Camp FAQ

All camp programming takes place at our Western Town site. our Pathways site will be used for rental groups and day use.

Campers eat three meals a day in the dining rooms, have an afternoon snack (tuck) and rotate throughout the day to the different activities relative to their camp session.

The campers sleep in cabins at Western Town in bunkbeds or in the Motel Building. All the accommodations have electricity available. Campers attending in August are encouraged to bring extra blankets due to the cooler weather.

Quality, nutritional meals are provided with a variety snack options available. Drinking water is lab analyzed regularly for quality.

Yes. To help reduce lost and found items we ask that all possessions brought to camp be labelled. We attempt to help care for the camper’s clothing, but often considerable amounts get left behind We will retain lost and found for one month following camp. If not claimed by then, we will donate appropriate items to a local charity. Medication will be disposed of within two weeks following the camper’s week of attendance. Calls to the camp regarding lost and found will be handled as time permits. Any found items will be sent C.O.D. (at your expense).

Campers are encouraged not to bring valuable clothing or possessions. Circle Square Ranch is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.

Circle Square Ranch is a nondenominational, Christian camp that promotes the teachings of Jesus Christ. We welcome children and youth of any faith and race, encouraging young lives to grow spiritually, mentally, socially and physically. Your child will have a devotional time during the day plus a campfire that will focus on predetermined topics as laid out in the program. These are times of introduction to Christian values and beliefs presented through small and large group discussions, skits, songs and Bible study.

Circle Square Ranch is owned and operated by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of Canada. Inter-Varsity has been operating summer camps and year-round outdoor educational programs for more than 90 years. We operate eight summer camps across Canada under the names of Pioneer and Circle Square Ranch.

The following items are not permitted at Circle Square Ranch and, if brought, will be held in the office for the duration of the camper’s session:

• electronic games, players, entertainment and communication devices (cell phones)
• jack knives, hunting knives, matches or lighters
• nuts and/or peanut products
• chewing gum
• inappropriate reading materials
• alcoholic beverages, narcotics or tobacco products

Do not bring anything valuable to camp, as occasionally things do get lost or broken.

We reserve the right to send home any camper who fails to cooperate. Circle Square Ranch is a NON-SMOKING facility. Please discuss this with your child prior to camp should you consider this to be a concern.

Please note:

• The use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, or narcotics is prohibited and will be treated as a serious offense. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
• Circle Square Ranch is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.

Yes, we have a Tuck Shop that is open to the public on the first and last day of each camp session. Campers are not encouraged to keep cash in their personal belongings, so tuck (canteen) money is submitted to the camp office during registration. For Western Town campers we ask you bring $15 for the week. At the end of camp no change will be returned, we make sure that campers use up all their tuck money.

Registration is typically between 4 and 5PM. Please check your confirmation letter for precise registration time. We are unable to take early registrations, so it is important to verify time. Remember to bring any important forms, as well as tuck money. A parent, guardian or a responsible adult must accompany ALL campers. ALL medications and tuck money are to be handed in at registration. If you have any questions, please contact us at 204.723.2669.

Sign out will take place at 7PM. All campers must be signed out before leaving. Please notify the office if someone else will be picking up your child at departure as they will be required to sign them out.

Our friendly atmosphere and understanding staff help campers overcome the natural fears and concerns of being away from home. Getting kids involved in the program and making new friends helps to overcome the fears associated with leaving home and the family. It is our goal to make their stay at Circle Square Ranch as enjoyable as possible. The camp directors will spend time with any homesick child and, if necessary call the parent. With this in mind, we encourage parents and family not to visit during the week.

As part of Inter-Varsity Camps, we believe that summer camp offers a tremendous opportunity for children and teens to grow and mature emotionally, socially and spiritually. At Circle Square, campers are respected as individuals, challenged and encouraged in all aspects of life, and given the opportunity to experience and develop authentic relationships with peers and leaders. Skill development, social development, personal and spiritual growth are all intentionally fostered by staff and have been hallmarks of the Inter-Varsity Camps experience for more than 90 years. Finally, and equally importantly, we want every child’s experience to be tremendously fun.

