Completing camper forms in a timely manner is one of the most important things parents do prior to sending their children to camp. We use the information on these forms to prepare for your child and ensure that they have the most successful camp experience possible. For 2010, all were due by March 1. If you registered for camp after March 1, please submit them to us as soon as possible. Campers without completed forms will not be able to board the buses for camp in June or July. Do not send these forms, including the medical form, on the bus with your children.

All forms and instructions can be found on our website at www.campchi.com/camperforms .

Importance of Camper Forms

Over the years, we have received questions from parents who are concerned about the types of personal information we request on our forms. Some parents are reluctant to share certain information with us because of a concern about confidentiality or stigmatizing their child.  After all, camp can be a “fresh start,” and some parents worry that by disclosing personal information, it may create bias against their child.  In some cases parents have told us their child has sworn them to secrecy because they are too embarrassed and don’t want anyone to know about things like bed wetting, a tic disorder, ADD, or an IEP they are on at school. We understand and respect those concerns, but emphatically believe that it is better to share the concern with us than to keep it a secret.

When you entrust your child to our care, we want you to think of us as your partner in your child’s well-being.  We can keep our end of the partnership only if we have the information to prepare our medical staff and counselors to ensure your child is well cared for and free to have the best summer.  There have been times when, because we didn’t know about a particular child’s needs, we could not respond to their behavior properly and they were not able to remain at camp.  The better prepared we are before camp, the better we can help your child be successful once they are here. Once you share information with us, our promise is to share it only with the people who will have direct contact with your child.  This may be our medical staff, social workers or your child’s village leader and counselors. 

We believe that working together is the best chance we have of helping your child have a safe, happy and memorable time at camp.  Please call us to discuss anything in greater detail or if you would feel more comfortable talking to us rather than putting it down on paper.

Friendship Requests

Camp provides a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends. However, if you are coming to camp with a friend, you may both request to be placed in the same cabin. Because we know how important cabin groupings are to a child’s experience, Camp Chi takes the group placement process seriously and it is one of our biggest priorities. The process of making cabin groups is very complex and difficult. We try our best to make sure that everyone will be happy. Please help us consider all campers’ feelings when making requests and understand that friendship requests are not guaranteed. Camp Chi strongly discourages friendship chains (linking multiple friends). Friendship chains will be broken during the grouping process.

Camp Chi has put into place the following policies to help ensure the formation of cohesive cabin groups:

• All requests must be in writing.
• Friendship request form is to be submitted no later than March 1st
• Changes or additional friendship requests will not be considered after May 1st
• Cabin placements are being finalized between April 15th and June 1st
• Negative friendship requests are strongly discouraged. However, if there is a significant situation that we should be aware of, please contact our office to discuss it further.
• Friendship requests of any nature cannot be kept confidential by camp staff.
• Cabin placements will not be released prior to the beginning of the session that the camper is attending.
• Limit choices to 2 friends only. We will recognize only 2 requests.

Due to the complexities of forming the cabin groupings, we are unable to release the cabin groups prior to the beginning of camp. Please do not call our office requesting this information.

Medical Examinations

No camper will be allowed at camp or allowed to board the bus for camp unless the office has received a signed and completed medical form prior to June 1. All campers must have had a physical after September 2008 (physical examinations are good for two years). Campers must have had the polio series prior to coming to camp. Camp Chi meets the health and safety standards of the State of Wisconsin and the American Camp Association.

Medical Insurance

Campers MUST have a photocopy of the family’s medical insurance card (front and back) on file at camp. This card provides camp medical staff with vital information needed in an emergency or for off-campus treatment. Campers without proof of medical insurance prior to camp will not be permitted to attend.

Prescription Medication

Parents must supply any medication necessary for on-going use by campers. Camp will not assume financial responsibility for refilling prescriptions or for new prescriptions. Please check your child’s medications well in advance to make sure there is an ample supply to last through the camp season. It is helpful to send an extra dose or two because campers some times accidentally drop their medication.

By Wisconsin law, ALL medications brought to camp must be in their original bottles with the camper’s name, dosage and time of day to be administered. We cannot accept and distribute any medications that do not meet these requirements, including medication samples or medicine in plastic bags. If there are any changes to the prescription, we must have a written note from the doctor; a parent’s note is not sufficient. We will administer all medications in accordance to the instructions on the bottle. 

