Posted on: Wednesday, July 8th, 2020
Summer Just Got Longer
DEAR PARENTS AND CAMPERS,
NEW! We have added a week of camp to the end of summer to accommodate the new start date for school. Week 13, September 8-11, is now available for registration for Camp Elmwood & Jr. Camp Elmwood, Camp WAPAWCA & Jr. Camp WAPAWCA, Camp Wiggi & Jr. Camp Wiggi, and for our teens….Voyager Camp!
We are excited to welcome you to summer camp at our locations in Franklin, Foxboro, North Attleboro, Mansfield, and Bellingham.
We have worked diligently with our local boards of health to provide a safe and caring place for our campers and our staff. Although we know that camp will look a little different this year, please know that the spirit and magic of summer camp will be alive and well, and the experience your camper will have here will be amazing, keeping with our tradition of offering a great, quality summer experience. Our camp staff team is looking forward to seeing you all!
Take a look at some important details we provide to parents and campers in our weekly welcome emails along with some additional tidbits of information.
VIEW CAMPS AVAILABLE & REGISTER WITH US
NEW! Week 13: September 8-11 is now available for registration for our traditional camps and teen Voyager Camp.
Other camp opportunities include:
FRANKLIN:
- Camp Wiggi (grades 1-6) & Jr. Camp Wiggi (ages 3-5) – ongoing through September 11th
- Camp Silver Lake in BELLINGHAM (grades 1-6) – ongoing through August 21st
- Super Sports Camp (grades 1-6) – ongoing through August 28th
- Gymnastics Camps (grades 1-8 & ages 3-5) – through August 28th
- STEM Camps: Space & Rocketry (grades 4-8) – Week of August 3rd; Engineering & Technology (grades 2-5) – Week of August 10th; Wonderful World of Steam (grades K-1) – Week of August 24th
- Voyagers Camp – Juniors (grades 6/7), Seniors (grades 8/9) – ongoing through September 11th
- LIT: Leader-In-Training (grades 7/8) – July 27-August 14
- CIT: Counselor-In-Training (grades 9/10) – ongoing through September 11th
FOXBORO:
- Camp WAPAWCA (grades 1-5) & Jr. Camp WAPAWCA (ages 3-5) – ongoing through September 11thr
- Super Sports Camp (grades 1-6) – ongoing through August 28th.
- Gymnastics Camps (grades 1-8) – Week of July 27 or Week of August 10
- Voyagers Camp – Juniors (grades 6/7), Seniors (grades 8/9) – ongoing through September 11th
- LIT: Leader-In-Training (grades 7/8) – July 27-August 14
- CIT: Counselor-In-Training (grades 9/10) – ongoing through September 4th
NORTH ATTLEBORO:
- Camp Elmwood (grades 1-6) & Jr. Camp Elmwood (ages 3-5) – ongoing through September 11th
- Super Sports Camp (grades 1-6) – ongoing through August 28th
- Gymnastics Camps (grades 1-8 & ages 3-5) – ongoing through August 21st
- Half Day Swim Camps (ages 5+) – Weeks of August 3rd and August 10th; Half Day Elmwood available for 2nd half of day
- NEW Baking & Cooking Camp (grades 1-8) – Week of August 24th
- Voyagers Camp – Juniors (grades 6/7), Seniors (grades 8/9) – ongoing through September 11th
- LIT: Leader-In-Training (grades 7/8) – July 27-August 14
- CIT: Counselor-In-Training (grades 9/10) – ongoing through September 11th
- New Horizons Teen Village (grades 7+)(Camp for teens with special needs) – Week of August 10th & 17th
MANSFIELD:
- Story Explorers (Ages 3-6) – half day theatre camp for the Week of August 9th
- 3-Week Musical Theatre Production Camp (grades 3-9) – July 20-August 7
- Camps will celebrate a fun theme each week
- Although we will not be able to include field trips in our programming this year due to COVID 19, we are safely incorporating special guests into our camp experience for all age groups in place of field trips.
- Videos and pictures are posted throughout the week of our fun times in camp on our camp Facebook pages.
- We have a free Popsicle Day once per week!
- Friday is Pizza Day! ($1.00 per slice)
- Look for a counselor spotlight each week in your welcome newsletter!
- All of our camp staff are certified in CPR and First Aid, and have had extensive and mandatory child sexual abuse prevention training, and have signed a staff statement of compliance with our Y’s Code of Conduct, Abuse Prevention policies, and Child Safety absolutes.
- Financial assistance is available for families in need. Contact Lynette or Lori at Foxboro/Mansfield, North Attleboro, Franklin for more information.
- Your child(ren) will play, laugh and learn and have a wonderful camp experience with us.
- Face mask or covering – Masks will be worn during drop off & pick up, when traveling to and from the restroom and changing areas, and when social distancing is not possible.
- Hand sanitizer
- Bathing suit and towel
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Healthy lunch, snacks, and drink
- Re-fillable water bottle
- Labeled gallon zip-lock bag with child safe scissors, glue stick, colored pencils, and markers (minimum of 5 colors)
- Please have camper wear closed-toe shoes/sneakers to camp
HELPFUL TIPS:
- PLEASE LABEL all items with your camper’s name
- It’s best to keep everything in a backpack
- Send a plastic bag to put wet clothing in after swim, so the rest of the items do not get wet in the backpack.
- Freeze a water bottle the night before camp and pack in lunch box to keep lunch cold
- Pack flip flogs for walking to the pool
- Hat – optional
DROP-OFF for camp is between 8:30am-9:15am. Please remember to stay in your car and follow the marked signs to the designated area.
If you signed your child up for Pre-Camp, drop off is between 7:00am-8:30am.
STAFF: Upon arrival, each staff member will go through a health screening and have their bag wiped down with wipes.
