OTTER POINTE POLICIES AND RULES – GLAMPING GUESTS
As per the Otter Pointe Liability Waiver, please find herein the Otter Pointe Policies and Rules, which you agree to follow. By agreeing, you understand that all members of your party are agreeing (including minors) or you are agreeing to enforce these policies:
Many questions can be answered by texting the property manager (Abi) at 289 241 2573. Do not hesitate to reach out to her by text – it is her job to answer your questions as soon as possible. Please be aware that violations of these rules can, at the property manager’s discretion, result in actions such as being asked to leave Otter Pointe grounds immediately and without a refund, and being barred from returning to Otter Pointe in the future.
BATHROOMS:
1) Do not drink the water (shower or sink). It is unfiltered lake water
2) Please only use your designated washroom, and please do not flush anything except waste and toilet paper down the toilet, as we are on septic. Trash cans are provided to dispose of other waste
3) Careful of the floor; it can be slippery when wet!
4) Be careful of ice. The resort is not always maintained with salt or sand, so use caution when walking outside.
5) The property manager will do their best to provide you with bathroom supplies as needed; just let her know! We do not go into the bathrooms during your stay unless you inform us you need something.
6) Please ensure the door is always closed firmly behind you and the light is turned off when you leave. If the door is left open and bugs or animals enter the bathroom, or the pipes freeze, you will be responsible for any necessary repairs or removal services.
UNITS:
1) Do not drink the sink water, it is unfiltered lake water. If you run out of drinking water from the water jug, notify the property manager.
2) If you require extra blankets, pillows, linens, or anything else you might need, advise the property manager.
3) You may adjust the temperature as required but do not create a fire hazard by overheating or by placing items in front of the heating units. Do not use the AC while the curtains are open on sunny days. The AC does not work if the large panoramic window is open and the sun is beating in.
4) The floors can be slippery or uneven.
5) The fireplace can become extremely hot, and you can burn yourself easily, even by touching the outside.
6) Please ensure you use furniture or items only as they are designed to be used, and apply common sense!
7) No smoking in the units of any kind, or anywhere on the resort grounds. Otter Pointe is a smoke-free location (this includes all types of smoking, including but not limited to cannabis, tobacco, e-cigarettes and vape pens).
8) The windows/walls can be susceptible to puncture by sharp objects. Please be careful!
9) Use caution when using the fireplace; they are not toys! You may use the fireplace in your unit, but only if:
a. There is no sign on the fireplace indicating to not use the fireplace
b. The wood and kindling are procured either from the property manager or from wood lying on the ground
c. Do not leave the fireplace unattended if the door to the fireplace is open
d. Under no circumstances should bark (birchbark) be ripped off living trees to kindle fires. If you are caught doing this we may withhold your security deposit and ask you to leave the property. There is ample foliage that can be scavenged from the ground that you can use for outdoor campfires
e. No gasoline or other flammable liquid shall be used to start fires
f. Nothing shall be burned except for unmilled/unpainted wood, leaves, twigs, sticks, pine needles and bark (do not burn tin foil or other garbage, including cardboard, please. Violations can result in withholding your security deposit)
g. Caution shall be observed when using a fire, without tomfoolery. Do not allow hot material to exit the fireplace! If anything goes wrong, notify the authorities and property manager immediately and as required.
h. Do not place any items near enough to the fireplace or chimney to cause a fire hazard. Keep things away from the fireplace!
i. You may not start fires in any other place besides your fireplace or a designated firepit approved in advance by the property manager
10) Do not swing from or be rough with the curtains. If you break the curtains, you will have to pay the replacement cost which exceeds $400.
11) The windows in the domes are made of plastic and can be pierced and ripped. Please be careful around the windows as, if you damage them, you will be required to pay for their repair.
12) For fire safety, a maximum of four humans can stay in one dome or Twilight Orchid. Water Lily has a maximum of three humans. If more than the maximum number of persons arrive for a booking, Otter Pointe reserves the right to demand the guests reserve an additional structure and/or leave the premises, forfeiting their booking and their entire payment.
RESORT GROUNDS:
1) There is no first aid kit/medical supplies on site. There are no trained personnel on-site to handle medical situations. Call the authorities if you are in medical distress; the address of Otter Pointe is 8863 Hwy 17 E, Rutherglen, Ontario, P0H 2E0. This applies to any emergency requiring an emergency service.
