CAMPER ACCEPTANCE PACKET

Transcription

1 CAMPER ACCEPTANCE PACKET We are very excited for summer to arrive, and can t wait to get started! Within these pages, you should find all of the necessary information to prepare you for a great camp experience this summer at the Woods. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have. Important Information for Parents/Caregivers Check-in is an important process, and in order for us to best serve you and meet the needs of your child, please be prepared for the following: ARRIVAL TO CAMP Arrive at your scheduled check-in time ONLY. Time and place will be designated in your camper s acceptance letter. We cannot accept early registrants, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT PROCESS Stay with your camper for the FULL duration of the check-in process, which includes initial registration, medication check-in, health screening, and cabin check-in. To make sure that we know your camper and are prepared to meet all of his or her needs, this process will take 2-3 hours. If you plan to attend the Award Ceremony (from 10-11am), please arrive at 9:40am. All campers must be picked up by 11am. FORMS AND PAPERWORK Please fill out the medication forms and bring to check-in with you. All other forms and paperwork should be turned in prior to arrival. SUPPLIES AND MEDICATION Please send enough medical supplies, personal care supplies, and clothing for the entire duration of the camper s stay. Please label all items with your camper s name. Also, please make sure that all procedures regarding any medications are followed. There are detailed instructions included. CONTACT INFORMATION Have phone numbers where we can reach you and an emergency contact in your absence. An emergency contact must be listed and available to answer questions about your camper or pick up your camper from camp in the case of your absence. 1

2 IMPORTANT THINGS FOR FAMILIES TO KNOW Bradford Woods strives to provide your camper with a safe physical and emotional environment. While we do our best to serve and work with all of the participants who attend camp, it may become necessary for the safety of all involved to dismiss a participant from camp. The following situations may result in the need to release a participant from our camp programs: Failure to comply with the items NOT to bring list, i.e. bringing items that may be dangerous Failure to bring all medical equipment and supplies that are needed Leaving cabins or trail groups without supervision and/or permission of staff Any threats against one s own physical or emotional safety Any threats against another camper s or a staff member s physical or emotional safety Physical or verbal aggression that puts individual and/or others in danger Continued disrespect for staff and/or polices of Bradford Woods Because we value the family as a partner in caring for the campers we serve, we will communicate any concerns with you as soon as serious incidents occur. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY FAMILIES Q: Can I visit with my camper while he or she is at camp? A: We certainly recognize and appreciate that your decision to send your camper here and trust us with his or her care was probably not an easy one. We have found that the campers do well with the separation once given a chance to feel comfortable at camp. Therefore, we ask that families not plan on visiting. However, we view parents and families as our partners and would like to talk with you prior to and/or during your camper s summer camp experience. This open communication helps ensure the camp experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible for both you and your camper. Q: Can I speak with my camper on the phone while he/she is at camp? A: Similar to the dynamics described above, when campers get on the phone with their families, the homesickness is typically created, or re-created. So even though we ask that you not talk to your camper directly, we at Bradford Woods are happy to communicate with you by phone or by about your camper s well-being and progress while at camp. In fact, the leadership team and/or the medical staff will be proactive in communicating any concerns with you while your camper is here, so please do not be alarmed if we call you during your camper s summer session. You are welcomed to send an message or to send mail to your camper throughout the week! Q: Who are the staff of Bradford Woods? A: Bradford Woods is a world renowned outdoor education and camping facility that strives to hire and train the best staff possible. The majority of our staff are college students, all of who have a genuine interest in working with people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. They are typically in the fields of nursing, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, therapeutic recreation, social work, art therapy, music therapy, pharmacy, and education. To ensure your camper s needs are best met, we provide extensive training in areas including quality camper care (personal and medical), child development, proactive behavior management, recreational and therapeutic programs, and risk management. Full-time medical staff are also on-site, including 2-5 registered nurses and 1-2 physicians. Q: Can I write letters to my camper while he or she is at camp? A: We encourage you to write letters to your camper. However, it is common for mail to arrive after your camper has left Bradford Woods. Therefore, it is important to mail hand written letters 2-3 days prior to opening day for your camper. You may also leave letters with our cabin staff to give to your camper on predetermined days of his or her stay with us. Write to: Page 3 Your Camper s Name Camp Name and/or Cabin Name Bradford Woods Therapeutic Recreation 5040 State Road 67 North Martinsville, IN

