CAMP WHITTLE Antelope Valley Family YMCA Parent s Guide Your camper is going to have an amazing week at Camp Whittle this summer! Inside this guide is everything that you need for your child to have a successful summer camp adventure! Please read the entire packet. It discusses important information such as what to take and our policies on deposits, refunds and lost articles. Please feel free to call or email Chris Aguirre, at 661-723-9622 or chrisaguirre@ymcala.org. Camp Rally/Pre-Camp Meeting The pre-camp meeting is an important part of making sure that your camper is prepared for summer camp. There you will get a chance to: Meet our Camp Staff and other Campers. Meet your Cabin Mates and Counselors (We will do our best to accommodate all requests but cannot guarantee leaders or cabin mates). Have a chance to ask questions. Receive important information about camp, what to take, meal dress-ups, departure and return times, etc. Turn in your forms. For campers bringing medication, the medication at camp form will be passed out and medication procedures will be discussed. Camp Rally/Pre-Camp Meeting: Saturday, June 21st from 12pm-2pm. Campers and their parents or guardians are both required to attend the pre-camp meeting at the Antelope Valley YMCA. Please prepare for the meeting by filling out all of the required paperwork including the Health History and Consent to Treatment form. This form must show all immunization dates, allergies, required medication or special dietary needs. A doctor s physical is not required. All camp fees should be completed before the pre-camp meeting. There is no better way for your child to experience an away-from-home adventure than a week at Camp. Youth will participate in a variety of activities including swimming, canoeing, hiking, crafts, songs, stories and games. The camp leaders have planned for each action-packed week. We are looking forward to meeting you and sharing our plans for camp at each Pre-Camp/Rally Night Meeting.
Camp Deposits There is a $75 non-refundable deposit for camp. YMCA Discipline Policy We feel that discipline plays an important role in helping a camper develop socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It also is vital for his or her safety and physical well being. We feel that positive discipline is a form of love and builds self-esteem. Discipline ensures that each participant's experience will be positive. The aim of discipline should provide the child with an atmosphere of warmth and support which includes clearly set guidelines. Minor discipline problems will be handled at camp. If a child's behavior is unsafe or harmful to themselves or another, the parents will be notified and need to pick up their child (or have someone else pick up the child) the same day they receive the call. If, in the event a camper will be sent home, it will be at the parents' expense. Cost of camp is non-refundable. The YMCA camping program is designed for children who can function in a recreation setting at 1:10 ratio. Some children who have special needs do not function well in this type of setting and need another type of program. Your help in keeping us informed on significant changes or events in your child's life that might impact his/her behavior would be appreciated. Please keep your emergency phone numbers and information up to date. Feel free to ask for a conference with the director prior to the camp leaving. We welcome this time for joint learning that can benefit your camper, you and our camping program. General Rules Infractions of the following General Rules shall result in expulsion from YMCA Resident Camp. Parents will be notified and will need to pick-up their child the same day. If, in the event a camper is sent home, it will be at the parents' expense. A. All facilities placed at the disposal of the Metropolitan Los Angeles YMCA are to be given the greatest care and attention. It is a PRIVILEGE to use them; treat them with respect. Any act of vandalism, destruction of property, or misuse of a facility may be a crime and will be treated as such. Parents/Guardians of campers will be responsible for all charges for any damage caused by their child. B. Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, illegal drugs, or a weapon is strictly prohibited. The authorities will be called for possession of any illegal substances or weapons. C. All participants share equally the responsibility for their actions when violations of the General Rules are witnessed. Those who decide to be present when a violation occurs shall, by their own choice, be considered a participant in the violation. In this program there are no "innocent bystanders". D. Theft or activities which endanger the health and safety of yourself or others, or can harm others is unacceptable and not allowed.
Pre-Camp Health Screening We are concerned about contagious conditions including flu, fever, conjunctivitis (pink eye), chicken pox or head lice. All campers must be screened before going to camp including getting their temperature taken and a lice check. Campers will be checked before boarding the bus to camp. Children with obvious symptoms of illness will not be allowed to go to camp. Medications Any medication which needs to be administered to your child should: Be in its original container (with prescription if applicable) and given to the camp nurse at camp check-in. Do not leave any medications with the camper. Have written instructions as per quantity, time to administer, any other directions and written clearance giving the YMCA permission to administer medication of any kind. Please use the form given out at the pre-camp meeting. Be sure to pick up all medications when the campers return. Medications will be turned into a medical disposal facility 14 calendar days after we return from camp. Camper Health Our resident camps have a camp nurse (RN) or doctor on site 24 hours a day. If the injury is minor, such as a scraped knee, the staff will administer First Aid (i.e., wash injured area and use a Band-Aid). If your child receives a more serious injury, the director and/or camp nurse will take whatever steps are necessary to obtain emergency medical care if warranted. These steps may include, but are not limited to the following: Attempt to contact a parent or guardian, to inform you of the condition and course of treatment already taking place. Give you the opportunity to take your child to a physician. Attempt to contact you through any persons listed on the emergency information card you completed for us. If we cannot contact you, or your child needs immediate attention, we will transport the camper the closest emergency treatment facility. If a child becomes ill, he/she will be isolated from the other children. You will be contacted to come and pick up your child if the camp nurse determines more in depth treatment/diagnosis is needed. Please be sure you keep the YMCA office informed of any changes in your work or emergency phone numbers. f you cannot be reached, we will contact someone on your authorization list. If a camper needs to go home due to illness or injury it is the parents/guardians responsibility to pick up the camper at camp. We are not responsible for transporting campers home. It is important to let us know of any preexisting conditions that your camper may have that might affect their stay at camp. That way we will know how to take care of your child best! Please keep the YMCA informed if your phone numbers or contact information changes.
