Med-Camps of Louisiana, Inc. Parents Hand Book

Transcription

1 Med-Camps of Louisiana, Inc. Parents Hand Book Dear Parents or Guardians: Welcome to MedCamps of Louisiana!! This handbook is intended as a resource for the parents and guardians of MedCamps Campers and as an introduction to MedCamps. Thank you for your involvement in MedCamps of Louisiana! Caleb Seney Executive Director MedCamps Mission Statement Improving the Health and Wellness of people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities through unique recreational and educational experiences MedCamps of Louisiana s Pledge We believe that all people, regardless of medical or special needs, deserve to experience life to the fullest and that camping is an American tradition which epitomizes normalcy and provides participants with a sense of well-being, belonging, accomplishment, and self-worth. In light of these beliefs our mission is to provide, at no charge, a medically supervised residential camping experience that supports growth in the physical, social, and emotional domains of the life of a young person with special needs by developing normalcy, confidence, and independence within each participant. 1

2 History of Med-Camps of Louisiana, Inc. Founded by Dr. Michael F. Zambie in 1987, MedCamps of Louisiana began as a one week camp for 13 children with severe asthma and allergies on the campus of Northeast Louisiana University. Since that time we have grown steadily in numbers and have expanded programming. Our program was initially developed as part of the YMCA of Northeast Louisiana and was known as YMCA MedCamps. The YMCA gave MedCamps an instant funding and administrative infrastructure. In 1988 a partnership with the Presbytery of the Pines was formed, and the MedCamps program had a permanent home in which to operate at Camp Alabama, located 5 miles north of the I-20 corridor, between Monroe and Ruston, in Sibley, Louisiana. By 1995, the community's support of the program had grown substantially, and it was determined that further growth could only be achieved as an autonomous organization. A Board of Directors was recruited, by-laws were drafted, and MedCamps of Louisiana was incorporated. We are now an agency of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, and are currently pursuing accreditation with the American Camping Association. Since 1987, MedCamps has grown tremendously. We have grown from 13 kids for 1 week in 1987 to 350 children over a 10-week period in 2006 from serving one chronic illness in 1987 to serving more than 16 in Estimates show that by the summer of 2007 MedCamps will have provided, since its inception, one week of camp to over 3,500 children with varying illnesses and disabilities living throughout Louisiana. MedCamps of Louisiana, Inc. has never charged a fee to attend camp and with the continued support of the community, corporations and civic organizations, and the continued success of our fundraising events, we hope we will be able to make this statement year after year. 2

3 What To Bring GENERAL INFORMATION Campers will need to bring a week s supply of undergarments, socks, shorts, T-shirts, etc. Also, pack comfortable shoes (tennis shoes are preferred), swim suit, pool shoes, towels, washcloths, and toiletries. Please bring sheets and a blanket or a sleeping bag and a pillow. Campers do not need spending money; please do not allow your camper to bring spending money. MedCamps will not be responsible for money that is lost or stolen. Please label everything that your camper brings to camp. Medicine If your child will need medication at camp, it is required that it be contained in the original prescription bottle. Parents must check in all medication with the nurse. Please have it ready to check in at registration. Please be sure to bring enough medication for the entire week of camp and remember to pick up the medication from the nurse at the end of your child s camp session. Please make sure braces, nebulizers, walkers, etc. are labeled. Homesickness For many campers, camp will be the first time that they have been away from home. Also, it may be the first time that people, other than the camper s family members have cared for their specific medical needs. Being away from home may result in homesickness. MedCamps counselors are trained to address homesickness on an individual basis and help the camper to take advantage of the opportunities available to them at camp. If needed, a camper s parents/guardians will be contacted by a MedCamps staff member. We realize you may want to call and check on your child, if so, please call the camp at

