My First Summer at Nominingue
Owen Cox-Dixon Counsellor 2011
My Nominingue summer started under light standard number four, like many of the thousands of Nomininguers throughout history who arrived at that very spot anxious for the good times to begin. For many of my fellow staff who journeyed to light standard number four that day, it was the moment when they could finally return to their second home under the majestic birch trees. I, however, was one of the several new staff at Nominingue that summer and I was struck by the strong and supportive community that welcomed me with open arms and accepted me as a new and fully-fledged member of the great tribe.
 I remember one rather eventful supper when I was a guest at a hot-pepper tasting party hosted by Laurent Gilbert, the boss of tripping. I remember being drawn towards a sophisticated, yellow-coloured Jamaican pepper, maybe because it looked more innocent beside its flamboyant red-coloured cousin from some other land of hot peppers. I also remember feeling a bit apprehensive about sampling this yellow pepper, which was certainly going to be anything but mellow, as I had been unable to hold back the tears while indulging on even some frank's red hot wings earlier in the summer. Well caution aside, and after some encouragement from my fellow Nom tribesman, I ate the pepper. At first, I felt as though I had bested the pepper, but it was merely the calm before the storm. My mouth was on fire, my nose was under attack and my tears started to flow. The reaction of others was a humorous admiration that I had the courage to face such spice but also the comedic effect it had on me. Then after 10 minutes of heat, I lost my ability to speak for another 10 minutes like I was under a spell. In the end this was one of the finest moments of that summer, sure the pepper was hot, but when you're surrounded by friends the feeling of community trumps the feeling of spice.
 Just like the tribes of old, Nom also has a rich culture and tradition that flows through the stories and cheers, the laughter, and the friendships, and I'm very thankful for getting the chance to experience it. HOW-HOW!
Transportation to Camp Nominingue in the Days of Steam Part II
Peter G. Gilbert Camper, Counsellor, Trip Director 1944-1976
Railway Recollections of a Camper OCA Archives Research Project
My First Time
My longest trip was my first. I was 8 years old. In 1944, gas was rationed and money was tight. On Friday, a counsellor came to Ottawa by train and stayed overnight with friends. Saturday morning, the 7 or 8 campers from Ottawa met him at the station and boarded North Shore local train to Ste-Therese. There we waited for two hours until the afternoon Laurentian train came through from Montreal. It was my bedtime when we finally arrived at camp. I was nervous and totally exhausted. We were taken straight to the dining hall, where Alex Houghton, the chef, had prepared a late supper for us. Then my counsellor guided me to our tent. Wonder of wonders, he had made my bed for me!
 Baggage Handling
In the mid-fifties, while I was on the business staff, one of my responsibilities was baggage. The evening before the campers arrived, the baggage car was dropped on the station siding in the village of Nominingue. In the morning, I drove four or five counsellors to the station, where we loaded a local truck two or three times to get all the baggage into camp. Between loads, we trotted to the general store for ice cream cones!
For the trip home, the empty baggage car was sent to Nominingue a day ahead. That evening in camp, all baggage was tagged for its destination. Early in the morning, the baggage was trucked to the station. We loaded the baggage car, all tags facing the aisle, with destinations sorted into its four corners, with two central groups. One might think we were overdoing it, but this followed the CPRs standard practice to ensure that each piece of luggage was unloaded at the right station. Old Filiatreault, the station agent, lectured us on how to do it. We would just be closing the doors as the train whistled for the crossing as it arrived in the station!
After the Train
In 1961, the Canadian Pacific discontinued the camp trains, and we went to charter buses. The campers boarded in a shopping centre parking lot for an air-conditioned, two-and-a-half hour drive into the centre of camp. The baggage followed in a trailer transport. An era had ended. The adventure of getting to camp had succumbed to efficiency.
