May I contact my child while they are at camp? The Heart of Kansas 4-H Camp Guide is designed to give you and your child all the information that you need to know about camp in a handy all-in-one-place reference. Please take the time to read through ALL of the information to help insure a positive camping experience for all. What is 4-H anyway? 4-H is the youth development program of K-State Research and Extension. Youth between the ages of 7 and 18 engage in hands-on learning experiences under the guidance of adult or teen 4-H volunteers trained by County Extension Agents. 4-H programs use experiential learning opportunities to teach life skills, such as: decision making, time management, communication, and social skills. HOW DOES MY CHILD GET TO AND FROM CAMP? Bus transportation is soon to be confirmed; we will send additional information as it is available. Pillows will be with you on route to and from Rock Springs Ranch. Bring a sack lunch in a DISPOSABLE brown paper sack with your name on it. If you have any prescription medicines, bring them in a Ziploc bag labeled with your name and county and the med card inside the baggie. Where does my child stay? All campers reside in cabins in groups of 8 campers (similar in age) with 1 or 2 high school counselors. Each group will participate in assigned activities and free time as a group. Scheduling does not always permit groups or friends of different ages or counties to stay together. No more than three youth per county will be housed together, except under special circumstances. Each cabin includes 10 beds with restroom/shower facilities nearby. It is our experience that campers who stay away from the phone are less likely to be homesick. There is only 1 public phone: Rock Springs Administration Center (785)257-3221. In case of emergency, you may also contact: Berny Unruh 620-285-5751 (text is probably better than calling) Please realize cell phone service varies across the campground. It is Heart of Kansas camp policy that campers with cell phones will turn them into their County Agent, and will receive them back on the last day of 4-H Camp. Some parents and relatives choose to send a letter to their campers. If you wish to do this, you ll have to send it before your child actually leaves. The address at Rock Springs is: Rock Springs 4-H Center c/o Camper Name, Heart of Kansas 1168 Hwy K157 Junction City, KS 66441 How much spending money should I send? Campers from past years feel that $40 seems to be a sufficient amount of money. There is a small charge for some of the extra craft kits (see enclosed price list). Campers can also buy souvenirs and snacks from the Snack Bar (see enclosed price list). There will be a camp bank available for campers to use during camp. Any spending money sent with your camper needs to be small bills (NO $20 bills!) in an envelope clearly labeled with your child s name and county. Camp Counselors will collect money envelopes upon arrival at camp. Please do not send checks; they will not be cashed. Camper Conduct? All campers & counselors sign a 4-H Code of Conduct. Campers are required to stay in assigned groups at all times. The following activities are strictly forbidden during camp: sneaking out at night, wandering off trails, bullying and being disrespectful. Camp s Got Talent! We will be having a camp-wide talent show again this year. A favorite of campers, there will be singing, dancing, piano playing and more. If you have a talent that you d like to showcase, be sure to bring any music and any small props that you may need. Visit with your county agent if you have specific questions.
PACKING LIST We always have some unclaimed freight when camp is over. Label everything with your child s name & county! Lost items will be at Williams Dining Hall during camp. Items left on the bus will be kept at the Extension Office. Below is the suggested packing list: Sleeping Bag (or sheets & a blanket) & Pillow 2 Towels & Washcloth for bathing & swimming Personal toiletries (toothbrush, soap, etc.) Comfortable Clothing for 3 days Pajamas Swimming suit (absolutely no string or thong bikinis) Light jacket Rain coat Sun screen Insect repellent Flashlight Hat Tennis shoes or other closed toed/laced shoe (required for riding horses) (crocs & other watertype shoes are NOT considered closed-toed!) Second pair of shoes that can get wet Some money (snacks, craft items, souvenirs) Personal prescriptions with CLEAR directions Plastic bag or zip lock bag to bring home wet swimming suit and/or towels. DO NOT BRING Cell phones, MP3 players, headphones, video games, expensive jewelry or clothing. Over the counter medications (see enclosed list of what the nursing staff will already have available.) DRESS CODE: The following dress code will be strictly followed: All clothing articles should be in good repair. Flip flops should only be worn in the cabins and at shower time. Items of clothing advertising alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, or that have vulgar, obscene or offensive messages are not appropriate. Undergarments should be worn but not seen. Hats, caps and visors are not appropriate inside buildings and at meals. This is applicable to both females and males. Shorts should be appropriate for school (example: 3-5 inch inseam). Shirts, blouses, tops and t-shirts cannot expose midriff, the back or cleavage. Tank tops and tops with spaghetti straps are allowed as long as they are not revealing. Anyone wearing inappropriate attire will be required to change. MEDICAL TREATMENT No camper will be allowed to attend camp unless a Kansas 4-H Participation form and Camp Medicine Form is fully completed. The Heart of Kansas 4-H Camp hires two nurses and they reside at camp for the entire time period. Should a camper need additional medical attention, the camper will be taken to the Geary County Hospital & parent(s) will be notified in a timely manner. The nurses have several common over the counter medicines in generic form (See enclosed list) such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antacid, Benadryl, Pepto- Bismol, Calamine lotion, Chiggerex, Swimmers Ear Drops, etc. DO NOT send these with your child! PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS Rock Springs Camp policy states that Prescription medications for each camper must be given to the health care professional upon arrival at the camp. Prescriptions are not to be left with the camper. Exceptions may include inhalers, Epi kit, or other according to doctor s orders. Prescription medications must be administered by the qualified health care professional. COUNSELORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR, NOR WILL THEY ADMINISTER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. If your child is taking any prescription medications, please follow this procedure: 1. A medication form (enclosed) needs to be filled out for each prescribed medication. We need 2 forms (top & bottom) for each medication (one to keep with the medication and one to turn in with the health form). You can make additional copies of the form if needed. You can also download and/or fill out this form at www.barton.ksu.edu 2. You need to place each prescription drug in a Ziploc bag in the ORIGINAL CONTAINER. Please label each bag with your child s name and county and place the med form inside. (NO day of the week pill boxes or loose pills in baggies. Must be in original container!) 3. You will turn in all prescriptions and medication forms to the County Agent as your child boards the bus to camp.
