Camp kittimaquundi parent guide summer 2015 Registration and Questions

CAMP KITTIMAQUUNDI PARENT GUIDE

SUMMER 2015

Registration and Questions:

Jennifer Kilmer

4716 Mercury Drive

Rockville, MD 20853

[phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

Address of Camp Site:

West River Center

5100 Chalk Point Rd

West River, MD 20778

Please note: All medical forms are done online via www.vannesscenter.org
June 7, 2015
Dear Camper and Parents,
We are glad that you will be joining us for the week of August 2-7, 2015 for Camp Kittimaquundi this year. The information provided below will help you prepare for camp. If you have any questions, please call Jen Kilmer at

301-962-7979.

The Facility:

The West River Center is a magnificent site of woodlands, natural wildlife areas and one mile of waterfront on the West River, just minutes away from the Chesapeake Bay.

Camp Kittimaquundi:

Camp Kittimaquundi is a unique summer experience for girls entering grades

4 – 7, plus a select group of 8th graders. It offers a blend of activities such as sports, arts and crafts, swimming, giant swing, canoes, tubing, nature walks…and most of all, friendships based on common and lasting values.

The specific aim of the camp is to encourage and develop the Christian and human virtues necessary for becoming a positive influence with family, friends and society.

Cabin Assignments:

One of the best adventures in summer camp is making new friends. Age and school grade are taken into consideration when making cabin assignments.

Clothing:

Since this camp session is only 5 days, laundry service will not be provided.

Campers will not need expensive or trendy fashions. ALL items must be clearly marked with the owner’s name. (Note: Initials are not sufficient. If items left behind are not labeled they will be donated to charity. If they are labeled they will be returned.) Also, if campers help with packing, they are more likely to find their items once at camp. For younger campers, sometimes it is helpful to put each change of clothing together.
Please DO NOT BRING: personal electronic devices (cell phones, ipods, etc), radios, TVs, handheld electronic games, jewelry, expensive cameras, pocket knives, new or nearly new luggage, or any other item that would detract from the camp experience.
SUGGESTED CLOTHING (PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS)

1 light jacket

1 poncho or raincoat

1 sweat shirt

1 pair of sweat pants or long pants

4 shorts (no shorter than fingertip length)

2 dresses or skirts and blouses (appropriate for Mass)

7 t-shirts with sleeves covering the shoulders (due to rising incidence of Lyme disease, to prevent sun burns and for the sake of modesty)

Tube socks (for outdoor games)

2 pajamas

7 pairs of socks

7 sets of underwear

Sneakers

Sandals/flip flops

Shoes for Mass (covering toes)

One-piece modest bathing suit (no midriff exposure or low cut suits please)

Laundry bag/plastic bag for wet clothes

Other Items:

1 laundry pen or sharpie

1 sleeping bag

1 pillow and pillow case

2 bath towels

1 bag of toiletries (with bar of soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste)

2 wash cloths

1 flashlight with extra batteries (A MUST, please label)

Feminine products (if necessary)

Insect repellant spray or wipes – which should include tick repellant (A MUST!)

A watch

Prescription medication (with pharmacy label)

Sun block

Writing utensils and stamps

Optional Items:

Musical instruments (for optional talent show)

Camera and film

Reading books

Hat, visor, or sunglasses

Writing paper, envelopes (pre-addressed for home), pens and stamps

Rosary beads

Lost and Found:

There will be designated areas for lost and found items. Any camper who is unable to find a lost item should advise her camp counselor.

Birthdays:

Campers with a birthday during camp will celebrate with a cake and song.

Electronic Devices:

We ask campers to leave cell phones, smartphones, ipods, DS games, and similar items at home so that they can better focus on the process of building relationships with each other. Campers have a far better experience when they are not responding to text messages, IM-ing their friends, or returning phone calls.

Our telephone policy is: Campers are not permitted to use the telephone or bring their own cell phones. Even the most adjusted camper has a bit of homesickness and hearing a family member’s voice can exacerbate the problem.

To address parents’ concerns regarding not being able to contact your child or vice versa, please be assured that our number one priority is the creation of a safe environment that eliminates the need for a phone in the first place. We encourage campers to solve issues that may arise by talking with their counselors, each other and, if necessary, the camp director. Furthermore, all camp staff members are trained to deal with issues of homesickness, conflict, and discipline. The camp director is committed to communicating with parents as necessary whenever issues arrive.

Homesickness:

When children are away from home for the first time, it is reasonable to assume that, until they become adjusted to camp and their surroundings, they may experience homesickness of either mild or severe form. Homesickness is a very real thing; it is just as painful as a stomach ache or a sore back.

