Overnight Camp Parent Guide YMCA CAMP OHIYESA

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1 Overnight Camp Parent Guide YMCA CAMP OHIYESA Dear Camper Parents: Thank you for choosing YMCA Camp Ohiyesa for your child s overnight camp experience. Camp is a place to build confidence, make new friends, learn new skills, and have fun! For both first-time and returning campers, feelings of anticipation mix with the excitement of adventures with new friends, and trying fun activities in the outdoors. The impact that camping has on an individual lasts a lifetime. At camp, children grow through friendships made within a cabin group of their peers. Respect, teamwork, and compromise are important lessons. Setting and achieving goals, while acquiring new skills, helps build self-esteem. There is nothing quite like the friendships and individual growth that a camping experience can provide. Please take time to read the following pages carefully and fill out the necessary forms as soon as possible. We re sure you ll share our excitement for Camp Ohiyesa as you learn more about our camp and how we provide a safe environment for your camper. We feel right at home at Ohiyesa, and we hope your family will too. If you have any questions, please contact us at the camp office at , or at camp@ymcadetroit.org. We look forward to seeing your family at camp! In the Spirit of Adventure, Ryan Mertz Matthew Smith Abigail Billau Executive Director Program Director Business Office Manager mertz@ymcadetroit.org msmith@ymcadetroit.org abillau@ymcadetroit.org 7300 Hickory Ridge Road, Holly, MI Ph: (248) Fax: (313) camp@ymcadetroit.org

2 CAMP OHIYESA OVERNIGHT CAMP Whether you re a first time camper or a returning camper, arrival at camp can be a time of excitement, apprehension, and wonder. As a parent, the best thing you can do for your child is get him/her settled in his/her bunk, kiss your camper goodbye, and let the counselors take it from there- a quick goodbye makes it easier for your camper to transition to his/her new environment. CAMPER ARRIVAL TO CAMP: DROP-OFF: Sunday, 3:30-4:30pm. Follow directions from the staff member at the camp stop sign to the checkin area in the dining hall. Please do not arrive earlier than 3:30. Early arrivals will be required to wait until specified check in time. CAMPER FORMS: Every camper needs to have these forms: Health Form, Risk Waiver, Custody/Sunscreen, and Behavior Agreement. If your child will have medication at camp and you did not fill in the medication details in the online form system, download the Medication Form from our website and turn it in at camp with the medicine. You should receive an from our forms management service, CampDoc, containing information on how to fill out these forms online within one week of registration. Please call the business office if you have trouble filling out the forms or have not received an from CampDoc. (248) BUDDY REQUESTS: Are entered in the CampDoc camper forms, and will be accommodated to the best of our ability. CAMPER PICK UP FROM CAMP: Parents or other adults will be required to show state issued photo I.D. Campers will be released only to adults authorized on the Parent Consent Form. Please put all authorized parties in addition to yourself on the consent form (e.g. mom, dad, uncle, sister, friends, etc.). Your child will not be released to anyone not authorized on the form, or without proper ID. PICK-UP: Saturday, 9:15 10:00am. Campers will be on the sports court during pick-up time. A staff member will meet you at the stop sign by the office and direct you to the check-out table. SATURDAY MORNING RODEO: Parents of campers in our horse programs are invited to a Rodeo each Saturday. Show times will be between 9:15 and 10:00am, depending on your camper s group. We will contact parents during the week to notify you of your camper s rodeo time. CAMPER RELEASE: Photo ID must be shown by anyone picking up a child from camp. Campers will only be released to adults listed on the Custody Form. Parents names must also be listed on the form. LUGGAGE: On Saturday morning, campers will pack up their belongings and have them ready for pick up. PHOTOS & Photos will be posted online and can be found through a link from our website, ymcadetroit.org/ ohiyesa. They are free to view and download. Our camp photographer does their best to get to every group s activities daily but we cannot guarantee every camper will be pictured. Photos are typically uploaded each evening. One way s can be sent to campers as well, free of charge, and are typically delivered daily after lunch via our website at ymcadetroit.org/ ohiyesa

