The Ultimate Parent's Guide to Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter

THE ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDEBOOK TO CAMP HALF-BLOOD AND CAMP JUPITER

Introduction………………………………………………..………..…….2 General FAQ……………………………………………………………3-8 CHB Brooklyn…………………………………………………………9-11 CHB North…………………………… ………………………………12-13 CHB West………………………………..………………………….…14-15 Camp Jupiter………………………………………………….……16-18

So, you’ve had it up to here with the typical summer camp experience. We’re totally with you on that.

As a parent, you want more for your child. You want them to give them a chance to reinvent themselves, make life-long friendships and become who they were meant to be. At Camp Half-Blood, we call that “awakening the hero within”. But before that hero gets unleashed, we know you might have some questions.

Let’s start with at the very beginning.

Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter are fully immersive camp experiences that are based on the best-selling Percy Jackson Chronicles, a young adult series written by Rick Riordan. In Rick’s literary world, the ancient gods and goddesses of Greek, Egyptian and Norse mythology aren’t just stories in a book. They are alive and well but so are the monsters trying to vanquish them.

2 In the series, Camp Half-Blood is the secret location where young demigods go to train, learn new skills and prepare for their next quest.

Camp Half-Blood is where heroes are made.

Each summer, our team brings these stories to life so that campers get the opportunity to develop their imagination, experience the power of storytelling and become a hero. Along the way, they’ll also develop a deep appreciation for reading, active play and teamwork.

A typical day at Camp Half-Blood or Camp Jupiter involves immersive lessons and activities that range from theater to swordplay to ancient Greek arts and crafts. And with each new week, a new story is created and performed, which is why no two-weeks at camp Half Half-Blood or Camp Jupiter are the same.

Before we spill all our secrets, let’s move on to the questions we get asked the most.

1. What should my demigod bring to camp?

Every demigod needs supplies for their quest. Here are the necessities.

• Reﬁllable water bottle • Lunch (Tip: We recommend an insulated lunch box with an icepack.) • Camp T-Shirt (Tip: We give each camper one free shirt per season.)

3 • Sneakers or other sturdy rubber-soled footwear • Camp-issued sword • Shield (Optional) • Sunscreen • Hat or visor (Tip: We strongly suggest this.) • Rain gear if applicable (Tip: Umbrella, jacket, poncho, boots)

2. Does my demigod really need to bring an extra shirt?

Training to be heroes outside all day is a blast but it does mean that we end most days sweaty and dirty. If you think having an extra shirt will help your demigod be more comfortable (or save you some laundry), feel free to pack an extra shirt or purchase some extra camp shirts during the online registration process.

You can also email us at [email protected] to place an order.

If you’d like to cut down on your laundry for the week, we have extra camp T- shirts available for purchase at $15 each. Choose an Additional T-shirt during registration, or email [email protected] to purchase one after registering.

3. Do you provide lunch at camp?

No, we do not provide any meals during camp so we encourage campers to bring their own lunch preferably in an insulated lunch container with an ice pack.

4. What about snacks?

4 Yes, we give campers access to a cornucopia of snacks (provided by Demeter, of course) which include pre-packaged treats and cold-water reﬁlls throughout the day. Campers may also bring additional snacks from home to eat at designated snack break times.

5. Is your camp allergy aware?

Yes! Please inform us if your demigod has any allergies we should be aware of. You can let us know in your online registration form or email us directly at [email protected]. All of our camp-issued snacks are peanut- free but some may contain tree nuts, which are always marked clearly on the label. We also offer a staff supervised nut-free zone for demigods to eat without having to worry about cross-contamination.

No, we do not provide any meals during camp so we encourage campers to bring their own lunch preferably in an insulated lunch container with an ice pack.

6. It’s hot out there. Do you make sure the demigods stay cool and hydrated?

Always. Some say we drink more water than Poseidon himself! We provide fresh cold-water throughout the day (so bring your reusable bottle!) and we take regular scheduled water and rest breaks. When we venture out into the park, we make sure to bring extra water with us. We also seek-out all the water fountains along the way and on extra hot days, we take trips to the nearby sprinklers to cool off.

7. What about bathrooms?

We have that covered, too. We take regular bathroom breaks throughout

5 the day, going in supervised groups to the nearby public bathrooms (just a 3-minute walk or less). Of course, if a small group or individual needs to use the bathroom outside of those times, we make sure our staff is ready to escort them.