Understanding parents realize that this is something a child may need to experience and see to the finish, if she is to attain the growth of independence, which is necessary to make her a self-reliant individual. If you have any questions regarding your daughter before, during or after camp, please call Jen Kilmer at 301-962-7979. They can relay urgent messages during the week when necessary.

A homesick camper tends to consume an inordinate amount of time and attention from her counselor, the nurse and other staff members. It also can have a big impact on the other campers in the group. Similar to last year, our current policy is that you will need to pick up your daughter in case of serious homesickness. In this case, you will not be able to return as a camper in this summer’s session and you will not be refunded your money. If you think your daughter’s ability to live without contact with the family is problematic, please consider waiting for another year when she may feel more comfortable with the separation. The ability to live apart from family is part of a maturing process. It comes early for some, and later for others. Please be sure your daughter knows there will be no contact with home. If she can accept this, she is ready for a great camp experience!

Religious Services:

Holy Mass will be offered daily (except for Sunday, August 4th) as well as the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Penance. The spiritual formation at the camp is entrusted to Opus Dei, a personal prelature of the Catholic Church.

Arrival and Departure:

Parents should plan to arrive at 1:00 pm on Sunday, August 2nd for registration. We expect to have people on hand to assist with the details of final registration. The pickup from camp is on Friday, August 7th between 11:30 am- 12:00 noon. Please try to be punctual with pick-up so that we can wrap up the camp and finish the final procedures for closing down the campsite. Also, it is important that we know who is picking up your daughter once camp is done. We will need that information at registration.

Swim Test:

In order to swim in the deep end of the pool, campers must pass a swim test.

The test consists of swimming 60 feet on top of the water. Those who pass are given a hospital-type bracelet that enables the lifeguards to quickly identify campers who can safely enter the deep end of the pool.

Medications and Health Form:

We must have a child’s immunization record (please see the health form via campdoc link on www.vannesscenter.org). In order to provide the best possible care for our campers, the information onthe health form must be filled out completely and accurately. Medicationsmust be current and designated for the camper. Severe asthmatics and thosewho need an Epi-pen may wish to bring a second implement, which may bekept by the camper’s immediate counselor. A nurse is on-site through theentire week your child is at camp.

State law requires:

-that all prescription and over-the-counter medications be in original containers

-that all medications be handed over at registration and kept secure in the infirmary

-that ANY prescription AND non-prescription drug that will be taken by a camper more than once during the camp session must have an authorized

Physician’s signed order form accompany it (please see the health form).

In the past, we have had some misunderstanding of the medication rules. Please note that everything that is put into the camper’s mouth and on her skin requires a prescription.

This includes aspirin, cough drops and Neosporin (or its equivalent). Also, in the past, we have had a few incidents of lice. For this reason, we ask that you please check your daughter for lice a week before camp and again a few days prior to camp.

It is understood that campers are expected to;

Be respectful of the PROGRAM – i.e. all campers are expected to fully participate in all activities.

Be respectful of the PEOPLE – i.e. all others in camp at all times.

Be respectful of the PLACE a all times (camp property, equipment, facilities,and surrounding environment).

Correspondence with Campers:

If you would like to send a letter to your camper during the week of camp, please mail it to:

Camper’s name

Camp Kittimaquundi

PO Box 429

Churchton, MD 20733
Map and Directions:

Physical address: 5100 Chalk Point Road, West River, MD 20778

From Baltimore and Annapolis:

Take I-97 South to Rt. 50 East. Go approximately ¼ mile to Rt. 665 (Aris T.

Allen Blvd.). Follow Rt. 665 to Rt. 2 South (Solomons Island Rd.) Cross the

South River Bridge, proceed to Rt. 214 (Central Ave.) and turn left at light.

Go approximately 1 mile and turn right onto Rt. 468 (Muddy Creek Rd.)

Follow Rt. 468 for 8 miles. Turn left onto Chalk Point Rd (look for Amoco and Paceway convenience store on left). Follow Chalk Point Rd. for 1 mile; turn left into West River Center.

From Washington D.C.:

Take 495 to Rt. 4 to Rt. 258. Follow signs toward Deale. Stay on Rt. 258, crossing Rt. 2. Rt. 258 ends at Rt. 256, where you turn left. Stay on Rt. 256 until it ends at Rt. 468 (Muddy Creek Rd.). Turn left. Proceed 100 yards and turn right onto Chalk Point Rd. (at Amoco station). West River Center is 1 mile down on the left.