OPENING & CLOSING DAY AND SCHEDULING CAMP MCDOWELL POLICIES & BEST PRACTICES SUMMER 2015 Campers are expected to be present for the entire session. Why is this important? Being at camp from the first day to the last is very important because it provides campers with essential personal tools for a successful experience and supports the staff in facilitating a smooth session. Campers who are present from beginning to end receive more continuity in the program that builds from day to day, adequate time to develop relationships with other campers and their counselor, and time to grow their sense of comfort, confidence, and independence while away from home. Coming and going from camp during a session is disruptive and creates logistical challenges. Having your camper at camp consistently from start to finish is in their best interest and will assist all those involved in their care and interaction. For these reasons, we must ask that you plan your child s summer schedule carefully to avoid coming to camp late, leaving early, or coming and going during a session. This may require you to say no to other events that occur during your child s session (i.e. sporting events, practices, or performances). We do understand that family and academic commitments may need to be met during a session and will be happy to help make arrangements for schedule changes due to such. Any other exceptions must be approved by the Executive Director and Session Director. Please contact the Summer Camp Coordinator to begin this process. Campers should arrive on opening day between 2-5 PM. Registration will begin at 2 PM. No early arrivals please! Each session ends with Holy Eucharist at 9:00am the closing day. Family and friends are invited to attend the closing service with their camper. Camper pick up is no later than 10:00am on closing day in the cabin. If circumstances prevent your camper from attending, please call Camp immediately so that someone else can have your space. Episcopalians of other dioceses and campers of other denominations are encouraged to apply. These registrations will be held in order of their receipt and accepted on a "space available" basis after March 1. PAYMENTS & FORMS DUE A ropes course waiver will be required for all campers who would like to participate in our Team Challenge and Adventure Course. Campers in the following sessions are eligible to participate: Middler, Junior 1, Junior 2, Sophomore, and Senior. If you registered on-line, you have likely completed your waiver. If you did not register on-line, you may download a Team Challenge waiver from Camp s website, complete, and bring with you on opening day. A Parent Permission form is required for overnight campouts (Junior High II, Sophomore, and Senior Camps only). Camp will offer this optional activity for a limited number of campers. All payments, including canteen, are due 10 days prior to the session.
CAMP LIFE If accepted, campers are expected to participate fully in the Camp program and follow all the rules. The use or possession of tobacco, illegal drugs, or alcohol will result in immediate dismissal from camp. Inappropriate personal contact or exposure will result in dismissal from camp. Energy drinks are not allowed. One-piece bathing suits or Tankinis ONLY. Please DO NOT BRING two-piece bathing suits for girls. Cell phones, including iphones, are not allowed for calls or texting. These will be taken up by a staff member and kept until the end of the session. Camp is a place to do things that your child cannot do at home. To that end, we like for campers to get unplugged for their brief stay at camp. We discourage the use of electronic devices such as Gameboys, Nintendo s, etc. Portable DVD players, ipads, iphones, and cell phones are not allowed. Electronics detract from the camp experience, isolate the user from their surroundings, and run the risk of being damaged or lost. Do not bring iphones to listen to music. Please do not mail or send candy or high-sugar foods with your camper. Candy in the cabins can be messy, sticky, and may attract insects. Also, the extra sugar is not helpful for campers or counselors. Small packs of cookies, crackers or chips are acceptable, as well as non-food items such as a writing journal, books, cards, and games. All foods should be in containers that can be completely secured (such as Tupperware with a top). Talk with you camper about the importance of staying hydrated at camp. As a general rule, a person should drink ½ of their body weight in ounces of water each day, and more on hot summer days. Make sure your camper has a water bottle with their name on it. You can pre-purchase a water bottle for $10 in your on-line account, over the phone, or at check-in on opening day. CONTACTING CAMPERS Campers may receive emails at campermail@campmcdowell.com Put the CAMPER & CABIN NAME in the subject line (i.e. John Smith in St. Thomas) Please limit emails to one email per sender, per day. We encourage regular mail by post as well. Campers may make & receive telephone calls only in cases of emergency. Cell phones are not allowed. These will be taken up by a staff member and kept until the end of the session. Mailed packages should be no larger than a regular shoe box. Please, only one package per camper, per session. ACTIVITIES Age-appropriate activities are offered at each session and may include hiking, canoeing, arts & crafts, swimming, group games, activities on the Group Adventure & Challenge Course, talent show, dance, pasture party, hayride, and more. An outdoor, overnight campout is offered to a limited number of campers at Junior High 2, Sophomore & Senior Camp. Junior High & Sophomore campouts are by gender; Senior Camp campouts are co-ed, well supervised with designated separate sleeping areas. Campers must have permission from a parent or guardian to participate in the overnight campout. Safety is our highest priority at camp. We will limit the number of campers that may participate in an activity to ensure the safest environment possible. While rare, sometimes a camper will not be able to participate in an activity of their choosing because there will not be enough room. Canoeing and the Adventure & Challenge course are the two activities where this could occur. Camp staff will do everything we can to prevent this, however, we will not compromise the safety of our activities by admitting more campers to an activity than recommended. Thank you for your understanding.
