Barn Day Camp Family Handbook 2020 - 401 Farm and Wilderness Road | Plymouth, VT 05056 - Farm & Wilderness
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Barn Day Camp
Family Handbook 2020
With general information about schedules, visiting, dropping
off and picking up your child, what to pack, and more.
401 Farm and Wilderness Road | Plymouth, VT 05056
www.farmandwilderness.org | 802-422-3761
Contact Information:
Main Office (Year-round contact)
401 Farm & Wilderness Rd.
Plymouth, VT 05056
(802) 422-3761 (phone)
(802) 422-8660 (fax)
www.farmandwilderness.org
Polly Williams
Director of Barn Day Camp
polly@farmandwilderness.org
(802) 422-3565 (summer only)
Rebecca Geary
Executive Director
rebecca@farmandwilderness.org
(802) 422-2053
Sam Arfer
Admissions Director
sam@farmandwilderness.org
(802) 422-2009
Sam Green
Assistant Admissions Director
samgreen@farmandwilderness.org
(802) 422-2008
To reach the Day Camp during the summer:
While camp is in session, please contact the Barn Day Camp Director if there are questions or concerns about your
camper or about any logistics. The best time to call is 9:30AM – 11:30AM. at the Barn office phone, (802) 422-3565. This
line also has voicemail where you can leave a message.
EMERGENCIES:
1. Call the Barn Day Camp office first at 802-422-3565 and ask for Polly Williams or an Assistant Director between
the camp hours of 8:30AM – 4:30PM.
2. If you cannot get anyone on the phone, page the Barn Day Camp Director, Polly Williams, at the following number:
(888) 622-3276. You will be asked who you would like to page (Polly Williams), leave a brief message, your name, your
camper’s name, and the best callback number.
3. If you still do not hear back from anyone within an appropriate amount of time, please call the Main Office
at (820) 422-3761 Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00AM – 4:00PM.
4. For an urgent, but non-emergency concerns, please call the Barn Office or F&W Main Office for assistance. The
F&W Main office is open Monday through Friday between 8:00AM and 4:00PM. At other times, please leave a message
with your name, your child’s name, the name of the camp your child attends, and a phone number where you can be
reached. We will get back to you.
2
Dear Farm & Wilderness Family,
Welcome to Summer 2020 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 Handbook will provide you with essential 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:
Campership Application if you are applying for financial aid DUE: May 1st, 2020
Physical Exam Form DUE: June 1st
Tuition payment (unless you are applying for campership) DUE: June 1st, 2020
If you have any questions about this handbook, 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 summer.
Warmly,
Sam Arfer and Sam Green, Farm & Wilderness Admissions
3
Attendance: If a camper does not show up on the first day,
BDC Schedule the staff will call you to verify enrollment. We ask parents to
notify the staff in advance whenever a child is going to be
The BDC is in session Monday through Friday. The absent.
schedule is as follows:
Last Day of Session 1: Pick-up will be the normal time
between 4:00PM – 4:15PM. There will be a silent meeting
Session 1: June 29-July 3 (one week)
starting at 3:45 which parents are welcome to join on this last
day. There will be bus service provided for this day.
Session 2: July 6-July 17 (two weeks)
Last Day & Closing Ceremony of Sessions 2, 3, & 4: On
Session 3: July 20-July 31 (two weeks) the final Friday of each two-week session (July 17th, July 31st,
August 14th), the camp will end at 10:00 AM. This is
Session 4: August 3-August 14 (two weeks) the morning after all Overnight Trips are complete. We will
also have a closing ceremony, which parents are asked
Arrival/Drop-off: Campers arrive at the Barn between to participate in, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
8:45 AM and 8:55 AM. Camp begins at 9:00 AM with the
ringing of the bell. If you do not attend the closing ceremony, you must pick up
your child before 10:00 AM to avoid disrupting the ceremony
If you are bringing your child to camp, please park in the for others. If your child does not participate in the
designated area and walk them to The Barn. After you turn Overnight trip, please feel free to attend the closing
in on Farm & Wilderness Road at the north end of Woodward ceremony with your child in the morning.
Reservoir, drive across the dam and look for signs or a
Parents are responsible for their child’s transportation home
person directing you to where you can park your car.
on these last days. There is no bus service on these Fridays.
Departure/Pick-up: Campers finish their day at 4:15 PM
and must be picked up at that time. Parents are welcome to
arrive at 4:00 PM to watch closing circle from the fence and
we ask that you ALWAYS check in with a BDC staff person
before picking up your child each day. Please pay close
attention to the schedule of the last Friday of the session as
it is different than all other camp days.