8. What is your counselor to camper ratio?

Our counselors can’t help your child unleash the hero without giving them the attention they deserve. That’s why we hold ourselves to a ratio of one counselor to every seven campers. Often, our ration ends up being much lower than that.

8. Is my demigod allowed to miss a day?

Sure, we know that life doesn’t slow down in the summer which is why we completely understand if your demigod has to skip a day. It certainly won’t make for a less exciting adventure. Each morning is a new experience so during our morning announcements, we make sure to recap the previous day’s events and give other demigods the opportunity to retell the stories from the day before in case anyone wasn’t there to experience it for themselves.

9. What’s your cancellation policy?

We try to accommodate our families as much as possible since we know that sometimes, plans have to change. We can refund any cancellation made by May 1st, minus a cancellation processing fee of 3%. Unfortunately, we are not able to refund any cancellations after May 1st. To request a cancellation, you can send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at (929) 397-9393.

9. How do I access my registration information?

You can access your registration information when you log into your CampSite account using the password you created at checkout. Just go to

6 www.platolearning.campmanagement.com/campers. If you forgot your password, you can just click “Forgot my Password” and create a new one.

10. Can I change the weeks I originally signed up for?

We can certainly try. Please email us at [email protected] with your transfer request. Be sure to include your camper’s name, the week you’d like to transfer to and if the cabin assignment should stay the same. As always, we cannot guarantee availability during any given week or cabin.

11. Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, we do! Due the volume of requests we receive each year, we aren’t able to accommodate every request but we do offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships to our camp programs. You can submit your application at www.camphalfbloodbklyn.com/contact/scholarships/.

12. Do you do birthday parties?

No, we do not. We are currently developing one-day Quest experience that can be available on school holidays and scheduled weekends so be sure to check back here in Spring 2020 for schedule and pricing. Please keep in mind that these would not be offered as birthday party services–instead it’s an opportunity to book a group of Demigods to Quest together at one of our current camp locations. To stay up to date with all of our future programming, please sign up for our newsletter or write us at [email protected].

13. What’s your Federal Tax ID Number?

Our Federal Tax ID # is 81-1354799. You can also ﬁnd it on your registration receipt. If you need another copy of your registration receipt or yearly ﬁnancial statement, please email us at [email protected].

7 14. Do I need to submit a Medical Form for my camper?

Yes, every camper must submit a NYC DOHMH Child & Adolescent Health Examination Form by June 1st. You can easily submit your form online at www.platolearning.campmanagement.com/campers

You can also mail in your form to Plato Learning 55 Washington St. #253B Brooklyn, NY 11201 or email it to us at [email protected].

15. What is Plato Learning?

Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter are a part of Plato Learning, an organization dedicated to unleashing the hero within each child through the power of immersive storytelling and reading.

Our other programs include after-school classes, Adventures in Mythology, Mythomagic, The Forge as well as our sister summer camp–The Double- Daring Camp for Girls.

For more on Plato Learning, check out our site at http://plato-learning.com/

Still have more questions? We want to hear from you!

Email us at [email protected] or give use a call at (929) 397-9393.

8 CAMP HALF-BLOOD BROOKLYN

What are cabins?

Demigods are assigned to one of eight cabins and just like in the world of Percy Jackson, each one is dedicated to an Olympian god or goddess. Our cabins at Camp Half-Blood Brooklyn are Apollo, Ares, Artemis (Orion), Athena, Hades, Hermes, Hephaestus and Poseidon. Each cabin participates in all the same camp activities but each cabin has unique powers and experiences relating to their patron god/goddess. More information on cabins and their Olympian patron can be found at www.camphalfbloodbklyn.com/demigods/cabins/

Make sure to check with your young demigod about their cabin preference. They may feel very strongly about one in particular!

My demigod’s ﬁrst choice of cabin isn’t available. What do do I do?

We encourage all demigods to have a few back-up cabin preferences since we cannot guarantee availability in a cabin for any given week. Each cabin participates in all the same activities so your camper won’t miss out on anything by being in a different cabin. We do not keep cabin-speciﬁc waitlists.

How can my Demigod be in the same cabin as their friends?

Please coordinate cabin choices with your friend(s) before submitting your registration form. If you have questions about cabin placement or need to request a preference change, please email [email protected].

How many demigods are in each cabin?

There are a maximum of 18 demigods per cabin. Each cabin has at least two dedicated counselors with additional counselors and Counselors in Training, providing camp-wide support.

