Homesickness: What Can You Do

 One of the biggest concerns that we hear from parents and guardians is that their camper could become homesick. While our staff are trained to handle homesickness as it occurs, there are some things that you can do as a parent or guardian to help prevent homesickness and/or make it easier for your camper to handle it when it occurs. 

The first time away at camp can be scary. Your camper will be sleeping in a different bed, eating different food, and change of routines. This takes some time to get used to. It's actually normal for campers young and old to become homesick while away at camp. It's a perfectly natural reaction to all of the changes that are happening. Of course, it's also normal for you as a parent to worry about your camper. Here are a few tips that you can take to help your camper with homesickness:

1. Prepare Your Camper:

To get your camper ready for camp, make sure they are prepared. There are many different things that you can do to prepare your camper for a successful time at camp.

 If your camper has never spent a night away from home, we suggest having them practice by staying over with a friend or family member. This can help make the transition of staying over at an unfamiliar place a little bit easier. 

Another activity that can help prepare your camper for camp is allowing them to see what camp is like. If you're in the area, we are always happy to set up a tour prior to camp. We also have open houses in the spring. If you can't make it in person, we do have a virtual tour option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsZUlXhBBw

We always prepare the schedules for camp in advance. We're happy to share the schedules by request. Reviewing the schedule ahead of time can help your camper have an easier time adjusting. 

2. Sign-up for a Camp Pen-pal 

We offer a pen pal program for our campers to write one of our staff members prior to camp. Having a pen pal can help your camper have a familliar face when they arrive at camp. It can also be an opportunity for your camper to ask questions about camp and express any concerns that they have. You can register your camper here: https://form.123formbuilder.com/5358795//

3. Send Letters

We deliver mail twice a day. Campers love receiving mail from home. We have a few different ways for you to communication with your camper. 

The first way to send mail is to simply drop off mail at our mailbox at check-in. You can pre-write as many letters as you like and we will deliver them to your camper throughout the week. If you want the letters delivered on a certain day, simply write the day of the week on the envelope. Some parents also like to leave letters and packages as a surprise in their camper's suitcase.

Another way to communicate with your camper is through Camp Grams Camp Grams is a one-way communication system that allows you to type letters to your camper. We print and deliver the letters twice a day. You can even include pictures in the letters. 

If you wish to send letters through the mail, make sure to allow 2-3 business days for the letters to arrive. We check the mail once in the afternoon each day. You can send letters to your camper at the following address:

Camp Evelyn

W6598 Camp Evelyn Rd

Plymouth, WI 53073

No matter how you choose to send letters to your camp, make sure to keep the messages positive. Don't talk about much fun you're having without them or about events that they are missing out on. Remind them how strong they are for attending an overnight camp session. 

4. Avoid Promises or Bribes

While it meant be tempting to promise your camper that you can pick them up at any time or offer material objects for staying at camp, this isn't going to prevent your camper from feeling homesick. Instead, try making a plan with your camper of what they can do when homesickness occurs. Discuss who they can to or how they can send a letter home. 

5. Involve Your Camper in the Packing Process

Involving your camper in the packing process not only helps your camper know where everything is, but it can also help them get excited to camp. Have them choose a couple of things to pack that remind them of home such as a stuffed animal, blanket, or picture. 

6. Be Enthusiastic 

Get your camper excited for camp. Talk about all of the fun experiences they will have and how much their confidence will grow. 

7. Invite a Friend

If possible, have your camper invite a friend along. Sometimes bringing a friend along can make the transition of staying away from home a little bit easier. Girls do not need to be involved in Girl Scouts to come to camp. ALL girls are welcome to attend. 

Regsitration Tips

 Our summer camp registration is open for the 2023 camp season. You can register your camper here: http://app.campdoc.com/register/gsmanitou

We want to make the registration process as simple as possible. Here are just a few tips for successful registration:

1. Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

We know that life gets busy. While there is still plenty of time to get registered, make sure not to wait until the last minute. We are expecting some of our specialized themes to fill before the start date. We will also be closing the registrations a full week in advance for each week to allow us to have a more accurate idea of how much we will need for food and activity supplies. 

2. Program Credits

If you are looking to use up program credits from 2022 for camp, you have two options. The first option is to register before January 1st, 2023. If you want to use your 2022 program credits in combination with your 2023 program credits, you can simply wait to pay until the 2023 program credits are announced. The only thing due upfront is the deposit for your session. If you're not quite ready to register, you can roll over your program credits to the camp savings club. You must do this prior to January 1st. 

3. Health Profile

It is very important that you fill out the "girl information" section of the health profile right away. We use this information to ensure your camper is a registered Girl Scout and process your camper's registration in our office. 

4. Payment Plans

CampDoc allows the use of payment plans. This means that by registering early, you can pay off your camper's balance in smaller increments. When setting up a payment plan, you will be able to select the number of payments you wish to make and the day of the month that you want the payment taken out. All balances will need to be paid in full by August 18th. You must either set up a payment plan or pay your camper's balance in full by the start date of their session. 

5.  Waldo Photos

We suggest signing up for Waldo photos to stay up-to-date on everything happening during your camper's session. This service is completely free to you. Waldo has the option to use facial recognition to instantly send you pictures of your camper. If you don't want to use facial recognition, you can still enjoy searching through the pictures in the session album. 

