Frequently Asked Questions about HOC.

 1.   I see that you are a member of the OCA (Ontario Camps Association).  What exactly does that mean?

The Ontario Camps Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization that promotes the standards and policies that members must follow.  These standards cover everything from food service to the qualifications required to all of our camp programs.  HOC has been an OCA accredited camp for nearly thirty years, and our policy is to exceed the standards and policies that are set out by the OCA every year.  For more information on the OCA, visit http://www.ontariocamps.ca

2.   What time do I drop off and pick up my children?

All campers are dropped off at camp on Sunday.  Check-In runs from 1:00-3:00pm, and the process takes about an hour from start time.  During check-in, you will get a chance to tour the camp, get your child(ren) bunked in, help them choose their activities for the week, and meet the staff.  On the following Saturday, all of the campers that participate in the hockey program play in a scrimmage game.  All parents are invited to watch the scrimmage at the South River arena.  Game times are determined on check-in day (Sunday) and told to parents.  After the scrimmage, parents sign their child(ren) out.  All Camp Only (non-hockey playing) campers are to be picked up at camp between 10:00-11:00am on Saturday, and signed out from the Rec. Hall.

3.   What does my son/daughter need to bring to camp?

A packing list can be found in our Parent’s Information Package, which is located under the header Parent’s Guide on our website.  The Parent’s Information Package also contains more information you may require to get ready for camp, including driving directions and how Sunday check-in works.

4.   What other types of activities do you offer?

We offer many different activity options along with our hockey program.  The water activities that we offer are waterskiing, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, wet ‘n wild and boardsailing.  Our land programs include mountain biking, archery, sports/wall/low ropes and outdoor adventure.  Qualified and experienced staff members instruct all of our programs daily. All campers are guaranteed one of their top two activity choices and given their second or third choice based on activity demands. Activities fill on first come first serve basis on Sunday during check-in.

5.   How are your staff members selected?

We ensure that only the best and most qualified staff are hired to work with our campers.  We look for caring, enthusiastic and self-motivated individuals that have a genuine interest in working with children.  The majority of our staff have been HOC campers in the past and taken part in our two year Staff Development program.  A lot of our new staff are recruited by staff from previous years, whether they are friends, cousins or siblings.  The advantage of this is that the new staff come in knowing exactly what to expect and we trust that our past staff members would only send us the best candidates possible.  Of course, all staff go through an interview process, which is followed up by reference checks.  Every staff member must submit a Police Record check.

6.   What kind of instructors do you have on the ice? 

Our instructors have a different array of qualifications, but they all have two things that bring them together; their love for hockey and teaching young campers.  All of our instructors, have strong playing or coaching backgrounds in the game.  We have instructors that have played pro/semi-pro or college/university in Canada and the US; we also have instructors that spend the winter coaching bantam and midget teams in their area.  A couple of our instructors have been campers for years and know our hockey program inside and out.

7.   How long are the campers on the ice, and what skills do they work on?

Campers are on the ice every day for over two hours.  Their ice time is split into two different on-ice sessions.  The first session is always Power Skating. Instructors begin teaching from a basic power position and break down the camper’s stride into easy to understand parts.  Campers work to develop all different skating fundamentals over the course of the week. This is where our campers see the most improvement. 

The second session is a skills based session.  Each day, drills focus on a different skill, such as passing / receiving, shooting, or puck handling etc. Campers also take part in our off-ice program, where they will work on the theory of the game as well as fitness with our Off-Ice Instructor.  This program takes place at the arena for the youngest four groups, and at the camp for our oldest two groups.

8.   How will my child get their medication during their stay?

Our Health Care staff will ensure that your child(ren) gets all of their necessary meds every day.  Medications are distributed at meals as well as at bedtime. 

9.   My child has some very severe allergies.  How is this dealt with at the camp?

Prior to Sunday, our Health Care staff reviews all of the Health History forms for the upcoming week to list any concerns that need to be discussed with parents.  On check-in day, all parents will get a chance to meet with the Nurse/Doctor for the week.  At this point, you can go over any allergies or health concerns you may have.  Campers who are Anaphylactic receive a special brightly colored bracelet to wear throughout the week, which reminds our staff to make sure the camper is carrying his/her epi-pen.   Counsellors are also briefed on the camper’s allergies.  The Chef will also be made aware of all food allergies and, if possible, offer an alternative choice during meals.  Please note that parents may need to supply alternative food choices for the week if deemed necessary by our Chef or Director.  Our Tuck Shop and Kitchen also do not stock any products that contain visible nuts or nut products.

10. What kind of food can my children expect?

Our meals here at camp are all “kid friendly”.   Breakfasts, lunches and dinners all consist of hearty and well-balanced meals that are “all campers can eat”.  We ensure that the menu offered to our campers and staff is properly balanced, appetizing, nutritious and popular.   Soups, entrees, bread, and baked goods are prepared fresh and served daily.

11. My daughter plays hockey, but my son doesn’t.  Can he still come to the camp?

Of course!  We offer a Camp Only program, which doesn’t involve any of the on-ice activities.  If your child is assigned to one of the four younger sections, they participate in three extra camp activities, for a total of five activities per day.  He/she will also get their own exclusive waterski class with the rest of the Camp Only campers in their section.  This all takes place while the rest of the section is at the arena.  Campers in our two older sections participate in two camp activities daily as well as an additional general programming period in the early evening, which will provide them with the opportunity to try out a variety of different activities.  One of the many bonuses of our Camp Only program is that those campers can still bunk with their hockey playing friends.  See our Camp Only page on our website for more details.

12. Where do the counsellors sleep?

Our counsellors sleep right in the cabins with the campers.  They have their own room, which is located in a corner of each cabin.  Each counsellor is available at all times.  At night, there is also a Senior staff member located in “Coach’s Corner”, which is centrally located amongst the cabin area.

For more information, please read our Parent’s Information Package on our website.