Summer Camp Details - Family Handbook

INTRODUCTION - DATES
We're happy that you'll be joining us this summer at camp and hope all your preparations will go smoothly.  We recommend keeping this Family Handbook accessible to guide your preparations.  It's full of information about your child's summer at camp.

We try to have as few rules as possible regulating life at camp, but those that are spelled out are important and we hope you will take note.  We do want to be in touch with you in general, especially regarding the happiness and well being of your child.

Our preferred means of communications is by letter because it creates a useful record for dealing with issues, problems or whatever special requests you may have.  Every camper has his or her own folder; it's available to your child's counselor and contains useful guidance information such as the camper application form and important communications from you.

Sometimes it is necessary for parents to call camp and we ask that you try to reach us during office hours, 9:30 - 6:00 p.m.  Please understand that it is very difficult to accommodate all parent, camper and staff telephone needs during the summer, so we urge you to use the phone only when really necessary.  We believe it's wonderful for people to enjoy the ancient art of letter writing, especially in an increasingly high-tech video/phone/fax/e-mail fast moving world!

PLEASE NOTE!! Starting and ending days of the week have CHANGED:

Session 1: Begins Saturday July 3; Ends Wednesday July 28
Session 1 INTRO: Begins Saturday July 3; Ends Sunday July 18
Session 2: Begins Saturday July 31; Ends Wednesday August 25
Session 2 INTRO: Begins Saturday July 31; Ends Sunday August 15

We hope you can come see us during the summer, even if you live far away or in another country. We look forward to welcoming you at camp!

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
By Bus or Airplane
Please refer to the
TRAVEL PLANS AND RESERVATION FORM
for more details.
CHARTER BUS:  available from NYC, Mt. Kisco, and Hartford.
VAN: available from Boston.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE: available from Manchester, NH and Boston, MA.
Please note:  Boston Massachusetts Logan Airport is for International Campers Only.

Your Transportation Information Form MUST be sent to us by April 30th even if you are being driven to camp.  Please note the NEW opening & closing days of the week!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO WINDSOR MOUNTAIN

Arrival/Departure Timetable:  Please plan to bring your camper between 1:30 and 4:00 pm. Pickup times:

July 28 and Aug 25: Please plan on picking up your camper between 9 am and noon.

For two-week campers departing on July 18 or Aug 15th: Please plan on picking up your camper between 10 and 11 am; or consider joining our Visiting Day Festival activities 11am to 2 pm.

From the New York City Area:
Take Interstate 91 North to Brattleboro, Vermont. Take Exit 3 (Route 9 East, Keene, NH) in Vermont. Follow Route 9 over the river and into NH. (PLEASE NOTE:  there are often speed traps on Route 9 during the summer months.) As you approach Keene, Route 9 makes a left turn at the light just after the Super 8 Motel/Monadnock Shopping Center. Take a slight right to continue on Route 9 towards Hillsboro and Concord for approximately 25 miles. At the junction of Route 31 North (you will have already passed the turn off for 31 South), make a left hand turn onto Route 31 North. Continue 1 and 1/2 miles, you’ll pass Williams Store on the left.  Take your next left onto Windsor Road (sign posted for Windsor Mountain International) and travel approximately 3 miles to a second Windsor Mountain sign at the top of a hill. Bear left and go 1/2 mile. Our entrance is on the right, marked with a large Windsor Mountain sign with our logo in the center.  PLEASE NOTE: the speed limit on Windsor Road is 25 MPH and is enforced!

From the Boston Area:
From the Boston Area - Interstate 93 North, take Exit 12 for Interstate 89 North in Concord. Follow Interstate 89 North for approximately 7 miles, take Exit 5 (a left hand exit) for Route 9 West (Henniker/Hillsboro). (PLEASE NOTE:  there are often speed traps on Route 9 during the summer months.) Continue on Route 9 West for approximately 20 miles. After you pass around Hillsboro on the bypass, you will reach the junction of Route 31 North at the 1830 House Motel and an Antique Gallery. Take a right onto Route 31 North. Continue 1 and 1/2 miles, you’ll pass Williams Store on the left.  Take your next left onto Windsor Road (sign posted for Windsor Mountain International) and travel approximately 3 miles to a second Windsor Mountain sign at the top of a hill. Bear left and go 1/2 mile. Our entrance is on the right, marked with a large Windsor Mountain sign with our logo in the center.  PLEASE NOTE: the speed limit on Windsor Road is 25 MPH and is enforced!

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If you need to reach us on an important matter or would like to discuss your child's adjustment to camp, you may reach us during regular office hours, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST at:

603-478-3166

When you call this number after hours you will reach our voice mail system.  The message will give instructions on how to reach a director in the event of an emergency.

