Caretaker Handbook 2018
Welcome to Camp! Thank you for joining the YMCA Camp Spaulding community! Over the course of your time with us, we hope you find that Camp Spaulding is a safe, special place that helps to inspire youth and adults alike to be the person who they want to be! This handbook is to help you guide your experience with your camper as well as answer some questions you may have about what it means to be part of a resident (overnight) camp experience. Some of the best friends a person can make are the ones that he or she makes while in a resident camp experience. There are a few different things you will learn and get to know about camp in this Handbook. They are as follows: The Logistics of being part of YMCA Camp Spaulding Preparing for the camp experience What to expect when you come to camp How your child will grow while at camp If you are not excited enough about joining the Spaulding community, take a look at what campers experiences have been! At school I struggle socially and have no confidence, but at camp I am up and feel comfortable with myself I've treated and known Camp Spaulding as my second home We know at camp that coming to overnight camp can be a little scary, especially if it is the first time. Know that our exceptional staff will make sure that everything is in place to allow your camper to have an incredible experience. Our passion is camp and making A Summer Like No Other! My name is Josh. I will be your Camp Director. Get Psyched! Amici Josh Schupack YMCA Camp Spaulding Director Page 2
Table of Contents Quick Logistics List Pg. 4 Camp Contact Information Paperwork Needed Drop Off and Pick up Contact with Your Camper What to Bring Homesickness and Visiting Camp Registration and Camp Preparation.. Pg. 6 Health/Medical Information Pg. 7 Camper Illness Injury/First Aid Behavior Management Policy Pg. 8 Internet and Social Networking Sites.. Pg. 9 Lost and Found.. Pg. 9 Personal Property. Pg. 9 Sunblock/Hydration/Bug Spray. Pg. 10 Dress Code Pg. 10 Electronics Policy.. Pg. 11 Camp History and Values. Pg. 11 Page 3
Quick Logistics List Here is a quick list of the frequently asked questions about the Camp Process as well as good information to know about Camp! Camp Contact Information Mailing Address: 210 Bog Rd Concord, NH 03303 Phone Number: Email Address: Website: 603-753-8990 (May-August) 603-882-2011 (September-April) jschupack@nmymca.org www.ymcacampspaulding.org Paperwork While not the most fun part of camp, one of the most important. After you have completed your registration, you must make sure we have received the following paperwork: Most recent physical of the child Immunization Records Both of these are complete if you have uploaded them to CampDoc, our online medical database. If you have not gotten your information for CampDoc, please reach out to Josh, jschupack@nmymca.org, so he can get you set up. Drop off and Pick Up Camp begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday, two weeks later. You may drop off Sunday between 1-3pm You may pick up Saturday Between 9-11am Boys can be dropped off at Riverside Village, 125 River Rd. Concord, NH 03303 Girls can be dropped off at Hillside Village, 210 Bog Rd. Concord, NH 03303 Contact with your Camper As you will read, we do not allow campers to have any technology that will connect them with the outside world. This being said, you can email your camper at the above email addresses, we will print out the email and then if you camper decides to respond, we will scan their letter and send it back. Regular mail is also a GREAT way to contact your camper. We do not allow campers to make or take phone calls except for in emergencies or extraordinary circumstances. Page 4
What to Bring to Camp These are just optional items of course, but many you will find will be necessary for your camper. We suggest a light sleeping bag as that will eliminate the need for alternate bedding besides a sheet. We also suggest marking all your personal belongings, so they will all come home with you at the end of the week. Lightweight sleeping bag OR 1 blanket with a set of single bed sheets (our beds are twin size) Pillow 3 Towels (for shower and river use) 2 wash cloths 2 bathing suits 13 sets of underwear 8-10 pairs of shorts 13 pairs of socks 13-15 T-shirts Light sweater or jacket Rain jacket 2 pairs of shoes (one being sneakers or tennis shoes) Toiletries: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, brush, etc. Sunblock/suntan lotion Insect Repellent Hat or cap for sun protection Flashlight Stationary supplies for writing home: pencils, paper, envelopes, stamps, etc. Waterbottle Homesickness and Visiting Camp We know that coming to overnight camp can be a little scary. Our staff are prepared to help your camper work through feelings of homesickness and make sure they are having the best experience possible. Most homesick issues can be take care of and worked through within 2 or 3 days of being at camp. With that being said, there are some things you can do to help us in the process: Make every effort not to use this statement or any variation, If you get homesick, you can call me any time and I will be there right away to come get you. While this statement may feel encouraging and helpful, a homesick camper will cling to this and make it more difficult to help them through this transition. Set goals with your camper so they have something to look forward to at camp Talk about camp a lot leading up to the days of coming. Get them comfortable with the idea and let them know you are excited about camp for them. Come and visit camp before the summer. Contact the camp director and come for a tour so your child not only knows the property before coming, but will also know someone on camp If you would like to come and visit while your child is at camp, please contact the camp director for best times to come as well as any other concerns. Page 5
