• As it was in the Beginning... J.R. Warren 1939-1949
• Manuan Canoe Trip   Part III 1936
• Family Camp 2014 - Camp familial 2014
• 2014 Boys' Camp Senior & Intermediate Staff - Directeurs et moniteurs en chef du camp de garçons 2014
• 2014 Spring Events - Évènements ce printemps
• Alumni Association News / Nouvelles de l'association des anciens
• Tumpline Submissions - Soumissions pour cette lettre de nouvelles

As it was in the Beginning... J.R. Warren 1939-1949

Boating was the program that night for the whole camp. Again, those of us who had not passed the basic swim test were subject to restriction: we were permitted to go only in the shallow area in the vicinity of the boating dock unless you were with a counsellor. 

I was standing on the beach feeling kind of lost, wondering if I could just push off in one of the rowboats , or whether I had to ask someone first. And this is where I got my first taste of what Camp Nominingue was really all about. A nice counsellor seemed to sense my dilemma and came up to me.

"Hello, what's your name?"

"John Warren."

"And my name is Bob Harvey, John. I am counsellor in tent number...Would you like to go out in a boat with me?"

"Yes."

"Do you know how to paddle a canoe?"

"No, I've never been in a canoe, Sir. But I know how to row a rowboat."

"Well, let's go out in a canoe and I'll show you how to paddle, O.K.? And, by the way, you don't have to call counsellors Sir. You can use our first names, so you can call me Bob."

"O.K."

He took a canoe off the rack, flipped it onto his shoulders, carried it over to the dock and rolled it off into the water, all seemingly without the slightest effort. I wondered if I would ever be able to do that. He measured me for a paddle.

"It should come up to between your chin and your nose. With a little practice, you'll soon find the length most comfortable for you." He picked one out for each of us. I got into the bow seat and he sat in the stern. As he shoved off, he told me just to sit there until we got out a way, where he would show me how to paddle. I guess we went about 30 yards when he stopped paddling and asked me to look back at him.

"All right, John, the first thing is how to hold the paddle. What side of the canoe do you want to paddle on?"

"I don't know."

"Let's start on the right then. With your right hand, hold the shaft right down near the blade. Like this, see."

"Like this, Bob?" It took some doing to get that name Bob out.

"Yes, that's good. Now grab the paddle firmly by the handle at the top...Good. O.K. When you are paddling, keep both of your elbows straight as possible. Don't bend them. That way, you'll be able to paddle all day on a canoe trip without getting tired. So let's paddle back to shore and I'll teach you how to steer."

By the time the boating program was over, Bob Harvey had taught me the rudiments of the J-stroke (which allows you to go in a straight line without having to change sides) and I was able, more or less, to get where I was headed, albeit following a pretty wobbly, erratic course. I never went out in a canoe with him again, but by the end of the summer, I was a pretty good canoer for a fourteen year old. Six decades have since passed, but I have never forgotten the debt I owe Bob Harvey, for his patience that night and for making me feel I was really part of Camp Nominingue.

Manuan Canoe Trip   Part III 1936

Canoe tripping has been an important part of the Nominingue experience since 1925. Although many of the routes are no longer available and some elements of the experience have changed, the essence of the canoe trip remains the same - learning to work together as a team; enduring difficulties caused by inclement weather; travelling through the Canadian wilderness and meeting the challenges that each new day brings.

Bill Stobo, Duncan Duclos, Herb Owen, John Hay, Stewart Hamilton, F.M. Van Wagner

Canoes weighed 80 lbs when well-dried and over 90 lbs wet. Total weight of packs and all equipment was 350 lbs.

A double blanket was carried for each person, each weighing up to 8 lbs. Travelled 60 lakes in 14 days.

Sunday August 16

... As it was still not late and as we judged from the map that there was only one short portage to the Mazanaskwa, it was decided to push and make our camp there. We were to find out that there were really four portages. The first, third and fourth were on the right and the second on the left. The last one begins at some rapids and is about a half mile long. We continued upstream as far as possible, missing the portage entirely and we must have lost a half hour looking for it, first on one side and then on the other. Here we were caught in a heavy shower, which luckily did not last long, but long enough to get us all pretty wet. We kept our packs dry however, by pulling the canoes out on shore and putting the packs underneath.

We reached Mazanaskwa cold and wet at 5:30 pm. The camp site at that end of the portage was nothing to speak of, but as it was cloudy and going to get dark early, we decided to make ourselves at home where we were. We soon had the tent pitched and a good bed made, then after a good supper, we were able to dry out pretty well around the fire. By this time, we were certainly hoping for some fine weather.

