Frequently Asked Questions
1) Where can I get a lawnmower
2) What's happening with the Irwin Chairs?
3) What's the story with Disc Golf?
4) Why are payments not accepted at the Sports Shop?
5) Now that Fair Havens is no longer AGC, who owns it and what is the communication structure?
6) What is the emergency plan in case of a tornado or weather event?
7) Is there a limit this year to Wifi use per day?
9) Who does what in the office?
10) What are the rules for Volunteers?
11) Where can I find details on Summer Conference Speakers, Programs and Activities?
1) Where can I get a Lawnmower?
Lawnmowers are available for use by Campers. They are located in the shed behind the garbage bins across from the wood lot. You can borrow one any time. We just ask that you deposit $2 in the donation box mounted on the inside wall to help cover costs.
2) What's happening with the Irwin Chairs?
A few years ago Fair Havens decided to replace all the chairs in Irwin Chapel. They started fund raising for this but not enough money was raised. With the 2023 Auction, the Season Site Committee raised the rest of the money to complete the task.
Many of the chairs have already been replaced. Fair Havens is currently in negotiation with another supplier to complete the task.
3) What's the story with Disc Golf?
Fair Havens has set up a few baskets in the Golf Course for people to use free of charge. Use will be coordinated with golfers. If it works out well and is found to be popular, a larger course will be set up over the next few years. It will only be on the East side of the golf course, not across the bridge.
4) Why are payments not accepted at the Sports Shop?
Cash payment is still accepted at the Sports Shop for candy and bicycle decorating kits. Everything else needs to be paid for at the office.
There are good reasons for this. Keeping POS working in the shop has been difficult and often requires help from office staff. It also causes problems with accounting because entries are often allocated to the wrong account and Benita needs to spend a lot of time correcting them.
For now we will try payments at the office and see how it goes. If we decide to go back to the sports shop we need to work out the bugs.
5) Now that Fair Havens is no longer AGC, who owns it and what is the communication structure?
Fair Havens is a Registered Charity. The Board of Directors are the Trustees with Michael VanPelt as the current Chairman of the Fair Havens board. The Board Members are on for a 3 year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The Board communicates to the Executive Director, Executive Director communicates to the organization. If Campers wish to communicate with the board it should be through Brian. Isaac and Benita are alternatives after Brian.
In terms of Ownership, it is like a Church. The Trustees are responsible for it, but a Charitable Organization cannot actually be sold. Below is an excerpt from the CRA:
Assets of a dissolved charitable corporation
When a charitable corporation winds up or dissolves, after paying any debts and obligations, it must distribute any remaining assets to a charitable corporation with similar purposes to its own, or to a government or government agency. Refer to section 150 and section 167 of ONCA. A charitable corporation has other restrictions (for example, restricted purpose trust funds) that it must be careful about.
6) What is the emergency plan in case of a tornado or weather event?
The emergency plan in case of tornado can be found in each and every accommodation, as well as all area department emergency binders, and is as follows:
Tornadoes/Severe Weather
During Family Camp severe weather forecasts and warnings will be displayed on the media broadcast in Irwin Chapel, BCC Lobby, and Café on a daily basis.
The primary buildings used to house people during extreme weather are:
the BILL CRUMP CENTRE BASEMENT, FIRESIDE ROOM (Riverside Basement), and TRENT BASEMENT.
Staff members should watch for extreme weather and program leaders should always consider the safety of their participants and seek shelter when weather looks as though it may become extreme.
Understand the difference between the following definitions:
Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are likely. Be ready to take shelter. Stay tuned to radio and television stations for additional information.
NOTE: In the event of a regional emergency warning broadcast to cell phones, the Duty Manager is to be consulted before implementing any emergency action.
Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted in the area or is indicated by radar. Take shelter immediately.
1. The OFFICE SUPERVISOR will monitor weather alerts using the following resources:
Severe weather watches and warnings will be posted on:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/alerts/local
Weather forecasts are available at:
www.theweathernetwork.com
Radar readings are available through:
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/radar/index_e.html?id=WKR
1. The OFFICE SUPERVISOR will notify the DUTY MANAGER and all departments and PROGRAM OORDINATORS
2. PROGRAM COORDINATORS will move programs indoors and to basements when possible
3. MAINTENANCE will begin touring the entire facility for potential hazards (securing tents, checking drainage areas, etc.)
7) Is there a limit this year to Wifi use per day?
Yes -1GB per day
8) Is the dining room open for Season Siters to book for Friday evening Bountiful Buffet or Sunday lunch?
Yes, anyone can book meals as long as it fits the usual guidelines of 24 hours before the meal begins.
9) Who does what in the office?
10) What are the rules for Volunteers?
Check with the Volunteer Coordinator Phil Martin for the latest information and any other questions regarding volunteers.
E-mail FH Volunteers11) Where can I find details on Summer Conference Speakers, Programs and Activities?
You can find some details on the Bulletin Board outside the main office. For even more information - Click Here.
12) Will the internet ever improve? What are some realistic options for those who require internet connectivity?
They have given a deadline of December of 2025 for that project to be completed. Once that happens, it will then be in the hands of the Campers to fund the required capital to implement the service across the property.
If we install Fibre (wired) service throughout the campground this is expected to be in the range of $150,000 for phase one, and an additional $150,000 for phase two which wires it into the trailers.
At the present time, it seems the best option is to go with a Satellite Service subscription, such as Xplore.
13) Does Fair Havens Recycle?
Yes, Fair Havens does recycle.
The cardboard is sent to one plant and the plastics/garbage is sent to another. The garbage and plastics plant sorts then at their facility.
Put Cans, Glass and Plastic in the "Recycle" Bins.
Paper goes in the Garbage.
14) The site lease form for 2024 and how it says "Friday of May long to Monday of Thanksgiving". This appears to be shorter than usual. What's the story?
The Season Site Handbook states May Long Weekend until Thanksgiving Long Weekend. This has always been the policy.
Although these are the official dates, Fair Havens has always been able to allow a buffer of 1 week on each end to allow campers extra time to open and close their trailers. This continues to be the case. If you need to access your trailer outside of these extended dates, you need to get permission from the office ahead of time.
So - nothing has actually changed. The Season Site Lease Agreement has simply been "corrected".