Click on a heading below to get the information you will need.
ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATION
CONTACTING WILDERNESS CAMP
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION
HEALTH CARE & ACCIDENT INSURANCE
STAFF SCREENING AND TRAINING
WEB FEATURES
CONTACTING/ VISITING YOUR CAMPER
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
TENT ASSIGNMENTS
PACKING FOR CAMP
MONEY AT CAMP
DIRECTIONS TO WILDERNESS CAMP
REGISTRATION/ARRIVAL
WILDERNESS CAMP CONTACTING YOU
DISMISSAL & DISMISSAL POLICY
LOST AND FOUND
TRANSPORTATION BY BUS
EXPEDITION SPECIFICS
ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATIONS
American Camping Association (ACA)- Spruce Lake Wilderness Camp is an ACA-Accredited® camp meeting up to 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality. See www.acacamps.org for details. Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA)- Spruce Lake Retreat is a member of CCCA which exists to proclaim the power and benefits of the Christian camp and conference experience, and to provide leaders at member organizations with ongoing encouragement, professional training, and timely resources. CCCA has over 1000 camps and organizations as members and can be found at www.ccca.org. Franconia Mennonite Camping Association (FMCA)- Spruce Lake Retreat is owned and operated by an association called FMCA. More information can be found on the web at www.sprucelake.org.
Mennonite Camping Association (MCA)- Spruce Lake Retreat is a member of MCA which serves as a clearinghouse for directing and promoting Christian camping among Anabaptist/Mennonite conferences and congregations throughout Canada and the United States. See www.mennonitecamping.org for details.
CONTACTING WILDERNESS CAMP
Mailing Address:
SPRUCE LAKE WILDERNESS CAMP
RR #1 BOX 605
CANADENSIS, PA 18325
Web e-mail at www.wildernesscamp.org
phone before June 12th: 800-822-7505 x151
after June 12th: 570-595-8800
fax before June 12th: 570-595-0328
after June 12th: 570-595-7984
Contacting Wilderness Camp when camp is not in session- Since we operate primarily for three months, we do not have set year round office hours. If you get our phone message it will have our hours of operation for that season and we will return your call in a timely fashion. We can also be reached by e-mail through the contact us feature on our website www.wildernesscamp.org.
Contacting Wilderness Camp when camp is in session- While camp is in session, we maintain the following office hours:
Monday – Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-9pm, Sunday from 1:30pm to 9pm
We check messages twice on weekday evenings, twice on Saturdays, and once on Sunday morning. We encourage you to anticipate needs for upcoming weeks of camp (bussing changes, directions) before the weekend prior so that you can take advantage of our regular office hours.
Please contact us in a timely fashion when:
• You are aware of camper wellness issues that arise after submitting the Health & Safety Form such as a recent injury or illness, psychiatric issues, or traumatic events (parental issues, death)
• You are responding to our call when your child is here a camp, call back in a timely fashion.
• You have travel related issues that affect your arrival at the drop-off or pick-up times.
• You made arrangements for a person not listed on the Health & Safety Form to pick up.
• You are planning to visit camp while it is in operation. For any reason let us know in advance and please understand visiting with your son/daughter is not permitted while camp is in session.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION
If you have an emergency and cannot get through on the Camp phone, follow the emergency contact instructions on our message. As a last resort call the Retreat Center directly at 800-822-7505 and they will be able to contact us by radio.
Please rest assured that in the event of a communications breakdown such as a power outage, regional crisis, or national incident we are doing everything in our power to care for your child. Also, check www.wildernesscamp.org as there may be an update posted on our status, whatever the issue is.
HEALTH CARE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Camper Health and Safety form- This is a significant form that we need to help ensure your son/daughter’s wellbeing during their time at camp. It includes emergency contact information, health related information, gives your permission to participate, gives us permission to dismiss your son/daughter to others than yourself.
Health and Safety policy- A completed health and safety form is required for your child to participate fully in camp. The health and safety form provides us with information required to care for your child and must be signed and fully completed.
