YMCA CAMP HANES SUMMER CAMP HANDBOOK

YMCA CAMP HANES
SUMMER CAMP HANDBOOK
Hello from Camp Hanes,
I am looking forward to you joining us at “The 400 Acre Memory Maker.” In this handbook we will answer
your questions and get you ready for camp!
Each summer our goal is for campers to develop their ABC's: A sense of Accomplishment, Belonging and
Character Traits of Honesty, Caring, Respect, Responsibility and Faith with Christ as our role model. We
work to keep campers safe, help them have fun and create memories to last a lifetime. Our hope is a camper
leaves camp counting down the days until they can return.
We achieve these goals through our partnership with our campers and their families. This packet is a
resource to prepare you for a great experience and it allows us to do the same. Please feel free to contact
camp with any questions and needs and we look forward to seeing you at Camp Hanes.
Thank you,
Jen de Ridder
Summer Camp Director
Are You Ready? We are Excited to Have You Join Us!
This booklet contains information to help you and your camper have a successful trip. It is important to read
through the materials and fill out all paperwork. This helps give camp the resources we need to partner with
you in this experience. At any time if you have questions or concerns about your campers experience please
contact camp at 336-983-3131. We look forward to seeing you this summer.
Check In and Check Out:
Session Begins at 2 pm Sunday : Session Ends at 5 pm Friday
On Sunday our check in will begin at 2 pm. Parents/Guardians are responsible for the transportation of
campers. If you arrive early please feel free to walk around with the understanding we are preparing for the
campers and once camp is ready we will begin our check in process. Please park cars in our parking lot
outside of the Baker Center. We ask you to not drive off of the camp roads. If you will be arriving late please
call camp to let us know. When you arrive our staff will help check you in and show you where to go.
Counselors will be at the cabins to greet you. Please respect camp by leaving pets at home.
Each week, we host a Parent Information session at 3:00 pm for all interested families. It will be a time
hosted by one of our camp directors. We will offer a question and answer session, share about our mission
and families can learn about what campers will experience during their week.
On Friday our checkout begins at 5 pm. Camp will provide a picnic from 5-5:50pm and at 6 pm we will gather
for a short closing ceremony. The camp store will be open during this time and you will sign out your child at
their cabin. Please sign your child out before leaving camp. We will also return medication at the front gate
as you drive into camp and have lost and found displayed at the flag pole area. If you need to arrive early,
please call camp to arrange this at 336- 983-3131.
PAPERWORK AND FEES
Forms
Medication
Forms included in this packet: Financial Statement/
Invoice, Health Form, Parent Confidential, Camper
Letter, Directions and a Packing List. Each of these
forms are available on the website if you need access
to them. All forms should be received by camp 30
days before your child’s session.
Medication sent to camp must be clearly marked in
an original container, with the camper’s name,
doctor’s name and exact dosage and instructions. All
medications will be kept and handled by the camp
nurse during the duration of the session. Unmarked
medication will not be dispensed. Please make sure
you have provided enough medication for the stay of
the camper. Medications of any kind are not
permitted in the cabin. All information is held in
strictest confidence.
Financial Statement/Invoice
Enclosed you will find your camper’s financial
statement. This statement reflects payments and
discounts including your deposit. The balance is due
in full two weeks before your camper’s session
begins. Camp fees are non-refundable without a
doctor’s authorized medical reason or family
emergency. No refunds are given if a camper leaves
early due to disruptive behavior or homesickness.
There is a $175 non-refundable office fee for all
campers.
Health Form
The health form must be completed in its entirety,
including an immunization record and listing of
insurance. In accordance to American Camping
Association standards, Camp Hanes requires an
examination performed by a physician within a 24
month period prior to the camper’s session. We
require parents to sign the emergency care
authorization section of the form. Camp does not
cover the cost of general illness. If your child should
become sick or injured at camp it is your
responsibility, as parent or guardian, to take them to
the doctor. In case of an emergency, camp will
contact parents, emergency personnel and provide
appropriate care.
Parent Confidential Form
Your cooperation in providing candid and
complete information on this form will help
the counselors and camp staff more
effectively meet your camper’s needs.
Camper to Counselor Letter
Please help your camper fill out this form. It is useful
information for our counselors and will not be shared
with other staff or campers.
Packing List
We recommend that when packing clothes you mark
everything with your child’s name. Use our list to
guide you. Please do not send new clothing to camp.
We are outside all day and things get dirty. Before
leaving camp be sure to check our lost and found.
Camp is not responsible for belongings left behind.
Phones
Use of camp telephone by campers is not permitted
unless prior arrangements have been made. Please
call the office 336-983-3131 if you need to get in
touch with someone. We ask that campers do not
bring cell phones to camp.
