Q. How old should my child be
to participate?(Back to top)
A.
Campers must be entering grades 1-7 next year. However, maturity and
interest level are often better indicators than age as to whether or
not our camp is appropriate for your child. We've had 7 & 8 yr olds
who were still too young. We've also had campers who, at the ripe old
age of 11, were "too old" for the camp.
___
In general, our youngest campers should have a good attention span, get
along well with peers, demonstrate interest in playing team sports,
love active, physical play, and understand the basic concept of "team"
and working together to achieve a common team goal.
___
Our oldest campers (currently in grades 5-6) should come with a strong
athletic background, especially in the major team sports. They should
still be kids at heart who love to participate and play hard, be
social, enthusiastic and energetic.
Q. Can I choose the sports I want
to play?(Back to top)
A.
No. There ARE sports camps out there that are structured to allow for
that choice. Ours does not. At our camp each group is scheduled to play
certain sports and games at certain times. The entire group plays those
scheduled sports (with the exception of swimming which is always
optional). During lunchtime free
play campers are given many activity choices and may participate in
any, all, or none of them.)
Q. Do I have to play a sport I
don't like?(Back to top)
A.
We do not force any camper to play. However, we also do not provide an
alternative (with the exception of swimming). Non-participating campers
sit in the shade and watch. We will encourage you to participate in the
all the activities. You may not like the sport because you're not good
at it. The only way to get better is to play and practice it!
Q. If I have friends at camp, will I be
in the same group with them?(Back
to top)
A.
Probably. Occasionally a large group of friends is split up due to
space restrictions in each camp group. If you specified a particular
best friend you wanted to be with you will most likely be placed with
that friend. However, if you sign up late for camp and your best friend
was in a group that was already full then, unfortunately, you would not
be placed in the same group with that friend.
Q. Do I have to wear my camp t-shirt* to
camp?(Back to top)
A. No, not daily, but we ask that all campers wear it on Fridays (Field
Trips and Fantastic Fridays).
* Note: Camp t-shirts are free and handed out during the first week of
camp
Q. Will I have the same counselor and junior
counselor everyday I come to camp?(Back
to top)
A.
Yes. However, if you come both sessions it's possible that you might
get a different/new counselor and/or junior counselor for Session Two.
Q. What if I miss a day. Should I call
and notify the camp?(Back to top)
A. Please call the camp office 650-492-9695 or send us an email, dsclosaltos@sbcglobal.net
and let us know you will be absent.
Q. If I miss a day can I make it up on
any day?(Back to top)
A. Sorry. We do not offer makeup days.
Q. Do we play all the sports
even on really hot days?(Back to
top)
A.
The counselors change many of the games during heat waves. You will
play in the shade or indoors and also use water in lots of the games
the counselors create especially for hot days. That way you'll stay
cool.
Q. What if it rains? Will we still
have camp?(Back to top)
A. Yes. We play in the multi-use room and under protected areas, play
bingo, board games, foosball, ping-pong, etc.
Q. Can I ever bring a friend to camp
for a day?(Back to top)
A.
Probably not because the camp will very likely be full. If it's
extremely important to you, call the camp business office. We might be
able to make a special arrangement (daily fee would apply).
Q. I
understand that the last Friday of each 4 week session culminates in an
awards ceremony for all the campers. If I am not scheduled to attend
that last Friday of the session will I receive any award?(Back to top)
A.
Yes. If you only attended the first two weeks of the session we will
make a small presentation to you on your last day. If you attended 4
days a week (MTWTh) for the entire session your parents can either sign
you up to attend that last Friday for an extra fee OR, you can show up
just for the awards ceremony (the last half hour of the day) free of
charge. If you are unable to attend for any reason we will mail you
your certificate, photos, and ribbons.
Q. I'm
afraid I won't get any awards at the end of the session because I'm not
good at sports. Will I be good enough to earn an award?(Back to top)
A.
All campers receive awards. Ability is not rewarded. Your effort,
improvement, enthusiastic participation and interest will earn you your
awards.
Q. Do I have to go swimming?(Back to top)
A. No. Swimming is always optional.
The campers who don't want to swim will stay onsite and play small
group organized/supervised games.
Q. Will we spend the entire day at the
campsite or do we ever go elsewhere?(Back
to top)
A.
Campers entering grades 4-7 leave camp on the first three Fridays of
each session for field trips. Campers entering grades 1-3 leave camp
only on the Friday we go bowling. Campers who choose to swim will leave
camp to do so (a short 10 minute bus ride in a standard yellow school
bus).
Q. Can I bring a water
bottle to camp each day?(Back to
top)
A.Yes.
That's fine. However, water is readily available at camp. In normal
weather each group takes a water break after every activity. During the
2 or 3 heat spells we get each summer campers take multiple water
breaks during every 45 minute outdoor activity. Staff members
consistently mist the campers with spray bottles to keep them cool.
Activities utilizing water (water balloons, water relays, slip &
slide, Mister Mister, etc) are incorporated into the daily activities.
We do such a great job of keeping the kids cool they don’t even realize
how hot the day was!
Q. Does the camp provide sunscreen?(Back to top)
A.
We provide (and help apply) SPF 45, paba-free, waterproof sunscreen to
all our campers. That sunscreen is applied by each group counselor and
JC in the morning and again after lunch and after swimming.
Nevertheless, we do encourage parents to apply sunscreen on their
child/children each morning before camp.
Q. Will I spend a lot of
time in the sun?(Back to top)
A.
You will spend time in the sun when playing games such as soccer,
volleyball, basketball, etc. Parents can help limit that exposure by
having their child wear a a baseball cap or visor to camp. Of course,
we work very diligently at limiting sun exposure as well. There is both
natural and manufactured shade at all our camp locations. The staff is
trained to get the campers into that shade whenever possible. For
example, shade tents are used for dugouts at each baseball diamond and
are also set up along the sidelines in basketball, football, soccer,
tennis, and capture the flag. Whenever a camper is receiving
instructions or waiting their turn they do so in that shade. Each group
spot is shaded and that is where snack, lunch, and group announcements
take place.
Activities such as dodgeball, golf(putting),
gymnastics, dance, foosball, ping pong, card trading, arts &
crafts, & board games all take place indoors/in the shade. During
heat spells the daily schedule is altered so that campers spend more
time indoors or in the shade.