Parent's Guide 2021 - Camp Eagle Hill
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Parent’s Guide 2021
WWW.CAMPEAGLEHILL.COM | SUMMER@CAMPEAGLEHILL.COM
SUMMER 518-537-4000 | WINTER 914-725-4876
enriching lives through the camp experience
KEY
This sign indicates an especially Important Fact! This sign indicates an especially Important Policy!
CONTENTS
Dear Parents......................................... 2
Dates and Contacts............................... 3
Transportation.................................. 4 – 5
Clothing and Apparel Notes............. 6 – 7
Medical Information............................... 8
Spending Money .................................. 9
Communications.......................... 10 – 11
Electronics........................................... 12
Visiting Camp...................................... 13
Miscellaneous Stuff............................. 14
Day and Overnight Trips...................... 15
Talking to Your Kids About Camp......... 16
We Are Available to Help You.............. 17
CHECKLIST
Forms need to be submitted
electronically. Please refer
to the Camper Forms page
on our website to see directions
for submitting forms into your
family's CampSite profile.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 1 <
For Our Camp Families
All of the preparations have been made This handbook is meant to serve as a helpful guide
to ensure a great summer for your family. for preparing you for the upcoming summer. By
We now await the passage of time until following the handbook’s instructions, tips and
guidelines, we hope that you will find getting ready
the start of camp…. Our best wishes for
for camp quite simple.
a most pleasant summer for all….
Jesse
REGARDING CAMP and COVID-19:
As mentioned in our 2021 Opening Letter (found in
your Family Profile in CampSite), this past year has been
filled with a number of worries and concerns. We
have all been living with new routines and new
lifestyles. As we move closer to the start of our 59th
camp season, we are hoping that this summer will
be a bit of a "rebirth", a chance for all of our
campers to get outdoors and enjoy all of the magic
that a camp season at Camp Eagle Hill has to offer.
This Parents' Guide has been written for a regular
camp season. Naturally, based on health concerns
and conditions related to the spread of COVID-19,
some of the policies or procedures described within,
may have to be tweaked, altered or completely
changed. In the middle of May, we will inform you of
our Covid Protocols for this season highlighting
those things that we will be doing to keep both
campers and staff safe and healthy at all times.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do
not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.
Our warmest regards to everyone! Be well....
The Scherer Family
<
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 2
Dates and Contacts
DATES CONTACTS
The following sessions and dates will be in effect this Please Note: Our “winter office” will be moving to camp
summer and are provided as a reminder of our start itself on Wednesday, June 16. Any payments mailed on
and end dates for these sessions. We will be sending June 10 or after, should be mailed directly to the
out mailings during the summer to remind you of the summer office (at camp itself).
start and end of your child(ren)’s stay with us at camp.
WINTER ADDRESS SUMMER ADDRESS
July 10 – August 7 33 Barclay Rd PO Box 12
July 10 – July 24 Scarsdale, NY 10583 Elizaville, NY 12523
July 24 – August 7 p. 914-725-4876 p. 518-537-4000
summer@campeaglehill.com
www.campeaglehill.com
Other important dates to keep a note of are:
June 1st - Tuition Payments due/apparel orders
due
June 21st — Medical Forms Due/All Camp
Forms due
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 3 <
Transportation
DRIVING TO CAMP
For Opening Day, July 10th: For this season, we
expect all campers to come to camp and return
home at the end of their stay, by car. Please plan
your arrival at camp for between 11 a.m. and 12
noon. You will be directed as to the location for
the drop-off of your children and their luggage
when you arrive at our camp facility. Due to the
volume of activity on Opening Day, we cannot
unfortunately provide opportunities for touring the
camp during your child's first day with us at camp.
In addition, please do not bring to camp, or place
inside your child’s luggage, anything from our
“DO NOT SEND TO CAMP” list on our Clothing
List. (see page 7 of this guide)
For those joining us on July 24th: We will be
asking you to plan your arrival for 12 noon. We
will be giving you more details on this in an e-mail
to your family during early July. You can confirm
your transportation plans to us after the receipt of
this July e-mail.
