2022 Summer Camp Family Handbook
A WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Welcome! Thank you for choosing Camp Little Notch (CLN) for your summer camp experience. Camp provides a unique opportunity for children to grow in confidence, independence, and self-reliance while getting to know people from different life experiences and spending time in nature. We’re looking forward to an exciting summer, and are thrilled to welcome your girl to the Camp Little Notch community. Please use this handbook as a guide to prepare your camper for CLN summer camp. We realize the packing list is lengthy and some of the items might be things that you do not have on hand. We do have some items available on loan— please let us know if you are interested. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Camp Director at mandi.miller@friendsofcln.org. We want to do everything we can to ensure that your camper has a terrific experience at Camp Little Notch.
SUSAN RHOADES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A WORD FROM THE CAMP DIRECTOR Camp is all about challenging yourself to try something new and we make that possible through a variety of activities like creek walking, swimming, arts and crafts, nature and more! Our enthusiastic and experienced Camp Little Notch (CLN) staff and I look forward to welcoming all of our campers this summer, from familiar faces to brand new ones. We believe our campers continue to need the benefits of the camp experience now more than ever. Our staff eagerly awaits this summer’s fun. Together we will make face-to-face lifelong friendships, unplug amongst the beauty of nature, and have the most amazing adventures. Camp has been an incredibly special place to me ever since I attended my first summer in the Finger Lakes region. This will be my 18th summer spent at camp; my second as Camp Director here at CLN and my sixth summer as a Camp Director overall. I am always excited for a new summer at camp because of the community I get to build and be a part of alongside campers and staff each summer. Every summer brings new and exciting experiences, but the one constant is the lifelong, life-changing relationships developed and nurtured in the camp environment. To me, this is the most priceless part. As you prepare for camp, I’d like you to know that a child’s successful experience is all about a working partnership between their caregivers at home and us at camp, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss how we can provide the best support possible. I am here to assist with preparing your camper for a great experience however I can. If you have any questions or concerns, it’s very likely your particular concern is something we have prior experience addressing at camp. We look forward to working through it with you to ensure the best time at camp. Feel free to get in touch at any time! Happy camping!
CONTACT:
Email:
Mandi.Miller@friendsofcln.org
Phone:
MANDI MILLER CAMP DIRECTOR
518-793-9700
OUR VISION "A future where people transformed by Camp Little Notch experiences become confident, thoughtful, compassionate, independent thinkers who are accepting of others and are steadfast stewards of nature."
OUR MISSION "Camp Little Notch provides wilderness experiences to children and adults, shaped by fun and friendship, empowering selfdiscovery, collaboration within a diverse community, and an appreciation of nature."
OUR VALUES
Harmony with Nature Harmony with Each Other Harmony with Self
CAMP LITTLE NOTCH GOALS Campers live in harmony with nature through contact with the natural world in a safe and challenging environment.
Campers live in Campers live in harmony with harmony with themselves by each other learning new through living, skills, testing learning, solving their problems, and strengths, playing in a taking risks, diverse community and growing and culture of into their own acceptance and uniqueness. respect.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION We are committed to wholeheartedly embracing girls of all abilities and backgrounds. Inclusion is embedded into who we are - one of our three key values is Harmony with Each Other. Our core summer camp program is open to all girls, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ability, or religious beliefs. Our program is open to any youth who identify as girls, whether cis or trans, as well as to any non-binary or genderqueer youth who want to be part of a community that provides fun, empowering, wilderness experiences to girls. Additionally, we understand that historically people of color have not had access to the camp experience or have not felt welcomed in summer camp spaces. We are committed to ensuring that all girls feel the same sense of belonging and support at summer camp, and recognize that working toward an equitable camp experience will be an ongoing process.
VISIT AN OPEN HOUSE! Join us Sunday, June 5th any time from 25pm for a tour of camp, a staff/Camp Director meet and greet, and get all of your questions answered. Advanced registration is required at camplittlenotch.org/events
PAYMENTS & FORMS Final payment is due no later than the Friday before your session starts .
