CAMP SPEERS YMCA PLANNING WORKBOOK OUTDOOR EDUCATION GROUP LEADERS In the Pcns
Welcme t Camp Speers! Thank yu fr chsing Camp Speers YMCA s Outdr Educatin Prgram (OE). Our Outdr Educatin Prgram prvides an pprtunity fr yur students and yu t enjy a remarkable, fun, and educatinal experience in a pristine natural setting. Our 1,100 acre prperty is the perfect place fr yur students t immerse themselves in nature. Camp Speers YMCA ffers a variety f vernight accmmdatins, which include everything frm classic cabins with spectacular lakefrnt views, t large ldges that ffer mdern amenities and the cmfrts f hme. Our tp-ntch facility and beautiful surrundings prvides yur grup with an exciting adventure that is truly ne f a kind. Our staff are trained and certified t teach all prgrams ffered here at camp. While yur time here be fun, we understand the imprtance f educatin. Our prgrams help students learn by allwing fr numerus hands-n and engaging activities. At Camp Speers, we are dedicated t custmer service. We wrk with each grup t develp custmized prgrams and experiences. We take the time t learn what yur grup needs t make their stay unique. Our gal is t leave every visitr t ur camp with wnderful memries t last a lifetime. This prgram guide is designed t intrduce yu t the ptins available and t make it easy t plan yur grup s perfect camp experience. We lk frward t the pprtunity t share with yu all f the amazing things that Camp Speers YMCA has t ffer. Thank yu again fr chsing Camp Speers YMCA as yur Outdr Educatin destinatin. We lk frward t seeing yu sn! Cheers! Christpher Helmlinger Executive Directr Jshua Owen Outdr Educatin & Cnference Directr
Welcme t Camp Speers YMCA in the Pcns Thank yu fr chsing Camp Speers fr yur utdr educatin experience. In the fllwing pages, please find the materials needed t rganize yur trip t Camp. Yur utdr educatin Directr is always just a phne call r email away, s please d nt hesitate t cntact us shuld yu have any questins. Yur utdr educatin Directr will stay in tuch with yu thrughut the planning prcess. Table f Cntents Pre-trip planning checklist Due dates in preparatin fr arrival Raptr screening lg sheet Prgram Offerings Activity grup assignments wrksheet Table assignments wrksheet Cabin assignments wrksheet Recmmended packing list A letter t ur chapernes Student behavir cntract Final attendees wrksheet
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist 6-12 Mnths prir t Retreat Cntact the utdr educatin Directr t set date fr yur trip Sign and return facility agreement alng with depsit t lck in yur dates If a guest presenter is desired, let the utdr educatin Directr knw immediately as sme presenters becme cmpletely bked certain times f the year, mnths in advance Discuss with utdr educatin Directr grup dynamics, expectatins, gals 6 Mnths prir t Retreat Expect cntact frm yur utdr educatin Directr t cnfirm dates and anticipated number f participants An agreement is sent if this has nt already been dne. Please return signed agreement with depsit in rder t lck in dates and accmmdatins, these must be received within 30 days f receiving the agreement 4-6 Mnths prir t Retreat Return signed agreement with depsit (if yu have nt yet dne s) in rder t lck in dates and accmmdatins, dates will nt be held beynd 30 days withut these items Obtain and mail in a certificate f insurance, naming Camp Speers YMCA as additinal insured; please refer t item 10 n facility agreement r cntact the utdr educatin Directrfr details. This is mandatry fr all grups cming t Camp Speers 3 Mnths prir t Retreat Hld an infrmatin meeting fr students, parents, and teachers Arrange fr transprtatin Arrange fr a nurse t accmpany students Slicit parent vlunteers as chapernes t ensure a rati f 1 parent r teacher chaperne per 15 students 2 Mnths prir t Retreat Finalize attendees and cllect signed waivers f liability fr all (students and chapernes) Cntact utdr educatin Directr if yu need t adjust yur minimum and maximum expected at this pint. The minimum stated is the minimum yu are held financially respnsible fr upn final payment Discuss prgramming needs with utdr educatin crdinatr
1 Mnth prir t Retreat Finalize number f participants with utdr educatin crdinatr. Please nte that if yur final number drps belw the minimum expected, yu are nnetheless held financially respnsible fr the minimum. An invice is emailed t yu fr yur final payment which is due ne week befre yur arrival. Finalize and return raptr screening (mandatry sex ffense screening) lg sheet see page 5 fr details Cnfirm yur cabins with the utdr educatin crdinatr Assign learning grups: 12-15 students per grup with at least ne chaperne Assign tables f10 peple per table maximum Assign ne student at each table as the cruiser fr each meal Discuss prgramming as needed in rder t finalize schedule, yu will be prvided with a preliminary schedule based n these cnversatins Discuss any special dietary requirements fr yur grup, allergies, vegetarian, etc. We can accmmdate mst needs with apprpriate ntice Let the utdr educatin Directr knw if yur grup needs access t the Camp stre during yur visit Outdr educatin will send yu a list f utstanding paperwrk needed prir t yur visit. 2 Weeks prir t Retreat Finalize schedule and prgramming with utdr educatin crdinatr Finalize any special dietary needs fr yur grup Make sure students knw their cabin, grup, table assignments etc. Return all utstanding paperwrk as needed FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE 1 Week prir t arrival Cntact Camp Speers t ensure all details/changes are made and ready fr yur grup s arrival Upn arrival Yur utdr educatin Directr will intrduce yu t yur hst Turn in all release frms and attendance list f all participants Return final attendees list p.19 Get settled int cabins, relax, and enjy yur time here at Camp Speers Within a Mnth after departure Outdr educatin Directr will cntact yu fr feedback n yur stay; review evaluatins Put dates n calendar fr the fllwing year, if yu have them available We lk frward t wrking with yu t plan a memrable visit!
