Camp ambassador program - YMCA Camp Frank A. Day

CampAmbassadorProgramWest Suburban YMCACamping Services Branch276 Church StreetNewton, MA 02458(617) 244-6050, x3008www.campfrankaday.org

Dear Friends of Camp Frank A. Day,Thank you for your interest in the Camp Frank A. Day Ambassador Program.We believe that the best way for us to promote our camp is to let our currentcampers and their families speak from their own experiences. We know that yourcamper, more than anyone else, can impart the magic of campfires on the shoresof Quacumquasit, the view from the top of the climbing tower, the crazy dining hallsongs and traditions, the excitement of color war, and friendships that last a lifetime.And we know that as a parent of a Camp Frank A. Day camper, you can joke about theinevitable Friday night phone call from your child asking if he or she can stay “just onemore week”—and how that is really a good thing.Our Camp Ambassador Program is designed to make it easy for you to recruit newfamilies to camp while at the same time rewarding you for doing so. Please review theenclosed material and contact the Camping Services Branch if you have any questionsabout the program.In addition, if you are interested in a representative from our camp leadership staffjoining you in your home for your recruitment party please give me a call.Thank you for sharing the joy of Camp Frank A. Day!Best Regards,Renee GaudetteExecutive Director of Camping ServicesWEST SUBURBAN YMCACamping Services Branch276 Church Street YMCA Camp Frank A. DayNewton, MA 02458125 South Pond Road(617) 244-6050, x3008 East Brookfield, MA 01515campingservices@westsuburbanymca.org www.campfrankaday.org

How Does the CampAmbassador Program Work?Help us spread the word about Camp Frank A. Day by hosting a camper recruitmentparty in your home. For every new camper that signs up for a 2013 sessionat Camp Frank A. Day, you will receive $100 off your total registration fees (there isno limit to the amount of new camper referrals we will accept).How do I begin?Call the West Suburban YMCA’s Camping Services Branch at 617-244-6050 x3008to register as a Camp Ambassador. You will be assigned an Ambassador # andmailed a package to help you recruit campers.Included in the package:-20 Camp Brochures-Camp Promotional DVDs-Prepaid Visa Card to cover the costs of food at your party-Registration Forms - complete with your Camp Ambassador #-Camp GiveawaysWhen should I begin?The program runs between January 1, 2013 and July 1, 2013. We recommend invitingfriends over for a Camp Frank A. Day Information Night. Use your Prepaid VisaCard to order food for your guests. Plan to spend some time welcoming the groupand then gather to watch our promotional DVD, tell stories, and answer questions.Who should I invite to my recruitment party?Camp Frank A. Day is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 15, so invite families thathave children in this age group.How many guests should I invite to my party?It’s entirely up to you. The more families you invite, the more potential there is tosign up new campers. Work within your comfort zone—if you are uncomfortablewith a large group, why not host several small parties?What do I say?Stories about camp that come from the heart are the most sincere and effective,but it can be tough to know where to start. Why do you send your children toCamp Frank A. Day? What do your children say they love about camp? Refer tothe Frequently Asked Questions from Parents section of this packet to helpyou get started.

Do my guests have to register right away (at the party)?Some of your guests will be comfortable filling out a registration form while in your home.Since you are familiar with our registration form and process you may be able to providevaluable insight. Most likely, the majority of families will probably choose to take homethe camp brochure and registration form you give them and talk it over. Just make surethat each registration form you hand out has your Ambassador Program # clearly printedon it before it leaves your home (see figure below for the location on top of our registrationform). And, don’t forget to follow-up with your guests a few days or a week after theparty, you may be able to answer more questions.For Office Use Only2013Registration FormAmt paid Ck# Dt Confirm SentDate Received:Dt. Camper Pct SntDate paidStaff Initials:Camp Ambassador #valid through July 1, 2013My family and another family would like to share the Camp Ambassadorresponsibilities / host a party together. How will our credits be shared?It’s great to have more than one family and camper share stories about camp. It is ourpolicy to credit the Ambassador host whose Ambassador # is listed on the new camper’sregistration form. If two or three families share the hosting duties, you can split the registrationforms equally among each family, ensuring that everyone gets an equal number ofregistration forms with their # on them.Who is considered to be a new camper?A new camper is a child that has never attended Camp Frank A. Day before, but does notinclude siblings of your current camper (since you will receive a sibling discount).How do I receive $100 off of my balance for each new camper recruited?You must be registered as a Camp Ambassador in order to receive the deductions. YourAmbassador # must be recorded on new camper registration forms. On or before July 1,2013 we will deduct the correct amount from your balance due. If you have already paidin full, a refund check will be sent to your home address before July 31, 2013.Can I use my $100 for camp merchandise?No, sorry. Your $100 credit(s) will apply only to your registration fees for summer 2013.