If you have questions about any of our forms contact
our office at 336-983-3131.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS AT CAMP
At Camp Hanes we want every camper to
have a great week. To create
friendships, fun and good memories we
ask for campers to follow our rules.
Rules:
1. Respect Yourself.
2. Respect Others.
3. Respect Camp Hanes.
4. Have Fun!
Behavior Consequences: Campers not
adhering to camp behavior expectations
and rules will be handled on an individual
basis. Camp Hanes will not tolerate
bullying. Severe or frequent behavior
violations can result in a camper being
sent home from the program at the
discretion of the director. No refunds will be given due to behavior situations. We work hard for all campers
to have a great week. Help us achieve this goal.
Homesickness: This summer, your camper may be one of many who will balance the feelings of
independence and homesickness. Psychologist have done surveys and found over 80 percent of campers feel
homesick at some point during camp. But parents don't have to feel helpless when homesickness strikes.
Here are some ways you can prepare: Encourage independence throughout the year. Practice, sleepovers at
Grandparents or friends houses can build confidence. Talk about what camp will be like and role-play things
like going to the bathroom with a flashlight. Trust your instincts, don’t bribe your child and don’t feel guilty.
Your goal and ours is that sense of independence and that is part of the reward of camp along with fun.
Please know that camp is a partner with you. If a child is struggling because of homesickness, we will contact
you to discuss options to create a good experience.
2015 CAMP WEEKLY THEMES
2015 Summer Camp Themes
These themes help bring extra fun and camp craziness to the week. We incorporate them into our
activities, campfires, taps talks and the Camp Hanes party at the end of the week. So gather your
wackiest and tackiest attire so you can be a part of the theme all week long.
MINI CAMP: ONE SMALL STEP FOR CAMP
We are blasting off into space for Mini Camp this year! Come ready to have some outer space fun and
see our staff get into some crazy alien adventures with spaceships and astronauts galore.
SESSION ONE: ONCE UPON A TIME
Do you have a favorite fairy tale? Whether you are a brave heroine or a heroic prince, this week will be
full of magical adventures, your favorite storybook characters, and an incredible journey as far as your
imagination can take you.
SESSION TWO: TIME WARP!
Ever wish you could travel through time? We will make it a reality this week at camp! You could be
singing a doowop in the 50’s or jamming out in the 80’s! Maybe even go forward in time to the great
unknown or travel back to a cool moment in history.
SESSION THREE: CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
The choice is yours and adventure is at your fingertips this week. Become a ninja master, an astronaut
encountering aliens on the moon, a cave hunter exploring ruins, or any adventurer you choose and get
ready for a week of excitement.
SESSION FOUR: WILD WILD WEST
Western week is a camper favorite! This will be the week for all the cowboys and cowgirls to pull on
those boots and grab their lassos, because camp is going west! There surely will be some bandits and
gold to encounter as well as a good ole’ fashioned hoedown and rodeo this week.
SESSION FIVE: ATLANTIS EXTRAVAGANZA
Only you will know if the lost city of Atlantis is
real during this magical, water-filled week. Grab
that sunscreen and put on your floaties because
this week is a whale of a good time including
staying cool with water adventures and a big
beach themed bash to wrap it up!
SESSION SIX: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
Get ready to roar into some crazy and wacky safari
adventures! You never know when you might see
some exotic animals and awesome wildlife. Bring a
costume for your favorite jungle cat or bird or
ready to go on a jungle safari.
FUN THINGS THAT ARE PART OF SUMMER CAMP
ClassesEach Sunday Mountaineer and Explorer campers
are given an opportunity to choose their classes.
They hear commercials and then make their
choices. We do our best to give them their top
choices. It allows campers to develop friendships
with their peers and staff who have similar
interest.
Zip Zip Bird –
We sing to Mr. Zip Zip every morning and he
comes and visits. We never know what our crazy
friend will be up to! So you will have to join in the
song to discover what is going on in Zip Zip Bird’s
life.
Rock and Roll FridaysWe love rocking our meals on Friday. We have had
a great week and love to celebrate with singing
and dancing.
Store/Recreation TimeAfter dinner each evening campers are given time
to visit the camp store for a snack and drink. This
is included in the cost of camp. The store is open
on Sunday and Friday for souvenir purchases.
Campers do not need any money while at camp.
We will have lots of activities during this time but,
if they would like to bring some sports equipment
they are welcome.
RocksThis Camp Hanes favorite is one
game that your camper will come
home talking about. We paint our
faces and play a version of
Capture the Flag. There are no
rocks involved: Just fun, running
and laughter.