Prior to camp, you will receive a letter about preparing your child’s medications for camp. Please follow these instructions carefully as they ensure that your child receives his or her medication properly. It is imperative that you complete the form, label all medication clearly and place it in the provided envelope. Make sure the envelope is sealed to prevent loss. The envelope should be given to the bus counselor at the bus check-in who will make sure it is brought to the Health Center upon arrival at camp. Our camp nurses will keep and administer all medications. For the safety of all campers, no medication, including vitamins, (except for inhalers) are allowed to be kept in the camper cabins or in camper’s possession. Sharing prescription drugs with others will result in expulsion from camp. It is imperative that we know every medication, including over-the-counter medications that your child is taking while at camp.

The Health Center also has 2 nebulizer machines. If your child receives nebulizer treatments, please do not send a nebulizer, but do consider sending your child’s own tubing. If we have to use our own tubing, a nominal fee will be charged.

Medical staff at camp can give allergy inoculations or campers can be brought to the local clinic/hospital for treatment.

Over-the-Counter Medication

No over-the-counter medication is allowed without a physician’s prescription, including vitamins, herbal supplements, ear drops, etc. Similar to prescription medications, all over-the-counter medication must be turned into camp staff prior to the start of camp. If your child takes an over-the-counter medication on a regular basis, you must provide it for camp. For occasional use, the Health Center does have over-the-counter pain medication, cough syrup, ear drops, etc. on hand.

Changes to Medication Prior to Camp

If your child is beginning to take a new medication or has a change to existing medications immediately prior to camp, you must contact the Health Center to inform the nurses of these changes. We strongly discourage putting kids on a “medication vacation” while at camp. Camp is not a time to try a new medication or remove a child from a medication. If this is unavoidable, we request that you consult with a camp director or nurse prior to camp and make the medication change at least 6 weeks prior to the start of camp.

Register with Walgreens

Included in your bus packet is a letter regarding our affiliation with Walgreens Pharmacy. If our camp physician prescribes medication for your child while at camp, we will use Walgreens Pharmacy to fill the prescription. Please register your child your child and your insurance information either online or at your local Walgreens according to the instructions in the letter. We appreciate your help with this important matter. We have a very limited supply of prescription medications in the Health Center. If any of these are administered to your camper, a nominal fee will be charged.

Food Allergies

Camp Chi can accommodate certain food allergies and dietary restrictions. These issues are coordinated directly with our Health Center and Camp Kitchen. To make arrangements for special dietary needs, please call the camp office prior to the start of camp.

Also, please note that we are not a peanut-free camp. Although nuts and nut oils are not used by our Kitchen in preparation of any food, we do offer peanut butter sandwiches at all meals. Additionally, some of the snack selections at the Canteen and Franteen contain nuts, peanuts or were produced at a factory that may contain these things.
 

Labeling Clothes

Please be sure that EVERY item your child brings to camp is marked with the camper’s FIRST AND LAST NAME. Belongings can be marked using indelible markers or labels. We recommend purchasing labels through Mabel’s Labels, www.campchi.mabel.ca, which carries a wide variety of sewn, iron-on and sticky labels. Labeling your campers’ belongings helps us return misplaced items to them.

What to Bring to Camp

For your convenience, a suggested clothing and equipment list can be found here. Duplicating the list and placing it inside your camper’s luggage facilitates easier packing at the end of the season. Ample “cubby” space is provided in each cabin for storage.

We encourage all parents to pack with their campers. Ensure that the clothing your child is bringing to camp is appropriate for a co-ed environment and that they are not bringing anything to camp on the “not allowed” list. We encourage campers to bring old clothes as most activities occur outdoors and campers enjoy the freedom of not worrying about stains.

Items Not Allowed at Camp

Items on this list will be confiscated and may be returned at the end of camp:

• Electronics, including Cell phones, Video I-Pods and I-Pod Touch, PDAs, Blackberries, any device that can connect to the Internet, Talk-a-bouts and Walkie-Talkies, Televisions, Computers, DVD players
• Tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, illegal drugs*
• Flammable materials, including Hot Pots, marches, fireworks, lighters, butane, incense and candles*
• Food items, including bottled water and other beverages
• Knives or weapons of any kind*
• Money

We see camp as a healthy escape from the instant communication and technology overload that bombards our campers on a daily basis. For many campers (and their parents), separating from cell phones, video iPods and the internet is challenging. However, we expect parents to fully support our mission to keep these things out of camp and to ensure that Chi remains a wholesome, outdoorsy and safe place for all kids.

*Bringing any of these items will result in immediate expulsion from camp with no refund of tuition or fees.

