|
Talking to your child about
their first time at camp
Sending your child to camp for the
first time is a major milestone for most families, one that is
often marked with excitement, anticipation and perhaps even some
anxiety. Though camp is certainly about making friends and
having fun, it is also about being independent and being part of
a community. One of the most important things you can do
to help prepare your child for both of these aspects of camp is
to talk with your child about it before they go.
The following
are some sample topics for discussion that will help prepare
your child emotionally for the big adventure at camp:
Friends: "Camp
is about making new friends. If you are shy about meeting
new kids, then learn to get to know other by being a good
listener. Ask questions. Share what you have.
Join in. Remember that not everyone in your group has to
be your best friend right away. As long as you treat
others with respect and they do the same to you, then you will
have great friends at camp."
Activities: "There are many
exciting things to do at camp, many of which you may never have
tried before. You may not like all the activities or you
may be better at some than others. That's normal. I
do, however, expect you to try. The more you put into
camp, the more you will get out of it."
Respect: "No matter how you
feel about anyone else, I expect you to treat people with
respect. It is OK to sometimes have angry feelings...it is
not OK to do angry things. If you are having trouble with
another camper, you should talk to an adult at camp. You
could talk to your counselor; your Village Director; Rhino - the
Assistant Camp Director; Danita - the Resident Camp Director;
Kath - the Day Camp Director; Meg - the Teen Director or Camille
- the Program Director."
Getting help: "Everyone has
good and bad days. If you are having a problem, your
counselor is there to help you! You don't have to wait to
tell us if you are upset about something. After all, if
your counselor doesn't know what might be troubling you, they
might not be able to help you. Be honest and ask for what
you need. If you don't think your counselor can't help
you, then you can go to your Village Director, to the Camp Nurse
or to Rhino, Kath, Camille, Meg or Danita.
Self image: A great thing to
remind your first time camper about is what their strong points
are. I would focus not just on what they do well, but
their positive qualities as well, such as what makes them a good
friend or the type of person other kids would want to know.
Helping children to identify their strengths can help them when
they are having a set back - one of the inevitable growing pains
all children have from time to time.
Talking to your child about
these kinds of issues is a great way to support them as they get
ready to take this important step.
Information from Robert
Ditter, M.Ed., LCSW
A note
on missing home
Feelings of missing home are common for all of us when we are
away from our families. Reportedly, 95% of campers
experience some degree of 'homesickness'. Camp is a safe
place, and getting over homesickness is an important part of the
camp experience. It helps campers build their self esteem
and develop a sense of independence. Our caring staff help
campers understand it is possible to feel two different things
at once, and that it is ok to miss home while enjoying all the
fun new activities they are trying and friends they are making.
If you are concerned that your child might miss home while away,
please explain that missing home is a natural feeling and the
counselors are there to help. Please do not tell your child that
you will pick them up or that they can call you if they miss
home - this prevents them from the opportunity of being able to
overcome it.
During camp write cheerful, positive letters
asking lots of questions about activities and new friends.
Express confidence in your child’s ability to succeed. Be
assured that our staff is well trained to identify and help
campers who are missing home.
If you receive a letter from your child
expressing homesickness, please feel free to contact the camp
office. We will contact you if a camper is really struggling
with missing home and discuss ways to improve the situation.
Please do not send an "Emergency Cell Phone" to
camp with your child. They will feel guilty if they forget
to call you and they will have unnecessary anxiety about
breaking one of the camp rules. Rest assured that if your
child is missing home and it is affecting their camp experience,
one of our directors will call you.
Frequently given answers
Safety
Safety is always a top priority at Camp Hazen YMCA. While
our staff will make every reasonable effort to minimize known
risks associated witheach activity, all hazards cannot be
foreseen. By participating in our programs, campers and their
parents knowingly and willingly assume all risksassociated with
participation in a summer camp program. Campers and their
parents should fully understand that even after reasonable
precautions have been taken, occasional accidents do happen.
Swim Evaluation
In order to ensure waterfront safety, a swim evaluation
will be conducted for all campers to determine your child’s
swimming ability. The swim evaluation is conducted with the
entire cabin group after Check-In. Our goal is to make the swim
evaluation as fun and comfortable as possible, while determining
an accurate level of swimming ability.
If a swimmer qualifies as a “flying fish” level
or above (in accordance with YMCA Swim Program standards) or if
they are entering 9th or 10th grade, they will not be required
to participate in instructional swim lessons. As we believe that
swim safety and skills are important, swim lessons are mandatory
for all other campers.
Water Testing
Cedar Lake is a spring-fed 68-acre lake. The many
underground springs flowing into the lake contribute to low
levels of bacteria and help to keep it cleaner than other lakes
in Connecticut. Both the Town of Chester and Camp Hazen YMCA
conduct independent water tests to ensure that the lake is safe
for recreational swimming.
Spiritual Emphasis
Camp Hazen is an independent YMCA. We stress honesty, caring,
respect and responsibility through sensitive and mature
leadership. We stress a system of values and a positive
atmosphere at Camp Hazen YMCA, rather than an emphasis on a
particular religious faith. Grace is sung by campers and staff
before each meal. A nondenominational chapel service is held on
the middle Sunday of each two-week session. Catholic Mass is
also available in Chester to those campers who wish to attend.
Transportation to Mass is provided in camp mini-vans driven by
camp staff.
Ticks and Lyme Disease
Campers spend the majority of their time outside at
camp. Many of our program areas are wooded and we expect that
children will come in contact with ticks. Each child showers
daily, which should wash off any tick that has not yet imbedded.
