Pre-Camp

Pre-Camp - Alpengirl Summer Camp Pre-Camp Letter 2011

Last update: May 2012 

(Note: This is a rough draft of the pre-camp letter, final draft is mailed to campers/parents in late May)

Dear Alpengirls,

We are looking forward to your arrival to camp this summer! 

How are summer camp preparations coming along? Are you shopping for camp gear, wearing boots in, reading your itinerary and turning in your camp forms?

You’ll find it’s all worth the effort; being prepared for camp will make your arrival to camp easy and your time at camp more enjoyable.

We can’t wait to adventure with you!

Adventurously Yours, Alpengirl

Waivers  

You will find waivers enclosed that are specific to each session (except Lil’ Alpengirl). These waivers must be signed and brought with you to camp in Ziploc #1 (see packing list). Without the signed waivers, you will not be able to participate in those activities.

T-shirt

Upon arrival to camp, all campers and Alpenguides are required to be wearing the Alpengirl t-shirt enclosed.  If the t-shirt is worn out or has been lost, the replacement is $20. A new shirt will be sent by mail as soon as we are notified that you need one. Please don’t wait until the bags are packed just prior to your session to notify us that the shirt is gone.  We suggest setting the shirt aside 2 weeks before camp starts to avoid loss or damage before departure.

Photos

Alpengirl non-professional snapshot camp photos are for sale on CD. 50+ un-edited images of your session for $40. CD’s will be sent to you shortly after the camp season ends in late August. Please make checks payable to Alpengirl, Inc. A portion of the proceeds will go to The Burnt Lake Foundation to support future camper scholarships.

Internet policies

Social networking sites offer content both bad and good. At best, they provide a place for the meaningful exchange of creative ideas, memories, and dialogue, keeping young people connected to the friends and experiences that matter most. In general, our camp views social networking sites (MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, etc), personal web sites, and blogs positively and respects the right of campers to use them as a medium of self-expression. If a camper chooses to identify herself as a camper at our camp on such internet venues, some readers of such web sites or blogs may view the camper as a representative or spokesperson of the camp. In light of this possibility, our camp asks, that campers observe the following guidelines when referring to the camp, its programs or activities, its campers, and/or employees:

  • Campers should be respectful in all communications related to or referencing the camp, its employees, and other campers.
  • Campers should not use obscenities, profanity, or vulgar language.
  • Campers should not disparage the camp, other campers, or employees of the camp.
  • Campers should not harass, bully, or intimidate other campers or employees of the camp.
  • Campers should not discuss engaging in conduct that is prohibited by camp policies.
  • Campers should not post potentially offensive or embarrassing camp photos of any other camper or employees of the camp.

Mail

Due to the nature of these wilderness trips, it is difficult to receive mail during our adventures.  If mail is something you’d like your daughter to have at camp, you’ll need to call the Alpengirl office and see by what date the mail needs to be received so that we can be sure to be able to deliver it to her during camp. The best option for camp mail is to pack pre-written letters in her bags to hand to us upon arrival; we will deliver it to her during camp. Please do not send candy, gum, or food items.  Photos and group gifts are appreciated. Campers may send mail out during camp.

Camper Care Packages

Camper parents, friends or family may wish to purchase a camper care gift package or birthday package for their camper and her camp group. These must be purchased ahead of the summer camp season, typically before June 15 in order for staff to have them ready for camps in different locations throughout the summer. If you purchase a gift package to celebrate a campers’ birthday during camp - a cake/desert and candles is automatically included; we always celebrate birthdays at camp with a desert and candles regardless of whether or not a birthday gift package is purchased.

