Parent's Info | Parent's Info |
|
|
|
|
The following information will hopefully answer the questions you have and ensure a positive camping experience for both children and parents. Please take the time to familiarize yourselves with our policies, procedures, camp mailing address, phone numbers etc. STAFF Most of the staff are graduates of Habonim Dror and Camp Miriam. Often they come to camp after spending one year in Israel on the Habonim Workshop Program. Each year there are Israeli counsellors on staff, adding to the richness of our Hebrew content. Staff may have specialty training in such areas as Israeli Dancing, Scouting, Arts and Crafts, kayaking, etc. A minimum of 2 lifeguards are present during the camping season. The counselor to camper ration is 1:5. New staff are paired with returning staff members. SENIOR STAFF The senior staff include the Camp Director, the Program Director, and Technical Directors. They are also graduates from Habonim Dror and/or past Camp Miriam campers. In addition, the senior staff includes a Shaliach who comes from Israel for 1-2 years. The Shaliach encourages programming which reflect a strong connection to being Jewish and to Israel. The Camp Registrar is at camp in order to facilitate communication between families and the camp. There is a full-time qualified medical attendant on the camp premises at all times, in addition to a resident doctor on Gabriola Island. Back-up support is also available to the camp medical attendant by a group of on-call Camp Miriam physicians. All staff working with campers are trained in basic first aid. MEALS Great care and planning goes into meal preparation at Camp Miriam, providing the campers with 3 well balanced, nutritious and enjoyable Kosher style meals, as well as two snacks every day. We must know in advance about any special food requirements or allergies. We make every effort possible to ensure that the camp is NUT FREE. We trust that everyone who comes to camp will understand the seriousness of a nut allergy, and will respect our desire to provide a NUT FREE ENVIRONMENT. KUPA Kupa, literally translated from Hebrew, means 'cash register', but in Habonim Dror we translate it as a “cooperative fund.” Kupa is a way in which we insert elements of cooperative living into camp life. All campers pool their funds and then decide as a democratic community how to use those funds to best serve both the individual and, more importantly, the community as a whole. The idea of Kupa is one of the most important elements in the educational program and ideology of Habonim Dror. Through Kupa, campers learn about sharing, teamwork, compromise, democracy, budgeting and more. The recommended amount for Kupa is $5.00 for each week at camp. Please remember that each person should give what they are able. Mail takes on great importance at camp and we encourage you to write to your child as much as possible. Some parents start sending letters before their child has left for camp, so that they receive mail early in the session. We do encourage campers to write home, therefore, please give your child stamped and addressed envelopes. CAMP’S ADDRESS: Camper’s Name and Age Group Camp Miriam 835 Berry Point Road Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X1 EMAIL AND FAX We regret that we cannot accept emails and faxes, as they become onerous to deal with. TRANSPORTATION Transportation is provided from Vancouver to camp and back. All other transportation must be arranged privately. However, we will arrange for both pick up and drop off at the Vancouver International Airport or bus station as required. The Registrar must be notified of these plans well in advance of the start of the session. CAMP RULES The following rules ensure a safe and secure environment for all the campers and staff: - No drugs, alcoholic beverages, or smoking allowed. Any person involved with any of the above will be sent home immediately. No money will be refunded. - Please do not bring electronics such as game boys and cell phones. Camp does not take responsibility for digital cameras or personal music players. - Visiting: While camp is in session, there will be no visitors. Everyone is welcome to see camp during the Open House on Sunday, May 16th 2010 . - Phone Calls: As it is very disruptive to the flow of your child’s camp experience, no phone calls are allowed. The Registrar and Camp Director are available for your calls. Parents of new campers up to grade 5 will be called during the first week of camp. - Due to our NUT FREE, Kupa and Kashrut policies, we ask that parents DO NOT send food, candy or snacks in packages. CONTACT INFORMATION DURING THE SUMMER Registrar Phone: (604) 266-2825 Registrar Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE CONTACT OUR REGISTRAR, LEAH LEVI. MEDICAL INFORMATION Whenever a child has been ill, or injured enough to be attended to by a physician, a parent (or designate) will be informed. In the case of a medical emergency a camp representative will immediately attempt to contact a parent (or designate) from the location of the emergency. Whenever a child is attended to by a physician, a camp representative, together with a physician (if possible), will make an attempt to contact a