all day for teachers and volunteers, we recommend bringing a travel mug with you.

Regular visits and approval by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Huron County Health Unit confirm that our kitchen, washrooms, sleeping areas, and site meet the Provincial regulations. The Ministry of Environment monitors our drinking water which is tested daily, as well as monitors our septic systems that are tested and inspected 3 times each year.

We have a state of the art water treatment system that includes chlorination. Our water is tested daily and we have several “Small Drinking Water Systems Operators” on staff to meet with all Ontario water legislation. Our water testing is monitored by an outside company Veolia, who are responsible for other systems along Lake Huron and the Town of Goderich.

At the Camp Kintail waterfront safety is always a priority. The Waterfront Directors have current National Lifesaving Society (NLS) certifications and current Standard First-Aid/CPR-C certifications. They ensure that our beach meets all of the OPHEA Guidelines and Lifesaving Society’s regulations for a safe swim zone. Waterfront Directors provide training for our guard staff specific to the Kintail beach. The Watercraft Directors are in charge of our canoeing and kayaking program, and are qualified by the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association.

Students wear properly fitted lifejackets during watercraft sessions with canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards. Each boat is equipped with a rescue kit in case of emergency. Our swimming area is both sandy and shallow, no one will be swimming in an area they cannot touch the ground.

We are a nut aware facility. We do our best to keep nuts and products that may contain nuts off of our site but we cannot guarantee that our site is 100% nut free, as sometimes students or guests bring nut products. When this happens, our staff will ask that the item be put back into their bag or into the garbage. If it was opened, the person will be asked to wash their hands. We never prepare anything with nuts.

Camp Kintail is accessible to all visitors. All buildings, cabins, and activities are wheelchair accessible and all of our staff have received accessibility training. We also have adaptive equipment to allow most participants to use the high ropes course and rock wall. If you have questions or would like to discuss the accessibility needs of your student(s), please contact Shelagh.

We take special care to ensure that all visitors with food allergies or dietary restrictions are well fed. Our kitchen staff work hard to provide quality alternatives for these students. If your student has a very specific or difficult to manage dietary concern, please contact us prior to their trip. If parents would prefer to send your student with their own alternatives the kitchen staff are happy to prepare it for them at meal times. What if a student is just a picky eater?

Not every meal is for everyone, and at Camp Kintail we understand that! Fruit, bread, jam and soy- butter, a tasty peanut butter alternative, are offered as an alternative at every meal that is catered by Camp Kintail. A Camp Kintail staff member is seated at every table and they will ensure that your student is satisfied with their meals!

Camp Kintail is proud to have, in our opinion, some of the best camp staff around. The vast majority of our staff were Kintail campers themselves and completed our month-long Leading-in-Training program. All staff go through an extensive interview process complete with reference and criminal reference checks. Additionally, all staff take part in a 9-day training program that includes safety training, teamwork facilitation training, leadership training, and how to support campers to have a positive experience. All Camp Kintail staff are trained in Standard First Aid and CPR.

Waterfront staff hold National Lifeguarding Society certifications, and are supported by Bronze Cross certified staff. All staff are trained to belay at the High Ropes/Rock Wall course, and Zip Line staff receive special, specific training yearly. All training courses are taught by professionals with instructional certifications in each area.

We cannot guarantee sunshine; however, we are rarely rained out at Camp Kintail. If it is a light rain or drizzle, we usually continue with the program as planned. If it is raining heavily, we have indoor spaces for alternative activities. Please send your students to camp with weather appropriate gear.

Don’t worry; we won’t let a child go hungry. We can always come up with a healthy lunch for the inevitable times when a student forgets their packed lunch.

We have $5,000,000 liability insurance, and a comprehensive package that goes with it. A certificate of proof of insurance will be emailed to you in the confirmation package.

Our food will be amazing! For school groups that choose to have Camp Kintail cater their meals, our kitchen staff ensures that students are offered all the daily requirements in Canada’s Daily Food Guide. We work hard to ensure our quality food is hot, tasty, and that there is enough for everyone to have seconds. Camp Kintail does not serve juice crystals, only real juice. There is a full salad bar at every lunch and dinner and any special diet restrictions or requests can be accommodated.

Camp Kintail’s spectacular staff will lead all of the activities and games throughout your visit. They are experienced, enthusiastic and passionate about working with children and youth of all ages. To get the most out of your trip, we encourage teachers and volunteers to participate in games and activities throughout their visit.

There might be other school groups at Camp Kintail during your visit. We do our best to keep the programs separate. In fact, some schools don’t even realize that another group was on the site until the end of the day.

Yes! Camp Kintail offers high-speed WiFi access in all main building and throughout the site.