E
g
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 4 <
l
e
Driving Directions
FROM LONG ISLAND
• WHITESTONE BRIDGE
• Take the HUTCHINSON PKWY NORTH
• HUTCHINSON PKWY travels straight into Rt 684 NORTH Continue on Rt 684 to Rt 84 W toward NEWBURGH
• Take theTACONIC STATE PKWY NORTH
• Take the JACKSON CORNERS Road Exit
• Turn LEFT onto CR-2/JACKSON CORNERS Road
• Travel on JACKSON CORNERS Road for 4.5 Miles
• Turn RIGHT at fork onto CR-19
• Turn RIGHT onto White Oak Road
FROM MANNHATTAN
• WEST SIDE HIGHWAY NORTH
• Take the HENRY HUDSON PKWY NORTH
• Take the SAW MILL RIVER PKWY NORTH
• Take theTACONIC STATE PKWY NORTH
• Take the JACKSON CORS Road Exit
• Turn LEFT onto CR-2/JACKSON CORNERS Road
• Travel on JACKSON CORNERS Road for 4.5 Miles
• Turn RIGHT at fork onto CR-19
• Turn RIGHT onto White Oak Road
FROM NEW JERSEY
• GARDEN STATE PARKWAY NORTH
• Merge onto I-87 N/NYS THRUWAY NORTH
• Exit Rt 84 E towards DANBURY, CT and go over the Newburgh Beacon Bridge.
• Continue on Rt 84 to the TACONIC STATE PKWY NORTH Take the JACKSON CORS Road Exit
• Turn LEFT onto CR-2/JACKSON CORNERS Road
• Travel on JACKSON CORNERS Road for 4.5 Miles
• Turn RIGHT at fork onto CR-19
• Turn RIGHT onto White Oak Road
FROM ALBANY
• I-90 E (towards BOSTON)
• Exit onto TACONIC STATE PKWY SOUTH
• Take the JACKSON CORS Road Exit
• Turn RIGHT onto CR-2/JACKSON CORNERS Road Travel on JACKSON CORNERS Road for 4.5 Miles
• Turn RIGHT at fork onto CR-19
• Turn RIGHT onto White Oak Road
FROM BOSTON
• I-90 W (Crossing into NY).
• Exit onto TACONIC STATE PKWY SOUTH
• Take the JACKSON CORS Road Exit
• Turn RIGHT onto CR-2/JACKSON CORNERS Road Travel on JACKSON CORNERS Road for 4.5 Miles
• Turn RIGHT at fork onto CR-19
• Turn RIGHT onto White Oak Road
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 5 <
Clothing and Apparel
LAUNDRY
The Clothing List should serve as a guide for selecting
clothing for camp. As Camp laundry is done once each
week, a ten day supply of clothing (for all camp sessions)
will help to ensure that your child has enough clothing to PURCHASING APPAREL
wear prior to the return of clean clothing to your child’s
A Camp Eagle Hill apparel and supplies catalogue is
group. Sending a few extra pairs of socks and
available on line at www.bunkline.com and may be used
underwear is a good idea.
to order online camp T-shirts as well as a camp sweatshirt
NOTE: Due to limited storage space we ask that you pack (hooded or crewneck).
in soft duffel bags and avoid using hard trunks.
All purchases of apparel or supplies are optional and
orders should be made directly through
“The BunkLine Outfitter”, our official Camp Outfitter. For
international campers, you can arrange for shipments to
be made directly to the camp. You can direct any
questions or concerns directly to The BunkLine Outfitter.
Their phone number is 1-800-435-6888.
NOTE: In order to ensure on time receipt of your apparel,
it is essential that you place your orders early. The order
deadline is June 1.
