THE UNPLUG FAMILY CAMP
First Annual UNPLUG with James Funnyhat Family Camp
The ‘Unplug Camp’ is a lightly programmed family camp for parents and children to have an intensive, enhancing nature experience together. It is an opportunity to unplug from our digital devices and plug in to the magical enhancements of nature. JULY 25 - JULY 30, 2025! James has been a children's musician and storyteller for over a decade. This camp will be a re-packaging of his joyful interactions children onto the canvas of his other great love - nature. Together with his wife Kat, (who doesn't wear funny hats but is still fun!), we hope to make this an immersive and priceless experience of life UNPLUGGED from the digital world and PLUGGED IN to the natural world.
Come digitally frazzled...
If you:
a) love spending time with your kids
b) want them to have more real life, non digital experiences
c) love being as close to nature as possible
d) want your kids to learn to love it like you do
e) want an experience where you can actually slow down
f) don't want a 'vacation' that is more work than your job
...leave recharged with nature's serenity!
We are offering:
a) an intensive wilderness camping experience
b) fun children's programs for part of each day
c) 200 acres of pristine wilderness on the Canadian Shield
d) swimming, canoeing, hiking, star gazing, campfires, and more
e) a digital-free ecology where the only notifications are the sun and moon
f) all accommodations and meals for 5 days
WhY UNPLUG?
Back to the future...
The UNPLUG FAMILY CAMP is for people who are not technophobes but who see that something is missing in our overwhelmingly digital world. It is for parents who want something more for their kids, who want them to love the real world more than the digital world. It is for people who want their children to have some of what their parents and grandparents had: a simpler, quieter pace in which to breathe, play, contemplate, laugh, think, watch, sing, listen, and just be together.
Life in the slow lane
Today, you can find a video of anything you want at any time. But if you are observant, you may ACTUALLY see a turtle laying eggs like this one did at Starry Lake. The video is pretty cool but to see the real thing will change your life. THE UNPLUG camp is about having real experiences like that. To ACTUALLY see the milky way, to ACTUALLY make your own campfire, to ACTUALLY be lost in the woods and then to find yourself. These are the events that live in your heart forever. These are the kinds of experiences your family will have that just may ignite a passion that your children will hold forever.
Not just for kids
Let’s be honest - for all the worries we have about our kids over-programmed, over-digitized lives, parents have the same issues! If you are fortunate enough to have a ‘pre-internet brain,’ you can probably admit that you could do well with putting your device away just as much as the little ones. At the UNPLUG CAMP, you may experience a few minutes of discomfort as you wonder what terribly important thing you should checking. Don’t worry - it won’t be long until it turns to a dreamy bliss that you will want to visit over and over again!
WHO IS IT FOR?
A great fit for beginning or experienced campers
With a pristine location and luxurious facilities (by camping standards!), the UNPLUG CAMP is a great fit for all levels of wilderness experience. Families who are already accustomed to the Canadian wilderness will find it a great way to introduce it to their kids. For families who are totally new to forests, lakes, tents, campfires, bugs, darkness and everything else, it will be a great introduction for the whole family because it is a safe situation with friendly help nearby. It may be the beginning of a lifelong passion for your kids.
The activities will be aimed at children from 4 - 12 years old. If there are younger kids, they will need extra supervision but they are also welcome to join some activities. Kids who are older than 12 can participate in more of a leadership role, which can be a very enhancing experience as well.
Some programmed activities...
Each day will feature some programs to familiarize kids with the natural environment and how to enjoy and thrive in it. Activities may include shelter building, tree identification, orienteering, canoeing, fire building, nature crafts, board games, musical games, treasure hunts, sports, and hide & seek.
And lots of unstructured family time too...
There will also be plenty of unstructured time for families to hike, swim, canoe, play games, see the night sky, have campfires and share time together. We want to strike the perfect balance of a family vacation where families have intensive quality time together but also have some independence for the children so parents can have a break from parenting.
WHERE IS IT?
Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis
Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis is a property that has to be experienced to fully appreciate. We have 200 acres with forests, streams, rivers and a gorgeous private lake. There are lots of trails and a huge variety of mini ecologies that are teeming with flora and fauna.
Between Ottawa and Toronto
Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis is located north east of Toronto, about a three hour drive, near Coe Hill, Ontario.
Epic Tranquility
Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis has so little light pollution that it is an ideal spot to experience the fullness of the night sky including the Milky Way, meteor showers, and the Northern Lights.
WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS?
A Cabin....
While enjoying family camp your family will get to enjoy the fun & comfort of sleeping in a lovely, 16 foot round canvas glamping tent, sleeping on proper mattresses. These tents are really comfortable and cozy. Our spacious glamping tents each have 2 double beds. Extra cots may be available if needed. (If they run out and we’ll be creative.)
If your family wants even more comfort it is possible to also stay in one of our charming off grid glamping cabins. Just let us know if you want or need that, and we can let you know if it is available
...or a glamping tent.
What about showers and washrooms?
There are shared outhouse facilities and an outdoor shower, and of course the glorious lake awaits, so feeling clean & fresh is easy.
WHAT WILL WE EAT?
Take a break from the kitchen!
Simple, nutritious food for breakfasts lunch and dinner, and healthy snacks will be provided, so you won’t need to worry about cooking.
costs
How much does the camp cost?
The base price for your family is $1750 + HST, which includes 2 family members. Each additional person in your family is an additional $250. Want to bring an extra kid whose parents can’t make it? If you have an ‘extra kid’ (like a cousin or friend) they are welcome to join you, so long as you know that you are their go-to adult and guardian for their time at camp.
So for example: A family of 4 = $1750 (base price for the first two)+ $250 + $250 = $2250 + HST for the camp.
Extras: If you want the cabin instead of a glamping tent, an extra $200 will be added to the final amount.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Click the link to register or for more info.
If you are all ready to register or if you would like more information, click the link. Either James or Kat will let you know more.
Stay Tuned
We will be updating this site as July 25, 2025 approaches with more pics and info...