Check-in Time Please note that check-in involves important preparation to ensure your child's stay at camp is successful! Our goal is to move you through the process as quickly as possible, in under an hour. However, it can take up to two hours, depending on how many campers are arriving on a given day. Steps include checking in at the cabin, depositing funds in your child's store account, head/foot checks, and visiting with the nurse to discuss any medications, and meeting staff. Each child's health and time at camp is important to us, so please allow for adequate time to ensure your child is all set! Check-in time is from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Please call camp if you will be arriving late. Check-out time is from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Please honor this schedule by adhering to these arrival and departure times.

How do you select your staff? Some staff members are former campers and have gone through our Counselor-In-Training program. Others are selected for their expertise and desire to work with children in a camping environment. Some staff members are selected from international placement agencies that draw from highly qualified applicants from all over the world. We hire all staff for their maturity, for their personal warmth and for their leadership skills. We always run reference and criminal background checks on all staff.

What happens if my son forgets to bring his completed health form? State law mandates we have a completed health history and physician-signed physical for all campers. Unfortunately, he must return home to obtain his health form before we can permit him to stay at camp.

What is the likelihood of my son not getting his cabin request? As long as it is a mutual request and the boys are the same age, the likelihood is very good they will be together. If the boys are not the same age, but are within 12 months of age, they will be placed, to the best of our ability, in a cabin age-appropriate for the younger camper. We will not put boys together in a cabin that are more than 12 months apart in age. Due to last minute enrollment changes, cabin assignments are done just before check-in day. Therefore, if you call in advance to check on your son's cabin, we will not be able to tell you. Please understand it is not beneficial to have 4–6 boys from the same town in the same cabin. It discourages meeting new friends, one of our camp goals, and promotes cliques.

How often will my son get to shower? Showers are scheduled on an every-third-day basis.

I will be out of town; can I send someone else to pick up my camper? Yes, as long as we receive a signed and dated letter from a parent or legal guardian. We request you call camp to confirm we have received this letter.

What are the staff to campers ratio?
For campers ages 7 to 9, the ratio is 1 to 4. For campers ages 10-15, the ratio is 1 to 6.

What kind of training does the staff have?
All staff undergo an intensive week-long training. We cover topics such as homesickness, team building, age-specific behaviors, character development, conflict resolution, emergency procedures, child abuse awareness, CPR, first aid, daily schedules, activity planning. In addition, many staff attend trainings on their own throughout the year.

What happens if my child gets sick at camp?
Infirmary is well equipped and staffed to handle day-to-day medical concerns. Should campers need to be seen by a doctor, a parent or guardian will be notified. Parents will also be notified of any campers staying in the infirmary for more than 24 hours. Any over-the counter medications such as vitamins, Sudafed, or pain reliever brought by the camper will be stored at the infirmary and cannot be administered by camp staff without a doctor’s note.

What size luggage does my child need? We recommend standard trunks and suitcases. The newer large size plastic storage containers do not fit under the bunks.

This is my daughter's first time away from home. What can I do to help him prepare for the separation? Go over the packing list in the handbook together. Talk about all the fun things he will be doing. Don't talk about how much you will miss him or a trip you may be on while he is away. Reassure him things will be fine while he is at camp.

Does everyone get to white-water raft that wants to? We have 165 campers each session and 12 spots for white-water rafting. When you get your confirmation letter, read it carefully to see if his request has been confirmed. If your confirmation letter does not list white-water rafting, he has been put on a waiting list (as indicated by a red stamp at the bottom).

What should I do if I get a homesick letter from my daughter? Don't panic. It's very normal for the first letter. If you receive another, feel free to call camp and speak with his cabin counselor during meals.

Should I be worried if I don't get any mail from my son? No. It usually means he is having a wonderful time and busy in activities and making new friends. Tip: Pack self-addressed, stamped postcards for him to send to you.

Are there specific benefits to a 2-week session, over a 1-week? We recommend the 2-week session as the best way to participate in overnight camp. Campers get a lot more out of a two-week program, because it usually takes a few days for the child to feel comfortable in the new environment and for campers to get to know each other. It's usually during the second week that the best learning, friendships, and teamwork are developed.

Does my child need any money at camp? Camp has a store that works on a debit basis. During the check-in process, you need to go to the store to make a deposit into your child's account. We recommend about $25 per week. The store carries camp apparel, snacks, drinks, toiletries, and miscellaneous goods. They can also use this fund for out-of-camp trips. All campers have the opportunity to visit the store at least twice a week. Any money left in the account at the end of the session is refunded at the camp store upon camper check-out.

What medical information does camp need?
In your confirmation package, you will receive a green health history form.The first three pages are a medical history that should be filled out by a parent or guardian, with immunization dates or a copy of the immunization record.The back page (very important) must be filled out and signed by a physician (or attach documentation from a physical your child had within the last 24 months). Your child will not be permitted to stay at camp without this signed form and a copy of your insurance card.No exceptions will be made. DO NOT mail this to camp or to the YMCA. Bring it to camp with your child.

Do you have financial assistance?
Yes. Thanks to generous donations from YMCA families, camp alumni and friends, funds are available for families who may not be able to afford a camping experience for their child. Limited funds are applied toward camp fees (usually not more than 50%). Confidential applications are available upon request, and must be submitted by May 1. For information, call Deb Farmer at 623-3559 ext. 242.