parentguidebook2

Everything you need to know to get your

camper ready for Pali Overnight Adventures.

Includes:

Forms to Complete

“What to Bring” Packing List

Arrival and Departure Information

Important New Policies

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Before you know it, you’ll be sending your child off for an unforgettable summer experience at Pali Overnight Adventures. We encourage everyone to read this booklet carefully and to keep it for future reference. Returning families should also review this updated version.

At Pali Overnight Adventures, our purpose is to provide campers with the experience of a lifetime. We do this by creating a loving and accepting environment where children feel good about themselves. Once a child feels safe and accepted, they will be open to cooperating with others and making new friends. Pali Mountain is the ultimate classroom, where children can observe, first-hand, the harmony and beauty of the natural world.

When children experience all of this without their parents around, they “own” their experiences in a powerful and personal way. With that in mind, parents can still play an important part before their children go to camp; this packet contains steps that you can take to enhance your child’s camping experience.

Going to summer camp involves challenges, some are physical – climbing up the 30-foot rock wall or jet skiing at Big Bear Lake – while others are emotional, such as learning to live in a cabin with nine other campers and two counselors, dealing with being away from home and resolving conflicts as they arise. Please encourage your child to expect these challenges.

Sometimes, in spite of everyone’s best efforts, children may misbehave or misunderstand what is expected of them. Discipline at camp ranges from missing activities to conversations with the Camp Director and/or the camper’s parents, to suspension or expulsion from camp- depending on the severity of the offense.

There are no refunds when a child’s behavior results in being sent home, so it’s in everyone’s best interest for parents to talk to their children about cooperating with camp staff and other campers prior to bringing them to camp.

We sincerely appreciate your trust and support. Together, we can achieve great things for your children.

See you soon!

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Adjustment To Summer Camp

Homesickness:

Going away to summer camp (especially for the first time) is an adjustment for both campers and parents alike. Homesickness is a normal healthy occurrence for some children and our staff is specially trained to be aware of children’s moods and emotional adjustments. If a child is homesick, his/her cabin counselor will encourage him or her to talk about it. The camp staff will also work to involve the homesick camper in all camp activities. We also have a Camp Mom or Dad to help campers through homesickness.

Usually within two or three days the camper is so busy having fun with newfound friends and activities that their feelings of homesickness have faded. Sometimes parents may receive a “homesick letter.” What to do? Don’t panic. Such letters are usually written in the first week. By the time you receive the letter; your child has probably adjusted and is having a great time.

Do write and mail (or fax) an encouraging letter right away. If you receive a second letter that sounds unhappy, feel free to call camp at (909) 867-5743 and we will follow up with your child. Please do not ask to speak to your child or ask them to call home. Most of the time when a homesick camper speaks to Mom or Dad, they end up going home.

Talk With The Directors:

It is very important that we know of any special situations in your child’s and/ or family life. If we are not made aware of any psychological or physical issues, we cannot address your camper’s needs should they arise. If you’d like to speak to a director before camp, please call the camp office to set up an appointment; some children adjust better to camp if they know a director.

Telephones:

If you have any questions during your child’s stay at camp, please call us at the camp office (909) 867-5743. Direct phone calls to children and/or children calling home are strongly discouraged. Such calls interfere with the child’s camp experience and may actually prolong homesickness for your child and/or the other children in their cabin. Please keep in mind that children are NOT permitted to have cell phones at camp.

No Visiting:

There is a no visiting policy during camp. To enhance your child’s sense of independence and self-reliance, we do not allow parents to “drop by.” But please write often! Parents and campers are welcome to stop by camp prior to the beginning of the camp season and are invited to attend our Open House Event on Sunday, April 29 th from 1-4pm.

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Health and Medical Information

We have sent you a ­­­­­­­­­­yellow medical form which will help our medical staff attend to your child’s health while at camp. The form is to be filled out and signed by a parent. If you have any questions, please call us at the camp office (909) 867-5743. We must have the medical form returned no less than 3 weeks prior to the start date of your child’s session . NO child will be allowed to attend Pali Overnight Adventures without a medical form signed by a parent .

Vaccinations:

Your child must have current immunizations (including polio series, measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus toxoid) in order to attend camp. A negative TB test within the past 24 months is also recommended.

Glasses:

If your child wears glasses or contacts, please send an extra pair with them to camp. It is difficult for a child to enjoy camp if there is a long delay in replacing broken glasses or lost lenses. Camp can be dusty, so be sure to send a pair of glasses as a backup for contact lenses.

Medications:

We maintain a regular inventory of over-the-counter medications.

Please do not send your child with any of the following –
• Tylenol • Advil • Non-prescription allergy medications • Skin and first aid remedies

Any medication that your child uses on an ongoing basis and will use at camp must be packaged by a pharmacy -individually by dosage – sealed and labeled (you can request that your pharmacy do this). Please turn in the medication to the staff before getting on the bus, or when you and your child arrive at camp.

ALL medications will be kept in the camp infirmary so that the nurse may dispense them and keep a record of their use. Campers may not store or administer their own medication in their cabins. The exceptions are children with a history of asthma who keep an inhaler on them at all times, as well as children with anaphylactic allergies who keep an EPI-PEN with them for emergency use.

Please also fill in complete information regarding the reason your child is taking medication and any other pertinent details about your child’s health on the health form. Please notify us, before camp begins, of any change in medication routine or dosages to help us with any adjustments in your child’s needs.