Frequently Asked Questionsfrom ParentsWhen is camp andhow much does it cost?2013 Sessions Dates Fee1 Jun 30-Jul 13 $15101A Jun 30-July 6 $8001B Jul 7-Jul 13 $8002 Jul 14-Jul 27 $15103 Jul 28-Aug 10 $1510Adventure Camp Aug 11-Aug 17 $865Is there financialassistance available?Yes. The West Suburban YMCA’s Annual Fund helpsfamilies with financial need. Camperships generallydo not exceed 50% of the total camp fee. Pleasecall Camping Services for directions on how toapply for financial aid.What safety measuresare in place?What is the staff tocamper ratio?Camp Frank A. Day takes caring for your child veryseriously. As a Y camp, our staff is certified in CPR andFirst Aid and embrace the values of caring, honesty,respect and responsibility. Additionally, we are accreditedby the American Camp Association and comply with theregulations of the Massachusetts Department of PublicHealth, including Regulation 105 CMR 430.00 MinimumStandards for Recreational Camps for Children. We arealso licensed by the local board of health.We maintain a ratio of at least one staff memberfor every six children ages 7-8, one staff memberfor every eight children ages 9-14 and one staffmember for every ten campers age 15.

What if my child getssick or has specialhealth needs?Camp has an infirmary located in the main area that isopen 24 hours and is under the direction of a RN. We alsohave a local MD on call, as well as emergency care at ahospital approximately a 1/2 hour away.Can my child call home?Campers are not allowed to bring cell phones with themto camp. You can sign up for a weekly phone call to yourcamper during check in.How is camp organizedby gender and age?Does my child needspending money whileat camp?Camp Frank A. Day is arranged in units by age withseparate cabin areas for boys and girls. The youngestcampers unit houses our youngest campers, ages 7 to 10.The Junior Unit is for campers 11 to 13 years old, and theSenior Unit is for campers ages 14 and 15.The camp goes on one field trip during each two-weeksession. We recommend that your camper has $20 to $25dollars per session for spending money on the field trips.The camp director will hold the money for your child untilthe day of the trip.

What is a typical day at camp like?7:00 amWake up to the bugle call and get readyfor the fun day ahead. Participate in acamp-wide flag raising before heading tothe dining hall.8:00 amEat a hearty breakfast with your cabinmates and counselors and listen to theday’s announcements.9:00 amAfter choosing your “camptivities”—landand water activities—on the first day ofcamp you will spend the morning playingvolleyball, sailing, or working on a skit.It’s up to you, and your choices changeevery week you are at camp.12:30 pmAfter you’ve worked up an appetite, it’stime for lunch. Mealtime at camp issomething you will look forward to becauseplenty of camp spirit fills the dininghall, as well as healthy and delicious food(we always have a vegetarian option).1:15 pmRest hour—time to listen to music, writea letter, or take a nap.2:25 pmAfternoon activity periods begin. You mayhave swim lessons, spend the afternoonon the lake, or work on creating a campnewsletter.3:25 pmSpend some bonding time with your cabinmates working on a group project orshooting some hoops.4:50 pmYou are free to choose an activity. Play agame of soccer, go for a swim, kayak witha friend, or get creative in the arts andcrafts hall.6:00 pmFlag lowering and dinner time.7:15 pmIt’s time for an all-camp evening program.Perform in the open mic night, attend athemed-dance on the basketball court, orwatch a guest performer.9:00 - 10:00 pmThe day is winding down. The lights go outand you will fall asleep to the sounds ofnature all around!

Frequently Asked Questionsfrom CampersWhat kind of food dothey serve?What time do we have togo to bed?What time do we haveto wake up?A breakfast bar with yogurt, fruits and cold cerealis available each morning in addition to a hot entree.For lunch and dinner, campers may choosebetween a vegetarian or a meat option. A saladbar full of local fruits and vegetables is also available.Milk, 100% juice and water are served atall meals. For campers who are hungry betweenmeals, fresh fruit is always available. We serveonly nourishing whole foods that are free of chemicals,synthetic hormones, trans fats and artificialsweeteners.Lights out is at 9:00 pm for youngest campers,9:30 pm for Juniors and 10:00 pm for Seniors.The day begins at 7:00 amWhat kinds of activitiesdo they have?What are the cabins like?What are the bathhouseslike?Each week campers choose their “camptivities”,which include but are not limited to: arts & crafts,pottery, soccer, basketball, drama, music, dance,camp newspaper, climbing tower/ropes, tennis,archery, sailing, snorkeling, fishing, water skiing,canoeing, and kayaking.The cabins have an area for two counselors andbunk beds for up to eight campers. Cabins do haveelectricity!The bathhouses are relatively new. They haveseparate showers and bathroom stalls and a largesink area. Campers can leave their bathroom totesin the bathhouses.What is Color War?When you arrive at camp, you are placed on theGreen Team or the Grey Team. Color War is acrazy competition between the two teams thatlasts for 24 hours!

West Suburban YMCACamping Services Branch276 Church StreetNewton, MA 02458(617) 244-6050, x3008www.campfrankaday.orgcampingservices@westsuburbanymca.org