4 However, we prefer that campers do not use the telephone during their stay at camp. Calling home may aggravate the child s homesickness. Lodging Campers will stay in cabins with an assigned cabin group of campers during their stay at camp. Each cabin group is made up of four to eight campers, and two to three counselors. The cabins have air conditioning and restroom facilities. Mail Parents, family, and friends are encouraged to write to campers at the following address: Camper s Name c/o MedCamps of Louisiana 2090 Hwy 145 Choudrant, La All letters and postcards will be mailed directly to the camp and delivered to the campers daily. As a suggestion, you are encouraged to bring a piece of mail for each day with you to registration. We will distribute it daily with the camper mail. When sending mail, we encourage letter writers to focus on the camp experience. Write things such as: We hope you are having a wonderful time at camp. I look forward to hearing all about camp on Friday. Have a great time and we ll see you soon! These types of things reassure campers that you are thinking about them, but also keep them focused on the camp experience. Send s to campers@medcamps.org 4

5 Be sure to put the child s name in the subject box. The Executive Director or Camp Director will check the and print out a copy of for the child. Meals Campers are served three nutritional meals each day in the dining hall. In addition to regular meals, campers receive afternoon and evening snacks. Special dietary needs are met on an individual basis for each camper. Please indicate special menu needs on the camper application. No food or drinks are allowed in the cabins. Please make sure that your camper does not pack snacks in their bags. Any snacks or drinks brought from home will be kept in the camp director s office until Friday. Staff MedCamps staff members are selected through a rigid application and interview process. All counselors submit applications and are processed through personal references and criminal background checks; and interviews are conducted with each applicant. All counselors attend an extensive training course prior to their work at camp including CPR and First Aid Certification. Registration Day and Departure Registration is a lengthy process, but it is very important to ensure the proper care and safety of your camper. Parents/guardians must accompany their camper(s). Each application is reviewed with the parent by a camp nurse. (See your camper acceptance letter for registration date and time). You will check in, campers will have a cursory physical examination, medicine check in, and parents will talk with the 5

6 lifeguards, meet counselors, and then go to cabin to see where their camper(s) will spend the week. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us serve the needs of your child the best that we can. Thank you for your patience! During registration, your camper s counselor will be asking you questions about your camper. Please provide them with any details regarding your child. Departure: It is time to say good-bye on Friday morning at 9:00 AM. The award ceremony is at 9:00 AM. Check-out is at 9:30 AM. This day and time changes for Camp Busy Bees. Refer to your camper acceptance letter. Activities During the week, your camper will engage in several fun and exciting activities, all of which are supervised by our summer staff. Any help that your camper may need with an activity is provided by our summer staff. Activities that your camper can expect to participate in include canoeing/paddle boating, fishing, archery/paintball riflery, swimming, hiking, disc golf, team sports, arts/crafts, horseback riding, beginner s cooking, horseback riding, s mores roasting, camp fire songs, karaoke, board games, and an end of the week dance. Any activity that you wish for your camper to no participate in, please note that on your camper s application. Family Visitation POLICIES To allow the campers to fully participate in all camp activities, MedCamps asks that families do not visit during the camper s brief stay at camp. Should there be a reason that a visit to camp is necessary, prior arrangements must be made at the time of 6

7 registration. For safety purposes, all visitors must check in with the Camp Director. Those who have first time campers will probably want to call to check on your camper. This is fine, but we ask that you call the camp landline or the office at We will update you on how well your child is doing at camp. Thank you for your understanding in this matter. Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices Cell phone and other electronic devices such as video game consoles, music devices, etc. are not permitted at camp. Our goal is to encourage participation in outdoor activities, and electronic devices distract from that interaction. Each cabin will have an alarm clock, and should you need to contact the camp for any reason including checking up on your camper, please feel free to call the numbers listed. Should your camper have cell phones or any other electronic devices, those devices will be stored in the camp director s office until check out on Friday. We appreciate you cooperation with this matter. Illegal Substances, Alcohol and Tobacco Illegal substances, alcohol and tobacco are prohibited at MedCamps. Possession of such substances will result in sending the camper home. Inappropriate Behavior Campers are expected to respect fellow campers, counselors, and staff. Campers are expected to treat others in a manner in which they would like to be treated and respect others belongings. If a camper is sent home for behavior problems, they will not be 7

