YOUR CHILD'S STAY AT YMCA CAMP CAMPBELL
Leadership
Our camp program is supervised by a professional YMCA Director. Cabin groups of up to 18 are supervised by two or more experienced camp leaders, while maintaining all American Camp Association standards. We pride ourselves in finding the finest people to lead and inspire our campers including year-round program specialists, teachers, and seasonal counselors. Our staff are selected for their desire to work with children and each one undergoes a training program prior to the beginning of summer camp. To increase the cultural awareness of our campers and ensure the highest quality experience, we hire both local and international staff. Character reference and background checks are conducted for all positions and all camp staff have experience in youth development.
Weekly Activities
One of the staples of our summer camp is our progressive program. Campers choose their activities on their first day from a list of 40+ progressive programs we offer including archery, pool activities, hiking and nature, arts and crafts, and a variety of sports. These options aim to teach skills that will allow for campers to pursue continued growth in an activity outside of camp.
Six-day campers finish their activities on Thursday. Two-week campers will participate in up to four different activities during each of their two weeks at camp. Activities are chosen on Sunday, with activities taking place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. This schedule allows two-week campers to have the option of changing their choices for their second week of camp.
On Wednesdays, campers will have the opportunity to choose new activities during our free choice periods. These activities include free swim with the water slide, human foosball, various high ropes elements, gaga ball, and more. For two-week campers, the second Sunday will also be a free choice day. In a two week period, campers will have up to ten, 1-hour long free choice periods.
Outdoor Science School vs. Summer Camp
We have found that many of the campers we have in the summer have also had a great experience at an outdoor science school (aka science camp), and would like to build on those great memories. There is no debate that science camp provides a wonderful opportunity for campers, but it is important to prepare them for the different experience summer camp will offer. While summer camp does provide the opportunity to meet and make new friends, it does not come with the potential comfort of having familiar classmates and teachers around. This may be uncomfortable at first, but it provides an amazing opportunity to make new connections and relationships. Additionally, most science camps last for three to four nights, where our summer camp programs can last for up to 11 nights. Lastly, the content of our summer program will be vastly different from science camp. Our program focuses on progression in recreational activities as opposed to science curriculum.
Homesickness
Going away to camp for a week or more can be a challenging experience for many children and parents. Short-term separation from parents and learning independence are both important parts of growing up even though it may not always be easy. Many children have some difficulty coping with the changes that come with spending a week away from home. This anxiety is perfectly normal and happens on occasion. You can help by counseling your children prior to camp in order to make the transition easier. Let them know that you have confidence in their ability to be away from family and how exciting it will be to meet new friends. If they are unsure of themselves, let them know how proud you will be of them if they try their best to succeed. While your child is at camp, we will notify you if any concerns arise. Once at camp, we do not allow campers to call home directly. Often, when a homesick child speaks to someone from home, their homesickness is only made worse. Instead, we encourage letter-writing both to and from the family. You may even wish to mail a letter a few days prior to the session to make sure it arrives while your child is at camp. We train our staff to be caring and empathetic, while at the same time keeping the campers so busy having fun that hopefully they will forget about their homesickness entirely.
Communication
If there is an emergency, a member of the camp staff or other YMCA Staff will notify all families. Friends and family may send mail and emails to their campers which will be delivered every day after lunch during rest hour. Please do not send any food, drinks, gum, or any consumable items, phones, iPods, tablets, etc, as these will be confiscated by staff. Campers will not have the ability to view any video attachments included in emails. If you would like to RECEIVE mail from your camper, please send pre-addressed and stamped envelopes with them. YMCA of the Redwoods will not send mail that does not have postage included.
Send mail to your camper to:
Camper's Name, Session #
YMCA Camp Campbell
16275 Hwy 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
The last call for mail is 12:00 pm on the campers last full day of camp (Tuesday for 4-day mini-camp, Thursday for all other programs), any posted letters or packages received after last call will be available for return at checkout.
Or email your camper at: redwoods@ymcasv.org
- Include camper's name and cabin in the subject line.
- Campers are unable to respond via email, but we deliver emails daily at dinner time.
