FREQUENTLY ASKED GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT CAMP:

My camper is worried about coming to camp, how can I help them get ready?

Parents/guardians can greatly alleviate some anxiety before camp. Some suggestions include:

• Come to the camp for a tour in the spring. Tours can be arranged by emailing the camp. Or…come to an Open House or Community Campfire. Dates will be posted under the EVENTS tab.

• Visit the website and show them pictures of camp.

• Talk about all of the exciting activities they are going to do at camp.

• Give them lots of time to get adjusted to the idea of camp.

• Do not suggest that they can call/come home if they aren’t happy at camp. This distracts the camper from being open to the camp experience and can create behavioural issues.

• Send them with personal comfort items that will remind them of home and comfort them.

• Tell them about your past experiences about being away from home and how you coped with it.

When is Drop Off and Pick Up?

Campers arrive at 3pm Sundays & depart from 3-4pm Fridays.

With the exception of Junior Camp Weeks (see session days for specific differences).

Who will be in my camper's cabin group?

In general cabin groups are determined by age and gender identity.

There may be some circumstances where a large age gap occurs within a cabin group. This only happens after careful consideration is taken to ensure the needs of all campers are met and have a positive experience.

When can I see photos of my camper and why can't they take their own pictures?

Privacy regulations require us to obtain permission to post or share camper pictures; every picture must be screened before we share it. Furthermore, in order to ensure our campers feel safe and that their privacy is respected, we do not allow campers to have cameras and take photos of others.

While our goal is to share pictures within a week of the end of each session, managing camper photos takes time and internet access. These are both limited at camp.

• The only internet service for the camp is satellite with limited connectivity and upload speed. This makes online screening and posting very time consuming. Uploads often happen on weekends when staff are at home and can use more reliable and efficient internet.

What about "homesickness?"

Our staff never use the word homesickness with campers, and we ask parents to follow our lead. We use the term "missing home". This allows campers to identify how they feel and know that missing home is an okay and normal thing.

Furthermore, it helps them understand they cannot get sick from missing home. To help campers who may be struggling with the camp adjustment our staff use tried and tested diversion and distraction techniques. We write letters home, play ‘oranges and lemons’ to identify what we loved or didn’t love about the day (and throw it away), talk about what is upcoming in the schedule, have a snack, read a story, listen to music or maybe make a warm fuzzy craft.

If your camper continues to struggle with missing home, the Camp Director will contact you to discuss strategies to support your camper. Our intent is to support your child at camp and help them have a great camp experience.

Can I call my camper while they are at camp?

If you aren’t hearing from us or your camper, it’s usually because they are having too much fun!

• The camp phone is used for administration purposes and for exceptional circumstances. Also, there isn’t always someone in the office to answer it as we are focussed on camper experience.

• We ask that you refrain calling the camp to check in on your camper, as this diverts staff’s attention from camper care.

• We encourage camper parents and campers to write letters during camp.

• If needed, we will communicate with you through your the preferred method you noted when registering.

What about visiting during camp sessions?

Generally, visitors are not permitted on site when camp is in session.

For the safety of all campers and staff, any new arrival to the camp MUST check in at the Camp Office upon arrival. The Directing Team will authorize them to be on site and give them a Visitor’s Tag. Any person found on site without checking in is considered trespassing.

A camper either temporarily leaving the camp (ie. soccer game) or leaving earlier than their allocated departure time is required to be signed out. Any information regarding changes to camper departure must be emailed at least 3 hours prior to departure. This allows us time to get the information to the correct people to facilitate the departure.

The person picking up the camper MUST come to the Camp Office; staff will bring the camper to meet you. If the camper is returning while the camp is still in session the camper must be signed back in at the Camp Office.

Anyone picking up a camper at any time MUST present photo ID to verify they are the authorized person to depart with a camper. If someone other than those listed in our records is picking up your camper, you must inform camp in writing by email.

Can my camper use their cell phone at camp?

To support face-to-face connection, personal growth, and outdoor engagement, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee maintains a no-phone policy during camp sessions.

• Campers: Cell phones are not permitted at camp and should be left at home. If a cell phone is brought to camp it will be held in a secure cabinet in the Camp Office until the end of the session when the camper is picked up.

We strongly discourage bringing other valuable electronic devices such as music players, digital cameras, tablets, or similar technology. Camp Kee-Mo-Kee is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.

What about Lost and Found?

We highly recommend you label EVERYTHING sent to camp with your camper.

At the end of each session, staff search the camp and collect Lost & Found items. At camper departure on the Lost & Found is available for viewing. Any remaining items are kept until the end of the summer, and families will be invited to the camp at a designated time to claim their camper’s items. Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the beginning of September.

What are some of the other sources of funding for the camp?

Camp Kee-Mo-Kee applies for several grants each year which help supply the ‘extras’ that don’t fit in to the approved budget. Recent grant-funded items include:

• musical instruments for program use.

• a bouldering wall built in 2024.

• a fireplace insert in the Craft Lodge.

• hand washing sinks on the Breezeway.

• ramps and automatic doors on 3 cabins.

• an adult change table.

• program supplies such as a weather station, canopies, sports equipment, office technology and Ipads.

Our Board of Directors also implemented the Revitalize Kee-Mo-Kee Campaign from 2018 - 2021 which raised funds for capital improvements including:

• new windows, lights and automatic doors in the Craft Lodge and Dining Hall.

• new KYBOs (the washrooms in the cabin clusters).

• Health Hut and Craft Lodge renovations.

• new utility building as you enter the camp which houses showers washrooms, laundry, water treatment, and maintenance space.

• improved ventilation in all buildings.

Where are the Tax receipts and statements of account?

When you registered online, your tax receipt was automatically emailed to you. If you have misplaced it, you can also access it through your CampBrain account. All other receipts will be provided upon request.

Can you explain the Camp terminology?

• KYBO - buildings holding bathrooms and sinks located in each cabin cluster

• Uppers and Lowers - the two cabin clusters, each having 4 camper cabins and a KYBO

• Swales or Aminal - the names of the cabins which staff stay in.

• Health Hut - the camp medical centre where the Health Care Provider tends to the medical needs of the campers and staff.

• UFO - main utility building at camp, housing a fully accessible washroom, stalled toilets, showers, laundry and maintenance rooms.

• TNT - stands for Try New Things and is a program where overnight campers can choose one activity to participate in over several days. Whether it's crafting a masterpiece, sharpening archery skills, or perfecting a talent show act, TNT is all about diving into a treasured camp activity to maximize the fun.

• FOB - Flat On Bunk; a time for quiet cabin activities or campers to rest.

How do I provide feedback to management?

Camp Kee-Mo-Kee welcomes feedback about your experience with all aspects of the camp. Please feel free to email questions, concerns or compliments to the Executive Director.

As part of our continuous improvement plan, an online survey will be sent to you at the end of your program. We appreciate you taking a few minutes to fill it out. The Executive Director, monitors all feedback and personally responding when necessary.