Information for Campers (Grades 3-6) and families

HOW TO REGISTER

To register for camp, return the following forms and payment to the Marion County Extension office by May 15:

• Permission slip
• Behavioral expectations form
• Health form

Your payment of $100.00 per camper is due with your registration forms. This fee includes all meals and your own camp t-shirt.

Forms may be completed and returned to: Marion County Extension 4-H, 1202 E. 38^th St. Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46205. Make checks payable to Trustees of Purdue University. Refunds for cancellations cannot be made after May 22.

The first 45 campers will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we have reached 45 registered campers, potential campers will be added to a waiting list and notified of any openings.

If you prefer to be in a cabin with a particular camper, please note the camper’s name on your permission form. There is no guarantee that we can make this happen, but we will try our best.

GETTING TO AND FROM CAMP

Marion County does not secure a bus for transportation to and from camp, but other central Indiana counties that participate may have room for you to ride their bus. Contact us if you are interested in taking a bus to and from camp.

Camp check-in is at Shakamak State Park Group Camp at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 3. Lunch will not be served, so please eat before arriving. Camp check-out is at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 6. Breakfast will be served at camp that morning prior to departure.

WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP

Please label your belongings whenever possible!

• Sleeping bag or bedroll, sheet, pillow, pajamas, stuffed animal (if desired)
• 4 changes of clothing (include 1 pair of jeans or sweats). Bring a 4-H shirt if you have one!
• 5-7 pairs of socks
• Jacket or sweatshirt
• Swim suit and beach towel
• Towel, wash cloth, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, any other hygiene articles
• Raingear – umbrella, poncho (Camp goes on, even in the rain!)
• Good pair of walking shoes with closed toes and heels
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, flashlight
• Water bottle or canteen (Some water bottles have carrying straps.)
• Money for concessions and craft kits - $20.00 in small bills. (Parents should discuss with their camper(s) the importance of being responsible for money brought to camp. Lost money is impossible to identify, so please keep money in more than one safe place. Twenty-dollar bills are discouraged, as that’s a lot of money to lose if it falls out of your pocket. Use smaller bills instead, and keep them in separate places among your belongings.)

Do NOT bring the following to camp:

• Cell phone, tablet, radio, CD player, electronic games or toys
• Fishing equipment, knives, ammo, or fireworks
• Hot rollers or curling irons
• Clothing or swimwear that does not reflect the positive values taught in 4-H. Please use common sense and modesty when choosing your clothing.

HEALTH FORMS AND MEDICATIONS

Your health is important! All campers must have a health form in order to attend. Be sure to complete both sides of the form and check if the camp nurse can give Tylenol or Advil if needed or anticipated. Please list any food allergies on the health form as well.

Send prescription medications in the container they came in with directions. The container should be in a Ziploc bag with a completed half-sheet medication form and the camper’s name on the outside. These should be given to the camp nurse upon arrival at camp or to an Extension Educator before boarding the bus.

This includes bee sting kits (if your child is allergic to bee stings) and inhalers. If your child uses an inhaler, he or she is expected to know how to use it independently. We will have Tylenol and skin ointments for bug bites and general scrapes, splinters, etc.

PHONE CALLS AT CAMP

The phone number at camp is 812-665-9544. Phone calls at camp will be allowed only in the event of an emergency. Parents, please make sure your camper(s) understands this policy. Please do not bring cell phones or other electronic devices; cell signal is unreliable to non-existent at camp. We reserve the right to call you at any time of day or night to pick up your child if there is a continuous discipline problem.

BECOME A CAMP COUNSELOR!

Are you looking for a fun and rewarding summer experience? Then consider becoming a 4-H camp counselor! Camp counselors are in grades 9-12. You do not need to be enrolled in 4-H to participate, and everyone is encouraged to bring a friend. Not only will you have a blast at camp, but you'll also gain valuable leadership and teamwork skills that will serve you well in the future.

As a camp counselor, your role will be to help lead the younger campers through activities like swimming, boating, hiking, making crafts, leadership activities, learning about 4-H, and much more! 4-H Camp is for 4-H members who are in grades 3-6, so your campers will be between the ages of 8 and 11.

To sign up to be a camp counselor, return the following forms and payment to the Marion County Extension office by March 15. Your payment of $100.00 per counselor is due with your forms.

• Permission slip
• Behavioral expectations form
• Health form

WHAT TO DO BEFORE CAMP

Camp Counselors meet 2-3 times between April and June to prepare for camp with counselor trainings and to plan all camp activities. We meet in the evenings at the Putnam County Extension office in Greencastle, IN, and dinner will be provided. These trainings are a lot of fun and give you a chance to meet the other counselors you will be working with at camp! We can discuss travel arrangements to Putnam County, if needed.