Overnight Camps Parent Handbook 2017

Indian Brook, Timberlake, Tamarack Farm, Saltash Mountain, Questers, and Flying Cloud

With general information beginning on page 14 about schedules, visiting, dropping off and picking up your child, and more.

Please read this carefully now and save it for the summer.

Summer and emergency contact information is on Page 3.

Contact information Contact Information: Main Office (Year-round contact) Flying Cloud (summer) 401 Farm & Wilderness Rd. Co-Director: Zachary Browner Podhorzer Plymouth, VT 05056 [email protected] (802) 422-3761 (phone) 802-855-3514 (802) 422-8660 (fax) Co-Director: Zachary Heyman www.farmandwilderness.org 610-331-7057 [email protected] Rebecca Geary, Executive Director Summer Voicemail for FC: (802) 422-3761, Ext. 250 802-353-0078 [email protected]

Sam Arfer, Admissions Director Barn Day Camp (summer) (802) 422-3761, Ext. 223 Director: Polly Williams [email protected] (802) 422-3565 [email protected] Kelly Beerman, Assistant Admissions Director (802) 422-3761, Ext. 222 [email protected] EMERGENCIES:

Timberlake (summer) In an emergency or if you have not had a return call Director: Tulio Browning within 24 hours of a non-emergency concern, please [email protected] call the F&W office for assistance at (802) 422-3761. (802) 422-2316 The F&W office is open Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. as well as more extended por- Pager: 1-(888) 622-3276 tions of camper travel days. At other times, please leave a message with your name, your child’s name, the name Indian Brook/Red Spruce Grove (summer) of the camp your child attends, and a phone number Director: Megan Chamberlain where you can be reached. We will get back to you. (802) 422-2067 [email protected] Health Center Phone (802) 422-3449

Tamarack Farm (summer) Director: Amy Bowen Pager: 1-(888) 622-3276 Health Center Phone (802) 422-2613

Saltash Mountain/Questers (summer) Director: Jeff Bounds (802) 259-2415 [email protected] Health Center Phone (802) 259-3266

3 Dear Farm & Wilderness Family,

Welcome to Summer 2017 at Farm & Wilderness. We’re glad you’ll be joining us, whether for the first time or for the latest of many summers at the F&W camps. This Parent Handbook will provide you with important information about how the camps operate, how your child will travel, the necessary paperwork we need before your child arrives at camp, items to pack, and much more. Even if you are a returning family, please look over this handbook because some aspects of the summer have changed.

Our job is to take care of your child during his or her time at camp, to nurture their individuality and strengths, and work with you to that purpose. We ask you, in turn, to support our programs by reading this handbook, supplying us with the information we need to keep your child healthy and safe, and following our guidelines for summer communications.

The next items we need from you are: Your Child’s Physical Exam Form DUE: June 1, 2017 Your Tuition payment (unless you are applying for a campership) DUE: February 28, 2017 Your campership application DUE: As soon as possible, but no later than January 15, 2017

If you have any questions about this handbook, the F&W programs, tuition, or anything associated with your child’s summer, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are looking forward to working with you and seeing your child at camp this coming summer.

Sam Arfer and Kelly Beerman, Admissions

4 Contents Contents Communications to/from Camp 13 Aspects of F&W Life 6 Letters 13 Diverse Community 6 Packages from Home 13 Wilderness Trips 6 Phone 13 “Unplugged” 6 Email and Faxing (for Families Traveling or Residing The “Fifth Freedom” 6 Outside the US Only) 13 Work 6 Communication with Staff 13 Healthy Food 6 Summer Visiting and Pick-Up Dates 14 Special Events 6 Special Dates 14 Life on the Farm 7 Firm Rules 7 Visiting Guidelines 14

Physical Exam Forms 7 Packing 15 Mail Order and Retail Stores 16 Tuition and Campership Policies 8 After Camp 16 Payment Schedule 8 Deposit Refunds 8 Camper Letters 16 Tuition Refunds 8 Lost and Found 16 Camperships (Scholarship Funding) 8 Keeping in Touch 16 Cabin Placements 9 Promotion and Publicity Photos 16

Summer Camp Staff 9 2017 F&W Calendar 17 Travel to and from Camp 10 Getting to the Plymouth Camps (Timberlake, Tamarack Farm and Indian Brook) by Car 10 The Ninevah Camps (Saltash Mountain, Questers, Flying Cloud) 10 Traveling by F&W Charter or Commercial Transportation 10 Unaccompanied Minors 11 Do Campers Really Need Trunks? 11 Inns or Bed & Breakfasts 12 Hotels and Motels 12 Campgrounds 12