• Please mail the Camper Health & Safety Form at least 3 weeks prior to your son/daughter’s week.
• You may attach a copy of your child’s immunization records and of both sides of your insurance card.
• You are responsible to provide health and safety updates after the form has been mailed. Updates include changes in your child’s health, emergency contact information, adults permitted to pick up your child, and any other information that would help us in caring for your child.
Medications at camp- All medications must be sent in the original container with the original label. In an effort to reduce the number of medications that a child needs to bring, Wilderness Camp stocks many common “over the counter” medications (Tylenol, Benadryl, Cough & Cold remedies, etc). Help us reduce the amount of vitamins and drugs to administer, by sending only what is essential. If your son/daughter has a medication that needs to be with them at all times (bee sting kit, inhaler, etc.) please
provide a fanny pack for your child.
Health Care at Camp- A camp nurse is on the premises at all times while camp is in session. They are responsible to administer medications, provide care under our standing orders, and inform counseling staff of health related issues. Numerous staff members are trained in CPR, First Aid, and Life-guarding. In addition, 911, hospital, and clinic services are available as needed with an approximate 20 minute response
time.
Accident Insurance- The camp carries a limited accident insurance. If your child needs treatment and you have insurance, your coverage will be applied first. If your policy does not cover the full bill you should inform us. Our coverage would then apply up to $5000 per camper per incident.
STAFF SCREENING AND TRAINING
Each summer Wilderness Camp employs over 50 staff from 17 to 40 something. Quality staff is our number one asset at Wilderness Camp. We seek to find solid Christian men and women who are living their faith authentically and with integrity; those who possess the skills & gifting for the roles in which they are seeking.
Staff Screening- Each staff person at Spruce Lake Wilderness Camp is carefully screened. We require each summer staff to go through the application process annually, even if previously hired. We review applications, screen at least three confidential references, review employment/education history, and conduct personal interviews. All potential staff members are required to sign a voluntary disclosure statement giving us permission to complete background checks with the National Sex Offender Registry, SS trace to verify address, and the National and County/State criminal history check for those we are seeking to employ.
Staff Training- All staff are required to attend a 7 day summer staff training event that covers both general subjects and subjects specific to their roles. Our general training involves sessions on Health and Safety, Risk Management, Age Group Characteristics, Organizational Mission, Supervision, and more. More specific trainings are offered for staff working with campers, leading expeditions, in the kitchen, supervising others, and so on depending on the role.
WEB FEATURES
Parent’s Place is a new format on the Wilderness Camp web page provides features geared towards prospective parents and parents who have children attending camp. Go to our website, www.wildernesscamp.org and select parent’s place. The site is set up to provide the following services:
• View and print parent information.
• View and print forms including camper letters, campership (financial assistance) forms, registration forms, and health forms
• A feature for e-mailing your your camper will be available in the summer.
• View tent photos and photos from your son/daughter’s camp week. *
• See photos and brief biographies of leadership and counseling staff. *
• Complete parent evaluations of camp weeks attended by your children. *
* Please note that several features including viewing camper photos are only accessible with a user name and password. Upon registering for camp you will be mailed the User Name and Password for camp. If they are misplaced, call or e-mail us and we would be glad to help.
CONTACTING/ VISITING YOUR CAMPER
Camper Contact Policy- Parents/friends are asked not to have direct contact with campers while camp is in session. While we support good parent camp communications we do not support direct camper/parent phone calls or direct camper/parent visits while camp is in session. The reasons for this policy are many including authority confusion, camper security, homesickness, misunderstandings, and
technology issues. Camp is really about the special relationships formed in the camp setting. This is not to say that we will not allow contact as we or you have special circumstances, but we ask you to trust Spruce Lake with checking on and reporting to you the well-being of your son/daughter.
Letters and e-mails to campers are the best way to communicate with campers and we will faithfully deliver those messages to your son/daughter. Campers will be able to mail letters and post cards but will not have access to outgoing Fax or E-mail.
