Parent's Information

CEDAR LODGE Parent Information

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURES: We have made some changes to arrival and departure schedules. After a successful addition of a polo game for parents to watch one Sunday, we have decided to add more specialty programs scheduled before campers leave on Sunday. The possibilities are varied. The specialty program could be a drama offering, vaulting presentation, drill team, polo match or a singing performance. These specialty programs will begin between 11/11:30. In order for parents to enjoy watching our campers perform we are changing check-in and check-out to the following periods. Check out will take place between 12/12:30-2:00, (directly after the end of the program). Check-in will take place from 1:00-4:00. Riding for parents, (by request), from 12:00/12:30-1:30. Testing for riding classes and swimming, 2:30-5:00

TELEPHONE POLICY: We do not allow campers to use the telephone for the first 3 days of their stay at camp. We also discourage parents from calling their children during their first week of camp. Some campers have difficulty in adjusting to their new environment and if they are the least bit homesick, calls from home make this adjustment more difficult. ONLY CALLS to parents or guardians will be allowed. There is only one telephone line into camp and social calls to and from friends make it impossible for incoming and outgoing calls. The best time to call your child is during meals. Meals are served at 8:30AM, 12:30PM and 6PM,(eastern-standard daylight saving time). PLEASE DO NOT SEND CELL PHONES OR BEEPERS WITH YOUR CHILD. If they are found, they will not be returned. You will be asked to sign a statement when you arrive at camp stating that your child doesn't have any calling devices in their possession. Sending PlayStations, Walkmans, Ipods, Palm Pilots, etc. is also a bad idea. They cause disputes among the campers and if they are broken or disappear we cannot be held responsible.

CANTEEN: We suggest an allowance of $7. to $10. per week of the campers stay. This covers small items like batteries, stamps and after meal treats of ice cream or candy. Camp T-Shirts are also sold in canteen. If your child is coming during the week of our County Fair, (July 17-July 22), they will need extra money. The entire camp attends the Fair at least once. There will be a bus charge for campers that come during fair week or when we go to Lake Michigan for the day. This charge is $5.00 for transportation.

CLOTHING: Campers and staff dress informally while at camp. Sport clothes, jeans, T-shirts, shorts etc. Please mark all of your child's clothing and personal items with indelible ink or name tapes or tags. Hard soled shoes with a heel and long pants or jeans are required for riding. All campers are required to wear a HARD HAT (ASTM/SEI Approved) while riding or jumping in either an English or Western saddle. If you do not have a HARD HAT for your child, they can be rented at camp for $5.00 for the length of your child's stay. A helmet is also required for any bike riding your child may do while at camp.

HEALTH FORMS: All campers and staff must have a physical exam before coming to camp or in the past year. Make certain all required inoculations are up to date. Any medications brought to camp must be turned in to our camp medical officer for safe keeping with directions and name clearly written on the label. Campers are not allowed to keep medication or vitamins in the cabins.

VISITORS: Every Sunday is visiting day. If you plan on taking your child off the camp grounds during this time, please inform Stella, Amy or your child's counselor. Campers may not leave the camp grounds with anyone except their parents unless written permission is given. A special permission slip is enclosed for this purpose.

LAUNDRY: Laundry service is provided for those campers staying two weeks or longer. Laundry goes out once each week by cabin groups. Be sure that their clothing is well marked. If your child is only staying one week, make certain they have ample clothing.

CHURCH SERVICES: Campers may attend church services of their choice upon request. Arrangement is made through the office.

MEDICAL: CEDAR LODGE maintains a full-time Medical Officer to take care of the daily medical needs of campers. There is no extra charge for this service. Camp families are responsible for any additional medical expense incurred by their child due to illness or accident while at camp. We do request information as to your insurance carrier and policy number on the enclosed form. The camp doctor and hospital is within 10 miles from camp. Camp also has emergency personnel on camp grounds to assist with any emergencies that may arise. Parents will be called if any medical emergency arises. DO NOT SEND ANY MEDICATIONS UNLESS THEY ARE PRESCRIBED AND NEEDED. THESE PRESCRIBED MED'S MUST COME IN THEIR ORIGINAL BOTTLE OR CONTAINER.

FOOD SERVICE: During our 40 years of providing food service for children and adults in a camp setting, we have prided ourselves in preparing foods that are nutritious, tasteful and of a type that most children enjoy. We have always offered ample choices in all the food groups with fruit available throughout the day, and a snack before bedtime. We would appreciate it if you inform us of any special food needs that your child may have. If your child has allergies to any foods or if they don't eat meat, please let us know. We want their camp stay to be a positive one and good food that they enjoy plays a big part in that experience.

HOMESICKNESS: Every summer we have a few campers who are homesick. If their homesickness results in the camper having to leave early, we as Directors and staff feel we have in some way failed that camper. We try to do everything possible to encourage the homesick camper to get involved, keep busy and fight their way through their homesickness. Calling home has always been the last resort and we discourage the use of the telephone. All ages of campers are prone to homesickness and sometimes personal disappointment can trigger a feeling of wanting to go home. Most campers after their settling-in period of 2 to 3 days adjust to their new environment and get busy with the job of having a good time. As a parent and a Camp Director of 40 years, my advice to camp parents would be, if you get a call from your child telling you how miserable they are, don't panic and rush to find your car keys. Give your camper a few days to settle-in.

CARE PACKAGES: This year we are discouraging parents and grandparents from sending food items through the mail. Cedar Lodge is joining the ranks to KEEPING OUR CHILDREN FIT AND HEALTHY by limiting the amount of sugar in their diet. Food items also attract little creatures such as ants, mice, and chipmunks who invade the cabins to share in all the goodies. Our menus offer enough sweets to keep our campers satisfied. Any care packages that do arrive will be encouraged to be shared with the campers cabin mates.

All of the Cedar Lodge staff would like to Thank-You for allowing your child to spend some of their vacation time with us. We will all work very hard to make their stay at camp a happy and safe stay that will give your child many happy memories to recall in the years to come.

Don't worry, enjoy your time without your children and have a good time of your own. Camp is where they grow and become independent while learning new things and making new friends. Let them be kids and have fun on their own. SEE YOU THIS SUMMER.