5 Aspects of F &W life

soda or junk food on site. Illegal drugs, tobacco or Aspects of F&W Life alcohol are not allowed on campus. These prohibitions help us to focus on each other, and what we can do with our own two hands, and give us a creative and Health and Wellness at Camp happy community. Farm & Wilderness takes many steps to insure that all campers have a happy and healthy summer. Each The “Fifth Freedom” summer, all cabin staff and trip leaders take a multi-day Wilderness First Aid course. We also have a number of America’s “four freedoms” were first articulated by staff who are certified as Wilderness First Responders President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a State of the Union and Emergency Medical Technicians. address as freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from Each camp has an infirmary staffed by at minimum, one fear. Here at F&W, we have traditionally recognized nurse (SAM and FC share). Larger camps may have an additional “fifth freedom,” which, simply put, is the several nurses along with nurse’s assistants. If a higher freedom to be oneself. level of medical care is needed, local clinics and a regional hospital are within twenty miles of camp. We encourage campers to find their truest and most genuine potential through simple living and activities It is also Farm & Wilderness policy to collect all filled with physical and mental challenges. We invoke prescriptions/vitamins/medications of any kind from “fifth freedom” to help us focus on healthy personal campers on the first day of camp and for the nurse to choices and on expressing our individuality. Campers dispense them as prescribed. particularly love the freedom to dress as they wish, without fear of being reprimanded by their peers. We expect campers to participate in their own wellness to the extent that they are able. These responsibilities Work might include: following medical advice, diligently avoiding foods they are allergic to, and letting staff know We create and maintain the buildings we use, grow as if they have a health related problem. We also ask that all much of our own food as possible, develop physical health related questions on the application be filled out strength and skills, and learn to live in harmony with carefully and completely. If there are any changes in your each other and the land. All campers will join us in child’s health before camp begins, please let us know. community chores; washing dishes, sweeping floors, feeding animals and so on! Diverse Community Healthy Food Your child will live closely with children and staff of different backgrounds, cultures, races, and religions. We are very proud of the delicious, nutritious meals we We teach respect for differences and expect campers serve at Farm & Wilderness. Our organic dairy provides to interact at all times in ways that are respectful and us with much of the milk we drink and our organic inclusive. Prejudice, discrimination and oppression on gardens produce an amazing supply of fresh, just- the basis of class, race, gender and sexual orientation picked vegetables. We minimize the use of processed are discussed in a variety of forums during a camper’s foods and purchase what we cannot grow ourselves time at F&W. from local vendors. Campers participate in all aspects of meal production including working in the gardens, Although the daily schedule at the camps remains collecting eggs, helping cook for large groups, and similar from year to year, the character of each summer cleaning up. is created by individual campers. Community builds steadily over the course of the summer as campers Meals are a highlight of the day when we gather work together, cope with interpersonal conflicts, play as a camp, reconnect with friends and sample the together and sit in silence together each day. day’s delicious offerings. Farm & Wilderness can accommodate campers who are unable to eat meat, “Unplugged” dairy, or gluten.

We live a very simple summer life here at F&W. Campers reside in simple wooden or canvas structures without electricity and use composting outhouses. Shower houses are located nearby. We don’t allow personal electronic devices, televisions or recorded music. Campers are requested not to bring or consume candy,

