When does camp begin and end?
Bus runs begin at approximately 8:00 AM and end at approximately 4:00 PM. The regular camp day runs between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The only exception to this is the day after an overnight. After an overnight, the regularly scheduled day ends at 12:00 noon with bus dismissal running 3 hours earlier than their regularly scheduled times. Extended hours are available on a daily basis (and after an overnight) and are available from 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM. Parents who are not utilizing the morning extended hours, but are dropping their children off at camp, should do so no earlier than 9:00 AM. Mountain Mist Day Camp is available for 9 weeks (1 preview week and 4 – 2 week sessions) Attendance is taken every day and phone calls are made regarding absent campers. In the event a child is going to miss a day at camp, we ask that parents call us and make us aware of the absence. This will prevent unnecessary calls to homes and places of employment to verify the absence.
Where is Mountain Mist Day Camp located?
Mountain Mist is located at the base of Mt. Besek in Meriden at 533 High Hill Road. The 60 acres of land borders the Wallingford and Middlefield town lines.
Is camp ever cancelled?
Camp operates rain or shine. There are no cancellations except in the case of predicted hazardous weather such as a hurricane or tornado. If rain or inclement weather is predicted on the evening of an overnight, the overnight is subject to cancellation. In the event an overnight is cancelled, the following day will resume as a regularly scheduled full day of camp. Dismissal will take place at 3:00 PM and busses will run on their regularly scheduled time frame.
Can lunch be purchased at camp?
The easy answer to this question is “Yes.” For an additional fee, lunch can be purchased daily except for Thursday and Friday of the second week of the session. Menus are included with the registration package and must be returned on or before the first day of the session with full payment.
Campers not participating in the lunch program should bring with them a bagged lunch (Please NO LUNCH BOXES OR COOLERS), which will be collected and refrigerated until lunch time. Please use brown lunch bags clearly labeled with the camper’s name. If campers bring coolers or lunch boxes, they run the risk of not fitting into the refrigerators.
How is a camper’s swimming level determined?
All traditional campers have the opportunity to take swim lessons each session. Prior to entering our pool, all campers are required to take the “swim challenge”. (This is equivalent to a swim test, but what camper wants to take a test in the summer!) This will allow our WSI (Water Safety Instructor) to place each camper in a swim group with other campers of the same swimming ability. Tee Pees (preschoolers) do not receive formal swim lessons, but rather are given an opportunity to use the well supervised shallow bay of the pool on a daily basis. Swim lessons are encouraged, but are optional, for Pioneers, Discoverers, Explorers, Adventurers, and Navigators. Specialty campers will have the opportunity to swim daily in a free swim setting. All campers, once they have been placed in a swim group, have the opportunity to take part in our free swim period, which is held daily.
What happens if my child is hurt or becomes ill?
The camp has a registered nurse on staff and on the camp grounds during our regularly scheduled hours of operation (including overnights). The nurse will tend to minor injuries and illnesses and will treat these as necessary. A doctor is also on call and will communicate with the camp nurse regarding specific health issues. In the event a child becomes ill during a camp day, the nurse will call the parent/guardian to plan the best course of action. In the event of a medical emergency, the medical staff will contact the parent/guardian immediately. If necessary, the camper will be transported to a hospital or doctor (if the parent so chooses). Regardless of the severity of the situation, we must transport by ambulance in the absence of a parent. This is the policy of our insurance company. If it is not an emergency situation, a parent may opt to pick up the child and transport to the hospital. If a parent can not be reached, we will act on the side of caution and will have the child transported to Midstate Medical Center via ambulance. Two Mountain Mist staff members will accompany the child to the hospital to provide comfort and reassurance to the camper and will remain with the camper until his/her parent/guardian arrives.
Why do we need a medical form?
Besides being a State of Connecticut requirement for day camps, the form gives your doctor an excellent mode of communication with the camp staff. Any pertinent medical information should be included on the medical form in order to insure a successful experience for your child. Please be advised that in the event of an emergency, the hospital will ask for the camper’s medical form. It is essential that the information that you provide is up to date. The card must also be signed by your physician as well as by the camper’s parent/guardian. This gives us the right to have your child treated in the event of an emergency. This form must be turned in before a camper can attend a day camp in the State of Connecticut. We ask that this form be submitted 10 days prior to the start of your child’s day camp experience. This gives our medical staff an opportunity to review the form to better prepare for your child’s individual needs.
What if my child takes medications?
