Skills Required to Be Successful at Camp

Behavioral Skills

Campers should have the ability to:

• Manage self-care in an age appropriate manner
• Independently function in a community without consistent one on one support
• Practice personal health routines, including: showering, brushing teeth, going to the bathroom, dietary management etc.
• Self-calm following an event that causes frustration, sadness, or anger
• Communicate how they are feeling using differing emotions, such as happiness, distress, nervousness, frustration
• Advocate for personal needs by talking to a staff member
• Manage the sleep-away aspects of camp in an age appropriate manner
• Complete duration of session without in-person visits or outside phone calls
• Participate in a group living situation
• Sleep in a room with up to 11 other people without sleep aids
• Live in a rustic outdoor setting with no personal electronic devices
• Follow verbal instructions and rules
• Communicate conversationally in English
• Remain in areas of supervision as defined by staff
• Resolve conflicts without resorting to physical contact or verbal abuse
• Live successfully in an active social community that includes constant interaction with other children
• Understand camp rules regarding safety and respect
• Will remain in their assigned living units after lights out
• And will not possess or use alcoholic beverages, tobacco, E-cigarettes, Juuls, narcotics, recreational drugs and firearms/weapons

Activity Skills

Campers should have the ability to:

• Participate daily in outdoor activities, including: walking up and downhill on uneven ground and varied terrain; remain outside for extended periods at a time; learn to stay warm, dry, and safe from exposure to the sun and mountain weather; manage levels of physical stress and challenge
• Move independently from activity to activity
• Follow safety instructions given verbally by staff
• Sleep overnight in a tent at a backcountry campsite
• Go to the bathroom in the outdoors
• Junior Campers: Hike up to 3 miles carrying a light daypack with water bottles, layers, and other essentials (at least 10 pounds)
• Month Long Campers: Hike for a minimum of 3 miles with a backpacking pack containing personal and group gear (at least 25 pounds)

Medical Management Skills

Campers should have the ability to:

• Communicate medical care needs with staff
• Provide accurate information to staff during check-ins and assessments
• Independently navigate food allergies and dietary restrictions
• Live at high altitude (8,600’) in a dry climate (low humidity)
• Manage environmental allergies, including grass, pollen, animal dander
• Self-carry and/or administer emergency albuterol inhaler, epi-pen, or other emergency medicine (if applicable)
• Manage any chronic medical conditions independently and be incident free (no hospitalizations) for a minimum of one year