CAMP HOFFMAN INFORMATION PACKET Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England 500 Greenwich Avenue Warwick, RI 02886 (401) 331-4500 Fax: 401-421-2937 info@gssne.org Thanks for choosing a great summer experience at GSSNE overnight camp! All GSSNE camps are proudly accredited by the American Camp Association. This means that our camps comply with more than 300 industry-established standards in health, safety, and program. For more information about what accreditation means to you and your camper, visit www.campparents.org/funsafety.
OVERNIGHT CAMP PACKING LIST For Camp Hoffman weeklong+ sessions The following list is intended as a guide for families. Please note that camper equipment need not be new and remember to write your camper s name or initials on ALL camp gear and clothing! Campers and families should be prepared to carry their luggage to their units. Please pack in large, easy-to-carry backpacks or duffel bags that are less than 14 inches in height when packed this will allow the bag to slide under the cot! MEDICATION (if applicable) Prescribed medications must be kept in the original container bearing pharmacy label, prescription number, date filled, physician's name, directions for use, and patient's name. Prescribed medicines must be given to the Camp Health Supervisor/Nurse on arrival to camp. CLOTHES 2 3 total pairs of shorts/pants 5 shirts or T-shirts (quick-dry clothing is always A+!) 1 2 long-sleeved shirts Greenies: 1 pair khaki/green shorts, capris, or long trousers plus 1 or 2 plain white shirts; this outfit will be worn a few evenings during the week as a Camp Hoffman tradition! 6 pairs underwear 2+ bras (if needed) 6 pairs socks (including some thicker, toasty wool socks) Bathing suit (if possible, bring a second suit so that there s always a dry suit to change into!) 2 total towels for both swimming and bathing 2 sets of pajamas Hat/visor for sun Warm hat (wool suggested) Warm jacket or fleece (or a warm vest) 2 sweatshirts/sweaters 2 total pairs sneakers and/or hard-toe sandals with a heel strap Raincoat/poncho Flip flops for showering only Long underwear or UnderArmour for cold temperatures (suggested) Water shoes (if desired) EQUIPMENT 1 refillable water bottles (minimum 16 oz. with secure lid) essential! Small daypack/backpack Mess kit or unbreakable cup, plate, bowl, mug Knife, fork, spoon Flashlight/lantern and extra batteries Laundry bag Clothesline and pins
Wristwatch (if desired) BEDDING AND TOILETRIES Warm sleeping bag and blanket plus a blanket; fitted sheet suggested, as well! Pillow and pillow case Washcloth Toothbrush and toothpaste Brush/comb Shampoo/conditioner Soap Small carrying case/basket/caddy for all toiletries (suggested) Sunblock (SPF 30 or higher recommended) Mosquito repellant (with 20% DEET recommended) Deodorant Sanitary supplies (if needed) OPTIONAL/FOR FUNSIES Camera and extra batteries (or disposable camera) Tissues Stuffed animal(s) Sunglasses Glasses (if needed) Retainer (if worn) Book or journal Bandana/buff and hair elastics Stationary (including pre-addressed envelopes) and stamps to write home! Pens/pencils Small amount of cash ($5 - $50) for purchases at the camp store aka Trading Post Note: Please drop off Trading Post deposits during check-in on your first day at camp! Cash should not remain with campers to prevent accidental misplacement of money.
OVERNIGHT CAMP PACKING LIST For Camp Hoffman mini sessions (3 days or less) and weekend sessions The following list is intended as a guide for families. Please note that camper equipment need not be new and remember to write your camper s name or initials on ALL camp gear and clothing! Campers and families should be prepared to carry their luggage to their units. Please pack in large, easy-to-carry backpacks or duffel bags that are less than 14 inches in height when packed this will allow the bag to slide under the cot! MEDICATION (if applicable) Prescribed medications must be kept in the original container bearing pharmacy label, prescription number, date filled, physician's name, directions for use, and patient's name. Prescribed medicines must be given to the Camp Health Supervisor/Nurse on arrival to camp. CLOTHES 1 2 pairs of shorts/pants 2 shirts or T-shirts (quick-dry clothing is always A+!) 1 2 long-sleeved shirts 3 pairs underwear 2+ bras (if needed) 3 pairs socks (including some thicker, toasty wool socks) Bathing suit Towel 1 set of pajamas Hat/visor for sun Warm hat (wool suggested) Warm jacket or fleece (or a warm vest) 1 sweatshirts/sweaters Sneakers and/or hard-toe sandals with a heel strap Raincoat/poncho Long underwear or UnderArmour for cold temperatures (suggested) Water shoes (if desired) EQUIPMENT 1 refillable water bottles (minimum 16 oz. with secure lid) essential! Small daypack/backpack Flashlight/lantern and extra batteries Laundry bag Clothesline and pins Wristwatch (if desired)
BEDDING AND TOILETRIES Warm sleeping bag and blanket plus a blanket; fitted sheet suggested, as well! Pillow and pillow case Washcloth Toothbrush and toothpaste Brush/comb Deodorant Sunblock (SPF 30 or higher recommended) Mosquito repellant (with 20% DEET recommended) Sanitary supplies (if needed) OPTIONAL/FOR FUNSIES Camera and extra batteries (or disposable camera) Tissues Stuffed animal(s) Sunglasses Glasses (if needed) Retainer (if worn) Book or journal Bandana/buff and hair elastics Pens/pencils Small amount of cash ($5 - $50) for purchases at the camp store aka Trading Post Note: Please drop off Trading Post deposits during check-in on your first day at camp! Cash should not remain with campers to prevent accidental misplacement of money.
