Camp Waubanong - Policies

Camp Waubanong

Camper Policies

The following policies are establishe to provide a healthy, safe, and fun environment for all campers and staff. Please review these with your camper before they arrive at camp.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Camp cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. Campers and staff are encouraged to use the "What to Bring to Camp" checklist and not bring valuables. Please note, aerosol cans of any kind are not permitted at camp. Lost and found items will be held for 30 days after camp and then given to charity.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

All campers and staff are asked to leave electronic games and portable stereos (including Walk/Discmen) at home. These items create a distraction from the natural environment in which we live at camp.

PHONE CALLS

Because there is only one line at camp, the telephone is for camp business only. Campers are not allowed to use it for casual conversations with family and friends. The use of it when a camper is homesick is also discouraged as this usually worsens the camper's condition. All staff receive training in comforting homeick campers and helping them adjust to life at camp. If there is an emergency or if the child is homesick for an unusually long period of time the Director will call the camper's Emergency Contact person. Parents or guardians who are concerned about their child may call and speak with the Director at any time.

HOMESICKNESS

Every effort is made to help campers feel safe and welcomed at camp. Staff receive training on techniques to prevent and respond to homesickness. Very few campers actually need to leave camp due to this. However, if a camper is inconsolable parents/guardians will be notified and consulted about how they would like to proceed. Camp is unable to keep children who are unwilling to stay. Please be advised that you may need to come to camp to pick up your child in these, rare, circumstances.

MEDICATIONS

All medications (prescription and over-the-couner) must be given to the camp Health Care Manager upon registration with written instructions for use and must be in their original containers. No campers or staff will be permitted to keep personal supplies of medicaiton in their cabin or on their person) with the exception of asthma inhalers).

CAMPER REFUNDS

Two weeks prior to the beginning of their session a camper is entitled to a full refund (less a $30 registration fee). After that, a camper is entitled to a partial refund only if they cannot attend due to illness or a personal emergency. No refund will be given if a child leaves a session early due to homesickness or inappropriate behavior.

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

Camp staff provide a positive and supportive atmosphere for children to learn and grow. At no time will staff use punitive or corporal punishment to enforce camp policies. In order to maintain a healthy environment for all campers, the following guidelines are established to help redirect behavior which appears unsafe (to the camper's self or others), inappropriate, or is adversely affecting the experience of others: · All campers will be informed of camp rules and expectations at the beginning of each session. Campers will be reminded of these rules and expectations as needed throughout their stay at camp. Staff will consciously help foster a community of care and respect. · Camp has a "Three Strikes" policy regarding unsafe and inappropriate behavior: Moderately to severely unsafe and inappropriate behavior (teasing, persistently not following directions or unwilling to participate in the camp program, aggressive physical contact that does not result in injury, etc) will result in a first strike, to be determined by the Director. A contract will be made between the camper and the staff. If the behavior reoccurs a second strike is given, the contract is revised as needed, and the parents are notified. If a third strike is warranted the camper will be sent home. · Threats or an act of physical violence will result in an immediate dismissal from camp.

RELEASE OF CAMPERS

Campers will only be released to the custody of the parents or guardians who are listed on the campers registration form. Release of campers to any other person must be specified in writing when the camper arrives at camp. Any change from this procedure must be approved by the Director before the pick up day.

REPORTING SUSPECTED ABUSE

By law, all camp staff are required to report any suspicions or disclosures of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. Counselors receive training in the warning signs of abuse/neglect and will communicate any concerns to the Director.

MAIL

Getting mail at camp is fun! Unfortunately we are usually unable to forward mail that arrives after a camper has left. Please allow two days for local delivery and more for mail that comes from outside the Brattleboro area. Mail that arrives before a camper will be happily delivered once they arrive.