parent (or designate) before the administration of any medical treatment. In some cases, this may not be possible. If a parent (or designate) cannot be reached prior to the administration of medical treatment, attempts to contact the parent (or designate) will continue to be made as is reasonably possible. Whenever a child is attended by a physician and no medical treatment is administered, a camp representative will make attempts to inform a parent (or designate) as soon as is reasonably possible. Responsibility for the above procedures rests with the Camp Director or his/her delegate. All campers must have valid medical insurance that covers them in British Columbia for the duration of their stay. Please be sure that you have given us your correct insurance carrier’s name and number so as not to cause any delay in treatment. Any extra medical expenses not covered by the camper’s insurance are the responsibility of the parents. The health and safety of each camper is of primary concern to us. We must have a complete and signed medical and consent form for each camper. By providing us with detailed information and all physical or emotional concerns, you will be helping us provide better care for your child. Note that one part of the medical form must be filled in by the child’s physician. Please be sure that your child has received all recommended immunizations. It is imperative that the medical forms are received by May 1st, so that a proper review can be done by medical staff before camp. If there are any changes to the medical forms or exposure to communicable diseases between May 1st and the opening day of camp, you must give a written update to the camp registrar prior to the start of the camp session. Failure to submit the completed medical forms by May 1st, will result in an extra charge. If your child must take any medication, including vitamins, this must be indicated on the medical form. It is important that the parents send any prescription and non-prescription medication that the child is routinely taking. All medications will be collected and will be kept by the camp’s medical attendant so that they may be dispensed appropriately and an accurate record can be maintained. Campers may not keep any medications in their cabin. Any medication to be used by your child at camp must be sent in the original packaging and should be clearly marked to indicate your child’s full name, the name of the medication, prescription dosage and what it is for. Be sure to include any additional information in writing and please send sufficient quantities of all prescription medicine. If a child needs any prescription medication, the family will be billed. Drug holidays are not permitted while child is at camp. GLASSES If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, it is very important that he or she bring an extra pair or a copy of the prescription. DENTAL/ORTHODONTIC NEEDS It is advisable that the camper’s teeth be examined before coming to camp. Be sure to notify us if your child should be wearing a retainer or braces. The clothing list is available at the top of this page as a downloadable file and is a suggested list. All articles of clothing should be clearly marked with camper’s first and last names. We cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged clothing and other personal belongings. Campers should have enough clothes for a ten day period as laundry is done at ten day intervals. Due to the camp’s terrain, no shoes with an open heel, such as thongs or sandals, are permitted except to and from the pool and showers. As hiking is an integral part of our camp program and to ensure a positive and safe experience, please make sure that 1 of the 2 pairs of shoes or sneakers your child has, is sturdy, provides ankle support and is comfortable for hiking. At the end of every session a Lost and Found meeting is conducted at camp. If your child returns home still missing clothing, do not panic! All items found in camp at the end-of-the-summer clean up will be brought to the Camp Reunion in September for you to look through. However, regardless of all these efforts, clothing is inevitably lost at camp. For that reason, we recommend sending inexpensive clothing and gear. Camp does not provide blankets, linen, towels, pillows or sleeping bags. Please note that a sleeping bag does not replace a blanket, due to both fire regulations and the possibility of the sleeping bag getting wet on an over night trip, leaving the camper without dry bedding. As storage space at camp is very limited, each camper is limited to 2 pieces of luggage, designed to fit under their bed. For younger children a suitcase is the best type of luggage, as it provides quicker access to clothing than a duffle bag or pack. If you pack all the clothes and flat items in a suitcase, the sleeping bag, pillow and odd shaped items can be packed in a small duffle bag. Older children may prefer a duffle bag for their clothing items and a separate smaller bag for their sleeping bag, pillow, etc. The suggested clothing list provides ample "outfit" changes and your child should be encouraged to follow the list to ensure they can stay within the limit of 2 pieces of luggage.
|
© 2010 Camp Miriam
