Algonquin Outfitters - Staff Accommodation - Beware
Our teen was hired to work at Algonquin Outfitters at Lake Opeongo for the summer and really excited to get up there. The General Manager interviewed her and assured her that staff accommodations were available and would be safe, clean, and that she would have one roommate with a shared kitchen.
We arrived today to a complete slum. The staff residence is shared with at least 7 women, with a kitchen, bathroom, and common area shared by all staff. We never imagined our 17 year old would share a bathroom with 30 year old men.
The house is full of mold, mouse droppings, standing water, faulty plumbing, mouse traps, garbage, booze, weed, and overall filth. For $50 weekly which comes off their pay cheques, she would be sharing a 6x6 room with a bunk bed covered in hair, dirt, and mouse poop.
When we told the GM this accommodation is unsafe and unclean he said it was just “our opinion” then told us to leave the property. He was proud to say he’d been general manager of multiple Algonquin Outfitters properties for 15 years.
If you have a minor - or child of any age - going to work with this company, you need to be aware and see the photos below.
I’ll add that she asked for photos/videos of the accommodations in advance and he would not provide them. As lifelong campers in Algonquin, and lovers of the park, we never imagined it was even a possibility that young staff would be exploited and put in harm’s way like this. I have a million other photos like this of mouse poop infested cutlery drawers, dressers, etc