YMCA Camp Hi-Rock
A Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA

Camp with Character, Programs with Purpose since 1948

Parent Information

This page details the policies and procedures for YMCA Camp Hi-Rock's programs, including Resident and Day Camp. To learn more about specific programs and activities, please visit our Activities page, our Resident Camp page, or our Day Camp page. Carefully browsing through the contents of this page, as well as the rest of the website, can help you prepare your camper (and yourself) for a successful Hi-Rock summer. You can also download a comprehensive Parent Handbook to read at your convenience.

Camp Hi-Rock is committed to ensuring that every camper's stay with us is safe, happy, and rewarding. Our goal is to challenge and nurture the individual, build self-esteem, instill leadership and social skills, strengthen the body, lift the spirit, and sharpen the mind. We strive to accomplish this by fostering an atmosphere built around the YMCA's four character values - caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility - while developing skills, making friends, and having a great time!

Feel free to contact us at any point if you have any questions or concerns not answered within this website. The Camp Hi-Rock staff would love to hear from you!

Administrative Information

Registration Policies
Changes, Cancellations, or Special Requests
Medical Policies and Procedures: Required Medical Forms
Medical Policies and Procedures: Medical Care
Resident Camp: Transportation
Resident Camp: Packing List for Campers
Resident Camp: Check-In Procedure
Resident Camp: Check-Out Procedure
Day Camp: Transportation
Day Camp: Packing List for Campers
Other Important Administrative Information

Camp Information

More Parent Resources
Camp Store
Resident Camp: Laundry
Resident Camp: Correspondence (Mail, Food Care Packages, Phone Calls, Emails)
Day Camp: Correspondence (Parent's Night, Newsletters, Important Updates)
Day Camp: Meals and Snacks
Visiting
Homesickness/Other Problems
Camper Code of Conduct
After Camp

Registration Policies

Registration forms are published in the fall and sent to all campers who attended camp the prior summer. All forms are also available for download here. Upon receipt of a registration form and deposit, the camp office will send parents a confirmation packet, which includes: confirmation of registration and payment, required medical forms, and other optional forms. Parents are required to read the Parent Handbook, which details all information found on this website. Camp Hi-Rock will only process registrations and mail confirmation packets once we receive a complete registration form AND payment for the initial deposit. This is to ensure that all our camper spots are held fairly.

Once your camper is registered, final payment of camp program fees, as well as any written changes, cancellations, or additional requests, are due by May 1 (Day Camp fees due June 1). Payments can be made by check, money order, or credit card authorization (VISA/MasterCard only). Payment plans are available in advance of the deadline; please contact our office to find out more. If you are registering after the deadline, please submit all payment and paperwork upon registration, or immediately following receipt of your confirmation packet, in order to ensure your camper's place at camp.

If there are any special custodial circumstances of which we should be aware, please inform the camp office in writing. YMCA Camp Hi-Rock must be provided with legal documentation concerning any parental visiting issues. Our camp office will not release personal records, data, or medical examination reports to anyone without the consent of the camper's parent/guardian.

Changes, Cancellations, or Special Requests

If you need to make any changes to your original registration form, please contact the camp office and send written notification as soon as possible. These changes or requests may include:
-Session changes
-Waterskiing requests
-Transportation needs
-Special dietary requests
-Authorization of persons to pick up your camper
-Camp store deposits
-(Resident Camp) Cabin mate requests
-(Day Camp) Meal plan changes
Because camp sessions, spaces in our waterski program, and our bus routes reach capacity each year, written notification should be sent no later than May 1. After May 1, changes will be accommodated where possible.

If, for any reason, your camper cannot come to camp at the scheduled time, PLEASE NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY! There may be a waiting list for camp, and someone might be glad to take the place originally reserved for your camper. The deposit is not refundable as it covers the administrative costs of registrations and cancellations. Any other payments will only be refunded if the camp office receives written notice of cancellation by May 1. Refunds can take up to 90 days to process, regardless of amount. If a camper is unable to come to camp due to an accident or illness, payments are refundable provided a doctor’s note is submitted. Refunds will not be granted to campers who choose not to complete their stay due to homesickness or dislike of our programs, or who are expelled from camp due to their failure to comply with the Camper Code of Conduct.