6 Physical exam forms

Special Events Life on the Farm

Interdependence Day - On an evening close to July 4, For the majority of campers, living at camp also means all of the campers and staff come together to celebrate living on a working farm. Animals giving birth and ani- their shared experience at F&W. We have an evening of mals dying are part of the natural cycle of farm life and skits and songs presented by each camp with live music these events also occur during the summer. For exam- and a contra dance. The event ends with the lighting of ple, one event scheduled for most camps is a chicken a bonfire by campers from each camp. harvest. This is a voluntary activity. Campers are en- couraged to take part in this process to the degree that The last Saturday of the summer, all of the Farm & they feel comfortable. Wilderness camps put on an all-camp Fair, showcasing programs and crafts to raise money for the Campership Firm Rules Fund. All F&W community members are invited to the Fair, which will be held on August 12, 2017. Swimming Policy: All campers are required to take swim tests during their first few days at camp and learn Wilderness Trips about water safety in and around our lakes. Personal flotation devises (PFDs) and other swim aids are always A large part of our program revolves around overnight available. Indian Brook, Timberlake and the Barn Day wilderness trips. These trips may be based on hiking, Camp each provide swim lessons throughout the sum- canoeing, rock climbing, service, or basic wilderness mer, and campers are grouped according to their swim- skills. We focus on “Leave No Trace” ethics, where ming skills. Swimmers at the waterfronts are supervised campers learn to leave as little footprint as possible on by lifeguards and swim instructors trained and certified the wilderness. The trip destinations range from hikes under the auspices of a nationally recognized water along the nearby Appalachian or Long Trail in the Green safety provider. All campers and staff must follow F&W’s Mountains, to trips to adjacent state forest lands (e.g., waterfront rules throughout the summer. Adirondack High Peaks Region, the Presidential Range of the White Mountain National Forest, or Maine State At Farm & Wilderness, alcohol, tobacco, illegal Bigelow Preserve). drugs, and violence have no place. We want our policy to be very clear: Campers who use or have Trips are planned and organized around all ages and in their possession any alcohol, tobacco, or illegal skill levels of the camper groups, and we do our best to drugs will be asked to leave camp immediately with match your child’s skills and experience with our trips. no tuition refund. Two other behaviors with the same No child is ever required to go on a trip without the consequences are participation in physical violence requisite skills and prior experience. or bullying and leaving Farm & Wilderness property unaccompanied by a staff member. At all the camps, campers are given options for various tripping opportunities (with options specified by age group and skills level). Campers participate in trip plan- ning to help them understand the nature of the activities that will take place during the trip. Physical Exam Forms Due Date The completed Physical Exam Form is due at If a camper or trip leader has concerns about the the F&W office by June 1. camper’s physical abilities for the trip, the trip leader and staff will help the camper decide how to proceed. Plan Ahead Your child’s Physical Exam form is an Options could include strength-building exercises prior integral part of his or her application to camp. Any to the trip or reassignment to another trip more compat- preliminary acceptance and enrollment of your child is ible with the camper’s abilities. conditional upon receipt and review of this form. There- fore, it is in your best interest to get this form in as early Our staff directing these trips are skilled, experienced, as possible, as well as to raise with us any health issues and certified in wilderness survival and in first aid. In that may affect your child or your child’s attendance. addition, trip coordinators keep itineraries for each day that include detailed evacuation plans and the availabil- New Exam Form Every Year Please do not write “see ity of emergency assistance. last year’s form” on any part of the forms. We must have the completed Physical Exam form before your child arrives at camp.

7 Tuition and campership policies No Form, No Camp Campers who arrive at camp J1 or A1 Session without this form on file will not be able to participate in Deposit due with application: $500 ($250 for camp activities. Campership applicants) Total Tuition Due February 28: $2,775 Send it Ahead We must have the completed Physical Exam Form before your child arrives at camp! Payment is in U.S. Funds, payable by check, echeck, Physical Exam Form Guidelines credit card or wire transfer. For applicants who enroll after February 28th, full tuition The Physical Exam Form is enclosed in this acceptance must accompany the camper registration form. If we letter along with your handbook. You may also use a have not received camp tuition by the deadline, and un- digital insert from the physician’s office in its place. less alternative payment arrangements have been made Please be sure that whichever form you use is filled out with us prior to deadline, we reserve the right to give completely, and is signed and dated by your physician. your space to another child.

Here is a checklist of the elements commonly missing Refunds of Deposits from the camper Physical Exam Form submitted by parents: Deposits are not refundable unless you are a camper- • Immunization Form ship applicant and you cancel before March 1st. • Date of Physical Exam (needs to be within a year of child’s 1st day of camp). Tuition Refunds • Signature of physician. Yes-If you cancel a registration before March 1st. Immunization Waiver Guidelines Yes-If your child has to leave camp for serious health reasons or family emergency. To protect the health of all campers and staff, F&W asks all campers to be fully immunized before they arrive No- If you cancel a registration after March 1st. at camp. Families choosing not to have their children No- If your child is dismissed from camp for behavioral immunized for religious or personal reasons must present reasons. a signed waiver attesting to their exemptions. These No-If a camper arrives late or leaves early or voluntarily families need to be aware that if an illness appears in withdraws for any reason other than health or family camp from which a camper is not vaccinated, the camper emergency. will be sent home immediately, with no tuition refund. No-If a camper changes from a full to a half season and Medical Bills we cannot fill the empty spot. • Medical bills incurred over the summer will be sent Early Bird Discount from off-site facilities to your insurance provider. If prob- lems arise with payment, F&W will bill parents. The Early Bird Discount is available to those camper families who submit a completed paper or online registra- tion form that is accompanied by a check or echeck pay- ment to cover the full costs. The Early Bird tuition (both Tuition and Campership deposit and tuition) must be received by Dec. 1, 2016. Policies 2017 Tuition Full Season: $8,050 Payment Schedule July or August: $5,000 J1 or A1: $2,775 Full Season Deposit due with registration form: $500 ($250 for 2016 Early Bird Tuition (includes deposit) Campership applicants) Full Season: $7,850 Total Tuition Due February 28: $8,050 July or August: $4,850 J1 or A1: $2,700 July or August Session Deposit due with registration form: $500 ($250 for Campership applicants) Total Tuition Due February 28: $5,000

