FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BE ADVENTUROUS. BE YOU. BELONG. 2019 Overnight Camps CAMP WOOD YMCA
Dear Families, 2019 I had a long-time mentor once tell me that camp really is nothing more than a schedule. I think about that all the time. Why do hundreds of children come to us every summer and return year after year? It s certainly not to be a part of a schedule. So what is it? What is the thing Camp Wood YMCA creates that has campers crying at Friday night s closing ceremony, and has parents praising the changes they see in their child after bringing them home? I think it comes down to three pretty simple things that we strive to help every camper find while they are at camp: Be Adventurous, Be You, Belong! Be Adventurous! At Camp, children get to discover new things about themselves and others. They get to take a quest, if you will. They leave home, with new people, trying new and exciting activities, on a journey of self-discovery. That s the stuff of a great movie. Be You! Children come to camp and can be exactly who they want to be, free from fear or judgement. They can reinvent themselves to be the person they always wanted to be. Here, kids, who face so many pressures from the outside world, are loved for simply being themselves. It s a thing of beauty. Belong! Camp gives kids the chance to be in a club, a tribe, a team, a group, a community. Isn t that what we all desire? To be a part of something - a place we call our own and truly be with others who love and care for us for being ourselves. That is camp a place where children don t have to make friends they are given to them. I hope you ll consider giving your child the opportunity to Be Adventurous, Be Themselves and Belong to our great community of Camp Wood YMCA. It is truly life impacting in so many wonderful ways. If you have any questions or would like to hear more about camp, please feel free to call me anytime at (620) 273-8641. BJ Murray Senior Operations Director Register Today at campwood.org
THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES. The summer of 2018 was a record-setting season. In fact, camper numbers show 2018 may have been Camp Wood YMCA s best year ever! We had waiting lists for nearly every session and it looks like growth will continue into 2019. As of summer s end, we are already 40% full for 2019 camps. If you haven t reserved your child s spot for next summer, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Use the registration form included in this guide or register online at campwood.org. LIVING OUR MISSION. To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. MAKING CAMP ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. Camp Wood YMCA believes that every child can benefit from a summer camp experience and we are committed to never turning a child away for financial reasons. We have a monthly payment plan to help families build summer camp into their budget. Simply choose monthly payments during registration. Families may also apply for financial assistance at campwood. org/forms. For more information about our payment plans or the financial assistance process, contact Melissa at (620) 273-8641 or via email at summer@campwood.org. Camp Wood YMCA is able to offer financial assistance through the generous support of our donors. If you or your family, church or business is interested in supporting our work through camper scholarships, please contact Jill Burton at jill.burton@campwood.org. COMING SOON Camp Wood is always growing, learning and working to better serve. The next two years will see a lot of changes at camp. We are currently in a campaign that by the fall of 2020 will have camp looking very different. Here is just a taste of what is to come: THE WATERFRONT: Expanded swimming area, new canoes and kayaks, new shade structure and bathroom over by the waterfront and the dam is getting fortified. THE BOWERY: at the entrance of Ritchie Lodge (the dining hall) will be a new seating area that will be an awesome spot for meeting and for groups to gather. JONES LODGE: The original camp building, which was last updated in the early 1980 s, is getting a complete renovation inside and out. CLIMBING TOWER: Adding into the fun at the Alpine Tower will be a four sided climbing tower along with seven high ropes elements and a zip line. 1
I ve learned how to make friends and be outgoing. My counselor inspired me to be more true to myself, outgoing and honest with my friends. Having my two counselors this week was such a blessing. They are amazing role models. Allison, Camper 2 campwood.org
SAFE, HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS. Camp Wood YMCA is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), the only nationwide organization that accredits all types of organized camps. We have undergone a thorough review of our entire operation, meeting over 350 standards regarding staff qualifications, program quality, training, emergency management, and safety regulations. Camps and the ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety. BUILDING CHARACTER. For a camper, fun is the ultimate goal. But for Camp Wood YMCA staff, fun programs are tools to teach so much more. We believe in building character through the five core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and I m Third. Our staff model and teach these values in all they do. They encourage their campers to discover what those values mean for themselves and to return home to live them out in their daily lives. These values form the cornerstone for a fun, safe and welcoming environment-an environment where every