Camp Seymour (April 18^th-20^th, 2012)
Parent Information Night Recap

Purpose: 

·         To learn about the great outdoors, build long lasting relationships and have a TON of FUN!

Location:

·         Camp Seymour located in Gig Harbor, Washington

·         To learn more about Camp Seymour, please visit their website.

Accommodations: 

·         Meals are served family style and the camp can accommodate many dietary needs.  We will give you more information closer to camp time if your camper has specific needs.

·         Students will bunk in heated cabins that all have showers and bathrooms.

Cost:

·         Camp costs $250.00 per child, dues are needed in March.

·         Fundraising efforts help lower this cost and scholarships are offered to families who need it.

·         Goal is that each child will pay no more than $150.00 to attend camp after fundraising.

Fundraising:

·         We will be selling items from the Innisbrook collection.  This includes: chocolates, cookies, wrapping paper, magazine vouchers and other goods!

·         Sale dates: October 27^st-November 15^th.

·         Delivery dates: First week of December  (we will notify parents once a firm date has been set)

·         Students will need transportation help on the day that orders arrive. 

·         NY Pizza Nights take place on the second Thursday of each month.  20% of proceeds are donated to patrons who notify the staff that they are a Franklin Eagle.

Volunteering:

·         Please do!  Camp is not possible without volunteer support!

·         Fill out a volunteer application form and rank your preferences by number priority. 

·         Return the volunteer application by November 18^th, 2011

·         Chaperone positions are filled so that parents from each classroom are represented and based on the number of boy/girl campers. 

·         In the event that there are too many chaperones available there will be a lottery.

·         If you can’t volunteer but would like to support camp efforts please distribute NY Pizza coupons to neighbors and friends.  Also, encourage your child to meet their fundraising goal.

·         Chaperones will be notified if they have been selected during the first week of December. 

·         There will be a mandatory meeting for chaperones on Wednesday, January 25^th 2012.

Who to contact if you have camp questions:

·         Outdoor Education Coordinators this year are:

o   Ms. Hodges

o   Ms. Van Dyke 

Other information that might be helpful:

Camp Seymour Contact Information:

Phone: 253-884-3392
Fax: 253-460-8897
Email: campseymour@ymcatacoma.org
Mailing address:
YMCA Camp Seymour,
9725 Cramer Road KPN, Gig Harbor, WA 98329
www.campseymour.org

Emergency Notification:

These plans are reserved for immediate emergencies only. (1) Call Ben Franklin Elementary to alert school of the situation: 425-936-2550. (2) Call Camp Seymour to reach a chaperone and discuss next steps: 253-884-3392. Ask for Scott or Becca Gjertson, if they are not available ask that the message reach Suzie Hodges or Katie Van Dyke with Ben Franklin Elementary. 

Student Behavior Expectations

General Guidelines

• All school rules apply.
• Parent counselors, students, teachers and Camp Seymour staff should and will be treated with respect.
• Be on time for all activities.
• Do not pick or pull any living plants.
• Keep on established trails. 
• Stay with your group during class time.
• Always have a buddy.
• Stay within designated boundaries.
• Get permission to go into buildings, courts etc.
• Telephone use with teacher permission only (and only in emergencies).
• Help keep the camp clean by picking up trash and litter.
• Wear shoes.
• HAVE FUN!!

Meals

• Come to meals with hands washed. 
• Use good table manners.
• Wait to be excused from the table by a teacher.

Cabins

• Make beds, sweep floor, and neatly organize all gear.
• Everyone in bed at lights out.
• After “lights out,” you must have an adult with you to leave your cabin.   

Consequences

• Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.  It may result in a call home and/or removal from camp. If you are removed from camp, a parent must come pick you up and there will be no refunds.

Packing for Camp 

• Space for equipment is limited.  Please limit your gear to a sleeping bag, one item of luggage (suitcase, duffel bag), and your backpack. 
• Temperatures vary greatly.  It is a good idea to plan for layers of clothing that can be stored in the backpack and added or taken off as conditions change.
• Please label all clothes and personal items with your name.  This will avoid confusion and loss. 

Must-Have Items:

• Warm Sleeping Bag                          
• Bathing Suit                         
• Pillow
• Warm Pajamas                                             
• 3 Shirts                    
• Warm Hat
• 2-3 pair of Jeans
• Warm Jacket                        
• Backpack
• 3 Sets of Underwear and Socks         
• Flashlight                             
• Comb/Brush
• Long-sleeved Sweatshirt or Sweater   
• Towel and Washcloth           
• Raingear
• 2 Pair of Sturdy Shoes                                  
• Soap                                   
• Shampoo
• Toothbrush                                     
• Toothpaste                          
• DEODORANT             

Optional Items for Consideration:

• Chapstick                                     
• Camera                                        
• Gloves     
• Pencils and Paper
• Sketchbook                                  
• Teddy Bear                                               
• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Large Plastic Bag (labeled) for wet/dirty clothes                               
• Tall rubber boots (the beach is quite muddy)

Items You Must NOT Bring to Camp:

• Cell Phones                                                
• Money that is not checked in*         
• Knives or Hatchets
• Radios          
• Gum                                             
• Hair Dryers
• Curling Irons                                 
• Electronic Games   
• Matches
• Tape/CD Players                           
• Snacks/Food                                 
• Makeup, Perfume

(*All money will be checked in to Franklin Staff on the morning of camp and checked out to you while the camp store is open.  Unspent funds will be returned to campers upon return from camp.)