Drop-off Times
For all of our week-long camps, please arrive between 3 and 5 PM on Sunday to register your camper. Please do not bring your pets.
For Half-Week sessions (Adventure Camp and Grandparent- Grandchild camps)
Session A registration is Sunday 3 to 5 pm
Session B registration is Wednesday 3 to 5 pm
STEP – we request that you arrive to register at 10 am on Sunday and join us for our worship service at 11:00 am.
Friendship Camp — arrive Monday, June 30 from 10 am to noon.
(Click Here for Directions to The Woods)
When You Arrive
- You will be directed to a parking area.
- Drop luggage at the spot designated for your camp in the parking area.
- Remove all medications from luggage and bring them to the check-in line
- Have any changes to emergency contact or health insurance information ready.
- Be ready to answer a few simple health questions and receive a lice check. (Campers with lice will be sent home with care instructions, and camp attendance rescheduled)
- You will meet the camp leaders and be shown your sleeping area. Parents are welcome to meet the camp counselor and see the sleeping arrangements for the camper.
Pick-up Times and Information
For week-long camps, pickup is at Saturday morning at 9:30 am
For Half-Week camps:
Session A pickup is at 9:30 am on Wednesday
Session B pickup is at 9:30 am on Saturday
Campers are usually done around this time, but sometimes goodbyes get lengthy. You will be directed to a parking spot and are welcome to have coffee while you wait.
Sorry, we can not accommodate campers after 9:30 am, as this is our staff members’ only time off before the next camp begins.
Please check your camper’s luggage to be sure nothing is left behind or that you haven’t grabbed someone else’s luggage by mistake. If something appears to be missing, you can fill out a Lost & Found Report in the Office. We do not take responsibility for lost items, however we do try to locate and return your things when possible. Please report missing items right away; we donate unclaimed items after two weeks.
Mail and Care Packages
We hold mail call every afternoon Monday-Friday. You can drop off mail and packages in front of the office on the same day that you drop you camper off at camp. Please label each package with the camper’s name, camp session (i.e. SF3) and what day you want it to be delivered. Please send positive notes to your camper - this isn’t the time to drop big family news. We understand that care packages are a way to show your love. Please try to incorporate non-snack items and limit the volume of food to what can be eaten in a day or two. In our outdoor camps, we collect all the care-package edibles and place them in a raccoon-proof box.
You can also mail, UPS, or Fed Ex packages to:
Camper Name, Camp Session (i.e. SF3)
Westminster Woods Camp
6510 Bohemian Hwy.
Occidental, CA 95465
Our email service allows you to send e-mails to your camper. Sorry, your camper is busy with lots of outdoor activities and does not have access to a computer and will not be able to e-mail you back. They can write a letter or postcard and mail it from camp.
Photos of your Camper
Each night we will upload photos from camp to the internet. You can view these photos for free and purchase photos and photo gift items. An 8x10 group photo of the entire camp is included in the cost of camp.
Phone calls during camp
We understand that you are concerned about your camper while they are away from home. We do not have cell phone coverage at the camp, and we ask campers to leave their cell phones at home. If your child is homesick or struggling at camp, we will call the parents. Otherwise, you can assume that your camper is fine and continue to send them mail and/or email. We find that campers experience the full benefits of overnight camps when they are allowed to participate fully.
Packing List - Please label every item!
(Click here for a downloadable checklist)
- Clothes for camping and hiking, including a jacket or hoodie, long-sleeve shirt, and lots of socks.
- 2 pairs of closed toed shoes, including an old pair of tennis shoes for water activities. (For safety purposes, we do not allow any open toed shoes for camp activities. One pair of sandals is appropriate when going to the pool or shower)
- Sleeping bag, extra blanket and pillow.
- Sleeping pad (for Adventure, Buccaneer, STEP and Ocean Trek only)
- Toiletries including soap, shampoo and toothbrush/toothpaste.
- Insect repellent
- Water Bottle for hiking
- Swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen
- Bible, pencil, flashlight, and postage stamps
- Prescription Medications in their original containers (see Medication Policy)
Dress Code: Please bring clothing that is appropriate for a Christian camp. Do not bring clothing which advertises alcohol or promotes illegal activities. No two-piece bathing suits are allowed (or campers will be asked to wear a t-shirt over their bathing suit during pool times). Immodest clothing is discouraged such as clothes that expose bare midriffs, short shorts or skirts, revealing tops, and sagging pants.