  • Package #1:  Alpengirl camp 4" round logo sticker for each girl in the group, an organic fruit leather for each girl in the group, and an Alpengirl menu book. $30
  • Package #2:  A stamped local postcard for each girl in the group, a colored permenent marker for each girl in the group, organic chocolate pieces for each girl in the group, and an Alpengirl stainless steel water bottle. $60
  • Package #3: An organic snack bar for each girl in the group, an Alpengirl roadside dance party bumper sticker for each girl in the group, selected recycled and hilarious 5-minute costume party accessories for all campers, and an Alpengirl organic cotton hat. $90

Call the Alpengirl office to arrange for a package and to check to see if other camper gift packages are already purchased for your campers group as to not repeat a package in a session. Payments by cash or check for gift packages should be received in the Alpengirl office by June 15.

Camp Store

Alpengirl logo clothing and novelties are available for purchase during camp on Montana and Washington trips. All sizes, colors, and styles are available “first-come, first-served” and there are no guaranteed re-orders of items and no guarantee that items can be bought at a later date, “once they are gone, they are gone”. 2012 pricing and items are as follows: 4” round stickers are $.50, “This vehicle stops for road-side dance parties” bumper stickers are $1, hoodies are $28, sweat pants are $30, Alpenyoga print-out is $4, Alpengirl recipe print-out is $6, embroidered hat $14, tank top $14, salmon colored t’s $10, mushroom or green color t’s $8. 

Tents 

Girls will share a tent with 2 or 3 other girls. For the first half of camp, tent mates are assigned.  As a group, girls will decide after the first half of camp how the rotation of tent mates and tents will change. If you are joining us with a friend, expect to share tents with new friends during the first half of camp.

Music

Campers may wish to bring a few favorite CD’s and/or an iPod with a radio receiver accessory for group music listening. Personal headphones are not allowed during camp sessions, you may wish to carry them for flight travel, but they will be collected during session.

Personal Property Regulations

Optional camper personal sporting equipment (helmets, climbing harness, etc) brought to camp must be inspected prior to arrival and be in safe condition, it will also be inspected and approved for use by Alpenguides upon arrival.  Campers are responsible for storing personal gear and property. Alpengirl cannot be held liable for loss, theft or damage of any items you bring to camp. Campers are not allowed to bring their own horse or other animals to camp. Campers are not allowed to bring alcohol, drugs or weapons of any sort to camp. Alpenguides may perform random searches and seizures of weapons, illegal substances or other prohibited items.

Medication

“Medication” is any substance a person takes to maintain and/or improve their health. This includes vitamins and natural remedies. Bring enough medication to last the entire time at camp.  Medication brought to camp should be in original pharmacy containers with labels that show the campers name and how the medication should be given. (If re-packaging any medications, you MUST include a photocopy of the original container label.) Medications brought to camp must be listed on the health form and include dispensing directions on the container that match dispensing directions given on the health form.  If your doctor has recommended dosages different than what is stated on the container, a doctor’s notation on the health form is required for administering during camp. Upon arrival, Alpenguides will collect camper medications and dispense them during camp as directed by individual health forms. 

If you are (or think you may be) severely allergic to bee or wasp stings or foods/plants and require medication, you are REQUIRED to bring your own self-injecting epi-pen as a back-up to ours.

If you require an inhaler, you must bring 2 with you to camp (1 inhaler can be kept in the possession of those with the prescription.)

Campers that arrive with medications not listed on their health form will not be given the medication until a parent gives verbal permission.

The following non-prescription medications may be stocked in the camp first aid supplies and are used on an as needed basis to manage illness and injury (unless you indicated on your health form that they are not to be given):

Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), Acetaminophen (Tylenol®), Pseudoephedrine decongestant (Sudafed®), Generic cough drops, Diphenhydramine antihistamine/allergy medicine (Benadryl®), Epinephrine emergency treatment of allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) (EpiPen® auto-injector), Laxatives for constipation (ExLax®), Loperamide anti- diarrheal (Imodium A-D®), Aloe, Anti-itch creams or sticks

Iodine water purification tablets may be used during backpacking trips, if you prefer not to use iodine or have adverse reactions to taking iodine, please let us know before camp. Chlorine – Aqua Mira may be used as an alternative to iodine. Most of the time we have potable water to drink at camp, the only days we need to purify our drinking water is during the multi-day backpacking portions of the trip; typically less than 5 days of any camp session.