Due dates in preparatin fr arrival at Camp Speers My Arrival Date is: 1. Signed Facility Agreement and Depsit Please sign and return yur agreement alng with initial depsit f 25% as sn as yu bk with Camp Speers, dates cannt be held withut a depsit. Depsit is due within 30 days f receiving agreement frm utdr educatin crdinatr. 2. Certificate f Insurance This dcument is mandatry fr all grups utilizing Camp Speers prperty. Please refer t item 10 n yur Facility Agreement fr details. Due at least 2 weeks BEFORE arrival at Camp Speers. Please give yurself apprpriate time t request this frm yur insurance cmpany. My COI due date is 3. Adjust minimum and maximum participants expected yu are held financially respnsible fr yur minimum (even if yur final number is belw) Cunt due 2 mnths prir t arrival. My due date: 4. Final number f participants: Due 1 mnth prir t arrival My final cunt due date is: 5. Ntificatin f any dietary restrictins: Due at least 2 weeks prir t arrival My due date is: 6. D yu need access t the Camp Stre during yur visit? Due 2 weeks prir t arrival My due date is: 7. Raptr screening lg sheet: Due 2 weeks prir t arrival My due date is: 8. Final payment: Due 2 weeks prir t arrival My due date is: 9. Signed release frms fr bth students and chapernes: due upn arrival at camp 10. Cmplete rster f all participants: due upn arrival at camp
RaptrWare Screening Lg Sheet Grup name: - All adults ver the age f 18 must have their driver s license r nn-driver pht ID with them at time f arrival/check-in at Camp - Camp Speers staff will submit the infrmatin frm the ID int the RaptrWare System t search the registered sex ffender databases - This is mandatry fr all adults n Camp Speers prperty - Please fill ut the first three clumns nly, prir t yur grups arrival - Please make as many cpies f this page as needed First Name Last Name DOB Screen Date/ result Staff Initials Date & Time IN Date & time Out Vehicle Make, clr & plate # Parking Pass #
Prgram Offerings Camp Speers YMCA ffers a variety f prgramming that can be tailred t meet yur grups needs. Fcus n utdr educatinal classes, teambuilding skills r relax and enjy ur utdr recreatinal prgrams. Our facilities encmpass miles f trails, a 42-acre lake, several classrms and meeting spaces, climbing curses, shting ranges, waterfrnts, sprts fields, and mre. Belw is a list f sme f ur mst ppular fferings. Please feel free t lk them ver. If there is smething yu wuld like that is nt listed, please just ask. Science/Histry Based Activities Nature Trail Experience ur 1.5-mile trail thrugh a pine, ak and hickry frest, glacial mraine, and thrugh a sphagnum mss bg. Take advantage f the unique pprtunity t explre the extrardinary envirnment in ur bg, it is nly ne f 15 in the cntinental United States. Pnd Eclgy Investigate the relatinships and prcesses ccurring in Nichecrnk Pnd, surrunds streams and similar aquatic envirnments. Students will wrk tgether using cllectin pans and nets t search fr rganism in ur pnd and streams. Wildlife Eclgy Students explre relatinships between wildlife, their surrundings, and humans. Wildlife habits, needs, identificatin, and interrelatinships are discussed. Child s Park (Transprtatin required by grup leaders) Learn abut the lcal natural histry while strlling thrugh an Eastern Hemlck frest and bserving three cascading waterfalls and ther unique gelgic sites. Adventure/Individual Skill Based Activities Archery Participate in instructinal archery training taught fllwing the practices and guidelines set by the Natinal Archery Assciatin. Climbing Twer Students will have the pprtunity t climb at ne f ur tw climbing twers. Survival Learn basic survival skills that yu wuld use in the utdrs and why they are s imprtant. Wrk in small teams t build utdr shelters and/r build a fire. Muntain Biking Take a guided ride n ur trails that will take yu all ver camp and arund Nichecrnk Pnd. Helmets and bikes prvided. High Rpes Climb up int the high rpes elements, ur circuit prvides a chice f tw separate paths, bth end at ur zip line. (additinal fee required) Hrsemanship (Additinal Fee) Learn abut safety prcedures arund hrses and participate in a grup riding lessn t learn the fundamentals f hrsemanship. Alternatively spend time hands n wrking arund hrses learning abut basic care. Caneing Learn the basics f caneing first hand frm ne f ur instructrs. Team Building/Scial Interactin Based Activities Cnfidence Curse/Lw Rpes Learn and practice safe sptting techniques while understanding hw t trust ne anther. Team Building Enhance yur cperative scial skills while playing a series f games and cmpleting grup challenges.
