CAMP ADDRESS AND PHONE

This is a web based document of our "Family Guidebook". Please READ and study this information CAREFULLY with your family and camper before arriving at camp. All campers and parents are expected to follow all camp policies as listed below at in other camp literature and the camp web site.

CAMP WOODMONT

2008 FAMILY GUIDEBOOK

www.campwoodmont.com

423-472-6070 (Cleveland, TN) or 706-398-0833 (Camp Office) or 770-457-0862 (Atlanta Office)

Dear Parents & Campers:

Welcome to another fantastic summer camp season!

It is a great honor and privilege to journey into our 28^th year of excellence and service to the thousands of families and campers who have come to know Camp Woodmont as their summer camp home since 1981. Your child’s physical and emotional safety and well-being is our greatest priority. We are proud to provide what we feel is one of the best summer camp programs available: one that encourages positive character development and personal growth and that helps children become secure, independent, well-adjusted young people.

This guidebook will help you get ready for camp. While the information contained here applies to campers as well as parents, we have addressed it to Parents because your leadership in camp preparation is vital to giving your child a successful experience. Please take time to read and study this information with your child and review it several times before arrival to make sure you and your camper understand and will be able to follow these guidelines.

Among the topics covered in this guide are camp policies and procedures, required medical forms, financial policies, deadlines, what to bring to camp, homesickness, and much more. Please call to speak with us personally if you have any questions about any topics covered.

Please don’t forget that we require a new medical form each year. The form is on our web site at www.campwoodmont.com. Please mail it at least one month prior to arrival.

Thank you again for entrusting your most precious earthly gifts, your children, to us for a short time during summer camp. We are excitedly anticipating the upcoming season, and we look forward to meeting each of you in person this summer!

Sincerely,

Tyran Bennett & Alyson Bennett Gondek Jane Bennett (Mrs. B)

Co-Camp Directors Camp Founder/Owner

We have received your camp registration as follows:

CAMPER(s) ____________________________ SESSION DATES________________

Amount Received & Date ______________ Camp Fee ______ + Horseback Riding Fee $130/2 wks or $80/1 wk

ACCOUNT BALANCE __________________ HORSEBACK RIDING YES q OR NO q

One-half balance is due April 15th; remainder is due May 15th (add a $25 late charge for all accounts not paid-in-full by May 15th).

Since the camp staff is busy with preparation for each camp session, please arrive only between 3 & 5 PM (Eastern Standard Time) on Sundays. Departure time for all sessions is Fridays between 2 & 4 PM (Eastern Standard Time) . Please plan to bring and pick up campers only at these times as staff is not available before or after these times. PICK UP DAY: A closing ceremony is held at the end of each two-week session and all parents are encouraged to attend (bring your camera!). All campers and staff will depart by 4 PM. Campers staying longer than two weeks MUST be picked up between sessions since the staff takes a well-deserved break and is not at camp during this time. Please do not bring your dog or other family pet to camp on opening or pick-up day.

Campers should bring those items listed in the brochure including play clothes, bedding, toiletries, shoes (including tennis/sports shoes and/or hiking boots, sandals), socks and underwear, towels, flashlight, stationery/stamps, sunscreen, laundry bag, etc. Optional items: cameras & film, fishing poles/tackle, softball gloves, reading/devotional material, costumes. WE REQUIRE ALL CAMPERS BRING A SLEEPING BAG & PILLOW, AND WATER BOTTLE. Please do NOT overpack for your child as it can be overwhelming to your child. Horseback riders should wear long pants (no parachute or nylon pants), riding shoes with a SMOOTH LEATHER SOLE and at least ½ inch heels (hiking boots and/or lug soled shoes are not acceptable for riding, and the camp is not responsible for campers who bring improper riding shoes or pants).

