Parent Resources

If you’ve been to camp, you’re not surprised to hear about the benefits of summer camp. Experiencing life at camp yourself as a child, you know the profound positive effects that still matter to you as an adult, and you also know that you want something just as important for your own kids.

But if you didn’t go to camp as a child, you may not realize just how good the experience is for children. You may not know why so many parents are committed to sending their kids to camp. So while we have talked about most of these before, here is a list of the most important benefits of summer camp.

At camp, children:

10. Spend their day being physically active – As children spend so much time these days inside and mostly sitting down, camp provides a wonderful opportunity to move. Running, swimming, jumping, hiking, climbing! Camp is action!

9. Experience success and become more confident – Camp helps children build self-confidence and self-esteem by removing the kind of academic, athletic and social competition that shapes their lives at school. With its non-competitive activities and diverse opportunities to succeed, camp life is a real boost for young people. There’s accomplishment every day. Camp teaches kids that they can.

8. Gain resiliency – The kind of encouragement and nurture kids receive at camp makes it a great environment to endure setbacks, try new (and thereby maybe a little frightening) things, and see that improvement comes when you give something another try. Camp helps conquer fears.

7. Unplug from technology – When kids take a break from TV, cell phones, and the Internet, they rediscover their creative powers and engage the real world— real people, real activities, and real emotions. They realize, there’s always plenty to do. Camp is real!

6. Develop life-long skills – Camps provide the right instruction, equipment and facilities for kids to enhance their sports abilities, their artistic talents, and their adventure skills. The sheer variety of activities offered at camp makes it easy for kids to discover and develop what they like to do. Camp expands every child’s abilities.

5. Grow more independent – Camp is the perfect place for kids to practice making decisions for themselves without parents and teachers guiding every move. Managing their daily choices in the safe, caring environment of camp, children welcome this as a freedom to blossom in new directions. Camp helps kids develop who they are.

4. Have free time for unstructured play – Free from the overly-structured, overly-scheduled routines of home and school, life at camp gives children much needed free time to just play. Camp is a slice of carefree living where kids can relax, laugh, and be silly all day long. At camp we play!

3. Learn social skills – Coming to camp means joining a close-knit community where everyone must agree to cooperate and respect each other. When they live in a cabin with others, kids share chores, resolve disagreements, and see firsthand the importance of sincere communication. Camp builds teamwork.

2. Reconnect with nature – Camp is a wonderful antidote to “nature deficit disorder,” to the narrow experience of modern indoor life. Outdoor experience enriches kid’s perception of the world and supports healthy child development. Camp gets kids back outside.

1. Make true friends – Camp is the place where kids make their very best friends. Free from the social expectations pressuring them at school, camp encourages kids to relax and make friends easily. All the fun at camp draws everyone together— singing, laughing, talking, playing, doing almost everything together. Everyday, camp creates friendships.

See? Camp is great.

Preventative Health Screening – Before Arrival

We ask each family to help minimize illness at camp by monitoring your camper for signs of infectious illnesses and to keep youth with signs or symptoms of infectious illness home when sick and/or seek medical care. Please contact C2R staff immediately if your camper is exhibiting infectious illness signs within 48 hrs prior to camp.

Prior to camp please teach children proper handwashing and hygiene techniques.

Staff and Camper Interactions After Camp

Campers often develop strong and positive mentor relationships with summer camp staff. When our week together ends, many campers want to keep in touch with their favorite staff members. However, all Camp Two Roads staff are asked to refrain from connecting with campers (without expressed camper family consent) via in person or any social media platforms until they have aged out of our camper programs or graduated high school. Should your camper request to follow a staff member it will most likely be politely denied.  Instead we recommend campers send email to office@shootingstaradventures.org or to our business address. We will make sure counselors receive the messages. 

The American Camp Association has many useful tips, online videos and links for camp parents. You’ll find the videos especially helpful.

Another camp professional we always recommend is Chris Thurber. He is a clinical psychologist who, with his many years of experience working with camp kids, has written a wonderful book about summer camp and how both parents and kids can get the most out of a camp experience. It’s called The Summer Camp Handbook. If you think your child might be homesick once she goes off to camp, we highly recommend you read through this site, and even purchase the DVD available on that topic.

