Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about CYL from parents and participants.

How do I get 2012 camp information?

• The 2012 CYL newsletter (brochure) will be available in electronic format no later than Friday, February 17th.  Download it from the 'Related Documents' link at the right side of this page.
• Registered and confirmed Participants will receive a very comprehensive camp information package via email about two weeks before their camp session. These packages will also be available for download from the 'Related Documents' section of this webpage..

Where are the CYL sessions held?

• All CYL sessions will be held at the Lake St. George Feld Centre, operated by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.  The Centre is located on a 120-hectacre site on the Oak Ridges Moraine, just east of Bayview Avenue, in Richmond Hill.  Learn more Lake St. George at www.trca.on.ca.
• A very special thank you to the wonderful staff of Lake St. George. Their warmth, energy and commitment to environmental sustainability make each week at CYL thoroughly enjoyable.

Why do I need a sponsor?

• The CYL program is supported by participant and sponsor fees and is essentially self-financing. Corporate sponsorships and participant sponsors pay the majority of the costs associated with the camp, keeping costs affordable.
• Every participant requires a sponsor. This is generally a co-operative or credit union that you already have a relationship with. Perhaps you bank at a certain branch of the credit union, you get your phone service through a telecommunications co-op, you shop at an agricultural co-op, or you live in a housing co-op. Once you seek their support, this organization will pay their share of the registration fee, usually about three-times what the participant would pay. Many co-ops seek young members to send to CYL, and consider the camp to be part of their youth engagement strategies.
• The sponsoring co-op generally recruits potential CYL applicants very early in the year, often by March. They are always looking for youth members, or the children of members to send to camp. Sometimes the CYL applicant will have to meet with a branch manager, submit a letter saying why he/she wants to attend camp, or sometimes all that's required is a completed CYL application form. Each co-op or credit union is different.

What if I don't have a sponsor?

• If you went to CYL previously, talk to the branch or the co-op which sponsored you last time. Maybe they don't realize that CYL is a multi-year program, and that each level builds on the one before it... until you graduate and become a certified young leader!
• If this is your first time going to CYL, contact some of the co-ops in your area. You can find them by searching the internet for your town and the words “co-operative“ or “credit union“. We suggest visiting our directory of co-ops in Ontario, where you can search for co-ops in your area. Then, introduce yourself and make a good sales pitch for sending you to camp.
• If you still can't find a sponsor, contact On Co-op, and we'll try to link you up with a co-op or credit union in your area. Be prepared, though, because we'll ask who you've already contacted (remember, it's a leadership camp...).

How do I apply?

All Participant applications are made online.

• Participants must first meet any sponsoring organization admission requirements, such as writing an essay, completing an application or meeting with staff, before applying to CYL through On Co-op.
• Each participant, or his/her family, is required to pay a participant fee to attend the camp. This fee, in addition to the amount given by the participant's sponsor, ensures that the participant really wants to be at CYL, understands the nature of the camp and will work towards developing or enhancing their leadership skills.
• Once qualified by the sponsoring organization, the participant (or family) will apply to CYL online. (Qualification by a co-op or credit union to apply does NOT automatically guarantee admission by On Co-op into the CYL program.) Paper application forms will not be accepted, and each week has maximum capacity levels.
• CYL is only presented in English. Participants and Facilitators must have a good working knowledge of the English language (reading and writing).
• Prior to applying online, gather medical records, health card, sponsoring organization’s contact information, session applied for and other details. Please do not begin to apply online until you have gathered all the necessary information.
• Participants may pay the participant contribution fee by credit card while registering online or may send a cheque separately. Registration cannot be processed, nor a spot in your preferred session reserved, until the participant portion of the payment has been received by On Co-op.  Some sponsoring organizations may remit the participant fee on your behalf, but this does not hold your spot.

How do I know my CYL application has been accepted by On Co-op?

• The online registration system will acknowledge receipt of the application once you have input all the information.  If you do not receive this within moments of sending in the application, check your junk mail or spam filter.
• On Co-op will contact participants directly to confirm their application has been accepted or to request additional information.
• Participants will receive a formal approval from On Co-op that they have been accepted into the CYL program.  
• An information and welcome package containing waivers, important information and last-minute updates will be emailed to participants by On Co-op approximately two weeks prior to each session.  Copies will also be posted on this page.
• If your registration has not yet been confirmed by On Co-op (NOT your sponsoring co-op or credit union), please email youth@ontario.coop to confirm your status. Important:  Acceptance by your sponsoring credit union or co-op does NOT guarantee admittance into the CYL program by On Co-op.

Once I've applied, how do I stay in touch with my sponsor?

• Once you know you're going to CYL camp, visit your sponsor and get information on the organization. Try to find out what they do, what their mission is and something about their history. You'll have the opportunity to talk about your sponsor during one of your days at camp.
• Once camp is over, most sponsors will request that you attend a board meeting, a staff meeting or a members' meeting and talk to the group about your time at camp. Or perhaps they'll ask that you send them a letter or write a short article for their newsletter. It makes sense—they invested time and money in your application, and they want to hear what great things you did, what you learned and what you plan on doing with your new co-op skills.
• And if they don't ask you to do anything once camp is over? CALL THEM and suggest that you do something. (It's a leadership camp after all...) They'll be pleasantly surprised, and you've probably made a great decision they won't soon forget.