REGISTRATION AND CAMP PREPARATION You may register for camp 2 ways: Through our website and online registration system, ymcacampspaulding.org As a client of Child and Family Services (CFS) through our paper application Anyone who is looking for Financial Aid that is not applying through CFS must fill out our Financial Aid application PRIOR to registering. No financial aid will be applied to your account if you do not fill out the application. After you register, you may reach out to the YMCA to create a payment schedule to accommodate your needs. Either pay in full, or schedule over several weeks/months. Payment for the entirety of the cost of camp must be completed by the time your camp session begins. Camp must be paid in full prior to your first day of camp. Once you are registered, within 24-48 hours you will receive an email from CampDoc, our online database system, asking for more information about your camper. This is how you will communicate with us your camper s general information as well as their medical information. Please make sure you do this as we are required by law to have the information on file. After that is set, you are done registering! If you have any questions about preparing for camp, please feel free to reach out to the camp director, jschupack@nmymca.org, and Josh will be happy to help. ** Child and Family Services Clients You must fill out the paper registration forms and return those forms to CFS at the following address: 464 Chestnut St Manchester, NH 03105 ATTN: Camp Spaulding You must include the application, financial aid application, medical forms, and money for camp in order for your spot to be held. If one piece is missing, your spot is not guaranteed. If you have any email address, you may provide that and use CampDoc to complete your medical paperwork instead of sending it to us. If at any point in the process you are confused on what to do, please email Josh at jschupack@nmymca.org and he will be happy to walk you through it! **If you are looking for a packing list, it is on the previous page! Page 6
HEALTH/MEDICAL INFORMATION NH state law requires all campers to have a completed health form on file with the YMCA PRIOR to attending camp. This form requires all immunization dates and a physical exam within 2 years prior to attending camp must be signed by the attending physician. Forms must be dated after June 25th 2016. Outside of the Immunization Record and Physical, all of the information we will collect will be done through CampDoc, an online database system. We require an email address in order to give you the link to CampDoc. If you do not have an email address, we can provide a paper copy. Prior to your child attending his/her first day of camp it is your responsibility to make sure that we have ALL necessary forms on file. Doing this will ensure there is no interruption to the start of your child s camp experience. If a child requires either a prescription or a non-prescription drug while at camp, the parent must send a supply, for each session of camp. Medication MUST be in the original prescription container with the proper name and date. Parent/guardian must give medication directly to the Camp Nurse. Children are NOT permitted to carry any form of medication except asthma medication and Epi-Pens and camp must be informed. Parent/guardian is responsible for retrieving their child s medication at the end of their camp sessions. After the summer ALL unclaimed medication will be disposed of. The YMCA must have your permission in order to give medications. Please make sure you sign the Waivers section of the Medical forms (either on paper or in CampDoc) to give the necessary permission. CAMPER ILLNESS Campers will receive a health check on the first day of camp. This health check is going to check for general health as well as the potential of contagious conditions. If a camper is found to have something that cannot be treated by our camp nurse, the caretakers of the camper will be called and asked to take the child home. If a camper develops any type of illness while at camp, he or she will be diagnosed and treated appropriately by our staff (all staff are first aid certified and led by our camp nurse). If a child is sick for longer than 24 hours without any change or improvement, caretakers will be informed of the illness and a course of treatment will be decided on. If the illness reaches a point beyond camp care, caretakers will be asked to take the camper home. Any costs that are incurred during treatment (ie doctor s visits or prescriptions) will be covered by the caretaker of the camper. Page 7
