Where Summertime Dreams Make Lifetime Memories

Braeside Camp

….where summertime dreams make lifetime memories. 640 East Main Street Middletown, NY 10940 Phone: 845-343-8985 Fax: 845-698-4003 PARENT INFORMATION FOR CAMP

PLEASE KEEP THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU. IT WILL EXPLAIN MOST OF YOUR GENERAL QUESTIONS FOR YOUR CHILD’S PARTICIPATION AT CAMP THIS SUMMER. DIRECTIONS Braeside Camp is located on the corner of East Main Street and Golf Links Road, Our address is 640 East Main Street Middletown, NY 10940. Just minutes from Route 17 and 84. You may call us at 845-343-8985 for further directions.

Please be sure to arrive/pick up between these times. If you are going to be late, please call the camp office and let us know your child’s name and when we can expect you to arrive.

WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP Please write a letter to your child we can give during the session. *(Put your name on all your children’s clothing in permanent marker!!!!)* - Sweatshirts and warm tops (2 each) -Goggles, water shoes optional - Underwear and socks (5 each) - Bathing Suit (1-2) - Sneakers and shower sandals (1 of each) - Shirts and tops (5) - Raincoat/ poncho/ rain boots (we do get rain) - Toiletries: Toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, lotion, shampoo, soap - Pajamas (2) comb, bug repellant, sunscreen - Long Pants (2) shorts (3) -POST CARDS ONLY, pre-addressed w/stamps *Please Do Not Bring: a towel, money, trading cards, radios, cell phones, mp3’s, TV’s, game boys, jackknives, jewelry, lap tops, DVD players or any other electronic equipment. We are not responsible for lost personal belongings.

MAIL Our campers enjoy getting a postcard or letter during their stay at camp. Please send all mail to Your child’s name Braeside Camp 640 East Main Street Middletown NY 10940 You may send your child a small package as well. Some books, magazines that are age appropriate, small game cards etc are all good choices. If sending a food item, please be sure that you send enough for a cabin of 10 to enjoy. PARENT VISITS Your child is at camp for a short stay. We find it best that parent’s stay at home during their child’s stay rather than come to surprise visit them here at camp. Some children take longer to adjust to the camp environment. If you would like to visit camp during the summer to see our program in operation prior to your child’s arrival, please call our office to make arrangements.

HOMESICKNESS Often, homesickness lasts only until the camper becomes adjusted to the camp schedule. Our staff members are trained to aid campers in becoming adjusted as quickly as possible. However, if you suspect your camper may experience some homesickness, you can help his or her transition by saying goodbye promptly during the first day of camp. Please refrain from making a fuss or from suggesting that your camper might become homesick while in his or her presence. Please do not call camp expecting to talk with your camper. If you wish to hear how your camper is doing, you may contact our office and ask to hear back from our staff. In both our experience and that of other camp professionals, homesickness is aggravated, rather than reduced, by calls from home. It is for this reason campers are not permitted to receive phone calls.

LAUNDRY We provide in house laundry for your child on a daily basis. Please understand that we do not wash sneakers, hats or other heavy non clothing items. Campers will return home not only of tales of their experience here at camp but with clothing that may be dirty as we do not send our campers home with clean laundry. Please do not pack expensive clothing as campers may tear or stain clothing.

MEDICATION: DO NOT PACK MEDICATION IN YOUR CHILD’S LUGGAGE All medication (Prescription and non-prescription) must be checked-in upon arrival at camp. Campers are not permitted to take their own medication on their own schedule. When you arrive to camp for check in, you will go through the Health Center for check in and filling out the necessary medication forms with our Health Care Staff. You must provide enough medication for the entire time your child is at camp. All medication must be clearly marked in the original bottle with the following: • Child’s Name • Name of medication (whether prescription or non-prescription, i.e. Vitamin C) • Prescribed dosage and frequency • Condition for which it is taken

CAMP MEDICAL POLICY – ACCIDENT OR ILLNESS REQUIRING CAMPER PICK - UP The Camp staff and camp nurses will make every attempt to create a positive experience for your camper in the event of injury or illness. However, in the event that we are unable to accommodate a camper under any extraordinary circumstances, parents must have a plan prepared to arrange for their camper’s pickup by someone authorized in advance on the registration form or through subsequent correspondence. The parents, emergency contact, and/or other authorized pickups must be available to pick up their camper if deemed necessary by the camp staff.

MEALS AT CAMP Meals in our dining hall are nutritious, kid-friendly, and served “family style". Our Food Service Program is part of the Summer Food Service Program by the USDA as well as the Regional Food Bank of Albany area. We follow the USDA food pattern ensuring that our campers have a nutritious and satisfying meal. All resident campers receive 3 meals a day plus a snack. A sampling of our meals includes, but not limited to salads, meatloaf, veggie pizza, soups, oatmeal, eggs, and an abundance of fruit and vegetables. We also have traditional camp cookouts with burgers, hot dogs, chicken salads, corn on the cob and watermelon! *There are also vegetarian options. Special dietary needs can be accommodated.

CAMPERS BIRTHDAYS If your camper’s birthday falls during his/her stay at camp, we would be happy to prepare a cake for them and to have the whole camp wish them a happy birthday. Please confirm on check-in day that we have your camper in our list of birthdays that session.

SWIMMING AT BRAESIDE Each camper is given a swim test upon arrival at camp to assess his/her swim level. All campers will be enrolled in swim classes. We offer a progressive swim instruction program. This program accommodates everyone from the non-swimmer to the very competent swimmer. Our goal is to motivate swimmers at all levels of ability to improve their skills and become more comfortable in the water.

DAILY SCHEDULE Our camper’s days are filled with fun, educational and experiential programming. Our staff plans special themed days, structured activities in environmental education, athletics and team building, crafts, swimming, among other activities. All of our activities are run by our staff and each group is supervised by their counselor in the activity time frame. Campers are never left alone and are always with buddies and a staff member. Here is a sample of our program schedule. 7:45 AM Wake-up bell 2:15 PM Girls Free Swim 8:15 AM Breakfast 3:00 PM Snacks 9:00 AM Activity 1 3.30 PM Specialized class 9:45 AM Activity 2 4.15 PM Supervised cabin time 10:30 AM Activity 3 5.30 PM Dinner 11:15 AM Boys Free Swim 6.15 PM Supervised playground time 12:15 AM Lunch 7.00PM Evening programming 1:00 AM Supervised rest time 9:00PM All campers in cabin – (Lights Off) 1.30 PM Activity 4