CQE Island Retreat Info Guide

Camp Queen Elizabeth is located about four hours (drive) from London, ON, and two hours from Toronto. See more on location and how to get here under the Directions on this website!
 

At CQE, our programming and staff reflect and represent the mission and core values of the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario. 

Mission: The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is a charitable, not for profit organization dedicated to individual growth in spirit, mind and body and to meeting the changing needs of the community. The programs at the Y are available to everyone regardless of race, gender, creed or economic circumstance. 

Core Values:  Honesty • Caring • Respect • Responsibility • Inclusiveness.
 

We love to offer the following activities in our Island Retreat, because they are always popular with adults. But remember, this is your weekend! We’re just here to help. Once you arrive, we encourage you to choose what camp activities you want to do, if any, while also exploring, relaxing or creating your own adventure. This time is yours. Shine on!

Yoga Classes
We will hold yoga classes outdoors and indoors, depending on weather. All classes will be gentle/moderate and include a theme. As with all yoga, there will always be options for participants to modify poses to make them more (or less) challenging. Class details will be announced at breakfast each day. If you have your own yoga props (such as blocks) please bring those for your own comfort.

Art 
Our arts and crafts program includes nature painting, art using natural materials, and art therapy techniques designed to help you get in touch with your creative side. 

Boating
The waterfront is a popular place at CQE ,and participants are welcome to use our canoes, kayaks and paddle boards anytime between dawn and dusk (at their own risk). At designated times, staff and life guards will be present to offer instructions or a guided program.

Swimming
There is nothing better than a swim in the lake! Start the day with a refreshing dip, or enjoy an afternoon plunge after soaking up the sun at one of our many swim areas around camp. At designated times, life guards will be on duty at the main waterfront docks.

Note: Swimming and paddling after dark is strictly prohibited.

Hikes
Our shining CQE staff will be around all weekend and will prepare several guided hike options to help you explore the island and learn about plants and animals that inhabit the National Park.

CQE is in the glistening Georgian Bay Islands National Park, home to many unique, protected and threatened species. We ask all visitors to please treat the camp property and the natural environment with the utmost respect, so that together we can protect this fragile island ecosystem. We also love to share with visitors that inclusivity is a core value of the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, and of CQE, and we are thrilled to welcome people from all backgrounds, beliefs, and walks of life. 

While folks are invited to choose how they spend their time during their stay, we ask that the cabin area is quiet after 10 p.m. to allow everyone to get the rest they need.
 

Each of our rustic 10-person wooden cabins include single-bunk beds, electricity and a sheltered porch, where you can relax, read a book or look out at the stars. Each cabin can accommodate up to 10 people (5 bottom bunk-beds and 5 top bunk-beds). Cabin groups are composed with the information selected at registration and by the mutual requests made during registration.

A moment’s walk from the cabins, you will find flushing toilets, composting toilets and washstands. All of our washrooms are gender inclusive.

Please note: CQE is on the Canadian Shield, which means the terrain is rocky and uneven. If you have concerns about mobility and navigating the site, please contact us at cqe@swo.ymca.ca.

Our food service team prepare delicious, healthy meals, and aim to meet dietary needs for all our participants. Please help us serve you better by contacting us a minimum of one week before your visit to inform of us of any dietary restrictions. Some of our campers have severe nut allergies, and so we respectfully strive to prevent nuts and nut products from coming on site. However, we do sometimes use products that may contain traces of nuts.    Meals will be served in the Dining Hall and there will be both indoor and outdoor dining spaces available for everyone to enjoy their meal.

Outside food: To avoid problems with animals, we ask that participants do not keep snacks in their cabins. While we request that you limit outside food at camp, if you do need to bring some of your own, we can store it in our kitchen.

Throughout the summer, YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth is alcohol-free. Alcohol is permitted on site durring our adult and family camp programs, and we expect everyone to respect our CQE community and to consume beverages responsibly. Participants may bring a hard-case cooler to store alcohol throughout their stay. No glass containers please. If you do choose to consume alcohol, please do so at your assigned cabin or at a designated eating area, but please refrain from drinking before or while participating in activities or programs around the site. CQE staff reserve the right to ask people to leave a program area or the site itself if the safety of participants is at risk or if the overall program is being disturbed. 

Smoking cigarettes, cannabis, vapes and e-cigarettes is only permitted in designated areas, which will be identified at the community meeting. Please abide by this policy to help us ensure we are respecting both our forests and the families participating in our programs.

Non-prescription drugs are not permitted on site at any time.

