Dear Parents & Campers:
It is a great honor and privilege to journey into our 41st year of excellence and service to the 1000s of families and campers who have come to know Camp Woodmont as their summer camp home since 1981. Your child’s physical and emotional safety and well-being is our greatest priority. We are proud to provide what we feel is one of the best summer camp programs available: one that encourages positive character development and personal growth and that helps children become secure, independent, well-adjusted young people.
This guidebook will help you get ready for camp. While the information contained here applies to campers as well as parents, we have addressed it to Parents because your leadership in camp preparation is vital to giving your child a successful experience. Please take time to read and study this information with your child and review it several times before arrival to make sure you and your camper understand and will be able to follow these guidelines.
Among the topics covered in this guide are camp policies and procedures, required medical forms, financial policies, deadlines, what to bring to camp, homesickness, and much more. Please call to speak with us personally if you have any questions about any topics covered.
Please don’t forget that we require a new medical form each year. The form is on our web site. Please fill it out on the Parent Dashboard one month prior to arrival.
Thank you again for entrusting your most precious earthly gifts, your children, to us for a short time during summer camp. We are excitedly anticipating the upcoming season, and we look forward to meeting each of you in person this summer!
Sincerely,
Alyson Bennett Gondek
Camp Executive Director
Camp Parent Handbook:
The Camp Woodmont Family Guidebook
Arrival/Check-In &
Pick-Up Times
Since the camp staff is busy with preparation for each camp session, please arrive only between 3 & 5 PM on Sundays. Pick-up time for all sessions is Fridays between 10 & Noon. Please plan to bring and pick up campers only at these times as staff is not available before or after these times.
PICK UP DAY: A closing ceremony is held at the end of the session and all parents are encouraged to attend (bring your camera!). All campers and staff will depart by Noon. Campers staying longer than two weeks MUST be picked up between sessions since the staff takes a well-deserved break and is not at camp during this time. Please do not bring your dog or other family pet to camp.
Camp Snack Time,
Camp T-shirts,
Group Photo
Snack time is held each afternoon and each camper may get one or two treats and a cold drink. The snack fee is now included in the tuition.
Camp t-shirts are provided to each camper at check-in. We recommend all t-shirts are labeled with the camper's name. We cannot be responsible for lost t-shirts.
At check-in, parents will receive a code to view photos taken during the session through www.bunk1.com. We upload a couple hundred photos each day so you can "check in" on your camper. A group photo is taken at the beginning of a 2-week session.
You may purchase items from our camp store at check-in. The store has various items including t-shirts, pillowcases, flashlights, key chains, blankets and other fun logo-ed items.
Camper Mail, Packages & Email
Mail call at camp is a much anticipated daily event. Write your camper often, but try not to mail letters after Wednesday of the week he/she is to leave camp. While we encourage campers to write frequently, you may only get one or two letters from your camper (it’s not that they don’t miss you, they may just be too busy having fun). E-mail is another popular way for parents to write campers: this service is provided by www.bunk1.com, a separate company, and allows parents to send email to campers (there is a charge by bunk1.com for email service). Instructions for email will be provided at check-in and on our web site.
We are joining many other camps that have recently adopted a policy that strongly discourages sending packages to campers for the following reasons:
- Bulk and volume of packages makes life difficult for both the postal delivery person and camp mail room.
- Traffic of delivery vans up & down camp roads is dangerous for campers and horseback riders.
- Disposal of packaging materials puts stress on both camp and land-fill resources.
- Packages can cause unnecessary friction and hurt feelings among campers (campers who do not get packages feel left out).
- Camp is so much fun and most campers are so well adjusted that they do not need materialistic stimulation to feel good about themselves; they are extremely happy when they get letters from home.
Please discuss this policy with your child, and with extended family who may be tempted to send packages. Parents may only send birthday presents or absolutely necessary emergency items to attention of the camp director.
Viewing Photos
We take great pride in taking as many photos as possible of your children while they are at camp. Our photo gallery through www.bunk1.com provides a simple, convenient way for parents to see what’s going on at camp, and offers a bit of comfort knowing that “things are okay.” It gives you this reassurance without interfering with or intruding into that special experience we call camp. Parents may view all photos while their child is at camp.
To see the photos on your desktop or the mobile app, you will need to go to www.bunk1.com and set up a login and password, and type in Camp Woodmont's private invitation code (you will receive it at check-in). And, with the new mobile photo app, you can see photos, send bunknotes and read camp news all on your phone. If you logged onto www.bunk1.com last summer, your login and password are the same!
The folks at www.bunk1.com are extremely helpful so if you have any problems logging on or seeing the pictures, contact them at 1-888-465-2267.