Items Not Recommended at Camp

As a general rule, anything valuable that a camper would be upset if lost, broken, ruined or stolen should not be brought to camp. Camp Chi does not assume responsibility for any lost, broken or stolen items, including these which we discourage bringing:

• Handheld electronic games
• I-Pods (music only) or MP3 players
• Digital or expensive cameras
• Musical instruments
• Designer clothing

Spending Money

Please do not send your child to camp with money. In the past, we have seen many campers lose or misplace money in their cabins. Camp Chi does not assume any financial responsibility for money brought to camp. Therefore, we have created a system by which campers will not need cash while at camp. Campers wanting to purchase a snack or Chi gear can do so through their canteen account established upon registration for this summer. When campers in 7th-11th grade go on field trips, we provide them with spending money from their special Trip Account.

Luggage

In an effort to make the departure and arrival to camp as smooth as possible, we have contracted with North Shore Movers to handle our camper’s luggage for those who live in the Chicagoland area. Rather than luggage going to camp with your child, luggage will be picked up at your home two to four days prior to the beginning of your camp session. Your child’s luggage will be at camp and in their village when your camper arrives. Luggage tags will be sent to your home prior to camp. Luggage must be limited to two duffle bags, one sleeping bag and one carry-on bag for the bus ride. Please do not use foot lockers, trunks or luggage with wheels.

Campers from Minnesota will bring their luggage with them to the bus site. Campers traveling by plane to camp can either ship their luggage to camp or check it through at the airport. 

Transportation to Camp

Optional bus transportation is available from the Chicago and Minnesota areas. Campers travel via comfortable, air-conditioned, washroom-equipped coach buses leaving from and returning to a central location near your home. Notices regarding time of departure and return from camp will be sent six weeks prior to departure. Please send a dairy lunch and beverage with your child to be eaten during the trip to camp. Spaces are limited on the bus. If your child is not currently registered for the bus and you would like to reserve a space, please call the Camp Chi Office immediately at 847.763.3551. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs, but will not be able to make any changes after June 1.

Visiting Day

All Chi families are invited to visit camp on Sunday, June 13, 2010, from 10:00am-1:00pm.  This is a great opportunity for families to tour camp, meet staff and enjoy a great barbeque lunch. More information about this fantastic program will be emailed to parents in the spring.  To RSVP, please email Shayne at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

The Camper Contract

Prior to camp, we urge parents to review the rules and behavior contract signed by each family as part of participation at Camp Chi. These rules and policies help establish a community culture at camp where everyone is aware of the guidelines that provide for a safe and fun camping experience for everyone. We take these rules very seriously at camp, and expect you and your camper’s support of them as well.

Camp Chi’s goals for campers include developing strong group identity, respecting one another, challenging one another on different levels, and allowing for a fun, recreational and rewarding camp experience. Camper safety and well being is our primary concern. We want each camper to have an exciting, fun-filled summer that is in the spirit of cooperation, kavod (respect), chesed (kindness), shomrei adamah (respecting the environment) and kehila (community). To ensure that every member of the Camp Chi community has a positive experience, consistent with the Camp Chi goals stated above, all Camp Chi campers must abide by the following standards of behavior:

1. Campers will treat other campers and staff with respect. Bullying, teasing and excluding others from the group will not be tolerated.

2. Every camper has the right to feel safe at all times. Hitting or any unwanted physical contact will not be allowed. Also, swearing and/or use of inappropriate language will not be tolerated.

3. Campers are part of a larger community. They will abide by all camp rules for participation and will not vandalize, damage or destroy camp property. Campers will observe the nightly curfew as set by staff. Therefore, leaving your cabin after curfew is not acceptable.

4. When participating on out-of-camp trips, campers are expected to represent themselves and Camp Chi in a positive way. Campers are not allowed off campgrounds at any time unless as part of an organized trip with authorized staff members.

5. Campers will respect each other’s privacy by not stealing or borrowing others’ belongings without permission. Also, campers are not allowed in the living quarters and the area surrounding the living quarters of the opposite gender.

6.  Camp Chi maintains a safe, healthy, outdoor environment for all campers. In addition, certain behaviors and items are not allowed in camp:

• Actions that are illegal or improper at home are illegal and improper at camp; in the extreme, this would include the possession of tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, etc.
• Inappropriate co-ed behavior will not be tolerated.
• Cell phones, video cameras, pagers, DVD players, walkie-talkies, hot pots, televisions, computers, Video I-Pods, I-Pod Touch, PDAs/wireless devices of any kind, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.
• Flammable materials (cigarettes, matches, fireworks, lighters, butane, incense, candles, etc.) are not permitted.
• Gambling is not allowed at any time.
• Camp Chi reserves the right to confiscate items listed above and search a camper’s possessions if we have reason to suspect that the camper has any of these items or other substances contrary to this policy.

Violations of the above behavior standards will result in disciplinary action, which may include parent notification, fees to repair damaged property, loss of privileges and/or expulsion from camp. If a camper is sent home for violation of these standards, no refund of tuition will be made.