• To cover the costs associated with printing emails there will be a small printing charge added to store cards.

• We greatly discourage telephoning C­amp Hochelaga unless there is an emergency or you need to speak with a staff member. The camp phone is used to conduct camp business and for emergencies. Campers do NOT have access to telephones at camp. Campers are NOT allowed to have or use cell phones while at camp. Violations may be subject to dismissal from camp. We appreciate your support of this policy.

• In the event of an emergency or if parents have questions, please call the camp office at (802) 372-4510 or (802) 862-7520. Since our primary concern is for our campers, we may be away from the phone working with campers. If you do not reach us please leave a message on the voice mail and we will return your phone call as soon as possible.

VISTORS

• Please no visitors during the camp sessions. While it may not have a negative effect on your child, there are campers who may become upset to see others spend time with vistors.

• Please contact the Camp Director if it is necessary to take your daughter out of camp for prior commitments.

• Hochelaga cannot permit parents or friends to take other campers from camp without the written authorization from that child’s parent(s).

PACKAGES FROM HOME AND FOOD IN CAMP

• All packages and “fat” letters will be opened in front of a staff member. Campers will not be permitted to keep any food related items including candy, gum, cookies or treats sent in the mail. This policy may seem harsh, but it exists for good reason.

• FOOD PRESENTS A HEALTH HAZARD SINCE IT ATTRACTS RODENTS, SKUNKS, RACCOONS, PORCUPINES AND A VARIETY OF OTHER WILDLIFE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CARRY GERMS, RABIES, OR HARM THE CAMPERS. There also may be campers with severe food allergies.

• Don’t bring or pack food items. Campers will be asked to turn in any food. When found it will be confiscated.

• Please share this policy regarding mail with relatives and friends. Our nutritional staff provides plenty of nourishing food, as well as occasional treats for all campers as appropriate.

ACTIVITIES

• We believe young girls and women benefit from an exposure to a wide range of activities. These opportunities should help campers build skills in new and unfamiliar, as well as familiar activities.

• Hochelaga’s main program areas are: Arts and Crafts, Drama, Landsports (tennis, archery, soccer, etc.), Outdoor Education / Nature, Small Craft Boating (sailing, canoeing, and kayaking) and Swimming. Campers may also enjoy participation in: Free Activities, Line Time, Evening Program, Banquet Preparation, Musical, Field Trips, SCAMP (weekly camper newsletter), and LOG (yearbook).

• Each camper will sign up for classes on Sunday after sponsor(s) depart. Campers select their choices for daily classes from a variety of class options. Some activities have prerequisites that campers must meet and some have space limitations.

SWIMMING PROGRAM

• Safety in and around the waterfront are important aspects of each camper’s Hochelaga experience. We follow the American Red Cross swimming program to develop swimming and water safety skills.

• We require that all campers be evaluated for lake swimming ability prior to participating in swimming and non-swimming aquatic activities. Swim level assignment may be different from the level your daughter has attained at another facility.

• Swim level placement also determines the ability to participate in boating activities, which may involve a camper piloting a boat in deep water, some distance from shore. We MUST make all efforts to ensure the campers’ safety in and on the water and would rather restrict them, than judge them ready for a situation they do not have the skills to handle. If you have any questions about our waterfront policies, please feel free to contact the Camp Director to discuss them.

• Swim lessons are not required, but are strongly encouraged. If parents prefer, we can require that your daughter take a daily swim lesson as one of her classes. Campers may also elect to take a swim lesson as one class.

CAMP STORE
The Camp Store will be open during Check-In and Check-Out during each session.

• Store accounts are used to purchase candy, camp clothing, postage, photos, toiletries, special art project materials, bus/van fees for special trips, and many other items. Campers should not have any cash with them at camp. Cash will be collected and added to store accounts for safe keeping.

• A typical store account is $15 per week and $25 for two weeks.

• Store Balances of under $5 will not be refunded, but will be added to the Camp Hochelaga Scholarship Fund.

• Laundry services for campers spending more than one week are available at an additional expense. Typically this laundry service is a drop off and pick up at a local laundromat. Please be sure that ALL clothing and belongings are labeled with the camper’s name.

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE and CHURCH SERVICES

• Weekend campers participating in the Change Weekends who wish to attend church services in South Hero should contact the Camp Director prior to camp to make arrangements for transportation to services. There may be a nominal fee charged to campers to cover expenses.

DANCES

• We occasionally have dances with neighboring boys’ camps such as YMCA Camp Abnaki and Camp Holy Cross. There isn’t a dance during each session, nor are they announced in advance.

• Participation is strictly voluntary. Campers choosing not to attend will participate in a separate evening activity.

• Dances are usually only open to Upper Mids and Seniors, and are chaperoned by staff from each attending camp. Campers may wear shorts, long pants, skirts or dresses. NO spaghetti straps, tank tops, or bare midriffs are permitted.

• Transportation fees may be charged to store accounts for those participating.

TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES

• We do NOT provide day camp transportation.

