Page 26 - Demo 2

The First 48 Hours at Camp

Your child
probably excited, and understandably a little anxious. We wanted to provide a detailed overview of the first 48 hours at camp, which we hope will help to answer some of your questions.
The night before camp opens, make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep. The next day will be a full, busy and exciting one. Spend time at bedtime speaking positively about what is ahead, and assure your child that the counsellors are always there to help him/her. Tell your child that he/she will not be alone, and that he/she will make new friends right away.
AT THE BUS: Arrange your time so that you arrive at least a half-hour before departure time. The buses leave on time. Rushing to catch a bus creates a stressful send off. Also, by coming to the buses early, you can take your child onto the bus and make sure he/she gets an appropriate seat. Campers travel up to camp with other kids in their age group. If there is someone your child wishes to sit with on the bus, please tell us beforehand. If you wish, you may send along a small snack for the bus ride. We recommend something to munch on and something to drink. The buses do not stop on the way to camp. Please ensure that any food item sent for the bus ride DOES NOT CONTAIN TRACES OF NUTS/PEANUTS. There are toilets on each of the buses. There is staff from camp on each bus to care for and attend to each camper. If you have special medications for your child, please bring them to the bus and include clear instructions. Give the medicine to one of the directors or designated nurses who are always at the buses to make sure the departure goes smoothly.
is going to camp for the first time. As a parent you are
ARRIVAL AT CAMP: Your child’s counsellors will be waiting to greet your child when the buses arrive at camp. Staff greet their campers as they step off the buses. When all the campers in the cabin have been claimed, they go as a group with the counsellors to their cabin. The duffel bags you sent to camp a few days ago are in the cabin waiting for the campers. Each camper has his/her own shelves assigned, and the campers begin the process of unpacking and settling in. For the youngest campers, their clothes are unpacked and folded into shelves prior to arrival. You may let us know if your child prefers a top or bottom bunk. The counsellors are present to help the campers settle in. Once the campers have unpacked, the counsellors take the campers on a walk around camp in order to orient them to the areas, activities and services around camp. This includes the waterfront, land sports areas, health centre, dining hall and the Directors’ cabin/office. The campers are shown immediately that access to the Directors’ cabin/office is open 24 hours a day. Many parents are pleasantly surprised to learn just how open and accessible the Directors are. Swim tests are conducted soon after arrival to confirm the swimming level of each child and to impress upon them water safety habits. After the walk about, it is usually dinner time. Cabin groups come to meals as a group and sit together at a table. We pride ourselves on our food service and we have always been recognized for the quality of our food.
26• TIMBERLANE • www.camptimberlane.ca