2015 Staff Pre-Camp Handbook

2015 SOUTHWOODS
PRE-CAMP HANDBOOK
CONTACT INFO
Winter:
Summer:
PO Box 201
Granite Springs, NY 10527
Phone: 914-214-8780
Fax: 914-245-1683
532 NYS Route 74
Paradox, NY 12858
Phone: 518-532-7717
Fax: 518-532-0266
PAGE 2
WELCOME TO SOUTHWOODS!
SUMMER 2015 STAFF...
Please take the time to carefully
read ALL of the information found
in this handbook.
There is nothing more exciting for us than welcoming you to Southwoods!
Whether this will be your first summer at camp, second, or more, you are about
to become part of something that will change you in ways you could never
imagine! The challenges, the victories, the fun, and the craziness, are the things
that simply makes camp, CAMP! So with all that said, Welcome!
This handbook will serve you in two ways: 1) to get you excited about your
upcoming experiences and 2) to give you further information as you prepare for
the trip to your summer home away from home, Paradox, NY. At this point, you
should have received an email containing links to all the required forms that
you must fill out prior to camp this summer. If you have not, then please view
the forms at www.southwoods.com/staff_forms.html.
Sidenote:
SUNDAY NIGHT CAMPFIRES!
WALKS TO THE WATERFRONT!
If you have any problems or
questions resulting from this
information please contact
our camp office immediately
at (914)214-8780 or (888)
449-3357 (US Only). After
May 15th we will only be
available at the camp/summer
number (518)532-7717.
PAGE 3
THE
SOUTHWOODS
STYLE
The “Southwoods Style” is
an integral part of our image.
We are a premier children’s
residential camp. The “style”
of our staff is one that is
wholesome and conservative.
Your image evokes a feeling of
confidence and security from
our parents and our campers.
The “Southwoods Style” is
an important combination of
clothing, grooming, and
attitude. You represent the
Southwoods Way (both on
and off camp property).
Children look up to you and
want to emulate your style.
Remember, everything you
do is “cool” to your campers.
You are a role model 24 hours
a day from today through
August 21st.
At Southwoods we stress that the
inside is what matters most.With
that in mind, dress comfortably and
appropriately for the days activities.
Remember: Children are
continuously watching you in our
camp environment.They are
learning from your example.
DRESS TO
IMPRESS...
DRESS TO
BE ACTIVE!
Guidelines To Review
Tattoos - Any large (larger than the top of an aluminum can) or inappropriate (not G rated)
tattoos must be covered at all times.
Piercings- Basic ear piercings are permitted but should be studs. Other body piercings should
remain covered or consist of clear flat retainers only.
Hair- Hair should be well kept and clean. Please do not dye or tint your hair an unnatural color.
Extreme looks should be avoided at camp.
Make-up- We have a no make-up policy for ALL STAFF while on camp time. Make-up should
remain out of sight of campers and reserved for off camp use only.
Bathing Suits- Women are required to wear a one-piece athletic style bathing suit (no strings or
ties). Shorts/trunk style should be worn for men.
SW Attire- Southwoods provides 7 staff t-shirts for each staff member for a cost of $45 (deducted
from your paycheck). Staff t-shirts are required to be worn throughout the entire camp day.
PAGE 4
STAFF FORMS CAN BE
MAILED TO:
SOUTHWOODS
P.O. BOX 201
GRANITE SPRINGS, NY 10527
STAFF FORMS CAN BE
SCANNED & EMAILED TO:
Lauren@southwoods.com
If you are not sure what
forms you have or have not
turned in, please call our
office at:
914-214-8780
S TA FF F O RM S
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET COMPLETED YOUR
STAFF FORMS, PLEASE SEND THOSE TO
THE SOUTHWOODS OFFICE ASAP!
•Health Form
•Insurance Info
•W-4 Form
•Driver Form
•Tell Us More
•Policy Check List
Staff Forms can be found on the
Southwoods website at:
http://www.southwoods.com/staff_forms.html
G OO D T O KNOW...
Health Form:
• The New York State Department of Heath requires that a medical examination form be
on file for EACH counselor.
• This includes a NEW 2015 Health Form for each returner as well.
Staff Insurance:
• If you are covered by a 24-hours a day, 12-months a year medical plan, please fill out this
form providing the necessary information.
• Please provide us with a copy of your health insurance identification card and
description of that program, so we do not duplicate your medical coverage.
