Bonim Camper/ Parent Handbook Costa Rica Trip 2018 Things your family will need to know to prepare for a great trip! Summer 2018 www.camplaurelwood.org
Dear Bonim Families: Your camper is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime this summer. Not only will they spend time at camp, a place they love, but they will have the opportunity to explore, grow and develop while traveling in Costa Rica with friends and staff they care about. The first few days at camp your camper will spend time reuniting with old friends, making new connections, having a chance to explore our campsite and preparing for Costa Rica. Last year we introduced the new and improved Bonim Session 2, where the schedule ranged from daily activities and overnight field trips. This coming summer we took what was exceptional and made it better and I am really excited for the second session as well. Your camper will have the opportunity to visit new places, while still participating in many of the camp activities. Please note: This handbook is only geared for the campers going to Costa Rica. You should still read through the Camp Laurelwood Camper/Parent Handbook (found in your Camp-In-Touch account). Soon you will receive a copy of the Travel Insurance for your records. The tentative itinerary/schedule while in Costa Rica has been posted to our website. Prior to departure you will have all flight, hotel, travel itinerary available for download! At the end of April or beginning of May we will hold a group phone conference to answer any and all questions you may have. We will send out the date in a few weeks. If you are unable to attend the call, I will be happy to speak to you and answer your questions individually. If for any reason you need to get in touch with your camper or myself while we are in Costa Rica, you can reach me directly at 203-710-1129, or you may call the camp office (203-421-3736) and they can transfer you over to me. I will be checking in daily with the camp office and will send updates to keep everyone in the loop. In the coming weeks we will set up our Bonim 2018 group page on Facebook. This is a great way to keep in touch with us leading up to the summer as well as during the summer. We will have constant updates and photos throughout the summer. Stay tuned as you will all be invited as soon as it s set up. Looking forward to an incredible summer experience! Fondly, Craig Barrows, Bonim Director
Camp Laurelwood is proud to partner with K Treks Inc. (JExpeditions) for another amazing Bonim summer in Costa Rica. David Lawrence is the director and owner of KTreks Inc. With over 20 years in the tour and travel marketing industry, David and KTreks Inc. have developed unique custom travel programs. The Costa Rica division Treks Costa Rica based in the capital San Jose, is a tour operator with expertise, operational services, educators, event coordinators and staff to custom develop and operate the perfect travel or destination event program. Treks Costa Rica considers the safety and security of participants to be the top priority. Being based in Costa Rica is not enough; putting together travel programs takes much more to ensure the perfect and safest possible program. Participants travel to destinations that have been fully explored by their staff, providing intimate knowledge of the area. Comfortable transportation and lodging have been specifically picked to be group-friendly to insure maximum comfort and peace of mind. For our younger groups, we ensure that the group is supervised at all times and each day is fully programmed. Free time to explore is offered in controlled areas with an accompanying staff member as well as Camp staff. Please read through the following information with your camper. Passport & Travel Documents and Information: Campers need their Passport, a Picture ID and health insurance card/information. If you haven t gotten your camper s passport, please do so as soon as possible! **REMINDER** if you have an existing passport, check the date to make sure it does not expire! We will need a copy of the entire info and photo page of the passport to reserve their airline ticket. o Please upload a photocopy of your camper s passport using the Bonim Passport Photo located in the Forms and Documents section of your Camp-In-Touch account. o Click the upload icon to attach the photocopy. Please, make a copy of your passport and keep it in a separate part of your luggage from your original documents. In addition, we recommend that you make a photocopy to keep at home. Just in case you lose your passport you can travel on the photocopy in most cases. Travel Insurance is included in every camper s tuition. o These forms will be emailed in the upcoming weeks. Please read it carefully and contact us with any questions. Flight Information o July 2 nd - Departing from Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT at 6:15am and arriving in San Jose, Costa Rica at 11:38am local time (Costa Rica is 2 hours behind EST). o July 20 th - Departing San Jose at 2:35pm and arriving at Bradley at 11:59pm. o A detailed flight itinerary will be sent out before camp begins. o When the campers land in Costa Rica a notification will be sent through the Bonim 2018 Facebook page to announce their safe landing. You will receive a phone call within 24 hours of their arrival. Please do not expect a phone call from your camper as soon as he or she arrives. o Please note: You will not receive a printed plane ticket before camp. Safety: As always, safety is our number one priority! Campers will be with Camp Laurelwood staff at all times. K Treks also provides a full-time driver and staff members to help with logistics, guiding, etc. K Treks staff are well versed in everything we need to know about Costa Rica. They will assist us in providing a safe, wonderful experience for our campers.
