We are looking forward to a Great Summer!
I hope everyone is enjoying their Spring activities and looking forward to a fun packed Summer break. We are very excited to host new and returning boys over the course of this coming camp season. This correspondence covers important information for parents. Feel free to contact me with any questions or clarifications.
Final invoices will be mailed out soon to those who have a balance. The Waiver, Photo Release and Health forms will need to be filled out, scanned and returned to: director@campwachusett.com, or mailed to: Camp Wachusett, P.O. Box 33, Irvington, VA 22480 prior to June 15th. The link button at the bottom will take you directly to the waiver and 2023 Forms. While we feel the Covid threat of the past few summers is behind us, please know we remain dedicated to providing an absolutely safe experience for all campers and staff.
New This Summer:
We will offer week long horseback riding classes for a small group of boys through an off-campus program coordinated by our nurse, Stefanie Wilbur. This program would be a separate fee and a separate contract between parents and the horse farm. Wachusett would provide transportation to and from the horse farm. Boys would likely miss morning or afternoon activities at camp if they choose to enroll. Please contact us for further information.
Some General Guidelines
Drop offs on July 9th, July 16th and 23rd should take place after 9:00 am and will last throughout the day; preferably ending before 6:30 pm.
Pick ups on 7/23, 7/30 and 8/5 should take place between 9:00am and noon. Please contact me if your situation falls outside of that timeframe. We will host a final dinner and awards ceremony where parents can be present on August 4th. I will provide more information through weekly newsletters once camp begins.
This year, we will meet certain Southwest Airlines flights between BWI and Albany, NY. On arrival days, we will meet SWA flight: 1700 departing BWI at 9:50 am. On departing days we will provide transportation to Albany for SWA flight 1479 arriving BWI at 1:00 pm. One difference is that on August 5th the departing flight to BWI will be SWA flight 996 arriving BWI at 12:25 pm. We are also happy to meet Amtrak (Ethan Allen Express) trains from NY, Penn Station in Castleton, VT. If interested in these options, please contact me for more details.
To help avoid laundry being mixed up or left behind, please carefully label each clothing item that is packed. To help with that I have included a link to an organization that makes durable personalized laundry labels www.labeldaddy.com.
Cell phones are not permitted, but if you want to send one along, we can hold onto it for safekeeping until departure. We do encourage boys to write letters home and require it at least weekly, so please provide stamped addressed envelopes and associated supplies.
We ask that you not call your boys for the first week. If you would like to call after that, mealtimes are best: Breakfast 8:30 - 9:00, Lunch 1:30 - 2:15, Dinner 6:30 - 7:15. The number is: (802) 273-2880. If you would like to reach me, those are also good times, but I will generally be available at that number or will call you back asap if you leave a message. My cell phone number is (202) 744-7130. Stefanie Wilbur is our Registered Nurse. She may be reached at the camp phone number above or through her cell number (802) 683-9631.
A Reminder About 2023 Forms
In addition to paying the final invoice, please fill out and return necessary forms. You may use the link below or download from our website and return the waiver, health and photo release forms as soon as possible. We know filling out the health form and supporting documents can be time consuming, but it is very important to carefully fill out all instructions for medications and provide needed information in case of an emergency. Please also include a copy of your son's covid 19 vaccination card, if applicable.
You can download the forms on our website at the Summer 2023 Forms Page.
Packing Reminders
Laundry will go out weekly. It is very important to write your camper's name on his articles of clothing. Check out the packing list on our website. For 2023, we will provide disposable facemasks if they become necessary. Please do not pack sanitary wipes of any kind. We will provide all disinfectants and cleaners. Wipes somehow find their way into septic systems and will wreak havoc in waste water systems (even if labeled flushable.) If you would like to send along alcohol based hand sanitizer, feel free, but we have plenty on hand.
This year we plan to continue taking groups on day trips off the property, unless the threat of COVID should become a factor. We will monitor case levels in surrounding areas. We are planning to take hiking and canoeing trips this summer during each session. The recommended camping gear is highly encouraged, but not necessary. Hiking boots with ankle support are particularly useful for our overnight trips. Please do not pack any knives or sharp instruments. Hygiene is very important, please pack shampoo and soap for showering.
Once again, we pledge to provide a safe and fun environment this year for boys to build friendships, learn new skills, and enjoy the outdoors. If you visit our website you will find video clips from previous summers. We are looking forward to seeing everyone this summer! Best Regards and Unaliyi, Phil