Pets bring light to many of our lives! If you choose to bring your pet, please note and follow the rules we have in place to ensure camp participants, pets and local wildlife are safe:

• We require an copy of your pet’s vaccination records, showing all vaccinations are up-to-date.
• Pets are not allowed inside any building other than your assigned cabin. They must always be on a leash when outside of your cabin.
• Families need to clean up after their pet and deposit all waste appropriately.
• Owners of pets who are destructive, noisy, threatening our wildlife or running loose will be asked to remove their pet from the camp property

Please note that we have poison ivy on our site which can be transferred from dogs’ fur to humans. We also have porcupines on our site and their needles are harmful to dogs.  

At CQE, we’re committed to providing a safe and comfortable experience for our entire camp community. To help keep everyone safe, our programs follow all current provincial and local public health regulations and guidelines. As we move closer to your scheduled Island Retreat weekend, we will share any information about additional health and safety measures that will be in place and any requirements for our participants. When adjusting our policies and procedures in response to the emerging circumstances in our communities, we will communicate with all our campers and families to share what to expect. 

Please note: Inclusivity is a core value at CQE. We want everyone to feel a sense of belonging, and therefore we ask all participants to be mindful and respectful of others’ space and preferences. Masks are generally not required for indoor use, but we will have masks available in common areas if anyone wishes to use them.

If you have any questions leading up to the camp experience regarding health or safety concerns, please get in touch with us at 519-453-8858 or cqe@swo.ymca.ca 
 

Before you head to camp, we’ll send you an email with all the information you need for an amazing time at CQE. This email will include general info about the camp experience, as well as:

• Arrival Information: You or your group will be given an arrival time to meet our camp boats. Please adhere to the schedule so we can get everyone to camp in a timely manner.
• Health Screening: Please monitor for symptoms of illness leading up to your camp session. If you show symptoms or feel unwell, please do not attend the camp program.
• Assumption of Risk waiver: This mandatory waiver must be completed PRIOR to arrival. This waiver will allow you to paddle and swim at your leisure. It will be emailed to you, so you have time to review before your program.

When packing for camp, remember that the weather can vary widely from day-to-day. Typically, we have warm, sunny days and cool (sometimes cold!), breezy evenings in the spring and at the end of the summer. Our programs usually continue on rainy days – so good rain gear is essential. It is difficult to get extra items once you are at camp, so come prepared with everything you think you will need!

Here's what you’ll need: 
*Our terrain is rocky and uneven and can be slippery when wet. We highly recommend sandals with backstraps and good grip. 

• 2    Bathing suits
• 1    Towel
• 1    Sleeping bag or comforter/duvet
• 1    Pillow
• 1    Twin-sized fitted bed sheet
• 2    Hat: sun hat. optional: toque for cooler evenings
• 1    Sunglasses
• 1    Sunscreen
• 1    Insect repellant (no aerosols please, only products with less than 10% deet)
• Adequate supply of socks and underwear
• 1    Yoga gear: mats, blocks, bolsters, straps
• Clothing for yoga and hiking
• 2-3    Shorts
• 2-3    Pants
• 3-4    T-shirts
• 3-4    Long sleeves
• 2-3    Sweaters
• 1-2    Light jacket or fleece
• 1    Rain gear: waterproof jacket. rain pants (Optional)
• 1-2    Pajamas
• 1-2    Sturdy running shoes/ shoes for hiking
• 1    Sandals with backstraps: We don’t recommend flipflops, and slides are not recommended as their soles do not hold the traction and ankle support required for our terrain
• Biodegradable soap and shampoo
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Cards and Board Games
• White t-shirt for tie-dye
• Small portable fan (plug in or battery). We have a limited supply of space heaters to borrow.

Bugs are a part of camp life in Canada. It is important to us that our guests are informed about the various insects that could disrupt our experience while at camp.

Ticks

Through staff training and camper orientation each arrival day, we inform our CQE community on how to best protect themselves from ticks. We encourage our families to wear socks, long pants and long sleeves when outside during dusk, as well as during forest activities. We encourage you to bring insect repellent to camp for an additional layer of protection. Health Canada recommends a DEET percentage of 10 per cent or lower for children under 12.  We also implement the following tick prevention measures:

• Tick checks: We will have information sheets on ticks and encourage you to do tick checks at the end of a long hike or at the end of each day.
• Information posters about ticks: They are displayed in cabins and various areas at CQE.
• Collaboration with National Parks staff: Camp staff collaborate with National Parks staff for preventative measures against ticks and other insects. 
• Hiking guidelines: Campers are encouraged to wear long pants and high socks during wooded trail hikes in Georgian Bay Islands National Park.
• Water activities: Swimming and bathing is an excellent way to remove ticks before they have a chance to bite. With lots of access to water, there are numerous opportunities to swim!
• Medical attention: Should you be bitten by a tick, we recommend seeking a medical professional.

