Alumni

HURONTARIO HIGHLIGHTS

The Hurontario Highlights newsletter for the 2010 season is now available for download (PDF)

WEST WIND WEEKEND 2011 AUGUST 26, 27 & 28

Mark your calendars for the 2011 Westwind Weekend. More information to follow.

WEST WIND WEEKEND 2010

Gitchie Manitou (resident weather-god for Hurontario) provided an amazing weekend of sun and heat for Hurontario’s annual West Wind Weekend. Over 40 Hurontario alumni spanning six decades of camping arrived at the end of August, ready to revisit old haunts, to relive some memories, and to reconnect with old friends. It was time for our annual West Wind Weekend!

Once the fleet of Stanley boats had everyone safely on the island and into their cabins, everyone gathered on the T-Dock for delicious pizza, a few beverages and a casual sing-song. The sing-song quickly became the focus of the dock (though the pizza was also a highlight) and camp songs echoed down the bay until late into the evening. Duff Conacher, ably assisted by Tom Heintzman, brought along a bag full of percussion instruments, which added to the plethora of guitars rocking out the T-Dock.

On Saturday, everyone awoke (well, some people slept in) to a yummy breakfast of pancakes and bacon, hot oatmeal, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea. It was great to have so many families on the island, showing a new generation the Bug House, Sandy Bay, Phil Joe and the surrounding islands. Staff beach was a launching point for the canoeing and kayaking adventures, and Mermaid’s Point was a popular spot for swimmers – the water was still a beautiful temperature.

Then it was time to jump the cliffs! So following a barbeque on the dock for lunch, we headed out to O’Donnell’s point for some cliff-jumping and wave-riding. Some style points go to Tyler Ellis, for his fearless swan dive. After a full afternoon in the water, everyone returned to the island to relax and get ready for cocktails on the T-Dock before a delicious dinner cooked up by Doug and served by four of Hurontario’s finest staff members (Joel, Jeff, Awrey and Taylor).

Saturday night was highlighted by a campfire, started up by Dave Robertson with a rousing rendition of Father Abraham, and closed by the amazing versions of camp favourites sung by Tyler Ellis and the late-night crew. On Sunday, everyone enjoyed another delicious breakfast buffet and an easy morning on the T-Dock before loading the boats and heading off home. Everyone was already talking about next year’s alumni weekend. Can’t wait for August 2011! Thanks to all our alumni and to the Hurontario staff who stayed to help out!

Mark it in your calendars! We are looking forward to next year’s West Wind Weekend. Come on up to the island and bring your families, girlfriends and boyfriends as we celebrate our 65th summer! The weekend starts Friday, August 26, and finishes Sunday, August 28.