Things you should know if you are sending your child to camp.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST FOR A SEVEN DAY STAY:
1 flashlight with batteries
6 - 8 shirts - warm & cool weather
6 - 8 pants/shorts
1 warm sweater
1 warm jacket
2 sweatshirts
10 - 12 underwear
8 - 10 pairs of stockings
2 pair pajamas
1 swimsuit and plastic storage bag
2 pair shoes - one pair that can get wet
1 hooded raincoat - VERY IMPORTANT
Comb or brush
2 washcloths and 3 towels
Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and shampoo
Deodorant, facial tissues
Suntan lotion - SPF15 or higher
Non-aerosol insect repellent
2 suitcases (maximum) and 1 laundry bag
Stationery/stamped, addressed envelopes
IF NEEDED:
Medications, including refrigerated ones
Hearing aids/batteries
Communication devices
Eating utensils and toilet equipment
Irrigation solutions and special bandages
Personal sanitary products
Positioning aids/braces
Keep in mind the extra walking at camp. If a wheelchair is needed occasionally and you have one, please bring it with you.
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
1 white or light colored t-shirt to tie-dye/paint
1 dress outfit (adults)
$20 or less in cash (will be kept in the camp safe)
1 sleeping bag
DO NOT BRING:
Cell phones/pagers (applies to children only)
Knives/items which could be used as weapons
Linens/bedding (unless allergies are a concern)
Alcohol or illegal drugs
Perishable food products
AVOID LOST BELONGINGS:
Things can and do get lost at camp. Label all clothing and personal belongings. Do not send things that are valuable or new. Recheck the packing list before leaving camp and let someone know if something is missing. While camp is not responsible for lost items, if you call right away, we may be able to find them. Items and clothes will be kept for ONE MONTH.
TRANSPORTATION:
Campers are required to arrange their own transportation to and from camp and should arrive at Courage North between 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. on the first day of the session. They should be picked up before noon on the last day of the session. Bus transportation is available from Courage Center at
$30 for a one-way ride, $60 round trip.
For the adult sessions, if you are riding the bus, please arrive at Courage Center between
8:00 and 9:00 a.m. for registration. The bus will leave Courage Center at at
10:00 a.m. on the first day of the session. Adult sessions will return to Courage Center between
2:00 - 2:30 p.m. on the last day of the session. Note: You must make your own Metro Mobility arrangements to and from Courage Center. If you can not make your own arrangements for the return trip home, please have a friend or relative do this for you.
For the youth sessions, if you are riding the bus, please arrive at
Courage Center between 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. The bus leaves at Noon from
Courage Center and then returns to Courage Center on the last day of the
session by 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Any special instructions not previously indicated on the application or medical examination form can be given to the director or a counselor on the first day of the session. Correspondence to campers can be sent to:
Courage North
PO Box 1626
Lake George MN 56458
Phone: 218-266-3658 Voice/TTY
e-mail: couragen@wcta.net
DIRECTIONS TO CAMP:
Camp Courage is located about 200 miles north of Minneapolis near Itasca State Park.
From Minneapolis: Follow US Highway 10 north to Motley, go north on Highway 64 to Highway 200. Go west on 200 for 5 miles to Highway 71, turn left onto Highway 71. Go 6 miles and turn at the blue highway sign to Courage North.
From Park Rapids: Follow US Highway 71 north for 30 miles. One mile east of Lake George, turn at the blue highway sign to Courage North.
From Bemidji: Follow US Highway 71 south for 25 miles. Turn at the blue highway sign to Courage North.
ABOUT COURAGE NORTH:
Courage North has been offering programs for children and adults with physical disabilities, sensory impairments and neurological disorders since 1972. It is a fully accredited member of the American Camping Association. The camp occupies 97 acres on the east shore of beautiful Lake George, near the town of the same name. Courage North's six log cabins, dining hall and program center/gymnasium are surrounded by majestic, towering White and Norway pines.
STAFF:
Trained counselors and program staff (30% deaf or hard of hearing) live in the cabins with campers, direct daily activities, supervise programs and provide excellent role modeling for young campers. A Counselor in Training (CIT) program provides work experiences for 16 and 17 year old campers who show strong leadership traits. Certified lifeguards and a licensed RN, as well as program specialists, round out the staff. The staff to camper ratio is better than 1:2.
INTAKE PROCEDURES:
The medical form we send is an essential part of the application process. The completed form must be sent to us before attending camp. All campers need to visit briefly with the camp nurse upon arrival at camp. If medications have changed, or new medical concerns have arisen since the medical form was mailed, campers and/or parents need to discuss this with the nurse. The nurse will collect all medications on the first day of camp. Note: we do check all campers for head lice as a routine precaution for everyone's protection.