Eating, Drinking & Self-Health Care

Participants will be instructed on how to keep warm, clean, dry and hydrated/nourished while at camp, in outdoor environments.  Participants are expected to follow these instructions during camp, to monitor their own health, and to report all health care concerns they have for themselves or for others to Alpenguides immediately.  In most cases participants will drink more water, experience altered digestive activity, experience different sleep and eating patterns, and eat different types/quantities of foods than they do at home.

Pre-Camp Calls

Each camper/parent will receive a phone call from one of her Alpenguides on the day/evening before camp arrival. During the call Alpenguides will re-confirm travel itineraries and meeting plans, ask questions about health forms, answer last minute questions, and assure that you are ready for a great adventure!

Please Note: Alpenguides have limited time and phone availability for pre-camp calls. Alpenguides will place the call one time to each parent/guardian telephone number you have provided. If unavailable, a message will be left confirming travel and meeting information and will address any other items of great importance. If you have important questions and think you may miss the pre-camp call or if you just want to make sure your questions are answered well ahead of camp, please contact the Alpengirl office as questions arise.

Put a face to the voice on the phone; take a look at the Alpenguides page on our web site to learn more about your guides before they call you. Your camp staff Alpenguides are:

  1. (Yet to be determined)
  2. (Yet to be determined)

During Camp Calls

Campers arriving by airplane will call home within 2 hours of airport arrival.  Campers departing by airplane will be instructed to call home before boarding planes upon departure.

Campers will be calling home once from camp (except Lil’ Alpengirls).  This call is scheduled during the day before camp ends from public pay phones or personal cell phones while souvenir shopping in the afternoon or early evening.  Campers will be able to try calling home only during the time allotted; again, phones and time are limited on these adventures.

If parents have a need to call camp during their daughter’s camp session, parents should call the Alpengirl office number in Montana at 800-425-1841 and press “1” for urgent communications and to speak with Camp Director Alissa Farley, OR, press “2” for non-emergencies at the speak with Assistant Camp Director Jenny Fiebig. Alissa Farley’s cell phone number is 406-570-6312. If your need is urgent or very important, please leave a message on both the 800# and Alissa’s cell phone. Alissa or Jenny will be checking voice mail at least one time each day except for backpacking days or canoe trip days when we may be with groups in remote wilderness locations all day. If you do not hear back from us within a few days, you should assume we are in the backcountry, we will return your call as promptly as possible. Returning your call and responding to your needs at home may be delayed due to the nature of our wilderness trips. Each Alpengirl group has a cell phone available for emergency use only. Alpenguides check in with the Alpengirl office and camp directors regularly throughout each session. 

Alpenguides or Camp Director (Alissa Farley) or Assistant Camp Director (Jenny Fiebig) will be in contact with parents as needed during camp. You can be certain that we will call you if there is more than a bit of homesickness, illness, or injury that requires more than a band-aid. We air on the side of caution and take your daughters concerns seriously. And, remember, “No News is Good News.”

Alpenguides or Camp Director (Alissa Farley) or Assistant Camp Director (Jenny Fiebig) will be calling home on one pre-scheduled day during your daughter’s session (except Lil’ Alpengirl Camps & Norway Camp.) This call may be placed at any time; morning, afternoon, or evening on that scheduled day. Reminder – this call will be from camp staff, NOT your camper. Please understand, these are wilderness based trips, we have one scheduled day to get in touch with all parents during the trip, phones and cellular services on other days or other times of day are not guaranteed.  If we can’t reach parent/guardians at any of the numbers you have provided on the day we are scheduled to call you and at the time we are able to make calls, a detailed message will be left to update you with news from camp and of your daughter. The schedule is as follows during your adventure:

  • Montana Photojournalism - Thursday June 28 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Alaska Twilight Camp - Friday July 13 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Washington Cascades - Monday July 16 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Montana Majestic "A" - Saturday June 30 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Montana Majestic "B" - Sunday July 15 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Washington Olympics - Saturday July 28 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Hawaii Aloha "A" - Monday July 16 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Hawaii Aloha "B" - Monday July 30 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Montana Horse - Saturday August 4 (morning, afternoon or evening)
  • Norway - no scheduled day/time, girls have access to email and/or phone at different times

Blog & Facebook Updates

Alpenguides will be providing the Camp Directors with information about camp/campers on a regular basis from the field while camp is in session. Camp Directors will use this information to blog and Facebook about things going on at camp during the summer.  We recommend that parents “LIKE” Alpengirl Camp on Facebook and sign up to receive the Alpengirl blog via email (go to the Alpengirl website and look for blog email sign-up at the bottom of the home page.) In some sessions we will be able to post a photo or two of camp groups while at camp, but we can not do this for every camp session due to remote locations and limited computer/technology access during camp. We will however be able to post text about each camp session during camp on the Blog and Facebook.

Air Travel: Unaccompanied Minor Tickets 

Parents, if you have purchased an “unaccompanied minor ticket” so that your daughter receives airline assistance during travel…when you check your daughter in for her flight, please double check that the correct Alpenguide names are listed on arrival and departure. Always use Alpengirl contact information with these names unless the airline requires drivers’ license information, which will be provided to you upon request. Don’t wait until you’re checking in your camper for her flight to find out what the airline rules are regarding minors. Be prepared ahead of time and avoid travel day stress by checking in with your airline NOW about what needs they require for “Unaccompanied Minor Tickets”. Also, at check-in or before check-in, please attempt to pay for the Unaccompanied Minor Ticket on return and be sure to pack the “paid in full” receipt in your campers carry-on bags so the airline does not charge you again on departure. Sometimes airlines will not provide a receipt for this, in that case, please write a note for camp staff that says you paid for return upon check-in. If you are unable to pay for return, you need to have cash in an envelope for return fees, the camp staff will hold this during camp for your daughter to so that it is not used for any other reason.

Attempt to list 2 staff names for arrival and departure! If you are allowed only one name, use the 1st name on the list: (NOTE: see printed Pre-Camp Letter sent to camp parents in late May, before camp starts.)

Air Travel: Baggage Fees

Be sure to pack airline baggage fee cash in a separate envelope in Ziploc #1 (see Packing List) fro your return flight. Alpenguides will hold this for you during camp so that it is not used for any other reason.

Cancellation & Program Interruption Insurance

We recommend that you review your existing insurance coverages and consider additional insurance coverages. Travmark A+ Summer Camp Protection Plan includes coverage for program cancellation, program interruption, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and baggage/personal effects at very competitive rates. Call Travmark at 888-420-5378.

Reminders Just Before Camp

  • Did you list all medications (midol, advil, vitamins, etc) on your campers’ health form? 
  • Any recent changes to your campers mental or physical health since completing the health form? If so, please call Alpengirl and suggest considerations her well-being at camp.
  • Did you pack a self-injecting Epi-Pen if you know (or suspect) that your daughter is severely allergic to bee/wasp stings or foods/plants?
  • Did you pack an extra inhaler if your daughter requires an inhaler?
  • Any new or changed parent/guardians telephone numbers or contact information? If so, email Alpengirl.
  • Check your calendar and make arrangements to be accessible to a phone on the call from camp staff day (usually about half way through camp, see schedule above) & the camper call home day (the day before camp ends, except for Lil’s camp sessions).
  • Arrange pre-written letters and group care packages (no food or candy) for your daughter to receive during camp. Alpengirl gift package orders are due by June 15. (Optional)
  • Have you checked with your airline regarding rules and age restrictions for minors traveling alone?
  • Make sure that the Alpengirl t-shirt is ready to wear on arrival day.
  • Print and review the travel information with your camper.