2013 Parent Handbook

Transcription

1 2013 Parent Handbook Phone: Fax: WELCOME TO CAMP CODY!

2 Our goal is to offer our campers a summer camp experience rich in fun, friendship, learning, and adventure. We hope you find the Parent Handbook a helpful resource as you prepare to send your child to Cody. If you have any additional questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact our office by info@campcody.com or phone (603) Index Index Page 2 Your Contact Information Page 3 Homesickness Page 3 Medical Forms and Medication Page 3 Travel to and from Camp Page 3 Baggage Shipments Page 4 Staying In Touch with Your Camper Page 4 Care Packages Page 4 Telephone Calls Page 5 Personal Property and Electronics Page 5 Clothing and Outfitting Page 6 Trips and Canteen Page 6 YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION 2

3 Please let us know in advance of any changes made to your phone numbers/addresses or those of your emergency contacts. We need accurate phone numbers and itineraries if you will be on holiday or business during your child s stay at Cody. This information is extremely important. HOMESICKNESS It is normal for campers (of all ages) at some point to experience what experts call Separation Anxiety, but is more widely referred to as homesickness. It is widely accepted among camp experts that parents who tell their kids (even with the best of intentions) if you want to come home, call me and I will pick you up have their potential to impair their child s chances of having a good experience at camp before they even get there. Ensuring that they have a great time here at Cody can start at home, expressing your certainty that we are a fun and safe place where they will cared for very well is a great start! Please know that we are always available to give reports on your camper, even if it means getting one of their counselors on the phone for you. We are devoted to making sure that your camper has a positive experience and we look forward to working together with you to make this happen. MEDICAL FORMS & MEDICATIONS State law requires that camper medical forms be at camp before your child arrives. We cannot accept any camper without his/her medical form. We cannot accept any other medical forms, other than the one provided to you by Camp Cody. Please sign the form and have it completed in detail so that we may better care for your child. ALL personal medications must be handled via CampMeds and are kept in our infirmary. All campers meet with our medical staff upon arrival, to discuss any medical concerns etc. TRAVEL TO AND FROM CAMP We take every care in ensuring all campers safe arrival and departure from camp. The Travel Form is a required document even if you are driving your child to and from camp. We need to be certain on how every child is getting to and from camp. If your child is traveling to camp by plane unaccompanied by an adult please check with your airline for regulations and fees for unaccompanied minors. These services, as well as checked baggage fees, for your child s return home journey MUST BE PRE-PAID WITH THE AIRLINE or an additional 20% charge will be applied. BAGGAGE SHIPMENTS 3

4 Having a traditional camp trunk is not necessary. Please note that all children arriving by camp charter van MUST ship luggage ahead of time. 1. Car: If you are driving your child to camp, you will probably bring his/her baggage with you in the car. Please note that if you don't plan to pick-up by car, other arrangements for baggage return will have to be made for the end of the season. 2. UPS: We recommend UPS shipment of baggage for most campers. UPS is generally very reliable and relatively inexpensive. Please make sure you plan sufficient time for transit and have the bag(s) insured. It is best if baggage arrives 5-7 days before your child s camp session starts. 3. Plane: Campers traveling by plane from other countries should bring their baggage with them. Regardless of the shipping method you use for baggage, please: 1. Have ALL belongings identified with your child s name, not just initials. 2. PRINT baggage tags with indelible marker, two tags per item, with full addresses. 3. Send any luggage keys (named) and any combinations to locks to camp. Keep an extra set of keys at home for emergencies. STAYING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CHILD LETTERS AND S All campers can receive s whilst at camp. Please note that your campers do not have internet access to back to you. All camper s should be sent through: These s will be distributed daily, along with regular mail. Mail should be addressed with the following, and your return address: Child's Name Cabin Name (available on check-in day) Camp Cody 9 Cody Road, Freedom, NH In your letters and s to your child, please don't bring up what's being missed at home or how lonesome you are, but rather wonder "what's new at camp?!" CARE PACKAGES Campers love to receive packages while they are at camp, as long as there is no food, chewing gum or candy enclosed. All packages are inspected upon arrival at camp, and any that contain food will have the food removed before being given to the camper. The reasons why we do not want parents sending food or candy to their campers are simple: bugs, critters, missing candy, jealousy, spoiled appetites and potential allergic reactions to ingredients. We do have campers with severe allergies and we do not wish to compromise their safety by food being sent to camp. We work with a company called Sealed With a Kiss (SWAK) that specializes in NON-FOOD care 4

5 packages. These are great packages and kids really have fun with the contents. For more information, please visit them online at TELEPHONE CALLS There are no camper telephone calls during the first week of each camper s time with us. We understand that you are anxious to hear how your children are doing at Cody, but we must allow time for your children to adjust to their new environment at Cody. Experience has taught us that speaking to parents soon after arriving at camp frequently increases homesickness. After the first week of camp parents may call their children during designated calling hours according to previously set up Call-In appointments. Calling hours occur during the campers free time after lunch (1:30-2:15 p.m.). Parents should call the Cody office ahead of time to make appointments. Each camper is allowed one five-minute call a week. When you make an appointment you will be given a different phone number to call. These phones are not connected outside of calling hours. PERSONAL PROPERTY AND ELECTRONICS Please don't send fragile or expensive equipment or clothing to camp. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or broken items. All internet accessible cell phones, ipods, music players and gaming devices are not allowed at camp. Camp is a great way to unplug for a short time! Leave electronics at home and enjoy camp. For our campers traveling from over-seas and by plane, ipods, cell phones etc. for their journey are allowed. However, these items MUST be signed into the Cody office upon arrival, to be kept safe for their return journey home. Cell phones will be charged in the Cody office for the journey home. Passports, plane tickets, money, and electronics will be locked in the office safe. Campers should not keep cash in their possession while they are at Cody. CLOTHING & OUTFITTING The packing list is on our web page and in the forms packet. You can also buy official Cody gear at our online camp store. Campers wear Cody clothing for inter-camp sports, field trips, and some in-camp events. Please purchase at least two Cody t-shirts, one green and one gray. We advise getting your orders placed one month in advance. We cannot guarantee on-time delivery of clothing ordered later. Ordered items will be labeled and waiting for your camper when she/he arrives at Cody. ALL camper clothing must labeled with their FULL NAME. 5

6 TRIPS AND CANTEEN Cody Trips - It is important that you review the trips that will be offered to your camper(s) and agree on which are appropriate for them to go on. Most trips at Cody incur no additional cost for campers to go on but a few trips like White Water Rafting have an additional cost, which will be pre-paid on an individual basis. Cody Canteen - if campers wish, they can have a soda or similar beverage and a candy or snack each day at no additional charge. Replacement toiletries, postage stamps, batteries etc., are also available at no charge - similar to a hotel. Campers purchasing Cody Clothing and accessories (water bottles etc.) will be charged on a per-purchase basis. Important Dates and Times for Summer week Sessions: Sunday June 23 th Saturday July 6 th Sunday July 7 th Saturday July 20th Sunday July 21 nd Saturday August 3 th Sunday August 4 th Saturday August 17th 4 week Sessions: Sunday June 23 th Saturday July 20th Sunday July 7 th Saturday August 3 th Sunday July 21 nd Saturday August 17th *Drop-off for all sessions are on Sundays from 12 noon 2:00pm* *Pick-up for all sessions are on Saturdays between 9:00am 11:00am* 6