Pickup Authorization: If you plan on someone else
picking up your child, either at camp or at the drop- off sites,
the camp needs to know this in writing. For obvious safety
reasons, no one can pick up your child without this written
authorization from you. There will be an opportunity for
parents to get together after the parent orientation to form
carpools.
Orientation and Information Sessions: There will be a The Fair – August 15th, 2020: The Farm & Wilderness
family orientation and informational session the first Monday Fair is an end of summer celebration, scheduled this year
of each session for camper's parents/guardians. Each for Saturday, August 15th. The campers and counselors
orientation session offers parents/guardians an opportunity from all the camps make the crafts, games, food, and rides.
to ask questions and learn more about their camper’s All money raised at the Fair goes to our campership fund
Barn Day Camp experience. This will take place after (financial aid for campers). We spend much of Friday
drop-off that morning. Learn about all F&W camp programs, preparing the Fairground and the BDC campus so we hope
meet F&W staff, ask questions of the BDC director, and you will join us for this fun event.
enjoy coffee, tea, and a muffin!
The F&W Farm Stand: The F&W Farm offers a regular
farm stand at the Day Camp, with fresh produce and farm
products grown and made by campers. At Monday
orientation, we will let you know when to expect the farm
stand.
4
Birthdays: If your camper has a summer birthday, please Form Due Dates:
share this with their group counselor. The staff will then
ask the child if they want a song sung to them and if they Health History: required upon registration.
want to also skip around the circle.
Physical Exam: due by June 1st.
What to Bring
Plan Ahead: Your child’s Health History and Physical Exam
Daily Packing List: Please see page 12 for the daily
forms are an integral part of their application to camp. Any
packing list and the overnight trip packing list. Some
preliminary acceptance and enrollment of your child requires
items can be left in the camper’s cubby at during the
our receipt and review of these forms. We must have both
week of camp, just remember what items need to
forms before your child arrives at camp.
return to home each night or over the weekend.
Overnight Packing List Sessions (2, 3, & 4 Only): New Form Every Year: We need a new Health History and
Please see page 12 for the overnight trips packing list. It Physical Exam Form every year. Do not write “see last year’s
is helpful that you and your child pack their overnight form” on any part of the 2020 forms.
items together so that they know what is traveling with
them, how to pack their items up themselves, and to help No Forms, No Camp: Campers who arrives at camp without
them feel prepared for the trip. a completed Health History or Physical Exam form will not
be able to participate in camp activities.
Lunch and Snacks: Children will need to bring a bag lunch
from home. We cannot refrigerate or heat up lunches.
We will provide them with milk and water to have with their
Immunization Waiver Guidelines
lunch. Nutritional snacks, with an emphasis on non- sweet
To protect the health of all campers and staff, F&W asks all
foods, will be served twice a day. We provide a c arbohydrate
campers to be fully immunized before they arrive at camp.
in the morning and a fruit or vegetable in the afternoon. It is
Families choosing not to have their children immunized for
F&W policy that there be no candy or other junk food brought
religious and/or personal reasons must present a signed
into camp. We ask that you honor this when packing your
waiver attesting to their exemptions. These families need
child’s lunch.
to be aware that if an illness appears in camp from which a
camper is not vaccinated, the camper will be sent home
Please mark all items with your child’s immediately, with no tuition refund.
name.
Health & Safety Health & Safety at Camp
We do not push children beyond their limits. Any child in
Health History & Physical Exam Form reasonable physical and emotional health can handle our
program.
The Health History Form: is part of registration that
the guardians complete. It includes the guardian’s We follow preventative safety procedures. Certified Life-
“permission to treat” in case of accident or injury. guards operate our waterfront. Swimming lessons follow Red
Cross guidelines. Counselors who lead trips are certified in
The Physical Exam Form: can be located online. Wilderness First Aid. All our staff members are trained in their
Your physician will need to complete and sign areas to keep a sharp eye out for safety.
the Physical Exam Form at the time of your child’s
yearly physical. You may use the Physical Exam In addition, the BDC is regularly evaluated to ensure it meets
Form provided by your physician instead of F&W’s form. the rigorous standards set by the American Camp
Please be sure that the Physical Exam Form is filled out Association.
completely.
5
Illness: We ask that parents assist us by keeping sick Refunds of Tuition (Less the deposit)
children at home if they have experienced any of the
following symptoms within the prior 24 hours:
You may receive a tuition refund if you cancel your
• A fever over 100 degrees (37.8C) orally registration before June 1st or if your child must leave
• Signs of a newly developing cold or severe coughing camp for serious health reasons or a family emergency.
