If you are considering bringing your camper to Westminster Woods for the first time, we would love to talk with you or arrange for a visit to our camp. Below are some frequently asked questions and our responses. If you have other questions or are trying to decide which program is best for your camper, please contact our Program Director at 707-874-2426 x617.
Click on a question for the corresponding response, or just scroll down for all of the questions and responses.
Why should I send my camper to Westminster Woods?
What happens in a typical day at camp?
Who is supervising my child?
How do I know if my child is ready for overnight camp?
What if my camper gets homesick?
May I keep in touch with my camper at camp? Should I send them with a cell phone?
What if my camper has special needs?
What happens if there are discipline issues?
What if my camper gets sick or injured?
Why have the camp fees been raised for 2008?
Do you have any financial aid for families who cannot afford camp?
My camper is in a grade where he/she is eligible for two programs. How should I pick between a younger and older camp?
What are the main differences between Junior Explorers and Sherwood Forest?
What are the main differences between Buccaneer Camp and Junior High Central?
Why should I send my camper to Westminster Woods?
We offer a place where campers are free to grow into their own sense of self and to feel God’s love in their life. A week at The Woods helps young people to develop lasting, meaningful relationships with peers, counselors and mentors. Campers return home prepared to continue practicing faith in their daily lives.
What happens in a typical day at camp?
8:30 Breakfast
9:15 Quiet Time (devotional books)
9:40 Cabin Time (memory verse)
10:00 Family group activity and Bible lesson
- activities include: hiking, pool, creek, crafts, games, etc.
12:30 Lunch
1:15 All camp games and activities: relays, story time, large
group games, discussion groups (older youth), etc.
1:45 Mail call
2:00 Flat on Bunk (FOB) – rest time
2:30 Free time – supervised by counselors
- choice of challenge course, craft shack, games on big
green field, pool, hike with other campers and counselor,
shower, etc.
5:30 Dinner
6:15 All camp big game: capture the flag, volleyball court relays, night swim, etc.
7:30 Campfire (talk from a pastor or youth leader)
8:30 To cabins for cabin talks (older campers spend time with
their family groups for one more hour before bed)
9:30 Lights out (younger campers have shorter evening events
and go to bed by 8:30)
Who is supervising my child?
Each cabin or tent has a counselor who sleeps, eats, plays with and supervises the campers in their group. All our cabin counselors are required to attend an 8-hour training which includes how to keep campers safe, how to meet the needs of children of various ages, and how to discipline when necessary. Our counselors are mentored and supervised by Lead Counselors who are experienced, college-age Summer Staff
How do I know if my child is ready for overnight camp?
We trust your judgment as a parent. We want your child to enjoy their time here. If your child is excited about overnight camp and has successfully spent one or more nights at the homes of relatives or friends, they will most likely be ready for overnight camp. However, if your child is fearful and reluctant, you may choose to have them wait another year to come. If you would like to arrange a visit to the camp to meet our staff and walk around, please call our Program Director.
What if my camper gets homesick?
Our counselors are trained to respond to homesick campers with extra love and attention. We try to keep campers engaged in the activities of the day. In extreme cases, we will call the parent for additional guidance and arrange for the camper to call home. You can help prevent homesickness by communicating with your child about what to expect at camp, building their confidence in being away from home, and telling them that camp will be a fun and positive experience. Please instruct your child to communicate with his or her counselor if they feel sad, upset or uncomfortable while at camp. We recommend that you do not tell your camper that you will pick them up if they are struggling. In our experience, campers who think they have the option to go home mid-session often show more signs of homesickness.
May I keep in touch with my camper at camp? Should I send them with a cell phone?
Yes, we hold mail call each day in the afternoon. Many campers enjoy receiving positive notes from home. You can drop off or send mail or care packages. You may also e-mail them and/or view photos of your camper online (details forthcoming). Campers can also write you letters and mail them home. We understand that you are concerned about your child while they are away from home. However, we do not encourage phone calls to camp. Do not have your camper bring his/her cell phone; we do not have cell phone coverage and we do not want something so valuable to get lost or damaged.
What if my camper has special needs?
There is space in our registration for you to inform us about any special needs your camper has. Additionally, we would like to communicate with the family ahead of time, over the phone to determine the best ways to address these needs.
What happens if there are discipline issues?
We rarely experience serious disciplinary issues because we keep campers constantly moving and engaged in various activities. However, in the event a camper acts out, we handle discipline on a case-by-case basis. Talking to campers in a fair, firm and friendly way is our first response. We communicate with you as needed and work in partnership with you to develop effective solutions. We have a no-bullying policy in effect. Campers who bully, demonstrate aggressive behavior or who are involved in fighting will be sent home.
What if my camper gets sick or injured?
We have a Registered Nurse on grounds and several First Aid-trained Summer Staff who can respond to basic health needs 24 hours a day. We communicate with you for any serious sickness or injury. There are paramedics on call just a few minutes from us, and we’re located only 12 miles from a hospital emergency room.
Why have the camp fees been raised so much for 2008?
As you already have noticed, the cost of everything is going up. The camp’s base costs for food, energy, and maintenance are rising. We have raised our summer staff salaries to meet the new California minimum wage for 2008.
New for 2008, we budgeted for background checks for all summer staff, all nurses, all speakers, and all volunteers over 18. We are committed to providing safe, high-quality, Christian staff and volunteers to supervise our campers and lead our programs.
Our camp fees include supervision, three nutritious meals per day, all snacks, special activities, a camp photo and a camp
t-shirt. The cost for a 6-night camp is about $75 per day. We believe this is an appropriate cost for the quality of overnight camping experience that we provide.
Do you have any financial aid for families who cannot afford camp?
Yes, we offer camperships. Please download our campership form (click here) or call our office at 707-874-2426 to discuss your situation. Many of our Church Partners also assist campers from their congregation. Click here to see a list of our Church Partners.
My camper is in a grade where he/she is eligible for two programs. How should I pick between a younger and older camp?
As a parent, you know your camper’s temperament and maturity best. If you think they will have a better camp experience with a younger group, then you have the option to have them attend camp with younger campers. If you think they will grow through experiences with an older group, then consider sending them to camp with the older campers. Your decision may also depend on which camp your child’s friends will attend or if they are transitioning from elementary school to middle school. If you have more questions, please contact our Program Director.
What are the main differences between Junior Explorers and Sherwood Forest?
Both of these camps are designed for campers entering the 4th through 6th grades. Both camps break into units of about 30 campers for eating and activities. They share many of the same activities such as archery, games, swimming, creek traverse and evening campfires. Sherwood Forest is our flagship program and has many camp traditions such as Towne Meeting cheers and visits from Robin Hood and Maid Marian. Junior Explorers was started in 2004 to offer a camp that places an emphasis on caring for God’s creation. In addition to the traditional camp activities, campers will stargaze, learn about the local watershed and assist in a project that helps to restore the environment. Some campers choose to attend both camps.
What are the main differences between Buccaneer Camp and Junior High Central?
Both of these camps are designed for middle school campers and both camps spend time on the challenge course. Overall, Buccaneer Camp is more outdoor-focused than Central. In Junior High Central, campers sleep in cabins on bunk beds and eat most of their meals in our dining hall. They spend one night on a trip to the Ridge and sleep under the stars. At Buccaneer camp, every night is spent under the stars on tarps. Portable toilets and sinks are located nearby. Buccaneer eats outdoors on picnic tables. In general, Buccaneer Camps tend to be smaller (approximately 50 campers) and Junior High Central can hold 100 campers.
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