INTERNATIONAL CAMPERS
For international campers, we will provide linens, blankets,
pillows, and towels. We understand the limitations of
traveling with excessive luggage from overseas. Therefore,
we provide same day laundry service for international
campers.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 6 <
Eagle Hill Clothing List (For All Sessions)
GENERAL ITEMS
REQUIRED ITEM
l 3 Long Sleeve Shirts
l 3 Sweaters/Sweatshirts l Water Bottle
l 3 Sweatpants
l 3 Pairs of Jeans/
The red box indicates required Leggings
item to bring to camp. l 3 Pairs Pajamas
l 14 T-Shirts
BE SURE TO LABEL ALL ITEMS TOILETRIES MISCELLANEOUS
l 16 Underwear l Drinking Cup l Second Pair
WITH YOUR CHILD(REN)’S NAME
l 16 Pairs of Socks l Toothbrush of Glasses
l 10 Pairs of Shorts l Toothpaste l Contact Lenses
l 4 Swimsuits l Dental Floss l Costumes (optional)
l 2 White T-Shirts l Shower Caddy l Camera (optional)
(for tie dying)
l Soap l 2 Belts
l 1 Light Jacket l 1 Hat or Cap
l Soap Dish
l Deodorant l Sunglasses
BEDDING
l Shampoo l Books/Games
l 1 Laundry Bag
DO NOT SEND TO CAMP l Nail Clipper l Flashlight/Batteries
l 2 Blankets (or 1 quilt)
• Plug-in Fans l Comb/Hairbrush l Stamps/Postcards
l 6 Towels
l Pens/Pencils
l 2 Fitted Cot Sheets
• Food, Soda, Cup-A-Soup, Gum and
Snacks SHOES l Paper/Envelopes
l 2 Flat Cot Sheets
l 1 Pair of Sandals l Tissues
l 2 Pillow Cases
• Water Guns
l 2 Pairs of Sneakers
l Swim Goggles
• Glass Containers l 1 Pillow l 1 Pair of Rain Boots
• Pocket Knives l Fishing Gear
• Handheld Electronic Games
EQUIPMENT l Bug Spray*
l Baseball Glove l Sunscreen*
l Shin Guards
• Chairs (lawn, beach, bean bag, etc.)
• TVs, DVD Players l Soccer Socks
* Due to sensitive allergies,
• Portable Storage Units l Sleeping Bag Department of Health
• Expensive Items l Tennis Racket regulations no longer permit
• Extension Cords us to provide sunscreen or
bug spray to campers.
• iPads/Tablets
• A Cell Phone That Doubles as
a Camera or Music Device—
SPECIAL NOTES
Instead... Please send a separate
camera and separate music device. • We can not be held responsible for items that are lost or damaged
while at camp.
• Camp Eagle Hill colors are red and white. For special events, we
often ask our campers to dress in red and white therefore we ask you
to include some clothes with our camp colors in mind.
• For those campers who will be in camp on August 5th and 6th,
please bring 2 nice outfits for our end of summer prom and banquet
nights.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 7 <
Medical Information
MEDICAL FORMS should be filled out when your child(ren) is/are examined
by your family’s physician. We are required to have these forms at camp. They
must be completed and uploaded to your family's CampSite profile by no later
than June 21st! Information pertaining to any medications that you will be
MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE sending with your child to camp is to be included on the medical form, as is
POLICY INFORMATION
information allowing you to indicate what medications may be used for your
We must have on file your family’s child’s care. (All medical forms are to be uploaded to your family's CampSite
medical policy name and number
profile).
for any visits to doctors,
specialists or hospitals. We also We are required by New York State to provide information forms concerning
need a credit card number on file Meningitis. These forms will give you some details on this topic. We provide
to be used when doctors,
a required web-based form in your family's CampSite profile asking you to
specialists, or hospitals do not
take your family’s insurance confirm that you have received this information. As can be viewed on the face of
policy. this form, the act of immunizing your child against this disease is an option that
you may already have taken, or may decide to take prior to camp. We suggest,
should you have any questions about having your child immunized, that you
discuss this issue with your family’s physician. We must have this form
submitted to us along with our Camp Medical Form (on your family's CampSite
profile) by June 21st.