In the case of items lost, please contact office@shootingstaradventures.org . We will make every effort to locate the item but will not be able to replace or reimburse the camper for the item. Unclaimed items will be disposed of one month after the end of the camp program. If any of the prohibited items are found on site, they will be taken from the participant’s possession and returned to parents at pick-up.

You will be automatically added to our camp communication list related to your registered program. Please add the following emails to your address book so that our communications are not missed.

office@shootingstaradventures.org – general email, Nature Day Camp, Girls Weekend

finance@shootingstaradventures.org – financial aid, registration, payment plan

• Need to register another participant? Click the button above.
• Important camp information can also be found on our Facebook Page,  Instagram and Twitter accounts. Like and follow us to be kept up to date on all things camp including future events and specials.
• Share our Facebook ad to your newsfeed with a note to let friends know your summer plans. Just click on the facebook icon to be taken to our post. Returning Families, please consider writing us a review and spreading the word about our program.

You will be automatically added to our camp communication list related to your registered program. Please add the following emails to your address book so that our communications are not missed.

office@shootingstaradventures.org – general email, Nature Day Camp, Girls Weekend

c2r@shootingstaradventures.org – questions specific to Camp Two Roads

finance@shootingstaradventures.org – financial aid, registration, payment plan

• Important camp information can also be found on our Facebook Page,  Instagram and Twitter accounts. Like and follow us to be kept up to date on all things C2R including future specials.
• Share our facebook ad to your newsfeed with a note to let friends know your fun plans. Who knows, maybe they would want to get in on the adventure as well.
• Just click on the facebook icon to be taken to our post.

You will be automatically added to our camp communication list related to your registered program. Please add the following emails to your address book so that our communications are not missed.

office@shootingstaradventures.org – general email, Nature Day Camp, Girls Weekend

c2r@shootingstaradventures.org – questions specific to Camp Two Roads

finance@shootingstaradventures.org – financial aid, registration, payment plans

• Need to register another participant? Click the button above.
• Payment plans bill automatically on the 1st of next month.
• Important camp information can also be found on our Facebook Page,  Instagram and Twitter accounts. Like and follow us to be kept up to date on all things C2R including future events and specials.

• Remember you must make monthly payments to be eligible to receive a campership.
• We will notify all campership applicants of their status after our April board meeting, but no later than April 15th.

• We will be sending you a link to complete your application and explain the interview process for the CIT program. Please add office@shootingstaradventures.org to your address book so that you do not miss it. – Emails will be send out no earlier than November 1st.
• Contact non-family member adults in your life for a letter of recommendation that speaks to your ability to work with children. You will be required to provide at least 2.
• Create a resume of your extracurricular activities and accomplishments, especially in areas highlighting your work with children. Now is a great time to find opportunities to volunteer or work with youth programs in your area in order to gain more experience working with youth.

For many kids, camp is their first step toward independence. Leaving the familiarity of home for the first time, most kids experience some degree of discomfort or unease as they adjust to new people, activities, challenges, and experiences. These feelings of discomfort are completely normal, and it is important to discuss the normalcy of homesickness and feeling uncomfortable in new environments before your child leaves for camp. In Homesick and Happy, Michael Thompson says, “Homesickness is not a psychiatric illness. It is not a disorder. It is the natural, inevitable consequence of leaving home. Every child is going to feel it, more or less, sooner or later. Every adult has had to face it and overcome it at some point in life … If you cannot master it, you cannot leave home.”

Real growth only comes when we’re stretched beyond our comfort zones, and that is why so many campers grow more confident during their time at camp: their comfort zone is stretched and they succeed in meeting the new challenges.

Some kids end up adjusting and feeling comfortable quickly while others have a harder time adjusting. Either way, there are several ways you can both prepare and support your camper before and during their time at camp. The biggest struggle for parents often is having to hear about the discomfort of their children as they navigate homesickness, but C2R is well-equipped to encourage and come alongside both you and your child to make camp the most positive experience possible!