All camp forms are digital within UltraCamp. Forms must be completed no later than two weeks before your session starts. If you need assistance completing forms or require a hard copy, please contact the Camp Director.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY A full refund (registration fee, including deposit) is available if you cancel your child's registration prior to April 1. After April 1st the deposit is nonrefundable. Registrations cancelled between April 2 - 30 will receive a 100% refund of the registration fee. Registrations cancelled between May 1 - 31 will receive a 50% refund of the registration fee. We are not able to give refunds for cancellations after June 1.
Our camp must have a permit to operate and is inspected yearly by the New York State Department of Health. These inspection reports and required plans are filed with the health department and available for your review.
K E E P U P W I T H U S O N SOCIAL MEDIA @CAMPLITTLENOTCH
DROP-OFF TIME Check-in for last names A-L is 22:45pm Check in for last names M-Z is 2:453:30pm Early arrivals will not be checked in prior to 2pm
PICK-UP TIME Pick-up is between 3-4pm
SESSION DATES Please be sure to refer to your registration in UltraCamp to know what your dates are. Drop-off is on Sundays and Pick-up is on Fridays.
CHECK-IN PROCESS The check-in process takes some time, so please plan accordingly. Upon arrival, campers will meet the Camp Director and drop off their luggage. After this, each camper will participate in a health-related check-in process, including checking for lice, COVID-19 screening and visiting with the camp Health Director if needed. Finally, each camper gets dropped off with their counselors for the week. Each camper, regardless of age, must be escorted by a parent or guardian through the check-in process until dropped off under their assigned counselors’ care. Please do not bring pets to camp check-in for the safety of all campers.
CHECK-OUT PROCESS Each camper must be signed out by an approved adult (as indicated in UltraCamp). This adult must show photo ID at the time of check-out. Counselors will keep a watchful eye over their assigned campers until each camper is fully checked-out. Your camper's counselors will share any pertinent information with you at this time. Please do not be late picking up your camper as she will be expecting you at that time and excited to share her experiences of the week! In the event of any change to the pick-up process due to weather or other extenuating circumstances, you will be notified as soon as possible via email from UltraCamp or via phone call if truly urgent.
GETTING TO AND FROM CAMP There is also optional transportation to camp from Albany and Saratoga Springs - space is limited and you can sign up for transportation in UltraCamp. If you elected this option, you will be contacted directly regarding transportation about a month prior to the start of camp with exact pick-up/drop-off times for the option you selected. These times will be different than the ones above. All campers and their families not using the provided transportation must make their own arrangements for arrival and departure. If you are driving to camp, directions can be found on the next page. The road into camp is a seasonal dirt road that is rough and narrow at points, so please proceed with caution when entering and exiting camp. The speed limit within camp is 15mph. Once you arrive into main camp, staff will provide further directions on where to go. If a camper who is of legal driving age would like to drive themselves to camp, please contact the Camp Director as soon as possible to discuss if this is an appropriate option for your particular situation.
DIRECTONS TO CAMP Camp Little Notch’s street address is 744 Sly Pond Road, Fort Ann, NY 12827. Our address is recognized by GPS and online mapping programs. Travel time from Albany is approximately 1 ½ hours.
From Interstate 87/ Adirondack Northway From the North/South Take I -87 South to Exit 20. Turn on Route 9, to the junction of Route 149. Turn right on Route 149 to the junction of Buttermilk Falls Road (approximately 6 miles.) Turn left on Buttermilk Falls Road, which will become Sly Pond Road. The camp entrance is approximately 6.5 miles from the Route 149 intersection. Watch for the Camp Little Notch sign on the right. From the West Take the NYS Thruway to Exit 24. Take I -87 North (towards Montreal) to Exit 20. Turn left on Route 9, to the junction of Route 149. Turn right on Route 149 to the junction of Buttermilk Falls Road (approximately 6 miles.) Turn left on Buttermilk Falls Road, which will become Sly Pond Road. The camp entrance is approximately 6.5 miles from the Route 149 intersection. Watch for the Camp Little Notch sign on the right.