8 Cabin placements Incomplete registration forms, registration forms without payment or with credit card payments, and forms or Cabin Placements payments received after December 1 will not be eligible for the Early Bird Discount and will be billed at the regu- Placements are at staff discretion Camp staff make lar tuition rate. cabin placements based on their knowledge of the There is no Early Bird Discount for the Barn Day Camp. children. Although you can request that your child be in a cabin with another child, and this request will be taken Camperships (Scholarship Funding) into consideration, final placement is at staff discretion. Camperships are our financial aid program. We are Cabin placements are never guaranteed committed to removing financial barriers to attending F&W. Campership funding is supported by an endow- Often, we’ll get requests from parents for contact infor- ment and many individual funders. mation of other camp families. However, we cannot give out contact information besides those families who have Who Qualifies Campership awards are based on volunteered to be contacted and listed in our literature family income and must be formally applied for. Ap- and on our website. plicants should be advised that we always have more requests for funding than we have available funds, and that means we’re not able to fund everyone who ap- plies. Therefore, applying for a Campership does not Summer Camp Staff automatically result in an award. Staff receiving staff discounts for their children are not eligible to apply for Our summer staff is a competent and diverse group of camperships. adults with a passion for providing opportunities for kids to learn about themselves and the world around them. Enroll First The Campership application is not an ap- All summer camp counselors are committed to the F&W plication to camp. You must fill out the Farm & Wilder- mission and are skilled in particular program areas. ness Registration Form in addition to the Campership Many of them were former campers - and some of them Application. For those applying for campership, the are second or third generation F&W campers! $500 deposit is reduced to $250 and is fully refundable before March 1st. Before each season begins, the counselor staff has 18 days of training. We adhere to the American Camp Meet the Deadlines It’s important to get your appli- Association (ACA) standards for skills certification and cations in on time. Campership applications should hours of training required in the various program areas. be mailed no later than January 15th. A child must be For example, all waterfront counselors have Red Cross enrolled (not on a waiting list) at the time of the Awards Lifeguard Certification, and every rock climbing instruc- Committee meeting in February in order to be consid- tor is trained and evaluated by our experienced climbing ered for aid. coordinator before they work with campers.

Acceptance Campership applicants can expect to hear Each camp has its own director, nurse and kitchen staff. by mid-February about the Awards Committee’s deci- F&W has a working association with local clinics for sion. If you decide you need to cancel, any tuition paid physician follow-up for any camper who needs it. to that point is refundable, but no refunds are made after March 1st. Farm & Wilderness is an equal opportunity employer. Your Commitment It is our expectation that once We do not discriminate based on: race, color, sex, sexual an award is accepted, there is a commitment to at- orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, tend camp. Because every year we’re faced with more marital status, veteran status, disability, or other protected Campership need than we can fund, a late cancellation category. F&W is committed to non-discrimination in its by an award recipient has the effect of denying that employment practices. funding to some other child who also needed it in order to attend camp.

9 Travel to and from camp

Travel to and from Camp From NYC, New Haven, Hartford areas – Take In- terstate 91 to Vermont Exit #6 for Ludlow/Rutland/Rt. Please read this section carefully, especially if you are 103. Go north on Rt. 103 through Ludlow and turn right not able to drive your child to camp or pick them up by on Rt. 100 north. Go north approximately 10 miles to car. Woodward Reservoir on your right. Look for signs that will indicate whether you should enter F&W via South If an emergency arises and your child will not be on End Rd. or Farm & Wilderness Road (traffic flow is one time, please notify the F&W office as soon as possible. way on opening, closing, and visiting days). Follow the If a camper is traveling a great distance and/or has signs to your camp. complicated transfer arrangements, it would be good to supply him/her with a cell phone or a calling card to The Ninevah Camps (Saltash Mountain, use to communicate with home and/or camp in case of travel disruptions. If you are driving your child to/from Questers, Flying Cloud) camp, please make note of the following drop-off and pickup times: From Boston - Take Interstate 93 north to Interstate 89 north to Interstate 91. Take Interstate 91 south to Exit 8 J1, July and Full Session Drop-off for Camp (Ascutney, Windsor). Then take Route 131 west about 15 Wednesday, June 28, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00.p.m. miles to Route 103. Turn right on 103 and follow it north (through Ludlow) for about 8 miles to Sawyer Hill Road. J1 Pickup from Camp For SAM, follow this road for 2.8 miles. The entrance will Sunday, July 9, by 11 a.m. be on your left. For FC, follow this road to a “T” inter- July Pickup from Camp section and then turn left onto Patch Brook Road. Go Friday, July 21 by noon 0.5 miles to another “T” intersection and turn right onto Unknown Soldier Road. Follow this road for 0.5 miles A1 and August Session Drop-off for Camp to a parking area/gravel pit. Walk the final 0.75 mile of Sunday, July 23, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. wooded road to FC. A1 pickup from Camp From NYC, New Haven, Hartford areas – Take Interstate Friday, August 4, by 11 a.m. 91 to Vermont Exit #6 for Ludlow/Rutland/Rt. 103. Go August and Full Season Pickup from Camp north on Rt. 103 through Ludlow. Approximately 4.5 miles Sunday, August 13 by noon. (Note that the Fair will be past Ludlow turn right onto Sawyer Hill Road. For SAM, the day before, 8/12). follow this road for 2.8 miles. The entrance will be on your left. For FC, follow this road to a “T” intersection and then This is very important: Prior permission is needed if we turn left onto Patch Brook Road. Go 0.5 miles to another are to release a child to someone other than their parent “T” intersection and turn right onto Unknown Soldier or legal guardian. If you have arranged for someone else Road. Follow this road for 0.5 miles to a parking area/grav- to pick up your child, you will need to give the camp el pit. Walk the final 0.75 mile of wooded road to FC. director/camp senior staff advance notice of this ar- rangement along with the person’s name and contact information before the camper will be allowed to leave Traveling to/from F&W Charter via with this person. Charter or Commercial Transportation Getting to the Plymouth Camps (Tim- Charter Bus service from Boston and NYC F&W of- fers charter bus service from Boston and NYC to camp. berlake, Tamarack Farm and Indian Reservations for the charter bus may be made online Brook) by Car during the registration process. Parents of campers who will be using this service must provide F&W with contact From Boston Take Interstate 93 to Interstate 89 and information (name and phone number) for the person take Vermont Exit #1 for Woodstock/Rutland/U.S. Rt. 4. who will bring the camper to the bus on the morning of Go west on Rt. 4 to Rt. 100 south in West Bridgewater. departure and/or pick them up on the afternoon of the Turn left on Rt. 100 south for approximately 2 miles to return trip. Any last minute changes must be called into the Main entrance of F&W on Farm & Wilderness Rd. At the main office as soon as possible. this point, look for sandwich board signs that may ask you to enter at the other end of Woodward Reservoir on The New York charter bus departs from the front of the South End Rd (traffic flow is one way on opening, clos- NY Public Library (5th Avenue between 40th and 42nd ing, and visiting days). Follow the signs to your camp. Streets). The Boston bus will depart from The Cam- bridge Friends School at 5 Carbury Road in Cambridge.

