Welcome to Grier Summer Camps!The staff and I are looking forward to welcoming your daughter(s) this summer.Our theme for the summer is “It’s Simply A Sweet Summer!”
Included in this packet are forms to be completed and returned, as well as lots of pages to read and implement!ALL FORMS ARE DUE JUNE 1. Do not hesitate to call me or email if you have ANY questions!
Some thoughts:
All forms are now online in case yours get lost!www.bestcamp.org, Parent Information tab on the main menu on the home page (or at the bottom of this letter).
Update on physical examinations for your camper: Campers must have had a physical exam within the last 24 months.In past years, the physical had to be less than 12 months old.This change is from the American Camp Association.
We love girls who can ride and sing and dance and act!But, perhaps your daughter doesn’t do any of those activities for three hours a day five days out of seven.Talk with your daughter before camp.If she’s feeling the aches and pain, tell her to talk to her counselor or riding instructor immediately and not wait until the next stop is the infirmary.
We love girls who come to camp!But . . . about 10% of our campers experience homesickness, especially the first few days.Many times the counselors are able to help their camper through a tough few moments and all is well.If the counselors have exhausted all their “tricks” and their camper is still sad, I, or a member of the supervisory staff, steps in.We might even be calling you because I think hearing Mom or Dad’s voice helps ease the transition.
New this year…we will try calling home twice a week on Wednesday and Sundays.Please talk to your daughter and suggest that calling Mom and Dad is important and calling all her friends is not so important!On Wednesdays the phone home time will be 7pm-7:45pm because there will be an evening activity at 8pm; Sundays 7pm until 8:30pm.Our Europeans campers will be calling home during the day, 12:30pm.I’m not in favor of all these phone calls but we live in such a connected society that I am willing to allot more time for phone calls!Campers do not get to keep their cell phones all the time.Please help the staff and I enforce this rule!I will also to my best to schedule computer time at least once a week.With only the eight computers in the library for us to use that the best I can do! Please, no laptops.
However, after April 1st, Grier Summer is on FACEBOOK; and Bunk1 remains a valuable resource for daily emails.
As you read through the materials, please pay attention to the health forms and permission form.It is important that these forms are returned by mail or faxed ina timely manner.Nothing holds up registration day procedures like a long line at the infirmary!We use the American Camp Association recommended health forms.
Campers arriving by plane:If you have not made your plane reservations yet, please consider having the camper arrive Saturday rather than Sunday.Many campers who arrive by plane get to camp late on Sunday evening, thus missing the opening day activities.And International campers are just tired from their long flights.Please don’t change any reservations that you have made, but if you haven’t made the reservation consider Saturday.We are prepared to accommodate all travel plans whether the camper arrives on Saturday or Sunday.
From time to time I will be sending online newsletters to the parents through the camp website, www.bestcamp.org.If you receive an email from bestcamp.org, that’s me!
Finally, the “Tell Us About You” form is VERY important.The staff and I use the form in so many ways, most importantly to match roommates.Please have your daughter take the time to complete the form and if you wish to add you comments on the back of the form that would be so helpful!