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or upset stomach Otherwise, tuition is non-refundable.
• Unusual loss of appetite, fatigue, irritability, or
headache Yes-If you cancel a registration before June 1st.
• Discharge or drainage from eyes, nose, or open sores Yes-If your child must leave camp for serious health reasons
Please call to let us know if your child will not be coming to or family emergency.
camp because of illness. No- If you cancel a registration after June 1st.
No- If your child is dismissed from camp for
Emergencies behavioral reasons.
If your child is seriously injured or becomes seriously ill No-If a camper arrives late or leaves early or voluntarily
at camp, our staff will call 911. Immediately thereafter,
withdraws for any reason other than health or family
you (or your emergency contact) will be notified. For less
serious injuries/illnesses, our Wilderness First Aid emergency.
certified staff will treat the injury/illness up to the level of No-If a camper changes from multiple sessions to a single
their training. If a doctor’s visit is the next step, you will be session after June 1st.
asked to pick up your child and transport them to the
doctor or clinic of your choice.
Camperships (Scholarship Funding)
Tuition Policies We are committed to removing financial barriers to attending
F&W. Campership funding is supported by an endowment and
by many individual funders.
Tuition Payment Schedule
All sessions
Deposit due with registration: $100
Total tuition balance due on June 1st
Payment Method: U.S. funds made payable by check, e-
check, wire transfer, or credit card to Farm & Wilderness.
For applicants who enroll after June 1st, full tuition
must accompany the camper registration form. If we
have not received camp tuition by the deadline, and
unless alternative payment arrangements have been
made with us prior to deadline, we reserve the right to
give your space to another family.
Refunds of Deposits Who Qualifies: Campership awards are based on family
income and need, availability of aid, and must be formally
We require a $100 non-refundable deposit, applicable applied for. Applying for a campership does not automatically
toward total tuition, when you register your child. The result in an award.
deposit for Campership applicants is fully refundable until
June 1st. Register First: The campership application is not an
application to camp. You must register for camp in
addition to filling out the campership application. For those
applying for campership, the $100 deposit is fully
refundable before June 1st.
6
Meet the Deadlines: Campership applications must be class, race, gender, and sexual orientation are discussed in a
received no later than May 1st. A child must be registered variety of forums during a camper’s time at F&W.
(not on the waiting list) to be considered for aid.
Acceptance: Barn campership applicants can expect to
hear by May 15th about the committee’s decision. If you
Special Days & Trips
decide you need to cancel, any tuition paid to that point is
refundable, but no refunds are made after June 1 s t . Adventure Day
To Apply: Complete registration for camp with a $100 This event occurs during the first Thursday of every session.
deposit, and then fill out the campership application, Each group goes on a day hike/adventure appropriate for its
available online. age level. These daylong excursions will highlight some of the
beautiful and interesting parts of Farm & Wilderness campus as
well as to local places of interest. We will be hiking and camping
close to camp and emphasizing adventure in being out and
working together rather than where or how far we go. Some of
the locations will require a short ride in a vehicle.
Essential Items to Pack: Your child will need a daypack to
carry his/her lunch, bathing suit, rain gear, warm clothing layer,
and water bottle. Each child is expected to carry his/her own
pack. A plastic bag inside helps to keep things dry if it rains.
Schedule: All Adventure Day trips leave at 9:20 AM and return
by 4:00 PM.
Sample Adventure Day Sites: Paradise Island, Tamarack
Farm Tree House, Gork Mountain, F&W Adventure Course,
White Rocks, Tinker Brook, Tamarack Farm, Lake Nineveh
Canoeing, and Kent Pond.
Policies & Procedures Overnight Trips
(Sessions 2, 3, & 4 only)
Drugs, Alcohol, and Smoking: Illegal drugs, alcoholic
beverages, cigarettes and other types of tobacco are An important part of your child’s experience at camp is the
prohibited on the Farm & Wilderness campus. overnight camping trip. This will happen on the
second Thursday of each session. Hawks/Ravens groups have
Swimming: Is allowed only at the waterfront where and a different Overnight Trip (See Hawks/Ravens Overnight Trips
when the waterfront staff are on duty. Campers tell the staff details). There will be no overnight trips during Session 1.
member in charge they intend to swim, and have a buddy
while in the water. Groups hike, cook dinner together, and sleep out overnight.
Participation is not required, unless the camper is registered for
Pets: Do not bring dogs or other domestic pets onto the Hawks/Ravens program. The camp-out experience will be
F&W property. This is an all-camp rule. age-tailored, with the youngest campers staying closest to the
Barn Day Camp.
