FLC FAQ's FYI
Family Life Conference Frequently Asked Questions For Your Information

 

PLEASE be familiar with the SITE and the DESIGNATED Camping Areas.

Camping Areas 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10: These camping areas are good for all participants. Also, keep your map handy to locate family and friends.
Camping Area #3: This area has young adult fires so may be louder and continue past 11 p.m. Some may find this disruptive so choose your site with that in mind.
Tents D & E Proximity: The youth tents have events with loud music in the evenings ending as late as 11 p.m. Younger families may find this disruptive.

Camping Area #11: Reserved for CFM Ministries needing quick access to the Shrine, Tents, and one another.

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IMPORTANT NOTES: 
• By attending this event all participants acknowledge sole responsibility for
  your registered group. 
• Catholic Family Ministries does not provide supervision outside of sessions,  
  or for children and youth who are not attending sessions. 
• The lake is unsupervised and may have algae present.  
• The cemetery area is completely off limits throughout the weekend.

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Can I register at the site on the weekend of the conference? 
We typically do accept registrations at the event throughout the conference weekend, BUT, for planning all the important details that create a successful and enjoyable conference for all participants, registering before the early deadline closes, is the best-case scenario for everyone.

1. When registering by the Early Bird Deadline, the cost of registration for the conference is reduced, BUT only if payment is received by the Early Bird Deadline. 

2. We can ensure there are adequate amenities for the comfort of all participants. Think of essentials such as portapotties, water, wood, ice, garbage bins, food vendors, Eucharistic Hosts, ministry personnel in charge of your children and volunteers who look after so many details. Also, other details such as the site permit and insurance are based on the number of attendees ... so we really need to have those numbers. 

Registering and paying for your registration after the Early Bird Deadline but before the online registration closes, which varies from year-to-year, won't give you the discounted price but it will allow us to have a package ready for your group with name tags, program, wrist bands for kids etc. that will definitely save you time and the registration volunteers undue stress. Packages will NOT be made until payment is received.

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Can I and/or my family attend the conference for one day only?
You can absolutely attend for one day only, or commute daily without staying overnight to camp. There are a number of people who love the talks, the sacraments, and the beautiful community they find at this event but also love the comfort of their own bed or amenities at a nearby hotel (think showers). Day rates are available but not processed through the registration portal and must be done onsite. Rates are always higher when registering onsite for the full conference or for day rates only. Head to Registration Tent B as soon as you are on the site grounds. Registration will provide you with name tags, information on where to camp, etc. Please note that weekend rates are the same for both campers and non-campers so registering online is the best way to go. 

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Will there be food, beverages, snacks and water available at the site?  We have two food trucks lined up for the 2025 FLC. If you appreciate having Food Trucks, please support them so they will return next year. The below are trucks that joined us at various times throughout the 2024 conference.

Food Trucks
Saturday and Sunday, this Food Truck is back by popular demand. If they are busy they may return for Monday morning. 
Scoopz Ice Cream Hut  (www.scoopzicecreamhut.ca)

Scoopz Ice Cream Hut is Alberta-owned and proudly serving up the bold, creamy flavors of Foothills Creamery hard ice cream and sorbet - the kind that makes you stop, smile, and savor every bite.
 

Saturday and Sunday and if busy, Monday morning. This is a new Food Truck.

MoJo Food Services. They serve Homemade Burgers, Fries, Salads, Sandwiches, Churros, Specialty Poutine, Comfort Food, and Authentic Mexican Cuisine! We also serve Hot Dogs, Finger Foods, Ice Cream, Canned Beverages (N/A), etc! 

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What amenities will be at the site?

• This is a large site which is completely designated as group camping.

• There will be ample porta potties available, including the required number of handicapped porta potties and wash stations which are serviced throughout the weekend. 

• Wood will be available for purchase.

• Ice will be available for purchase.

• There is ample parking and wide concrete sidewalks running from the parking lot, to the Shrine and down to the lake which were added and/or improved for the Papal Visit in 2022. The younger children love riding their bikes there during their breaks.

• There is potable water available at a couple of locations at the site. One beside the new cabin between the parish church and the Shrine. It is a tap located on the parish side of the building. Another is a pump house down closer to the lake with a tap and hose outside at the back. There will also be a water station for filling your personal water bottles. This is NOT for your jugs or clean up.  

• IDEALLY, all campers will come prepared with empty sewage tanks and full water tanks.

• Alternatively, the closest dump station is Alberta Beach 10 minutes away.

• Also included on our site map this year will be camping areas to assist campers in choosing the area that best suits their family dynamics. This will be particularly helpful for young adult camping and families with small children, and anticipated noise levels.
   

What amenities will NOT be at the site?

• There will be NO showers available at the site.

• There are NO hookups for RVs.
   

Can we bring a generator?

Campers are in pretty close proximity to one another so if you need a generator, out of respect for other campers, make sure it's a quiet one. Use it as little as possible and only during the hours from 8 am - 11 pm. 

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With this being designated as 'Group Camping', is it possible for each camper to have their own fire or are there only 'group fire pits' as well?

If there are no fire bans, camp fires can be had at individual camper's sites. We encourage campers to share camp fires with friends, family, and new campers attending the conference. Wood will be available for purchase.

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How early can we arrive at Lac Ste. Anne to set up?

Catholic Family Ministries rents the site from noon on the conference start date. Because of where July 1st falls this year which is on a Tuesday, we are inviting campers to camp overnight on Monday night. The formal program ends on Monday at lunch but staying for an extra night will allow you to relax, visit and perhaps meet some members of the CFM Board who are planning to stay. You can leave on Tuesday at your leisure.

 

Also, there typically isn't a concern for campers arriving a day or two before the start date or leaving a day later but CFM cannot guarantee access to the site prior to the start date. The Portapotties may not be onsite or accessible before the Conference start date. If you arrive before the Conference start date and are allowed access, ensure you bring your own drinking water, wood, etc., and head to the Registration Tent when Registration opens at 10 a.m. on June 27 to pick up your name tags and packages. We will expect all participants to be wearing name tags and wrist bands throughout the weekend.

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Where is the closest location to fill our trailer with water and a dump station at the end of the weekend?

Alberta Beach is the closest location. Please check the amenities question above for additional information regarding this question. ​

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Are dogs allowed at the Conference and site?

Dogs are allowed, however, they must be under your control at all times. They are not allowed in the Shrine. Make sure they are not barking and disturbing other campers and that you pick up after your dog. There is a of dog that lives with the priest at the rectory that you may see about the site.

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