Prgram Offerings (cnt.) Grup Activities Bmbardier Students cmplete varius grup tasks that demnstrate what they ve learned in the activities they have participated in. In between tasks, grups must fllw the next clue t the lcatin f the next task while aviding the clever and well camuflaged bmbardier. Meadw Games/Basketball Curt Let ur staff pen ur sprts shed and give ut sprts equipment s that students can relax and play n ne f ur fields r use ur playgrund. Evening Activities Night Experience/Night Hike Take a walk t a secluded spt in camp where we will have a series f discussins and cmplete different activities t help students identify and understand hw humans and ther animals adapt t lw light envirnments. Campfire/Talent Shw Held in ur utdr amphitheater, sing sngs and shw yur cabin s talents and/r watch us shw hw silly we can be. Finish the night by rasting marshmallws ver the campfire and making s mres. Guest Presenters :( These presenters require an additinal fee and advance ntice) Pcn Wildlife Rehabilitatin Center The Pcn Wildlife Rehabilitatin Center can prvide a number f different wildlife presentatins t suit yur grups needs. Chse frm Birds f Prey, Amazing Animal Adaptatins, Predatrs & Prey and mre. All wildlife presented are LOCAL t Pennsylvania. Tuch f Nature Jerry Zelenka brings 10-15 different animals, frm the smallest mammals t large snakes, fr an up clse and persnal shw and tell. Birds f Prey The Delaware Valley Raptr Center brings up t 6 different raptrs (hawks, falcns, wls, and eagles) fr the students t experience up clse while gaining an understanding f a variety f eclgical cncepts. Other Activity Infrmatin Early Mrning Activities: Teachers r chapernes may ffer early mrning activities (befre breakfast) t interested students. These can include jgging, bird walks, deer walks, wake up exercise, fishing, etc. Chaperne must maintain supervisin f all students, including supervisin f students wh chse t stay in their cabins. Ort Prgram: Ort is defined as left-ver fd n a plate. Our rt prgram educates students abut fd waste and making gd fd prtin chices. Participatin in ur rt prgram als helps cnserve fd that we dn t eat s that it can be given t lcal farmers t feed their animals. The leftver rt is measured after every meal and the results are charted thrughut the grups stay. This prgram helps students cnnect the amunt f fd they waste during meals t hw simple it is t make psitive dining chices. Camp Stre: The camp stre has practical items like batteries, flashlights, tth brushes, etc. as well as Camp Speers YMCA T-shirts, sweatshirts, and ther paraphernalia. Please speak with yur utdr educatin Directr if yu wuld like the camp stre t be pen during yur visit.
