Frequently asked questions:
1. How can I prepare my child for camp?
It's normal to feel "pre-camp jitters" before camp starts - in fact, embrace it! Advise your camper to throw his or her nervous energy into picking out clothes to bring, packing, and pre-camp shopping (buying cool stationary will encourage letter-writing). With enough preparation, nerves will ebb into excitement. Get contact information for other children in your camper's bunk, encourage your camper to call one or two on the telephone and if a camper is in the area - get together for a pre-camp meal! This will make both campers feel more comfortable on the first day of camp.
2. How many campers/counselors live in a cabin?
About nine campers live in a cabin, with two counselors for older campers and three counselors for younger campers.
3. Are campers divided into age groups?
Yes. There are many times throughout the day when the whole camp is together, during meals, flag pole, etc., and some of the activities are multi-aged, but during most daily activities campers will be with children their own age. Nighttime activities vary, and special weekly nighttime activities bring the whole camp together for campfires and other camp traditions. Campers are with children their own age in the bunks and for most of their daytime activities.
4. How will I be in touch with my child?
Mail is delivered to each bunk daily (omitting Sundays and national holidays, because the post office is closed). Most camps require that campers send at least a certain number of letters home each week, as a camper I was required to write three letters per week. Campers are allowed one phone call per session, and are allowed to call home for their birthdays and family member's birthdays.
5. How will my child get his/her medication while at camp?
There are specific times each day when campers take medicine, usually before breakfast and dinner. If your child needs nighttime meds, his or her counselor will take them to the health center before bed. There are also specific times during the day, called "sick call," designated for campers who are feeling under the weather.
6. How will my child handle homesickness?
Usually homesickness occurs during downtime, before bed, or during other times of the day when they are not occupied or moving. The best cure for homesickness is fun, and counselors are trained during pre-camp to remind campers during down-time of all the fun they had earlier in the day, playing basketball or waterskiing or climbing the rock wall. If this doesn't work, there are other cures. When I was a camper a girl in my bunk mailed a tape recorder back and forth with her parents, so she could hear their voices. When I was saying goodbye to my parents as a camper, it always helped to remind myself that visiting day was a mere three weeks, or twenty-one days, away. That amount of time sound so small and truly does fly by.
7. How are counselors selected and trained?
Counselors are selected based on camp directors' impression of their "camp potential" and are required to spend a week of pre-camp, learning the ins and outs of each particular camp. Waterfront staff are required to be lifeguard certified, and ropes staff arrive at camp even a week earlier, to be sure that they're tested and trained in all safety precautions. Pre-camp contains extensive talks from directors, unit leaders, insurance personnel, and even professional actors who are trained for camp situations. During these exercises counselors are thrown into typical tricky situations and practice handling them with the actors.
8. What will my child do everyday?
Your child will most likely start his or her day with an all-camp lineup, an all-camp meal, and then an hour of cleanup. Then your child will be off to his or her morning activities, which could be anywhere from athletics to the ropes course to waterskiing, acting, or arts and crafts. Your child might even be traveling to another camp to participate in an inter-camp sporting match or perform an act of community service or put on a play. Then lunch time, usually an hour of rest hour, a time set aside for relaxing, free play and letter writing, and then afternoon activities (snack time occurs between two afternoon activities). After that, your child will head to his or her bunk for shower hour, and will then attend all-camp lineup and an all-camp meal. Then your camper will have an evening activity, which could be a fun and wacky activity, a scavenger hunt or a movie, or a social for older campers. After the evening activity your child will return to his or her bunk to unwind before lights out.
9. How will my child be eating?
As a child, the food at camp was delicious. We used to eat family-style meals, and then when I was thirteen my camp switched to buffet-style meals, which worked much better. At every lunch and dinner there is an extensive salad bar, with a multitude of options, plus delicious main meals. I can't speak more highly of the food at camp, and of course there are healthy options as well.
10. What happens when it rains?
Rainy days can be very fun at camp. Each division is split up to participate in a different activity, and can provide a much needed rest for campers and counselors alike from the constant running around that camp entails. Rainy day activities vary from board games in the dining hall, to an arts and crafts activity, to Zumba, indoor sports and tag games, and movies. If the rainy day occurs near the end of the summer, the drama director may seize this opportunity to stage the camp play.