3 WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP Bradford Woods provides campers with all linens (sheets, blankets, pillow, pillowcase, towels, and washcloths). We will also have extra sunscreen, insect repellent, and outdoor gear available. All campers will have the opportunity to go on some type of campout experience. Therefore, campers should bring along a sleeping bag for their camp out. For our older campers who are in a Leadership Camp or Beyond the Woods, these campouts may be off-site and may be quite intensive. While we provide most of the camping gear for these experiences, please make sure your camper has warm clothing, raingear, and a personal sleeping bag. We hope that the following list helps you prepare and pack for camp. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Sleeping bag T-shirts (mostly short sleeve, but a couple long sleeve as well) Hat and/or bandana (to protect from sun) Shorts and long pants (at least one pair of long pants for barn activities) 2 pairs of sneakers or boots Socks and undergarments (1-2 pair of socks for each day) Bathing suit (one piece suit for girls) All weather gear (rain poncho, light jacket, sweatshirts, etc.) Sunscreen and insect repellant Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) Dress so you can have fun at Medications (in original packaging) Bradford Woods! Medical/Personal care supplies (enough for the entire session) Clothing to tie-dye (100% cotton t-shirt, socks, bandana, etc.) Water bottle Disposable camera Flashlight Hearing aid(s) or cochlear implant(s) AND backup/waterproor device(s) Extra batteries for your hearing device(s) Dry aid kit (electronic preferred) *If you need assistance getting supplies, please let Hear Indiana know. *Please make sure that the camper s name is written on all clothing and equipment. WHAT NOT TO BRING TO CAMP In order to ensure the safest environment for our campers and our staff, Bradford Woods reserves the right to search campers belongings at any time during their stay with us if we feel a situation warrants such action. Failure to comply with these policies may result in the camper s release from camp. It will make everyone s stay more safe and enjoyable if the following items are not brought to camp: Alcohol Tobacco Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives) Illegal Drugs CELL PHONES (STRICTLY ENFORCED) Fireworks ipods Computers Electronic Gaming Devices (Gameboys, PlayStation Portables, etc.) *Please remember ALL medications (including medicated shampoos, creams, aspirin, etc.) MUST be checked in with our medical staff during the registration process. 3

4 THE FULL TIME STAFF Ashley Lawinger, M.S., CTRS (Camp Director). Ashley started as the new Director of Recreation Therapy in October of She joined Bradford Woods from Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Hudson, Illinois. There, she worked as a program director for Easter Seals of Central Illinois, providing camping and respite programming for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Ashley is very familiar with Bradford Woods, as she formerly worked as an intern in the Rec Therapy department. Originally from Minnesota, Ashley has a Master s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. (amlawing@iu.edu Ext. 5212) Lisa Elder, CTRS (Assistant Director, Recreation Therapy). Lisa graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation as well as a degree in Psychology. While studying, Lisa spent three summers as a counselor and recreation director at a camp for children with multiple disabilities. Before moving to Bradford wood in March of 2013, Lisa worked as a Recreation Therapist at a residential treatment facility for youth with extreme emotional and behavioral issues. (lisarelder@indiana.edu; Ext. 5213) Cabin Life Hotline: Your camper will have a Leadership Team member supporting his/her cabin while staying at Bradford Woods. You will be given the contact information of that staff member at check-in. Please contact your Leadership Team Member via or phone if you have any questions or concerns with your camper while he/she is at camp. Leadership Team members check and voice mail messages throughout the day and will get back with you within 24 hours of your call or . Please note: Because of the highly active and outdoor nature of summer camp, we are often out of our offices spending time with the campers and the staff. We will make every effort to return calls and/or s as promptly as possible. CHECK OUT PICTURES FROM CAMP AT OUR WEBSITE at: 1) Look under the Resources tab 2) Click on Photo Album 3) Click on your respective camp (Password provided at Check-In) One Last Reminder: AWARD CEREMONY IS FRIDAY at 10:00am Please arrive by 9:40am to park and take the shuttle. If you cannot attend the Award Ceremony, please arrive by no later than 11:00 am to pick up your camper. 4

5 Camper Name Camp Session CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST Please list all clothing and supplies that are brought to camp. Please pack enough clothing for the camper s stay at camp (during a two-week session a cabin laundry day will be scheduled). Most activities will be outside. Campers need only bring one nice casual outfit for special events. Please label all items as clearly and permanently as possible. By working together, we (staff, campers, and families) can minimize the misplaced items and items left behind at camp. We will go over this list with you at the cabin check-in. Thanks for your assistance! Item Quantity Sent Description Quantity Returned CLOTHING Shorts Pants/Jeans Shirts (long sleeve) Shirts (short sleeve) T-Shirts Sweatshirts Sweaters Dresses/Skirts Jacket Raincoat/Poncho Pajamas Underwear Socks Swimsuit Hats Other Clothing Other Clothing FOOTWEAR Sandals Shoes/Boots Slippers Other Footwear LINENS Sheets, Blanket, Pillow, Pillowcase, and Towels provided ASSISTIVE EQUIPMENT Wheelchair Braces Crutches Hearing aid(s) Cochlear implant(s) MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Toiletries Kit (list items) Luggage/Backpacks/ Duffel Bags Briefs/Depends/ Diapers Laundry Bag Glasses/Contacts Sleeping Bag Camera Other items Other Items Medications will be checked in with medical staff. Do not list here. Type Charger Check In Date / / Staff Signature (check-in) Check Out Date / / Staff Signature (check-out) 5

6 Driving Directions to From the North Take 67 South towards Mooresville and Martinsville Go through Mooresville Continue on 67 South several miles Pass the Centerton caution light Pass the Davis Heating and Cooling on your right The entrance to Bradford Woods is exactly one mile south of Davis Heating and Cooling Turn right into Bradford Woods property From the South Take 37 North to Martinsville Merge onto Morton Ave/IN-39 North Follow IN-39 turning left at the light Go to the second traffic light and bear right to follow 67 North Follow 67 North approximately 7 miles Pass the green Mooresville 10 miles sign The entrance to Bradford Woods is exactly one mile north of this traffic sign Turn left into Bradford Woods property NOTE Following a GPS will often lead you away from Bradford Woods main entrance. We are located directly off of State Road 67. 6