3 CAMPER HEALTH CARE: Medical staff are at camp 24 hours and public health care facilities are less than 10 minutes away. Parents will be notified in the event that a camper is in the Health Center for more than 3 hours (fever, tummy ache, etc.) or if the camper requires any treatment out of camp. MEDICAL POLICY: All prescription medication must be in the original prescription bottle and must be dispensed by state law according to the directions on the label. If the doctor has changed the dosage or directions for administration, submit a signed letter from your physician with the new directions. This letter must include camper s full name, dosage amount, delivery time(s), and any limitations. DO NOT repackage drugs or submit another person s medication. This is prohibited by Michigan law. Medications must be turned into the Camp Nurse at check-in at the camp or to the bus monitor at the bus pick up site. MEDICAL INSURANCE: In the event your child needs medical treatment and/or prescriptions, the family s insurance will be billed. Parents will be notified of any accident or illness that requires treatment. A copy of an insurance card must accompany camper to camp. HEALTH SCREENING: All campers will meet with the camp nurse upon check-in to review medication. Please keep campers home if any communicable condition exists. We recommend that your child have a physical examination or health check by your family physician prior to camp. CAMPER SAFETY: We take every safety precaution into consideration when planning and conducting our activities and have extensive staff training so that we can avoid accidents, injuries or dangerous situations. All of our staff has been trained in first aid and CPR. In addition, we have a full-time Nurse or Health Officer on site. Emergency services are only minutes from camp should the need arise. All of our policies, procedures and rules are developed with the safety of your camper in mind. Parents must remember to bring a photo ID when picking their camper up from camp. No camper will be released to anyone that is not listed on the Authorization of custody form. SITE SAFETY: Camp staff are identified with a name tag and staff shirt. Any visitor must check in at the camp office and be escorted by a camp staff member. We practice fire drills and other emergency procedures weekly with campers. We receive regular visits from the local police department who patrol the area. Parents are notified any time a camper must visit the doctor or is held in the Health Center for more than 3 hours. PHONE POLICY: The camp phones are for business and emergencies only. Due to the number of campers at our site, it is impossible to make the phones available for calls home from the campers at any time. Of course, in an emergency or to help with the campers social adjustment, the camp staff will be in contact with you. PARENT NOTIFICATION: The Camp Director and/or Camp Health Officer will call the parent in the following instances: 1. If the camper must go to the doctor or medical facility 2. If the camper spends more than 3 hours in the Health Center 3. If we are dealing with a behavior issue and need assistance to correct the behavior 4. If the camper is experiencing separation anxiety and is not adjusting to the camp environment REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY: All deposits are non-refundable. Deposits are TRANSFERABLE without charge until May 1. REFUNDS (excluding the camp deposit) can be made until May 1. After May 1, session fees can be transferred to another session during the current camp season or refunded 50%. Two weeks prior to any camp session, fees are refundable only in the case of illness or injury with a written notice from a physician to YMCA Camping Services. No refund is made for late arrivals or early departures. In cases of homesickness, dismissal or voluntary withdrawal, there will be no refund of fees. Please direct any questions about billing, payments or transportation changes to YMCA Camping Services at

4 PARENT NOTIFICATION: The Camp Director will call the parent in the following cases: 1. The camper spends more than three hours in the Health Center. 2. The camper needs care from the doctor or medical facility. 3. A behavior issue occurs and we need assistance to correct the behavior. 4. The camper is experiencing severe homesickness and is not adjusting to the camp environment. HOMESICKNESS: Feelings of homesickness are natural for many children when they are away from their family. These feelings usually pass in a day or two and we work to keep campers involved in constant activities to reduce homesickness. Prior to coming to camp, talking positively about how much fun your camper will have and making sure they learn about camp can help ease homesickness. Feel free to attend one of our Open House Family Fun Days or call us to set up a time to visit camp and take a tour. The American Camp Association has more resources for parents about homesickness in the media section of their website, If severe homesickness occurs, we will give you a call to let you know what is going on and to get advice on how to best help your camper adjust to camp. PHOTOS AND For FREE photos and go to ymcadetroit.org/ohiyesa for one way s and picture viewing. PACKAGES FROM HOME: Send books, magazines, stickers and things that your child can share with their cabin. It is a good idea to send packages a few days prior to the start of the session. Please do not send candy. Candy and snacks may attract critters and bugs into the cabins, and we must be very careful about all food in the cabins as some campers will have food allergies. CAMPER MAIL: Receiving mail is a highlight for many campers, please plan ahead and mail letters early so your child will be included. Postal mail address: (Camper s name) YMCA Camp Ohiyesa 7300 Hickory Ridge Rd Holly Mi CAMP STORE: During checkout on the last day of camp our Camp Store is open to purchase camp memorabilia. You can also add money on to your camper s account so they can buy items during their time at camp. Call the camp office for details or to add funds to a store account. An average amount is $20-60 dollars for the week. APPROPRIATE DRESS: The camp dress code mirrors the policies of most schools. No flip-flops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, strapless attire, short shorts, or midriff revealing tops. Clothing that portrays inappropriate behavior, logos or offensive language is also prohibited. LOST AND FOUND: Please call us right away and we will try our best to locate the item. Always check our lost and found display area at the end of the session. Any items left behind after the end of a session will be donated to charity two weeks after that session. VISITS: For site security and camper safety, visitors are discouraged from coming during the day as they can disrupt activities and bring on homesickness in campers. However, if you need to pick up a child or ever have a concern you are welcome to stop at the office or call HELP KEEP BEDBUGS OUT OF CAMP OHIYESA: Bed Bugs are a problem that impact hotels, camps, hospitals and college dormitories across the country. Our staff have extensive trainings and equipment in this area to ensure we are ready if any issues come up. To help us out, here are a couple of tips: *Wash and dry (on high heat) all items you are sending to camp prior to packing your camper s bag. * If you are concerned that you may have an infestation, or have recently traveled and may have been somewhere with an infestation, contact Camp Ohiyesa to work through how to best prepare your gear and how camp can help make sure the pests don t come with your camper. * When your camper returns home, leave his/her bags outside until everything in them can be washed and dried on high heat. * For more information on bed bugs visit or knowledge/health/diseases/bedbugs

