Find answers to many of your questions here.

Is your camp accredited?

Canoe Island French Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, whose representatives visit the camp every three years to score the camp on more than 200 standards for health, safety, and program quality.  Canoe Island was visited most recently in August 2008. As a leading authority in child development, ACA works to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience. The ACA's web site for parents www.CampParents.org and Camp E-news reach nearly 1 million parents each issue and focus on the camp as an integral educational experience. We encourage parents to visit the website and sign up for ACA newsletter to receive current information on the camp experience. If you have questions on the benefits of camp, how to prepare your child for camp, or talking about the possbility of homesickness before leaving for camp, this is the place to find answers from child development experts.

Does my child have to know how to speak French to come to camp?

Our program is designed to give those with little French exposure a fun experience with language and culture to encourage them to continue studying French.  At the same time, moyens and avancés French students can continue their language acquisition over the summer in the fun atmosphere of summer camp.  We even have campers from France!  Campers are interviewed on the first day as to their language skill level and are placed in their morning French class with 5-6  other campers at the same level.

Some campers are just starting to study the language for the first time in middle school or high school and come to French Camp as a way to get a head start on the language.  Others want to find out if they like the language before they sign up for it in school.  Les débutants play games to learn French basics, while les étudiants avancés put on French plays and write fun stories and poems for L'Observator, the camp journal that each camper takes home.  Counselors make speaking French fun during meals, activities and class time at each unique level.

"To tell you the truth, they just never stopped talking how great camp was … Victoria must have told half of Queens by now,  I reckon she would be a good sales lady!   Seriously, though, of all the camps they have attended over the years, their experience at Camp Canoe  was by far the most rewarding.  They raved about the counselors, the  food, sleeping by the dock, canoeing, and the list goes on and on. They have already told me they want to go back next year!

How do the children get to camp?

Most campers walk on the Orcas Island ferry at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal about 80 miles north of Seattle.  Our counselors and boat captain meet them at the Orcas Island ferry landing and help them onto the Ferry Queen, Canoe island's 27' Raider for the 15-minute ride to Canoe Island.  Some arrive with their parents, others walk on the ferry unaccompanied.  Those from outside northern Washington often fly to SeaTac International Airport where they take the free shuttle to Kenmore Air's terminal on Lake Union in Seattle and fly to the Orcas Island airport where our counselors meet them after the hour-long flight.

Our counselors can also meet campers arriving at SeaTac Airport and accompany them on BellAir Shuttle to the Anacortes ferry terminal, about a 2 hour, 45 minute trip.  Families arriving by plane at SeaTac airport will be given suggested flights and times of arrival/departure to coordinate with shuttle and ferry schedules.  See Our Location for web links to these sites. This chaperoned service costs $150 which pays for their shuttle and ferry tickets.

What training does your staff have?

All staff participate in at least six days of training on pool, waterfront and island safety; first aid; emergency response; working effectively with children; teaching French effectively. They are also oriented to the camp activities and trained in their activity leadership role. Many staff are required to have special or advanced certifications, such as lifeguard training, Wilderness First Aid, National Archery Association certification, and United States Fencing Association certification. All our staff are hired for their maturity, experience, French language ability, leadership skills and great personalities.

Our counselors are at least 18, have had at least one year of college and are conversant, if not fluent, in French.  At least half of the counselors come from France or other Francophone countries, which gives the camp a French atmosphere.

What is the ratio of staff to campers?

Our supervision ratio of counselors to campers is 1:3, and additional responsible staff are a part of each session: the camp nurse, camp directors, cook, kitchen assistants and camp caretakers.  Tipis have 3 or 4 campers to one counselor.  Many activities are limited to six participants.

Do all the campers come with a friend?

Most children coming to camp for the first time do not come with a friend, but they leave camp with many new friends. Significant effort is made during the first hours and days at camp to ensure that all campers connect with each other, learn names and become familiar with the group they are living with.

Campers coming with one friend are typically allowed to bunk with that person, however, groups of friends will be split up in pairs so that they are encouraged to make new friends.

How will my child get the medicine he needs to take?

Our registered nurse will meet with each camper when he or she arrives, review health forms and collect medications. Medications are distributed at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime.  Campers are not allowed to keep any medications. Campers who need inhalers and epi-pens for severe allergies may carry them under counselor supervision.

What other medical care is available?

Joseph Jones, Executive Director, is a past paramedic, a county search and rescue leader, and has been trained as a Wilderness First Responder.  Connie Jones, Camp Director, is a past EMT and lifeguard.  Both are currently certified as Red Cross Lifeguards and in CPR.  Our camp caretakers are certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and are certified life guards. Our nurses will treat campers for minor cuts and scrapes, as well as colds or upset stomachs. Paramedic services and physician-staffed medical clinics are available within 15 minutes on the major, ferry-served islands, and medivac helicopters can reach mainland hospitals from the Canoe Island in 20 minutes.

My child has special dietary needs.  Is that a problem?

All of our meals include balanced vegetarian options, and we accommodate food allergies with careful handling procedures. Campers with unusual needs may bring nutrition supplements or special products to add to their meals.

How will I know what clothes and equipment to send with my child?

In the spring you will receive a packing list outlining the recommended items for your child's stay. We recommend not buying any new clothes for camp.  A sample packing list can be downloaded below. All campers receive a Canoe Island French Camp t-shirt and sweatshirt when they arrive.  Campers should be able to handle their own luggage in transit so don't overpack.  Laundry will be done at least once during a two-week session and twice during a three-week session.

Download a sample packing list (pdf).