Hidden Valley 4-H CAMP
Jennifer Sweet, Camp Director, [email protected]
Thinking About Opening Day
The first day of the 2015 season at the Hidden Valley 4-H Camp is July 5. Only weeks away, parents and campers plan, pack and prepare for this momentous occasion. The staff at Hidden Valley 4-H camp want to ensure a smooth, streamlined and stress-free transition for parents and campers each opening day throughout the summer. This article is to inform everyone coming to camp what to expect during registration and drop off.
First, registration begins inside the Dining Hall at 2:00pm. The camp Registrar, Health Director, Camp Store Manager are present to collect paperwork, medications and camp store payments. Our Registrar recommends that all payments and paperwork arrive in our office two weeks prior to opening day so that the registration process moves faster and campers get to their cabins quickly.
After check-in we encourage parents to accompany their camper to the cabin. Our counselors are on hand to greet parents and to answer any questions parents and campers have. We recommend that parents keep this visit short, and that they not linger long at camp. Counselors want to assist their campers in settling their bunk areas and to engage the campers in ice breaker activities. Susie Sudduth Hammond at the Wyonegonic Camps states that “campers will participate and make friends more quickly once parents have said their goodbyes and depart.” If campers feel any anxiety on their parent’s behalf, separation is more stressful and that may lead to anxiety or homesickness.
At 3:30, the afternoon schedule begins at the first flagpole gathering. Counselor staff accompany their new cabin groups to our frequent meeting place for introductions. Campers meet the camp administration and staff and learn about the activities offered that week. Campers also see the goofy and fun side of their counselors! Once introductions are over, campers begin cabin rotations through health checks, camp tours and swim tests. When rotations are complete, campers and staff run through a fire drill and
prepare for dinner – the first big meal prepared by Camp Cook
extraordinaire Lisa! The counselors keep campers busy through
the evening with activity sign ups and the traditional Opening
Campfire. Finally, campers head back to their cabins to get a
good night’s rest for the first day of fun activities. Opening Day
– all 6 of them –throughout the season is always exciting and
buzzing with great anticipation. Our goal at the Hidden Valley
4-H Camp is for the registration day to go smoothly for all
families and that our campers end their first day feeling safe,
welcome, engaged and stress-free We look forward to
welcoming you!