ABCs FOR OVERNIGHT CAMP BALANCE OF CAMP FEE must be paid in full in order for campers to participate. Balances due will already include various deductions (deposit, cookie credits, and financial assistance). Please submit payment to GSSNE via check, money order, Master Card, Visa, or American Express. CHANGES IN CONTACT INFORMATION Please notify the GSSNE office immediately at (401) 331-4500 if there are any changes in the home or emergency phone numbers or contact names before camp begins. LOST AND FOUND GSSNE is not responsible for the loss of any personal belongings or equipment. Lost & found will be held at camp for one week after the session ends. At the end of the summer camp season, all lost & found will be disposed of or donated. Please mark all articles with your camper s name or initials! WHAT TO EXPECT General camp activities may include archery, swimming (lessons and free swim), archery (grades 4+), team building, sports and games, arts and crafts, hiking, singing, outdoor cooking, and outdoor skills. All camp activities are dependent upon camper age level, staffing expertise, and weather conditions. Our camp staff are incredibly fun and caring adults that have been interviewed, background checked, and well trained. Unit assignments will be given out when your camper checks in on the first day of camp. Campers stay in large 6-person platform tents, which consist of a wooden base and canvas covering. Cots and mattresses are provided. Staff members live in cabins adjacent to the tents in order to give both staff and campers privacy and allow girls to work together and learn cooperative living skills. Every effort will be made to place any buddy pairs (if identified during the registration process) together. DROP-OFF For summer 2017 regular weeklong sessions and (non-weekend) mini-sessions*, drop-off at Camp Hoffman is always between 1:30 3 p.m on the first day of your camper s session. We will open the gate promptly at 1:30 p.m. for check-in. Pick-up for these same sessions is always between 5:00 5:30 p.m. on the last day of your camper s session. Please do not arrive prior to 5 p.m. for pick-up since fun camp activities will still be continuing! All adults picking-up will be required to show photo ID (including parents/guardians). For the Great Escape (weekend session): Check-in is Friday night between 5:30 6:30 p.m. Check-out is Sunday morning by 9:30 a.m. For Tall & Small and Family Camp (weekend session): Check-in is Saturday morning between 9:30 10 a.m. Check-out is Sunday morning by 9:30 a.m. If you have a special request for a late drop-off or early pick-up due to other family obligations or needs, please contact info@gssne.org a minimum of 1 week prior to your camper s first day at camp. * Note: Upon arrival, every camper attending regular weeklong sessions and (non-weekend) minisessions will participate in a health screening consisting of a head check (for lice), foot check (for Athlete s Foot), and a temperature check (for fever). In order to check effectively for head lice, all braids must be taken out, and hair bands, elastics, etc. must be removed. If evidence of head lice is found, we will ask that the child be taken home and treated. The camper is welcome to return
to camp once the treatment has been successful. Any cases of Athlete s Foot will be treated at camp. Any campers with a persistent fever (after re-checks) will be asked to return home and return when well. MAILING ADDRESS Campers love mail! We pick up the mail every Monday through Friday and deliver to campers once a day. Write to your camper at: Camper s Name Camp Hoffman Unit (Unit name is found out on arrival) PO Box 359 West Kingston, RI 02892 Note: We have critters at camp! Please do not send your camper with snacks to camp and please do not send care packages with food. FOOD AT CAMP / DIETARY NEEDS We serve hearty and kid-friendly meals! Campers will eat most of their meals in the dining hall. Weeklong+ campers also have the opportunity to cookout over a campfire during their session. Any allergies or medical conditions that will require a special diet should be noted on the camp registration form we do require 2 weeks notice so that we can properly accommodate all needs. QUESTIONS? For payment, registration, and form questions, please contact info@gssne.org or call 401.331.4500. To contact Camp Hoffman directly during the summer season, please email camphoffman@gssne.org or call 401.783.2367. If staff are not in the office to answer your call, please leave a voicemail. We check our voicemail regularly and will make every effort to call back within 12 hours (if not sooner). Can t get in touch and have a true emergency during the summer? Call the GSSNE Crisis Line at 401.603.8429. Please note that campers are not able to access the camp office telephone to call home, and we ask that families do not call to speak to their camper we find that campers build greater independence and resiliency by working through any homesickness, and speaking to loved ones at home often exacerbates homesickness! We will notify families of any serious cases of homesickness.
CAMP HOFFMAN DIRECTIONS 2850 Ministerial Road, West Kingston, RI 401.783.2367 From the north: Take Route 95 south to Exit 9 (Route 4). Continue south on Route 4 to Exit 5- B (Route 102 North-Exeter). Continue on Route 102 to traffic light at the intersection of Route 2 & 102. Turn left onto Route 2 South. Follow Route 2 to the traffic light at the intersection of Route 2 & Route 138. Turn left at this light onto Route 138 East. Continue on Route 138 to traffic light at Route 110 (Ministerial Road). Turn right at the light and follow approximately 1 mile. Camp entrance is on the right. From the south: Take Route 1 North to Route 110 North. Follow for approximately 5 miles. The camp entrance is on the left just past the pond. From the east: Follow Route 138 west through Kingston Village and URI as far as the traffic light at Route 110 (Ministerial Road). Turn left at the light onto Route 110. Camp entrance is 1 mile down on the right. From the west: Take Route 138 East through West Kingston Village. At the traffic light intersection of Route 110 & Route 138, turn right onto Route 110 (Ministerial Road). Camp entrance is 1 mile down on the right. Thanks for reading and see you at camp soon for the best summer ever!