Camp Speers YMCA Activity Grup Assignments When assigning learning grups, the ptimum number is 10-12 students. If yu wuld like a smaller rati, the utdr educatin Directr can arrange this, but there is an added staffing fee. Please make as many cpies f this sheet as needed. Grup # Grup # Grup # Chaperne Chaperne Chaperne Students Students Students 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 Grup # Grup # Grup # Chaperne Chaperne Chaperne Students Students Students 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12
Camp Speers YMCA Table Assignments Tables hld a maximum f 10 peple and we require ne adult at each table. Please make as many cpies f this sheet as needed. Table # Table # Students Cruiser Schedule Student Cruiser Schedule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Table # Table # Students Cruiser Schedule Students Cruiser Schedule 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 Table # Table # Students Cruiser Schedule Students Cruiser Schedule 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10
Belw are the cabin chices at Camp. Schls are assigned specific cabins within camp based n size and special needs. We reserve the right t alter husing assignments as necessary t accmmdate the needs f all participants. Please remember when assigning cabins, t cntact the utdr educatin Directr t determine which cabins are available fr yur use. Please write the names f the students and chapernes/teachers that will be in each cabin. The numbers indicate the ttal number f bunks in the cabin. Cabin Assignments Eljabar Village Ldge 1A Ldge 1B Ldge 2A 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 Ldge 2B Ldge 3A Ldge 3B 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 14
Cabin Assignments Eljabar Village (cntinued) Ldge 4A Ldge 4B Ldge 5A 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 Ldge 5B Cabin 6 Cabin 7 9 Cabin 8 Cabin 10 10 1 1 11 2 2 12 3 3 13 4 4 14 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8
Cabin Assignments Speers Village Nrth Shre Cabin 1 Cabin 2 Cabin 3 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 Cabin 4 Cabin 5 Cabin 6 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 Cabin 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Cabin Assignments - Speers Village Suth Shre Cabin 8 Cabin 9 Cabin 10 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 Cabin 11A Cabin 11B Cabin 12A 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 Cabin12B Cabin 13 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12
Packing List 2 Sheets/Blanket r Sleeping Bag Pillw & Case Pajamas 1-2 Pairs f Shrts (seasnal) 2-3 Pairs Lng Pants 3-4 Shirts 2 Sweatshirts r Sweaters Changes f Underwear Several Pair f Scks Thermal Underwear (seasnal) Hat and Scarf (seasnal) Glves r Mittens (seasnal) Sneakers & Bts Laundry Bag/Plastic Bag Medicatin (must be given t nurse) 1 Twel 1 Washclth Tthbrush and Paste Cmb Sap (in plastic cntainer r sap dish) Insect Repellent Tissues, Chapstick, Sunscreen etc... Flashlight & Batteries Camera Mandatry Water Bttle Raincat r Pnch Rain Hat Waterprf Bts Warm Cat r Jacket D NOT Bring Fd, Candy, Gum, Sda Tbacc, Alchl, Drugs Electrnic Games Knives/Weapns Radis/Ipds Blw Dryers Expensive Items NOTES: Because f the elevatin, expect the temperature at Camp t be abut 10 degrees clder than it is at hme during the same seasn. Label everything yu bring, we are nt respnsible fr lst r stlen belngings. Pack sleeping bag/sheets and blanket in a plastic bag t keep them dry. Please pack in a small duffel bag fr ease f transprtatin. Please bring clthes yu d nt mind getting dirty. All activities are weather dependent. Alternative activities will be ffered in times f inclement weather.
A Letter t Our Chapernes Dear Chapernes, Cngratulatins and welcme t the Camp Speers YMCA utdr educatin experience. Yu play an integral rle in the implementatin f ur prgrams, and we thank yu. The utdr classrm at Camp is an exciting and challenging envirnment in which the students will need and appreciate yur help. We hpe this letter familiarizes yu with ur prgram and yur rle. If yu have any questins, please cntact yur grup s lead teacher. Primary Respnsibilities: Supervisin; students aren t allwed n the camp premises withut adult supervisin. Safety is ur first cncern. Please make yurselves available t students when safety cncerns arise. Anther primary respnsibility f chapernes is cmmunicatin with camp staff. The camp staff cannt be present in all lcatins f camp. Let us knw when smething needs t be fixed in a cabin, r if a prgram didn t g as yu d imagined, and feel free t ask us questins. We appreciate cnstant feedback because that s hw ur prgram cntinues t imprve. Class/Activity Time: There must always be at least ne chaperne present in each activity grup during classes/activities. Our prgram instructrs will lead and be respnsible fr the presentatin f class materials, infrmatin and activities. While chapernes are encuraged t participate and be engaged, it is imprtant that chapernes allw the students t be respnsible fr their wn learning. At n time shuld chapernes cntradict a prgram instructr in frnt f the students. If need be, please find the time t talk with the prgram instructr r utdr educatin Directr privately. Please assist, as requested by the prgram instructr, with the reslutin f disciplinary issues. In-Cabin: It is recmmended that there is at