Our Camp Infirmary is available to your child at all times during his/her stay with
us at camp. When a child is not well, or has some type of ailment, a member of
our Infirmary Staff will attend to your child’s medical care. Occasionally, a camper
will stay overnight at our Infirmary to gain proper rest and medical treatment.
Usually, campers that stay in the Infirmary overnight, return to their groups and
the program of camp the morning after their overnight stay. When a child stays in
the Infirmary overnight, it is camp policy to inform parents by telephone as to
their child’s physical condition. Where the camp Medical Staff feels that a
particular camper should be seen by the camp’s Doctor off the grounds of camp,
a second phone call to parents is made to alert parents of the Doctor’s thoughts
and possible call for use of medication. In the rare event that a camper is seen at
one of the two nearby Hospital Emergency Rooms, an immediate call to parents
is made by the camp. If you would like communications with your family
regarding your child’s health to be other than what is stated above, we ask that
you please note your needs on our CAMPER MEDICAL FORM. Should you
have any questions, please feel free to call us at our camp office.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 8 <
Spending Money - not for 2021
IMPORTANT NOTE:
REQUIRED AMOUNTS
This page is only for reference for now. We may
take a day trip or two this season. We will alert you as to our Below you will find the required amounts of Spending
plans in June. Your child may need a very small amount of
Money listed for different age groups. As a note, older
spending money. Please stay tuned for more information on
this. campers need extra money as outlined below,
especially for use during our extended trips at the end
of the camp season. We will be providing set amounts
GENERAL INFORMATION Our campers coming out of of money for all day trips from money deposited for
4th grade and above typically go on day trips by your child's spending money (and $150 from the
division from camp during weeks two through five. We required amount below for the ‘Teens’ 3-day trip and
cover the cost of all trips from camp, all entrance fees $200 to ‘Seniors’ and ‘CITs’ for the 4-day trip) to each
or other costs associated with activities or events that
camper participating on these trips. Please do not
are a part of camp trips. Spending Money provided to
send larger amounts of money for any age group.
your child in advance of their stay at camp will cover
any souvenirs or refreshments that your child might NOTE: Please do not send cash to camp with your
buy when participating in our camp trips. child.
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO PROVIDE YOUR CAMPER WITH SPENDING MONEY:
• PayPal: Families now have the option to submit Spending Money for their camper(s) via PayPal. To use this
method, please log into your PayPal account and send a payment to summer@campeaglehill.com.
• Check: If you would like to mail us a check, please make the check out to “Jesse Scherer” (this will keep us
from having to deposit your check in our general Camp Eagle Hill business account) and on the front of the
check state that this is for your child’s “Spending Money” account. We will make sure that the money gets
into your child’s account.
MAILING INSTRUCTIONS WHEN SENDING A CHECK:
• If before June 10th, please mail to the winter office: 33 Barclay Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583
• If after June 10th, please mail to the summer office: PO Box 12, Elizaville, NY 12523
REQUIRED SPENDING MONEY AMOUNTS
Age Group Full Season Session 1 Session 2
Inters (Grades 4-6)* $80 $50 $30
Teens (Grades 7-8)* $200 $50 $150
Seniors (Grade 9)* $250 $50 $200
CITs (Grade 10)* $300 $100 $200
*Age groups are based on the grade in which your camper is coming out of.
NOTE: ALL INTERNATIONAL CAMPERS with the "expense package", your child will be receiving money from this
package for day trips only. Your child must bring with them to camp $150 for the three day trip if your child is a
'Teen' or $200 for the four day trip if your child is a 'Senior' or 'CIT'.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 9 <Communications
CAMP OFFICE TELEPHONE
If you need to contact us during the summer, please Incoming calls directly to your child are not permitted
call our camp office at (518)-537-4000 or email us at except in the event of an emergency. Campers may bring a
office@campeaglehill.com. Our camp office will be open cell phone to camp for outgoing calls. All cell phones will be
from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday–Saturday. On kept in the camp office.