INJURIES/FIRST AID All YMCA staff is certified in CPR and First Aid. Also, every staff member is informed of the policies and procedures to follow in case of an injury or illness. If your child is injured, the staff will take the necessary steps to obtain emergency care. These steps include, but are not limited to: Attempts to contact a caretaker. Attempts to contact a caretaker through any of the persons listed on the emergency information form you completed at the time of registration. If we cannot contact you, or in emergency, we will call an ambulance (911), and have the child taken to an emergency room in the company of a YMCA staff member. The Concord Hospital will be used in most cases. On ALL field trips, a copy of each camper s medical history, permission to provide treatment and emergency care, insurance information and prescription medication is taken with the group. BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT POLICY YMCA Camping Spaulding advocates a positive guidance and discipline policy with an emphasis on positive reinforcement, redirection, prevention, and the development of self-discipline. Our staff reminds campers that camp rules are established for safety and to ensure that we have a common standard of behavior. Corrective discipline is done in a creative, caring effort on the part of the counselor, and it must be seen as such by the camper. Our staff always suggests positive alternatives to unacceptable behavior before it gets out of control. Some examples are (but not limited to): Discussing rules with campers and identify out-of-bounds areas. Discussing the possible consequences of breaking any rule: Restriction from activity Extra duties Conversation with director Conversation with caretaker and director Removal from the camp Our staff enforces all rules at all times, without malice, and is consistent in application. Our staff never allows discipline to include depriving a camper of food, restroom privileges, placing a camper alone without supervision, or subjecting a camper to ridicule, shaming, threats, corporal punishment (striking, biting, kicking, squeezing etc), washing out the mouth, physical exercise or restraint. A positive experience and safety if our primary concern. Physical/Mental abuse is not tolerated. At the discretion of the supervisory camp staff a child (children) may be asked to leave camp. Verbally abusive behavior by any caretaker will not be Page 8
tolerated and will result in removal from camp. The Camp Director reserves the right to remove any camper if their caretaker acts in this manner. If the YMCA Camp Spaulding staff has reason to believe that a camper is being harmed at home it is our duty to inform authorities. If this should happen, our intent is to simply protect the safety and well being of the child, nothing else. Consumption and/or possession of alcohol, smoking or chewing tobacco, firearms, knife, animals (any size/any kind) anywhere on property is strictly prohibited. INTERNET AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES Among other policies and rules that every staff person must sign prior to their first day at camp, one of them is: I understand that I am responsible for ANY pictures, videos and content that I post on any social networking website. Furthermore, I understand that socializing with any camper through digital or in person interactions is prohibited without caretaker presence as my actions/content represents the YMCA of Greater Nashua while I am employed by it. We ask that any communication with staff happen through caretakers and not directly from camper to staff. Please speak with your child about not electronically communicating with any staff member. Often time s campers don t understand the difference between their relationship with their counselor at camp and what time off means to our staff, out of camp. To avoid any potential issues we ask that internet communications not be done between staff and campers without parental supervision. Thank you for your attention to this matter. LOST & FOUND Please label everything that your child comes to camp with, with your child s name. Unclaimed items at the end of each session will be used in our camper supply for campers who do not have access to adequate supplies. PERSONAL PROPERTY YMCA Camp Spaulding does not assume any responsibility for lost or damaged personal property. This may include (but not limited to): toys, playing cards, sports equipment, automobiles, bicycles, electronics, cooking equipment, food/drink etc. The group leader (as outlined in this contract) will personally handle (and be Page 9
responsible for) the securing of valuables as he/she determines necessary. Any medication/personal belongings remaining at camp after the last day will be disposed of, if not picked up or arrangements made to pick it up. Consumption and or possession of alcohol, smoking or chewing tobacco, firearms, knife, animals (any size/any kind) anywhere on property is strictly prohibited. SUNBLOCK/HYDRATION/BUG REPELLENT Parents should provide their child with sun block and bug repellent. Throughout the day, your child s counselor will remind your child to apply reapply sunscreen. It is the child s responsibility to apply their own sunscreen. If your child is particularly sensitive to the sun, a hat may also be appropriate. In this case, please remind your child to keep his/her hat on throughout the day. Cold water will be provided throughout the day, and your camper should be bringing a reusable water bottle to fill throughout the day. DRESS CODE Being a co-ed resident camp, it is important that all of our campers are respectful of themselves and the opposite gender. Because of this, it is important to adhere to the following dress code while you are packing for the summer Attire will not: Create a disturbance Be sexually suggestive Relate to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco Contain obscenities Be offensive or inflammatory to groups or individuals General Guidelines: 1. All clothing should fit appropriately and should not over expose the body: a. Pants must be worn at the waist. No sagging or low riding. b. Underwear must be covered at all times. c. Clothing should not be tight fitting or low cut d. Shoulders, backs, chests and midriffs must be covered. e. See-through type clothing is not to be worn. 2. Shorts and Skirts/Dresses must come down to the tips of your fingers. 