5 PACKING LIST: PLEASE MARK ALL ITEMS WITH YOUR CAMPER S NAME. Bedding: sheets and blanket or sleeping bag Pillow Pajamas Underwear Socks Long Pants Shorts Shirts 2 Pair of Shoes Light jacket or sweatshirt Rain Gear Bathing suit (one-piece style only) Beach towel Shower towel Wash cloth Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lotion, female hygiene products Water bottle Flashlight Hat Sunscreen Bug repellent (pump-spray or wipes, please) Laundry bag Books, magazines or comics for rest periods Camera (preferably disposable) NOT ALLOWED AT CAMP: Cell phones, knives and weapons of any kind, ipods, electronic games, other electric devices, fireworks, or anything you can t afford to lose. YMCA Camping Services is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Prohibited items will be held in the Camp Office until the end of the camp session.

6 DIRECTIONS TO CAMP OHIYESA 7300 Hickory Ridge Road, Holly, MI Phone: (248) FROM US-23 AT FENTON: Using the Owen Road exit #73 turn onto Owen Road (Shiawassee Road) heading east into the Village of Fenton for 1.7 miles. At stop sign turn right (south) on to South Leroy Street travel for 2.5 blocks to Holly Road. Turn Left onto Holly Road and travel 2.1 miles to Hickory Ridge Road. Turn right (south) onto Hickory Ridge Road travel 5 miles to Camp entrance on the left side of the road. There is a lighted camp sign. FROM US-23 AT M-59: Using the Howell/Pontiac exit #67 turn onto M- 59 (Highland Road) heading east towards Pontiac. Travel 4.3 miles to Hickory Ridge Road intersection. To make a left turn and head north on Hickory Ridge Road travel through intersection (keeping left) and use switchback road through median to come back and make a right turn onto Hickory Ridge Road heading north. Camp entrance is 4.6 miles. Watch for winding curves after Clyde Road at 3 miles. Continue another 1.6 miles from Clyde Road to camp entrance on the right side. FROM I-75 AT M-59: West of the City of Pontiac - travel north on I-75 for 20.2 miles to East Holly Road exit #98. Turn left (west) onto Holly Road travel 4.9 miles into the Village of Holly. Just beyond the railroad tracks turn left (south) onto Broad Street (Milford Road) travel 1 mile to Fenton/Holly Road. Turn right (west) onto Fenton/Holly Road travel 2.1 miles to Hickory Ridge Road. Turn left (south) onto Hickory Ridge Road and travel 5 miles to camp entrance on the left. ALTERNATE ROUTE I-75 AT M-59: From I-75 and M-59 (Highland Road) exit #76 toward Pontiac. Go 2.9 miles to Wide Track loop. Make a right on Wide Track loop back to M-59 (Highland Road). Make a right on M-59 West (Highland Road) 20 miles. Turn right onto Hickory Ridge Road heading north. Camp entrance is 4.6 miles. Watch for winding curves after Clyde Road at 3 miles. Continue another 1.6 miles from Clyde Road to camp entrance on the right side. To Flint Dixie Hwy N FROM THE INTERCHANGE OF I-696/ GRAND RIVER/I-275 & I-96: Head west on I-96 for 9 miles to the Milford exit #155B. Turn right (north) onto Milford Road for 4.4 miles to General Motors Road (you are in the Village of Milford watch your speed limit). Turn left (west) onto General Motors Road and travel for 2.5 miles to Hickory Ridge Road. Turn right (north) onto Hickory Ridge Road and travel 8.6 miles to camp entrance. As you travel north you will cross over M-59. Watch for winding curves after Clyde Road, at the 7-mile mark. Camp is located on the right side. Exit 78 Fenton Owen Road Exit 67 US-23 Hickory Ridge Road I-96 Camp Ohiyesa General Motors Road Milford Road Exit 155 Holly Milford Pontiac Trail Exit 98 M-59 Grand River East Holly Road Telegraph Road I-75 City Exit 76 of Pontiac I-696