BIRTHDAYS Tell us if your camper will have a birthday while at camp! If a camper has a birthday while at camp, he/she will be recognized with a birthday prayer during chapel and singing at a meal along with a special dessert (cake or brownie) and a candle. If a camper has a birthday while at camp, they will be allowed to receive any and all gifts that are sent. CABIN ASSIGNMENTS Cabin Mate Request Policy: Campers may request 1 other camper to be in their cabin using the request box on the registration form. Multiple requests will not be accepted. Campers must request one another on forms to be processed. Cabin requests will be received up to 10 days prior to a session. No assignments will be received or changed after this date. Please do not ask. Thank you! As camp is a time to meet new friends, we limit the number of campers from the same parish and same school in a cabin. WHAT TO BRING Camp clothes that can get dirty (shorts, t-shirts, blue jeans) Light rain jacket with hood Socks and sturdy shoes* for playing, hiking, and outdoor activities Bedding and pillow for a single bed Towels for bathing and swimming Soap and toiletries Girls: one-piece swimsuit or tankini. Do not bring two-piece bathing suits. Needed medications (properly labeled, both prescription & over-the-counter). Please see Nurse letter for more detailed information. Water bottle Sunscreen Bug spray Flashlight Suggested for quiet time: Bible, book to read and supplies for writing letters home (paper, envelopes, stamp, pencil or pen) Bag for dirty laundry Packing tip: a large plastic bin makes a great suitcase and end of bunk table. Trunks, duffle bags, and suitcases are also good choices for packing. *If you plan to go on an overnight campout, bring a sleeping bag and a backpack. *IMPORTANT: CAMPER SHOES* All campers must have at least one pair of closed-toe shoes (i.e. tennis shoes or hiking boots) Sandals should have a heel-strap (sport sandals, such as ones made by Chaco or Teva) Flip flops are only appropriate for the pool or cabin. Shoes must be worn at all times except in the pool or inside the cabin. What NOT TO BRING Illegal Drugs Alcohol
Fireworks Cell Phones (including iphones or other communication devices) or electronics Weapons of any kind (includes pocket knives) Cell phones must be left at home, in a camper's car (if camper drives to camp) or with a staff member for safe-keeping until the end of camp. Remember, this is CAMP! Having a cell phone can create difficulty for other campers & staff in a cabin. Please help us foster and "un-plugged" environment for our young people and do not bring a cell phone. T-SHIRT PALS Keep a friend in style...be a T-shirt Pal! Please consider taking part in this program that provides campers in need with a Camp McDowell t-shirt. To be a T-shirt Pal, simply check "T-Shirt Pal" on your summer camp registration checklist and include $15 with your payment. HOW TO RECEIVE LOST / LEFT ITEMS Items lost/left at camp will be returned by post mail for a fee which must be submitted prior to Camp s mailing of the item. Please send an email with the session and description of the lost item. If found, you will be notified and may send the fee for mailing. You may pay online or send a check to camp. When received, the item will be mailed to you. Please email Jordan Smith, jordan@campmcdowell.com, to begin the process. Please remember to include your child's name, address, camp session, and description of the left item. BLACK BELT BOOK PROGRAM We invite you to join our support of the Black Belt Book Program to collect new or used books for children in the Blackbelt. Please bring one or more books (new or used) to Camp check-in. Your donation will be distributed through the public school system to the children of the Black Belt region of Alabama. Thank you for helping those in need! CANTEEN Each day, campers are given the opportunity to purchase drinks and snacks at our canteen. Most of our items are $1.00 each. Canteen is offered once a day for Primary, Elementary and Middler Camps. It is offered twice a day for Junior High II, Sophomore, and Senior Camp. We recommend $2-3 per day (2-3 items) for Primary, Elementary, Middler Camps, and Junior High I. We recommend $4-6 per day (4-6 items) for Junior High II, Sophomore, and Senior Camps. We also offer camp bracelets, bumper stickers, temporary tattoos, shoe laces, disposable cameras, and other fun items. We ask that purchases of T-shirts be made on either the opening or closing day of each session You may pre-purchase all non-edible canteen items as well as deposit money into your camper s canteen account. You may do this on-line or by sending a check to camp at least 10 days prior to opening day. Please make sure to write your child s name and session on the check, and designate what the money is for (i.e one T-shirt and $15 for canteen).
Campers do not need cash during their session, but they are welcome to bring an offering for the closing Holy Eucharist (designated for the Camper Scholarship Fun). We recommend that offerings be in the form of a check made to "Camp McDowell offering". You will also notice on your Summer Camp Application that you can donate your child s leftover canteen money at the end of the session to the Camp McDowell Scholarship Fund. This is a great way to help us make sure that camp remains available to all who want to come. CAMP STORE We are so excited to opening the brand new Camp Store beginning with Primary I. The Camp Store is a place where our Conference Center guests can use the internet, have a cup of coffee, meet for conversation, and purchase new Camp merchandise. ALL SUMMER CAMPERS ARE WELCOME AT THE CAMP STORE WITH A PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR ADULT! Many of our new products will also be available at the canteen. Parents, gift packages will be available for purchase to be delivered during your campers session. Plan to stop by on your way out and buy your care package so you will not have to buy and mail yourself! Look for more information before your session starts from our Camp Store Manager and Director of Retail Sales, Julia Emrich.