Summer Camp Welcome and Information Letter

Camp Registration opens to the public at 8am Eastern on February 1st.


Welcome Campers and Families,

Summer is almost HERE! We are so happy you have chosen The Pathfinder School’s Summer Camp for your child's summer camp adventure! This letter outlines our weekly schedule, what to pack, and important camp policies. 

CAMP LOCATION

The Pathfinder School Campus

11930 S. West Bayshore Dr

Traverse City, MI 49684


COUNSELORS

We have a wonderful group of highly qualified counselors this year, including seven returning counselors. All of our counselors are thoroughly dedicated to provide a wonderful experience for every camper.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

  • Camp check in is on Monday of each week and begins at 9:00 am in front of the Administration Building (Lower Campus). Please feel free to arrive a bit early, but no earlier than 8:45am. Camp will then continue from 9:30am-4pm

  • Camp runs each week Monday-Friday from 9am – 4pm. NEW THIS YEAR: Pick up on Fridays will be at 3:30 and will be regular car line. This will give our staff adequate time to clean up camp and reset for the next week.

  • For half day campers, the day ends at 12:00pm. Pick up is at the Lower Campus Pick Up Pavilion.

  • For full day campers, the day ends at 4:00pm. Pick up is on the Lower Campus at the Pick Up Pavilion. Please see the section below on pick up logistics.

  • Before-Camp Care is from 7:30am-9am. Please drop your campers off at the large white tent. There is no before-camp care on Mondays. Please be sure to sign up for this so we can make sure to have the correct number of staff.

  • After-Camp Care runs from 4pm-5:30pm (Mon-Thurs).  There is no after camp care on Fridays. Campers are to be checked out at the large white tent. Please be sure to sign up for this so we can make sure to have the correct number of staff.

CHECK IN AND OUT

Families must always check in and check out their students with one of the counselors. If someone who is not listed on your child’s enrollment forms will be picking them up after their program, please inform The Pathfinder School ahead of time (via email, call, text, or at drop off). We will not release children to someone who is not authorized to pick up your child.

PICK UP PROCEDURES

  1. Please follow the map below (cars pull into the driveway, turn right in the parking lot, and then create two lines at the end of the curve). 

  2. Stay in your car & please place your name card in the front windshield or side window where we can read it easily. We ask that you please stay off your cell phone when in the carline. 

  3. A staff member will bring your camper to your vehicle and help them get in. 

  4. Please do not move your vehicle until the Camp Counselor with the "STOP" sign turns it to "SLOW" - we will dismiss the line when the first 8 vehicles are good to go (seatbelts fastened and car doors closed). We will do our best to keep the line moving, and we ask you to please be aware of campers moving around vehicles and getting them buckled quickly. 

ONLINE CAMP PAPERWORK

Please complete all forms through your Active Works account prior to your child’s first day of camp.  We must have all paperwork completed for your child to join us at camp.

WHAT TO PACK

Please read carefully and make sure to have all the following items daily. We really appreciate your attention to this list. Please put your child(ren)’s name on their belongings. 

  • Small day pack/ backpack in which all the following items fit :

  • Healthy, packed lunch for full-day campers (note – please no food that needs to be heated or prepared at camp)

    • We will provide an afternoon snack, though extra snacks are a good idea 

  • Water bottle filled 

  • Swim suit/trunks (we highly recommend bright colors)

  • Spare Clothes

  • Towel 

  • Comfortable shoe – gym shoes recommended (hiking sandal or hiking boot will do)

  • Life jacket (All Young Explorers, Explorers, and Discovery Campers are required to wear lifejackets. Adventure Campers can take a swim test on Mondays to be exempt from this rule.) All campers are required to wear life jackets when canoeing or kayaking. 

  • Rain coat (if needed)

  • SunBlock – please make sure to apply sunblock to your child each morning and label the bottle that you send with them. Counselors will help re-apply throughout the day.

  • Insect Repellent – please also label the bottle

PLEASE NOTE

  1. Wear clothing that can & will get dirty. 

  2. Make sure to have camper’s name clearly written on all personal items!! (sun block, life jacket, towels, shoes, etc). This is important to make sure all of your items return home with you, plus keeps our valued attention with your camper and not on their gear. 


SWIMMING

Each day, campers head down to Cedar Lake for free swim, face painting and beach fun on our sandy shoreline.  Our waterfront on Cedar Lake is supervised by certified lifeguards at all times.

Adventure campers who have swimming experience will be allowed to take a swim test on Mondays. If they pass, they are able to swim without a life jacket in the deep swimming area. All other campers must wear life jackets when at the waterfront. Campers are able to leave their swim gear in the boathouse for the duration of the week, to go home with them on Friday.  If your camper needs their swim gear for evening fun, it is their responsibility to take it home!

BUGS BUGS BUGS

If you have a specific bug spray preference for your child, please feel free to send it with them in their backpack and we will happily use it. If you are looking for another way to keep bugs away, we recommend treating your child’s clothing with permethrin, which can be bought in spray form and applied directly to clothing instead of onto the skin. We have a wonderful wooded campus that is full of small critters. Ticks are a natural part of our ecosystem, but do seem to be more prevalent in recent years. We recommend doing a full tick check of your child at the end of each day. 

ACCIDENTS & EMERGENCIES

Small bumps and bruises are a basic tenet of being a kid, but we will make every effort to keep our campers safe through active supervision and teaching our students about proper risk assessment. We have a team of counselors who are certified in CPR and First Aid, and we always carry a robust first aid kit with us. Minor injuries will receive appropriate first aid. If an emergent injury or illness occurs, parents are contacted immediately, and a plan will be made to get the child to medical care as quickly as possible. If immediate care is necessary, EMS will be contacted prior to parent communication. Because of this, we need to have up-to-date contact information for our families, so please let us know of any changes in your contact information or if you will be unavailable during camp hours.

General Health INFORMATION

The Pathfinder School Summer Camp is situated on 22 acres, allowing campers to spread out. There may be instances in which campers spend time inside buildings (inclement weather, using the restroom, archery, etc). It is the policy of The Pathfinder Summer Camp that the decision to wear a mask will be made by each family. We ask that campers who are sick be kept home to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Other mitigation strategies include hand washing/sanitizing stations, regular cleaning of camp spaces, and encouraging all staff to get vaccinated. If your child tests positive for Covid-19, they must first notify the Camp Director. They will then be required to isolate for five days and wear a mask for another five days post isolation. In the event of an exposure in the home, campers are required to wear a mask for ten days.


See you soon,

David McCoy

Pathfinder Summer Camp Director 

camp@thepathfinderschool.org

Main: 231.995.3800