HEALTHCARE:
All Medications must be in original containers and labeled with campers name, drug name, dosage, time medication is taken, doctor, prescription number, and the pharmacy supplying the drug. All medicine will be given by a nurse and any medication not used will be returned home with the camper. Be sure there is enough medication for the entire stay. If a medical emergency arises, the camper will be treated at the Dakota Clinic or at St Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids.
PROGRAM DAY:
The focus of all Courage Camp programs is to create opportunities for individual growth, learning and increased independence. All campers are encouraged to be part of the program planning. Activities are an important part of the learning process, as well as FUN! Activities include: waterfront fishing, swimming, boating, sailing, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking, overnight camping, canoe trips, mountain bike trips, backpack/hiking trips, fishing trips and day trips to local parks and recreation areas. Nature and recreation programs, as well as arts and crafts and photography are also offered. Evening programs are all-camp events, planned by cabin groups or volunteer committees. They may be as simple as a game of Capture the Flag, or as elaborate as as a theme banquet, with costumes and decorations. The main emphasis is on safety, fun and involving the campers in the planning process.
This schedule shows a typical day at camp.
|
|
Morning
|
|
8:00
|
Flag raising and exercise
|
|
8:15
|
Breakfast
|
|
9:00
|
Cabin cleanup
|
|
9:30 - Noon
|
Morning program activities (2 sessions)
|
|
|
Afternoon
|
|
12:15
|
Dinner (largest meal)
|
|
1:00 - 3:00
|
Rest period
|
|
3:00 - 5:00
|
Program activities
|
|
|
Evening
|
|
5:15
|
Supper
|
|
6:00 - 6:30
|
Cabin meetings
|
|
7:00 - 9:00
|
Evening program
|
|
9:00 - 10:00
|
Back to cabin/lights out depending on age
|
|
10:00 - Midnight
|
Staff free time (staff on watch in all cabins)
|
FEES:
The application fee of $75.00 is due at least two weeks prior to the first day of the session. Tuition is
$186.00 per day, and we ask that campers pay what they can toward this. Camperships are available through Courage Center. No one will be turned away because of inability to pay the full tuition. Sending tuition payment before the beginning of camp will speed up the intake process.
BEING AWAY FROM HOME:
Start early in preparing your child for the idea of being away from home. Find out what expectations your child has, and what he or she is looking forward to and what seems a little scary. Stress the positive aspects of the upcoming session and coach them to share their fears with you or their counselor while at camp. While parents love to pack for the children, it is to the child's benefit to at least help with the packing. Use the suggested packing list as a general guideline and remind your child to use the list again when packing for the return trip home. Practice away from home skills, such as letter writing, talking with other caring adults, or hugging a teddy bear at night. Turn off the night light at home and practice using a flashlight. Allow time for your child to adjust to the new situation. The first communication you receive (which may be the very first afternoon) may sound a little hesitant, but we find most campers are quickly consumed by the activities and opportunities at camp and forget their first day worries. Support your child throughout the session with mail which is delivered daily. It is very exciting for campers to receive a letter or postcard. Families are welcome to tour the camp facilities before camp sessions begin. Call the camp directly to arrange a tour. We believe we are partners with parents and welcome guidance on your child's unique needs and habits. Feel free to work with us.
VISITING:
Family members may visit during the camp session. Meals for family members at camp are allowed with one day's prior notice, a small fee will be charged.
CAMPER AND STAFF EXPECTATIONS: We look forward to helping campers have fun and learn new activities. We hope the following important information will help you understand our program and beliefs. Camp is a community experience that involves people living and playing together and relies on cooperation and good citizenship. For everyone to have fun, we need to keep some simple things in mind. We are all different with different skills, physical differences, emotional differences, etc. We believe campers and staff should make every effort to be positive about others and not make mean comments about others. We believe in following the Golden Rule and treating others the way you would like to be treated and only using other people's things with permission. We believe that people deserve privacy and respect. Boys should stay out of girl's areas, and girls out of boy's areas. Courteous, respectful behavior is expected from all campers and staff. Campers who are not behaving appropriately may be sent home. We welcome any questions regarding camp rules or behavior expectations. Each cabin houses 8 campers plus staff. Campers have their own bed and storage area, but privacy is limited due to cabin design. The counselors do strive to provide privacy in personal hygiene and in dressing and grooming assistance for all campers. Camp is a wonderful temporary community of friends that relies on cooperation and good citizenship. We welcome you talk about problems, questions or concerns with staff members at any time. They will be glad to help you.
|
