Camp WOW NEWS June 19 through June 22, 2017 Camp WOW 21 Welcome! THE BASICS The Youth Ministers from St. Patrick (St. Charles), St. Gall (Elburn), St. Thomas More (Elgin), St. Laurence (Elgin), St. John the Baptist (Somonauk) and Our Lady of Victory (Chicago) parishes are co-sponsoring, planning and holding the camp. Dickson Valley Camp and Retreat Center provides the meals, lodging, recreational facilities and equipment. The Youth Ministers are in charge of the program and content of the camp. In addition to the multitude of Youth Ministers and adults involved with camp, there will be a team of 45 High School students serving as counselors. Nine college students are also assisting us during the camp. We are excited to have many returning counselors and former campers returning to take on the role of counselor at the camp. WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO? Recreational activities will include the following and more: Swimming, Bonfire, Archery, Team Sports, Crafts, Hiking, Canoeing on the Fox River, Indoor Gym with a Climbing Wall, Wacky Olympics, Gaga Ball, Laser Tag, Volleyball, an Ice Cream Social, and more! The camp will have a spiritual focus as well as recreational. The campers will be challenged to profess their faith in their every day lives. In addition to various learning opportunities, there will be prayer times - personal and small group, age-appropriate Bible study, and singing. We will have Mass and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation & time to spend in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. MEDICAL INFORMATION We hope to have a full-time volunteer camp nurse who plans to be present for the entire camp. Please pay careful attention to the guidelines listed on medical form regarding the proper handling of medications at camp. All campers and counselors must have a Student Medication Form (pink form included with this letter) filled-out and signed by their physician. ALL medications (prescription or over-the-counter) should be turned into the nurse for dispensing to campers and counselors. This ensures the safety for all of our campers and counselors in case of emergency. The nurse needs to be aware of ALL medications taken by campers and counselors at all times. Campers and counselors who need to carry inhalers or epi-pens need to notify the nurse when they have used them. Campers who carry inhalers will be required to check in with the nurse before meals. IN CASE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY If your son or daughter needs medical care beyond basic first-aid, then they will be transported to a local hospital in Sandwich, IL (approx. 20 minutes from camp). Every attempt will be made to contact and communicate with the Parent/Legal Guardian listed on the Parental Consent and Medical Release form. Page 1
We will be taking BUSES to and from Dickson Valley Camp. The buses will leave from the Crane Road Church parking lot near the office building at 7:15 am on Monday June 19th and return at 5:30 pm on Thursday June 22nd Please check in by 7 am on Monday we will not wait for late arrivals. The campers will be oriented to the Camp Rules on the first morning of the camp. Your child needs to abide by the rules. In registering your child for this camp, you - the parent or legal guardian of a camper - agree to be responsible for your child's actions and to provide transportation home (at any time) from this event if needed. Adults are needed to help out in a variety of roles during this camp. Attached you will find a list of volunteers needs. Please go to www.rockedbygod.net to sign up, using the Sign-Up Genius Link. If you already volunteered on the registration form, then please check to see if we placed you correctly. If you haven t volunteered, then please consider doing so. Due to the home-spun nature of the camp, and the moderately low fee, we are very dependent on help from parents and other interested adults. It is our hope that at least one parent of a camper help out with one (or more) volunteer roles in the camp. Parents who come to help out are usually amazed at the wide-range of activities that go on at camp and are grateful to in the camp experience with their son or daughter. All Volunteer chaperones will have to provide proof that they have completed the diocese s Protecting God s Children/Virtus Training class. This is an easy to do on-line course that takes less than two (2) hours. Go to http:// www.virtusonline.org, click