11. Are there out of camp trips?
Yes. There are actually many attractions in Maine. Funtown Splashtown USA is a local amusement park, and everyone at my camp looks forward to this trip every summer. Our camp also journeys to Ogunquit for shopping and sightseeing, and the older campers have rite of passage trips such as white water rafting, climbing Mount Washington, and spending four days in Montreal. Counselors are instructed to be constantly counting their campers during these trips, and bunks are usually assigned a count-off to be sure that every camper is present at all times. Ask your camp director about the particular trips specific to your child's camp.
12. What should my camper be sure to bring?
Letter writing materials, envelopes, stamps and stationary are a must. If your camper enjoys playing soccer, be sure to send him or her with cleats and shin guards. If your camper loves baseball or softball, you could send him or her with his or her mitt, though the camp will probably have these available for all campers. Some camps have opportunities for rollerblading, so ask your camp director if your child's camp is one of them. You should probably send your child with some reading material, there is plenty of opportunity at camp to get summer reading books out of the way. Your child should also be sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray, as these are necessities of camp life.
13. What should my camper not bring?
Cell-phones are not allowed at camp. They demolish the camp environment, the purpose of which is to grant the children a deep breath from the constant stressors of Facebook and twitter and video iPods and computer games and to enjoy genuine human connection and the environment around them. Many camps don't allow video iPods either, or Nintendo DS's. You should contact your camp director to find out the rules for your particular camp. If your camp director asks you not to send your child with a specific piece of technology, please listen. I guarantee your child will benefit from unplugging from technology for the summer. You also don't need to worry about sending your child with band aids or other first-aid equipment, as your camp's health center will most likely be equipped with these. Also, your camper shouldn't bring soda or candy - it's typically not allowed in the bunk because of squirrels and raccoons, and I guarantee your child will have enough popsicles and brownies and ice cream and other camp goodies to keep his or her sweet tooth satisfied throughout the summer.
1. How can I prepare my child for camp?
It's normal to feel "pre-camp jitters" before camp starts - in fact, embrace it! Advise your camper to throw his or her nervous energy into picking out clothes to bring, packing, and pre-camp shopping (buying cool stationary will encourage letter-writing). With enough preparation, nerves will ebb into excitement. Get contact information for other children in your camper's bunk, encourage your camper to call one or two on the telephone and if a camper is in the area - get together for a pre-camp meal! This will make both campers feel more comfortable on the first day of camp.
2. How many campers/counselors live in a cabin?
About nine campers live in a cabin, with two counselors for older campers and three counselors for younger campers.
3. Are campers divided into age groups?
Yes. There are many times throughout the day when the whole camp is together, during meals, flag pole, etc., and some of the activities are multi-aged, but during most daily activities campers will be with children their own age. Nighttime activities vary, and special weekly nighttime activities bring the whole camp together for campfires and other camp traditions. Campers are with children their own age in the bunks and for most of their daytime activities.
4. How will I be in touch with my child?
Mail is delivered to each bunk daily (omitting Sundays and national holidays, because the post office is closed). Most camps require that campers send at least a certain number of letters home each week, as a camper I was required to write three letters per week. Campers are allowed one phone call per session, and are allowed to call home for their birthdays and family member's birthdays.
5. How will my child get his/her medication while at camp?
There are specific times each day when campers take medicine, usually before breakfast and dinner. If your child needs nighttime meds, his or her counselor will take them to the health center before bed. There are also specific times during the day, called "sick call," designated for campers who are feeling under the weather.
6. How will my child handle homesickness?
Usually homesickness occurs during downtime, before bed, or during other times of the day when they are not occupied or moving. The best cure for homesickness is fun, and counselors are trained during pre-camp to remind campers during down-time of all the fun they had earlier in the day, playing basketball or waterskiing or climbing the rock wall. If this doesn't work, there are other cures. When I was a camper a girl in my bunk mailed a tape recorder back and forth with her parents, so she could hear their voices. When I was saying goodbye to my parents as a camper, it always helped to remind myself that visiting day was a mere three weeks, or twenty-one days, away. That amount of time sound so small and truly does fly by.