Packing List This equipment list is planned for one full week of camp. Please mark campers full name on each item. The YMCA is not responsible for lost or damaged items. Please leave valuables at home. Baggage should be limited to your sleeping bag and one duffel bag or suitcase. Campers will be responsible for carrying their bags from the bus drop off point at camp to their cabins. Please pack only what your camper can carry. Required Items: Sack lunch for first day, in a plastic bag with camper's name on it-not packed in luggage Sleeping bag or blankets/sheets (twin) Pillow Warm jacket 2 sweaters or sweatshirts Pajamas (bright, funny, crazy or wild) 10 changes underwear T-shirts/tops for one week 5 pairs jeans/long pants 5 pairs shorts 2 pairs of closed toed shoes (no new hiking boots please!) 10 pairs socks Bathing suit/swim trunks 2 towels (one for the pool and one for showers) Washcloth Toiletry articles--soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, comb or brush Chap stick or lip balm Sunscreen lotion Flashlight (extra batteries) Reusable water bottle Beanie hat and/or baseball cap Optional Items YMCA rag or leather (if you have one) Laundry bag (for those very dirty clothes) Cheap camera (Camp is not a camera friendly area! There are plenty of accidental ways that camera s can get damaged. Please send a cheap camera that you would not be upset to lose!) Postcards (addressed, with stamps) Sunglasses Book or other reading materials Insect repellent (lotion or wipes) Backpack Raincoat/Poncho Not Permitted at camp Cell phones, video games, MP3 players, I-Pods, radios, pagers, walkmans, CD players, electronics, food, candy, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, weapons, fireworks, aerosol sprays, matches, lighters, pets, offensive magazines or clothing with offensive messages. Items will be confiscated and returned after camp or turned over to the authorities. Campers will not need money. Do not put snacks in your luggage! Keep them with you separately for the bus ride up! Electronics Policy We have worked hard to guarantee that a wide variety of activities are offered every moment your child is at camp; there is enough physical and mental stimulation here to render virtual pastimes obsolete. Therefore, we have a firm policy banning the use of cell phones, video games, and other electronics, and we appreciate your support. Any cell phones, video games and other electronics will be taken away and returned to campers parent/guardians when camp is over. This is a carefully thought-out, healthy policy that helps us underscore the beauty of camp; where experiences are real, kids learn to navigate on their own, and success is tangible. Lost and Found Articles of clothing or personal equipment, not claimed by camper or parent upon completion or return from camp, will be held for two (2) weeks (14 calendar days) at the Antelope Valley YMCA, 43001 10th Street West Lancaster, CA 93534. Articles/equipment not claimed within the two (2) week period will be donated to a non-profit organization. Children are responsible for their belongings. Medications will be turned into a medical disposal facility after 14 calendar days.
Homesickness Homesickness is a normal feeling for campers. It is natural for campers to miss their homes and loved ones a little bit. Our staff are all trained on how to deal with homesick campers. Your camper will stay busy, have a counselor to talk to and will be able to write letters home. Our camp has a no phone policy. We will call you in the case of any emergency or serious concerns but campers will not be allowed to use the phones. If your camper shows signs of severe homesickness we will closely monitor them and will contact you. If they are unable to finish their week at camp we will ask you to come and pick them up and there will not be a refund. There are some things that you can do to help your camper have a great week. Encourage your child's independence throughout the year. Practice separations can simulate the camp environment, such as sleepovers at a friend's house. Discuss what camp will be like before your child leaves. Consider role-playing camp situations, such as using a flashlight at night. Send a letter ahead of time to arrive the first day of camp. Acknowledge, in a positive way, that you will miss your child. For example, you can say "I am going to miss you, but I know that you will have a good time at camp." Pack a personal item from home, such as a stuffed animal. Don t express a lot of anxiety to your child about them leaving for camp. They will pick up on this and it makes them more likely to be homesick. Don t tell your child in advance that you will "rescue" him/her from camp if he/she doesn't like it. This conveys a message of doubt and self pity that undermines children s self confidence. Instead, encourage them by telling them how proud you are that they are trying new things. Don t worry while your child is at camp! We know you miss them but please don t call the camp unless it is an emergency. Remember, the counselors and directors are trained to recognize and work with homesick children. We will call you if there is a concern about your camper. Every year we might have a couple of homesick children, but we have dozens of campersick parents! Letters and postcards can be sent to your camper at Camp Whittle. Please allow 3-4 days for mail to arrive. Sending mail early is a great way to ensure that your camper will receive mail at camp. No care packages please! Camp address: Your Childs Name C/O Antelope Valley YMCA - June 29th-July 6th YMCA Camp Whittle 31701 Rim of the World Dr. Fawnskin, CA 92333 Attention Parents: Please turn the following paperwork as soon as possible. Paperwork must be turned in by the pre-camp meeting. All campers must have completed paperwork to attend camp. Please contact Chris Aguirre at 661.723.9622 or chrisaguirre@ymcala.org with any questions.