8 allowed to attend the following year. The next year they may apply again and will be re-evaluated. Mistreatment of Minors MedCamps does not engage in any form of corporal punishment. Campers will be expected to follow camp rules. Failure to follow rules will result in a verbal explanation of how to manage behavior. If behavior does not improve, it may result in missing part of a camp activity or being sent home. It is a policy of MedCamps that all suspected incidents of abuse be reported in compliance with Louisiana State Law. MedCamps staff members are considered mandated reporters. All MedCamps staff and volunteers will be trained in documenting incidents at camp. In addition, staff and volunteers will receive training concerning the Mandated Reporting Laws and how to report suspected abuse. Attendance Campers are expected to attend the entire camping week. Because of the limited space available, it is important that spaces are given to campers who can benefit from the complete camp experience. While campers are in attendance in the camp program, they will remain very busy throughout the entire week. Responsibility While MedCamps strives to provide a fun and exciting camping experience, we also try to help campers learn basic responsibility while in attendance at camp. Campers are expected to take care of the equipment and facilities provided for use. Campers will participate in cleaning their cabins and assisting in returning recreational equipment to proper storage locations. 8

9 Tipping Staff members are not allowed to accept gratuities nor tips. Gifts to counselors are also discouraged. Thank you notes/cards are acceptable. Our staff puts in a lot of long hours each day to ensure each camper enjoys the day s activities to the fullest. If your child has had a wonderful week at camp, encourage him/her to write or help them write a thank you note/ to their counselors, camp director, nurse or cooks. These notes mean a great deal to the staff. Camper Traditions Parents/guardians, below is a list of things that have become tradition for our campers with regard to their behavior while at camp. Please review these with your camper to ensure that every at MedCamps is safe and having fun!! 1. Have Fun!! That s what we re all here to do, negative attitudes are no fun for anyone, so remember to stay positive and always have fun!! 2. Participate!! You ll never know what activities you like unless you try them out and even though you may not have enjoyed them as much last summer, this summer you may have an entirely different opinion of those activities, so remember, stay positive and have fun while you participate in the activities!! 3. Treat others as you would like to be treated!! Be kind and respectful to everyone while at camp, make new friends, and make everlasting happy memories! Personnel MedCamps has a nurse on duty all week. The nurse is available to dispense prescribed medications and ensure that all campers medical needs are being met. Each camping week is supervised by 9

10 our Medical Director as well as a local physician who serves as the doctor on call for that camp. Forms It is required that each camper has heath information and release forms on file with the camp before they may participate in any camp activity. All forms we use are in accordance with guidelines and standards of the American Camping Association. Parents/guardians should include any information that will help Med-Camps staff to ensure a safe camp experience for your child. Safety Precautions MedCamps practices universal precautions during all camp activities. All staff members are trained in CPR, first aid, and sanitary procedures. Personal Health Needs MedCamps is willing to meet individual health needs of all campers. It is important to include all information concerning your child s specific medical needs while at camp. This will help to ensure that the camper s needs are being met completely. Facilities MedCamps is held at Camp Alabama in Choudrant, LA. There are 10 cabins, dining hall, infirmary, recreation building, pool, lake, and an arts & crafts building. We also have access to an airconditioned gym. Our summer staff stays on camp grounds in the cabins with campers at all times. 10

11 Camp Location: Camp Alabama 2090 Hwy 145 Choudrant, LA Camp Alabama is at the intersection of Highways 145 and 821, about 4 miles north of Interstate 20. Take the Choudrant-Sibley Exit 93. The camp is approximately 8 miles East of Ruston and 24 miles West of Monroe. Go north on Hwy. 145 for approximately 4 miles. You will come to a caution light at the top of a hill; the camp is just past the light to the left. For driving directions: If you do not have access to the internet, please call our office and we will mail or fax the directions to you. Additional Information Further information about Med-Camps of Louisiana, Inc. can be received by writing or calling: Med-Camps of Louisiana, Inc. 102 Thomas Road, Suite 615 West Monroe, LA Phone Numbers: Fax info@medcamps.org 11

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