• Family Camp 2013 Ann Quinn
• My Return to Nominingue after 41 Years John Marshall
• Dates for 2014 / Dates de la saison 2014
• Camp Nominingue's Instruction Program
• August 2013 Award Winners / Lauréats août 2013
• Alumni Association News / Nouvelles de l'association des anciens
• Tumpline Submissions - Soumissions pour cette lettre de nouvelles

Family Camp 2013 Ann Quinn

It had been ten years since bringing my ten year old son Patrick and his older brother Dan to the parking lot of Fairview Shopping Center to begin their first year at Camp Nominingue.  I attended many visitors days over the years so felt that I knew the camp pretty well. I had even been dunked in the icy cold lake fully clothed when my son was a beginner at sailing.  

The trip home after camp with both boys was always a special day as I got to hear the stories and jokes about all that went on that summer. Nominingue became a home away from home for my sons and a positive influence on their development when changes in their lives were constant. 

After many years of my husband and I saying "we should go to family camp", the opportunity arose for us to do so. Patrick, or PQ as he is known at camp, now 21 would be working at camp so the possibility of seeing him there confirmed our decision.

With our packing list and thankfully no name tags to iron on our clothes we arrived at camp. The weather cooperated fully and was truly beautiful. The lake waters were refreshing and warmer than I remembered.  Slipping into the routine of living under canvas and having the bell signal the routine of the day was easy.  A delicious hot breakfast awaited us each morning and was served by the most wonderful group of young men and woman who were on staff.  We eagerly looked forward to hearing what activities were being offered that day.  The enthusiasm of the staff was infectious and pushed me to try activities I never had.  I climbed at least part way up the climbing wall, shot an air rifle and a bow and arrow, made a woodworking project and attended blissful yoga classes on the beach.  A short canoe trip and hike showed me the beauty of the surrounding area.  My husband got to go on an all day canoe trip with our son and Jon, and is still raving about how much fun they all had. 

The days could be as peaceful or as full as you wanted. We found plenty of time to read a book and sip wine by our waterfront tent site which had the prettiest sunset views.  The bell for lunch and dinner was always anticipated as the food was delicious.  

We quickly got to know our fellow campers who ranged in age from babies to baby boomers. Many had been coming to family camp for years. We enjoyed the evening campfire, movie, comedy show, wine and cheese and casino night.   Now I see why my sons love camp so much and we can proudly say that we too are part of the great tribe of Nominingue.

My Return to Nominingue after 41 Years John Marshall

As I turned off highway 117 towards Nominingue, I was excited and a little nervous. Would anything be the same after that long? Would I know anybody? Would it still be the Nominingue I knew?

As we approached the camp entrance, I saw the tree farm, 40 years older and likely 40 feet taller; at the camp entrance, finally, a familiar totem pole; as we drove past archery and up the hill, I remembered the view from the top of the hill.

Although I was back as an alumni camper (for 3 days anyway), I was home. I realized that although lots had changed, nothing had changed. It was camp!

My name is John Marshall. I was a camper from 1960 to 1967, section 1 to 7 and on staff from 1970 to 1972. Although it had been 41 years since my last time at Nominingue, camp has never been far from my thoughts, especially during the summer months. 

About 10 years ago, I found the camp online and enjoyed looking at the pictures and reading the stories in the newsletter and remembering my time at camp and wanting to go back. There were alumni days as part of family camp, but living in Toronto, I wasn't able to make the trip for a day at camp.

This year, the association decided to have an alumni weekend, 2 nights in a tent in September. I just had to go! Instruction period, skills competition, council ring, campfires... When I mentioned it to my wife Donna, she immediately decided to come with me, even after I explained what tents at Nominingue were like. As Donna isn't a 'camper', I double checked the idea with Grant McKenna and he suggested describing the weekend like going to a very 'rustic cottage'. "I am coming with you" was Donna's reaction.

We stayed overnight in Montreal and arrived at Nominingue around 3:30 Friday afternoon. The campcraft area had changed a little but the nature cabin was still there, the hospital, woodcraft shop, hmmmm, no more tennis courts, now a climbing wall. We parked and walked up towards the main lodge. Grant came to greet us, and he knew who I was??? I guess I was the only 61 year old coming.

Elisa Van Wagner said we were in tent S 7 and that we could drive up there. I had never heard of S 7, so they gave me a map. Driving passed the Main Lodge, we stopped to take in the view of the lake, the tent line, the birch trees. We quickly got settled in the tent, then wandered around getting our bearings before dinner, a BBQ in the campcraft area. After a great chicken dinner, everyone gathered around the campfire, meeting new friends and telling old stories (some of us anyway). I also enjoyed spending some time with the Big Chief.