From Vermont / East From the East Take Route 149 West from Vermont, going through the village of Fort Ann. Turn right on Copeland Pond Road, then right on Taylor Woods Road, and right on Sly Pond Road. The camp entrance is approximately 6.5 miles from the Route 149 intersection. Watch for the Camp Little Notch sign on the right.
HEALTH AND SAFETY The first concern of all camp staff is the health and safety of the campers. All staff members participate in pre-camp training to prepare them for the summer, and Camp Little Notch is licensed by the New York State Department of Health and is inspected each summer. Additionally, CLN is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which upholds higher standards for health and safety, above and beyond the state health department. Caregivers will be notified by telephone if their camper experiences any illness or injury that requires attention from emergency medical services or if they need to be transported off of camp to obtain medical services. We will also call you to discuss issues such as strains/sprains, vomiting, or if your camper has to spend the night in the Health Center for any reason. Additionally, we will call you if your camper is experiencing frequent feelings of missing home or makes frequent trips to the Health Center for a routine issue that becomes ongoing, such as upset stomach, frequent headaches, etc.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT HEALTH FORMS Current health information is necessary for every camper who attends camp, including a record of vaccinations. Forms must be completed online at least two weeks prior to the start of the camp session. The downloadable Camper Health History & Medication Form must be current within six months of camp and must be completed by the camper's primary care provider. All campers are required to have a physical within 12 months (1 year) of the date they go to camp and provide an up-to-date record of vaccinations.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be given to the camp health director at check-in in the original container. Per New York State law, all campers must have permission to dispense both prescription and non-prescription medications (i.e. Benadryl, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.) completed and signed by the camper’s physician. The container must be labeled with the physician’s direction for use and clearly marked with the camper’s name, date, dosage, and times to be given. Please be sure to pick up medication from the camp health director at check-out.
NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS We stock many common over-the-counter medications at camp (such as Benadryl, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.) so it is not necessary for you to provide these medications for your camper. If you have any questions regarding what medications are stocked at camp, please feel free to contact the Camp Director. Permission for administering these medications is found in the form above, and allowed doses must be filled out. This form must be completed yearly for each camper.
IMPORTANT
We are unable to administer any medications without a completed copy of the Health History & Medication Form, signed by your primary care provider.
VISITORS Visiting campers during the camp session is not permitted! This policy is in place for the safety of all campers. If you would like to tour the camp ahead of time with your camper, please attend our June Open House, try out camp at the Me & My Pal program, or contact the Camp Director to make other arrangements.
NO TOLERANCE POLICY We are committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all campers and staff, eliminating accidents that result from the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. As such, the use of alcohol or illegal drugs at camp is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. Any violations of this policy will result in the camper or staff member being asked to leave camp. Parents will be notified immediately and will be required to provide transportation for their child to return home.
CAMPER RELEASE FROM CAMP Leaving camp, except at the designated times, is strongly discouraged. If a camper needs to leave camp for any reason other than a function of camp, a caregiver is responsible for transportation and needs to make prior arrangements with the Camp Director. Campers will be released only to those listed on the camper release form, including parents.
PROGRAM AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
For all general camp programs, we will provide all necessary equipment required for the program delivery. You can find a packing list of personal items located toward the end of this guide. If your camper wishes to bring a personal item such as a lifejacket etc., please contact the Camp Director prior to arriving at camp. For the safety of the other campers, some items may need to be secured outside of the camper's possession. Campers are allowed to bring pocket knives to camp, however, they should only be brought to camp if the camper has had prior experience safely utilizing a pocket knife. If a camper utilizes a pocket knife in an unsafe manner, it will be confiscated and kept in the camp office until the end of the camp session. Most campers do not need a pocket knife to have a successful camp experience. Please remember that Camp Little Notch is not responsible for items lost or damaged at camp.