Sundays, our camp office will be open from 8:45 a.m. The first calling date for campers (those with cell phones)
to 5:00 p.m. Should you need to reach us beyond office will be on Wednesday, July 14th. The last date for cell
hours, please leave us a voice message and we will get phone calls will be on Wednesday, August 4th. Between
back to you shortly. these two dates, cell phone calls will take place on
Wednesday, July 21st and Wednesday, July 28th.
PARENT NOTIFICATIONS
Cell phone calls will be from 7 – 7:30 p.m.
Throughout the summer we may be providing you with
notification of changes that we need to make you aware
of, or details that are of some importance to our camp If your child does not have a cell phone , please e-mail our
families. We will be doing this by way of e-mails. We ask camp office to make an appointment to speak with your
that you be sure that we have a current e-mail address on child. These appointments can be scheduled on a once per
file for at least one parent/guardian. week basis for phone calls to parents only. These calls
can be scheduled to be made between 6:45 and 7:30 p.m.
In addition, camp phones will be made available for special
MAIL occasions (i.e. birthdays).
This season, we ask that you make use of e-mails and
phone calls for communicating with your child at camp.
E-MAILS
(please see more details on this page.....
For this season, we will be distributing e-mails
after lunch. Please send any e-mail communications to your
child's name using our office e-mail address,
office@campeaglehill.com - We will make sure that your
child receives his or her e-mail from you.
PHOTOS ON OUR WEBSITE
We will be posting pictures throughout the camp season on
the site, Bunk1.com. (you can find a link to this site on the
Forms page of our website). Please note that we will try to
take as many pictures as we can of each child, but it may
not be possible to photograph all of our campers every
camp day.
Camp Eagle Hill does not authorize the use of photos
or videos of campers or staff on the internet by
campers, staff, or their families.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 10 <PACKAGES & SENDING SNACKS TO CAMP
LICE POLICY
IMPORTANT NOTE - WE WILL NOT BE HEAD LICE: We ask that you please have your
ACCEPTING PACKAGES THIS CAMP SEASON - child inspected for the presence of head lice
the following information is offered by way of immediately before camp begins (or your child’s
reference for future summers. stay with us at camp). If your child has head lice or
has been exposed to someone with head lice prior
In an effort to promote higher camp health and hygiene to arriving at camp, we ask that you please have
standards, we do not allow certain items into our campers’ your child checked and treated.
buildings.
This season, should your child come to camp with
This includes all food and snacks, gum, soups and a case of head lice, an outside professional lice
soda. If you would like to send a package to camp, we ask treatment service will be treating each individual
that you limit the contents of the package to things other case of nits and/or live lice at a cost
than food. (i.e.: magazines, games, or clothing articles) We of $150 per camper. It is therefore very important
also ask that you not send any glass items or glass bottles that your child’s hair be inspected before they
to camp. arrive at camp. Naturally, should your child be
found to have a case of lice after arrival at camp,
Your cooperation is appreciated! we will provide your child with the kind of concern
and care that a child in this situation deserves. We
will inform you of this issue should it arise at
camp, and we will need to charge a credit card for
the cost involved soon after this service is
provided.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 11 <Electronics (iPods and Cameras)
iPODS AND ELECTRONICS
iPODS and DIGITAL CAMERAS: We have all become
accustomed to the luxuries that technology offers us.
Since many of these gadgets offer comfort at camp, we
want campers to be able to enjoy them while at camp too.
However, in order for us to accommodate these items
at camp, we need your full cooperation regarding the
following rules and guidelines:
1. We will not be responsible for loss or damage of
these items. If this is of concern, then please do
not send them to camp.