Report from Mexico
Mexico was an amazing experience! On February 24th, I set off to Mexico for almost two weeks. Within 14 hours of my arrival, I left Mexico City for Atlacomulco to observe a father-son/daughter camp run by Icaros Campamentos. Fathers and their children participate in cooperative games, artistic creations and various group activities. This camp was extremely interesting to observe and the families participating appeared to really enjoy themselves. The following Tuesday, 19 people including current campers and their families, camper and staff alumni met at La Castellana to reconnect and to reminisce about Nominingue. It was great to see everyone and to maintain the links between Mexico and Camp Nominingue.
With the business side of the trip complete, my family joined me for a week of visits to downtown Mexico City, to the canals of Xochimilco, to a ranch in Valle de Bravo, to the pyramids of Teotihuacan and to the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende. We were privileged to see all facets of life in Mexico. We travelled by car, bus, taxi, and metro. We can't thank our hosts enough for enabling us to live such an incredible experience.
There are so many memories that will stay with us: the street vendors in every city; meeting a taxi driver who looked after our transportation needs in and around Mexico City, learning about his life and his hopes for the future; the pine forests in Valle de Bravo and Atlacomulco regions; the impressive pyramid complex at Teotihuacan and the guide who shared with us his passion for Mexico's history; all of the people who went out of their way to help us enjoy and learn about Mexico; riding a horse in Valle de Bravo; removing pulp from coffee beans; enjoying an evening at the San Angel Inn; the architecture of Mexico, both modern and colonial...This list is endless!
2012 Senior Staff / Cadres supérieurs 2012
Program Director / Directeur de programme Matt Cromey
Trip Director / Directeur des excursions Laurent Gilbert
Craftshop Director / Directeur de l'atelier Rafic Dagher
Lower Camp Director / Director de LC Vincent Rioux
Middle Camp Director / Directeur de MC Bruce Gray
Upper Camp Director / Directeur de UC Don Ackles
LIT Director / Directeur des LIT Andrew Kucer-Dougherty
JC Director / Directeur des assistants moniteurs Mat Easey
Spring Events - Évènements ce printemps
Although the summer is definitely our busy season, there is lots to do in the spring.
These are some of the events that are planned for the spring:
March 28 Parent Information Evening Lower Canada College, NDG
March 29 Parent Information Evening Chimo Hotel, Ottawa
April 19 Parent Information Evening Lower Canada College, NDG
April 17 Parent Information Evening Chimo Hotel, Ottawa
May 8 Parent Information Evening Lower Canada College, NDG
May 9 Parent Information Evening Chimo Hotel, Ottawa
If you are interested in any details concerning these events, please contact us at the camp office.
Malgré le fait que l'été est notre haute saison, nous sommes pas mal occupés au printemps aussi. Voici quelques uns des évènements planifiés:
28 mars Soirée d'informations Lower Canada College, NDG
29 mars Soirée d'informations Chimo Hotel, Ottawa
19 avril Soirée d'informations Lower Canada College, NDG
17 avril Soirée d'informations Chimo Hotel, Ottawa
8 mai Soirée d'informations Lower Canada College, NDG
9 mai Soirée d'informations Chimo Hotel, Ottawa
Si vous désirez plus de détails, svp contactez nous au bureau à Les Coteaux.
Tumpline Submissions - Soumissions pour cette lettre de nouvelles
We are looking for submissions for our newsletters from campers, staff and parents... from this summer, as well as from recent and less recent alumni. These submissions may be general memories of camp experiences or specific memories about a canoe trip, about a favourite program or a funny experience. Please send your submissions to grant@nominingue.com. You may submit your stories and memories in English, French or Spanish. Nous sommes à la recherche de textes de campeurs, parents et de moniteurs de l'été 2011... et de souvenirs de nos anciens campeurs et moniteurs des années récentes et moins récentes. Vos textes peuvent décrire vos expériences en générale ou une excursion de canot, un programme favori ou une expérience drôle. SVP envoyez votre texte par courriel à grant@nominingue.com. Votre texte peut être écrit en français, en anglais ou en espagnol. |
