FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have not gotten the medical forms in the mail yet, can I get it from the website? YES. Here is the camp health form.

2. When are the health forms due? The health forms and final payment are due two weeks prior to camp attendance. If your child has ANY special medical concerns, you are encouraged to speak with the camp director asap. If your child takes medication, prescriptions must be submitted to CampMeds one month prior to camp attendance in order to avoid a $25 late fee from campmeds. (please review the camp forms for more information about campmeds)

3. I missed the deadline for mailing in the health form, what should I do? If there are less than 2 weeks until your child attends camp, please bring the forms directly to camp and mail payment to the Registration office ASAP. Health forms CAN NOT be faxed to camp, we must have the originals.

4. What does my child need to pack for camp? Please review the packing list for camp. There are a few items that may not be required by all camps: water/pool shoes, a plain white tee shirt and a trunk/footlocker (not a suitcase). Please review the packing list for more details. Please note that campers must wear covered toed shoes, NO FLIP FLOPS. We added this rule in 2009 and saw a dramatic decrease in foot and toe injuries. Many campers wear crocs since they can get wet and can be worn for most activities. Sneakers are required for horses and ropes course.

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1-800-535-2057

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5. Can I send mail to my child at camp? Children love to get mail at camp and may also get packages. You can send packages from Sealed with a Kiss (info is sent to all camp parents) or parents may make up their own care packages. Please do not send anything that is not permitted at camp. Gum is not allowed at camp, food is ok if it is individually wrapped or in a resealable container. Be sure to mail camper mail to: Camp St. Charles, Full Name of Camper, Cabin # ___, P.O. Box 99, Issue, MD 20645, mail that goes to the Registration office will not reach the camper.

6. What time do we check in on the first day of camp? Check in is always the first Sunday of camp and takes place from 12pm-3pm

7. When can I visit my child at camp? Can I drop in? Visiting takes place on Visiting Sunday Only. Parents may arrive at 12pm and must leave at 5pm. Drop in visits are disruptive so they are not allowed.

8. What time can I pick up my child on the last day of camp? Check Out is always on the final SATURDAY of camp and takes place from 10am-12pm.

9. My child has a medical issue that I need to talk to the camp nurse about. Can I speak to her? Every parent will have the opportunity to talk to the camp nurse on check in day. You may also wish to call or email the camp director if you have a particular concern. Parents are encouraged to discuss any special circumstances far in advance of camp attendance so that the camp director may share information (as appropriate) with other camp staff prior to the arrival of campers.

10. My child will be taking medication at camp, how will it be distributed? We are using a service called CampMEDS to fill all camper prescriptions. All campers who will be taking pills while at camp must have their Rx filled through the service. (injections, liquids, inhalers and as needed meds do not have to be filled by CampMEDS) There is detailed information about CampMEDS in the confirmation packet and on the camp website. Please submit your Rx to CampMEDS one month prior to your child's attendance at camp to avoid a $25 late fee. If CampMEDS confirms that they do not accept your health insurance, they will contact us. In that case, you will be permitted to send the medication to camp in the original container with a second labeled Rx bottle.

11. My child takes Tylenol for headaches some times, do I need to bring that to camp? Camp stocks many other the counter medications, so you do not need to bring it. If your child requires the Dye free or some other special version of an over the counter medication, then please do bring it to camp.

12. I would like to speak to my child during camp. Campers cannot take phone calls. They can receive and send mail and emails (through the Bunk1 service) In case of emergency, talk to the camp director. Cell phones are not permitted at camp. Cell phones often do not work at camp, we don't have enough outlets to allow campers to charge their phones, campers are often in or near water. We want campers to practice some independance and cell phones can interfere with that growth. Additionally, many phones allow access to the internet and we at camp cannot monitor what ideas, images and people are communicating with our campers via their cell phones. Please do not send cell phones to camp.

13. I see that campers are asked to bring a trunk to camp, where can I find one? We highly recommend ordering from Everything Summer Camp (formerly C&N Footlockers), they are great quality trunks and they were recommended to us by a camper's mother. Flyers for Everything Summer Camp are sent to each camper. Each child needs to have a trunk that can be locked, Rubbermaid or other plastic containers are also fine to use. The Container Store, Target and Walmart also stock trunks. Do not use suitcases, they are very difficult to keep organized for 2 weeks. When selecting a trunk, keep in mind that campers often sit and stand on their trunks and some trunks will not hold up.

14. My child wants to be in a different cabin than the one that we were assigned. How can I make that change? Every effort is made to accommodate requests, once the camp has filled it may be impossible to make a change. Submit your request to our registrar and she will make the change if possible.

15. My child requested to be on the same team as another child. How do I know if they will be? If the children are the same age and gender, it should not be a problem. Teams are not assigned until the first day of camp, so your child should ask his counselor about it if he is not placed on a team with his friend.

16. My child had a physical in the past, can I use that one for camp? If the physical will be less than two years old when your child attends camp AND your child does not take medication or have any health concerns, then it is fine to use for camp. Otherwise, they will need a new physical for camp. In an emergency, that will be essential information. Children who are taking medication or have any medical condition are required to have an annual physical. All campers must have a new form completed annually so that we will have permission to provide emergency treatment to your camper. If your child attended camp in the past, contact camp if you'd like to have us check the date of the physical that was used on last summers health form. 2010 Health Form

17. I signed up for bunk1.com and do not see a picture of my child today, is something wrong? We try to take as many pictures as possible each day. Sometimes a camper is on a camp out, riding the boats or happens to be away from his/her group when the photographer is around. If you have not seen your child for a few days, you can send an email to the camp director so that we can make sure we get more. For 2009, bunk1.com photo gallery access is complimentary. (one account per camper)

18. Can my child bring his Yu-Gi-OH cards, iPod, digital camera, cell phone etc? No, we do not want campers to bring anything expensive to camp. These items may be lost or damaged so they are best left home. Cell phones are not permitted and will be confiscated. Camp is an opportunity to "unplug" from technology and get back to basics.

