FIRST-TIME CAMPER GUIDEBOOK
Welcome to Camp Scatico! We are so excited for you to join our summer family This guidebook is to help you prepare for life at camp But as we like to say, this summer you may learn or try something new... every day! And that’s part of the experience! So think of this book as just a little intro.
THE WAY WE ARE... AT CAMP
In the Online Camper Portal, there is a copy of Scatico’s Mission, Vision, Values and Code of Ethics. Both of these help explain how we act and treat one another at Scatico.
At camp, we get to have fun, grow, and connect with each other, in ways that are different than we do at home We get the unique experience of living together with other kids our age. We get to experience life away from screens. We get to try new things independent of our parents, teachers, and other adults in our lives And we get to do all of this in a safe and supportive community that is, of course, fun!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE SCATICO?
We asked Scatico campers how they would describe camp to a friend. These are some of the things they said!
Campisagreat waytomake lifelongfriends.
Camp is a place where you get to do every activity you can think of with your friends.
It is my second home and my happy place.
Scatico is a closeknit place where you don’t have to be good at everything.
Camp is a place to be yourself
When I am at camp I feel safe because the counselors are welcoming and awesome.
WELCOME Campisanawesome placetobeakidandhave fun.
A DAY AT CAMP
Every day at camp is different! Usually, your 6 activities will be a mix of sports, the arts, lake, and outdoor adventure!
At line up everyone gathers on back campus The Head Counselor makes announcements.
During Optionals you choose which activity you want off of a list. The choices change every day!
Rest Hour is chill time Campers like to write letters, play cards, hang on their porch, read, or draw.
Mostofthetimeyourgroup doesactivitiesalltogether. Sometimes,atspecialactivities, thegroupissplitinhalf!
Free Play is an “open campus” time. Campers can use the sports fields, visit friends in other groups, or play campus games like Gaga.
Evening Activity is often a special event Sometimes it’s co-ed (boys and girls); sometimes it’s all of girls side; and sometimes it’s division-specific.
TIME ACTIVITY 8:00 am Reveille 8:15 am Line Up 8:30 am Breakfast 9:00 am Clean Up 10:00 am 1st Activity- Soccer 11:00 am 2nd Activity- Arts n Crafts 12:00 pm 3rd Activity-
1:00 pm Lunch 1:30 pm Rest Hour TIME ACTIVITY 2:15 pm 4th Activity- Cooking/Ropes 3:15 pm 5th Activity- Gymnastics 4:15 pm 6th Activity- General Swim 5:00 pm Shower Hour 5:45 pm Line Up 6:00 pm Dinner 6:30 pm Free Play 7:45 pm Evening Activity 8:45 pm Milk and Cookies
Optionals
Shoes go on a rack built into your bed Tall shoes like rainboots go in the closet or on the porch
Making “bed signs” is a big part of bunk life!
On Opening Day you will have a bed sign from your counselors hanging above your bed
MY BUNK
CUBBY
This is a small wood shelf right next to your bed. Your cubby is where you put things you may want if you wake up early, or before going to sleep Things like Flashlight Waterbottle Books to read
Stuff to write letters
Battery powered fan
Counselors usually sleep in the corners, so they can see the whole bunk
We use shower caddies to store anything we use i th h wer
BED AREA
The space around your bed and above it is called your “bed area.”
Think of little things from home you might want to make your bed area a happy place for you, like a few photos, or a favorite pillow or jersey to hang
SHARING SPACE
Camp is all about living communally (that means as a group). Sometimes it takes time getting used to sharing a cabin with so many people, but it’s also one of the most special parts of camp! One of the first days your counselors will share guidelines about how we all work together to keep our cabins clean, safe, and fun for everyone
F Frequently A Asked Q Questions
What happens when it rains?
Camp doesn’t stop, no matter the weather! Sometimes we have a “rainy day schedule” where we do more activities that are indoors.
What do I do if I feel homesick?
Feeling homesick is normal and can happen to anyone It doesn’t mean you can’t also love and have fun at camp! Most of the time, you will go to your DL, or a counselor you connect with, and they can give you advice or find activities that help you feel better There are also lots of adults at camp-- like Head Counselors and Assistant Head Counselors- who are here to support you!
Do we always wear the uniform?
During daily activities everyone wears white t-shirts, green shorts, and (most of the time) sneakers. But there are special events when you can wear whatever you want! If it’s cold, people also wear sweatshirts or sweatpants/ leggings of any color.
What happens if I get sick?
There are doctors and nurses who live at camp! The Health Center is open for “sick call,” a time to see the doctor, every day after breakfast and dinner
What do I do before bed?
After Evening Activity, camp has a nighttime routine. We get chocolate milk or lemonade and cookies at the HC, then go back to our bunk. Before sleeping we have “flashlight time” where you can read, listen to music, draw, write letters, or anything else that might help you relax
Salford Company
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Special Events
4th of July
On Independence Day we celebrate by wearing red, white and blue (if you want) We also have a full camp BBQ, talent show, and fireworks
Teams
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Everyone is split into four teams: Red, Yellow, Blue and Green, and we compete in sports, art projects, songs, relays, and lots more! There is a “Teams Day” once a week, for three weeks at the start of camp
Carnival
Special, co-ed afternoon where each group runs their own booth! Each year Carnival has a different theme.
Divisional Sing
Competition where each division has a theme and performs songs about their group and what they’ve done this summer
Color War
Green vs. Grey. Four straight days of sports, trivia, races, specialty projects, singing competitions, and more!
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Terms to Know
DL
Stands for Division Leader. They are the counselor in charge of your division
HC
Stands for Head Counselor It’s what we call the bunk where the Head Counselor sleeps. Every day, the schedule is posted on the HC p
GS
Stands for General Swim, and it’s free time at the lake We have General Swim every day (unless it is thundering)!
Bugle
A recording of a trumpet that serves as camp’s like a bell at school) There are different bugle “ (or songs) that play for different things, like reveille to wake us all up
Camp Sister
Everyone at camp gets matched with a “sister”. This is someone you can go to with questions, for advice or just to hang out!
5 Foods Grilled Cheese + Tomato Soup Pancakes
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1 3 Mac N Cheese + Chicken Nuggets Pizza BBQ
The Campfire Site The Main Office The Canteen The Dining Hall The HC The Health Center Division: Name: Can you find... “ G I R L S S I D E ” “ G O L F C O U R S E ” “ T H E H I L L ” “ R O A D P A T H ”