9 When and where is drop-off and pick-up?

Camp drop-off is between 8:45 AM and 9:00 AM at the 9th Street and Prospect Park West entrance to Prospect Park, near the Marquis de Lafayette Statue. Pick-up is at 4:00 PM at the same location. Please keep in mind that we have a 10-minute grace period for late pick-ups. At 4:15 PM, the camp’s resident cleaning harpies arrive with their sharp talons…

What about extended stay?

Over past summers, a few too many demigod campers have had close encounters with the sharp talons of our cleaning harpies so we now offer an Extended Day option available for purchase during registration. Extended Days will be offered in limited quantity and only as a full week, 5-day package, with the pick-up time being extended to 6:00 PM. The cost for this session add-on is $150.00 per week.

If you have already registered and would like to add an Extended Day package, please email [email protected] with your request. Extended Day spots will be available on a ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-served basis.

Where is the actual campsite?

Our campsite is right next to the Long Meadow baseball ﬁelds, on the opposite side of West Drive from the Prospect Park Bandshell.

What happens if it rains?

On Zeus’ bad days (severe inclement weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, excessive heat), we head for shelter at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside, located inside Prospect Park. If the forecast is known beforehand, you will be notiﬁed via text and email about the drop-off and pick-up location change no later than 7:00 AM. If Zeus decides to surprise us, you will

10 receive a text and email letting you know to pick up at LeFrak. Please be sure to provide us with the contact info for any additional care providers who need to be notiﬁed of the change.

The discovery of a new ancient storm goddess means that days when Zeus forces us indoors are still extremely fun and engaging! We only call a rainy day though if there are strong storms/lightning predicted. We push through light rain or drizzle, because a little water and mud is good for hero-training.

We are an outdoor camp, so we encourage you to provide your Demigod with some rain gear if the day looks potentially rainy (umbrella, jacket/ poncho, boots/water-shoes, etc.)

11 CAMP HALF-BLOOD NORTH

What’s the difference between Hometowns and Cabins?

At Camp Half-Blood North, demigods are assigned to Hometown groups which are named after Greek cities (Athens, Sparta, Ithaca, etc.) This is slightly different from the Cabin groups at Camp Half-Blood Brooklyn but we still give all demigods the opportunity to identify with their favorite patron Greek god or goddess.

How can my demigod be in the same Hometown as their friends?

Please coordinate Hometown choices with your friend(s) before registering. There is a place to include friend requests on the online form.

If you have questions about Hometowns or have a friend request issue, you can always just email us at [email protected].

How many demigods are in each Hometown group?

There are a maximum of 9 Demigods per Hometown. Each Hometown has at least one dedicated Senior Counselor with additional camp staff providing support.

When and where is drop-off and pick-up?

Camp drop-off is from 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM at the Seaman Ave. and Isham St. entrance to Inwood Hill Park in-between the tennis courts and baseball ﬁelds. Pick up is at 4:00 PM at the same location. Please keep in mind that we have a 10-minute grace period for late pick-ups. At 4:15 PM, the camp’s resident cleaning harpies arrive with their sharp talons…

What about extended stay?

We are currently developing an extended day option for Camp Half-Blood North. Please check back soon, or email us at [email protected]

12 Where is the actual campsite?

The campsite is next to the Inwood Hill Nature Center, at the corner of W. 218th St. and Indian Rd.

What happens if it rains?

We are an outdoor camp, so we encourage you to provide your demigod with some rain gear if the day looks potentially rainy (umbrella, jacket/ poncho, boots/water-shoes, etc.)

On Zeus’ bad days (severe inclement weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, excessive heat), we head for shelter at nearby Good Shepherd former Convent building (630 Isham St.). If the forecast is known beforehand, you will be notiﬁed via text and email about the drop-off and pick-up location change no later than 7:00 AM. If Zeus decides to surprise us, you will receive a text and email letting you know to pick up at the convent. Please provide us with the contact info for any additional care providers who need to be notiﬁed of the change.

The discovery of a new ancient storm goddess means that days when Zeus forces us indoors are still extremely fun and engaging! We only call a rainy day though if there are strong storms and/or lightning predicted. We push through light rain or drizzle because a little water and mud is good for hero- training!

13 CAMP HALF-BLOOD WEST

What’s the difference between Hometowns and Cabins?

At Camp Half-Blood West, demigods are assigned to Hometown groups which are named after Greek cities (Athens, Sparta, Ithaca, etc.) This is slightly different from the Cabin groups at Camp Half-Blood Brooklyn but we still give all demigods the opportunity to identify with their favorite patron Greek god or goddess.

How can my demigod be in the same Hometown as their friends?