If you have questions about registration, please contact Hope at hope@gsmanitou.org. Questions specific to program credits or earned sessions can be directed to Diane at diane@gsmanitou.org

Work at Camp 2023

 We're hiring amazing counselors and support staff for the 2023 camp season! If you think you know someone who would be a great fit, please encourage them to apply here: https://form.123formbuilder.com/442850

Below are just a few reasons to work at camp this summer:

#1: Professional Development and Certifications

We provide our camp staff with an in-depth two-week training experience. During training, we work on skills such as behavior management, conflict management, and professionalism. We also provide all staff with the opportunity to become certified lifeguards and archery instructors. Last summer, staff had the opportunity to participate in DISC assessment training. This training focuses on different personality characteristics and how to work with others who have differing traits. 

#2: Friendships That Last a Lifetime:

It's no secret that camp often develops lifelong friendships. Camp provides you with the opportunity to meet new people who share similar values and also have a love for working with youth. Many of our camp staff remain friends outside of camp and get together long after the camp season is over. 

#3: Make a Difference

Our staff make it possible to deliver amazing programs each summer. By working as a camp staff, you can make a difference in the lives of girls all around the state. We focus on making activities intentional so that girls learn something from each and every activity. As a counselor, you will work with girls to improve their confidence and watch them grow as they try new and challenging activities. 

#4: Resume Builder

Not many people can add "facilitated daily activities for a group of twenty elementary-aged campers" to their resume.  At camp, you will develop a plethora of skills that will set you apart from other candidates no matter what job you're applying for. A camp counselor is particularly beneficial to those interested in working with youth. Think of all of the hours of experience that you will be able to to your resume. We're also happy to provide letters of recommendation to staff who successfully fulfill their job duties. 

#5: We Care About You

We genuinely care about your mental health and well-being. We provide on-site support to help you be at your best all summer. We know that being a counselor is both a difficult and rewarding position. At camp, you're not just another employee. You're crucial to what we do and we value everything you do. 

If you have questions about working at camp or open positions, please reach out to Hope @ hope@gsmanitou.org. 

Fall Fun 2022

 This fall, we hosted our first-ever haunted trail event at Camp Evelyn. We felt this was an incredibly fun event for everyone and we're hoping to expand upon it next fall. We had a grand total of 372 adults and girls attend this event. 

We want to share a huge thank you to the seven troops who participated and helped to create the spooky scenes. We couldn't have put this event together without you. The creativity and dedication involved in creating your scenes were appreciated by all who attended. 

Here are a few of our favorite photos from the event:

While we know that each troop had incredibly thoughtful and creative designs, one troop's scene stood out amongst the rest. Troop 8437 received the most votes and won a free overnight stay in one of our buildings.  Congratulations, Troop 8437! We hope to see you back at the event again next fall. 

The troop's mad scientist-themed scene was complete with ghosts, lights, and a fog machine!

We're hoping to add even more scenes and activities for next fall. We will put out more details on how to sign-up for your troop in early August. We hope to see you there! 

Welcome and Updates

 Welcome to our blog for Camp Evelyn and Camp Manitou.  We are excited to introduce our first-ever camp blog. We hope that this blog will be a way for you to stay up-to-date on all things happening at Camp Evelyn and Camp Manitou. Through our blog posts, we also hope to share our story. 

For those interested in registering for 2023 summer sessions, you can register here:

http://app.campdoc.com/register/gsmanitou

We want to say thank you to everyone who attended camp in 2022. Camp ended much too quickly last summer! We loved the countless smiles from campers that kept us strong all summer. We honestly can't remember a stronger team of counselors and we are so grateful for all of the counselors who have decided to return for the 2023 season. 

Above is just one of our favorite memories from 2022

We also wish to compliment you as parents. It takes a lot of courage to send your child into the great unknown and to trust counselors whom you've only briefly met. We greatly appreciate your trust and hope that the benefits your child received by stepping out of her comfort zone have made choosing Camp Evelyn and/or Camp Manitou an easy choice. We hope to continue to be your partner in assisting you as your raise your confident and courageous child. 

That being said, we received your feedback from last summer and have plans to make this summer even better! We will be implementing changes based on your perspective as a parent and what your campers wish to see at camp.

Change #1: More Themes for Girls of All Ages

We know that girls have different interests and talents at different ages. We've created several themes specific to our oldest campers. These themes will include more advanced programming as well as more field trips and presenters. 

Change #2: More Themes at Camp Manitou

We want to ensure that all campers have access to camp in their area. We have expanded our sessions at Camp Manitou to include 6 different day camp sessions. We will still be offering Bits and Bridles as it proves to be a favorite of girls every year. 

Change #3: Scheduling

We've been working hard on creating the best possible schedules for the summer of 2023. Through countless revisions and the involvement of several camp staff, we believe we have created the best schedule for our girls. Some of the changes will include more quality activities during choice time with sign-ups for each activity, additional scheduled shower times for all units, different activity options for girls of different ages, and more field trips/special events.

Change #4: Staff Training

We love our camp staff and we recognize that we need provide increased training opportunities in certain areas to help them be at their best. Our staff training curriculum will include more training on dealing with homesickness, empathy, and self-care. 

Change #5: Introduction of Challenge Course

We listened to the feedback from our campers. We will be installing a brand new Challenge Course that will be ready to use by the summer of 2023. We can't wait to not only incorporate this as a team-building activity but also as a challenge for our oldest campers.

Change #6: Meals and Snacks

We love our head cook at Camp Evelyn! We will be working together to implement more options at meal times as well as a more robust salad bar. We will also be incorporating a few different themed meals throughout the summer. 

We are still hard at work planning for the summer of 2023, so if you have additional suggestions, please send them to Hope at hope@gsmanitou.org