2017 Welcome Packet

 

Welcome Campers!

We’re so excited to see you in the woods soon! Have you rolled your sleeping bag, labeled your toothbrush, and packed your prank materials yet? We want to make sure you feel fully prepared to jump into summer camp so we made you this packet to answer your questions about what to bring, where to be, and what to expect.

If you still have questions, please reach out to info@campwonderful.com and we’ll fill you in!

We’re looking forward to a wonderful weekend with you,
The Camp Wonderful Team

What we need from you

**Please take 5 minutes to sign our waiver and put your credit card on file by Friday, August 11th. Getting your paperwork filed before camp means maximizing your playtime at camp!**

Sign Our Waiver
Be on the lookout for a separate email with a waiver for you to sign. The waiver basically says:

  1. I won't sue Camp Wonderful for any reason.
  2. Camp Wonderful can use my photos for any reason.
  3. I won't violate the anti-harassment policy.

Please read the waiver in full and sign it by Friday, August 11th! 

Put Your Credit Card on File
Be on the lookout for a separate email with a secure form for you to enter your credit card info.

We’ll be feeding you all meals while you’re at Camp, but we’ll have specialty snacks, shirts, and other goodies available for purchase at Ma-Gonagall’s Basement (The Canteen). Ma’s Basement will be setup as a credit system, so you’ll only have to give us your camp name to make a purchase, and we’ll charge your card after camp.

In order to maximize playtime, we are going to get everyone’s credit card info BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT CAMP! Please enter your credit card information in our secure system by Friday, August 11th or you’ll risk not being able to access things at the canteen! 

The top 4 things you need to know:

  1. Sleeping gear: Remember to bring your own sleeping bag or blankets/sheets. We’ll have a brand new Casper pillow for you (that you get to keep!), but you may want to bring your own pillowcase, or favorite pillow if you have one! And though you don’t need a headlamp while you sleep, bring one for nighttime.

  2. Arrival: Please arrive starting at 11 AM and no later than 1 PM on Friday. Get directions to Camp Timber Trails here. Find or offer a carpool here, or buy a round-trip bus ticket here. (P.S. Google Maps says that Camp Timber Trails is closed. Don’t worry-camp is definitely open. That’s what happens when you go way off the grid!)

  3. Departure: We will wrap up Sunday afternoon at 1:30 PM. The bus to NYC and shuttles to the Hartford/Bradley International airport will leave camp by 2 PM, and will have you back in NYC around 5:30 PM, and at Bradley airport around 3 PM.

  4. Emergency Contact: If someone needs to get in touch with you in case of emergency during camp, please have them both call 707-TRAPEZE (707-872-7393)and email info@campwonderful.com and put EMERGENCY <Camper'sName> in the subject.

Your Guide to a Wonderful Time at Camp

Anti-Harassment Policy
Camp Wonderful is dedicated to a harassment-free camp experience for everyone. Our anti-harassment policy can be found here.

Transportation
If you’re driving to camp yourself and are able to take others, offer a carpool here. (This is also a great way to make quick camp friends.) There is no additional cost for parking.

If you need a ride, sign up for a carpool here, or get a ticket for our round trip shuttles from NYC and Hartford here.

Arrival and Departure
Please arrive between 11 AM-1 PM on Friday. We will serve you lunch and get started with activities that afternoon. We will wrap up Sunday afternoon at 1:30 PM. The bus to NYC and shuttles to Hartford will leave camp by 2 PM sharp. Please let us know in advance if you absolutely must arrive late - we STRONGLY recommend you be on time and stay the entire weekend. There will be no ins and outs for the duration of Camp Wonderful, except in case of emergency.

Less Screen Time, More Green Time: Check Your Digital Baggage
We'll safely store your phones, computers, MP3 players, and T1-82 graphing calculators. With these things outside of arm's reach, we can better focus on real talk, real thought, real music, and real math (just kidding, we can make a giant abacus for that).

You And Me, Substance Free!
Camp Wonderful aims to feel safe for everyone. One of the ways we do this is by committing to being a no drugs and no alcohol space. Besides, as kids at camp, we were able to get weird and wonderful simply by roasting marshmallows and drinkin’ bug juice. Let's do that s'more, shall we?

**If you are found with substances, you'll be asked to leave at your own expense, without a refund.**

Camp Names Only
Embrace new names, explore new identities. At Camp Wonderful we go by Camp Names only — come up with your own Camp Name that points to your passions and personality — or allow our professional namers or analog name generator to help you find your Camp Name when you get here.

Use our Camp Name Generator to get some ideas before camp.

Tasty, Tasty Food
We’ll provide lunch and dinner on Friday, three meals on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. We’ll have some snacks and additional food available for purchase at the Canteen between meals and for your late night snacking needs. Expect locally sourced, farm fresh menu options like cacao buckwheat porridge for breakfast, curried lentil wraps for lunch and a mac ‘n’ cheese fiesta in the evening! Meals are served with plenty of high fives and hugs!