Mail- If you are mailing a letter to your camper please allow 3-4 days. Some parents choose to drop off notes at registration too. Generally format your letters to campers as follows:
CAMPER NAME, TENT# (If known)
CAMP SESSION NAME
SPRUCE LAKE WILDERNESS CAMP
RR #1 BOX 605
CANADENSIS, PA 18325
E-mails received by 9AM will generally be delivered the same day. We cannot accept attachments and please do not E-mail campers at the business e-mail address.
1. Use the URL –www.wildernesscamp.org
2. Select the “Parent’s Place” icon
3. Click on “E-mail your camper”
4. Fill in the camper “Name”, “Week” & “Tent #”
5. Enter your message and send it. Please write
fewer, longer messages (no one-liners please)!
“Camper Checks” During Camp- We will gladly check in on your son/daughter and let you know how things are going. If you request a camper check for the Wilderness Camp program, our male or female head counselor will speak personally with both your son/daughter and his/her counselor to see how the week is going. Then, shortly after the next meal, they will give you a call personally and update you!
Visiting Spruce Lake- As mentioned, parents and friends are asked not to visit with campers during camp operation. If you are visiting Spruce Lake or a guest at Spruce Lake Retreat we ask that you not visit with your camper. If you desire to visit or become acquainted with our Wilderness Camp please make arrangements with the office. All visitors are asked to come to the office upon arrival, which is located in the
“Huckleberry” cabin in the Wilderness Camp area. We will provide a VISITOR badge for you to wear until departure. Visitors who come while the evening Fireside is in session, can come directly to the pavilion and depart when it is over.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The statement shows all charges and credits that are applied to your child’s account. Please use this statement to confirm the following information and let us know if you see any discrepancies:
• The name and dates of the camp that we are expecting your son/daughter.
• Transportation details from Franconia or William Penn Hwy (To Camp, and/or Home From Camp)
• Camp DVD (Yes/No) or Nalgene Bottle (Yes/No). Free ONLY to campers registered by March 1st.
• Free camp T-shirt (Yes/No) ONLY to campers registered by May 1st.
• Camp Store Deposit is money available to spend at camp and shows as a credit on your statement. A balance shown in (parenthesis) is a credit balance available for them to spend at camp.
If there is a balance due, return the payment slip with payment at least three weeks prior to camp.
TENT ASSIGNMENTS
Camp is a time to meet new people as well as enjoy existing friendships. We ask that you communicate well with other parents and be prepared to help us find good tenting solutions when tent mate ideals are in conflict. Tenting assignments are done 1-2 weeks prior to your week of camp and it is our goal to:
1. Honor one tentmate request for each camper
2. Limit arranged tentmates to 2 or 3.
3. Look for age compatibility within tent units.
4. Group several campers coming without a tentmate requests together.
PACKING FOR CAMP
The camper letter for your son/daughter’s week can be found in parent’s place on the wilderness camp site, under forms, at parent’s place. Included in the camper letter is a packing list. In addition to clothing items, some commonly overlooked items are plate ware, sleeping bags, flashlights, and rain gear.
• Please look over the packing list at least a week prior to camp, and
• Please help your son/daughter plan what to take seeing that they are bringing an appropriate amount and style of clothing, noting the modesty request.
• Make sure that luggage and important items have your son’s/daughters full name on them.
• Campers in a 12 and up week of camp, are asked to bring dark pants and a long sleeved shirt for an evening game. Navigator campers are asked to bring a casual dress outfit for the theme dinner.