Communication, Phone and Wi-Fi: Campers are allowed to have their cell phones while they are in Costa Rica. (phones are collected when they arrive at camp and then distributed back to them in Costa Rica). Please do not schedule specific dates or times to receive or make phone calls. You or your camper may not be available to make or receive the call, causing unnecessary concern. Campers are not permitted to use their cell phones for communication during programming times (picture taking is permitted). o Participants may be instructed to turn phones off or leave them back at the group base if they are not following the guidelines. The Camp Laurelwood Costa Rica staff will be in constant contact with the camp office and will post regularly to the Facebook group page. In the case of an emergency or if you have any questions, please call the Camp Laurelwood office. When necessary, Bonim staff will be contacted immediately. K-Treks also has an office in San Jose Costa Rica that can help with any emergencies that may arise. We will make their number available closer to the summer. Wi-Fi is available at most of the locations we will be staying at. You may also purchase an international plan through your carrier. The Staff will be regularly posting pictures and campers will be participating in writing daily blogs. Medication/Health/Vaccinations: Please read and adhere to the camp s Health Policies and Medication Guidelines found in the Camper/Parent Handbook within the Forms and Documents section of your Camp-In-Touch account. The same procedures and precautions will be taken in Costa Rica that are taken when your camper is at Camp Laurelwood. All medical forms must be uploaded to your Camp-In-Touch account by May 1, 2018. Our Health Center Director and staff need ample time to review each camper s medical history, medications, allergies, food restrictions, etc. Bonim staff works closely with our Health Center Director and staff to ensure that all Bonim staff are educated and knowledgeable about every camper s medical history and needs. o All camper medications are brought to Costa Rica and stored properly. o All Costa Rica Bonim staff are trained and certified in CPR, First Aid and medicine distribution. While in Costa Rica, K Treks has plans in place to handle any medical care that may be necessary such as Dr. visits, hospital, etc. We are always in close proximity to a medical center. o o If the need arises for a camper to be seen by medical staff, you will be notified. No camper will be given additional medication without parental permission while they are away. You have the opportunity to approve common over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Advil, Pepto, etc.) for your camper to be given when needed. Our programs are active, and your camper should be in good physical health. The local travel clinic recommends Typhoid vaccine and Hepatitis A (which may be routine for some). o o These shots are not required, but are recommended Please talk to your camper s pediatrician for more information as this is a personal decision.
Code of Conduct and Limitations of Liability: Both the Code of Conduct and Limitations of Liability must be signed by a parent. In addition, each camper must sign the Code of Conduct. These are found in the Forms and Documents section of your Camp-In-Touch account. Policies will be reviewed with campers prior to leaving camp for Costa Rica. If there are any discipline situations, you will be notified immediately and be updated throughout the situation. Any camper who does not adhere to the code of conduct and/or does not follow the rules set by Bonim staff, the camper may be sent home at their family s expense. o It is never our goal to send a camper home, but the safety of ALL campers and staff is the top priority. Packing for Camp & Costa Rica: For the trip: Please pack a special travel suitcase prior to arrival at camp. This suitcase should be all set for Costa Rica except for toiletries and hiking boots. The campers will be reminded prior to departure to put their toiletries and hiking boots in their travel suitcase. Plan on packing two weeks worth of clothing. Bonim Full Summer and Bonim Session 2 participants should follow the regular Packing List found in the Camper /Parent Handbook (as well as on our website at http://www.camplaurelwood.org/current-families/packing-list/). If your camper is only attending Bonim Session 1, it is recommended to send a mattress cover, sheets, sleeping bag, pillow and 1 week of clothes for the first week of camp. Baggage Requirements: Please note: This is the kind of trip where the less you bring the better. Regulation baggage size is 60 liner inches (total height + width + length) and a max of 50 lbs. Campers will be allowed 1 piece of luggage plus 1 carry-on bag that is airline regulation. Campers will be responsible for costs associated with over-sized baggage and portage of luggage over the stated amount. Camp Laurelwood will not cover this cost. Suggested Travel Gear & Information (From K Treks): Below is a preliminary list of items you need on your upcoming adventure. If campers need to purchase additional clothing or supplies during the program most are available in Costa Rica. Climate: Temperatures in July in Costa Rica will average from a high of 80 degrees to a low of 65 degrees. Since we are in a tropical region and spend a fair amount of time in the rainforests, the chance of wet weather is inevitable so please bring the necessary weather gear stated below. Type of Clothing: In tropical climates it is best to wear light cotton clothes that breathe. Synthetic material is not recommended - it does not breathe no matter how ventilated it is.