CAMPER TELEPHONE POLICY
Camp is an opportunity for campers to develop independence and to mature in a supportive environment.  In order to help kids develop a healthy sense of independence, we encourage campers and parents to communicate by letter writing.

CAMPERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CALL HOME.  If it is urgent that you speak with your child, please call a director who will arrange a time for the child to take the call.

 We strongly encourage parents and families to write to campers; they are very appreciative of letters from home.  It’s a good idea to send a supply of pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes to camp with your child. We’ve found that many campers do not really know how to address an envelope properly, and this helps to ensure that letters will actually reach you!

If your child is having a difficult time adjusting to camp, or if there are any other questions or concerns, we will call to discuss them with you.

FAX & E-MAIL POLICY
We will allow faxes and e-mails to be sent to INTERNATIONAL CAMPERS ONLY. These campers will also be able to send letters to parents by FAX or as a scanned email attachment. The international student liaison counselor will send all international camper letters. Please limit your letters to no more than TWICE a week. For FAXes, use dark ink on white paper (and encourage your child to do the same). Outgoing e-mails from campers will not be permitted

MAIL & “CARE PACKAGES”
Kids love to receive mail!  We strongly encourage lots of letter writing as a means for parents and children to stay in touch during the summer.  In addition to a letter from Mom & Dad, they also can't wait for a "care package".  Following are some suggestions of items to include in a package to your child.  Please feel free to suggest  other items to include on the list for next year.

NO FOOD!                 
fun socks, sun visors, hats, sunglasses, books, postcards, comic books                 posters, small games, toiletries, stickers, stationary, pins, stamps
small stuffed animals, rubber stamps/pads, fancy pens, t-shirts
NO FOOD!

We do request that care packages NOT contain food or candy of any kind.  When kids have a constant supply of candy and other "empty-calorie" snacks from home, they tend to have little appetite or inclination for more nourishing foods at mealtimes.  In addition, pre-packaged candy and snacks also create a litter and rodent problem at camp; especially in and around the cabins and other living areas.  We are very strict about this policy and will dispose of any food items sent to campers.  We appreciate your cooperation.

Please address letters and care packages to the following address:

CAMPER'S NAME
Windsor Mountain Summer Camp
One World Way
Windsor, NH 03244

HOMESICKNESS
We have provided an article about how to prepare for and handle homesickness at camp.  We encourage you to read over the article, and feel free to call us to dicuss any concerns you might have. If your child becomes unusually homesick, a camp director will contact you so we can work together to resolve the situation. CLICK HERE to read articles.

SPENDING MONEY
In addition to tuition, parents of summer campers are billed for Camp Store spending money in the amount of $80 for 2 and 4 weeks and $160 for 8 weeks. 
The Camp Store, open at least one day a week, sells such items as toiletries, t-shirts, postcards, postage, water bottles, flashlight batteries, disposable cameras, Frisbees and seasonal camp items. Each child begins the session with the same amount against which he or she may charge store items.  Camp store funds may also be used to pay for an occasional (and optional) special excursion, such as a play or a contra dance for which admission is charged, or for a small edible treat received by all students participating in a camp outing.  The unused portion of the spending money is refunded in late September. At Windsor Mountain Summer Camp, where some children come from modest economic backgrounds we request, in the interest of equality, that students not bring extra spending money to camp.

Items such as hoodies, t-shirts, flashlights, fleece blankets, water bottles and outdoor folding seats are also available through our on-line Camp Store on Windsor Mountain’s website: www.WindsorMountain.org//general/store/index/html.  During the summer we are more than happy to deliver items to campers after they have been purchased via our website.  We encourage families to consider this as a way of providing “care packages” to their children while they are at camp.

MEDICAL FORMS
If your child needs a physical before coming to camp, PLEASE MAKE YOUR DOCTOR APPOINTMENT NOW!!!  (NOTE: New Hampshire state law requires that a physical exam must have been completed within two years of the start of your program, but the doctor must sign this form within ONE year of the start of your program, noting the date of the last physical.)  If your child’s annual physical is scheduled for late June or July, please have your doctor’s office fill out this form now based on the most recent physical on record, and send it in. You can always update our records by sending in any new, pertinent information as it occurs.  It is very difficult to prepare for the opening of camp when we are missing vital forms.

Doctors are always busy with spring appointments, so make yours NOW if you haven't already.  Your child CANNOT participate in a Windsor Mountain        
program unless we possess the medical form filled out and signed by you and the child's doctor.  By state law, those arriving without the form must be sent home.  Your cooperation is essential in getting the medical form back to us.