camper and guest feels empowered to become the best person they can be. AMAZING STAFF. We believe that counselors and summer staff make the magic of camp come alive. We pour countless hours into recruiting, screening and training the best staff imaginable. All Camp Wood YMCA staff undergo an extensive evaluation process to ensure they are focused on camper and guest needs and that they re committed to modeling the values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and I m Third. Our intense two-week training process emphasizes relationship building, quality programs, the care and well-being of campers, and CPR and 1st Aid. The result? Campers feel safe and empowered and parents feel comfortable knowing their children are in capable, caring hands. A DAY AT CAMP Mornings begin at Hutch Hall with a thought for the day and then it s off to breakfast. After breakfast, campers either go to their specialty camp, or to their chosen skillbuilders (courses like archery or boating where campers develop skills through the week). Lunch is then followed by a rest period and afternoons are filled with cabin activities including daily swim times, the Alpine Tower, horseback riding, arts and crafts and much more. After a hearty dinner, it s off to evening programs for fun, character development and new experiences. My child was full of new skills that they wanted to teach me, songs they wanted to sing me, and stories of all the great food at camp. Camp Mom 3
I learned the value of inclusion. I could write about fun with fishing, or all the fun with the counselors but camp makes me a more accepting individual. Trevor, Camper CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE. TRADITIONAL CAMP Traditional camp is Camp Wood YMCA at its best. Traditional Camp allows campers to experience a wide range of our most popular activities like the mudslide, archery, trail rides, swimming, boating, and more. Campers are also able to customize their experience with morning skillbuilders of their choice and afternoons spent in activities as a cabin. MINI-CAMP Mini-Camp is a four-day, three-night session for children ages 5 through 8 and is designed to meet the unique needs of our youngest campers. A shortened stay and increased staff-to-camper ratios in each cabin will help make your child s camp experience a safe one while 4 easing them into time away from home. In addition, the daily schedule has been modified so that mini-campers can sample a wide range of camp activities during the day and still get to bed early enough to recharge their energy at night. HORSE CAMP Our Horse Camps last one week and give equine-loving campers a chance to immerse themselves in all things horserelated. It s hard to imagine a more perfect landscape to spend time with horses than the wide-open spaces of the Flint Hills. With basic and advanced level camps available, campers of every skill level can build their equestrian skills. Not ready for overnight camp? We now offer Horse Day Camp as well. campwood.org
TOP CAMP CHEF Take your love of cooking to camp where you ll learn skills to make you a top chef. Campers will spend their mornings in a large industrial kitchen following recipes and cooking. Campers will also have the benefit of eating what they make every day! DRAMA Indulge your creative side and spend a week exploring the performing arts at Camp Wood YMCA. Surrounded by campers and counselors with similar interests, you ll spend your mornings immersed in the arts. Whether you re already comfortable as the center of attention or you hope to overcome your fear of performing for others, our creative staff will help you improve your stage presence and acting skills through instruction, fun challenges and, of course, performing! SKATEBOARD Gather your friends and head to Camp Wood YMCA, the only overnight skate camp in Kansas, for an epic week of skateboarding in our new skate park. Our staff will teach both beginning and advanced campers to ollie, kick-flip, grind and more during mornings devoted entirely to skating. PAINTBALL You ll battle it out with other campers on our paintball course while learning techniques and strategies from our experienced and enthusiastic staff. Mornings are spent on the paintball course, and in addition to fun on the course, you ll get to try your hand at slingshot paintball in the woods. Campers must bring their own paintball gun and paintballs. CONSTRUCTION Do you love working with your hands to plan and build projects? Then come spend a week learning carpentry and basic construction skills at Camp Wood YMCA. Construction campers spend 3 hours per day working closely with an experienced foreman. While building their skills, campers will leave a permanent mark on Camp Wood through the renovation or construction of a structure or program area on camp grounds. 5
This was such an amazing experience. The friends I made here are already closer to me than the ones I ve had for years at home. I learned so much about being a leader, and started to understand that isn t just being right or bossy. It s taking everyone s ideas and making everyone feel included and important. Lucia, LIT 6 campwood.org