BUNKMATE / BUDDY REQUESTS Campers must be registered into the same session in order to bunk together (for example, trip campers can only bunk with other trip campers or CITs can only bunk with other CITs). During the registration process, you’ll be asked for a bunkmate request. Please make sure the bunkmate lists your child, too! Campers may not request more than one bunkmate. We are able to accommodate bunkmate requests for campers of similar ages. No more than 2 years apart in age is recommended. If the age gap is greater than 2 years, we do not recommend bunking together because we believe that each camper will have their best possible experience when with their own age-appropriate group, and camp is all about making new friends! Campers are not isolated from other groups during the session, so there are opportunities to intermingle; meaning even if two campers are not bunked together they’ll still be able to see each other at times throughout the week. If you have a specific bunkmate request that may require special accommodations, please contact the Camp Director directly to discuss your situation.
BULLYING PREVENTION Bullying is when one or more people exclude, tease, taunt, gossip, hit, kick, or put down another person with the intent to hurt another. Bullying happens when a person or group of people want to have power over another and use their power to get their way, at the expense of someone else. Bullying can also happen through cyberspace: through the use of e-mails, text messaging, instant messaging, and other less direct methods. This type of bullying can also lead to persons being hurt during or between the camp sessions and be especially hurtful when persons are targeted with meanness and exclusion. At Camp Little Notch, bullying is inexcusable, and we have a firm policy against all types of bullying. A main focus of our program is to promote harmony with each other. We work together as a team to ensure that campers gain self-confidence, make new friends, and go home with great memories.
Unfortunately, girls who are bullied may not have the same potential to get the most out of their camp experience. Camp leadership addresses all incidents of bullying seriously and trains staff to promote communication with their campers so all members of the camp community will be comfortable alerting us to any problems during their camp experience and between camp seasons. Every person has the right to expect to have the best possible experience at camp, and by working together as a team to identify and manage bullying, we can help ensure that all campers and staff have a great summer at all of our properties. We ask that you encourage your camper to alert her staff and/or the Camp Director immediately if she feels she is experiencing any situation that makes her uncomfortable so that we can address the situation immediately.
FOOD AND DIETARY NEEDS Our Food Service team prepares a variety of nutritious meals that are intentionally planned to be accessible to all types of eaters. Camp food isn't what it used to be! We serve plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and vegetarian-friendly fare. Additionally, one of campers’ favorite times of the day is snack time - where we gather together at the carpark (main field) or waterfront to have afternoon snack together as a whole camp. In order to prevent attracting animals or insects into living quarters, please do not send candy, gum or food of any kind with your camper. Dietary information is collected during registration. Filling this out thoroughly greatly aids us in providing your camper the best possible experience. Throughout the camp season, we regularly provide vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free alternatives. Our team ensures each camper with dietary needs has an adequate substitution or modified meal that meets their needs. If this is an area of concern for you, it is important to us to develop a partnership with your family regarding it, so if you have allergies or special dietary needs, please contact the Camp Director at any time prior to camp to discuss your requirements. No time is too early to get in touch! We are often able to provide everything your child needs at camp, but if not, we’ll work to find a solution.
MISSING HOME WHILE AT CAMP New campers, and sometimes even experienced campers, may miss home while they’re at camp. This is natural and should not spoil the fun of camp! Here are some tips to help your family prepare for the experience of your camper staying away from home at camp: Involve your camper in the decision to go away to camp! Get her involved in the planning, what camp will be like, and get her excited about the activities and what the CLN experience is like. Explain what the camp counselor’s role in her camp experience is, and let her know that they are there to help and that she should be comfortable approaching them about anything they need. Counselors want their campers to be happy, content and to have the best time ever! Counselors will treat any feelings of missing home with care and compassion should they arise. We would greatly encourage you to attend an open house at camp to see where your camper will sleep, eat, play and more. Many times a camper just needs to know you are proud of her independence and willingness to enjoy her camp adventure. Build her up, and tell her how proud you are of her for stepping out of her comfort zone! Test out short stays away from home prior to camp — campers who have spent time at sleepovers or day camps have more success their first time at overnight camp. Remind your camper that it’s totally normal to miss home while at camp. We love home and so many things about it, and it’s okay to miss home! Do NOT promise a phone call home , as we do not allow campers to call home for checkins. It is just a few days away! Parents can write to their campers and campers can also write home. Do NOT make deals that you will pick them up whenever they want if they are struggling. For campers, knowing that there is a “way out” from camp can stunt the natural growth process of missing home, working through those feelings, and then adapting to their new experience. As a caregiver, remember that camp is a place to grow. We know how difficult it can be to be apart from your child, but we at camp know that this time apart will do worlds of good!