Items to Pack: Plan on packing enough clothing for 2 weeks. 10-15 T-Shirts Wind breaker, parka or sweatshirt - it gets colder in the evening. In addition, we will visit Cloud City and it is always chilly there. We strongly recommend campers bring a sweatshirt for this. 2-4 pairs comfortable hiking pants (we like the light nylon kind that can zip off to become shorts). Long pants will be required during all activities in the field. Shorts may be worn during downtime. o Jeans are not recommended during activities and will not be allowed on hikes or in the field since they will become wet and uncomfortable in the rain and humid climate. Head covering (hat) 2 Bathing suits General lightweight Shabbat wear is recommended (casual- nice) Under garments (we recommend extra underwear, at least 2 weeks worth) Rain Gear: A rain poncho or light weight, water proof jacket o For rain ponchos -pack 2 if possible. o Coats are not recommended because they can get too hot. Footwear: You will be required to have light weight hiking boots (make sure they are broken-in before the trip). o We recommend water proof, quick drying and light weight boots. Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers with good tread. Sandals or flip flops o Permitted only during down time. Water shoes or sandals (with backs) for your water trips. o Water proof sandals such as Tevas or Keens can be used both for down time and water shoes. Travel Bags: Knapsack for day hikes and excursions. We recommend a pack that can carry a water container, extra clothing, and other necessary items. Binoculars: You will miss out on some spectacular wild life without them (small and light weight binoculars suggested). Camera Equipment: Costa Rica, with its magnificent scenery, is a photographer s paradise. Campers will want to bring a camera to capture all the wonderful scenery. We highly recommend a camera with a good telephoto lens. It brings wildlife and scenery that much closer. A sealable camera bag is recommended to protect your camera equipment from the moisture. o Our recommendations are large zip-lock bags (cheap and they do the job). Electricity is 120V like the US so digital cameras can be recharged at all locations.
General Items: Canteen or water bottle or a hydration bag (CamelBak style) Sunglasses Sunscreen Mosquito repellent Flashlight or head lamp (small) Kippa for boys (not mandatory) Medications (If required) Notebook and pens Collapsible umbrella (small) Toiletries (soap and shampoo most of our lodging will have a supply but we recommend you bring you own products) Work gloves for service projects Laundry: Laundry service will be available during the second week in Costa Rica at the camper s expense. The average cost of laundry per camper is around $30 depending on the weight of the clothes. Packets of Woolite are also a good idea if something needs to be washed by hand on-site. Depending on your camper, they may be able to combine with other campers and we will continue to explore other options to make it as inexpensive as possible. During Session 2 campers will utilize weekly camp laundry services. Money/Local Currency: The local currency in Costa Rica is the Colon with the exchange rate being approximately 550 Colones to 1 dollar. We recommend campers take a credit/debit card and spending money (remember campers need money for laundry). o Campers will need THEIR OWN name on the card and a valid photo ID (there are places that require both to use the card). o Campers will want to use their own money on souvenirs, toiletries, etc. o American dollars are accepted, but the best exchange rate will be using your credit card. o Contact your bank or credit card company and make sure that they are aware that the card will be used in Costa Rica. o If a pin is required make sure your camper knows their pin number (practice makes perfect, so have them try it out before coming to camp). DO NOT bring Travelers checks or an American Express card. Payments for laundry services and most other services can be done in dollars. There are safes in all rooms. Passports and any credit cards or spending money that you do not wish to carry will be kept in one of the counselors room in one location. o Any valuables such as ipods, cameras, etc. can be kept in the room safe.
Personal Electronics: They will not be allowed during scheduled programming, only during the campers free time. Camp Laurelwood will not be held responsible for any lost, stolen or broken personal equipment. Accommodations and Roommates: Campers will be 2 or 3 to a room. All rooms have private baths. All room assignments are made at the sole discretion of the Bonim staff, and no requests can be made regarding room choices. o Our years of practice show that campers have the best experience when rooming with a variety of people. o Please be aware that there will never be a time where a camper will be placed in a hostile rooming assignment.