CAMPERS: Upon arrival, the following will happen to ensure that campers are coming to camp healthy and ready for a good day. Staff will be wearing face masks and gloves while maintaining social distances during camper drop off.
- Parent or guardian will be greeted warmly.
- Staff will ask parent/guardian health questions and complete a camper health screening.
A) Today or in the past 24 hours, have you or any household members had any of the following symptoms?
- Fever (temperature of 100 degrees F or above)?
- Felt feverish or had chills?
- Cough?
- Sore throat?
- Difficulty breathing?
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)?
- Abdominal pain?
- Unexplained rash?
- Fatigue?
- Headache?
- New loss of smell, taste?
- New muscle aches?
- Any other signs of illness?
C) Has your child traveled outside of the Northeast (MA, CT, VT, NH, ME, NY, NJ) within the past 14 days? If the answer is yes, your child is not able to attend camp until a 14-day self-quarantine period has passed.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Parents, due to the updated travel restrictions which now include Rhode Island, our YMCA will be following state guidelines as well as the guidance from our local boards of health. If you have traveled to Rhode Island as of August 1st you we will not be able to allow your child into camp unless they have quarantined for 14 days or can produce a negative nasal COVID test.
- If camper passes health screening, staff will use touch-less scanning to sign them into camp.
- Camper exits car. Camper will be given some hand sanitizer and their bag will be wiped down after arrival. If child is in a car seat and needs help getting out of car, please pull the car over to your right.
- The fun camp day is about to begin!
PLEASE REMEMBER:
- Please stay in your car during pick-up.
- All campers need to be signed out of camp. Thank you for your patience.
- To ensure a safe transfer for your child, we require a photo ID to pick up, every day. Please have your ID ready at dismissal to help with a smooth transition.
- If you would like to speak with your child’s counselor, please pull forward and to the right of pick-up and let us know. There might be a slight delay due to the time. Thank you for your patience.
- Campers may also take advantage of post camp options. Sign up here
- If you need to dismiss your child prior to 3:30pm, please contact the camp office so that we may have your child ready for pick-up.
PICK-UP TIMES:
- Mansfield Theatre Camps and Camp Silver Lake: Pick up time is between 3:45-4:15
- All other camps will follow a staggered, scheduled pick-up time for children:
- If your child’s last name starts with the letters A-H, your pick-up time will be at 3:45pm.
- If your child’s last name starts with the letters I-P, your pick-up time will be at 4:00pm.
- If your child’s last name starts with the letters Q-Z, your pick-up time will be at 4:15pm.
- POST CAMP: Pick-up times for post camp are between 4:15pm-6:00pm. Please stay in your car and have your photo ID ready.
A decision will be made by 5:00pm on whether to make the following day of camp, a “Rainy Day”.
When a Rainy Day is called:
North Attleboro
- When a rainy day is called, you will be notified through our North Attleboro YMCA Camps Facebook Page if camp will be held at a different location.
- We are not able to offer swimming on rainy days.
Foxboro
- All Foxboro camps will remain at the Foxboro YMCA, rain or shine.
- We are not able to offer swimming on rainy days.
Franklin
- Silver Lake Camp will move to the Community Center located at 2 Maple Street, Bellingham, MA when a rainy day is called. Pick up time will stay the same, between 3:30-4:15mp
- All other Franklin YMCA camps will remain at the Franklin YMCA, rain or shine.
- We are not able to offer swimming on rainy days.
Rainy Day Reminders
- Camp staff will direct cars where to go at each rainy day location during morning drop off and afternoon pick up.
- We require a photo ID to pick up your camper every day. Please have your ID ready at dismissal to help with the smooth transition.
- Throughout the day, covered areas and rooms inside the building may be used during rain. All campers will be brought inside if lightning occurs.
- Please check out our Camp Facebook pages and website for updates on rainy days.
The Hockomock Area YMCA welcomes children with special needs. In Franklin, please contact Sarah Henesey, Association Senior Director of Inclusion; In Foxboro or Mansfield, please contact Barbara Morris, Director of Inclusion; In North Attleboro, please contact Michelle Deschenes, Inclusion Specialist; if you have a child that may need additional supports in order to be successful in camp. We have wonderful staff and amazing volunteers who can assist your child. In most cases, we can accommodate your child’s PCA, ABA, or other support staff that may be necessary for your child’s inclusion. With a little extra time and lots of creativity, we can include your child and make sure he or she has an amazing experience this summer. In order to coordinate support for your child, registration and contact with the Inclusion staff must occur at least one week prior to your child’s week at camp.
PARENT TESTIMONIALS RECEIVED AFTER 1ST WK OF CAMP
“It has made me so unbelievably happy these past two days seeing all these pictures of kids having fun and finally being kids after these few months. My son is so psyched about camp and now I’m so psyched to send him, thank you!” – camp parent
“Just a quick note about camp. My friends’ daughter started Junior Camp Elmwood today. She had never attended before and suffered from major anxiety going to day care the last couple years. She’s an only child and the last few months have been really tough for their family. My friends decided to give camp a shot instead of waiting to see how day care played out. Anyway, she is home after her first half day and can’t stop talking about how much fun she had. It was a great first day experience.” – camp parent
Thank you choosing our Y to provide a fun and safe camp experience for your child. We understand these are uncertain times and we are grateful to the many families who have signed up for summer camp. We appreciate your confidence, support, and patience. We look forward to welcoming and serving you and your child(ren) at camp this summer.
If you haven’t signed up for camp or would like to add sessions, or pre & post camp, visit our
ONLINE REGISTRATION
We look forward to seeing you!
Sincerely,
Alex Dorson, Kerrie Francis, Ashli Phillips, Julia Paolino
Camp Directors