SWIM ASSESSMENT Each camper's swimming ability is evaluated on the first day of each session to confirm placement in a certain swim area. This is then the area the camper will be able to swim in throughout the week. This is not a swim test in the way that there is passing or failing - it is simply to ensure that each child swims in an area that is suited to their skill and comfort level. The swim assessment is one of the first things a child will do after her whole group has checked in to camp, so we recommend letting them know to expect this step.
PHOTOGRAPHY We strive to provide easy methods of communication from caregivers to campers. While it is not the primary responsibility of any one staff member to take photos of campers, we try our best to take as many photos of camp as we can and to share them with you, as we enjoy sharing the fun we are having! Photos are posted to our camp Facebook page at least once a week, on a regular schedule. More information about the posting schedule will be communicated to you at drop-off. When photos are taken, our staff members work hard to cover all aspects, ages, and activities of camp in an efficient manner, while remaining unobtrusive in those activities. Please understand that our staff work hard to cover as many parts of camp as possible, but when there are photo updates, not every camper will be in every photo update. Please also understand that any photos taken are entirely candid, and every camper will not necessarily be captured with a big smile on her face. We encourage not reading too much into your camper’s expression in individual photos; however, we understand that pictures may raise some concerns. If you have any concerns about your camper during her camp week, please contact the Camp Director and we will gladly provide an update on how your camper is doing. If you do not want your camper to appear in any photo updates, please indicate this in the waiver section on UltraCamp.
CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECRTRONICS We believe “unplugging” at camp is very, very important for our campers! When a camper unplugs at camp they have the opportunity to focus on building positive relationships with peers, learn responsibility, and be fully immersed in a community. Additionally, we do not have cell service or public WiFi at Little Notch. For these reasons and so many more, do not disrupt the camp experience by sending cell phones or other electronics to camp with your camper. Please see below for other options.
KEEPING IN TOUCH There are a couple of ways to keep in touch with your camper throughout their stay at camp. First is standard mail. If you would like a camper to receive mail on the first opportunity at camp, mail your letter a few days prior to the beginning of the camp session.
Sample Envelope Label: Sally Camper Camp Little Notch 744 Sly Pond Road Fort Ann, NY, 12827 The second way to get into contact with your camper is through one-way emails on UltraCamp. The "Parent to Camper eLetters" is UltraCamp's one-way communication tool that allows caregivers to easily send messages to their camper while they are away at camp. There is no need to wait for the postal service to deliver mail. With this free service, each day at camp we will download and print out the messages and distribute them to campers in the afternoons. If you have any issues using the eLetters system, you can also email your message to the Camp Director with your camper's name in the subject line. If you have a concern about how your camper is doing while at camp, please feel free to call and speak to the Camp Director! Campers will not be called to the phone, but the Camp Director will check on your camper and return your call. Campers are not allowed to use the camp phone but they are encouraged to write home and outgoing mail is brought to the mailbox each morning.
LOST AND FOUND / AVOIDING LOST ITEMS Camp Little Notch is not responsible for items lost or damaged at camp. All items must be marked with the camper’s full name and all valuables must be left at home. Any items left at camp are only held until the end of September and any extra items are donated at that time. Please contact your camp director to make arrangements for picking up lost items prior to the end of the season.