10 Travel to and from camp Both busses will travel non-stop to camp where camp- ers will be met by counselors who will escort them to Unaccompanied Minors their respective camps. The charter bus will be su- pervised by an F&W chaperone for the duration of the Train Problems Commercial transportation options journey. The F&W chaperone on the bus will be in cell for unaccompanied minors are becoming increasingly phone contact with the main office throughout the trip restrictive, requiring things like photo IDs and special to continually provide updates on the progress of the prior-release forms. This has become especially true of bus. Parents seeking updates or confirmation of their travel on Amtrak. Our train station in this area is in Rut- child’s arrival may call the main office at (802) 422-3761. land, VT. Although there is a ticket agent on duty there, Amtrak has designated it as an “unmanned station,” Commercial Carriers: Air, Train or Bus Transporta- and Amtrak will not allow unaccompanied minors under tion - F&W offers van shuttle service for campers who the age of 15 to travel to unmanned stations. Also, as will be arriving or departing from camp via commercial of this writing, Amtrak requires that unaccompanied transportation. Reservations for F&W’s van shuttle ser- minors travel direct, so it will not allow unaccompanied vice may be made online from the time of registration minors to transfer trains. For this reason, we strongly up until 72 hours prior to the campers’ scheduled ar- encourage parents to avoid train travel for their minor rival/departure time. Last minute changes or emergen- campers if at all possible. cies that would affect a campers’ pick-up or drop-off time or location must be called into the main office as Parent Responsibility Whatever the form of transporta- soon as possible. tion, parents are responsible to do the research to en- sure that their children can actually use the tickets that F&W staff will be dispatched to greet arriving campers are booked for them and that they will not encounter and/or accompany departing campers to/from the fol- obstacles on the return trip home. We can arrange for lowing bus stations, train stations and airports: a shuttle pickup for your child at commercial terminals, but we cannot arrange flights or commercial bus trips. Bus/Train Stations: White River Junction, Vermont If your child is traveling by F&W charter bus or other Hanover, New Hampshire transportation, it is critical that you have sent in all of Lebanon, New Hampshire the camp forms in advance of his or her arrival. This is vital because you will not be on site to supply any Airports: required information or signatures that are needed in Manchester, New Hampshire order for your child to remain at camp. Lebanon, New Hampshire Rutland, Vermont Packing for Camp

Parents of campers who will be using commercial Duffel Bags and Trunks We encourage campers us- transportation need to make all travel arrangements ing public transportation to use duffel bags instead of (including unaccompanied minor forms), purchase all trunks. Duffels are more flexible for travel (for instance, tickets for their child’s travel to camp and provide F&W they can be taken on our NYC charter bus, while trunks with a complete copy of the child’s travel itinerary. cannot), and trunks are extremely expensive to ship. Parents seeking updates or confirmation of their child’s Trunks, on the other hand, allow campers to keep their arrival may call the main office at (802) 422-3761. belongings more organized.