7. How are counselors selected and trained?
Counselors are selected based on camp directors' impression of their "camp potential" and are required to spend a week of pre-camp, learning the ins and outs of each particular camp. Waterfront staff are required to be lifeguard certified, and ropes staff arrive at camp even a week earlier, to be sure that they're tested and trained in all safety precautions. Pre-camp contains extensive talks from directors, unit leaders, insurance personnel, and even professional actors who are trained for camp situations. During these exercises counselors are thrown into typical tricky situations and practice handling them with the actors.
8. What will my child do everyday?
Your child will most likely start his or her day with an all-camp lineup, an all-camp meal, and then an hour of cleanup. Then your child will be off to his or her morning activities, which could be anywhere from athletics to the ropes course to waterskiing, acting, or arts and crafts. Your child might even be traveling to another camp to participate in an inter-camp sporting match or perform an act of community service or put on a play. Then lunch time, usually an hour of rest hour, a time set aside for relaxing, free play and letter writing, and then afternoon activities (snack time occurs between two afternoon activities). After that, your child will head to his or her bunk for shower hour, and will then attend all-camp lineup and an all-camp meal. Then your camper will have an evening activity, which could be a fun and wacky activity, a scavenger hunt or a movie, or a social for older campers. After the evening activity your child will return to his or her bunk to unwind before lights out.
9. How will my child be eating?
As a child, the food at camp was delicious. We used to eat family-style meals, and then when I was thirteen my camp switched to buffet-style meals, which worked much better. At every lunch and dinner there is an extensive salad bar, with a multitude of options, plus delicious main meals. I can't speak more highly of the food at camp, and of course there are healthy options as well.
10. What happens when it rains?
Rainy days can be very fun at camp. Each division is split up to participate in a different activity, and can provide a much needed rest for campers and counselors alike from the constant running around that camp entails. Rainy day activities vary from board games in the dining hall, to an arts and crafts activity, to Zumba, indoor sports and tag games, and movies. If the rainy day occurs near the end of the summer, the drama director may seize this opportunity to stage the camp play.
11. Are there out of camp trips?
Yes. There are actually many attractions in Maine. Funtown Splashtown USA is a local amusement park, and everyone at my camp looks forward to this trip every summer. Our camp also journeys to Ogunquit for shopping and sightseeing, and the older campers have rite of passage trips such as white water rafting, climbing Mount Washington, and spending four days in Montreal. Counselors are instructed to be constantly counting their campers during these trips, and bunks are usually assigned a count-off to be sure that every camper is present at all times. Ask your camp director about the particular trips specific to your child's camp.
12. What should my camper be sure to bring?
Letter writing materials, envelopes, stamps and stationary are a must. If your camper enjoys playing soccer, be sure to send him or her with cleats and shin guards. If your camper loves baseball or softball, you could send him or her with his or her mitt, though the camp will probably have these available for all campers. Some camps have opportunities for rollerblading, so ask your camp director if your child's camp is one of them. You should probably send your child with some reading material, there is plenty of opportunity at camp to get summer reading books out of the way. Your child should also be sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray, as these are necessities of camp life.
13. What should my camper not bring?
Cell-phones are not allowed at camp. They demolish the camp environment, the purpose of which is to grant the children a deep breath from the constant stressors of Facebook and twitter and video iPods and computer games and to enjoy genuine human connection and the environment around them. Many camps don't allow video iPods either, or Nintendo DS's. You should contact your camp director to find out the rules for your particular camp. If your camp director asks you not to send your child with a specific piece of technology, please listen. I guarantee your child will benefit from unplugging from technology for the summer. You also don't need to worry about sending your child with band aids or other first-aid equipment, as your camp's health center will most likely be equipped with these. Also, your camper shouldn't bring soda or candy - it's typically not allowed in the bunk because of squirrels and raccoons, and I guarantee your child will have enough popsicles and brownies and ice cream and other camp goodies to keep his or her sweet tooth satisfied throughout the summer.
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