parent guide - at camp

MAIL
Send mail to:
(Daughter’s Name)
(Bunk Number)
Camp Louise
24959 Pen Mar Road
Cascade, MD 21719

(Son’s Name)
(Bunk Number)
Camp Airy
14938 Old Camp Airy Rd.
Thurmont, MD 21788

Write often … write pleasant news.

Please don’t overreact to written complaints or requests to come home. Many times these are reactions to incidents such as “striking out” during a game, getting into an argument with another camper, not being selected for a part in a show, an unkind word from a bunk mate. By the time complaints arrive at home, their causes have usually disappeared. If there are still concerns, please call the camp director.

Please do not fax letters to your camper up at camp. We have special arrangements to e-mail your camper at camp.

If you would like to e-mail your camper, you can do so by going to the camp website at: www.airylouise.org. Click on the “Camper E-mail” icon. Please complete all of the information on the form, especially name and bunk number. Write your message in the space provided. Then submit! Your e-mail password will always be your e-mail address.

Sorry, campers will not be able to e-mail you back... they’ll be using the old fashioned “snail mail” method of corresponding!

During the course of your camper’s stay, both camps will do their best to offer you regular updates and photos of what’s going on up at camp. Keep camp’s address in your “Bookmarks” so you’ll be able to call up our web site throughout the summer as well as throughout the year.

Telephone and Cell Phones

Campers will not be called to the telephone except in an extreme emergency. Please do not call your child at camp or instruct him or her to call you. DO NOT SEND A CELLULAR PHONE TO CAMP.

Birthdays at Camp

If your child will be at camp during his or her birthday and you would like this important day to be recognized, you may arrange for a decorated cake to be ordered. It will be brought to the dining room at either lunch or dinner. Orders for cakes should be placed at the registration table during check-in.

REMEMBER:

• There are NO PARENT VISITING DAYS.
• Chewing gum, electric fans, scooters, expensive electronic games, pocket knives, TV’s, VCR’s, laptops and cellular phones are not allowed in camp.
• This falls in the category of “learned from experience...” Collectible cards (like Magic Cards and classic baseball cards) seem to be all the rage - and the cause of many arguments from loss or damage. As with all personal belongings, camp cannot be responsible for these cards and other collectibles. We’re asking that you give serious consideration to leaving these cards and collectibles at home this summer where they will be safe and sound.
  
  Thanks for understanding!

Parents on Vacation

Please notify us IN WRITING of your location and phone number if you plan to be on vacation during your child’s stay. You can leave this with the registrar on the first day of camp or mail it to the office (at camp). Camps have Parent Itinerary forms for you to complete at camp.

NOTE: Campers are not allowed to leave the camp grounds at any time, even to go home, with anyone except their own parents or guardians unless you have given written permission, in advance, to your child’s camp director.

Parental Permission Forms

You have already submitted a Parental Permission form for special camp-run trips and supervised out-of-camp activities. On this form, you were asked to indicate either “yes” or “no” for these activities. It is important that, if you have any questions about what you signed, you should check with the registrar on check-in day. Also, any activity on the permission slip left blank will be interpreted as a “no” answer; we will not be making any special calls for permission for trips if you have either (a) indicated “no” or (b) left that activity blank.

Packages From Home

Parents (and other family members and friends) are tempted to send “care packages” to the campers so that “they shouldn’t starve to death.” Please believe us when we say no camper has ever perished from malnutrition. We ask that, if you send any packages, please use good judgement knowing that:

• your child will fill up on snacks and sweets and other nosherei and will not eat the balanced, nutritious meals planned and served at camp
• such food items in the bunk attract both four legged animals and insects
• other campers may not be receiving packages from home and will feel left out and disappointed. Please understand, we are not saying packages may not be sent… just think three times before you pack and send something. Upon arrival at camp we will provide you with the names of businesses that provide non-food “care packages”.
• we are seeing an increasing number of campers who have moderate to severe allergies to nuts and food products made with nuts. We would very much appreciate your refraining from sending "care packages" with products containing peanuts or tree nuts, since these could inadvertently cause harm. We would also be grateful if you would pass this message to other family members or friends who might be sending food items to your camper.
• no food is to be brought to camp with the intention of bringing it into the dining hall. The only food appropriate for the dining hall - is dining hall food. For special dietary needs, please be certain to contact camp direct

A Note About Our Drama, Dance & Music Programs

Both camps offer elective instrumental music programs and drama productions. We encourage campers who play instruments to bring them to camp and join in these programs. We feel very strongly that campers will gain a great deal from being in a musical, drama or dance production. However, these activities are very timeconsuming and may take time away from other activities. Campers should be aware that once a commitment to a program is made, they must be willing to give their time and to give up some other scheduled activities. Please make certain any musical instruments brought to camp are included on your homeowner’s insurance.