Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Gimli Bible Camp?
Here's a map.
I can't afford to send my child to camp. Are there sponsorships available?
Yes, you have 3 choices.
If you live in Winnipeg you can talk to the Family Life Center, 240
Pritchard Ave, 586-7790
For a small fee you can go through the Sunshine Fund,
302-960 Portage Ave, 784-1130
If neither of these organizations can help you the camp offers 3
scholarships each year.
Phone Don, 642-5707
What qualifications do your staff have?
Our staff are volunteers who want to spend their summer with
your children.
Most of them are not professional child care workers. Camp isn't a job
for them, it's a joy.
Staff are interviewed, references are required and they are screened
through a criminal record check and the child abuse registry.
Our staff go through one week of staff training to help them prepare to
care for the campers in their cabin.
Lifeguards, Program staff and the Health officer are all certified to
provincial standards.
Caring staff are the most important part of the camp for your child.
They are for us too.
Is my child too young to go to camp?
Rather than using the age or grade, Gimli Bible Camp uses the
year
the child is born, like schools do.
Our Teddy Bear campers are turning 6 during the calendar year and for
our Single Moms camp we care for children entering Kindergarten
What is your Single Mom's camp like?
We introduced our "Single Moms and kids" camp to offer a
chance for children and their mothers to enjoy camp together.
Our camp program for the children is full of fun activities like our
other camps.
Mothers share the morning and evening with their children but have a
separate afternoon program which could include being pampered with a
manicure, shopping in Gimli, scrapbooking or strolling the boardwalk at
Winnipeg Beach.
Campers 8 and under may sleep with their mothers while older children
can be cared for by our cabin leaders.
Chapel times are designed for both children and the moms. We want to
strengthen your family and offer you a chance for a mid-summer vacation
at the same time.
Why are you less expensive than other camps?
For 82 years our primary purpose is to provide a camping experience for children who otherwise would not be able to go to camp. Our supporters donate money to keep our costs low. We also offer our camp to rental groups the rest of the year and that pays many of our expenses. The bottom line is that we want children to come to camp and hear about how much Jesus loves them and we do not want the financial situation of your family to ever get in the way of that.
Can I phone my child at camp?
Yes; phone the camp and we will either have your child phone
you back, or tell you what is the best time to 'catch' them in the
building.
We also have a pay phone here at camp for your child to phone you. We
do not allow cell phones at the camp because too
many of them have cameras and we want to ensure your child's privacy.
What do I need to send to camp?
After you register we mail you this list.
What is the food like?
We offer healthy meals to the children. We also run a 'tuck
shop' where the children can buy less healthy snacks.
Check out our
sample menu.
If your child has any food allergies read our allergy
practices.
What activities do you offer? Do the campers have to participate?
Our skills times include typical camp activities. Swimming and
canoeing at the
lake,
archery and sling shot, survival skills, field games and crafts, of
course.
Drama, rocketry, chapel times and one-to-one 'buddy' time. Our evening
'wide games' are always great.
Unlike most camps the camper can choose what he wants to do at every
skill time.
During skill times we have the sign-up person ensure that every camper
makes it to their skill.
So in the case of a camper refusing to go to a skill, they can follow
around the sign-up person during that hour!
What if my child gets hurt?
We have an onsite health officer that is in radio contact at all times. She will examine the child and advise the Director as to whether we can handle it ourselves or should take the child in to the hospital. If the injury is more than a simple scrape we will try to phone you and let you know how the situation is being handled.
Can I visit the camp?Before camp--we will welcome you and give you a tour.
During camp--you may pop in briefly to check up on your child to see
how they are doing
but we would caution
you that seeing you would increase the possibility of homesickness.
How do you handle homesickness?
We have found over the years that the worst age for homesickness is around 10. The younger children are having too much fun and with care at bedtime do fine. Those that have the most problems worry that something fun may be happening at home without them. We never forbid children to phone home but we usually try to get them to do it "later". Then when later comes they often forget. If they are quite distraught we will get them to phone, usually after we phone to warn you first. Often they just need to know that nothing has changed at home and you want to hear the fun things they are doing at camp. Don't let on that you are missing them and let them know you expect them to stay and are proud that they are so grown up. Mostly they need to know that the feeling is normal and will go away if they are having too much fun to think about it. Even the most homesick campers are happy 90% of the time at camp. We will make sure to give them a bit more attention so they want to stay.