Photo ID If your child is traveling by any form of com- Returning Duffels/Trunks At any parent’s request, mercial transportation, it is essential that he or she carry F&W will return trunks/duffels by UPS (insured for $100). a photo ID (increasingly a requirement of commercial Count on five to ten days shipping time, depending on carriers). Please also remember that if you take your where you live in the U.S. We will bill you for any ship- child’s ID home with you after checking them in at the ping costs. If you’re shipping luggage to F&W, please airport, the child will have no ID for the return trip home. mark everything clearly. Also, please remove any old labels to prevent “boomerang” returns by shippers who Cell phones Cell phones are a helpful way to keep in are confused by conflicting labels. touch with campers while traveling. These will not be al- lowed in camp, however, and will be stored in a secure Vacations If you are planning a family vacation right place until it’s time for your child to return home. after camp, please don’t plan on shipping everything home. Shipped items can go astray, and there is a pos- sibility that your child might not have their trunk before you leave for vacation.

11 Travel to and from camp Places to Stay in the Area Hotels and Motels You may find it convenient to stay at one of the over- Best Western Colonial Motel - Ludlow, (800) 528-1234, night accommodations in our area if you are traveling www.bestwesternludlow.com from a considerable distance or desire a family vacation Braeside Motel - Woodstock, (802) 457-1366, to coincide with camp. Be sure to identify yourself as a www.braesidemotel.com Farm & Wilderness camp family for possible specials. Cedarbrook at Killington - West Bridgewater, (800) 446-1088 www.thecedarbrook.com The following are local businesses that camp families have recommended and are not endorsed by the Farm The Inn At the Six Mountains – Killington, & Wilderness camps. You may be able to find off-sea- (800) 228-4676, www.sixmountains.com son ski home rentals on the internet. Mendon Mountain Orchards & Motel - Mendon (802) 775-5477 www.mendonorchards.com Inns or Bed & Breakfasts Shire Motel, Woodstock, (802) 457-2211, www.shiremotel.com The Andrie Rose Inn - Ludlow, (802) 228-4846, www.andrieroseinn.com Campgrounds Clifford Country Bed & Breakfast - Mount Holly, (802) 259-2269, www.cliffordcountry.com (Please note there is no camping on F&W grounds). Combes Family Inn – Ludlow, (802) 228-8799, www.Combesfamilyinn.com Deerbrook Inn - Woodstock, (802) 672-3713, Camp Plymouth State Park - Plymouth, (802) 228-2025, www.deerbrookinn.com www.vtstateparks.com/htm/plymouth.htm Echo Lake Inn – Tyson, (802) 356-6844, Coolidge State Park - Plymouth, (802) 672-3612, www.echolakeinn.com www.vtstateparks.com/htm/coolidge.htm Farmhouse Inn at Robinson Farm - Woodstock, Forest Echo Farm Cabins - Mt. Holly, (802) 254-7128 (802) 672-5433, www.farmhouseinnvt.com (5-8pm EST), www.forestecho.net Homestyle Hostel - Ludlow Gifford Woods State Park - Killington, (802) 775-5354, 802-975-0030, www.homestylehostel.com www.vtstateparks.com/htm/gifford.htm Jackson House Inn - Woodstock, (802) 457-2065, (800) 448-1890, www.jacksonhouse.com The Governor’s Inn – Ludlow, (800) 468-3766, www.thegovenorsinn.com Grey Bonnet Inn – Killington, (800) 342-2086, www.greybonnetinn.com High Pastures - Shrewsbury, (802) 773-0287, www.highpasturesbnb.com Lincoln Inn - Woodstock, (802) 457-3312, www.linolninn.com Smith Maple Crest Farm – Cuttingsville, (802 ) 492-3367, www.smithmaplecrestfarm.com Mendon Mountainview Lodge - Mendon, (800) 368-4311, www.mendonmountainviewlodge.com Okemo Inn – Ludlow, (802) 228-8834, (800) 328-8834, www.okemoinn.com Red Clover Inn – Killington, (800) 752-0571, www.redcloverinn.com Snowed Inn - Killington, (800) 311-5406, www.snowedinn.com The Village Inn – Woodstock, (800) 722-4571, www.villageinnofwoodstock.com Woodstock Inn – Woodstock, (800) 448-7900, www.woodstockinn.com