2. Laptop Computers, iPads or other tablets are NOT
permitted at camp.
3. iPods are for use in the bunk only.
They may not be used elsewhere, unless it is
being used with a particular activity and with the
permission of the camp leadership. For example,
campers may find it handy to have an ipod at a
guitar lesson, but may not bring an iPod to the
pool for free swim. iPods may be used to listen to
music ONLY and may not be used to play movies,
games, etc.
4. iPods and Digital Cameras cannot be used in any
inappropriate or malicious way!
5. All cell phones will be stored in our camp office.
Campers must have a camera and/or music player
that is separate from a phone. Phones will not be
made available to be used as cameras or music
devices.
We are making a strong effort to provide campers with the
most comfortable environment at camp. We trust that these
rules will be followed by everyone. We appreciate your
understanding and cooperation.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 12 <Visiting Camp VISITING DAY
IMPORTANT NOTE: Unfortunately, we will be LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS
unable to have a Parents' Visiting Day this season. If you will be staying in the area near camp for
The following is provided as a reference for future Visiting Day, we might suggest the following Hotels
camp seasons. in the area surrounding camp:
Courtyard by Marriott
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. — 845-485-6336
Holiday Inn Express
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. — 845-473-1151
The Beekman Arms
Rhinebeck, N.Y. — 845-876-7077
Best Western Plus
Kingston, N.Y. — 845-338-0400
Courtyard by Marriott
Kingston, N.Y. — 845-382-2300
VISITING DAY RULES
All relatives and friends, younger and older, will be
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
welcome to visit on this day. However, we do have
several rules to keep in mind when visiting camp. In the fall, you will have the opportunity to enroll
your child for the 2022 camp season. By registering early,
• We ask that all visiting to camp be limited to this day you not only reserve a place for your child(ren), but
• Pets of any kind will not be welcome you also take advantage of the most discounted rates for
• Smoking is not permitted in or around any camp the 2022 season.
buildings
• Campers may not leave the campgrounds
• Our waterfront will not be open to guests
We will be asking you to bring a picnic lunch to share with
your family on the grounds of camp.
You will be receiving an e-mail from us during the first
week of camp describing all of the details of this season’s
Visiting Day.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 13 <Miscellaneous Stuff
CAMPER INFORMATION FORM ACTIVITY PERMISSION FORM (Again, a possible Camp
Trip will be detailed to all families in June should it take
Camper Information Forms (part of the electronically place)
submitted forms) give us information that we should have
to help us work most effectively with your child(ren). It also An Activity Permission Form is required for Day Trips
gives you the opportunity to provide us with information and certain camp activities, to provide us with the
that you feel is necessary for us to have. These forms are permission to have your child participate in these types of
reviewed only by camp directors and only the relevant activities. All of our trips off the grounds of camp are
information will be shared with your child(ren)’s chaperoned and supervised by trained, certified, mature
counselors. Even if your child is returning to camp, he or and caring staff members. We must have this form on file
she may have counselors that do not know him/her. We for each camper prior to the start of the summer.
ask that you complete this form thoroughly and
completely, regardless of your child(ren)’s age or previous This form will be submitted using your family's CampSite
years at camp. profile.
BIRTHDAYS
We celebrate birthdays with announcements, group
songs, and a birthday cake. Campers are also allowed to
have an extra phone call home on their birthday.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 14 <Eagle Hill Day and Overnight Trips - IMPORTANT NOTE: This page is only to
be viewed as a reference for future summers. We will not be taking these trips this camp
season. We expect to get back to these trips for the 2022 camp season.
We will e-mail itineraries to families for both of the extended
trips found below.