MONEY AT CAMP
Please send camp store deposits prior to camp. Wilderness campers deposit spending money into the "camper bank” where a computerized “bank card” system will then be used to keep a record of each time a camper makes a purchase. Money not spent will be refunded to your son/daughter to the nearest whole dollar. Most Wilderness campers find that $25-$50 per week is sufficient. Common purchases are:
• Wilderness Camp DVD and/or T-shirt ($12.00 each, Mini-Camp slideshow DVD $7.00 each)
• Miscellaneous Trading Post items ($0.25 - $14.00 per item)
• Retreat Center Snack Shop money ($1.00-$3.00 per day)
• Certain U-Pick-Its like Leather Crafts, Rocketry, Tie Dye and Basketry may require ($2-$7 for a project)
• Freewill offering- Campers are invited to participate in a freewill offering to support the Wilderness Camp’s Compassion children in Haiti. ($?.?? One time offering)
DIRECTIONS TO WILDERNESS CAMP
The Wilderness Camp entrance is located off Route 447, about 2 miles north of the traffic light in Canadensis (the intersection of Rt. 390 & Rt. 447). Turn left onto Long Rd. by the wooden Wilderness Camp sign. Make your first right, following the dirt road just less than 1 mile to the Wilderness Camp Pavilion. For more general directions to get to this area, see the map on the Wilderness Camp brochure or visit our web site at www.sprucelake.org and click on “Directions.” Or use the following link to get there in one step http://www.sprucelake.org/maps/index.html.
REGISTRATION/ ARRIVAL
Registration opens Sunday after 3:15 PM in the Wilderness Camp Pavilion. Buses will arrive by 4pm. Discoverer Mini-Camp registration will open Wednesday just after 10 AM. To register, campers must have:
• Any special notes or instructions
• Medications clearly marked in original containers
• Camper Bank $ if not already sent
• Camper Health & Safety Form if not already mailed (This is required in order to participate at Camp.)
WILDERNESS CAMP CONTACTING YOU
Non-emergencies and routine questions make up the vast majority of our phone calls. But we do ask you to be thoughtful in providing emergency information on the health form so that we are never without a method to contact you or a designated emergency contact during a camp week.
Typical reasons we may call:
• If following up on financial balances, lack of bank money, lost and found, or incomplete information on the Health & Safety form.
• If there is any question about how (bus/car) and with whom your child is departing camp.
• In response to a request for us to check on your camper.
• If we need higher medical care than we offer within the camp setting for your child.
Other reasons we may call- As a camp, you are entrusting us to make reasonable decisions with regard to your child’s welfare. Understand that we will not call home about every circumstance but you are welcome to do camper checks at anytime throughout the week and we will give you an open and timely response. We generally call to get your perspective on a situation or when we feel the situation is uncommon. Below are some examples of how we deal with situations at camp:
Homesickness- It is common for children ages 7-11 to miss their parents and home, especially in the later hours and less structured times of day; in these situations you probably would not get a call. It is uncommon to be homesick throughout whole days or cry or be withdrawn consistently. It is uncommon for children to become demanding, inconsolable, or shut themselves off from the counsel of others. In the last two situations, we would call. Please know that you can help children avoid homesickness by helping them to know what to expect at camp and then sending timely and upbeat
correspondence to them while they are at camp. When possible, avoid vacations directly prior to camp experiences for younger children.
Illnesses/injury- It is common to have many children see the nurse about a range of issues that are easily managed. If the nurse sees the same child about similar issues repeatedly without progress, we would call. We’d also call, if your child would need extra medical care, stays overnight in the nurses clinic, or is kept out of activities for more than a half day.
Behavioral issues- It is common to have disagreements among campers or for a camper to feel uncomfortable within a new setting. But it is uncommon to have relationships with ongoing, increasing tensions or for a child to feel continually out of place or sorts; therefore we would call home to keep you informed and ask for your perspective. Also, if a behavior happens that gives us concern for the physical or emotional wellbeing of your child or another child we would call.
DISMISSAL & DISMISSAL POLICY
Dismissal is generally 6:30 PM on Friday. You are invited to attend the camp’s Closing Ceremony from 5:45 – 6:30 PM. Dismissal for Discoverer Mini-Campers will be at 3 PM with a 20 minute Closing Ceremony.
Camper Dismissal Policy- Only authorized persons will be permitted to pick up a camper from camp. Parents/Guardians will be asked to list, on the Health & Safety Form, authorized adults who have permission to pick up their child/children. Campers not riding the bus, will remain at their table with their counselor and wait for an authorized adult to sign them out. If the person picking up your child is not on the
list of authorized persons, (a friend or sibling) they will not be able to leave with your child until our staff contact you or other emergency contact person for permission.
