Staff Handbook 2012 Final2 - Southwoods

WELCOME TO SOUTHWOODS!Summer 2012 Staff...There is nothing more exciting for usthan welcoming you to Southwoods!Whether this will be your first summerat camp, second, or more, you are aboutto become a part of something that willchange you in ways you could neverimagine! The challenges, the victories,the fun and the craziness, is the STUFFthat simply makes camp camp! So withall that said, Welcome!This handbook will serve you in twoways: 1) to get you excited about yourupcoming experiences and 2) to giveyou further information as you preparefor the trip to your summer home awayfrom home... Paradox, NY. At this point,you should have received an emailcontaining links to all the requiredforms that you must fill out prior tocamp this summer. If you have not, thenplease view the forms atwww.southwoods.com/staff_forms.html.Please take the time to carefullyread ALL of the information foundin this handbook.If you have any problems or questionsresulting from this information pleasecontact our camp office immediately at(914)214-8780 or (888)449-3357 (USOnly). After May 22nd we will only beavailable at the camp/summer number(518)532-7717.

The “Southwoods Style” is anintegral part of our image . Weare a premier children’sresidential camp. The “style” ofour staff is one that is wholesomeand conservative. Your imageevokes a feeling of confidenceand security from our parentsand our campers. The“Southwoods Style” is animportant combination ofclothing, grooming, and attitude.You represent the SouthwoodsWay (both on and off campproperty). Children look up toyou and want to emulate yourstyle. Remember, everything youdo is “cool” to your campers. Youare a role model 24 hours a dayfrom today through August 17th.THE SOUTHWOODS STYLERemember- Children arecontinuously watching you in ourcamp environment. They arelearning from your example.At Southwoods we stress thatthe inside is what mattersmost. With that in mind, dresscomfortably and appropriatelyfor the days activities.Guidelines To ReviewTattoos - Any large (larger than the top of an aluminum can) or inappropriate (not Grated) tattoos must be covered at all times.Piercings- Basic ear piercings are permitted but should be studs. Other body piercingsshould remain covered or consist of clear flat retainers only.Hair- Hair should be well kept and clean. Please do not dye or tint your hair an unnaturalcolor. Extreme looks should be avoided at camp.Make-up- We have a no make-up policy for ALL STAFF while on camp time. Make-upshould remain out of sight of campers and reserved for off camp use only.Bathing Suits- Women are required to wear a one-piece athletic style bathing suite (nostrings or ties). Shorts/trunk style should be worn for men.SW Attire- Southwoods provides 7 staff t-shirts for each staff member for a cost of $45(deducted from your paycheck). Staff t-shirts are required to be worn throughout theentire camp day.DRESS TOIMPRESS...DRESS TOBE ACTIVE!

DON’T FORGET!•Regardless of how youare traveling to campwe ask that you pleasefill out the online travelform atwww.southwoods.com/staff/travel/arrival/asp•Travel with theSouthwoods contactinformation in case ofdelays or emergencies.•A Southwoods staffmember, wearing aSouthwoods staff shirt,will be at the AlbanyAirport, TiconderogaTrain Station, orSchroon Lake Bus Stopto pick you up duringscheduled shuttle times.AIRPORT SHUTTLESCHEDULEThursday, June 7, 201212:00 Noon & 4:00p.m.Monday, June 11, 201212:00 Noon & 4:00p.m.Thursday, June 14, 201212:00 Noon, 2:00p.m. & 5:00p.m.Saturday, June 16, 201212:00 Noon, 2:00p.m. & 5:00p.m.How Are You Getting To Camp?BY CAR: If you are driving to camp we recommend arriving between12:00 noon and 4:00pm on your arrival day. You will be able to leaveyour car in the lower parking lot for the duration of camp.BY TRAIN: If you are planning on traveling by train, you will wantto take Amtrack into the Ticonderoga, New York station. You mayhave to transfer trains in Albany. You can make reservations atwww.amtrak.com or 1-800-USA-RAIL.BY PLANE: Our most popular form of staff travel is by plane. Ifflying to camp, you will need to arrive at the Albany InternationalAirport no later than 4:00 p.m. on your arrival day. If for somereason you cannot find a flight that falls within that time period, callour office before booking. Please note the shuttle schedule located onthe LEFT of the page.BY BUS: If you are traveling by bus, we will pick you up at the busstop in Schroon Lake. From NYC: Adirondack Trailways Bus Servicefrom NY Port Authority - 8th Avenue and 40th Street to SchroonLake. Call 1-800-776-7548 to check the bus schedule. FromMontreal: Adirondack Trailways Bus Service located at CentralStation at 505 Maisoneuve East and Berri. You will take the bus intoGlens Falls then a transfer bus to Schroon Lake. Call 514-842-2281,24-hours in advance to reserve a space.