least ne chaperne fr every twelve students in each cabin. In the cabin, chapernes assist students with cabin and bathrm cleanliness, preparing fr each day s activities, and maintaining apprpriate quiet hurs. Please let camp staff knw f any issues within the cabins as they arise. Meals: Supervisin during meals is extremely imprtant fr the grup t have a psitive experience in the dining hall. There shuld be at least ne chaperne at each table wh is actively supervising the table. Chapernes learn dining hall prcedures with students during the meal rientatin and can help by mdeling and enfrcing dining hall rules. It is imprtant that chapernes keep students seated at their table until after the meal has cncluded, any grup annuncements have been made, and the grup has been dismissed. The jb f a chaperne can be difficult, but we prmise it will be equally rewarding. Please see the chaperne/adult cde f cnduct n the page fllwing this letter. This will familiarize yu with Camp s rules and student safety plicies. Any vilatin f this cde f cnduct will result in asking the vilatr t leave the prperty f Camp Speers YMCA. Again, we thank yu fr everything yu ve dne, everything yu re ding, and everything yu will d t help the students have the best pssible experience at Camp Speers YMCA. We lk frward t wrking with and meeting yu. Sincerely, Camp Speers YMCA Outdr Educatin Team (570) 828 2329 16 P a g e
Chaperne/Adult Cde f Cnduct 1. All federal and state laws must be beyed 2. Chapernes must never abuse children. This includes: a. Physical abuse, such as striking, hitting, slapping b. Verbal abuse, such as public humiliatin, degradatin, insults, threats c. Sexual abuse, such as sexual cntact, sexual verbal exchange r expsure t prngraphy d. Mental/emtinal abuse, such as shaming, withhlding f apprpriate supprt e. Neglect, such as withhlding fd, water, shelter, basic care and apprpriate supervisin f. Physical punishment, such as frcing students t d calisthenics, exercises, hazing r depriving children f sleep 3. The use f alchlic beverages and illegal drugs is nt permitted n Camp prperty. Persns wh vilate this rule and/r appear t be under the influence will be asked t leave the prperty. 4. Firearms, knives, firewrks, r ther explsives/weapns are nt permitted n Camp prperty. 5. The Camp is a smke- and tbacc-free envirnment. Smking and tbacc use is prhibited in all camp buildings and grunds. 6. Chapernes are expected t set gd examples f apprpriate behavir, language and attitude. When necessary, chapernes are expected t use psitive techniques f behavir management t change a student s behavir. 7. Chapernes are prhibited frm using prfanity, making inapprpriate jkes, sharing sexual details f their persnal lives, r cmmitting any ther kind f harassment. 8. Chapernes must prtray a psitive rle mdel fr yuth by embdying the YMCA cre values f caring, hnesty, respect, and respnsibility. 9. In case f accident r injury, reprt t a member f the Camp staff immediately. The services f a physician are available when lcal medical ffices are pen. Emergency treatment is available at hspitals in Prt Jervis, N.Y., East Strudsburg, PA., Scrantn, PA. r Newtn, N.J. 10. The cst f repairing any damage t facilities r equipment (ther than nrmal wear) caused by participants f yur grup is charged t the grup. 17 P a g e
Student Behavir Cntract The YMCA s cre values f respect, respnsibility, hnesty and caring are the guiding principles fr apprpriate behavir at Camp Speers YMCA. Understand that gd student behavir is essential fr a successful experience at Camp. Sme guidelines include: Respecting Myself T be prperly prepared fr utdr activities in all pssible weather cnditin (warm clthes fr when it s cld, rain gear fr rainy days, etc.) T wear clsed-ted shes at all times utside the cabin T respect quiet hurs at camp, 10:00 p.m. t 7:00 a.m. It is imprtant that all students are well rested and ready fr each day s full schedule f activities T nt travel anywhere at Camp withut adult supervisin T get the mst ut f the trip by participating in activities and fllwing instructins t the best f my ability Respecting Others T cperate with fellw students, teachers and Camp staff T nt enter a cabin r living space that belngs t smene else withut the permissin f an adult T respect the prperty f thers T be punctual fr all activities and meals t the best f my ability Respecting the Outdr Envirnment and Cmmn Spaces T help keep the cabin and bathrm areas clean T help keep Camp clean by picking up trash when yu see it, even if it is nt yur trash r in an area yu ve used T nt cllect any living things (plant r animal) withut the permissin f a prgram instructr fr a specific class r activity T respect camp prperty and equipment T help camp cnserve energy by turning ff lights and clsing drs when leaving a cabin Anyne wh displays an inability t live harmniusly with thers, endangers his/her wn safety r the safety f thers, r cannt accept the rules and regulatins will be required t call his/her parents and will be remved frm the grup. Depending n the severity f the incidents r actins prir, the lead teacher and Camp Speers prgram directr may cnclude that the student be asked t leave Camp Speers YMCA. I have read and understand the abve infrmatin. I prmise t fllw these guidelines and be n my best behavir during the trip. Parent s r Guardian s Signature / date Student s Signature/ date 18 P a g e