PARENT INFORMATION - YMCA CAMP WABANSI
WELCOME TO CAMP WABANSI
We are so excited that you have chosen Camp Wabansi for your child’s summer camp experience. Teaching the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility to our youth is a partnership that we share with you. As we do our very best to prepare for your child’s arrival, please help us by reading this information carefully and preparing your camper for their week at camp. Most importantly, if you still have any questions beyond what you find in this handbook, please contact us anytime.
We have different phone numbers for different times of the year because the office switches over to YMCA Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya's office in the non-summer season.
Office Phone Numbers
September - May = 715-276-7116 (Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya's Office)
June - August = 920-825-7830
Address
YMCA Camp Wabansi
1242 Bayshore Road
Brussels, WI 54204
Reporting an Absence
Please inform us of any expected absences at least one day in advance if possible. If your child will be unexpectedly absent from camp, please report it by calling the Camp Office by 8:30am. Please leave a message if necessary. We do not refund or prorate fees based on absences.
- Call it in (920)-825-7830
- Email: campwabansi@greenbayymca.org
DAILY PACKING LIST
- Positive Mental Attitude
- Bag Lunch (lunches will not be refrigerated)
- Water Shoes (required for swimming and boating)
- Filled Water Bottle (32oz recommended)
- Raincoat/Poncho if rain is forecasted (we play outside as long as it is safe)
- Sweatshirt/Jacket if needed
- Swimsuit and Towel (we swim almost every day)
- Sunscreen and Bug Spray (SPF 30 or better, non-DEET recommended)
*IMPORTANT* Please label all of your camper's belongings. Unclaimed items will be donated to local charities every two weeks. Camp Wabansi is not responsible for lost or stolen items. If you believe that your camper has a lost item at camp please call camp and give a description of the item and where it was last used.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
- Cell Phones
- iPods or other MP3 players
- Gaming Devices
- Other Expensive Electronics
- Unnecessary Valuables or Collectables
- Pocket Knives
- Weapons (fake or real)
- Alcohol, tobacco or drugs of any kind
*IMPORTANT* These items are prohibited for campers AND teen leaders. Please do not send them to camp, prohibited items will be confiscated and secured in the office.
BUS PICKUP / DROPOFF
*IMPORTANT* YMCA Camp Wabansi staff cannot release your camper to anyone who cannot prove they are listed as an "approved pickup person". You MUST have a valid photo ID showing you are an authorized person to pick up a camper. Anyone not listed on your camper forms as an authorized pick up person will not be allowed to take your child. Call camp to review your pickup list and/or make changes. This is very important for every child's safety and we make no exceptions to this policy.
Parents must check campers and teens in directly with the camp staff each day. The camp staff will make sure you have completed all necessary forms, collect medications, and supervise campers until the bus arrives. Campers and teens must also be checked out from camp staff at the end of the day - they will NOT be permitted to go to your car directly from the bus. Children are supervised by camp staff as soon as they check in and until they are checked out, outside of those times it is the responsibility of the parent to provide supervision for campers. If camp Wabansi needs to change the transportation schedule a new plan will be communicated to the parent via email and phone call. Please be sure to check your email and phone messages each day your camper is at camp. Each day we will review safety procedures for campers pre-departure. For a description of these procedures please contact camp.
Camper Dropoff/Pickup Times and Locations
West Side YMCA: 8:00AM / 4:40pm
East Side YMCA: 8:15AM / 4:15pm
Langlade School: 7:45am / 4:40pm
Camp Dropoff/Pickup: 9:00am / 3:45pm
*Buses will wait only 5 minutes past their departure time. There are no refunds for missed days of camp due to a missed bus.
PARENT'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Monday
Bring any medications, last-minute health forms, or specialty camp waivers to your bus stop. Take a moment to meet the counselors.
Tuesday
It’s Tie-Dye Tuesday! Campers should bring an item to dye such as a white t-shirt, pillowcase, or bandana. (Do not send a towel; they don’t dye well.) White Camp Wabansi tees will be available for purchase, as well.
Wednesday
It’s Weenie Roast Wednesday! Campers should bring their own hot dog and bun for lunch. We will roast hot dogs over the campfire, and camp will supply ketchup and mustard. Campers may bring additional lunch foods or a regular bag lunch instead, if they choose.
Thursday
It’s Theme Day! Campers are encouraged to dress up for the week’s theme and will participate in an all-camp game extravaganza. Kids who have signed up for the Overnighter will stay at camp, be sure to send the kids up with their overnight kit.
Overnighter Packing List
- Sleeping Bag
- Pillow
- Jammies / Stuffy
- Toiletry Kit (toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, etc.)
- Books
- Flashlight / Headlamp
- Extra clothes for the next day
Friday
Finale Friday-All Camp Game and Closing Campfire at which parents and friends are welcome to attend. Parents checkout their child and may take themhome after the campfire. If a camper’s parent does not attend, your camper will be sent home on the bus as usual at their normal bus drop off location and time.
NEED TO SWITCH WEEKS OR CANCEL?
A two week notice is required to cancel your child's week of camp and receive any refund. If appropriate notice is given you will receive your camp fees back minus the $25 cancelation fee. There is no fee if you need to simply transfer to another session; please call camp to make those arrangements.