12 Communications to/from camp Communications to/from Email and Faxing (for Families Traveling Camp or Residing Outside the US Only) If you live outside of the U.S. or are traveling abroad, Letters F&W will accept correspondence to campers from par- ents via electronic and faxed mail. These will be copied The best way to contact a camper is to write, and we and delivered to camps along with the regular mail. encourage you to write at least once a week. Please use Please note at the beginning of such correspondence the following F&W address: that you live outside the country so that it is obvious to Camper’s Name our office staff. Because campers don’t have access Cabin Name to computers or fax machines, they will be unable to Camp Name respond to electronic transmissions except via “snail” mail. 263 Farm & Wilderness Road Plymouth, VT 05056 Communication with Staff Sometimes campers write letters home describing their homesickness. While this may be difficult to read, it If a need arises for you to talk with someone about is important not to overreact because your child may your child, please use the camp phone number on the already be having a great time by the time you get the inside cover of this Handbook first; you can leave a letter! Please write an encouraging letter back. If you message if you do not reach someone directly. Immedi- would like more information about something your child ate phone contact with staff or a camp director is not has written, please call or email the camp director, using always possible since these folks are giving their atten- the contact information on the inside cover of this hand- tion to campers. Also, there is limited phone service to book. S/he or key senior staff will check with the cabin each of the camps. and activity counselors and call you back. In an emergency or if you have not had a return call Packages from Home within 24 hours of a non-emergency concern, please call the F&W office for assistance at (802) 422-3761. Receiving packages from family and friends can be a The F&W office is open Monday through Friday between highlight of a camper’s day. However, a constant bar- 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. as well as extended hours dur- rage of packages can also be a distraction to a camp- ing camper travel days. Please leave your name, your er’s experience and can set campers apart into groups child’s name, your child’s camp, and a phone number of “Haves” and “Have-nots.” Please limit your packages where you can be reached. We will get back to you as to a few over the course of the session - and please soon as possible! do not send any food, candy, or gum. We don’t permit food because it would attract animals and bugs to the cabins.

It is important to send packages in such a way that they arrive before the scheduled end of your child’s camp stay. (Packages and other mail that arrive after that point will be forwarded to campers’ home addresses.) Phone

We limit campers’ telephone contact with parents to family emergencies. This helps us keep the camp phone free for camp business and for emergencies.

13 Visiting

Summer Visiting and Pick-Up Dates Visiting Guidelines Special Dates - While a visit to the camps and your child will be fun, it does require attention to a few guidelines that we ask Sunday July 9, J1 Camper Pick Up 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. We you to follow in order to help us maintain the programs welcome you to join us, meet staff, help your camper and our responsibilities to all the children at camp. pack, say goodbyes and head home. Dogs Do not bring dogs or other domestic pets on to F&W property. Friday, July 21: July Camper Pick-Up 9 a.m. until after lunch. We welcome you to join us, help your camper Please write to your camper about your visiting pack, tour the camp and meet staff. Staying for lunch is plans, so he/she will know if you are coming and ap- an option at all of the camps except Flying Cloud. If you proximately what time you will arrive. wish to stay for lunch, please RSVP to your camps’ email so we can plan our meal accordingly. Please let us Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and/or illegal drugs know when you will arrive so your camper will be ready on camp property are strictly forbidden. to meet you. Tips Please, no gratuities to counselors or directors. If Friday, July 21: Full Season Camper Visiting (for you feel you need to recognize them, donations to our parents whose campers will stay with us until the end of Campership Fund in their name are a gesture of thanks the summer). We welcome you to join us at 9 a.m., meet that will always be appreciated by the staff and future with staff, tour the grounds, see your camper’s projects, campers who benefit from this fund. watch as they say goodbye to their friends and have a meal with us. Please let us know if you plan to lunch with us so we can plan accordingly. After lunch, we will provide various types of open activity areas at each camp. We ask that you say goodbye to your campers by 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 22: Tamarack Farm Camper Visiting (for parents of TFers). Because many of our TF trips return on Friday, we welcome you to join us Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Meet with staff, tour the grounds, bring a picnic lunch, see camper projects and join us for dinner and an evening activity.

Friday, August 4: A1 Camper Pick Up 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. We welcome you to join us, meet staff, help your camper pack, say goodbyes and head home.

Saturday, August 12: Fair Day (for visitors, guests, families and campers). We welcome you to join us at the F&W Fairgrounds for our summer-end celebration! Join campers, friends, guests and alumni for a day of hand- made entertainment, treats from our farms and gardens, crafts from our campers and rides/activities! Stay for the dance and for the camper-built bonfire.

Sunday, August 13: August Pick-Up Day 9 a.m. until noon (for all Full/August Session campers). We welcome you back to help your child pack, say your goodbyes, visit with staff and head home. We ask that you say your final goodbyes by noon.

14 Packing Packing Please follow our recommendations for packing your child’s clothing and gear. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but your child needs to be adequately pre- pared for a summer of outdoor living. Packing lists spe- cific to your child’s camp are available on the website.

