Camp Child Info

SESSION DATES:
This year Camp child will host Asthma Camp and 2 Resident camps. The dates are as follows:

Asthma Camp: July 8-13
Elementary Camp: July 15-20
Middle School: July 22-27

PARENT ORIENTATION:
A Parent Orientation will be held at the Helena Family YMCA before each Camp Session. Parents and children are invited to attend to meet your staff, preview
your camp schedule, and share in the fun. Orientations will take place on the Tuesday night before the beginning of each session.

CHECK-IN:
Check-in at Camp Child will begin at 12:30 pm on the Sunday of their session.  Campers must report to Camp Child by no later than 2:00 pm on the first day of their session.  Check-ins will be made at the Main Lodge.  Camp is about small group activities and team-building. Our team-building exercises start the minute the entire cabin is checked in.  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR CAMPER ARRIVES ON TIME.

CHECK-OUT:
All campers must be checked out and picked up from Camp by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the last day of their session.

TRANSPORTATION:
Transportation to and from Camp Child is the responsibility of the family of the camper.

MEALS:
The first meal of Camp will be Sunday dinner.  Campers must bring a sack lunch or have eaten lunch prior to check-in. Campers will receive three meals per day. Last meal offered is Friday lunch.

CAMP ORIENTATION:
An all-camp Orientation Session will begin at 2:30 p.m. on the Sunday of each session.  Campers will, by cabin groups, tour the camp, and take part in a water-safety test orientation/swim test at the Waterfront by our trained, Waterfront staff.  Any camper missing the Orientation will not be able to partake in Waterfront activities.

CABIN ASSIGNMENTS:
Campers will be placed in a cabin of no more than 10 campers by age and sex.  A trained, YMCA counselor will serve as the leader for each cabin group for the entire
session.  If possible, a Counselor-in-Training will also be assigned. Campers can request cabin mates by filling out the Cabin Request Form and returning it to the YMCA prior to the Parent Orientation.  NO REQUESTS CAN BE MADE AFTER THE ORIENTATION!

PRESCRIPTION AND NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES:
All medicine, with the exception of asthma inhalers, MUST be checked in upon arrival with a Camp Medicine Form attached.  Any medicine found on a camper will be confiscated and locked in the Camp Infirmary.  A trained YMCA staff will be on hand to disburse medicine during the session to our campers according to the prescriptions.

PHONE CALLS:
Personal calls to and from campers are not allowed during the Camp session, except in emergency situations.  In case of an emergency, the number at Camp Child is (406) 492-7516.  A camp staff will direct the call to the appropriate person.

CAMP STORE:
Camp Child offers a small Camp Store vending snacks, candy, and drinks.  The
Store Hours will be posted upon arrival. Campers can “bank” a maximum of $10 with the Camp Store upon check-in.  Campers will not be allowed to carry money while at camp.  Money left over at the end of the week will be given back to the camper at check-out.  The Camp Director reserves the right to close the Camp Store.

MAIL:
Mail will be collected and distributed on a daily basis to campers and staff at our evening Assembly.  Campers and staff may be asked to “work” (fun activities only) for their mail by performing a song.  We suggest you mail letters, packages, etc., early in the session to ensure adequate delivery time.
Address at Camp is:
YMCA Camp Child
Session  #______
Elliston, MT  59728

PERSONAL VISITS:
NO personal visits by parents, relatives, or friends can be made to the camper during the Camp session. We have found that visits by family and friends can be disruptive to the team-building process and may create a sense of home-sickness.

CAMP FEES:
Camp Fees for all sessions are;
Week long Camp $275 (Y-member Discount $50)
Asthma Camp $100

All Camp fees must be paid by or at the Parent Orientation.  An unpaid balance after the Parent Orientation may result in the loss of the camper’s space at camp.  A $50.00 deposit is required upon registration and is non-refundable and
non-transferable to other YMCA programs (deposits can be transferred from one Camp Child session to another upon approval by the Camp Director).   Fees must be paid either in person or by mail to the Helena Family YMCA.

CANCELLATIONS:
Fees (less the deposit) can be transferred from Camp Child to another YMCA program, minus a $5 administrative charge.  Fees are refundable (less the deposit and the $5 administrative charge) if cancellation is given prior to the Camp session.  NO FEES WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER THE CAMP SESSION HAS STARTED.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
The YMCA believes that no one should be denied the privilege of participating in any of our life-enriching programs.  Financial Assistance is available to all financially challenged families.  A YMCA Scholarship application can be obtained through the YMCA’s Membership Services Desk.

CAMP DISMISSALS:
It is our goal that every camper enjoys his/her experience at Camp Child and returns with a life-time of memories.  If for any reason, a camper is dismissed from camp (infraction of rules, homesickness, etc.), parents will be notified to pick-up their camper from camp. Dismissal may also result in a forfeiture of fees.

WHAT TO BRING:
Campers should bring no more than 2 pieces of luggage to Camp Child with one piece being a sleeping bag. Campers will be required to carry their luggage to and from their cabins upon check-in/out.  Suggested items include:
Sleeping Bag
Blanket
Pillow/Pillow case
2 Towels
Toiletries
Toothbrush & paste
YMCA Rag
Coat/Jacket
Hat
2 pair of shoes/Hiking Boots
Swimsuit
Suntan Lotion
Hairbrush or comb
3 pairs of pants & shorts
4-5 shirts
2 sweatshirts
6 pairs of underwear
6-10 pairs of socks
Flashlight
Pajamas

Water Bottle:
We recommend that you do not pack any valuables, jewelry, expensive  clothing/shoes. Camp Child is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
Also, please mark, with indelible marker, your child’s name on his/her
articles.  A Lost & Found will be announced each night.  Any articles left at Camp will be donated to the Goodwill or thrown away.

WHAT NOT TO BRING:
Camp Child does not permit campers to carry any dangerous weapons of any kind, including knives and/or guns.  The Camp also does not permit the following items; chewing gum, matches, tobacco products, illegal drugs, alcohol, and fireworks. Any camper caught/seen with any of these items can and may be removed from the camp at the family’s expense. Radios of any kind, tape players/recorders, electronic games, cell phones, i-pods etc. are also prohibited. These items will be confiscated and returned to the parents upon leaving the session.