Who leads the sessions?

• The program is facilitated by volunteers from Ontario's diverse co-operative and credit union movement. The Facilitators freely share their talents to develop our future co-op leaders.
• Participants are guided by Facilitators, not directed by counsellors. Participants remain engaged in the program and learn by doing and practising, and helping the others.

What will I be doing at camp?

Each day at CYL will run with a similar schedule, with daily variations for field trips, speakers and other surprises. This will allow us to have time for the sessions, activities, presentations by outside co-operative people and free time for hanging out, sports and fun.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

8:30 am	Breakfast
9:15 am	ROPES, Shout-outs, CYL Media Moments, Icergizers
9:30 am	Morning Session - co-operative activities and sessions
12:00 pm	Lunch, followed by free time
1:00 pm	Afternoon Session - Field trip, activities or sessions
4:15 pm	Sports and Recreation
5:30 pm	Supper
6:30 pm	Evening Session - assorted activities; free time
9:30 pm	Relaxation Moment, followed by Talking Stick

Some sessions include Guest Speakers and Field Trips.

• If you're not sure what some of the above activities mean, don't worry—you'll learn all about them during your week at camp!
• Meals are all served around the same time every day. Please make sure you bring your appetite! (And let us know on the registration form if you have any food sensitivities.)
• Outdoor activities that could be available at camp include: soccer, swimming, volleyball, basketball, kayaking, canoeing and hiking. You may also bring your own sports equipment if you like (put your name on it!).

How much does it cost?

Below are the program costs for all 2012 sessions. 

The CYL program is self-financing. Corporate sponsorships and participant sponsors pay the majority of the costs associated with the camp, keeping costs affordable.

Participant contribution: $200

Sponsor contribution:

• On or before May 26 – $610
• After May 26 – $710

Non-member sponsors* add $100.

All fees are subject to 13% HST.

*Most credit unions and co-operatives in Ontario are either direct dues-paying members of On Co-op, or indirect members by being part of a federation that is a member of On Co-op.  Member federations include Central 1 Credit Union, CHF Canada, CWCF/OWCF, GROWMARK, Inc., OPPCEO and OSCA.  For a list of our current members, see our Membership page.

When does the camp take place?

Junior (First-time participants 14–15 years old):

• A: June 30- July 7 (sponsored by Alterna Savings & On Co-op)
• B: July 7–14 (sponsored by Gay Lea Foods Co-operative)
• C: July 14–21 (sponsored by CHF Canada)

Intermediate (For Junior graduates or 16–17 year olds participating for the first time)

• A: July 21–28 (sponsored by The CUMIS Group)
• B: July 28 – August 4 (sponsored by UPI Energy LP)

Senior (for Intermediate graduates or 17–18 year olds participating for the first time)

• A: August 4–11 (sponsored by GROWMARK Inc.)
• B: August 11–18 (sponsored by Ontario Student Co-op Association)

What should I bring to camp?

CYL is a casual camping experience, combining inside and outside activities. Participants may be sitting, walking, swimming, canoeing, playing sports or taking field trips. Here are the basics each participant should bring.

Clothing:

• Shorts; long pants or jeans
• Semi-formal clothes for the banquet
• T-shirts (one CYL t-shirt is provided at your request); long-sleeved shirts; sweatshirts or sweaters
• Running shoes or good walking shoes
• Socks; underwear
• Bathing suit; flip flops, beach sandals or water moccasins
• Coat or rain jacket
• Hat, sunglasses

Other Stuff:

• Beach towel, plus at least TWO bath towels; wash cloth
• Camera (reminder - put your name on it!)
• Toiletries: Soap, shampoo; toothbrush and toothpaste; hairbrush; razor; hygiene products, etc
• Bug repellent; sunscreen
• Paper, pens, pencils and markers (CYL workbook is provided)
• Musical instruments, sheet music and CD's 
• Sports equipment: Each camp has a good supply of sports equipment; however, feel free to bring your own, such as a ball glove
• Money for the snack shack (our co-operative store), pay phone, phone card, etc .
• Sleeping bag, or linens & blankets; a pillow 
• Medications (IMPORTANT: inform CYL staff of any prescription or non-prescription medicines participants bring to camp, and if the Facilitators need to monitor or administer doses!)
• Information regarding your sponsor (so you can tell everyone else at camp what a great co-op or credit union you come from)
• If you have a special talent, such as juggling, magic tricks or baton-twirling, you may want to bring your equipment
• A sense of fun and adventure!

Remember to put your name on everything you bring.

What Not to Bring

• Please do not bring any items containing nuts to camp.
• We do not encourage Participants to bring jewellery, electronic games, MP3 players, cell phones, pagers, laptop computers, tablets/PDAs or other communication or electronic devices. The organizers, staff, volunteers and campsites cannot be responsible for lost or damaged items.
• We cannot guarantee that cell phones will work at all of our camp locations. Internet access and WiFi is not generally available.

CYL changes your life