A typical day at Ponacka
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Daily sign-up activities
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Daily hour-long instruction periods
8am – the wake-up bell at 8am signals the official start to the day, although many boys get up earlier, to go on a trail ride with the horses, play a league game of soccer or basketball, or go for a run.
8:30am – after the morning dip in the lake, everyone gathers at 8:30am to sing O Canada, raise the flag and enjoy a hot breakfast.
During breakfast, each boy selects his morning activities, provided he is not already enrolled in one of his pre-selected courses. Pre-selected courses include canoeing, sailing and English style horse back riding. Every boy takes a daily swim lesson until he has earned his Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross.
10:15am – after breakfast, a daily morning talk and sing-song are followed by cabin clean up, and then first period starts. The five activity periods each day run from 10:15am-12:15pm in the morning, and 3-6pm in the afternoon.
12:15pm – at 12:15pm, a boy’s “free time” options include: playing in or watching the Ponacka Hockey League (PHL) game, doing a swim across the lake, a mile paddle (across the lake and back), a free swim, tetherball, ping-pong, fishing, and the Ponacka Sphairee Tournament. Of course, free time means exactly that – each boy can choose what he wants to do.
Daily Activities: Waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, archery, basketball, volleyball, soccer, frisbee golf, lapidary, road hockey, a climbing wall, mountain biking, bushcraft, nature, arts and crafts, woodworking, pottery and fishing.
1pm – during lunch at 1pm, the boys select their afternoon activities.
2pm – after lunch and announcements (including cabin inspection marks), there is an hour of rest when campers may write a letter home or read quietly in their bunks.
3pm – after three activity periods from 3-6pm, the bell at 6 signals free time for 30 minutes before dinner.
6:30pm – following dinner at 6:30pm, the evening program offers a different camp-wide game, talent show, campfire or special activity night!
8:30pm – after singing taps at 8:30pm, the campers sometimes have a bedtime dip before heading back to their tents and cabins.
Thursdays are Cookout days, when the boys choose a day-long or half-day adventure activity such as rock climbing, caving, biking, kayaking, sailing, trail rides, paddling to nearby Diving Rock, or hiking to Diamond Lake (two-week campers only). Cookout days end with a full camp BBQ dinner in the picnic area.
On Sundays, the wake up bell is at 8:30am, a half-hour sleep in! After sing-song and clean up, everyone gathers in our non-denominational outdoor chapel for a brief time of reflection, followed by a Free Activity morning. A special camp-wide Sunday program begins at 3pm, which the boys look forward to with great anticipation.
Accredited Course Activities
Every boy takes a daily swimming lesson, five days a week. We teach all the Lifesaving Society programs including Swimmer 1 to 6 and Bronze Star, Medallion and Cross. For the oldest boys, we offer the Lifesaving Swim Instructor and LSSC Lifesaving Instructor courses.
For one week campers, swimming lessons are not compulsory.
Boys attending camp for two weeks have the opportunity to sail, although formal registration in a Canadian Yachting Association CANSail course is available only to four-week campers.
Boys who take sailing lessons at Ponacka can obtain CANSail levels as part of our “Ponacka Sail” award program. Keen sailors working on higher levels take up to three weeks of sailing lessons. Ponacka’s fleet includes Picos, Laser 1’s and 2’s, two Hobie Cats, and several RS Fevas.
Ponacka owns 10 horses and ponies used in our English style riding program. As a member of the Ontario Equestrian Federation, Ponacka follows strict safety guidelines and procedures. Horseback riding is the only program at Ponacka that has an additional charge. Boys can select up to three weeks of riding lessons. The boys learn stable management, how to tack up their horse, walk, trot, canter, and have the opportunity to go on trail rides, both on Thursday cookouts and before breakfast. The more experienced riders can learn jumping skills and basic dressage.
Sport Leagues
Every boy is automatically drafted onto a Ponacka Hockey League (PHL) team, coached by groups of counsellors and the CITs. Each team plays 5 regular-season games. Playoffs take place at the end of the month, culminating in a hard-fought final between the champions of the Mansfield and Granger divisions. There are awards for MVPs, Goaltender of the year, Best Defenseman, and more. Each month’s champions have their names engraved on the PHL plaque that hangs in the Dining Hall.
All four-week campers may sign up for the Ponacka Basketball Association (PBA). Most of games start at 7:30 a.m., with some games played on Sundays. Playoffs are held at the end of the month, and there are awards for MVP, Best Rebounder, Best Defender, and more. Each month’s champions have their names engraved on the PBA plaque that hangs in the Dining Hall.
Our soccer league, the Ponacka International Football Association (PIFA), is available to all two- and four-week campers, who can sign up at the start of the month. Games are held at free time and before breakfast at 7:30am. Teams compete in a formal playoff series and earn awards for sportsmanship and dedication.
All campers can sign up for single-knockout elimination tournament. Campers compete either in the Junior or Senior division. The two winners each month have their name engraved on The Munnfellow Cup, in honor of the tournament founders Jamie Munn and Nigel Goodfellow, both fifteen year Ponackians.
drama and arts
Drama, music, and creativity are key elements of our program.
At the end of each month our drama program puts on a full musical (“the Big Show!”) for the entire camp in the Dining Hall for which the participating boys rehearse all month. In 2024 we did The Lion King, which was a huge success.
We also have regular talent shows and campfires throughout the month where boys with musical or other creative talents are encouraged to perform.
At the end of the month we have an Art Show where the boys can display their creations made at our woodworking, pottery, and arts & crafts activities.