Follow the Gleam –
This traditional song has been sung at camp for years
and we use it to close our evening along with a Thought
for the Day. It is a song about King Arthur and his
Knights searching for the Holy Grail. We use this song
to talk about reaching for your goals and growing while
at camp.
Crazy Hat LunchEvery Wednesday at camp we have CRAZY HAT
LUNCH!!! We love pulling out our craziest looks and
celebrating the fun of camp. Join in!
Thursday Night Camp Hanes PartyEach week on Thursday evening we have a party. We
have listed the themes so campers can dress for the
party based upon the theme. This helps us keep the
focus on the party as a time for camp fun.
SiestaEach day after lunch we take about an hour to have
some quiet time at the cabins. Feel free to pack a book,
paper for letters, word puzzles or anything your camper
enjoys doing during down time.
5 Year PaddleCampers who have attended camp for 5 years receive a
paddle on Friday evening during the closing ceremony.
Congrats to our returning campers.
TOP 10 QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. When is check in and check out? Sunday at 2 pm 8. How do I see photos from the week? Photos are
is check-in time at the Baker Center. You will find
put on the internet daily for families to see. From
out what cabin you are in and who your counselors
our website www.camphanes.org click on the link.
are after you check in. At 3:00 we will offer an
The username and password will be given to you
information meeting for parents interested at the
during check in. Call with questions.
Baker Center. Check-out time is 5 p.m. on Friday. 9. Can someone else pick up my child? Yes, please
We will have a picnic dinner available and a short
let the counselors and the staff during check-in
pool party for those interested. A brief closing
know who will be picking up your camper.
ceremony will take place at 6 pm.
10. What precautions do you take to prevent
2. Can we request a cabin mate? You sure can.
bedbugs? Bedbugs are now part of our society,
Please let us know on the registration form. It
but we take a proactive approach to lessen their
needs to be a mutual request. You can put more
impact by having our entire camp inspected
than one friend down if needed. Also feel free to
quarterly with a Certified Canine Inspection. If we
email or call camp to confirm the request.
receive a canine alert in any of our facilities during
3. Can a 8 yr old and 10 yr old be cabin mates? We
camp, we will notify you and will place all of your
try to honor all request but we keep all cabins age
children’s washable items in a dryer for thirty
appropriate. If the older camper is willing to go
minutes at high heat. We also bag all of the noninto a younger cabin then we can grant the
washable items and treat them with pest strips for
request. If they choose not to be together they
48 hours. These are the approved methods for
can see each other at activity times and stay in a
exterminating bedbugs.
cabin with like age campers.
4. When do we need to get a physical? We ask that
all campers have a physical within 24 months of
attending camp. The health history on the medical
form must be filled out annually.
5. How can I pay off my balance? You have multiple
options! By clicking on the link on your e-mailed
invoice, and using your email address & password
you can log into DAXKO to set up one or several
payments to insure that your campers session is
paid no less than 14 days before their session.
Alternately, you may mail a check to our office or
call and pay by phone.
6. When is the paperwork and payment due? We
need all paperwork and payment 14 days before
camp. Contact us if this is not possible. All
paperwork and payment must be turned in before
a camper can stay for their session.
7. Can I switch sessions if we have a change of
plans? Yes. Please contact our office to make the
changes needed.
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH CAMP (AND YOUR CAMPER)
Campers love to receive mail. Letters,
postcards, packages, and emails: campers
love them all. We have several ways for
you to keep in touch with your child.
Below are listed the addresses for both
mail and email. We also are happy to
receive packages during Sunday check-in
that you would like us to deliver during the
week. You may also send them packages.
To Email a Camper:
camper@ymcanwnc.org
SUBJECT LINE: Camper Name & Cabin
Mail:
Camper Name and Cabin
YMCA Camp Hanes
1225 Camp Hanes Rd.
King, NC 27021
Photos:
We post photos daily on our website for you to see all
the fun happening at camp. There will be a link to the
galleries on the front page of the website and we will
provide you with a password and username during check
in on Sunday.
Packages:
We recommend two companies we work with to deliver
camper packages: www.thewrinkledegg.com or
www.mycarepkg.com. Please also feel free to bring your
own on Sunday and we will deliver it for you.
Val Elliott, Executive Director
v.elliott@ymcanwnc.org
Jen de Ridder, Senior Program Director
jen.deridder@ymcanwnc.org
Amelia Johnson, Associate Resident Director
Amelia.johnson@ymcanwnc.org
Summer Camp Registration questions
registrar@ymcanwnc.org
YMCA CAMP HANES
1225 Camp Hanes Road
King, NC 27021
336 983 3131
www.camphanes.org
www.facebook.com/YMCACampHanes
Our Mission: Helping people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body.
Financial Assistance Available. A United Way Agency.