Parents should make sure that campers DO NOT BRING radios/IPods/CD players, food/candy/gum, knives or firearms, weapons of any type, fireworks, jewelry, cell phones, walkie talkies, game boys, electric fans (each cabin has a ceiling/room fan), tvs, video games, money, matches/lighters, or inappropriate reading materials to camp. The camp reserves the right to check all campers’ trunks, suitcases or other belongings for unsafe items. No locked (or padlocked) suitcases or trunks are allowed at camp. Foot lockers should not exceed 13” in height.

Please explain to your camper(s) that the telephone IS NOT for campers’ use since calls interrupt the camp activities. Parents will be called immediately in case of an emergency. NO LAUNDRY facilities are available at camp. Pack a dirty clothes bag and enough clothes for the length of the session. Please mark all items with your camper’s name. Talk with your camper about caring for his/her clothes and belongings. The camp is not responsible for lost clothing or other items. Emergency laundry service for campers who soil their clothes/bedding is provided ($25 service charge).

Each camper submits a new medical form each year (available on the camp website). The first three pages are completed and signed by the parent and the last page is completed and signed by a physician (form should be mailed to camp at least one month before arrival). A child who is sick or has a communicable disease should not be sent to camp. All medications are left with the camp nurse or director upon arrival and are dispensed according to parent’s written directions on the medication form (provided at check-in).

At check-in, parents deposit $20 per week for store treats ($40 for two weekers). The camp store will open each afternoon and each camper may purchase one or two treats and a cold drink. The store does not sell items like film, flashlights, batteries, toilet articles, stationery or stamps, so be sure to bring these to camp. Campers may also purchase a DVD of all camp pictures (including the coveted group picture) and a camp T-shirt at check-in ($20 each).

Mail at camp is a much anticipated daily event. Write your camper often, but do not mail letters after Tuesday of the week he/she is to leave camp. While we encourage campers to write frequently, you may only get one or two letters from your camper (it’s not that they don’t miss you, they may just be too busy having fun). E-mail is another popular way for parents to write campers: this service is provided by www.bunk1.com, an Internet company, and allows parents to send email to campers (there is a charge by bunk1.com for email service). Instructions for email are provided at check-in and online.

We are joining many other camps that have a policy that strongly discourages sending packages to campers for the following reasons: 1) bulk and volume of packages makes life difficult for both the postal delivery person and camp mail room, 2) traffic of delivery vans up & down camp roads is dangerous for campers and horseback riders, 3) disposal of packaging materials puts stress on both camp and land-fill resources, 4) packages can cause unnecessary friction and hurt feelings among campers (campers who do not get packages feel left out); and finally, 5) camp is so much fun and most campers are so well adjusted that they do not need materialistic stimulation to feel good about themselves; they are extremely happy when they get letters from home. Please discuss this policy with your child, and with extended family who may be tempted to send packages. Parents may send birthday presents or absolutely necessary emergency items to attention of the camp director (all packages are opened by camp administrative staff prior to distribution and checked for appropriateness/safety.............inappropriate, unsafe or disallowed items will be stored and/or disposed of at the camp's discretion).

In case of illness or accident of a camper, the parents will be called. If the parents and/or the emergency contact listed cannot be reached, the camp director will determine if the child should be taken to a doctor or hospital. The parents are responsible for all medical charges including physician, hospital, X-ray, pharmacy, transportation and any expense that may be incurred. Parents will be asked to pick up campers if they are sick for more than 12 - 24 hours.

Two-week campers are invited to participate in planning and presenting an inspirational service on Sunday morning (non-denominational). At Camp Woodmont , we promote the spiritual growth of campers with our Christian philosophy and atmosphere. Short, non-denominational devotional times are held each morning at breakfast and in the cabin groups at night.

Camp is a place where children can be free to have a good time in an unregimented atmosphere and enjoy many activities with others. We do not expect any discipline problems; however, if a camper’s behavior creates a situation which is detrimental to the other campers, the staff, or the camp program or property, the parents will be notified to pick that camper up immediately. No offensive language or behavior, no pranks, no bullying or intimidation of others, no smoking or tobacco use, no alcohol, no drugs or inappropriate reading materials are allowed at Camp Woodmont . (Discuss this with your camper.) Children with emotional/behavior problems should attend a special needs camp. Also, traditional attire is appropriate at camp. Please avoid unusual or non-traditional clothing, jewelry (such as belly-button rings & large earrings), makeup or hair styles.