The FIRST THREE PAGES must be filled out and signed by parents/guardians of minor participants of Windsor Mountain Programs. You must respond to EVERY question.  Please write N/A if not applicable; do not leave blank. Please note that page 1 requires a photocopy of your child’s health insurance card.

The FOURTH PAGE must be completed and signed by your physician, and MUST include a complete immunization record.

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
NOTES: Weather varies from heat waves to frosty mornings. Plan for both eventualities.
Name tag or mark everything your child brings to camp!

NECESSARY ITEMS
Standard Clothing (please see Personalizing the Clothing List below)
     Socks (10 pair/include some warm ones)
     Underwear (10 pair)
     Pajamas or nightgown (2)
     Lightweight shirts/T-shirts (10)
     Heavy shirts or sweaters (3)
     Shorts (5 pair)
     Heavy-duty pants (3 pair)
     Jacket or wool sweater (for cool evenings)
     Sweat-tops & bottoms (1)
     Raincoat or poncho
     Bathing suits (2)
     Towels:  bath (2), beach (1)
     Rubber shower slippers (flip-flops are fine)
     Shoes or sneakers (2 pair; one pair should be tennis sneaker with light colored soles)
     Tevas or water shoes
     Pack of white t-shirts (for tie dye, etc)

    
Other Essentials
     2 fitted sheets, pillow and 2 pillowcases
     sleeping bag (removable, washable liner optional)
     toilet kit
     large laundry bag (name tagged)
     knapsack/daypack
     flashlight (name tagged)
     Footlocker or Duffel Bag (13 ½  inches maximum height)

OPTIONAL ITEMS
     Tennis racquet and balls, Backpack
     Baseball glove, Binoculars for birding
     Musical instrument, Favorite stuffed animal
     Fishing rod & tackle, A board game to share            
     Mountain bike & helmet, One dressy outfit
     Hobby materials, CRAZY CLOTHES OUTFIT
     Leotards/tights for dancers (for special events)
     Camera  (memory & batteries)
     Lightweight hiking boots

Valuables
Please do not bring valuables, expensive clothing, jewelry or irreplaceable keepsakes. 
If you bring cameras, CD players, musical instruments, bikes, etc…YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for any loss or damage whether they are in use by you, or on loan to a camp friend.  You must insure valuables.

Radios, CD Players & Video Games
If you bring an ipod, radio or CD Player to camp, be prepared to have its use limited.  Please do not bring video games to camp. Personal listening devices are limited to the bunk and may be used only during siesta and fun hour.

Sleeping Bag or Sheets & Blankets?
A SLEEPING BAG is needed for camping trips and overnight adventures, and is easier to straighten in the morning than sheets and blankets.  We suggest that you also bring two fitted twin size bed sheets to put over the plastic mattress cover, and that in the interests of comfort and hygiene, you equip sleeping bags with washable liner sheets (two, so that one can be laundered each week).  These liners can either be purchased or made at home from an ordinary flat sheet folded & sewn along the bottom and 2/3 of the way up the side.  Some sleeping bags have ties inside for attaching liners; ties should then be sewn onto the bottom corners of the liners.

Packing
PACK IN A SMALL FOOTLOCKER/TRUNK (no more than (13 ½  inches tall).  Additional items can be packed in a duffel bag or backpack. Duffel bags are an excellent alternative to trunks! These items are stored under your child’s bunk.

Personalizing The Clothing List
Our clothing and equipment list is an accurate reflection of what the "average" camper needs and uses in the course of a summer; however, we realize that it may not be tailor-made for all campers.  For example, if a child is especially interested in and plans to focus on a specific area of concentration (tennis, swimming, wilderness, dance, etc.) we recommend that parents pack accordingly. If your child plans to sign up for as many wilderness trips as possible, it may be worth investing in some good hiking shoes (otherwise kids can “hike” in sneakers), and eager swimmers may need extra towels, etc.  While we don't recommend adding to the list in great quantities, sometimes substitutions are appropriate.  Please feel free to personalize the list to suit the needs of your camper.