Tips: Please, no gratuities to counselors or directors. If you
feel you need to recognize them, donations to our Departure: all groups will depart by noon on the second
campership fund in their name are a gesture of thanks that Thursday of sessions 2, 3, & 4.
will always be appreciated, not only by the staff member but Session 2: July 16th
by future campers who benefit from this fund.
Session 3: July 30th
Diverse community: Your child will be at camp with children Session 4: August 13th
and staff of many backgrounds, cultures, races, and
religions. We teach respect for differences and expect Return: All Groups will return to camp on Friday morning
campers to always interact in ways that are respectful between 9:00AM – 9:30AM before the closing ceremony of
and inclusive. Prejudice, discrimination, and oppression camp.
on the basis of 7
Optional Pick-Up: While we encourage all campers to Location Changes: All overnight trip destinations are
attend the overnight trip, for those campers who do not subject to change due to a variety of factors, such as
wish to sleep overnight, we urge them to stay at least weather and van availability. Parents and children should be
through dinner. If they are not camping out, they should be prepared for this possibility. Parents will be notified if
picked up between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM at a prearranged campers will be traveling in vans.
location. Pick-up time should be coordinated with individual
counselors.
Sample Shelters for the Overnights: FFW Pavilion, Fair Day - Saturday, August 15th
BDC, Bear Pit Point, Paradise Island, Floating Island,
Peggy’s Pond, Tinker Brook, Phil’s Shelter, and Black Pond. 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 handmade entertainment, treats from
our farms and gardens, crafts from our campers, and
rides/activities! Stay for the dance and for the camper-built
Hawks/Ravens Overnight Trips bonfire. This event takes place on the Barn Day Camp
grounds and is the day after the last day of camp.
Campers who choose the Hawks and Ravens program,
optional groups for 9 & 10-year-olds, are required to
participate in a mandatory two night overnight trip.
Hawks/Ravens overnight begin on the second Wednesday
of the session. There is no Hawks/Ravens group during
Session 1.
Departure: all Hawks/Ravens groups will depart by noon
on the second Wednesday of the session.
Session 2: July 15th
Session 3: July 29th
Session 4: August 12th
Return: All Hawks/Raven Groups will return to camp on
Friday morning between 9:00AM – 9:30AM before the
closing ceremony of camp.
Sample Hawk/Raven Trips: Tamarack Farm, Silver Lake,
and Lake Ninevah.
All Overnight Trips
Parent Permission: By enrolling your child at the Barn
and sending them with overnight gear, we assume
permission has been given for the overnight unless you tell
us otherwise, as we will not be asking for a separate signed
permission form.
What to Pack: Use the Barn Day Camp Packing List on
page 12 as your guide. The goal of the overnight
experience is to foster self- sufficiency and independence.
Thus, we expect all campers to carry their own clothes,
water bottles, and mess kits.
8
Getting to Camp
Driving Directions
From the Woodstock area and points East: Take US Rt.4. West to Rt. 100 South in West Bridgewater. Go south
on Rt. 100 for 2 miles to the main entrance of F&W and turn left on Farm & Wilderness Rd. Proceed on the camp road
over the dam where there will be a person or sign indicating where to park.
From Rutland area and points West: Go East on Route 4 through Rutland and Killington, then take Rt. 100 south in
West Bridgewater. Go 2 miles south to the main entrance of F&W and turn left at the sign on Farm & Wilderness Rd.
Proceed on the camp road over the dam where there will be a person or a sign indicating where to park.
From Ludlow area and points South: Take 100 north. Go north approximately 12 miles to Woodward Reservoir on your
right. Turn right at the camp sign on Farm & Wilderness Rd. Proceed on the camp road over the dam where there will be a
person or a sign indicating where to park.
Bus Transportation
Bus or van transport to and from the Barn is available
depending on the demand each year. We do not prorate
the fee for days you don't use this service.
Session 1 Bus Fee: $80
Sessions 2, 3, & 4 Bus Fee: $160 (2 week session)
Sign-Up: To be guaranteed a seat, campers must sign
up for transportation at the time of registration. The ability
to sign up after this time will be based on availability.
Pick-up/Drop-off Locations: The following towns are
possible options for pickups/ drop off.
Location Pick-Up Drop-off
Rutland – Court Square (Park) 8:00 AM 4:50 PM
Mendon – Sugar & Spice 8:10 AM 4:40 PM
Woodstock – Elementary playground 8:15 AM 4:55 PM
Stops may be added or dropped depending on enrollment in
a particular area. A minimum number of four campers each
session using the bus service is needed for a route to run.
