The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a self directed development program for young Canadians ages 14 to 25.
While at RKY Camp, participants will be led and instructed by our experienced and qualified outdoor educators. Participants will take part in planning, preparing, and cooking highly nutritious meals, either in the field or at RKY Camp.
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Safety is of the utmost priority to our staff and participants will be actively involved in ensuring that experiences are held to the highest safety procedures.
All programs include transportation to and from Kingston only. All programs include preliminary training, practice and qualifying journey.
Look Forward to:
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Canoeing
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Hiking
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Snowshoeing
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Winter Camping
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Rock Climbing
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Orienteering
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First Aid
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Wilderness Trip Planning
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Kayaking
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And much More!
What is it All About
Like RKY Camp, the Award empowers young people to acquire the skills needed to make a difference in their communities. Through the four areas of the program - Community Service, Skills, Physical Recreation, and Adventurous Journey - youth take on personal challenges at the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.
Currently there are over 37,000 young people across Canada already involved in the Award and taking on their own challenges in the four respective areas. RKY Camp and the Award program strive to inspire youth to take on new challenges and adventures, while building self-confidence, being physically active, and making new friends.
RKY Camp offers various Adventurous Journeys throughout the year. Participants can come to RKY Camp and work on Bronze, Silver, or Gold level practice and qualifying expeditions. Trip length and challenge level will vary depending on season and the skill level of participants.
Trip Schedule
All trip schedules and welcome packages are distributed to participants one week prior to the start date of the journey. This schedule will include camp site locations and a general idea of each day. Participants will also receive a schedule for record book purposes.
You can expect a busy schedule that touches on all of the elements required to complete your Journey. Each day will include 8+ hours of activity.
A typical day on the water:
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7:30 am Wake up and start breakfast
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8:30 am Eat and clean up site
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Prep lunch
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Take down camp
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Purify water
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Wash dishes
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Site garbage sweep
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Review of day plan
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10:00 am departure from camp site
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Begin paddle to next site
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12:30 pm lunch
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Canoeing lessons and portage lessons
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4:30 pm arrival at site
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Begin dinner
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Set up site
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Fire building
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Dishes
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Cleaning
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Eating dinner
- Evening lesson (eg: Knots, Wilderness First Aid, Orienteering etc)
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9:00 pm: Bed time
Along with general camping practices, the Winter Camping trips will include activities such as snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and quinzee building if conditions are appropriate. Lessons will include information on how to dress appropriately for the weather, building shelters to stay warm and dry, and building and keeping fires going in the snow!
Each day participants will be preparing their own meals as a team and learning valuable wilderness skills. Our schedules are subject to change depending on the weather and the group. Our instructors strive to move along at the pace of the group to ensure that every participant is having a valuable learning experience.
Your Pack List
The cost of the Award trip includes all food and major gear (i.e.: canoes, lifejackets, camping equipment, paddles, etc.), and transportation to and from Kingston.
*Please note that all trips will proceed rain or shine.
Below is a suggested packing list for a 3 Day Canoe Trip:​
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Sleeping bag
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Pillow
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Rain coat and rain pants
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Warm socks (2 Pairs)
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Warm Pants (No Jeans – they do not dry)
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Long underwear (top and bottom)
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Warm jacket or thick sweater
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Toque
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Sneakers
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Sandals
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Bathing Suit
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T-shirts for 3 days
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Pants for 3 days
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Underwear
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Toiletries
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Flashlight
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Duke of Ed record book
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Pen/Paper
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Water bottle
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Personal Prescription Medications (Please notify the RKY Camp Staff if a participant takes any prescription medications or has any medical concerns)
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Optional Items:
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Sleeping pad
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Personal lifejacket
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Camera
RKY Camp provides packs for canoeing excursions and hiking excursions. Packing in a singular duffel bag and a day bag has proven to be the most useful. Please pack light for summer/spring trips and heavier for winter/fall trips.
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Do not bring: cell phones, iPods, alcohol, non-prescription drugs, cigarettes, etc.
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Our guides and leaders carry with them an emergency cell phone for contact with RKY Camp. While participating in our journeys we request that participants do not bring electronic devices. Any brought to camp will be collected on the first day of the trip and returned to participants on their last day at RKY Camp, prior to departure.
All of our instructors are trained RKY Camp Staff selected for their enthusiasm, dedication, and outdoor knowledge. They have obtained at a minimum their National Lifeguard Service certification, Standard First Aid and CPR C, and Wilderness First Aid. Preference is given to instructors with Advanced Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Ontario Recreation Canoeing and Kayaking Instructors, as well as other outdoor certifications. We provide a ratio of at least 1 instructor for each 6 participants!
Your Guide's Qualifications
Information
Dietary Considerations
RKY Camp can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs including vegetarian, lactose intolerance, vegan, gluten free, and various others.We are also a nut and shellfish sensitive site!
Record Books & Participation
RKY Camp will provide the proof of participation required for On-Line Participants. Participants still using the Award log books are required to bring them to RKY for instructors to sign.It is important to understand that The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is founded on leadership, participation, and taking on new challenges. RKY Camp guides are highly trained in facilitating leadership development. However, it is up to the participant to participate fully in the excursion. RKY Camp does reserve the right to not sign participant record books should the RKY guide feel that the requirements have not been met. Individuals who do not complete components of the trip are not eligible for refund or a credit towards another program. Full participation in all aspects of the program is required.
Please feel free to contact RKY Camp should you have any questions.
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RKY Camp phone number: 613-375-6295
YMCA of Kingston Office 613-546-2647 ex 236
Email: fun@rkycamp.org
Camp Address:
RKY Camp
1194 Sugarbush Lane
Parham, Ontario