**Please do not bring any outside food or secret care packages. Seriously — there are wild animals and they have been trained by Girl Scouts to smell food in the cabins. If you have special dietary needs and need to bring your own food, please email info@campwonderful.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.**

Bathrooms and Showers
Each village has a set of toilets and sinks in the center of the cabins. Showers are located next to the main dining hall and are unisex. All humans are welcome. Please be respectful of space, privacy, and time in the showers. The showers are traditional summer camp-rustic and pull chain - yes, there is hot water. There are 10 showers in the shower house. Please no pranks with the showers.

Leave No Trace
Let’s keep camp clean! Please leave glitter and other messy items that might leave a footprint on our surroundings at home. Bring a reusable water bottle — there will be water stations throughout camp so you can fill up and stay hydrated.

Smokers: Smoking will be allowed in designated areas at camp for fire safety and community purposes. Please dispose of butts in designated smoking areas.

Ticks and Wild Animals
We’re sharing the woods withs some furry (and scaly) friends. Please be advised camp is in the wilderness and there are wild animals, insects, bears, turtles, snakes, and other critters. Check yourself for ticks often. If you find a tick on you, visit the nurse to get assistance with removal.

Medical Needs
We’ll have a camp nurse on hand for any bumps, scrapes, or medical emergencies.

Waterfront Usage
Please only swim in the lake while there is a camp-certified  lifeguard present. No night swimming is allowed.

Flying Trapeze
At camp, you’ll have the opportunity to fly on a trapeze! Please follow all instructions from trapeze staff carefully. When you’re watching your friends fly, please stay away from the net and only use and touch the trapeze when it is open for use.

Packing List

General

  • Warm Blanket & Sheet Set (Twin) And/Or Sleeping Bag (camp can get cold!)
  • Reusable Water Bottle
  • Pillow (we’ll have one for you, but feel free to bring a favorite)
  • Pillowcase (for that new pillow!)
  • 2 Towels – for showering & swimming
  • Washcloth
  • Flashlight/Headlamp
  • Extra Batteries
  • Bug Repellent
  • Waterproof Sunblock
  • Sunglasses
  • Medicine
  • Government-Issued Form of I.D. (needed for entry)

Clothing

  • Light Clothing for yoga, dance, relaxation, meditation (pants/shorts/shirts)
  • Long Socks & Short Socks
  • Shorts
  • Pants
  • Shirts
  • Tank Tops
  • Underwear / Bras
  • Bathing Suits / Bathing Suit Cover up
  • Sneakers or Walking Shoes
  • Hiking Shoes or Boots
  • Sun Hat
  • Sweatshirt & Sweater
  • Pajamas
  • Bandana + Scarf
  • Jacket and Warm Clothes for Night
  • Rain Jacket or Poncho (Be prepared in case it starts to rain!)

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush / Toothpaste
  • Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Feminine Products
  • Deodorant
  • SPF Chapstick
  • Glasses, Contacts, Contact Solution

Fun & Costumes

  • That silly costume you never get to wear
  • Tutus
  • An outfit for your Wonderstock Dance (Think: Woodstock)

Extras

  • Earplugs
  • Book to read
  • Musical Instruments
  • Yoga Mat
  • Extra Art Supplies
  • Analog Camera: Disposable or Film Only
  • Picnic Blanket
  • Cabin Flare: Posters / photos of your family / etc. to decorate your cabin*
  • Board Games / Cards / Frisbee / Hula-hoop / Slack-line / etc.
  • Baseball glove, footballs, sports equip.
  • “Pocket Ashtray” for smokers. **
  • Combination lock for your bag ***
  • Gifts/telegrams for new & old friends
  • Banners, Signs, Props, and anything else that might make camp more fun
  • Stamps to send postcards and letters

** Camp Wonderful is a Smoke-Free Environment. Please be prepared to smoke in only the designated smoking areas at camp.

*** If you must bring something of value into camp, be prepared to lock it away in your bag.

Agreements

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Leave technology behind. We'll safely store your phones, computers, mp3 players, and T1-82 graphing calculators. With these things outside of arm's reach, we can better focus on real talk, real thought, real music, and real math (just kidding, we can make a giant abacus for that).

Let go of time. There’s something timeless about being...well, timeless. The only watch you’ll have access to is that big ball of fire in the sky, but don’t worry, staff will make sure you know what's happening and when.

Play, connect, and reflect. We agree not to talk about the big W (work). Instead of ‘What do you do?’ try: ‘Have you gone on the slip ‘n slide yet?’, ‘I’d love to paint your face. Would you like some whiskers?’ or ‘Did you try those fresh donuts?!’

Embrace new names. At Camp Wonderful we go by Camp Names only — come up with your own Camp Name that points to your passions and personality — or allow our professional namers to help you find your Camp Name when you get here. Haven't you always wanted people to call you ‘Ice Cream School Bus’?

Be substance free. Camp Wonderful is a safe, no drugs and no alcohol space. As kids at camp, we were able to get weird and wonderful simply by roasting marshmallows and drinkin’ bug juice. Let's do that s'more, shall we?

Be camp-years-old. Our community is made up of of folks who are all ages, and we think it’s far more fun to compare things like cartwheels or s’more making skills than it is to compare how many times we’ve each circled around the sun. We don’t talk about work and we don’t talk about our ages, either.