Monday August 17

Herb and I were up at 5:15 and the others followed shortly after. It was a cold morning with the wind blowing. A fire was soon built, breakfast cooked and eaten, and by 7:30 we were paddling up this long lake. When we arrived at the wide part of the lake, we were forced to put in to shore for awhile until the wind slackened. Luckily, we were not forced to wait long and were on our way again by 9:00 am. So far, the day was cold and windy with only an occasional glimpse of the sun. From Mazanaskawa, there is a ¾ mile portage into Lac Choquette at the far end of which we had lunch, on a sand bar at the left of the portage. This would make a good camp site. Since we had made an early start, we decided to stop for lunch, though it was only 10:30 am. As the sun came out, we unpacked all packs and put things out to dry. I shaved so as to be more or less respectable when we reached the Hudson Bay Post. The portage from Choquette to Dugal is about a mile, level and well worn, like all the other portages in this region.

Though Dugal is a pretty little lake, we did not take long crossing it and with our objective only a short distance ahead, the party was in high spirits and eager to get over the portage and get our first glimpse of the Indian Reservation and Hudson Bay Post. This portage starts up a fairly steep hill but on the whole is quite level, dropping away quite rapidly as we approached Lake Madoubaskika. We were leaving the Rouge watershed and entering that of the St. Maurice. About a mile from the Reservation, we met a lone Indian with his dog. He was as much surprised as we were, for parties such as ours rarely pass along that trail. A little further along we saw where the Indians had been cutting firewood. The stumps were at least three feet high, showing that these trees had been cut when the snow was deep. Just why they should do their wood cutting during the winter is not easy to explain.

Our trail led us through the centre of the village, but we did not stop for we did not know if they would appreciate our visit. As we passed, everyone seemed anxious to get inside and peek out at us. One young lad of perhaps 10 years found the open window more convenient than the door and dove through it to get out of our view.

The village consists of about three dozen buildings of various sizes, scattered irregularly along the shore for about a third of a mile. These houses were placed in no order and there is no street or road, just paths from one house to another. The village had a small church and a priest visits the village for two weeks each summer. Two young ladies also spend a few weeks at the village teaching the children during the summer months.

Just across the lake, not more than a half mile distant, is the Hudson bay Post, its three or fours white buildings standing out against the dark background. It was about 4 PM on this, the first bright afternoon we had seen for some days when we arrived at the Post, and we were welcomed by A. B. Swaffield, his wife and four young daughters. A few Indians were around the Post when we arrived and they looked at us as though we were a rare sight in those parts.

The guest cabin was placed at our disposal and we were not long in making ourselves at home in it. Beds, mattresses and a good stove on which to do our cooking were most welcome.

Shortly after our arrival, just at sunset, we were to see a most unusual and impressive sight. The funeral of a month-old baby was taking place. The whole village was afloat, paddling slowly down the lake towards the burial grounds which were marked by a big white cross reaching above the trees. Everyone was paddling and swaying their bodies in unison with their stroke, while they chanted their funeral dirge. In a short while, they returned still chanting, only with a faster stroke.

After a good supper, we all went over to the Post manager's house and spent an hour or so with him and his wife. He told us many interesting facts about the Indians that he had learned during his ten years at the Post. They are a mixture of Cree and Montagnais and call themselves the Atikamekw and are sometimes called Têtes-de-Boules...

Family Camp 2014 - Camp familial 2014

What makes Family Camp at Nominingue a great family holiday? The place itself plays a role - a sandy beach to relax on; the wind blowing in off the lake and through the trees, bringing with it the happy sounds of birds and children playing; the opportunity to walk through the forest or tree farm surrounded by the smell of pine; with a relaxed mix of programming and activities for adults, kids or the whole family. Three good healthy meals served in the relaxed atmosphere of the camp dining hall, with counsellors to provide child-care support during the meal and beyond is another of its attractions. The people one meets are definitely part of the special character of family camp - from the friendly staff who serve as role models for campers throughout the summer, to interesting and diverse campers coming from Montreal and Ottawa, from the States and further afield. The program we offer has been developed over the thirty years that family camp has been in operation: yoga has become an integral part of our program; day trips are offered are offered for canoe trippers, bikers and hikers; the waterfront is open all day for those who want to read a book on the beach, jump in the lake to cool off , or take advantage of the wind in a sailboat or on a windsurfer; the craft shop is open during much of the day for campers who want to work on a project or learn a new skill; and special evening programs provide for a perfect end to the day.

If you want more information, please contact the office. The best way to sign-up is by registering online.