This procedure will also happen at the Bus Drop-Off Locations. You or the authorized person will be asked to sign out your child/children prior to departing.
Early Dismissal/Pick-up at unusual time- If your camper needs to be picked up for any reason at a time other than the normal dismissal, we ask that you make arrangements with the office ahead of time. You or your designated authorized person should come to the office, located in the “Huckleberry” cabin, to sign out the camper prior to departing.
LOST AND FOUND
We will do our very best to return whatever was left at camp by your camper. Contact our office to provide a description of the item lost and we will contact you to let you know whether the item has or has not been found.
• Items with full camper names written or sewn in help us return lost articles with more success.
• Returns will occur at the cost of the camper family.
• Items left on the bus or in the luggage truck will be returned to Spruce Lake on the following Friday
or Sunday bus run and then kept at Spruce Lake.
• Our bus can be used to return lost items without cost so long as you contact us and are willing to meet the bus at the scheduled time of arrival.
• Lost items not claimed before October of the same year, may be redistributed to a thrift store, disposed of, or set aside for future camper use.
TRANSPORTATION BY BUS
Bus registration and Fee for service- Add bus transportation to your registration if desired. We cannot guarantee a spot on the bus if a seat is not reserved and paid for at least 3 weeks prior to the week of camp. There is a $15 fee each way for Franconia bus and $10 fee each way for William Penn bus. Your transportation needs (to camp and home) and location (Franconia, William Penn Hwy) are indicated on the Statement of Accounts. Please confirm the details and contact us to make changes.
Pre-registration/ Loading the bus- A camper bus registration table will be set up only at the Franconia location. Campers and parents/chaperones will visit the table prior to loading the luggage or the bus to verify necessary information and to receive a name tag for both camper and luggage. Please have your camper visit the restroom before boarding the bus they are assigned. A water bottle may be carried on.
Unloading the bus- Unloading will be more involved this year for your camper’s security as we cannot release a camper to any person not authorized by the parent or guardian. You or the authorized person will be asked to sign out your child/children prior to departing.
Chaperoning for the bus- We need chaperones on Sunday’s and Friday’s to accompany the campers. If you indicate an interest in chaperoning, we will call you if we are in need of a chaperone for that week. Please note that only if you are a confirmed chaperone will you receive a reimbursement for the bus fee.
Franconia Bus Location & Time
Bus location- Bus service is provided to camp from the Franconia Mennonite Church, located on Route 113 between Harleysville and Souderton (30 miles North of Philadelphia). Please use the Route 113 main entrance NOT the Meeting House Rd. entrance.
Directions from PA Turnpike: Take the Lansdale, PA Rt. 63, exit #31 of the NE Extension, PA turnpike. Turn right onto Rt. 63 W. Continue 4-5 miles to the intersection of Rt. 113 & Rt. 63. Turn right at the light onto Rt. 113 N and continue about 2 miles. Turn left into the 113 main entrance of Franconia Mennonite Church entrance.
Directions from Route 309: Travel PA Rt. 309 S. from Quakertown or Rt. 309 N. from Lansdale to the Souderton, PA Rt. 113 exit. Take Rt. 113 South and continue on Rt 113 South to the Church. (Note: within 2 miles Rt. 113 S. crosses a RR track and turns right. Within 6 miles it passes Bergey’s GMC and Allentown Rd) Turn right into Franconia Mennonite Church.
Bus times- It is important that you arrive at least 20 minutes early to Franconia and
Franconia Bus Departs: Sundays at 2 PM, Except Mini-Camp departs on Wednesday at 8:30AM
Franconia Bus Returns: Friday around 8:45 PM, Except Mini-Camp returns Friday 5:15PM
William Penn Hwy Bus Location & Time
Bus Location- Bus service is provided from the William Penn Hwy Park and Ride. The Park-n-Ride is a public parking area on the North West corner of the intersection of PA Rt 33 and the William Penn Hwy.
