Camp Countryside

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TYPICAL DAY AT CAMP COUNTRYSIDE
INCLEMENT WEATHER
WHAT IF I AM NOT A Y MEMBER?
WHAT DO I NEED TO REGISTER?
MY CHILD TAKES MEDICATION. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR SENDING THAT TO CAMP?
WHAT SHOULD I SEND WITH MY CHILD TO CAMP?
WHAT SHOULD I NOT SEND WITH MY CAMPERS?
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR MY CAMP SPECIFIC QUESTIONS?

TYPICAL DAY AT CAMP COUNTRYSIDE

Every day at YMCA Camp Countryside is packed with fun activities, games, instruction, and more!
Campers arrive at 9:00 out at the sign-in field located next to the parking lot and join their counselor and other campers in some relaxed social time while everyone else arrives. At 9:15 campers move to our devotion area, where counselors will sing songs, do silly skits, and make announcements. Morning devotion closes at 9:30 with a flag raising and prayer.

Each camp then goes to their separate ways to their respective activities (i.e Football camp plays football, Aquatics Camp goes to the pool, etc. ) Morning activity time is two to three hours of planned structured activities where kids learn skills, play games, and practice, whether its gymnastics, sports, swimming or Camp DISCOVER an all new camp based on experiential learning. Campers will take periodic water and bathroom breaks during this time.

Around noon, camps will wash their hands and break for lunch. Campers need to bring a healthy lunch with plenty of fluids. After lunch campers are encouraged to reapply sunscreen on sunny days.

Afternoons activities depend on which camp you are in. Gymnastics campers do their dance lessons, Aquatics Campers have swim lessons, sports campers scrimmage, and camps will challenge each other to competitions etc. On hot days campers will go inside the YMCA to cool down from being in the heat.

Camps all have a set time where they will swim each afternoon. These swim times begin at 12:30, 1:30, & 2:30. Usually campers will swim in the outdoor pool, however we rotate a few groups through the Family Aquatics Center each day as well. If you have to pick your child up early, check with your counselor that day and see where they will be, or call ahead so we can have them dressed and waiting for you.

The camp day ends with campers returning to the Sign-In/Out Field and campers participate in sit-down games with their friends and counselors while they wait for parents to arrive. All parents are required to present a picture ID in order to Sign-Out their child. We must have permission in writing from the parent in order to sign out to anyone not listed as an authorized pick-up.

Camp Runs 9:00-4:00
Before Camp 6:30am-9:00
After Camp 3:45-6:00pm
Half Day Camps Begin and End at 12:30

Each camps description has a detailed hourly schedule click on the camps to find out more.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

Camp Countryside makes every effort to make Sign-In and Out easy and convienent for parents. If inclement weather is present or threatening we will have Sign-In and Out in the Lower Level Soccer Arena. Inclement weather includes, thunderstorm, tornados, heavy rain, and also severe heat. We will hang our Inclement weather flag in our archway to let parents know that we are having indoor Sign-In/Out. Parents can enter through the Lower Level Entry.

WHAT IF I AM NOT A Y MEMBER?

In order for any non YMCA member to participate in YMCA programs, you need to sign up for a YMCA Program Membership. Program Members pay an annual fee of $20 which allows the whole family to sign up for camps, classes, leagues, lessons, and other YMCA programming. Once you are entered into our system as a program member, you can then register for camp either on-line or at the front desk.

WHAT DO I NEED TO REGISTER?

In order to register you will need to complete the Camp Registration form. This form requires that we have the following information an permissions for every child in the program:

Camper Information (Date of Birth, Address, Phone Number)
Health History
Camper Immunization Record
Field Trip Permission
Publicity Waiver
Emergency Transportation Form
Doctor and Dentist Address and Phone Number
Mother's Information
Father's Information
2 Emergency Contacts
Waiver and Release

This can be completed on-line or on the paper copy included with the camp brochures.

MY CHILD TAKES MEDICATION. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR SENDING THAT TO CAMP?

Parents should send a weeks supply of the medicine in the original container in a plastic bag accompanied by the adminstration of medication form every monday. Counselors will follow the directions on the form and adminster the medicine at the appropriate time. All medicines will be locked up or in the possesion of a staff person at all times. Epi-pens and inhalers will be kept with that child's counselor at all times. On Friday the empty medicine container will be returned to the parents.

WHAT SHOULD I SEND WITH MY CHILD TO CAMP?

Every child should be sent with a backpack, water bottle, sunscreen, a sack lunch, swimsuit and a towel. Dress campers in older shoes and clothes. Be sure to label backpacks towels, and lunch boxes. Activities at camp can get messy, dirty, and wet. Teva style sandals work well for many camps. Sports camps and some High Adventure Camps require some additional equipment, however the Y does have some equipment available for use. Check the FYI which comes with your camp bill for a detailed list.

WHAT SHOULD I NOT SEND WITH MY CAMPERS?

Leave game systems, cell phones and other electronics at home. Campers are not allowed to purchase items from the vending machines or snack bars so have them keep money at home unless they are bringing it in to donate to one of our fundraisers or special causes. Leave anything else of value, toys, trading cards, etc. We have plenty of activities to do here at camp.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT ABOUT MY CAMP SPECIFIC QUESTIONS?

General Camp Questions - Reuben Naseman-Smith - reubensmi@countrysideymca.org
Camp DISCOVER & High Adventure - Reuben Naseman-Smith - reubensmi@countrysideymca.org
Aquatics Camps & Pre School Camps - Shannon Deye - shannondey@countrysideymca.org
Sports Camps - Ryan Himes - ryanhim@countrysideymca.org
Gymnastics & Cheerleading Camps - Peggy Hoffman - peggyhof@countrysideymca.org

The Ralph J Stolle Countryside YMCA Mission Statement
The YMCA mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

YMCA Camp Countryside seeks to foster a postive environment where kids can grow spiritually, socially, emotionally, and develop lifelong skills and lasting friendships with their peers and members of their community.

American Camping Association
No one will be denied admission into our camp because of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or handicap.
Camp Countryside is accredited by the American Camping Association. This ensures that we maintain the highest standards in quality and safety for our camping program.
For more information on Accreditation or the ACA visit www.acacamps.org

Staff
Each season Camp Countryside trains and cultivates a large team of quality staff to run of program. Over 80% of our staff are above the age of 18 and many are seeking degrees in the education field. We seek to match the interests and skill sets of the counselors with the activities that they will be engaged in with the children. To help protect those in the program all camp staff are trained in First Aid and CPR. Camp Countryside’s Aquatics Camp staff are all currently certified lifeguards.

Click here to find out how to be a counselor at YMCA Camp Countryside!

Camp Director
Reuben Naseman-Smith is the dynamic and energetic leader of Camp Countryside. He has been with Countryside YMCA since 1996 where he started out as a volunteer for the camping program. A 2005 Graduate of Berea College, Reuben is an engaging speaker who seeks to inspire youth and adults with his large chalk drawings which he creates for live audiences right before their eyes. If you have any questions or concerns he is always more than willing to help please contact him. 513.932.1424 ext. 149 or via email reubensmi@countrysideymca.org

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