19. I emailed my child (through bunk1.com) and he has not replied, it everything alright? In this case, no news is great news!! Bunknotes are delivered daily at 1:30 pm and campers are sometimes slow to write back to their parents. Many campers are so busy having fun that they do not want to take time out to write home. If you are concerned, please call or email camp and we would be happy to check on your camper.

20. My child would like to attend camp for one week. Is that possible? Our program is a two week summer camp program. We do not offer a one week session because one of our goals is for campers to experience personal growth. During the first week of camp, campers are learning the rules and the lay of the land at camp, during the second week, they are able to take full advantage of the activities that are available and can improve their new skills. We recommend attending the parent child weekend to get an idea of how your child will do at camp.

21. I am concerned that my child may get homesick at camp? Most children experience some amount of homesickness when attending any overnight camp. It is a great opportunity for children to grow and overcome those anxious feelings. After the first few days of camp, most campers are settled into camp and having a blast. If a child is experiencing a lot of homesickness, we will contact you to talk about how to help your child to overcome homesickness. Rarely, we suggest that a child leave camp early because of homesickness. Parents can help their children prepare for camp by talking about all the fun of camp and what to do if something is not going well. If your child is not able to spend the night away from home, they may not be ready for an overnight camp.

22. My child wets the bed. How is this handled at camp? It is not uncommon for children to occasionally wet the bed at camp. If your child takes medication to help control the problem, continue the medication at camp. Medications are given confidentially by our nurse or other infirmary staff in the infirmary. Contact the camp director for some tips about what to pack to minimize any embarassment should your child have a wet bed at camp. Reassure your child that he or she will not be the only one at camp dealing with this issue and staff will be sensitive and ready to help.

23. My child's other parent does not have custody of our child. How is this handled? Camp will need a copy of the custody order to prevent the other parent from signing out your child. We assume that both parents have custody unless we have legal documentation to state otherwise. It is essential that parents notify camp if their are custody issues or other concerns about another adult who may attempt to pick up a child from camp. We will notify all staff of the situation and be sure to protect your child from feeling singled out.

24. I see that a modest, one piece bathing suit is listed on the packing list. My daughter thinks that other girls will have two piece suits, is that a strict rule at camp? Yes, the bathing suit rules are strictly enforced. Campers may not wear or bring two piece bathing suits to camp. The bathing suit rule also applies when major (12-13 yr old) campers are on their day trip to King's Dominion.

25. I would like to give my major camper some spending money for King's Dominion, how much should I send? Spending money for King's Dominion is already included in the major tuition rate. Each camper will be given $20 of spending money when they arrive at the park. We will also have a packed lunch and dinner so that if campers run out of money, they will not run out of food. We ask that you NOT send any additional money to camp. We want all campers to have the same experience at camp (including the King's Dominion trip) and in the past, parents were sending very large amounts of spending money which created some hard feelings among the campers.

26. Does my child need money for snacks or the camp store? No money is needed at camp. The canteen (snacks) are included in tuition and there is no option to purchase more. The camp store is only open on opening day, visiting day and closing day, so campers do not need any money at camp.

27. My child is not catholic but it interested in attend Camp St. Charles, is that permitted? Of course, all children are welcome to attend camp. We will be saying prayers through out the day and our faith is an important part of our lives at camp and our goal is to be welcoming to all. Mass is celebrated on Visiting Sunday and families may choose not to attend, but all are welcome to join us.

28. I would like to visit the camp prior to enrolling, when may I visit? We have 3 Open House events. If you cannot attend one of our scheduled open house events, please contact us to schedule a tour. The Open House events for 2010 are scheduled for Sunday March 7, Sunday April 11 and Sunday May 2, 2010. Each event will take place at the camp from 11am-4pm. There is no need to register to attend the open house. We will also have a "dry run" weekend at camp that we call the parent-child weekend. It will be held on Friday April 30-Sunday May 2, 2010.

29. My child has food allergies (other dietary restrictions), could he attend Camp St. Charles? We have had many children with food allergies, vegetarians, etc at camp in the past. We can have children attend when the child is VERY aware of what he is permitted to eat and should avoid and if parents are willing to bring some alternative choices that we can offer the child when the menu does not meet their needs. Please discuss your child's needs with the camp director prior to attending camp. We also ask that you teach your child not to share homemade snacks that may come in care packages since we will not know if those items are safe for him to enjoy.

30. How soon should I enroll my child? Is there space available? Enrollment patterns vary from year to year and I encourage parents to enroll early if they have a particular session that they are interested in. Historically, sessions II and III are the first to fill up and they can reach capacity as early as the 2nd open house. However, every year is different so you may wish to check back for updates regarding enrollment. Our online registration system is up to date at all times. If you attempt to enroll and we do not have space for your child, you will be notified instantly. If you submit a paper application, you will be contacted as soon as possible. If your child has attended camp in the past, you can contact the registration office for your username and password, regardless of how you enrolled in the past.