Please note: Exposure to an embedded tick for under 24 hours is considered low risk for Lyme Disease. Further details on ticks and Lyme Disease can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/lyme-disease.html 

Bed bugs 

In an effort to be proactive with our camping facilities, it is important for us to recognize the increasing presence of bed bugs in our communities across Canada. Although not known to carry any blood borne diseases or pose any serious health risks, bed bugs are a pest that can cause swelling and itchy welts, and we take every reasonable precaution to prevent them at CQE, including the following: 

• During our training week, all CQE staff are informed on bed bugs and how to detect early signs. 
• Each week when campers are offsite, our staff thoroughly cleans cabins and camp facilities. The weekly clean includes an inspection of all living areas for signs of bed bugs.
• In order to prevent bed bugs from entering our environment, we ask anyone visiting CQE to take the following steps:
  • Consider whether it’s possible they may have recently been in contact with bed bugs.
  • If so, we request that prior to arrival, they wash all personal belongings with hot water and dry them at the highest dryer setting for at least 30 minutes. It is recommended for any other items to be steam-cleaned or placed loosely in a tightly sealed bag in a freezer for a minimum of four days at a temperature of -15C or lower.
  • Immediately upon returning home, we recommend repeating this process to prevent the possibility of spreading.

If you have questions regarding our protocols to prevent and manage ticks, bed bugs, and other insects, please contact our camp management at cqe@swo.ymca.ca 
 

Our camp boats will meet you at the Honey Harbour Boat Club (2709 Honey Harbour Rd, Honey Harbour, ON). If you are traveling by car, drive down to the docks to unload, purchase your parking pass from the marina store, and then park in the Boat Club's parking lot. You’ll be sent information ahead of time to help you schedule. All arrival times will be scheduled between 4 and 7 p.m. It is essential for all participants to respect their scheduled arrival times to help ensure we can get all of our participants to site in a timely manner. There will be a sign-up schedule for departures available the night before departure day. Departures will be between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. If an earlier departure is required, this can be arranged during your time at camp.

Google Maps for Honey Harbour Boat Club:
https://goo.gl/maps/54EjmKJwMbbSuncc9 

Camp Queen Elizabeth is approximately four hours driving time from London, and 2 hours driving time from Toronto.

From London (No Toll)

• Take the 401 eastbound to Toronto until you reach the 400 northbound.
• Take the 400 northbound through Barrie, being careful to stay on the 400 where it branches off to become highway 12
• Follow highway 400 until you reach exit 156 for Honey Harbour Road and Muskoka Road number 5
• Turn left onto Honey Harbour Road/Muskoka Road number 5
• Follow this road for approximately 20 minutes, past the Honey Harbour Library, the road will fork, turn right, and the Honey Harbour Boat Club will be on your left
• This is where our boats depart from. Park at the top of the hill and walk down to our boats.

From London (Toll route)
Take the 407 eastbound and connect to the 400 northbound. Then follow the directions above.

From Toronto
Take the 400 northbound and follow the directions above.

Contact us anytime by email at:

CQE general email:
cqe@swo.ymca.ca 

Isabel Kennedy, Camp Director
isabel.kennedy@swo.ymca.ca 

Emma Hamber, Assistant Camp Director
Emma.hamber@swo.ymca.ca 

or by mail or phone:

Summer Season (June -September )
YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth
PO Box 249,
Honey Harbour, ON, POE 1EO
tel: 705-756-8300

Fall, Winter & Spring
YMCA Camping Branch – London
165 Elmwood Ave E.,
London, ON, N6C 0A8
tel: 519-453-8858

For more information visit us online:

•    https://www.campqueenelizabeth.com 
•    https://www.facebook.com/Ymcacampqueenelizabeth 
•    https://www.instagram.com/Campqueenelizabeth/ 

We know that taking home a CQE clothing item is a great way to remember your camp experience. We will have limited 2024 CQE merchandise and past CQE merchandise available for purchase at camp this summer. We take credit card payment at camp, but please remember that supplies are limited! Stay tuned for the launch of our 2024 CQE merch store!