Resources

How to Handle Your Camper’s Homesickness: (Episode 39, Sunshine Parenting Podcast)
Homesick & Happy with Michael Thompson, Ph.D. (Episode 173, Sunshine Parenting Podcast)
Homesick & Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow (book) by Michael Thompson, Ph.D.
10 Messages for a Homesick Camper

We are confident your daughter’s upcoming week at Camp Two Roads will be one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of her life. She’ll have a wonderful time, make really good friends, and look back fondly as she grows older. Camp is quite different from ordinary life, however, and it can take some adjustment to get the most out of this time away from home. Over the years, we have learned a few approaches that help make this transition to camp life a smooth one.

Let your daughter know how excited you are that she is going to Two Roads!
Look over the camp materials together and talk about which activities she wants to try. Learn about and become familiar with camp procedures and schedules.

But… also acknowledge that missing home is normal.
Remind her that going to camp is good practice for when she’s older and moves away for college or a job.

Strategize some coping strategies for if she starts to feel sad.

1. Keeping a positive attitude and having fun, even when feeling sad.
2. Talking to their counselor or other adult at camp.
3. Writing a letter telling about camp and their feelings.
4. Keeping a journal about camp.
5. Keeping busy with fun camp activities and friends.
6. Taking pictures to show parents after camp.
7. Keeping a calendar and marking off days to see how quickly camp is going.

Have campers pack with you.
Once they get to camp, they’ll feel more comfortable if they know where their flashlight and pajamas are on the first night rather than having to frantically search through their entire bag.

Pick out photos with your camper that you can print out and send with your daughter.
She can then use them to decorate her bunk area and make it more homey once she moves in to her cabin.

If she hasn’t had much experience sleeping away from home or in a cabin setting, set up some practice times.
You might camp together in the backyard or have her spend the weekend at a relative’s house.

Listen to and talk about her concerns.
As the first day of camp nears, some children understandably experience uneasiness about going off to camp. Rather than acting on what you believe her feelings to be, ask good questions such as: “We’ve been busy packing your gear. What are your thoughts about heading off to camp in a few days?” Communicate your confidence in her ability to handle being away from home and remind her about “small victories,” successes she has experienced in other situations.

If your daughter is nervous about coming to camp, reassure her that you know that she will do great and that all of the other girls feel the same way.
Even the campers who have been to Two Roads for many years get a little anxious on opening day. Just advise her to be friendly and open to trying what camp has to offer.

Make sure she knows that everyone at home wants her to have a wonderful time at Two Roads.
Avoid comments like “You will have fun, but I am going to miss you so much.” You want her to be excited about camp, and fully engaged with it, instead of worrying about home and how much the family misses her.

Most importantly, if she asks, tell her that there is not an option to call you or come home early.
For some campers, the discomfort from the first few days of camp brings up their fight or flight instinct, and all they want is to leave camp and get back to the comfort of home. If they have a seed of hope for an early pick up, they will determinedly stay miserable until rescued from their discomfort. If they know they’re staying for the whole camp, they’ll start to develop their own coping mechanisms and they’ll feel accomplished and proud by the end of the session for making it through!

One of the worst things that you can tell your daughter is, “If you don’t like camp, then I’ll come get you.” This type of decision puts a big weight on a child’s shoulders and typically sets her up for failure. She will be so preoccupied and overwhelmed with deciding whether or not to go home that she will never fully embrace camp.

Have realistic expectations.
Camp, like the rest of life, has high points and low ones. Not every moment will necessarily be filled with wonder and excitement. Encourage your child to have a reasonable and realistic view of camp. Discuss both the ups and downs your child may experience. Your child should not feel pressured to succeed at camp either. The main purposes of camp are to relax and have fun.

A special note for your young camper:
Remember that your daughter will be in charge of taking a shower and washing her hair, along with keeping up with her belongings. If she’s new to this, it’s a good idea to take time practicing these skills before camp begins.

Gathering and packing everything you’ll need for sleepaway camp is part of the fun! Here are a few tips and some advice about how to pack and what to bring for your stay at Two Roads.

Here’s advice about “how” to pack for camp. Girls live out of their bags and most prefer a little extra room to find items, when in doubt, use a slighter bigger bag. Duffel bags work great and can be stored under their beds.

Label Everything – Permanently write, or better yet, use sewn or ironed-on labels that include the first and last name.

Don‘t pack anything of value – Things do get lost, damaged, and/or borrowed while at camp. Old t-shirts, sweatshirts and shorts are quite the style at camp!