Booster Seats: All campers age 7 and under are required
by Vermont law to use a booster seat. We may need you
to provide this for your child; please check in with one of
the support staff on the first day of camp. Please mark
your seat with tape and a permanent marker. We ask your
permission to use the booster seat at various times for
other children during daily activities. If you have a problem
with this, please contact the Barn staff at (802) 422-3565.
9Missed or late pick-up/drop-off: Check carefully the
location we have listed for your camper’s pick-up/drop-off.
It is very important that campers and their parents/
guardians are on time at the designated sites to keep things
running on time.
If the F&W van is more than 10-15 minutes late, please call
the Barn staff at 422-3565. If no one picks up page Polly
Williams the Director at 1-888-622-3267
Pick-up/drop-off points may vary from session to session.
The times may vary slightly, but the driver will inform you if
they are to change. If you are going to be late or miss
morning pick-up, please call the Barn. And if you decide not
to use the bus that day or will be late picking up your
camper from the drop-off location please call the Barn.
All campers will be expected to arrive and depart on their
scheduled transport every day of the session for which they
are registered unless otherwise informed.
After Camp
Counselor Letters to Parents: At the end of the camp
session, you will receive a letter from your child’s counselors
that celebrates your child’s summer adventures and
accomplishments. Letters describe the activities in which
your child participated (such as hike days, overnights, work
projects, etc.) as well as sharing aspects of your child’s
particular experiences and growth in the community.
Surveys: At the end of summer, the Farm & Wilderness
office e-mails surveys to parents. The information we collect
from these is an important part of our assessment of the
summer, allowing camps to grow and offer the best camp
e xperience possible. Please take the time to fill these out.
Keeping in Touch: The Interim is F&W’s newsletter for camper families and friends of F&W. You’ll automatically be added
to our email list. Please let us know if you prefer to receive the Interim by mail.
Photos from Camp: Farm & Wilderness is an unplugged, technology-free environment for campers. When it comes to
photos, we prioritize our camper’s experience over taking pictures. We understand many families want to see photos of their
children at camp, but because of the sizes and locations of our camps and the scope of our programing we are unable to
photograph every camper. Each camp’s SmugMug gallery will be updated throughout the summer. Please check our
website for updated blog posts from Barn Day Camp. To read the full F&W photography philosophy, please visit our website.
Promotion and Publicity: With your camper’s enrollment, you are granting Farm & Wilderness your permission to use
images, pictures, slides, film, and video that may include your camper, for press, promotion, marketing, and advertising of
Farm & Wilderness and of affiliated organizations such as the American Camp Association (which is the accrediting body for
camps throughout the country, including F&W) and the Friends Council on Education.
10Barn Day Camp Packing List
Please LABEL EVERYTHING that you send with your camper. It is most helpful if you label each item with full initials or
last name so we can identify items if found. If an item is not labeled and is left behind at camp, we cannot guarantee its
return. Labels that cannot be washed or ripped off are the best for our rugged camp environment.
Daily List
Lunch – should not need refrigeration or One raincoat or poncho
heating One warm change of clothes that will remain
Swimsuit & Towel - may remain at changing in your child’s cubbyhole at The Barn (in case
area for the session clothes worn to camp get wet)
One warm sweatshirt or sweater One daypack – a pack that can fit any and all
One pair of sweatpants of the items listed and comfortably fits your
One pair of closed-toe shoes – no shoes with camper’s size
holes, including crocs
Overnight Trip Equipment List (Sessions 2, 3, & 4 only)
End of session Wednesday-Friday for 9/10-year-old Hawks/Ravens campers
End of Session Thursday – Friday for all other campers
What to wear:
T-shirt One poncho or raincoat
Long-sleeved shirt or sweater One swimsuit and small towel with
Shorts or long pants plastic bags for wet storage
Wool socks Sleepwear – warm and comfortable
Boots or sneakers with tread One wool or polarfleece sweater
One toothbrush – with toothpaste
What to pack: One sleeping bag - tied tightly and in a
¨ Lunch - Please pack a regular lunch for the waterproof sack. Can be rented if you do
first day of the overnight not already own one
Backpack – for all the following items. One pair of closed-toed shoes
Frame packs can be rented for One pair of sandals or watershoes
Hawks/Ravens. Extra pair of socks
One change of clothes - in a plastic bag Stuffed animal - optional if your child
to keep them dry would like to have one for the overnight
One set of: bowl, cup, and spoon Flashlight – optional
One water bottle - won’t leak, quart size
What not to pack:
Extra food
Electronics: phones, games, or devices of any kind
Pokemon, Magic cards, etc.
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