Directions from Route 309: Travel PA Rt. 309 North to I-78 and travel East approximately 10.5 miles to PA Rt 33 (Pocono Exit).
Directions from I-78: Exit PA Rt-33 (Pocono’s exit) 4 miles west of the PA-NJ border. Travel Rt-33 North approximately 2.5 miles to the William Penn Hwy exit and follow signs
Directions from Rt 22: Exit PA Rt-33 (to I-78) 4 miles west of the PA-NJ border. Travel Rt-33 South for approximately 1 mile to the William Penn Hwy exit and follow signs.
Bus times- It is important to arrive at least 10 minutes early to the William Penn Hwy Park and Ride. We cannot guarantee that the bus will wait beyond the scheduled departure. Cars may not be parked overnight and there will be no formal registration.
WP Hwy Bus Departs: Sundays at 3 PM, Except Mini-Camp departs on Wednesday at 9:30AM
WP Hwy Bus Returns: Friday around 7:45 PM, Except Mini-Camp returns on Friday 4:00PM
EXPEDITION SPECIFICS
Wilderness Expeditions are very different than resident weeks of camp since the majority of the camping experience will take place off-site. We ask that you read the following exceptions and special procedures if your son/daughter is involved in an Expedition. Also see the Junior and or Senior Expedition Camper Letter(s) as they provide helpful information and a detailed packing list.
Communicating with Off-Site Expeditions
While the expedition team has a cell phone with them, it is for their emergencies and often kept off to preserve the battery. Prior to each trip the team communicates the general timing of when they will be calling in to update our Wilderness Camp Office. The calls or messages are noted and available for you can call to get the team’s previous message. Specific “Camper Checks” are more involved because of reduced and delayed communication but they are possible. Our communication with expeditions involves leaving messages and waiting for call backs. Trip leaders are instructed to check messages nightly and provide timely call backs as reception allows.
Health & Safety on Expeditions
When your son/daughter is on an Expedition the following health care and safety measures are provided:
• One or both trip guides will be certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid.
• Guides who are driving have had their driving records checked that year, have taken a driver safety
course, and have experience driving the vehicle with which they are transporting campers. Each vehicle is checked by an experienced maintenance staff before leaving the site.
• Guides leading aquatic activities will be fully certified as a Lifeguard and be trained in rescue.
• On all trips but Parent Child canoe an RN will screen campers and meet with guides prior to the trip to discuss medical/food issues related to the campers on the trip.
• At least one cell phone accompanies all trips providing more immediate contact with camp, 911, local hospital and clinical services. Each guide will carry a logistical contact sheets with them that includes emergency contact information, local medical care facilities, and logistical contact information. Note that cell reception may not be available in some areas.
Registration/Arrival/Departure
Register at the Blueberry Pavilion- Registration timing is Sunday 3:15-4:30pm, like Wilderness Camps. Registration for expeditions takes place the Blueberry Pavilion, a smaller pavilion located to the right and slightly uphill from the main pavilion. Upon arrival, take your luggage and paperwork directly to Blueberry.
Parent child trips will meet Friday night 7pm in the main lobby/office of Spruce Lake Retreat to register.
Departure- Please note the new dismissal policy. Most trips dismiss Friday evening at 6:30pm. The exceptions are as follows:
• Parent Child trips dismiss Sunday around 3pm.
• West Virginia dismisses Saturday evening at 6pm.
• Loyalsock and New England dismiss Wednesday evening at 6pm.
Bus Service exceptions for expeditions
Bus service for weeklong expeditions is available in the same schedule and locations as Wilderness Camp. When an expedition arrives or departs at a time different from a typical Sunday and Friday bus service is generally not available. The following trips do not have bus service provided for either one or both ways:
• Parent Child trips do not have bus service to camp or home from camp.
• West Virginia has bus service to camp but not home due to a (Saturday departure).
• Loyalsock and New England have bus service to camp but not home (Wednesday departure).
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