• For U.S. Staff who do not have insurance coverage (international staff are not eligible for
Southwoods Insurance), we do offer a Camp Medical Policy at a charge of $150.00 for the
season.
• If you would like Southwoods Insurance, indicate “Option 2” on the Insurance Form and
we will deduct the $150.00 from your salary to pay for the plan.
W-4 Form:
• ALL STAFF must complete and return the W-4 Form.
• Please be sure to fill in blanks 1-10, sign and date the form, and return the bottom
portion of the form to us.
PAGE 5
DON’T FORGET!
How are you getting to Camp?
• Regardless of how you
are traveling to camp
we ask that you please
fill out the online travel
form at
www.southwoods.com/
staff/travel/arrival/asp
• Travel with the
Southwoods contact
information in case of
delays or emergencies.
• A Southwoods staff
member, wearing a
Southwoods staff shirt,
will be at the Albany
BY CAR: If you are driving to camp we recommend arriving
between 12:00 noon and 4:00pm on your arrival day. You will
be able to leave your car in the lower parking lot for the
duration of camp.
Airport, Ticonderoga
Train Station, or
Schroon Lake Bus Stop
to pick you up during
scheduled shuttle times.
BY TRAIN: If you are planning on traveling by train, you will
AIRPORT
SHUTTLE
SCHEDULE
If flying to camp, you will need to arrive at the Albany
International Airport no later than 4:00 p.m. on your arrival
Thursday, June 11, 2015
12:00 Noon & 4:00p.m.
BY BUS: If you are traveling by bus, we will pick you up at the
Monday, June 15, 2015
12:00 Noon & 4:00p.m.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
12:00 Noon, 2:00p.m. & 5:00p.m.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
12:00 Noon, 2:00p.m. & 5:00p.m.
want to take Amtrack into the Ticonderoga, New York station.
You may have to transfer trains in Albany. You can make
reservations at www.amtrak.com or 1-800-USA-RAIL.
BY PLANE: Our most popular form of staff travel is by plane.
day. If for some reason you cannot find a flight that falls within
that time period, call our office before booking. Please note the
shuttle schedule located on the LEFT of this page.
bus stop in Schroon Lake. From NYC: Adirondack Trailways
Bus Service from NY Port Authority - 8th Avenue and 40th
Street to Schroon Lake. Call 1-800-776-7548 to check the bus
schedule. From Montreal: Adirondack Trailways Bus Service
located at Central Station at 505 Maisoneuve East and Berri.
You will take the bus into Glens Falls then a transfer bus to
Schroon Lake. Call 514-842-2281, 24-hours in advance to
reserve a space.
PAGE 6
How Can I
Contact Home
From Camp?
You will have access to
computers for email in
our staff lounge and
access to pay phones on
camp that can be used
during your personal
time. Southwoods does
have wireless internet
so if you have a lap top
you are welcome to
bring it as long as it
remains in the staff
lounge during camp.
Packing for Camp!
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
ENTERTAINMENT: Skits, Songs, Scripts, Stories, Instruments...
• Materials running from 5-15 minutes in length work best.
• The can relate to: Campfire programs, college nights and themes,
theatre and improve, television or media, etc...
• Instruments can be used in talent shows or to teach an elective. Just
remember, do not bring anything that would be devastating to lose.
QUIZ AND GAME IDEAS: Spelling Bees, Word Games, Treasure
Hunts, Trivia...
• There are MANY opportunities for special activities and creative use
of time.
• Come to camp prepared to offer some of these activities during the
non-field sports and quiet times.
COSTUMES: Carnival, Day of Awesome, Themed Dances, Tribal...
• Camp is a great place to show off your creativity in costume design.
• Every week at camp there are opportunities to dress up in themed
attire, such as: favorite sports team, crazy hat day, luau, etc...
• Tribal occurs every Sunday at camp, be prepared with all three Tribal
colors: Navy, Green, and White.
WHAT SHOULD I NOT BRING TO CAMP?
How Can Home
Contact Me?
If friends and family
need to reach you,
they should call
518-532-9093. We
will take a message
and post it for you in
the staff lounge. In
emergency cases
only, they can call
518-532-7717.
ELECTRONIC ITEMS:
• No electrically operated hairdryers, lamps, clocks, fans, or other
devices will be permitted in the cabins.
• Only small personal CD players, MP3 players, and iPods (with NO video
or internet access) are permitted.