The next day was a typical camp day, although a little condensed: wake-up bell, gong for meals, instruction period, a skills competition for afternoon program and council ring. The skills competition was lots of fun, teams of 2 in campcraft, nature, canoeing, portaging and knots. When they announced the results, we got an honourable mention - which meant we were last, but we'll do better next year!

Council ring that night was special, as it always was...the drum, walking up the hill, initiating new members, challenges, listening to the Big Chief's story.

Sunday morning I walked down to the chapel and sat on the hill for a while, enjoying the view and reflecting on the peace and serenity of that special place.

Probably the biggest change was the food. Bacon and eggs, fajitas, pork chops, great desserts!!! WOW!! Not the way I remember it. And no more bug juice??

There was an alumni association meeting the first night. We were all asked what we expected from the weekend. Just having the opportunity to be back at Nominingue was everything I could have wished for. It had been 41 years, but felt like it was yesterday. Lots has changed over those years, yet nothing has changed. Nominingue was, is and always will be a very special place.

Dates for 2014 / Dates de la saison 2014

# Session Length Dates

1. 1J8 8 days/jours June 28 - July 5 / 28 juin au 5 juillet

2. 2J8 8 days/jours July 5 - July 12 / 5 juillet au 12 juillet

3. J15 15 days/jours June 29 - July 12 / 28 juin au 12 juillet

4. J12 12 days/jours July 12 - July 23 / 12 juillet au 23 juillet

5. J19 19 days/jours July 5 - July 23 / 5 juillet au 23 juillet

6. J26 26 days/jours June 28  - July 23 / 28 juin au 23 juillet

7. LITJ 26 days/jours June 28  - July 23 / 28 juin au 23 juillet

8. JA43 43 days/jours June 28  - August 9 / 28 juin au 9 août

9. A8 8 days/jours August 2 - August 9 / 2 août au 9 août

10. A15 15 days/jours July 26 - August 9 / 26 juillet au 9 août

11. A12 12 days/jours August 9 - August 20 / 9 août au 20 août

12. A19 19 days/jours August 2 - August 20 / 2 août au 20 août

13. A26 26 days/jours July 26 - August 20 / 26 juillet au 20 août

14. LITA 26 days/jours July 26 - August 20 / 26 juillet au 20 août 

15. JA40 40 days/jours July 12 - August 20 / 12 juillet au 20 août

16. JA54 54 days/jours June 28  - August 20 / 28 juin au 20 août

17. Family Camp / Camp familial August 20 - 24 / 20 au 24 août

18. Alumni Weekend/ Fin de semaine des anciens September 5 - 7 / 5 au 7 septembre

Camp Nominingue's Instruction Program

Over the years, especially in a seasonal business, practices change as new staff arrive with new ideas and different experiences. Sometimes the changes that occur are for the better, sometimes there is a loss, but change definitely occurs, even at Camp Nominingue! Luckily, we have extensive archives which remind us where we came from. 

The instruction program began in Camp Nominingue's first season. Eighty-nine years later, it remains an integral part of the Camp Nominingue experience.

Camp Nominingue Feather Requirements Campcraft 1946

B

1. Identify: birch, cedar, spruce, balsam, tamarack, pine & explain uses in camping

2. Know and practise safety rules for use of: knife, axe, hatchet

3. Chop logs in half using axe; build two types of fire; build a stone fireplace; put out fires properly and bring knife to instruction regularly

1

1. Identify: 3 trees good for kindling; 3 trees good for firewood; 2 more trees and their uses.

2. Make correct bough-bed; chop down tree (of instructor's choosing); find and use dry kindling on a wet day.

3. Make a crane over a fire-place, suspend water-pot and boil same.

4. Use axe with reasonable skill.

2

1. Demonstrate proper packing procedure.

2. Use axe well, chopping all kinds of wood; sharpen axe & knife with file or stone.

3. Build lean-to with aid of another camper; make some individual project approved by instructor; make a back-log fireplace.

4. List equipment for a canoe trip.

3

1. Demonstrate method of measuring poles for a wedge-tent; pitch wedge tent with another camper.

2. Construct 2 types of cranes, 2 types of pot hooks.

3. Use axe proficiently; score, hew and split log.

4. Know elements of map-reading, pointing out where portages can be expected between lakes.

5. Using map as guide, follow compass bearing for a half mile through wooded country; demonstrate 2 methods of blazing a trail.