Telephone & Laundry
Please explain to your camper(s) that the office phone IS NOT for campers’ use since calls interrupt the camp activities. Campers are not allowed to bring cell phones. Parents will be called immediately in case of an emergency. NO LAUNDRY facilities are available at camp. Pack a dirty clothes bag and enough clothes for the length of the session. Please mark all items with your camper’s name. Talk with your camper about caring for his/her clothes and belongings. The camp is not responsible for lost clothing or other items. Emergency laundry service for campers who soil their clothes/bedding is provided ($25 service charge).
Illness or Accident
In case of illness or accident of a camper, the parents will be called. If the parents and/or the emergency contact listed cannot be reached, the camp director will determine if the child should be taken to a doctor or hospital. The parents are responsible for all medical charges including physician, hospital, X-ray, pharmacy, transportation and any expense that may be incurred. Parents will be asked to pick up campers if they are sick for more than 12 – 24 hours.
Inspiration Times
Two-week campers are invited to participate in an inspirational service on Sunday morning (non-denominational). Although Camp Woodmont is not a church camp, it does promote the spiritual growth of campers and the camp has a Christian philosophy and atmosphere. Short, non-denominational devotional times are held each morning for the entire camp and in the cabin groups at night.
Homesickness
It’s really not a sickness. It should be called “missing home.” And, it is normal for some children to experience fleeting moments of homesickness, i.e. missing home. This is a part of growing up. Our program keeps camper so busy that we rarely see anything more than very minor homesickness. We have found that homesickness can manifest itself in many ways: most children do not admit to being homesick, instead they will say they don’t feel good or have a tummy ache. Many times a homesick child will be homesick one minute and the next minute he/she is going off to activities and running and playing and apparently not homesick any more.
Since letters home are written during quiet times when homesickness may be more manifest, some parents may receive a “homesick letter”. Usually these letters do not say “I am homesick” but instead may state things like “I don’t like camp”, “My counselor is mean”, “I am really sick” etc.
Parents should understand that the camp director and counselors are aware of everything that is going on at camp and that we make a conscious effort to visit individually with every camper daily. We are usually aware of homesick campers and give them extra attention to make sure they get over it easily.
In over 40 years of camping, we rarely have to ask a parent to pick up a camper due to homesickness. However there are several tips we can give parents and campers to help minimize the impact of homesickness:
- Before camp discuss this with campers and explain that they may experience an occasional feeling of homesickness. Tell them that the best thing to do if they feel homesick is to find an activity or friend to get involved with.
- Let campers know that camp is a big step in their growing-up process and that you are proud of them for being able to take this first step towards independence by going to camp.
- Explain that they will not be allowed to call home even if they are homesick.
- Tell campers that they can discuss any personal problems (personal hygiene, homesickness, interpersonal problems) with their counselor or the camp director in private and have confidence that the staff member will understand without making them feel embarrassed.
- Make your farewell on check-in day brief; do not linger at the cabin area for longer than necessary.
- Avoid sending letters that contain statements that could aggravate homesick feelings. Avoid statements like “we miss you so much here at home”, or “your dog or cat or pet really misses you” etc.
- Parent (and other family member) visits are discouraged: while visits may seem like a good idea, we have found that they disrupt the camp program and can actually cause unnecessary homesickness.
In many cases, the parents are actually more anxious than the campers (kind of a reverse homesickness). As parents ourselves, we understand your concern for your child’s well-being especially when sending them to camp for the first time. We occasionally get calls from anxious parents who need reassurance; and while we understand your apprehension, you can be assured that we are aware of and are constantly supervising all aspects of camp.
Standards of Conduct
Camp is a place where children can be free to have a good time in an un-regimented atmosphere and enjoy many activities with others. We do not expect any discipline problems; however, if a camper’s behavior creates a situation which is detrimental to the other campers, the staff, or the camp program or property, the parents will be notified to pick that camper up immediately. No offensive language or behavior, no pranks, no bullying or intimidation of others, no smoking or tobacco use, no weapons, no cell phones or electronic devices, no alcohol, no drugs or inappropriate reading materials are allowed at Camp Woodmont. (Discuss this with your camper.) Children with emotional/behavior problems or eating disorders should attend a special needs camp.
Camp Woodmont respects the rights and dignity of all campers and staff, including individuals with varying abilities, cultures, genders, races and religions. We expect all individuals to act respectfully when they are on our property and to respect the rights of others regardless of their differences. Camp Woodmont is inclusive to all and staff are trained to set the highest examples of behavior for campers.
Also, traditional attire is appropriate at camp. Please avoid unusual or non-traditional clothing, jewelry (such as belly-button rings & large earrings), makeup or hair styles.
Transportation
The camp does not provide transportation. We may help parents arrange car pools, if requested. Campers flying to camp are picked up and returned to the Chattanooga, TN airport ($95 service charge). Please talk with us about the best arrival/departure times before making reservations.
Staying Longer
Children who sign up for 1 week may return for 2 weeks, if space is available. If your child wants to stay at camp longer than the original registration, we will contact you to make arrangements.