Camp Packing Checklist It is not advisable to take new clothes to camp. It is strongly recommended that all clothing be marked with the camper s name. Clothing must follow the 4-H Dress Code - i.e. no spaghetti straps, shirts should have at least 2 inch shoulder straps - avoid shirts that expose the midriff or back - fingertip length on shorts - no string bikinis - writing on shirts should be 4-H appropriate. Boys t-shirts cannot be totally cut out on the sides so torso shows. Things You Need to Bring: Pillow and Sheets and Blanket OR sleeping bag Towels (one for swimming and one for bathing) Washcloth Personal Care Items - toothbrush, shampoo, comb, soap, Flashlight with new batteries Insect repellant Sunscreen Comfortable clothing - everyday jeans, shorts, t-shirts, etc. Underwear Socks Comfortable shoes - tennis shoes are best, closed toes for horseback riding, might consider 2 pair in case one pair gets wet. Swimsuit and cover up Sweater or jacket (a MUST - it is always cooler than you think) Small amount of money for snacks and/or souvenirs (suggested amount might be $25-$30) Optional items Umbrella and/or rain coat (optional) Plastic bottle for drinking water Disposable camera, labeled with name Backpack Things You Need to Leave at Home: CELL PHONE or pager Any electronic equipment, such as games, radios, CD players Water guns or water fighting materials Hunting or pocket knives Fireworks Silly String or prank toys Alcohol or any illegal substance is prohibited Please leave all valuables at home!
Heart Of Kansas Camp Dress Code As you are preparing for camp and packing your suit case, we would like for you to remember you are representing your county as a 4-H er. Your peers and other campers might be looking to you for example. A good rule of thumb is to wear what you would be pleased to be seen in, fits your personality, and reflects well on you as a Kansas 4-Her. We ask you to plan your wardrobe accordingly by following this dress code: Items of clothing advertising alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or drugs, or that have vulgar, obscene or offensive messages are not appropriate. Undergarments should be worn but not seen. Hats, caps, and visors are not appropriate inside buildings and at meals. Shorts should be appropriate for school (Example: 3-5 inch inseam) Shirts, blouses, tops and t-shirts cannot expose the midriff, the back, or cleavage. Tank tops and tops with spaghetti straps are allowed as long as they are not revealing. See through shirts are not acceptable. Shirts may not be altered. No thong or bikini swimsuits are allowed. Modest 2 piece suits are acceptable. When leaving the swimming pool area all youth must have a shirt on. All wardrobe selections are subject to approval of adults in charge. Revised 12/14
PLEASE DO NOT BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO CAMP *AED Located in Williams Dining Hall **Albuterol, Epi-pens, Oxygen on-site are available to qualified personnel. Campers are able to carry with them their inhalers and Epi-pens in case of serious allergies and asthma. Special Needs Statement Heart of Kansas Camping Group strives to be all inclusive of youth. Safety of our participants is of upmost importance to us. Therefore, if your child(ren) works under an IEP (Individual Education Plan) during the school year, for any reason emotional, social, behavioral, or physical and/or requires one on one attention, we ask that you share this information with your local extensio n staff prior to sending your child(ren) to camp. This will allow us to come up with a plan of action that is best for your child (ren) and the entire camp group.
Heart of Kansas 4-H Camp Medication Form Camper s Name County/District Please list all medications on this form. Attach one copy of this form to Kansas Participation/Health Form and return to the Extension Office before camp. Place a second copy of this form in a zip bag with all medications. All medications sent to camp must be in their original containers. Do not send over the counter medications that are available in the health center with your child. Review a list of those items available at cottonwood.ksu.edu/ - Ellis 4-H Events Camp Central 1. 2. 3. 4. Name of Medication Dosage (Amount to be given) Breakfast (AM) Lunch (PM) Dinner (PM) Bedtime (PM) PRN (as needed) Reason taking Medication Allergies: Other Comments: **No injection will be given except in extreme emergency, such as allergy to wasp or bee sting, etc. ** Regular doctor prescription daily injections will be given by nurse, as per orders on medication. CAMP SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT Heart of Kansas Camping Group strives to be all inclusive of youth. Safety of our participants is of utmost importance to us. Therefore, if your child(ren) works under an IEP (Individual Education Plan) during the school year, for any reason emotional, social, behavioral, or physical and/or requires one on one attention, we ask that you share this information with your local extension staff prior to sending your child(ren) to camp. This will allow us to work together to come up with a plan of action that is best for your child(ren) and the entire camp group. Rev. 5/18