Family Camp Flier

Family Camp Registration

Comment s'explique le succès du camp familial au Camp Nominingue? Le lieu lui-même joue un rôle - une plage de sable pour se détendre; le vent qui souffle du lac à travers les arbres, apportant avec lui les sons joyeux des oiseaux et des enfants qui jouent; la possibilité de marcher à travers la forêt ou de la plantation entouré par l'odeur de pin; le mélange de programmation détendue et d'activités pour adultes, enfants ou toute la famille. Trois bons repas sains servis dans l'atmosphère détendue de la salle à manger du camp, avec des moniteurs qui fournissent un soutien à la garde d'enfants pendant le repas et après est une autre de ses attractions. Les gens que l'on rencontre sont certainement un atout particulier du camp familial - de la gentillesse du personnel qui servent de modèles pour les campeurs tout au long de l'été, aux campeurs intéressants et diversifiés provenant de Montréal et d'Ottawa, des États-Unis et d'ailleurs. Le programme que nous proposons a été développé au cours des trente années que le camp familial est en opération : le yoga est devenu une partie intégrale de notre programme; des excursions d'une journée sont proposés pour les canoéistes, les cyclistes et les randonneurs; le plan d'eau est ouvert toute la journée pour ceux qui veulent lire un livre sur la plage, sauter dans le lac pour se rafraîchir, ou de profiter du vent dans un voilier ou sur une planche à voile; l'atelier de bois est ouvert pendant une bonne partie de la journée pour les campeurs qui veulent travailler sur un projet ou d'apprendre une nouvelle compétence; et des programmes spéciaux de soirée assurent une fin parfaite à chaque journée.

Si vous souhaitez plus d'informations, s'il vous plaît communiquer avec le bureau. La meilleure façon de vous inscrire est sur internet à partir de notre site.

Informations Camp Familial 2014

S'inscrire au camp familial 

2014 Boys' Camp Senior & Intermediate Staff - Directeurs et moniteurs en chef du camp de garçons 2014

Senior Staff

Grant McKenna Director Directeur

Elisa Van Wagner Business Manager Directrice commerciale

Jennifer Miller Waterfront Director Directrice de programmes aquatiques

François Duranceau UC Director Directeur des 13 à 15 ans

Rafic Dagher Craftshop Director Directeur de l'atelier

John Roberts LC Director Directeur des 7 à 10 ans

Mat Easey JC Director Directeur des assistants-moniteurs

Yusef Farah Chalita LIT Director Directeur des leaders-en-formation

Intermediate Staff

Philippe Rioux LC Head Counsellor Moniteur en chef LC

Richard Moore LC Head Counsellor Moniteur en chef LC

Emmett Blakey MC Head Counsellor Moniteur en chef MC

James Coll Sebes MC Head Counsellor Moniteur en chef MC

Eric Waldvogel UC Head Counsellor Moniteur en chef UC

Graham Hutchison UC Head Counsellor Moniteur en chef UC

Philippe Sylvestre Assistant LIT Program Assistant programme LIT

Mathieu Sylvestre Assistant LIT Program Assistant programme LIT

Cameron Fischer Assistant Waterfront Assistant natation et sauvetage

Charles Weyman Assistant Trips Assistant excursions de canot

2014 Spring Events - Évènements ce printemps

Parent and Son Information Evenings at 7:15 PM

(For new and prospective campers and their families) 

This is a great opportunity to find out more about our program. If you have friends who you think might be interested, please share the information.

Tuesday, May 13 Lower Canada College NDG

Wednesday, May 14 Chimo Hotel Ottawa

Info Evening Flier

If you are interested in any details concerning these events, please contact us at the camp office.

Soirées d'informations pour parents et garçons à 19h15

(Pour nouveaux campeurs inscrits ou intéressés) 

Ces soirées sont une bonne occasion d'apprendre plus au sujet de notre programme. Si vous avez des amis qui seraient peut-être intéressés, svp partagez ces informations avec eux !

mardi 13 mai Lower Canada College NDG

mercredi 14 mai Hotel Chimo Ottawa

Informations au sujet des soirées

Pour plus de détails, svp contactez le bureau du camp.

Alumni Association News / Nouvelles de l'association des anciens

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.

SVP envoyez nous des nouvelles que vous aimeriez inclure dans une prochaine édition du Tumpline.

Alumni Weekend

Our second annual CN alumni weekend will be held on Labour Day Weekend this year. The weekend will begin with dinner on Friday, August 29 and run until Sunday, August 31 after lunch. Last year, over thirty alumni and friends gathered up at camp. We hope to see many just as many and more in 2014!

Alumni Weekend 2014 Flier

Alumni Weekend 2014 Reservation Form

Alumni Socials

Over the past few years, we have held alumni socials in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Mexico City. 

On April 22nd, a group of 8 Nominingue alumni got together at the Royal Oak in Ottawa. 

On Friday, May 16th, at 8 PM, there will be a Montreal social at the Sports Station at 2051 Ste-Catherine O. We hope to see you there! You can confirm attendance on the Nominingue Socials Facebook Page.

Dates and locations of future get-togethers 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