CAMP STORE
The Camp Store is fully open every Friday during the Friday Finale. Campers also have the ability to visit the store once a day to purchase ice cream, snacks, t-shirts and other fun novelty items. We recommend putting $20 into your camper's store account when you register, that allows room for an ice cream each day and a t-shirt. You can send cash with your camper as well, we have a cashbox available for purchases.
FAMILY NIGHT
Friends and Family are invited to Camp Wabansi on Friday afternoon for our Finale Friday closing campfire. Parents and Friends are welcome to join us for hilarious skits, songs and camper recognition. Be sure to bring your camera and a camping chair! Camp Wabansi has several benches in the amphitheater, but parents are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating. An ice cream treat will be provided after the campfire for all campers and guests. No need to RSVP but please be sure to check out with our staff before taking your camper home.
Guests may arrive anytime after 2:00pm, the Campfire Program begins at 2:15pm.
*IMPORTANT* Camp Wabansi does not allow smoking, alcoholic beverages or firearms on the property. Please leave pets at home.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Camp Wabansi takes the health and safety of our campers very seriously and adheres to the standards of the American Camp Association. Please read this section carefully and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our procedures.
Health Forms
Camp Wabansi must have a health form on file two weeks before your child attends camp. Please complete all health forms included in our online registration system. Health forms must be e-signed by a parent or guardian and will remain confidential. Without exception, no child will be permitted to come to camp on Monday morning without a completed health form on file, so please be sure that you personally check your camper in at the bus stop on Monday to ensure that we have all required information. *Note: If your camper is enrolled for the summer in the School Age Child Care (SACC) program, camp will receive a copy of their health form automatically. There is no need to complete another health form for camp.
Medications
All camper medications must be checked in daily at your bus stop and will be administered by authorized camp staff members. Campers may not carry medications, even over-the-counter medications or creams, in their backpacks. Inhalers and epipens will be near your camper at all times and held by your child’s counselor. When you check in your camper on Monday morning, we will ask you to complete a Medication Authorization Form to accompany each medication. If you’d like to obtain this form beforehand, it can be downloaded from our website, but please do not submit it early. Instead, bring it along when you check in your medications to the camp staff.
All Camp Wabansi staff are certified in First Aid and CPR, but we do not have a registered nurse on site. For this reason, we are unable to administer medications which require injection (such as insulin). If your child has a need for this type of care, please contact the Camp Director. If your child has a special medical need or condition, please contact the Camp Director in advance of your camper’s session so that the camp staff can be fully prepared to provide appropriate care.
All Medications must be in their original container and labeled with the following:
- Camper's Name
- Name of Medication
- Dosage Instructions
- Date Issued / Expires
- Physician's Name
Behavior Policy
YMCA Camp Wabansi is a safe place and we welcome campers from all backgrounds to participate in our life changing program. At Camp, we focus on empowering youth with the Four Core Values of the YMCA; Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. We know that each child is on their own development journey and we are honored to be a part of your camper’s path to maturity. Our staff are specifically trained to come alongside each camper and help them develop their character and self worth. You’ll find that each camper will be showered with unconditional love, patience, kindness, respect, and gentleness from our staff. Our staff are fully trained in positive behavior management techniques and youth development.
That being said, our primary goal at camp is to create a place that is safe and welcoming for all who attend. That’s our promise and commitment to each family. Likewise it is the responsibility of all who attend to be equally invested into that commitment. Every child deserves camp and every child deserves to be safe at camp.
We do not tolerate the following behaviors at YMCA Camp Wabansi and they are grounds for immediate dismissal from the camp program at our discretion. It is very important that you review these expectations with your camper prior to coming to camp.
1. Physical Violence - hitting, pushing, kicking, biting, scratching, etc.
2. Bullying or repeated harassment
3. Explicit/offensive language - curse words, sexually explicit language, derogatory language, racial slurs, etc.
4. Running away from camp/camp staff therefore endangering self or others
5. Excessively unresponsive to correction/coaching/positive behavior management techniques
6. Inappropriate sexual conduct of any kind
7. Bringing drugs or alcohol to camp
8. Bringing weapons to camp
These behavior expectations exist to keep all campers and staff emotionally and physically safe at all times. Should your camper have difficulty adhering to our expectations we will contact you to discuss a plan for improving their behavior. It is our goal to work with you and your camper so that they may participate positively in our program. However, should your camper be unable to follow our behavior policy and/or not respond to positive behavioral management we reserve the right to dismiss them from the program and you will be required to immediately pick up your camper. YMCA Camp Wabansi does not offer full or prorated refunds for behavioral dismissal.
Emergencies
In the case of minor injury, campers will be treated in Camp Wabansi’s medical room. In the event of serious injury, camp staff will contact the camper’s parents or their designated emergency contact. In the event of life-threatening injury, camp staff will immediately notify emergency medical personnel. Any required ambulance service will be the financial responsibility of the camper’s parents/guardians. The Green Bay YMCA does not carry medical insurance for camp participants. In the case of severe weather, campers will be moved into the Jim Aumann Activity Center at camp for shelter, and any bus delays will be communicated via our website and Green Bay YMCA front desks whenever possible.