Emergency Parent/Guardian Contact Info
It is very important that you provide us with complete emergency contact information on the Health History Form. If you are traveling, please list an itinerary and phone numbers where you can be reached. For campers coming from outside of the United States, YMCA Camp Campbell requires that families provide an emergency contact with a US phone number.
Emergency Contact Info
In case of emergency, please contact our office at 831-338-2128 during business hours.
If it is during non-business hours, please call our health center at 831-338-2128 x1408.
Health Care at Camp
Our camp has a well-equipped health center with resident health care staff. In case of illness, campers will be housed in the health care facility for a reasonable period of time. If deemed necessary, parents will be contacted to pick up their camper. If your child is ill, please do not send them to camp-we will try to reschedule for another week. In case of injury, the health care staff will take the necessary measures to ensure proper emergency care which may include: treatment for minor injuries, calling the parents for instructions, or calling local emergency care providers.
YMCA Camp Campbell is a place for campers from a variety of cultures, languages and backgrounds, and has a long history of success with campers whose first language is not English. With that in mind, some safety concerns must be taken in to account, as we cannot guarantee translators for any specific language. We recommend that all campers have at least basic communication skills in English to make sure they can express any health, comfort, or safety concerns to our Staff.
COVID-19
Before Camp
Before coming into camp, we will require all campers have proof of vaccination, OR have a negative test result taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to the start of camp. Campers who are not able to provide this information will not be permitted to attend.
Masking
Masking will only be required for indoor activities where campers are not able to socially distance themselves (eg Photo Lab). Campers are welcome to wear masks if they prefer and it is recommended that all campers have a mask with them should they need them.
Send Home Policy
Campers will be sent home if they have a fever or if they exhibit multiple other symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Campers who are sent home will need to have a negative test result and be symptom free before returning to camp. YMCA Camp Campbell's Health Supervisor will determine how long a camper needs to be symptom free based on the symptoms they present.
Exposure Notices
In the event of a positive COVID-19 case at camp, families of campers who have been exposed will be notified. Campers who are vaccinated will be allowed to stay at camp unless they develop symptoms. Campers who are unvaccinated will be required to leave camp, and will not be able to return for 5-days after the initial exposure and with a negative test result.
Medication
Please do not pack any medications (including over-the-counter drugs) in your child's luggage. All medications must be
submitted to health care staff either at YMCA Camp Campbell or during bus pick-up. Prescription drugs must be in the original container with a licensed physician's instructions. Please place your packaged medications in a clearly labeled zip-lock bag along with dosage and directions for administering. Please put the camper's name on the outside of the bag-permanent marker works well for labeling. All medications are administered by the camp health staff under doctor's or parents' written orders. Unused medications will be returned at the close of the camp session. Medications for which we do not receive written authorization to administer will not be provided by the health staff, including Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
When Camp Staff Will Contact Parents
Typically, there is no need to contact parents while a camper is at YMCA Camp Campbell. Not hearing from our staff is an indication that everything is going according to plan. We will contact parents and or the emergency contact in cases of emergency as deemed necessary by the health supervisor and/ or Camp Director. For routine illnesses such as vomiting, and nausea we do not call parents from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am The camper's medical needs will be cared for by the Health Supervisor and camp staff. Parents will be contacted the next day.
In the event that the Health Supervisor deems it necessary for campers to be seen by a licensed physician, parents are responsible to pick up the camper and return only after they are seen and have procured a doctor's note releasing them to return to camp.
Visitors During Camp
For the safety of your camper we do not have an open visitation policy at YMCA Camp Campbell. Camp is an immersive experience and we want campers busy in activities, cultivating independence, establishing routines and allowing themselves to embrace their community. Campers who were not feeling homesickness may start to after seeing family. If you would like any updates on how your child is adjusting, our staff is more than happy to give you a call during their camp session. We also kindly request you do not tell your child you will visit or pick them up early from camp if they are feeling homesick. This does not allow your child to fully engage in the camp experience.