Think layers – Even in the peak summer months, mornings and evenings can be chilly. It’s common for the day to start out in the 50’s and then heat up to the 80’s during the afternoon.

Pack that Rain Poncho – While late summer rain is not common, we don’t want our campers getting caught in an unexpected shower without a waterproof layer. Soggy campers aren’t much fun and are a bit stinky too! Head to the dollar store and pick up a cheap “just in case” rain poncho.

DID WE MENTION TO LABEL EVERYTHING?!!!!!

A Special Note About Cell Phones – Campers are not allowed to have cell phones at camp. We have found that girls who bring cell phones have a harder time adjusting to camp life and can have more difficulty with homesickness. A large part of camp is learning to be independent and you can help your daughter succeed by making sure she does not bring a cell phone.

A Special Note About Electronic Screens – Campers are not allowed to have electronic screens at camp. We ask that campers do not pack tablets (e.g., iPads), e-readers (e.g., Kindles or Nooks), or iPods with touch screens (iPod Touch or iPod Nano). Beyond the practical rationale for not packing these electronic items— there are no electrical outlets in our cabins available for recharging —we strive to make camp a place for slowing down, “unplugging” from our devices, and for being more fully engaged with those around us.

Remember – girls will be outdoors all day, so dress appropriately for the weather. Mornings and evenings can be cool, afternoons warm so layers are great. CLOSED TOES SHOES are required each day for many of the skill stations. See our suggested packing list for more details.

Each camp day brings a fresh theme, and they vary from year to year. For this year’s lineup, be sure to check out the parent handbook to get the scoop on the themes. While dressing up isn’t a must, it’s a fun way to boost our community vibe (and maybe lighten your packing load!). So, start brainstorming those outfits, even a themed t-shirt will do the trick!

DO NOT BRING toys, gum, candy, sugary drinks, cell phones, ipods, items you have to plug in or charge, electronic devices/games, or expensive items (Shooting Star Adventures will not be held responsible for lost or broken items). 

Cosmetics are strongly discouraged as there is no time to apply/remove and it attracts insects to the campers face.  

Weapons, vape pens, drugs and/or illegal substances will result in removal from the camp program. 

Jumping in the car and driving to Camp Yamhill is super exciting and often challenging. The route is full of speed traps, wild animals, log trucks, and gravel roads, but, in the end, the results are totally worth it! Here are a couple of options for getting yourself to camp:

Google Map Link – https://www.google.com/maps?ll=45.358941,-123.315208&z=16&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=US&mapclient=embed&cid=10773414775666608938

When GPS fails, use these old school landmarks – From Yamhill, go west on Moores Valley Rd for 1.5 miles. Turn right on Oak Ridge Rd. In three miles this road will “Y’ into 2 gravel roads. Stay to the right on Oak Ridge Rd and follow it for another three miles. Go past Yamhill University on your left. Just over the bridge the road curves to the left and the entrance to Camp Yamhill will be on your left, near the top of the hill –  from there our camp staff will guide you the rest of the way.

Please see the Camp Handbook for Families for specific information related to drop off and pick up.

“Homesickness” (missing home) is common for some kids while at camp. 

During our staff training, our counselors learn positive ways for handling camper homesickness. Our counselors and staff will do the following things to help your child work through the normal adjustment period of being away from home:

1. Give your child time and attention. Talk to them about their feelings and let them know they are normal.
2.  Do things for them that make camp more “homey” for them, such as read them a bedtime story, tuck them into their sleeping bag, etc.
3. Encourage your child to use coping strategies that have worked for other campers.

Our policy is to not call parents even when youth or teens at camp are missing home and want to talk to their family. If your child is visibly upset (crying frequently, not participating, having trouble eating or sleeping) and not getting adjusted to camp after two full camp days, we will call you to let you know what is happening and discuss a plan for helping your child adjust. You will not be contacted if your child mentions that she misses her parents but appears happy and is participating for the majority of the day.

If you anticipate your child experiencing homesickness during camp, please do not tell her she is able to come home anytime she wants to, but rather let her know that our staff is there to help her enjoy the remaining days of camp. Without the option of going home, most campers adjust to camp within a few days. Campers who overcome homesickness and successfully complete their camp stay feel a great sense of accomplishment and independence.