• All cell phones, lap tops, or any other electronic items should be kept in
the staff lounge in your personal locker.
PETS:
• The Department of Health has instructed us that we are not permitted
to allow any animals to be brought to camp.
GUM/CANDY:
• We enjoy the beautiful facilities at Southwoods and have found that by
eliminating gum and candy, we greatly reduce the litter in and around
camp as well as animals in the cabins.
KNIVES, WEAPONS, CIGARETTES, ALCOHOL, DRUGS &
PORNOGRAPHY:
• Not appropriate and will be cause for immediate dismissal.
PAGE 7
SOUTHWOODS RECOMMENDED
PACKING LIST
CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
5 T-shirts (for days off)
6 Pair of Shorts
4 Pair of Long Pants
10 Pair of Underwear
10 Pair of Socks
2 Swimsuits (Females One-Piece)
1 Pair of Warm Pajamas
1 Light Weight Jacket
1 Warm Jacket
2 Warm Sweatshirts
1 Raincoat with Hood
1 Pair of Cleats (optional)
1 Pair of flip flops/sandals
2 Pair of Sneakers
1 Pair of Shower Shoes
1 Robe for Showers (REQUIRED)
TOILETRIES
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Soap/Soap Box
Shampoo
Conditioner
Tissues
Bug Repellent
Comb/Brush
Plastic Cup
Nail Clippers
Shower Bucket
SUNBLOCK!!
BEDDING & LINEN
Sleeping Bag
1 Pillow
2 Both Towels
2 Beach Towels
2 Sheet Sets
2 Blankets
2 Washcloths
*These items will be provided for
INTERNATIONAL STAFF ONLY.
OTHER STUFF
Stationary
Pens/Pencils
Stamps
Sunglasses
Batteries
Flashlight (REQUIRED)
Alarm Clock (Battery Operated Only)
Wrist Watch (REQUIRED)
Camera
Laundry Bag (REQUIRED)
Water Bottle (REQUIRED)
Baseball Glove
Books/Quiet Games
Costumes for Themed Activities!
Tennis Racket
Musical Instruments
Rollerblades
Passport (Highly Recommended)
SPECIAL EVENT DAYS:
4th of July
Luau
Carnival
Crazy Hat Day
Crazy Sock Day
Wacky Sunglasses Day
Mustache Monday
Tutu Tuesday
School Spirit/Jersey Day
Neon Anything!
PAGE 8
DO NOT FORGET YOUR
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION!
!
!
!
All staff members must complete an I-9 form upon arrival
to camp. We must see and record the documents on site.
Please choose from the following, most commonly used,
forms of ID and bring them to camp:
1. A Passport or
2. A Driver’s License (or Photo ID Card) and U.S. Social Security Card or
3. A Driver’s License (or Photo ID Card) and a Copy of your Birth Certificate
Call the Southwoods office if none of these options apply,
as there are several other combinations.
Note to American Staff:
Due to the recent changes in our government’s foreign travel policies, we
highly recommend that you bring a passport to camp. Many staff members
choose to travel to Montreal, Canada while on their days off. A passport is
REQUIRED by both the United States and Canadian governments in order
to travel across the U.S./Canadian border.
PAGE 9
Summer Arrival & Camp Schedule
WATERFRONT & TREK STAFF ARRIVE BY 4PM
•THURSDAY- JUNE 11, 2015
GROUP LEADERS ARRIVE BY 4PM
•MONDAY- JUNE 15, 2015
ACTIVITY STAFF ARRIVE BY 4PM
•THURSDAY- JUNE 18, 2015
REMAINING STAFF ARRIVE BY 4PM
•SATURDAY- JUNE 20, 2015
**If your arrival date is not
FIRST SESSION CAMPERS ARRIVE!
•SUNDAY- JUNE 28, 2015
listed, please contact Lauren
Immediately to confirm your
arrival to camp.**
PARENTS DAY/CAMPERS
•THURSDAY- JULY 23, 2015
1/2 SUMMER STAFF DEPART BY 12 NOON
•FRIDAY- JULY 24, 2015
SECOND SESSION CAMPERS ARRIVE!
•SUNDAY- JULY 26, 2015
PARENTS DAY/CAMPERS DEPART
•THURSDAY- AUGUST 20, 2015
STAFF DEPART BY 12 NOON
•FRIDAY- AUGUST 21, 2015
GET READY FOR AN
AMAZING SUMMER!!