FAQ About Pine Hills Camp
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What happens if my camper is homesick?
Homesickness is a normal, common experience for children, especially for those away from home for the first time. Homesickness usually subsides when campers become more comfortable with their surroundings. On average, most kids at camp will overcome any anxiety or homesickness on their own within 24-36 hours. There are many ways we work to minimize homesickness. First, campers are kept very busy. Our days are highly structured and full of activities from sun up until sun down. Bonding as a cabin group provides a sense of security and comfort, and no one is left alone when going to workshop activities. There are only 12 campers and 2 counselors in each cabin group. This allows campers to have quality time with their counselors and get to know their cabin mates. Counselors provide homesick campers tender loving care, along with a supportive atmosphere.
We believe that camp is a great place for kids to learn how to deal with homesickness. Experience shows that having a child call home repeatedly usually makes the situation worse. Because many kids will experience homesickness at camp, we only notify parents if it becomes unmanageable. One way to try to limit the severity of homesickness is for parents to remind kids how much fun they will have at camp and how many new friends they will make. Remind your child not to worry about family back at home, tell them to go out and have a good time! Let them know you are looking forward to hearing all about the great adventures they had at camp when they come home at the end of the week.
We believe that camp is a great place for kids to learn how to deal with homesickness. Experience shows that having a child call home repeatedly usually makes the situation worse. Because many kids will experience homesickness at camp, we only notify parents if it becomes unmanageable. One way to try to limit the severity of homesickness is for parents to remind kids how much fun they will have at camp and how many new friends they will make. Remind your child not to worry about family back at home, tell them to go out and have a good time! Let them know you are looking forward to hearing all about the great adventures they had at camp when they come home at the end of the week.
What are the safety practices at camp?
Camper welfare and safety comes before everything else. All of our activities operate under strict policies and procedures. Our counselors stay in the lodges with the campers and are trained in emergency and security procedures prior to the start of camp. Our staff is carefully vetted and must attend a Protecting God’s Children Awareness Session given through their local diocese. All visitors to camp must check in at the camp office or with our administrators. According to Michigan state law, parents and/or guardians must show a photo ID and sign a release form before they take their child from camp. Our camp directors are in constant communication with the counseling staff, nurses, lakefront staff, and other activity areas. Fire/severe storm, and lost camper drills and instructions occur the first day of camp for all staff and campers.
What are the health care provisions at camp?
Our onsite staff includes four to five nurses who are available 24 hours a day to care for the campers’ health concerns. All staff and campers are required to turn in all medications (even over-the-counter) to the nursing staff and medications are distributed by the health staff at the appropriate times. If there is an illness or injury (other than a minor symptom) parents will be notified by the nurse. The health care staff works closely with local physicians and area clinics and hospitals in cases of emergencies.
May my child contact me during camp?
Camp is designed as a place for young teens to learn independence. For this reason and due to the structure of the program and the number of youth in attendance, telephones are not available to campers. Exceptions are made for emergencies. Please do not give your child a cell phone, pager, calling card or promise them that they can call home. Cell phones will be collected and returned to the campers when they leave camp. Cell phones do not allow the child to acclimate to the camp experience.
What is the approach to phones, Ipods, Apple watches, and other sources of media at camp?
Our approach is to help campers (and our staff) detach from their phones and the constant access to media in order to be fully present to the people and experiences at camp. The absence of phones, screens, and media at camp allow all of us to more energetic, attentive, joy-filled, and connected to God and one another, and to maintain the culture of PHC in which everyone feels welcomed and valued.
May I visit my child at camp?
For security and homesick management, we do not have visiting days during the week. Our drop off time at the beginning of camp is the best way to meet the counselors and see camp. Please let us know in advance if you are dropping your camper off late or picking her up early. You will need to present a photo ID and sign a camper release form. Campers are encouraged to write letters home. You may also want to send self-addressed, stamped envelopes with your child to promote letter writing. Campers enjoy receiving mail! Please write your camper. It is okay to send packages but plan ahead so it arrives while we are still at camp!
How are campers assigned to cabins?
Online registration provides the opportunity for you to state your preferences for cabin mates. Because we take great care, prayer, and a lot of time in putting the cabin groups together, campers will find out their cabin groups when they arrive at camp. We do our absolute best to assign cabins so that no one feels left out. Camp is a great place to meet new people and make new friends!
While we try to honor camper requests for particular counselors or cabin mates we cannot guarantee that all your requests will be granted.
While we try to honor camper requests for particular counselors or cabin mates we cannot guarantee that all your requests will be granted.
What will my child eat at camp?
Food is a very important part of camp. The kitchen staff does a great job in serving well-balanced, nutritious, and filling meals. Meals are served family style. Each cabin group sits together, with their counselors. Campers are always encouraged to drink lots of water. We are able to make reasonable accommodations for campers with food allergies and dietary restrictions, such as peanut and nut allergies, lactose or wheat intolerance. Please indicate on the Health History Form if your camper has any special dietary needs that the staff needs to know. Please contact the Camp Director with any questions related to menu, dietary concerns, or food allergies.
What are the Immunization requirements at camp?
At the recommendation of our medical director, religious leaders in our community, and the Catholic Church's Pontifical Council for Life, we strongly urge parents to consider fully vaccinating their children. This protects your camper and vulnerable persons who may be ineligible for vaccination. This may include pregnant staff members, infants, and campers who are immunocompromised.
However, we recognize the state law allowing parents to opt out of vaccination and receive a waiver from their local health department. Our policy is that you must provide one of the following by emailing it to phcgirls@gmail.com no later than July 31, 2020.
-Proof of immunity to measles (with record of MMR vaccination or measles/Rubeola titer levels demonstrating immunity)
-A non-medical immunization waiver from your local health department
-A medical contraindication form from your primary care physician
We will keep immunization records and waivers on file for 5 years but they must be updated by parents if there are any changes.
We will re-evaluate our policy if a disease outbreak occurs and notify families accordingly.
However, we recognize the state law allowing parents to opt out of vaccination and receive a waiver from their local health department. Our policy is that you must provide one of the following by emailing it to phcgirls@gmail.com no later than July 31, 2020.
-Proof of immunity to measles (with record of MMR vaccination or measles/Rubeola titer levels demonstrating immunity)
-A non-medical immunization waiver from your local health department
-A medical contraindication form from your primary care physician
We will keep immunization records and waivers on file for 5 years but they must be updated by parents if there are any changes.
We will re-evaluate our policy if a disease outbreak occurs and notify families accordingly.
Who can I talk to if i have more questions?
We welcome a conversation about your questions or concerns. Feel free to email us at phcgirls@gmail.com and we can set up a phone meeting. No question is too small or insignificant!