At Classic Camp, overnight there is a minimum of one counselor to 7 campers. At Junior Camp, overnight there is a minimum of one counselor to 6 campers. In each camp, campers are divided into activity groups with staff members assigned to lead and give instruction along with travel group leaders.

For daily activities the ratio is 2 leaders plus an instructor for 15-20 campers.

The camp directors have more than 20 years of experience in youth, student and camp ministries along with degrees in Recreation Management and Youth Ministry. Our summer leadership team consists of individuals with previous camping experience as well as specific skills and training in their area of responsibility.

Health and Safety are emphasized at all times at Circle Square Ranch and we are accredited by Manitoba Health and the Manitoba Camping Association. We strive to provide safe and enjoyable activities and staff are well trained and equipped prior to camp. Each week have a qualified health officer on staff and an emergency action plan ready

There is a qualified medical person on staff, available 24 hours a day. CSR leadership staff are trained in First Aid and CPR. Emergency services are available.

We ask that a valid health number is provided and complete medical information on application. Out-of-province campers must have medical insurance. Details regarding medical/behavioral concerns are to be communicated in writing. Please call to discuss any concerns/special needs by phone.

Prescribed medications must be in the container provided by the pharmacy, with the camper’s name and medication name on the label. Over-the-counter medications must be in original packaging.

Medical care is a vital part of our role for your child at the ranch. Please advise us at registration if there are any changes to your child’s medical information. The ranch reserves the right to refuse admission to any camper with a suspected contagious condition (i.e. chickenpox, lice). To ensure your child has an enjoyable week and to protect other campers, please have any condition treated completely before coming to camp. If this is not possible, please call and reschedule to another week, depending on availability.

Due to the structure of our program, Circle Square Ranch requests that medications required throughout the year be sent with your child to camp. All medication brought to camp MUST be kept by ranch staff, including vitamins, puffers and Tylenol. They must be labelled properly with medication name and directions for use. Prescription medication MUST be in the original container with user’s name printed on label. If you want your child to carry their puffer or epipen with them please bring a fanny pack for that purpose. We also request that a second puffer or epipen be checked in with the camp nurse.

Please do not use the week of camp as a break from medication.

All medications left behind after camp will be disposed of after 2 weeks’ time.

Should your child have severe food allergies, please contact us prior to arrival at the ranch to help us with menu planning. Please indicate this on your registration form. This will allow us to prepare appropriately to ensure your child has an enjoyable stay at camp. If a special diet is required for reasons other than medical needs (i.e. vegetarian), you may be required to provide specialties. Circle Square Ranch will make every effort to accommodate allergies; however, we cannot guarantee that there will be no trace of an allergen in food served. We strive to be a nut free facility and do not knowingly serve foods containing nuts. We sell only nut free products in our store.

Circle Square Ranch cannot guarantee to be a nut/peanut free environment. We do seek to reduce the risk of exposure and therefore do not use or serve peanuts, peanut products or tree nuts on camp property. Nuts or products containing nuts will not be available in our store. However, the food we purchase and serve may contain traces of nut products.

In the interest of protecting your children, please note that all campers will undergo a lice check on the day of registration. Parents are required to stay until this has been done. If any evidence of infestation is found, the child will be sent home for treatment, nit removal & laundering of bedding/pillows before returning. Please inspect your children for lice before bringing them to camp to ensure they are lice/nit-free.

We provide approved riding helmets, which all campers are required to wear when horseback riding. Campers may bring their own approved riding helmet. No bike helmets please.

Fee includes all meals for camps, housing, use of all recreational equipment and facilities, instruction in activities, and awards.

Fee does not include transportation to and from the ranch or tuck shop purchases.

If you cancel more than two weeks prior to the start of camp, you will get a full refund less $75/week administration fee. If you cancel less than two weeks prior to the start of camp, you will get NO REFUND except for medical reasons with a note from a doctor. In that case, you will get a full refund less $75/week administration fee. No refund will be made for dismissals due to disciplinary action, late arrivals or early departures. Withdrawal during camp on physician’s orders will result in the value of fees for the unexpired term being refunded.

Financial assistance is available but is limited and for those who qualify. Assistance is at the discretion of the Director. Contact the office at 204.723.2669 for information and a scholarship application.