3. Tank tops must have straps at least 1 inch wide. 4. Underwear worn as outer garments will not be permitted, including boxers. 5. Bathing suits must be of an athletic cut and not overly revealing. 6. Head coverings are not to be worn in any building unless done so for religious/ medical reasons. Page 10
Inappropriate Clothing Examples (but not limited to): Half Shirts Spaghetti Straps Tube Tops Short Skirts/Dresses Short Shorts Halter Tops Bathing suits of a non athletic cut ELECTRONICS POLICY Very simple! If it is not a flashlight or a camera (that is just a camera), it is not allowed for campers to have at camp. There should be no MP3 Players, Phones, Gaming Equipment, computers, or anything of that nature at camp. A camping experience is meant to be enjoyed as a world of its own. Electronics are wonderful inventions, but distract a camper from being present. CAMP HISTORY AND VALUES Camp Spaulding was established in 1921 as a YMCA Boys residential camp on 8-acres of land in Penacook along the Contoocook River. From the very first summer, the Concord Charity Organization recognized that girls would benefit from a camping experience and petitioned the YMCA to reserve a session of camp for disadvantaged girls. Agency historical records note last summer we sent eight girls to Camp Spaulding on the Contoocook River. From two weeks, these girls were under the splendid leadership of Miss Mabel Lane and her counselors, who set such a splendid standard of physical, moral, and spiritual development that the benefit derived cannot be estimated. Thus marked the beginning of Child and Family Services tradition of providing camping for Merrimack County Families, first in partnership with the YMCA, and in 1946 as the sole proprietor of the camp. In the Late 1960 s, the Manchester and Concord Charity Organizations merged under the name Child and Family Services of New Hampshire, the resident camp fell within the mission. In 1996, CFS had the opportunity to purchase the land directly adjacent to the property. The addition of this 48 acre property created the camp as it exists now. The Blood Pavilion, Ropes Course, Dining Hall, and Hillside Village were added to the camp property after this time. Today, Camp Spaulding has rekindled its partnership with the YMCA to create the best camping program possible for its campers, return it to its roots as YMCA Camp Spaulding. The YMCA of Greater Nashua has taken over the management of the Camp Property and the Program. CFS still is the primary owner of the property and a key part of the recruitment process to serve the mission of attracting campers facing adversity. Page 11
In addition to Spaulding s partnership between the YMCA and CFS from a programming and operations standpoint, Camp has some important community partners and programs that add a tremendous amount to our ability to ensure that every camper deserves camp and gets it! Girls at Work Inc. - this is a carpentry and woodworking program for young girls and women. It breaks down gender stereotypes and allows for girls to find their skills and empower them to see that anything is within their ability. Children of Incarcerated Parents - The Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIP) summer camp program was created to help the 1 in 28 children in America who have an incarcerated parent realize that they are not alone. Campers will have a traditional camp experience, and spend two days with their incarcerated parent in a specialized program. The Fourth Session of Camp is reserved for this program. Simple Gifts at Dawn Mar Ranch - We utilize this ranch for horseback riding twice a week. A cabin may sign up to go horseback riding during their morning activity time. Camp Spaulding guides its program through the Honor Code, commonly referred to as the Spaulding Six. These are 6 principles that help campers learn how to be civically engaged and positive members of society. Caring Looking out for each other Honesty Be true to you. Be true to others Respect To be shown to everyone Responsibility Good stewardship to the world Purpose A reason for everything we do Spirit Uniting new and old in a higher meaning With a rich history and strong moral compass, YMCA Camp Spaulding is a place for campers and staff to grow, learn, and have fun. It will be an experience your camper will not soon forget and we look forward to going on the journey with you. If you have any questions, please contact the Camp Director: Josh Schupack - YMCA Camp Spaulding Director jschupack@nmymca.org 603-753-8990 (May-September) 603-882-2011 (October-April) Page 12