LAUNDRY
Name tag or mark everything your child brings to camp!
Each camper's clothing is sent to a commercial laundry in a separate laundry bag, and then washed in a large machine with many other bags. Counselors will help your child prepare for laundry day, but the ultimate responsibility for the clothing lies with the children and parents.  That means that the children must remove crayons, pens, markers, and other staining items from pockets.  It is also advisable to refrain from sending new, brightly colored clothing to camp because it is likely to "bleed" its color onto other clothes in the load of wash.  While Windsor Mountain and the laundry service make an effort to help this process, the campers have the final responsibility for the condition of their clothes. On occasion items may be misplaced by the laundry service, but with the proper labeling are returned the next week. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

LOST AND FOUND
Throughout the summer we make exhaustive, and exhausting attempts to return lost items to their owners.  Former campers will testify that on the final day of camp, lost items are first held up publicly to be claimed, and then displayed prominently in the main deck area with nametags showing.  We have frequently been known to chase after campers, stuffing bundles of clothing into their arms as they climb into parents' cars.  However, it seems no matter how hard or how often we try, we are left with heaps of campers' possessions on our hands.   OUR POLICY is that generic items such as t-shirts and towels  get donated every two weeks  to a local charity. Whenever possible, we will return more valuable items with name tags, to you by mail, at your expense. Please encourage your child to take responsibility for her/his possessions, and to participate actively in identifying personal items during the packing up process at the end of the session.

TIPPING POLICY
As an educational organization, we feel that tipping is contrary to our
mission.  Please consider donating to our Educational Opportunities Fund
as a way of increasing our ability to reach out to those children who cannot afford a summer camp opportunity. Each summer more than 100 Windsor Mountain participants receive some financial aid in order to participate in a WMI program. Call the office at 603-478-3166, or email mail@WindsorMountain.org, for more information on the Educational Opportunities Fund. We warmly welcome your support!

VISITING CAMPERS
Official Visiting Days

~  Opening and Closing Day of each session.

 ~  Folk Festival is Sunday, July 18, 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
      An invitation will be mailed the first week of the session.                             

 ~ Theatre Festival is Sunday, August 15, 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
     An invitation will be mailed the first week of the session.

PLEASE NOTE:  Although we love animals,  we ask that you leave your pets at home!

INTERSESSION
Available for Full Season Campers (and campers enrolled in a session of summer camp as well as a session of New England Adventure).

Although full season campers may not stay in camp in between sessions, they have two options:

Option 1:  Spend the break with family away from camp (pick up campers on Wednesday before noon; return Saturday after noon)

Option 2: Intersession Whitewater Rafting Trip
Full season campers or campers enrolling both camp and a travel program may enroll in Intersession, a 3-day whitewater rafting and camping adventure. The group will hit the road on Wednesday, July 28, and return to Windsor Mountain in time for the second session of camp.

Dates: Wednesday, July 28 - Saturday July 31; Tuition $550.00

Space is VERY limited. PLEASE call us if you would like your child to participate in this program.

TRASH AND TREASURE
At Windsor Mountain we are committed to recycling, and will accept items you no longer want. Here is our wish list:

COMPUTERS and LAPTOPS (we appreciate your donation of not-too-old models, as it allows us to rotate out our aging computers)
ART MATERIALS: Crayons, yarn, fabric, leather, scissors, etc.                                  
Ceramics Wheel                                  
COSTUMES
Wild & unusual clothes, hats, shoes, (no "average" clothing please… we don't have the storage space)  
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL MITTS
FOOD PROCESSOR/MIXERS
BOARD GAMES:  Stimulating games with all the pieces          
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
BOATS: Flat-water canoes, Kayaks,Windsurfers, Sailboats                                         
ROCK CLIMBING SHOES
ROPE
TENNIS RAQUETS 
BOOKS: Quality young adult literature, fiction, wilderness awareness/field guides, group building/cooperative games, art, etc.                                          
SEWING MACHINES: To make costumes for theatre/dance
SHEETS: Top sheets are the ultimate    treasure & we can never get enough!
DIGITAL CAMERAS                                                                                    
CAMPING GEAR: sleeping bags in useable condition and light for 30 degree F or colder), 3-4 person tent, frame packs, daypacks                                 
VACUUM CLEANER

READINESS CHECKLIST
___ Returned TRANSPORTATION FORM ? (even if you’re driving)?
Note NEW starting / ending days of week!

___ Completed and returned MEDICAL FORM (with attached insurance  card and immunization record)?

___ Returned your PARENT / CAMPER QUESTIONNAIRE?

___ Returned TEACHER REFERENCE FORM? (new campers only)

___ NAME TAGGED all your clothes?

___ Made arrangements for VISITING DAY/S?

___ REVIEWED clothing and equipment list?

___ SHARED information with ALL family members
            (i.e., spouse, significant other, both parents)?

___ UPDATED us with your vacation plan/contact info?

___ CHECKED your basement or attic for good stuff...?
            (see Trash and Treasure section)

Windsor Mountain International
One World Way, Windsor, NH 03244
TELEPHONE  (603) 478-3166     FAX (603) 478-5260

 email:   mail@WindsorMountain.org