Laundry Laundry is sent out once a week. Your child needs enough clothing to last between laundry periods. Label the Clothing Your camper’s name and address should be sewn/pasted/painted outside and inside of trunks, footlockers and duffel bags. A list of items pinned inside the duffle will help campers remember what they brought when it comes time to pack and go home. Please remember to mark everything that your camper brings to camp with his or her full name be- cause unmarked items are nearly impossible to reunite with their owners if lost or left behind. Jackets, sweaters and footwear are among the most frequently lost items. Borrow and buy used You do not need to invest a lot of money in outfitting your child for camp. This is a rus- tic camp, and second-hand items in decent condition are an excellent choice.

In planning the amount of clothing to bring to camp, please aim for striking a balance between the amount needed and the ability for all clothes to fit in your child’s trunk, footlocker or duffel bag.

15 After camp Mail Order and Retail Stores

A few suggestions: Oasis Sports www.oasissports.com 802-775-1273 Good package deals Campmor www.campmor.com 888-campmor Camping gear, good prices Sierra Trading Post www.sierratradingpost.com 800-713-4534 Seconds and overstocks. Good prices. Outdoor Classifieds www.outdoorclassified.com Used gear, spotty selection Cabela’s www.cabelas.com 800-237-4444 Good source for wool, hunting fishing and outdoor gear Climb High www.climbhigh.com 802-985-5056 Climbing equipment and fancy clothing. Mountain Gear www.mgear.com 800-829-2009 Climbing gear and fancy clothing eBay www.ebay.com Auction site Sierra Nevada www.snacattack.com Great sales, climbing and paddling Adventure Co. gear EMS www.emsonline.com 888-463-6367 Good clothing, gear and advice REI ww.rei.com 800-426-4840 Has everything, try to catch the sales REI Garage www.rei.com/rei-garage Seconds, overstocks, and good prices Liberty Mountain www.libertymountain.com Camping gear, decent prices

After Camp Farm & Wilderness claims no financial responsibility for personal items lost, stolen, or damaged during your child’s stay at camp. For this reason, we discourage Camper Letters camper families from sending any items to camp they wouldn’t be willing to risk losing. Footwear is among After your camper has returned home, you will receive a the items most frequently lost. letter from your child’s counselor that reflects highlights of your child’s adventures and accomplishments over the Keeping in Touch summer. The letter describes some of your child’s activi- ties (trips, work projects, etc.) and shares aspects of his/ The Interim is F&W’s newsletter for camper parents her living and growing experiences in the community. and friends of F&W. You’ll automatically be on our mailing list for that. Please let us know if you do not Any mail that arrives for your child after he/she has left want to receive it – or, if you do wish to receive it, camp will be forwarded to you. please let us know whenever you have a change of address. Also let us know if you prefer an electronic subscription. Surveys Promotion and Publicity Photos In the fall, Farm & Wilderness emails surveys to all parents and campers. The information we collect from Nothing says Farm & Wilderness like photos of actual these is an important part of our assessment of the campers fully and joyfully engaged in camp activities. summer. Please pass the camper survey to your chil- For this reason, our staff keeps a photographic record dren and take the time to complete the parent survey. of the experience of each summer. Please be aware Your assistance is very much appreciated. that, with your child’s enrollment, you are granting Farm & Wilderness permission to use images, pictures, Lost and Found slides, film, and video of your child taken for F&W for press, promotion, marketing and advertising of Farm Found items that are labeled with your child’s name & Wilderness and affiliated organizations such as the and are valued at more than $20 will be mailed back American Camp Association and Friends Council on to you. Mailing and handling costs will be billed to you Education. at the end of the summer. Again, there is no guarantee that lost items will be found. (But it’s also true that if it’s labeled, it’s harder for it to get lost.) 16 20172017 F F&w&W calendar 2017 F&W Calendar

Pre-Camp Calendar Summer Calendar October 15, Enrollment begins for returning F&W June 26-July 7 Barn Day Camp, Session 1 2016 overnight campers June 28 Overnight camp starts for full sea- November 1, Enrollment begins for first time F&W son, July, and J1 campers. 2016 campers July 9 J1 ends December 1, Early Bird Discount ends July 10-July 21 Barn Day Camp, Session 2 2016 July 21 July Session ends January 15 Overnight Campership Application July 23 August and A1 Sessions begin Deadline July 24-Aug. 11 Barn Day Camp Session 3A July 24-Aug. 4 Barn Day Camp Session 3B August 4 A1 ends February 17-20 Ice Cutting Weekend Aug. 7-Aug. 11 Barn Day Camp Session 3C February 28 Tuition due August 12 Fair March 1 Deadline to cancel registration and receive tuition refund. Deadline for August 13 Overnight camp ends accepting Campership Awards. May 26-29 Spring Planting Weekend Post-Camp Calendar June 1 Deadline for submitting Physical August 20-26 Family Camp Exam form October 6-9 Harvest Weekend

17 AspectsNotes of F&W life

18 After Notescamp

19