DO NOT BRING Cell phones iPods/MP3 players Tablets/Computers Gum or candy Scented sprays or lotions Valuables Video Games Weapons Illegal drugs or alcohol Any prohibited items found on camp will be taken and held in the camp office.
COMPLETE PACKING LIST Items should be packed in an easy-to-carry duffel bag, laundry bag or lightweight suitcase. Please pack so that you can manage repacking and moving your own bag!
CLOTHING** BEDDING & LINENS cont.
7 pairs of underwear (minimum) twin fitted sheet 7 pairs of socks (minimum) blanket Shirts (short and long sleeved for ground cloth (plastic sheeting to put cool nights and mosquito protection) under sleeping bag – 6’x6’) 2 sweatshirts or fleece jackets 2 towels (please pack 1 in your 2 pairs of long pants/jeans daypack) 5 pairs of shorts 2 hand towels and 2 wash cloths 2 pairs of pajamas (1 warm pair laundry bag nights can get chilly at camp) THE DAYPACK (please pack the following Shower robe separate from your luggage) 2 swimsuits (please pack 1 in your daypack (backpack) daypack) 1 swimsuit 1 high-quality rain jacket, waterproof 1 towel slicker, rain suit, or poncho with rain 1 sweatshirt or jacket hat or hood (please pack in your raingear daypack) 1 water bottle-at least 20 oz. and leak SHOES proof 2 pairs of sturdy sneakers or hiking sunscreen boots (no sandals, clogs, or Crocs sunglasses/hat with visor for daily use) ADDITIONAL Shower shoes or flip-flops for use in mess kit for cookouts (or unbreakable the shower (Crocs may be used only knife, fork, spoon, cup, bowl and plate for shower/water shoes) in a mesh bag) 1 pair of old sneakers or other water sturdy case for glasses or contact shoes for creek walking and boating lenses and extra pair of glasses/lenses (Crocs may be used only for letter-writing materials (pen, paper, shower/water shoes) envelopes, postcards, stamps , Waterproof boots for rain addresses) TOILETRIES Flashlight with extra batteries sturdy bag to hold all toiletries Plastic bags for covering sleeping comb/pick/brush/hair wraps gear/packing wet items hair ties OPTIONAL toothbrush camera (disposable/polaroid - non-digital preferred) toothpaste warm jacket, hat, mittens, or gloves soap additional towels and washcloths shampoo and conditioner earplugs deodorant (non-aerosol) compass insect repellant (non-aerosol) notebook, journal, sketchbook, pencils BEDDING & LINENS book warm sleeping bag (no slumber bandana bags) (a ‘stuff sack’ is recommended light colored article of clothing for tiefor easy transport) dye (100% cotton works best) pillow/pillowcase chapstick **CITs should pack double the clothing items for their 2-week session. CITs will not have access to laundry facilities during their session.
PACKING FOR WEEKLY THEMES This list is in addition to the information on the general packing list on the prior page. If your camper would fully like to participate in the weekly themes, we encourage packing the following based on the week you're attending:
Session 1 | July 3-8 | Around the World Bring your favorite red, white and blue clothing for our 4th of July celebration! Session 2 | July 10-15 | Under the Sea Bring anything related to water fun, mermaids, tropical vacations, or the ocean that you would like to wear during this camp session. Session 3 | July 17-22 | Time Travelers Below is a list of where we'll be headed while time traveling. Bring any items that you'd like to sport to celebrate any time period! Dinosaurs 1980's 2000's The future Session 4 | July 24-29 | Out of this World Bring anything related to astronomy, aliens or any other fun spacerelated gear you may want to sport. We will have a day where we dress like “Wacky Tacky” extraterrestrial creatures, so bring any funky clothing you might own, whether that’s crazy neon items, items with a fun print, weird hats and so on! The wackier, the better! Session 5 | July 31-August 5 | The Amazing Race Each unit will represent one color of team that's participating in the Amazing Race, so bring one red shirt, one blue shirt and one green shirt for this week of camp. Once you arrive to camp, you'll find out what your team color is for the week.