How Can IContact HomeFrom Camp?You will have access tocomputers for emailthrough our stafflounge and access topay phones on campthat can be used duringyour personal time.Southwoods does havewireless internet so ifyou have a lap top youare welcome to bring itas long as it remains inthe staff loungeduring camp.How Can HomeContact Me?If friends and familyneed to reach you,they should call518-532-9093. Wewill take a messageand post it for you inthe staff lounge. Inemergency casesonly, they can call518-532-7717.Packing For CampWHAT SHOULD I BRING TO CAMP?ENTERTAINMENT: Skits, Songs, Scripts, Stories,Instruments...•Materials running from 5-15 minutes in length work best.•The can relate to: Campfire programs, college nights andthemes, straight theatre and improve, television or media,etc...•Instruments can be used in talent shows or to teach anelective just remember, do not bring anything that would bedevastating to lose.QUIZ AND GAME IDEAS: Spelling Bees, Word Games,Treasure Hunts, Trivia...•There are MANY opportunities for special activities andcreative use of time.•Come to camp prepared to offer some of these activitiesduring the non-field sports and quiet times.COSTUMES: Carnival, Costume Ball, Talent Shows,Themed Dances, Tribal...•Camp is a great place to show off your creativity in costumedesign.•Every week at camp there are opportunities to dress up inthemed attire, such as: favorite sports team, 80’s, luau,holidays, etc...•Tribal occurs every Sunday at camp, be prepared with allthree Tribal colors: Navy, Green, and White.WHAT SHOULD I NOT BRING TO CAMP?ELECTRONIC ITEMS:•No electrically operated hairdryers, lamps, clocks, fans, orother devices will be permitted in the cabins.•Only small personal radios, CD players, MP3 players, andIpods (with NO video) are permitted.•All cell phone, lap tops, or any other electronic items shouldbe kept in the staff lounge in your personal locker.PETS:•The Department of Health has instructed us that we are notpermitted to allow any animals to be brought to camp.GUM/CANDY:•We enjoy the beautiful facilities at Southwoods and havefound that by eliminating gum and candy, we greatly reducethe litter in and around camp as well as animals in the cabins.KNIVES, WEAPONS, CIGARETTES, ALCOHOL, DRUGS &PORNOGRAPHY:•Not appropriate and will be cause for immediate dismissal.

SOUTHWOODS RECOMMENDEDPACKING LISTCLOTHING & FOOTWEAR5 T-shirts (for days off)6 Pair of Shorts4 Pair of Long Pants10 Pair of Underwear10 Pair of Socks2 Swimsuits (Females One-Piece)1 Pair of Warm Pajamas1 Light Weight Jacket1 Warm Jacket2 Warm Sweatshirts1 Raincoat with Hood1 Pair of Cleats (optional)1 Pair of flip flops/sandals2 Pair of Sneakers1 Pair of Boots/Hiking Shoes1 Pair of Shower Shoes1 Robe for Showers (REQUIRED)TOILETRIESToothbrush/ToothpasteSoap/Soap BoxShampooConditionerTissuesBug RepellentComb/BrushPlastic CupNail ClippersShower BucketSUNBLOCK!!BEDDING & LINENSleeping Bag1 Pillow2 Both Towels2 Beach Towels2 Sheet Sets2 Blankets2 Washcloths**These items will be provided forINTERNATIONAL STAFF ONLY. Canadianstaff are not considered international.**OTHER STUFFStationaryPens/PencilsStamps (Can purchase at camp)SunglassesBatteriesFlashlight (REQUIRED)Alarm Clock (Battery Operated Only)Wrist Watch (REQUIRED)CameraLaundry Bag (REQUIRED)Water Bottle (REQUIRED)Baseball GloveBooks/Quiet GamesCostumes for Themed Activities!Tennis RacketMusical InstrumentsRollerbladesPassport (Highly Recommended)**International Staff must have aphotocopy of passport for time off**

DO NOT FORGET YOUR REQUIREDDOCUMENTATION!All staff members must complete an I-9 form uponarrival to camp. We must see and record the documentson site. Please choose from the following, most commonlyused, forms of ID and bring them to camp.1.A Passport or2.A Driver’s License (or Photo ID Card) andU.S. Social Security Card or3.A Driver’s License (or Photo ID Card) anda Copy of your Birth CertificateCall us if none of these options apply as thereare several other combinations.Note to American Staff:Due to the recent changes in our governments foreign travel policies, wehighly recommend that you bring a passport to camp. Many staff memberschoose to travel to Montreal, Canada while on their days off. A passport isREQUIRED by both the United States and Canadian governments in orderto travel across the U.S./Canadian border.

SUMMER ARRIVAL &CAMP SCHEDULEWATERFRONT & TREK STAFF ARRIVE BY 4PM•THURSDAY- JUNE 7, 2012GROUP LEADERS ARRIVE BY 4PM•MONDAY- JUNE 11, 2012ACTIVITY STAFF ARRIVE BY 4PM•THURSDAY- JUNE 14, 2012REMAINING STAFF ARRIVE BY 4PM•SATURDAY- JUNE 16, 2012FIRST SESSION CAMPERS ARRIVE!!•SUNDAY- JUNE 24, 2012PARENTS DAY/CAMPERS•THURSDAY- JULY 19, 20121/2 SUMMER STAFF DEPART BY 12 NOON•FRIDAY- JULY 20, 2012SECOND SESSION CAMPERS ARRIVE!!•SUNDAY- JULY 22, 2012PARENTS DAY/CAMPERS DEPART•THURSDAY- AUGUST 16, 2012STAFF DEPART BY 12 NOON•FRIDAY- AUGUST 17, 2012GET READY FOR ANAMAZING SUMMER!!**IF YOUR ARRIVALDATE IS NOT LISTED,PLEASE CONTACTLAUREN IMMEDIATELYTO CONFIRM YOURARRIVAL TO CAMP.**