It is also an opportunity for them to check themselves for
ticks. In addition, staff are well-trained to encourage campers
to check themselves for ticks. For privacy reasons, counselors
do not check campers for ticks. You will be notified of any
reported
tick bite or rash that appears during your child’s stay at camp.
You should also discuss with your camper the need to check
themselves regularly for ticks during their stay at camp and
after any outdoor activity.
Communication at Camp
Mail
-
We encourage you to write cheerful, positive
letters from home.
-
Consider writing a letter three days ahead
of opening day so your child has a letter during the first
mail call.
-
Please do not panic if you don’t hear from
your camper immediately after arrival, as many campers
become too busy having fun at camp to write home.
-
We recommend sending pre-addressed, stamped
envelopes or postcards.
-
Mail should be addressed as follows:
Camper’s Name - cabin#__
Camp Hazen YMCA
204 West Main Street
Chester, CT 06412
Packages
-
You are welcome to send packages. We ask
your full cooperation in NOT sending food items.
-
Food attracts many animals to the cabins,
especially squirrels who chew through the screens to get to
food.
-
In addition, we have many campers with
SEVERE food allergies and if food from home is shared,
it could result in a life threatening situation for a child!
-
All campers open packages in front of a
staff member. If food is sent, it will be confiscated
-
There are many non-food items which can be
sent in care packages. Suggestions include comic books,
books, cards, games, bubbles and craft projects
Telephone Calls
To help develop independence and ensure that
we are aware of any issues and working with you, campers are
not allowed incoming or outgoing telephone calls or to have
cell phones.
Important messages for campers can be
relayed through their Village Directors.
We will notify you should any urgent
situations arise with your camper.
If at any time you become concerned about
your child, please call your child’s Village Director or on
of the Directors.
We are always happy to discuss your camper’s
experience.
E-Mail
You may send e-mails to your child through
Bunk1.
There is a fee which is paid directly to
Bunk1.
Campers will not be able to return your
e-mails.
To set up an account with Bunk1:
-
Go to our website at
www.camphazenymca.org
-
Click on the Bunk1 link at the bottom of the
index.
-
Create a new account or update your account
for 2011.
-
The 2011 camp code is: camphazen11
You may also view photos at this site. You
do not need to purchase e-mails in order to view the photos.
Behavior
Guidelines
-
As a close-knit community, Camp Hazen YMCA
expects each camper to respect themselves and others at
camp, as well as the facilities and natural surroundings.
-
All members of the Camp Hazen community,
including campers and staff, are expected to behave
responsibly and appropriately at all times.
-
Staff will work with campers to modify
inappropriate behaviors.
-
Parents will be notified if a camper is
placed on a written "behavior contract" to help address
reoccurring inappropriate behaviors. The terms of the
"contract" will be made very clear to both the camper and
parent.
-
A camper, at the discretion of the Camp
Director, may be dismissed for the remainder of his/her
session or the rest of the summer for a serious infraction
or if inappropriate behavior does not improve.
-
Behaviors which may result in being placed
on a behavior contract and/or being dismissed from camp
include, but are not limited to the following: use of bad
language, threats or fighting and possession or use of
tobacco, drugs or alcohol.
-
We have done a significant amount of work on
our cabins in the past few years, and we ask that you
reinforce our no graffiti policy with your camper.
-
Families will be charged for the removal of
any graffiti or other damage that their campers are
responsible for.
Health Care at
Camp
-
Two health care staff (at least one of whom
is an RN) are on duty for each session of camp.
-
In case of illness or accident, the health
care staff care for campers with orders from a physician.
-
In case of emergency, campers are taken to
the camp physician or the local emergency treatment
facility.
-
Parents will be contacted should there be an
urgent medical concern.
-
In an effort to keep camp costs within
reason, Camp Hazen YMCA does not provide health/accident
insurance. In case of any medical costs incurred by your
child while at camp, all fees are the responsibility
of the parent/guardian.
Fees for all medical services, including
prescriptions, will be collected at check-out.
Health Form & Waiver -
to be sent to camp by May 1st.
-
This 4-page form is required of all campers
-
Pages 1, 2, and 3 must be completed
annually.
-
Page 3 is an Authorization, Release and
Indemnity Waiver. It must be signed by the camper, their
parents or legal guardian and must be witnessed by an adult
over 21 years of age.
-
The physical examination (on page 4) must be
current within 24 months of your campers last day in camp .
You may attach a different examination form and/or
immunization record (i.e., school or sports physical).
-
Campers with expired physicals
will not be able to remain in camp.
Medication Authorization Form
(if needed) - -
to be brought to camp
-
This form must be completed for a camper to
receive any medications (prescription or
over-the counter) brought from home.
-
This form must be signed by both a
parent/guardian AND a prescribing health care professional,
even for over-the-counter medications like vitamins.
-
Please do not send any of the medications
listed on page 2 of the health form. We keep these
medications in stock and our nurses are able to dispense
them with your signed permission on page 2 of the Health
Form.
-
You must complete one form for each
medication brought to camp.
-
The information on this form must match the
label on the medication.
-
Please review this form carefully before
bringing to camp. We often receive incomplete forms at
check-in and are unable to dispense medications to campers
without this properly completed form.
-
The medications must be in the original
containers and properly labeled. This includes epi-pens and
inhalers -- often the label is on the box and parents don’t
realize they MUST bring that box with the label.
This procedure is mandated by both the
State of Connecticut and the American Camp Association
|