Specialized packing lists - In addition to the above, please pack:
For High School Camp: optional items: musical instrument for talent show, nice outfit for banquet, western wear for hoedown.
For Ocean Trek: you will be sent an additional preparation letter and packing list.
Do not bring - Alcohol, illegal drugs, cigarettes, knives or weapons of any kind. Electronics such as cell phones, pagers, two-ways, portable audio/video equipment (iPods, DVD players…) portable gaming devices & games. Do not bring valuables or money.
Westminster Woods Medication Policy
For the personal safety of all campers, medications are not allowed in the cabin with the exception of inhalers. Medications must be checked in by the nurse at registration.
All camper prescription medications must be brought to camp in the original containers with a current Rx label. Medications will be dispensed as the doctor ordered it to be given. Medication will not be dispensed to a child if his/her name is not on the label. If you request your child’s medicine to be dispensed other than as prescribed on the label, you must have your doctor fax us an order indicating such change. Unlabeled medication will be held (not given) until we receive a doctor’s faxed order.
The 5 medication rights will be as follows:
1.) Right Person
2.) Right Drug
3.) Right Dose
4.) Right Route
5.) Right Time
Over the counter medications may be given with parental/guardian instructions. Medications must be in the original container to be administered to your child.
We have standing orders from Dr. Trina Bowen at the Occidental Area Health Center to dispense over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Benadryl, Robitussin, etc., if a camper needs and requests them.
Rx medications will be dosed by an MD, RN, or a pharmacist. After medications are dosed, they may be administered by a First Aider. Over the counter medications may be dosed and administered by an MD, RN, pharmacist, or First Aider.
Payment and Cancellation Policy: Please read carefully.
If you are only paying the deposit, please be aware that the balance is due in full 30 days prior to arrival at camp. Your card will be charged for the remaining balance unless prior arrangements are made with the registrar.
New for 2008 – If your church is contributing to your camper’s balance, please be in communication with your church. We have asked the church to pay their portion of the balance 45 days prior to camp. We will run the remaining balance according to our payment policy. Please call the registrar at 707-874-2426 ext. 611 if you have any questions.
A service charge of $15 will be added for returned checks. For a refund of all except the deposit, cancellation notices must be received in writing 14 days prior to the first day of camp. Late notifications, no-shows, and/or early departures are NOT eligible for a refund. After your application has been submitted, your registration is “on hold” until the registrar has reviewed the application to ensure all the information is complete. If your application is missing information, the camp registrar will call and assist you in completing the registration process. Once approved, you will be sent a confirmation email. Please be sure your email account is set up to receive mail from Westminster Woods. Please include your camper’s name and session on any correspondence or payments.
It is the Wood’s intention to make camping available to those who are interested, but unable to attend due to extreme financial constraints. However, since our funds are limited and dispersed on a first come, first serve basis – we look to share the financial commitment and we encourage the family to tap into local churches, agencies, non-profit civic organizations, family, friends, etc…so that we may help as many campers as possible. To apply for a campership, or for more information, please call the registrar at 707-874-2426 ext. 611. The campership form is also available online by clicking here.
Tips for helping your camper have a positive camping experience
In our experience, visits and phone calls can distract campers from the relationships they are building at camp. Campers receive the greatest benefit when allowed to have a focused, uninterrupted session. Therefore, we encourage you not to remove campers early, bring them late, or call them at camp. Please send them good news and fun stories through mail or e-mail.
Our counselors work closely with homesick campers, loving them and encouraging them to have fun at camp. For younger and first-time campers, we find it helpful if you are available for phone consultations about homesickness and are prepared to pick them up mid-session if their homesickness becomes severe.
Prevent sickness by encouraging your camper to get plenty of rest and exercise prior to camp. Occasionally our nurses may need to call parents to pick up campers who have become ill. You will be called if your child needs more medical attention, your child’s illness persists for more than 24 hours or it precludes him/her from participating in camp. Please make sure someone is available if this is necessary.
If you have an unexpected emergency and need to move your camper early, or talk to them personally, please call the office at 707-874-2426 ext. 0 (zero) to make arrangements in advance. For safety reasons, we will document the early release from camp and will request to see identification of the person picking up the camper.
Communication is the key to our being of service. Please encourage your camper to talk to their camp counselor if any problems occur (e.g. bullying).
Return to our Home Page
|