on registration and follow the directions. Be sure to print a copy! Bring with you to Camp Meeting or turn in to your Youth Ministry office along with along with other required forms. (to be COMPLETED by June 10th). A check list of stuff to bring is attached for your use. Please make sure your camper s name is clearly marked on all items. Keep in mind: A large re-usable water bottle is provided for each camper. There is bottled water available in each of the lodges for campers to re-fill their water bottles and stay well hydrated. The sleeping lodges are air conditioned, as is the main meeting room. What NOT to bring! All campers should not bring articles of value (i.e., Credit/Debit Cards, Cell Phones, Tablets, and other Electronic devices, etc.) as well as expensive shoes, clothing and jewelry. CAMP is not responsible should camp attendees disregard this advice and lose their items of personal property. There are snack & drink concessions available for purchase with cash during swim times. DRESS CODE: This is a spiritual camp, and all participants are expected to dress in a modest and appropriate manner. All camp attendees must agree to the Camp dress code for the entire duration of camp. Words and graphics on clothing must be appropriate and in appropriate places on clothing. No offensive or suggestive language or symbols. No writing or graphics on rear of shorts or pants. All tops must be T-shirts with crew necks & full short sleeves. No bikini tops, No halter tops, No belly shirts, or showing midriff. No low cut, scoop necks, V-necks or baby t-shirts will be permitted. No tank tops, no sleeveless tops or muscle shirts for guys or girls. No yoga pants, leggings, jeggings, including any type of spandex shorts, volleyball shorts or pants. Clothing should cover all undergarments. Guys are expected to wear their shirts at all times, unless swimming. Minimum length for shorts is 2 above the knee. Girls swimsuits must be a MODEST one-piece & guys swimsuits must follow the same guidelines as shorts. Sleepwear should also be modest in nature. Page 2
CAMP OFFICE PHONE NUMBER If you need to contact one of the Youth Ministers running the camp or your son/daughter, then please call: Dickson Valley Camp Staff: 630-553-6233 As a back-up to the camp emergency number, you may call or text: Mike Zak s cell phone: 630-215-5577 Please be aware that because we are in the middle of nowhere cell phone signals often go in and out and your call may not be answered or returned right away. Every effort will be made to follow up with calls in a timely manner. (please make sure your name is on text or vm) No cell phones or other wireless communication devices are allowed. This includes but is not limited to cell phones, tablets and laptop/notebook computers. If a camper or counselor brings these items, they will be confiscated. No exceptions will be made. Lost, broken or stolen items are not our responsibility. If you have other questions, please feel free to contact your Youth Ministers. Please see attached map with directions to Dickson Valley Camp & Retreat Center. 8250 Finnie Rd., Newark, IL 60541-9573, Phone: 630-553-6233, FAX: 630-553-6240 Twitter @dicksonvalley Facebook /dicksonvalley www.dvcrc.com A NOTE ABOUT PACKING: Most people over-pack. Please only bring what you need. Everything you bring to camp should fit inside one medium size duffel bag. Pillow and sleeping bag may be packed separately. REMEMBER: the less you bring, the less you have to carry and the less you might lose. PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING with NAME! Page 3
Typical Day at Camp WOW! 7:00-ish Wake up/shower/get ready Breakfast Music Skit/Talk/ Small Group session Morning Activities: Canoeing, Obstacle Course, Rope Bridge, Initiatives, etc. 12:30 pm Lunch Afternoon Activities: Team sports, Archery, Rock Climbing, Board Games, etc. Swimming Time mid-afternoon Music and Re-gathering Skit/Talk/Small Group session 5:30 pm Announcements/Meal Prayer Dinner Music Clicker Award Evening Activities: Wacky Olympics, Bonfire, Hayride, Reconciliation, No-Talent Show, Snacks 10:30 pm Call to cabins for evening 11:15 pm Bed time! Mass will be celebrated on most days, either in the morning or evening. Perpetual Eucharist Adoration will be available throughout camp.
An extra pair of Old Tennis Shoes or Water Shoes for canoeing and rainy weather $10-$20)
BOYS & GIRLS: NO TIGHT SHIRTS, YOGA PANTS, VOLLEYBALL SHORTS, LEGGINGS OR SKINNY JEANS