All medications must be given to the camp nurse in its original container. The prescription must be clearly legible. These medications should be handed over directly to the nurse by a parent. Please DO NOT send medications in with the camper. Upon written instructions from the parent, the nurse will dispense medications as needed according to the prescription. It is a State of Connecticut requirement that all containers be clearly labeled and locked in a cabinet in the nurse’s station. Medications must be picked up by the parent/guardian on the last day of the session or they will be disposed of by the Mountain Mist Day Camp staff.
How are children placed in a group?
Groups are based on the grade completed, prior to the start of the summer. Pre-school students are part of the Tee Pee program. Campers who have completed Kindergarten are Pioneers. Campers who have completed 1st & 2nd grades are Discoverers, while campers who have completed 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades are Explorers. Anyone who has completed 6th and 7th grades are a part of our Adventurer Village and those who have completed 8th and 9th grades are part of our new Navigator Village. 9th graders who do not want to become a C.I.T. yet have the option this year for one more year as a traditional camper. Our Counselor-In-Training (C.I.T.) program is designed for campers who have completed 9th, 10th, and 11th grades and would eventually desire to work at Mountain Mist. Specialty Camps age requirements are noted in our Camp Brochure.
What happens if my child loses an item at camp?
Every effort is made to reunite campers with lost items. Our lost and found is open at all times (to both campers and parents) and can be looked through at any time. The best way to insure that an item finds its way safely home is to be sure to put the camper’s name on it. Everything sent to camp should have a camper’s name on it. At the end of the fifth day of each session, any item that is left from the previous session will be donated to a local shelter. Please do not hesitate to call or send in a note regarding lost items.
What is the camp’s refund policy?
All fees except your non-refundable deposit, basic membership fee, camp improvement fee, and any late fees will be refunded if the YMCA is notified in writing no less than 10 days prior to the start of a registered week. Deposits may be refunded in the event the cancellation is due to medical reasons. Written notification by a physician must accompany the written notification and must be received prior to the start of the registered week. No refunds will be awarded once the camp week has begun and refunds will not be awarded when a camper is dismissed from camp due to behavioral issues. In the event a medical issue arises during a session, a prorated YMCA credit can be issued to compensate the unused portion of that session.
When are Parents Nights and Overnights?
Parent nights and overnights are held on the second Thursday of each two-week session. Parents nights begin at 6:30 PM and end at approximately 8:00 PM. At this time, the parents say goodnight to their children and the overnight festivities begin. Please note: Any camper who participates in the PM Extended Hours Program MUST be picked up by 5:30 PM on the night of an overnight. They may not remain on the camp grounds between 5:30 and 6:30 PM. Tee Pees do not attend the overnight, but are welcomed to join the parents night portion of the program. No AM Transportation is available following the overnight for campers who choose not to participate. Campers who do not attend the overnight are welcomed to join us in the morning for breakfast after 7:30 AM. Also, please note that the day following an overnight is a half-day and dismissal takes place at 12:00 noon. Extended hours are available and dismissal busses will run 3 hours earlier than their regularly scheduled times.
Are Parents Nights and Overnights ever canceled?
Yes. Unfortunately, there are times when we must cancel an overnight. Usually, this decision is made based on the weather. If the grounds are too wet from a previous rainfall or if there is the prediction of severe weather forthcoming, an overnight will be canceled. Safety is always the deciding factor when canceling the overnight and the Camp Directors usually do not make this decision until 2:30 PM on the day of the overnight. So, in the event the overnight is canceled, campers will be notified at dismissal and will be given notices to take home explaining the cancellation. Anytime a cancellation is necessary, the following day will be a regularly scheduled full day of camp with regularly scheduled busses in the AM and PM.
What type of clothing should a camper wear?
No special clothes are necessary, but a bathing suit and towel are needed if the camper intends to take part in our aquatics program. Close attention should be paid to weather forecasts and campers should dress accordingly. Please remember that while mornings can be a bit chilly at Mountain Mist, afternoons can also become very hot. Do to safety issues, Mountain Mist Day Camp now requires all campers to wear appropriate footwear. Closed toe/heel shoes are required. Sandals, flip-flops, crocs, etc are no longer permitted.
How is staff selected?
The camp consists of YMCA Professionals, college aged students with experience working with children and, and high school students. All counselors are at least 18 years of age and all staff members participate in pre-season training. Junior Counselors are hand selected and are paired up with a Counselor. A Junior Counselor can be hired if they are at least 17 years of age at the start of the summer and have completed at least 2 years of a CIT (Counselor-In-Training) program. Most of our Administrative Staff have college degrees and work in the education field.