• We can provide pick up and drop off service to either the Burlington Bus Station or Burlington International Airport for residential campers only. There is a $25 fee (each way) for this service, which must be arranged at least 2 weeks in advance. We do not provide additional “in-state” transportation.

CHANGE WEEKEND ACTIVITY FEE

• Residential campers staying for multiple sessions may elect to stay at camp over the change weekend. The fee for this Activity Weekend is $65. This fee includes all meals, programs and transportation for stay over campers.

DEPARTURE

• Saturday is departure day for residential campers. Please do not arrive earlier than 9:30 AM.

• All campers must be checked out at the Lodge Porch and also with their counselor on the line. You must sign the pick-up authorization form before your daughter will be released from camp. The person picking up must be listed on the authorization form. This form will be completed when you drop off your daughter at camp.

• The camp store will be open for check out and sales beginning at 9:45 AM.

• The closing ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 at the flagpole. A small memento will be awarded at this time to each camper. We request that campers, family members and friends stay for this special event to recognize our campers.

PAYMENT METHODS

• The registration fee ($100 non-refundable deposit) is deducted from the total amount due and is payable in US funds.

• The tuition balance must be paid in full four weeks prior to the camper’s arrival at camp. If your camper’s tuition balance is not paid four (4) weeks in advance, her slot may be given away to someone on the waiting list.

• Payments can be made by personal check / money order made out to the YWCA of VERMONT, or Visa/Mastercard.

• Please note: If the camper’s last name differs from the name of the person paying the bill, please write the child’s name on all correspondence and in the memo section of the check or money order.

• To help keep costs down we prefer payment by check or money order.

WITHDRAWAL and REFUND POLICY

• If a cancellation is made in writing or by telephone, and received at least three weeks in advance of the camper’s arrival at camp, the tuition balance will be refunded. The registration fee is non-refundable.

• Medical cancellations will be honored upon receipt of a physician's statement before the camper's arrival.

• Reduction in tuition is not possible for entering late or leaving early. This includes leaving early due to homesickness.

• We reserve the right to withdraw with no refund any camper whose influence or actions are deemed harmful, or who will not live within the rules and policies of the camp.

HOMESICKNESS and MISSING HOME

• If you have concerns that your camper might be homesick, please contact the camp director at least one month before your daughter is scheduled to attend camp to discuss these concerns and develop a plan of action before camp starts. There are a number of resources available for dealing with this issue and it is far better to take a proactive approach if you feel it may be a problem for your camper.

• In the unlikely event that we decide to discontinue the camping experience, the director will contact you.

• Unfortunately, we can not give refunds for campers who go home due to homesickness.

CAMPER RULES AND POLICIES

• Campers are expected to obey the rules and policies of Camp Hochelaga for the health, safety, and welfare of themselves and their fellow campers. This includes the use/possession of cell phones. Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs are not allowed on the premises of Camp Hochelaga. Violators will be dismissed with no refund.

• Campers are advised of the rules and policies of Camp Hochelaga their first day at camp.

• Many activities and natural areas at camp must only be used under supervision and these activities and areas will be specified during the introduction to camp rules and policies.

• If a camper is on medication, please notify us upon arrival at camp. The camp health care staff will take charge of the medication and supervise its use. Campers may not keep any medications in the cabins. This includes aspirin or vitamins. The camp health care staff will dispense medications as directed.

• Dishonesty, theft, or borrowing of other people’s belongings without permission, are all serious offenses. We reserve the right to inspect camper’s belongings if we suspect violation of rules or policies.

• Initiation, hazing, bullying or harassment of campers or staff is not permitted.

• Hair cutting or dyeing, piercing of any kind of any body part and tattooing are all prohibited while at camp.

• When one camper’s behavior or actions may endanger others, or if appropriate behavior is not maintained, we may ask a camper to leave and there will be no refund.

• Campers are expected to follow the direction of the camp staff regarding rules and policies. We ask campers and staff to treat everyone with dignity, trust, honesty, and respect.

YWCA MEMBERSHIP

• Membership in the YWCA Vermont is required. This automatic charge is added to the price of camp tuition.

The fee is $5 for all girls under the age of fifteen (15).

The fee is $15 for girls age 15-18. These girls will become voting members of the YWCA Vermont.

• As a member of the YWCA Vermont girls have the opportunity to be part of a state wide membership organization committed to the development of women and girls of all ages, the economic empowerment of women, and the elimination of racism.

CHANGE IN TERMS

• Camp Hochelaga retains the right to change or retract the terms in this guide. This also applies to rules, policies, and other conditions stated within the camp brochure or other camp literature published by Camp Hochelaga and to make other reasonable terms, rules, policies and conditions that Camp Hochelaga determines to be necessary for the well-being and safety of the campers and staff. Camp Hochelaga reserves the right to cancel this application should governmental action or other circumstances make camp operation impossible or unwise. Camp Hochelaga also reserves the right to decline to accept an application and to dismiss a girl from camp. The camp assumes no responsibility for loss or damage by any cause to personal property of any camper.