Get ready for Camp!

From the moment you arrive at camp you’ll begin to experience what we refer to as “Camp Magic”. As you pull into the camp’s driveway you’ll be greeted by our camp staff and directed into the lower parking lot. Once there you will be greeted by the camp director and our team of camp staff and junior counselors. You’ll check in briefly with the camp director where he will answer any questions you may have and then you’ll be escorted to the main lodge and taken through the rest of the check in process, We’ll even carry your luggage for you!

Once at the Lodge, you will be greeted by your friendly YMCA staff where you will be officially checked in, given a camp schedule and information on how to follow the camp fun online from your home. You will also find out your child’s cabin and counselor, and be given the opportunity to purchase an all camp photo and camp t-shirt.

Next step is into the Lodge, (again you will be escorted the whole time so don’t worry about losing your way) where our camp nurse will meet you and discuss any health related issues we need to be aware of. This is the time where you’ll turn in all medications for your camper (prescription and over the counter). All campers undergo a brief health screen for lice and/or pink eye.

Once you are done with this step you’ll be escorted to the cabin where you will be introduced to your child’s counselor and you’ll have the opportunity to ask them questions about camp life and the week ahead.

As always you may contact the camp director at 509.763.9622 or via email at tmcelravy@lwycamp.org if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s stay before, during, or after camp.

The safety of children is a primary concern for the YMCA. The YMCA Board of Directors has adopted the following policies to help provide an environment that will enhance the personal growth and development of children in YMCA programs.

1. In order to protect YMCA Staff, volunteers, and program participants one YMCA employee or volunteer will never be alone with a single child unobserved by another adult.

2. Employees and volunteers may not be alone with children they meet in YMCA programs outside of their official YMCA interaction. Any exceptions require a written explanation in advance and are subject to administrative approval.

3. Reference and criminal background checks are conducted on all employees and on all volunteers who work with children at the time of employment and annually thereafter. Employees and volunteers who work with children receive pre-employment training and annual follow up training on the recognition and prevention of child abuse.

4. Children under the age of six are allowed in YMCA facilities only when in a supervised YMCA program or under the direct on constant supervision of a parent or guardian.

5. YMCA employees and volunteers providing direct care for children will be identified by photo identification or uniform that is familiar to he children with whom they work. Photographs of all YMCA employees will be kept on file.

6. YMCA employees and volunteers will not discipline children by use of physical punishment or by failing to provide the necessities of care, such as food and shelter. YMCA employees and volunteers will not verbally or emotional abuse children. Physical restraint will only be administered when necessary to protect the child or other children from harm.

7. YMCA administrative staff will make unannounced visits to program sites. Parents of program participants may make unannounced visits to program sites, accompanied by a YMCA employee.

8. YMCA employees and volunteers will be alert to the physical and emotional state of all children in their programs and will report any signs of injury or suspected child abuse.

9. All employees and volunteers working with children sign a Code of Conduct agreeing to abide YMCA Child Abuse Prevention Guidelines. Any suspicion of a violation of these polices should be immediately reported to the YMCA Executive Director or the YMCA Director of Human Resources at 509.662.2109.

10. The YMCA will investigate all reports of suspected child abuse and will follow legally mandated reporting requirements.

Your Child’s Safety at camp is not something we take lightly. ALL aquatic activities are staffed by YMCA or Red Cross Certified Life Guards at a minimum ratio of 1 guard per 25 swimmer/boaters. In addition to this we staff ALL Aquatic activities with addition staff trained as lookouts at a ratio of 1 lookout per 10 swimmers or boaters. All campers are instructed to our use of the Buddy System in ALL aquatic areas, and all campers, rental guests and Staff are swim tested before being allowed to go into water that is more than waste deep. All of our Staff undergo an extensive 6 day staff training that covers in depth aquatic safety training. For all offsite aquatic activities like River Rafting we use a licensed outfitter guide service to lead the trips down the river. As with all other aquatic activities we staff these trips with at least one staff who is lifeguard certified . All campers participating in boating activities, including rafting, must wear coast guard approved PFD’s which are supplied by camp or the Rafting companies we use.

NOT YOUR TYPICAL CAMP FOOD!

At camp we want your kids to eat right and love doing it. We proudly serve garden fresh vegetables (locally grown in the Beaver Valley) in all our salad bars.

While at camp your child will eat wholesome, appetizing, home-cooked meals that are prepared daily in our professionally staffed kitchen. Meals are served buffet style. Breakfast include camp favorites like bacon and eggs, french toast, a hot and cold cereal bar, fresh cinnamon rolls and on Fridays, GIANT pancakes! Fresh fruit, juice, hot cocoa and milk are served with every breakfast. Lunches and dinners include wholesome choices such as our fresh fruit and salad bar, as well as favorites like grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, pizza, spaghetti, roast pork, turkey, and beef.

We can also accommodate special diets including vegetarian, vegan and a wide variety of food allergies. For campers with special diets, please indicate so on your child’s registration form. If you have any specific questions please feel free to call the camp office at 509.763.9622.

Wondering what to pack for camp to get you ready for a week of FUN? Watch our video here!