All of our campers, from ten years of age and older (having
completed 4th grade and above), travel on three, one day
trips during the first four weeks of camp to places in the TEENS THREE DAY TRIP
area local to camp. Over the years our campers have
traveled to local state parks, water parks, minor league For our campers who have completed 7th and 8th grades
baseball games, historic sites, farms, summer theatre (Teens), this season’s three day trip will take place during
productions and many more cultural or fun-based Week 5. Our campers will be traveling this season on a
attractions. Our younger campers (those having completed coach bus to Philadelphia and the Amish country. They
4th – 6th grades) take a one day trip during our Session 2 will be staying in hotel accommodations. Great events are
to a Six Flags Amusement Park, either in Lake George, planned for this trip. Only those campers enrolled for Full
New York or outside of Springfield, Massachusetts. All Season or Session 2 will be eligible for this trip.
trips are chaperoned by both adult and counselor staff
members with campers travelling in comfortable and safe,
SENIORS/CITS FOUR DAY TRIP
camp owned, leased, or contracted vehicles.
For our campers who have completed 9th (Seniors) and
10th (CITs) grades, this season’s four day trip will take
place during Week 5. Our campers will be traveling this
season through New York state to Niagara Falls. Only
those campers enrolled for Full Season or Session 2 will
be eligible for this trip.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 15 <Talking to Your Kids About Camp
TIPS KEEP IT ALL THE SAME
Sending your child to camp for the summer is a huge Reassuring your camper that home will be just as they
milestone and a great investment in your child’s develop- left it when they return from camp can be a very helpful
ment and future. Although camp is certainly about having tool. Campers are usually worried about the simple things,
fun and making friends, it is also about exploring one’s like their room and favorite possessions, the family pet
independence and becoming part of a community that and Mom and Dad. Make sure they know that home will
is supportive and positive. Here are some helpful hints always be there. If for any reason such a promise cannot
for getting both new and returning campers emotionally be kept, please notify us at camp. We can be helpful with
prepared for camp. such areas.
TALK OPENLY KEEP US INFORMED
If your child shows signs of apprehension or concern about Please TALK TO US at camp. Any information about your
going to camp, encourage them to talk with you about their child and/or anything that has happened this year at home
specific concerns. Assure them that these feelings are is invaluable information. Things that could fall into this
completely normal and that most campers feel this way the category are changes in your family (illness or death of
first time they go off to camp. Encourage them about their a loved one, divorce, moving, poor grades, or social
decision to go to camp and share with them how proud problems). The more we know, the more helpful we can
you are of this decision. Invite your child to contact the be. We understand and respect that such information
camp office (via phone or e-mail) and talk with us about is personal in nature and we therefore treat it with great
their concerns. There is a lot we can do to help! care and concern.
DON’T SAY “JUST TRY IT” KEEP GOOD-BYES BRIEF
Please DO NOT use a “just try it” or a “you can always When you leave your child at the bus pickup or at camp
come home early” attitude or approach with your child. If on Opening Day of your child’s session with us, please
your child is homesick, we will support you and your child make your good-bye brief and positive. A strong hug, big
every step of the way. We will work together to help both kiss and a quick “I love you and I am proud of you” is our
you and your child through homesickness. We will make best suggestion. Lingering as you depart or emotional
decisions together! Although it may seem to help to offer good-byes will be emotionally upsetting to your child. The
the “just try it” approach at home, you are setting your same advice is important when visiting camp on Visiting
child up for a harder road at camp. Please help us to help Day as well.
you by not making these kinds of promises.
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 16 <WE ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU
We would like once again to thank you for your commitment
to Eagle Hill for the upcoming summer. We will do everything
that we can to give your child/children an exciting, challenging,
fun-filled, and safe camp experience. Should there be a need
to share information with us concerning your child’s stay with
us at camp, to have something explained or clarified, or alert
us as to some dates or a time when you will be away from
home during the summer, we would be happy to hear from
you and help you and your family in whatever way we can.
Please feel free to give us a call in our camp office, or e-mail
us at any time prior to, or during the summer.
www.campeaglehill.com | summer@campeaglehill.com
Summer 518-537-4000 | Winter 914-725-4876
> CAMP EAGLE HILL I PARENT’S GUIDE 17You can also read