2) You may swim and use the canoes/kayaks/paddleboards/paddleboat at Otter Pointe, but only if you acknowledge and understand:
a. There is no lifeguard, and the waterfront is not supervised or maintained
b. The water has rocks close to the surface in some areas, other boats use the water, including motorboats, and there is aquatic life, such as mussels and snails, which can cause lacerations if stepped on. Diving and jumping into the water is not allowed at Otter Pointe because of this, as the shallow water and objects beneath the water can cause injury or death.
c. There are no safety kits or lifejackets on site for you to use. You MUST bring/rent and wear an approved and suitable lifejacket if you use a watercraft and a guest at Otter Pointe. You MUST bring an approved emergency kit on the water if you are using a watercraft.
d. You can use the canoes and paddles provided; please return them in the condition you found them.
e. Drowning is a common cause of death. You understand that by going into or beside the water, you are accepting the risk of drowning.
f. The lake water can be cold enough to cause hypothermia during the shoulder seasons
g. If you jump or dive into the water, rocks could cause injury or death
h. We do not provide life jackets. We do not test for swimming competence. You MUST wear a life jacket as required by law and/or if you require the assistance of a floatation device. Bring your own life jackets, or you can also rent them from Algonquin North Wilderness Outfitters (16 ON-630, Mattawa, ON P0H 1V0).
*NOTE* There is a dam upriver from Otter Pointe. The water conditions caused by a dam are extremely dangerous and must be avoided.
i. ALL equipment (boats, paddles, life jackets, safety kits, etc.) MUST be put back where you found it as soon as they are not in use. Do not leave a boat by the shore or in the water, and do not keep equipment you are not actively using with you. Other guests also have the right to enjoy the equipment, and they can only do so if things are put back where they belong.
j. Please use the sign-out sheet for boating equipment and ensure you respect the time limit. We ask that you try to limit any outings to a maximum of two hours out of respect for other guests. The sign-out sheet will either be a physical copy or text Abi at 289-241-2573, as (depending on the time of year), bookings are made through her.
3) Ice fishing/travelling/activities on the ice of Pimisi Bay may be a desired pastime. However, you understand that:
a. There is a dam upstream, and this can affect ice thickness
b. You are completely responsible for your own safety and gauging for yourself if the ice is safe
to travel upon
c. Falling through the ice could be fatal
4) There is a sign-up sheet located in each sauna or by Abi via text message. Please be aware that we have two saunas on the property open for all guests to use. We ask that you reserve a spot on the sign-up sheet to ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy the saunas. If there is no physical sign-up sheet, then contact Abi and make a reservation through her.
5) The use of paddleboards, canoes and kayaks is open to all guests. Otter Pointe DOES NOT PROVIDE LIFE JACKETS. We do provide watercraft, paddles, and boat safety kits. Please use the sign-out sheet located by the watercraft to reserve the use of the one you wish to use (either a physical copy or virtually through Abi). This ensures all guests can plan their day and have a chance to use the watercraft. We ask that you try to limit watercraft rentals to a maximum of two hours per rental. You are welcome to book multiple rentals during your stay.
GENERAL CONDUCT
1) Do not litter or pollute in any way.
2) Please remain in the designated guest area, and please do not enter buildings/washrooms that are not assigned to you.
3) There are two dogs on site, Archie (a Corgi) and Grey (a Belgian Shepherd). There is a cat on site, Darwin (Maine Coon). There are chickens which free-range on site. Please avoid the dogs and do not antagonize any animals. Do not let your animals interact with these animals. The dogs are kept in an electric fence but sometimes run through the fence. Notify the property manager if they are bothering you. Do not approach these animals or their private area of the property.
4) If you have pets, ensure you pick up after them and do not let them interfere in any way with other campers. All animals MUST remain on a leash when they are outside of your rental at all times.
5) There is no smoking permitted or recreational drug use.
6) Do not disturb the wildlife in general; they are residents of the property as well! Biting insects don’t count.
7) No weapons or chainsaws, please.
8) Use caution when driving around the resort as there may be other guests who are difficult to see (including children, pets and other animals).
9) Please stay within the boundaries of the resort (there are private properties nearby). If you have questions about where to go, consult the interactive map or ask the property manager.
10) In general, be considerate of others and follow the directions of the Property Manager, whose role is to ensure every guest has a pleasant stay. You may be asked to depart the resort if you do not follow her directions.
11) As we are a privately owned, family-friendly resort, clothing must be worn at all times in public areas, including in the lake.
12) All check-in and check-out policies must be followed. All structures must be left in good repair upon checkout, and any damage found can be charged to you. Ensure you respect that checkout is NO LATER THAN 11 am on the last day of your rental. Ensure all dishes are washed and put away before checking out. Ensure all garbage and recycling are placed in the receptacles by the bathrooms and are not left inside your rental. Violations of these policies WILL result in forfeiture of your security deposit.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel with 14 days’ notice or less, we reserve the right to retain 50% of your booking payment. If you cancel 7 days or less before your check-in date, we reserve the right to retain 100% of your payment. Please speak with Abi if you need to cancel a reservation, as she may be able to move your booking to new dates with no monetary penalty.