Please coordinate Hometown choices with your friend(s) before registering. There is a place to include friend requests on the online form.

If you have questions about Hometowns or have a friend request issue, you can always just email us at [email protected].

How many demigods are in each Hometown group?

There are a maximum of 10 demigods per Hometown. Each Hometown has at least one dedicated Senior Counselor with additional camp staff providing support.

When and where is drop-off and pick-up?

Camp drop-off is from 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM at the Mayapple Hill Parking Lot of South Mountain Reservation (Mayapple Hill Rd/ Cedar Avenue), accessed via Northﬁeld Avenue. Pick-up is at 4:00 PM at the same location. Please keep in mind that we have a 10-minute grace period for late pick-ups. At 4:15 PM the camp’s resident cleaning harpies arrive with their sharp talons.

Where is the actual campsite?

The campsite is right up the path from the drop-off location, in the open ﬁeld between the Mayapple Hill Parking lot and Lenape trail.

14 What happens if it rains?

We are an outdoor camp so we encourage you to provide your demigod with some rain gear if the day looks potentially rainy (umbrella, jacket/ poncho, boots/water-shoes, etc.)

The discovery of a new ancient storm goddess means that days when Zeus forces us indoors are still extremely fun and engaging! We only call a rainy day though if there are strong storms and/or lightning predicted. We push through light rain or drizzle because a little water and mud is good for hero- training!

15 CAMP JUPITER

How many campers are grouped at Jupiter?

All Camp Jupiter program locations group campers into units called “Cohorts”. These Cohorts typically max out at 10 campers and are lead by one counselor, with assistance from counselors in training. At our Brooklyn location, there are 5 Cohorts to select from, listed below. Cohort numbers at our other locations are dependent on registration numbers but will follow the same model as Brooklyn.

Cohort I, The White Lions Cohort II, The Green Elephants Cohort III, The Red Pegasi Cohort IV, The Yellow Bulls Cohort V, The Blue Hippocampi

How can my demigod be in the same Cohort as their friends?

Please coordinate Cohort choices with your friend(s) before registering. There is a place to input friend requests on the registration form.

If you have questions about Cohorts or have a friend request issue, please email [email protected].

When and where is drop-off and pick-up?

At our Brooklyn location, camp drop-off is from 8:45 AM to 9:00 AM at the 9th Street and Prospect Park West entrance to Prospect Park, to the south of the Marquis de Lafayetee Statue. Look for the purple shirts. Pick up is at 4:00 PM at the same location. Please keep in mind that we have a 10-minute grace period for late pick-ups. At 4:15 PM, the camp’s resident cleaning harpies arrive with their sharp talons…

All other locations will conduct pick up and drop off with Camp Half-Blood. For those pick-up and drop-off locations, please refer to the FAQ section for those speciﬁc program locations. The same is true for Camp Jupiter. 16 Where exactly in the park is the campsite?

At our Brooklyn location, our campsite is right next to the Long Meadow baseball ﬁelds, on the opposite side of West Drive from the Prospect Park Bandshell.

What happens when it rains?

On Zeus’ bad days (severe inclement weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, excessive heat), we head indoors for shelter at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside, located inside Prospect Park. If the forecast is known beforehand, you will be notiﬁed via text and email about the drop-off and pick-up location change no later than 7:00 AM. If Zeus decides to surprise us, you will receive a text and email letting you know to pick up at LeFrak. Please provide us with the contact info for any additional care providers who need to be notiﬁed of the change.

The discovery of a new ancient storm goddess means that days when Jupiter forces us indoors, are still extremely fun and engaging! We only call a rainy day though if there are strong storms/lightning predicted. We push through light rain or drizzle because a little water and mud are good for hero-training.

We are an outdoor camp, so we encourage you to provide your demigod with some rain gear if the day looks potentially rainy (umbrella, jacket/ poncho, boots/water-shoes, etc.)

What about extended stay?

Over past summers, a few too many demigod campers have had close encounters with the sharp talons of our resident cleaning harpies past the 4:00 PM pick-up time so we are now offering an Extended Day option for purchase with your session registration.

17 Extended Day will be offered in limited quantity and only as a full week, 5- day package, with the pick-up time being extended to 6:00 PM. The cost for this session add-on is $150.00 per week.

Extended day is only available at our Brooklyn, Inwood, and Washington DC locations.

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE. ARE YOU READY TO SEIZE IT? REGISTER TODAY AT WWW.CAMPHALFBLOODBKLYN.COM