Consider prewriting a few letters or cards to send your camper while at camp. They love getting mail! Just remember to send it no later than the Weds prior to camp to make sure it arrives during camp. You can also give our staff letters at drop off.

If you ever have a question or concern about your camper, how she is adjusting to camp life, interacting with her counselors and other campers, or even just liking the food, we encourage you to contact our Directors by calling our office. We are more than happy to give you an update at any time.

Likewise, if we ever feel your daughter is struggling for some reason (for example, homesickness), we will certainly reach out to you, explain what’s happening and let you know how we are helping her work through the issue. In all such cases, we will work together to help your daughter.

Snail Mail! Campers love to receive regular mail. Everyday after lunch, everyone is excited to check their mailbox for cards and letters. Give her camp address out to friends and relatives, along with a suggestion to focus more on what she is doing at camp than on details at home. Keep the tone encouraging and positive. Send US Mail to

Camper Name                       

Attn: Camp Two Roads         

19651 NW Old Railroad Grade Rd Yamhill, OR 97148

It is also important to note that mail can take longer than usual, simply because Yamhill’s small-town post office gets overwhelmed with mail. Plan on a few extra days for letters to be received.

Packages. We have found that campers receiving packages, especially when compared to those that do not, can have a negative effect on the camp community. For this main reason, we have a no packages policy.

To maintain a wholesome, fun, child-focused environment free of social pressures and negative influences, C2R has developed behavior and appearance guidelines, which will be strictly enforced. If you are concerned that your child may not be able to meet our Camper Standards, please consult with a Camp Director prior to enrolling your child. We find that our campers are most successful when they know what to expect. You can help your camper prepare by going over our expectations and dress code guidelines before they even get to camp.

If a camper is unable to function within these guidelines, our staff will take actions in the best interest of the campers and the program. Campers will be held responsible for their actions and/or any damage to property of camp or others.

Our camp store will be open every day during cabin times, recreation periods and after dinner. Campers will have the opportunity to visit the store and purchase all sorts of fun items.

• Water Bottles and other necessities
• Camp Logo Stuffed Animals
• Hats, Hoodies, PJ Pants and T-shirts
• Friendship Bracelets, Stickers and more
• Snack options – some healthy, others maybe not so much 🙂

Purchasing items in the camp store is optional, and self-directed for each child. We recommend discussing with campers a budget for their camp store account. You may add money to your camper’s store account at check in via cash or check. We will keep track of her total throughout the week and any funds (over $5) at the end of the week will be refunded to you. Of course, you can always donate them to our campership fund and help more girls get the opportunity to experience C2R.

A note about food options, our camp store manager will be fully aware of any food allergies your campers might have. If you prefer not to allow certain food items to be available for you camper, we will make note of that as well.

Our Health Hut is staffed by 24 hours a day when camp is in session.

Many of our counselors are First Aid and CPR certified as well as all of our Senior Staff. Lifeguards and Archery instructors are required to be safety-certified as well.

All campers must complete a detailed health history form (which asks about allergies, immunizations, medications, emergency contact information, and special medical needs and permission to treat).

The Health Hut is stocked with necessary over-the-counter medications and first aid supplies. The camp nurse organizes and dispense all camper medications, including PRNs, over-the-counter remedies and vitamins. Here’s a note from the American Camp Association about the use of long-term psychotropic drugs (Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, etc):

“Children should avoid elective interruption of these medications while in a camp environment. Most children treated with medication for behavioral or emotional problems benefit from continued use of medication at camp. Learning new skills, listening, following directions, building relationships, and having the same opportunity for success is paramount for these campers.”

The most common injuries at camp are small scrapes, bruises and bug bites. You can help your camper stay healthy by encouraging her to wash her hands regularly, wear bug spray and sunscreen everyday, cough/sneeze into her elbow (not her hand), and use hand sanitizer throughout the day. Also, encourage her to wear flip flops only in the shower. Camp has a lot of uneven terrain and shoes that stay on the feet are the best prevention against twisted ankles.

The camp nurse will contact you if your daughter has to spend the night in the Health Hut for any reason, or if she receives any medical attention outside of camp.