EMPOWERING TEENS TEEN CAMP This camp is geared toward older campers and while it includes many of our campers favorite traditional camp elements, activities will be tailored to the unique skill levels and interests of teenagers. PADDLE AND CLIMB TRIP CAMP Campers will embark on a weeklong off-camp adventure. After a one-night stay at camp, these adventurers will head to Colorado where they ll experience two days of climbing and two days of whitewater rafting. Led by professional outfitters and supervised by Camp Wood YMCA Staff, this will be an awesome trip for the young adventurer. INSIDE OUT Inside Out is a leadership camp designed for youth ages 11-14. What if you were turned inside out, and all that people saw was what s on the inside? Inside Out is designed to teach young leaders to consider people and leadership challenges from the inside out. Come explore the fun of camp while exploring your own leadership style. By the end of the week, ek you ll know yourself better, have gained new skills and be prepared to serve as a role model for your peers. LIT Our Leaders-in-Training programs are geared towards teens ages 14 through 17 who are interested in exploring their strengths, building confidence and practicing skills that will make them good leaders. Being an LIT is the first step towards becoming a future staff member. CIT If you ve always dreamed of being a counselor at Camp Wood, then join us for 2 weeks as a Counselorin-Training. You ll learn leadership, first aid, teaching, and recreational programming techniques that will prepare you to work as a future counselor. You will gain hands-on experience working with campers and small groups and use your newly acquired skills while serving as an assistant counselor. WIT If you love working with kids as much as you love horses, join us for 2 weeks as a Wrangler-in-Training. During this program, you ll be given the opportunity to perfect your equestrian skills while passing along passion and knowledge to others. This program is designed for strong riders who hope to become Camp Wood YMCA wranglers. Wranglers-in-Training spend their days up at the barn practicing their riding skills and learning how to safely teach horsemanship and animal care to children. 7
SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY Camp Wood YMCA has long supported the families of our nation s servicemen and women through discounts and scholarships for their children to attend camp. For more information about our efforts to serve these families, contact BJ Murray at (620) 273-8641 or via email at sod@campwood.org. CAMP CORRAL Camp Corral is an amazing week of non-stop fun and excitement in the great outdoors. It s for children (ages 8 to 15) of brave military service members who have been injured or fallen protecting our freedom and our way of life. Please contact Camp Corral at (855) 605-1267 or e-mail them at campinfo@campcorral.org for more information. BEYOND SUMMER CAMP FAMILY CAMPS Give the T.V. a break, pack up the kids, and head to Camp Wood YMCA for the family experience of a lifetime. Our weekend family camps are designed to build strong families through shared adventures and time spent together outdoors. To learn more about upcoming family camps, visit campwood.org/ weekend-family-camps. SCHOOL GROUPS Gather your students and come to Camp Wood YMCA for an unforgettable half-day, full-day or overnight learning experience. We offer a variety of outdoor education lessons that complement your curriculum and engage your students. Our location in the Kansas Flint Hills offers your class a unique opportunity to interact with the tallgrass prairie through hands-on activities. In addition, Camp Wood offers classroom space, overnight lodging and meal service for visiting groups. Register Today! campwood.org RETREATS AND REUNIONS Camp Wood YMCA offers a beautiful Flint Hills setting for your family reunion, church retreat or group event. From dining services to overnight accommodations to group activities, we provide your participants with everything needed for a memorable experience. For more information about Family Camps, School Groups or Retreats and Reunions, contact Groups Coordinator at (620) 273-8641 or at events@campwood.org. 8
IMPORTANT INFORMATION I am so impressed with the enthusiasm, friendliness, and joy the counselors exude. I can imagine they draw out even the shyest of kids. We are so thrilled with the experience the kids had with their counselors. Camp Mom HOW TO REGISTER Registration is easy! Go to campwood.org and register online today. Or, fill out the attached registration form and send it to camp with your deposit. Be sure to attach a working e-mail address as we send out all our parent handbooks and camper forms via email. DEPOSIT A $75 deposit is required with each session registration. The deposit goes toward your total camp fees and is non-refundable. PARENT HANDBOOKS AND MEDICAL FORMS After your registration has been confirmed, you will receive a Parent Handbook via e-mail. Parent handbooks include important information for you, your child, and for your child s experience including pick-up/drop-off schedules, packing lists and much more. In addition, when you register there are forms for you to complete and return to camp; such as medical forms as well as parent and camper forms for the counselors. Forms can be completed online during the registration process. These forms are important for us to get to know your camper so we can give them the best experience possible. All forms are due to camp two weeks prior to the start of your child s session. 9
OUR MISSION: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. 1101 Camp Wood Road Elmdale, Kansas 66850 T (620) 273-8641 F (620) 273-8676 NOTE: Your school neither sponsors nor endorses Camp Wood YMCA or the activities mentioned here. The content and views expressed are solely those of Camp Wood YMCA. Your school permits the distribution of materials like this on a non-discriminatory basis regarding matters of potential interest to students and their families.