PACKING FOR TRIP CAMPS The following are recommendations for packing for the off-camp trips. This is in addition to the items on the general camp packing list. Regarding clothing: COTTON IS ROTTEN! Please do not pack anything for your trip that consists of cotton (this includes jeans and standard sweatshirts). Please only pack synthetic materials or wool as it dries quickly and is breathable. Regarding new gear: No need to purchase a lot of fancy gear; we encourage you to use items you already own!
For All Trips: A second water bottle (32 ounces) 2 entirely quick-dry material outfits (non-cotton, synthetic material) 1 non-cotton warm layer such as a zip up fleece or synthetic jacket and hiking pants or synthetic thick leggings Optional: hydration system like a platypus or camelback
For Backpacking Overnight Trip: Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots with ankle support** Lightweight synthetic sleeping bag with compression stuff sack Optional: Backpacking backpack (if you own one already - if not, you can borrow from camp)
For Hudson Adventures Trip: Sturdy water shoes (such as Keen's) or old sneakers for whitewater rafting
For Mountain Climbers Trip: Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots with ankle support** Sturdy day pack - with hip/chest straps preferred (no drawstring bags)
**Recommended Preparation for Hiking Trips (to ensure a successful experience) Participate in some form of exercise 5 days per week for at least a month leading up to the trip, aiming for 45-60 minutes per day. If needed, start with 20-30 minutes per day and work up your stamina. While doing your activity, try to work at 60% effort - higher than normal heart rate, but still at a level where you could talk to someone. Focus on aerobic activities that use the muscles you'll be using on your trip. Examples of aerobic activities include running, biking, swimming, incline walking. Whenever possible, try to wear your hiking boots to break them in. We recommend at least 2 days a week wearing them during exercise.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CITS Beyond CIT As a Counselor-in-Training, you are one step closer to aging out of being a camper. We are committed to expanding Camp Little Notch's leadership development programming, and plan to introduce a second step in this process in 2023; 2022 CITs will have an opportunity to apply to join a Junior Counselor program in 2023 that will include more leadership opportunities and continued opportunities for personal growth. As you prepare to be a CIT, start thinking about the Junior Counselor process. This process will include an application and interview, If Junior Counselor is something you might want to pursue, it is important to think of your CIT stay as a lengthy version of a job interview. Your CIT performance will be thoughtfully considered if you want to participate in the Junior Counselor program. Please remember that participation in the CIT program does not guarantee any future employment with Camp Little Notch.
Sleeping Arrangements As a Counselor-in-Training, you will share a unit with your CIT Director and with another group of campers and their staff members. Please come prepared to be respectful of those other campers and to be a good representative of the CIT program at all times, including within your unit downtime.
CIT vs Camper
CIT vs Staff Member
CIT is not another typical time at camp. CIT is a leadership program that is specifically designed to help prepare campers to transition into being staff members. CIT also prepares its participants with many leadership and professional skills that can be applied to many other future life situations. As part of this program, CITs will be put in situations that camp staff are in all the time, in order to help you develop a “staff brain” and the correct instincts for working with campers. You will be put in situations where you are directly responsible for the wellbeing of campers, and you will also take part in planning and executing programs, such as a camp-wide game. In all of these situations, you will be directly responsible for the success of whatever you are being asked to deliver.
Despite having more responsibility than a typical camper, CITs are still technically campers when it comes to CLN and NYS Health Department regulations, and in certain ways, CITs will still be treated as campers (including following the Buddy system when traveling about camp and always being supervised by a staff member). CITs will also be expected to treat staff members with the same respect that campers treat staff members. Because CITs are campers, there will be information, situations, meetings and resources that CITs will not be privy to. That being said, CITs will always have the information and resources that are necessary for them to have to complete their role, along with continuous support from the CIT Director and other staff.