It is normal for some children to experience fleeting moments of homesickness. This is a part of growing up. Our program keeps camper so busy that we rarely see anything more than very minor homesickness. We have found that homesickness can manifest itself in many ways: most children do not admit to being homesick, instead they will say they don’t feel good or have a tummy ache. Many times a child will be homesick one minute and the next minute he/she is going off to activities and running and playing and apparently not homesick any more.

Since letters home are written during quiet times when homesickness may be more manifest, some parents may receive a “homesick letter”. Usually these letters do not say “I am homesick” but instead may state things like “I don’t like camp”, “My counselor is mean”, “I am really sick” etc.

Parents should understand that the camp director and counselors are aware of everything going on at camp and that we make a conscious effort to visit individually with every camper daily. We are usually aware of homesick campers and give them extra attention to make sure they get over it easily.

In over 26 years of camping, we have practically never had to ask a parent to pick up a camper due to homesickness; however, there are several tips we can give parents and campers to help minimize the impact of homesickness:

1) Before camp discuss this with campers and explain that they may experience an occasional feeling of home-sickness. Tell them that the best thing to do if they feel homesick is to find an activity or friend to get involved with;

2) Let campers know that camp is a big step in their growing-up process and that you are proud of them for being able to take this first step towards independence by going to camp;

3) Explain that they will not be allowed to call home even if they are homesick;

4) Tell campers that they can discuss any personal problems (personal hygiene, homesickness, interpersonal problems) with their counselor or the camp director in private and have confidence that the staff member will understand without making them feel embarrassed;

5) Make your farewell on check-in day brief; do not linger at the cabin area for longer than necessary;

6) Avoid sending letters that could aggravate homesick feelings. Avoid statements like “we miss you so much here at home”, or “your dog or cat or pet really misses you” etc.

7) Parent visits are discouraged: while visits may seem like a good idea, they disrupt the camp program and can actually cause unnecessary homesickness.

In many cases, the parents are actually more anxious than the campers (kind of a reverse homesickness). As parents ourselves, we understand your concern for your child’s well-being especially when sending them to camp for the first time. We occasionally get calls from anxious parents who need reassurance; and while we understand your apprehension, you can be assured that we are aware of and are constantly supervising all aspects of camp.

The camp does not provide transportation. We may help parents arrange car pools, if requested. Campers flying to camp are picked up and returned to the Chattanooga , TN airport ($95 service charge). Please talk with us about the best arrival/departure times before making reservations.

Children who sign up for 1 week may stay for 2 weeks, if space is available. If your child wants to stay at camp longer than the original registration, we will contact you to make arrangements. Sign up for the 1^st week of a 2-wk session if you think your child will want to stay 2 weeks instead.

Brothers/Sisters: The 2^nd, 3^rd or more siblings living at the same address receive a 5% discount off the regular camp fee. Please pay by cash, check (

U.S.

funds only) or credit card (VISA & MC). Add a $50 service charge for all returned checks. Late registrants or those paying large balances on check-in should bring a credit card, money order or cash as NO checks over $100 are accepted on check-in day.

Cancellation policy and Refunds: No refunds for late arrival. Early departure due to camper illness or family emergency may receive a pro-rated refund of one-half the unused balance at the discretion of the director and based on individual case circumstances. There are no refunds for early departure due to emotional/behavioral problems or dismissal. Cancellations before April 1 receive 100% refund; after April 1, a $100 service charge applies.

Please tell your friends about Camp Woodmont ! You earn a $50 credit (towards your camp tuition) for each new two-week camper you recruit, and $25 credit for new one-week campers. The Family Representative program offers even greater bonus incentives; you host a meeting for your friends where we present camp information and answer questions.

Mail all correspondence to the following addresses. Note that the address changes after May 25.