6. Have adequate knowledge of common weather signs.

7. List requirements of a good campsite.

August 2013 Award Winners / Lauréats août 2013

1) BEST PADDLE:   Nicolas Perrault

2) DIP AWARD: Middle Camp

3) MOST IMPROVED SAILOR: Blaise Frenette

4) BEST KAYAKER:   Richard Dulude

5) MOST IMPROVED SWIMMER: Braeden Poirier

6) ATHLETIC SHIELD

Section 1: Luka Ramacieri-Leon

Section 2: Sam MacKenzie

Section 3: Cameron Reynolds

Section 4: Braeden Poirier

TEAM TRIATHLON 

Section  5: Jack Ellis & Angus Schwaneflugel

Section 6: Nicholas Josien & David Khazzam

TRIATHLON :

Section 7:   Patrick Yaremko

7) NIGHT ORIENTEERING:  

Intermediate: Angus Schwaneflugel & David Khazzam

Senior: Cedric Gazal & Jonah Woodhouse

8) INTERMEDIATE CANOE RACE:   Jack Ellis & Henry Bartram-Forbes

9) SENIOR CANOE RACE: Seth Dugan-Knight & Jonah Woodhouse

10) CUMULATIVE FEATHER POINT LEADERS: 

Section 1:   Mathieu Bolduc 2.5 pts

Section 2: Julian Rodier-Betteridge 2.5 pts

Section 3: Zachary van Aanhout 5.5 pts

Section 4:   Francis Lutfy 5 pts

Section 5: Jack Ellis   6 pts

Section 6:   David Khazzam 8 pts

Henry Bartram-Forbes 8 pts

Section 7: Jonah Woodhouse 13 pts

11) PATCH CUP WINNER: Jonah Woodhouse 

12) VOYAGEUR GAMES: La Verendrye

13) LEADER AWARD: Patrick Yaremko, Connor Loeven

14) MARK CONNER AWARD: Nan Chen

15) SHANNON MEMORIAL AWARD: Graham Hutchison

Alumni Association News / Nouvelles de l'association des anciens

We have decided to include a new section in the Tumpline where we will share information and news of interest concerning Camp Nominingue alumni. Please share with us news that you would like to include in the Tumpline that you think might be of interest to other Nominingue alumni.

Nous avons décidé d'ajouter une nouvelle section au Tumpline où nous vous encourageons à partager des nouvelles au sujet des anciens du Camp. SVP envoyez nous des nouvelles que vous aimeriez inclure dans une prochaine édition du Tumpline.

Damon R. Kane, 54, of North Wales, Pennsylvania, died on August 21, 2013, after living his final years with ALS. Damon attended Camp Nominingue as a camper from 1967 to 1974 and worked as a counsellor in 1975 and 1976. After leaving Nominingue, Damon's passion became architecture, inspired by Peter G. Gilbert, Nominingue's longtime canoe trip director and architect. Damon worked as an architect for many years in the Philadelphia area, specializing in schools, libraries, municipal and commercial buildings. In 2004, he and Kevin Godshall founded Godshall Kane Architects, now Godshall Kane O'Rourke Architects. He and his wife, Michele G. Kane, had the opportunity to re-visit camp in August 2012. Damon's brother Doug and his nephew Adam also attended Nominingue.

Damon with François Caumartin

On June 12, 2013 in Montreal, Pablo Gallo Frias was born. Mum Diana and dad Ignacio are both thrilled. Ignacio Gallo was program director in 2003-04 after beginning his 12-year Nominingue career in 1993. Uncles and fellow alumni Santiago, Joaquin and Ricardo are also pleased to welcome a new Gallo and future camper into this world.

Alumni Weekend 2013 Friday, September 6 - Sunday, September 8

30 intrepid alumni trekked up to Camp for Nominingue's first dedicated alumni weekend. The weekend began with a BBQ in the campcraft area followed by an alumni meeting. Discussion centered on ways for alumni to become engaged and to help re-connect campers and staff of old with the Camp Nominingue community. 

The weekend went by extremely quickly. Alumni enjoyed the opportunity to be at camp, to relax and reminisce with old and new friends. Small groups paddled to the cliffs and up the Saguay river; spent time honing their skills on the archery or riflery range; walked the woods searching for edible mushrooms; enjoyed the camaraderie of an evening campfire; and re-lived a council ring ceremony. Most of the 2013 attendees plan to return for next year's alumni weekend - the weekend of September 5-7, 2014. 

The next alumni socials will be held this fall. Dates and locations will be posted on Facebook on the Nominingue Socials Group page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/NominingueSocials/.

To get involved with CN Alumni Association, please contact John Christou at john@prospectorfilms.ca. 

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 2013... 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. 

Camp Nominingue | Tel. 450-267-2555 | Toll-free 866-910-1551 (Canada & US)
Email: info@nominingue.com | Web: www.nominingue.com

This e-mail is destined to all campers, parents and counsellors, current and alumni. If you would prefer not to receive occasional messages from us, please unsubscribe using the link below this message.

Ce courriel est destiné à tous les campeurs, parents et moniteurs, actuels et anciens. Si vous voulez vous désinscrire de cette liste d'envoi, svp cliquez en bas de la page.

Winter address: 112, rue Lippée, Les Coteaux, QC J7X 1J4
Summer address: 1889, chemin des Mésanges, Nominingue, QC J0W 1R0