Where is my child’s bus stop?
At the time of registration, parents will select a stop from our list of Safe Stops. Stops and stop times are on that list. Please be sure to write down your child’s stop and stop time. A copy of the Safe Stop list is included in this booklet. Additional copies are available at the camp,
What happens if my child misses his/her bus?
The bus is scheduled to leave each stop at the time designated on the Safe Stop list. We encourage each camper to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to the stop to ensure a consistent pickup. In the event a camper misses his/her bus, please notify the camp as soon as possible. In order to stay on its time schedule, a bus will not be able to return to a stop once it leaves. A parent will need to bring the camper to camp.
What are Extended Hours?
This is a program that is ideal for working parents. Extended Hours allow a camper to be dropped off as early as 6:30 AM and picked up as late as 5:30 PM. Extended Hours campers are supervised by camp staff and have the opportunity to enjoy the camp’s facilities prior to and after the regularly scheduled camp hours. Transportation is not provided for Extended Hours campers and there is an additional fee for this program.
Can my camper be brought to camp late or picked up early?
Yes, we understand that there are obligations that must be taken care of during the camp day. Therefore, campers can be picked up early or dropped off late.
In the event you are dropping off a camper late
Please report with the camper to the camp office. This will ensure proper daily attendance and is the best way to contact the Village Director, who will unite your camper with his/her group.
In the event you are picking up a camper early
Please make sure that you have proper identification with you. If you know in advance that you will be picking up a child early, please notify the camp and we will make every effort to have your child ready and waiting for you at the designated pick up time. Be sure that your camper’s “Camper Release Form” is filled out. Only designated people identified on this form will be able to pick up your child.
Can my child bring a guest to camp?
Yes. We allow campers to bring guests to camp at a rate of $45.00 per day. We do ask for at least 24 hours notice and medical and emergency information must be provided. Guests may not attend on the day of a field trip or during our overnight programs.
Is there anything that my child is not allowed to bring to camp?
Anything that a camper brings to camp is the sole responsibility of that camper. The Meriden YMCA and its staff can not be held responsible for lost or stolen items. It is at the discretion of the parents to monitor what a camper is bringing to camp. However, there are several items that have become a distraction and have been recognized as an interference with the daily operations of Mountain Mist Day Camp. Therefore, the following items are not allowed to be brought to camp (this includes at the bus stops, on the busses, and on the camp grounds): Playing, trading, or gaming cards (of any kind). 2–way radios and walkie-talkies due to the staff uses 2–way radios for emergency and daily organizational communications. Electronics of any kind (This includes, but is not limited to, video games, CD or cassette players, iPods, cell phones, and radios). If any of these items are found on camp grounds they will be confiscated and every attempt will be made to return them to the parent of the camper. Continued breach of this rule can result in suspension or expulsion from camp.
What happens if my child is not picked up at the end of camp?
If a camper in the Extended Hours PM Program is not picked up at 5:30 PM, the following steps will be taken:
Two staff members over the age of 18 will remain on site.
The child will be kept calm, busy, and reassured.
Parents will be called at all available phone numbers.
If parent can not be reached the emergency/alternate people will be contacted.
When the child is picked up by an emergency contact, a note will be left on the office door for the parent.
After one hour with no contact from the parent/guardian or emergency contacts, Mountain Mist Day Camp Staff will contact the Meriden Police Department and the camper will be placed in police custody. A note for the parent/guardian will be left on the office door containing the Meriden Police Department contact information.
What is the Mountain Mist Day Camp Child Abuse Policy?
All staff members of Mountain Mist Day Camp are required to be mandated abuse reporters by Connecticut law. A full copy of our policy is available in the camp office.
What is your policy if I am late picking up my child from PM Extended Hours?
We understand that everybody runs late once in a while but the Extended Hours program ends at 5:30 PM. Our policy for lateness for the summer is stated as follows:
The first time a parent/guardian is late picking up a camper, the Extended Hours Staff will verbally remind the parent/guardian that all campers must be picked up no later than 5:30 PM.
The second time a parent/guardian is late picking up a camper, a written notice will be sent home with the parent/guardian of a second occurrence of lateness and that a third incident will result in expulsion from the Extended Hours Program.
The third time a parent/guardian is late picking up a camper, a Camp Director will contact the parent by telephone and inform them that they will need to make other arrangements for their camper to get home. i.e. bus stop or parent pick-up at 3:00 PM.
No refunds will be issued for violation of this policy.
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