Cabinmate Requests
Friends requesting to be in the same cabin for their session at camp is something we love to see. Getting to experience camp with a friend can enhance the experience and make it so much better. While we try our absolute hardest to accommodate requests, not all cabinmate requests are possible and they are not guaranteed. It is important to prepare your camper for the possibility that they may not be in the same cabin as the person they requested so they are not surprised with that information on the first day of camp. Here are the most common reasons why requests are not able to be accommodated:
- Age - The most common reason for a cabinmate request to not be accommodated is age. The age groups we have in our traditional resident camp and mini-camp programs are 7-10 (Trailblazers), 11-12 (Trekkers), and 13+ (Teens). Even within these age groups, we try to keep campers in cabins with similarly aged cabinmates. The maturity and social needs between a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old is very different, and we take that into consideration with cabinmate requests. With other factors taken into consideration, including cabin size as well as all other cabinmate requests, a few months age difference can be the deciding factor in whether or not a request can be accommodated. This includes requests for siblings.
- Large Group Size - When looking at cabin placements overall, we have found that large friend groups placed in the same cabin, can often negatively affect the campers in the cabin (Including campers in the friend group, as well as outside the friend group). When groups of four or more request to be together, we often look to place campers in smaller groups so that they are still with someone they requested, but not in a group that large.
It is important to note, that even if a cabinmate request is not accommodated, most of the camp day is spent in either meals or activities in different groups from their cabin group. Additionally, camp is a wonderful place to make new friends. Most campers come without a cabinmate request, and our counselors are trained to help campers establish friendships.
Program Eligibility
Some of our programs here at YMCA Camp Campbell require campers to meet certain physical, mental, and emotional standards. Failing to meet eligibility standards may result in transferring to another program, or removal from a program all together. Please reference the guide below when preparing for the summer:
Teen Adventure Camp (Ages 13+)
- Physical Needs - For the Classic Adventure Camp, campers will need to be able to hike upwards of 10 miles in a single day while carrying any food, water, and supplies necessary for a safe hiking experience (Not applicable for TAC Waves and Whitewater). To participate in any water craft activity (Ex. Whitewater Rafting) campers will need to pass a swimming proficiency check at the Camp pool.
- Behavioral Needs - To be able to participate in off-Camp activities, campers will need to demonstrate the ability to follow instructions in a timely manner, regulate their own behavior, and allow camp staff to assist them during potential challenging experiences.
Counselor in Training (Age: 16) and Leaders in Training (Age: 15)
- Behavioral Needs - Campers in the CIT and LIT program will need to follow instructions as it relates to any training they have. Campers will need to demonstrate the ability to role model characteristics we look for in potential counselors and leaders including but not limited to the Y's four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
The following activities in the Traditional overnight and 6-Day Mini Camp programs are reserved for campers 11 and up: High Ropes, Ceramics, and Photography
Behavior at Camp
Attending Y camp is a privilege that you as a parent/guardian have chosen for your child.
Our staff will make every attempt to provide positive, realistic expectations and guidelines for your children. All campers and parents must agree to the rules and expectations outlined on the health history form before attending camp. This is a good opportunity for you and your child to discuss the positive nature of good behavior not only at camp but also in other aspects of their life. In addition, participating in one of our camp programs implies consent for YMCA staff to search camper's belongings when there is reasonable suspicion that the camper has possession of illegal, dangerous, or stolen items.
Campers who cannot follow the camp rules or are adversely affecting the experience of other campers will be dismissed without a refund. In these instances it is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to pick up their child from camp immediately. Camp administration reserves the right to determine what constitutes a violation of these rules and will enforce them as necessary.
Summer Payment and Refund Information
Deposit: A deposit of $150 must accompany your registration for each session and is applied to the total camp fee. Deposits are not refundable and not transferable under any circumstances. In case of homesickness, dismissal for behavior, or voluntary withdrawal, there is no refund of any fees. We will refund program fees, minus the deposit, for cancellations made at least 30 days prior to the start of the session or in the event of illness or injury verified by a physician's statement.
Full refunds will be given on a case by case basis with inclusion of a licensed physician's note. Fees cannot be transferred to future years or to campers outside of the immediate family. All cancellations must be made in writing.
Insurance
Parents/guardians are responsible for any medical costs incurred as a result of injury or illness while your child is at camp. Be sure to provide accurate information (carrier and policy number) regarding your health insurance on the Health History Form.
Licensing and Accreditation
Our camp is inspected annually by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. Additionally, we are a member of the American Camp Association and undergo a thorough accreditation process in which we successfully meet nationally recognized standards of quality in the field of youth camping.
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