Medical Policies and Procedures: Required Medical Forms

Commonwealth of Massachusetts law requires campers to have documentation of a physical examination, conducted by a licensed physician within two years prior to their stay at camp. Camp medical forms are provided for this purpose, and are available here.

1. Medical Form/Medical History Form: The camper's parent or guardian must complete and sign the Medical Form within 6 months of their camper's stay at camp. A licensed physician must complete and sign the "Medical History" side of the form, which includes a medical history, immunization records, and a physical examination report. Please include your camper's insurance information on this form and provide camp with a copy of both the front and back sides of your camper's health insurance card.
2. YMCA Camp Hi-Rock Medication Administration Release Form: Camp Hi-Rock cannot administer any prescription or non-prescription medication brought from home to a camper without a complete Medication Administration Release Form. This form requires details including the name of medication, directions for use, and the patient's name. A parent/guardian must sign this form; if any prescription medications are listed, a licensed physician must also sign this form.

Please mail your completed medical forms to camp as soon as possible before your camper’s stay at camp, ideally by June 1. You should retain a copy to bring to check-in or to hand in at the bus stop on the first day of camp. We cannot allow any camper to remain at camp without a current and complete medical form. The Medical Form includes documentation of parental consent, allowing the camp staff to provide emergency medical attention for a camper if necessary, and basic health insurance information to be used if the camper requires medical care or prescription medication. In order to meet specifications set by our local Board of Health, only the Camp Hi-Rock medical forms are acceptable.

Medical Policies and Procedures: Medical Care

Daily medical care is provided by the camp nurses, in accordance with standing orders from our consulting medical practice, Macony P.C. Our nurses are available 24 hours a day. Sick call is held four times daily for mildly ill campers. First aid kits are kept in all program areas as well as in the campers' living areas, and are also carried on hikes and overnight campouts. The majority of first aid will be administered by medical staff; however, the general staff are trained in CPR and First Aid and will administer first aid when necessary.

All prescription or non-prescription medications must be handed to the camp nurses in their original containers, and placed in a labeled bag, on check-in day or the first day of camp. Medications must be accompanied by a Medication Administration Release Form. All medications, including vitamins, are to be administered under the direct supervision of a camp nurse. These medications will be locked in the camp infirmary when not required. Should a medication be required to be kept on a camper’s person, a physician must provide written authorization for the medication to be kept with the camper at all times. Medications will only be administered once the camp nurses have approved the prescription as detailed on the Medication Administration Release Form. The nurses may administer other nonprescription medications according to our standing orders if needed by your camper during their stay, provided you have not indicated an allergy to such medications on the Medical Form.
(Resident Camp): Nurses may also administer prescription medications prescribed by a local physician during your camper’s stay.

At least one of our registered nurses will be on camp at all times, and our counselors are certified in CPR and First Aid. If any serious accident or illness occurs at camp, we will administer medical care and contact parents as quickly as possible. If parents are not available, we will call the emergency contacts listed on the registration form and the medical form. If necessary, campers will be taken to a hospital or doctor's office for further treatment. In the case of minor accident or illness, parents will be informed only if the camper requires an overnight stay in our infirmary, or is required to be seen by a doctor. Parents will not be called every time campers visit our infirmary.

The Camp Hi-Rock staff and camp nurses will make every attempt to create a positive experience for your camper in the event of injury or illness. However, in the event that we are unable to accommodate a camper under any extraordinary circumstances, parents must have a firm plan prepared to arrange for their camper's pickup by someone authorized in advance on the registration form or through subsequent correspondence. The parents, emergency contact, and/or other authorized pickups must be available to pick up their camper if deemed necessary by the camp staff.

If your camper requires medical treatment by a doctor, we will transport them to and from the hospital or doctor's office. Any expenses incurred (doctor or hospital fees, medications, etc.) will be the responsibility of the parents/guardians. YMCA Camp Hi-Rock does not provide insurance for campers. Please include your camper's health insurance information on his/her Medical Form, and provide a copy of the front and back sides of the camper's health insurance card. Because any expenses incurred are the responsibility of the parent/guardian, you may wish to contact the following agencies upon notification of any visits to the hospital/pediatrician:
1. Your insurance provider
2. Macony Pediatrics: (413) 528-4047 (if your insurance claims require a referral from your primary care provider, you are responsible for reporting that and any other required information)
3. Fairview Hospital: (413) 528-8019
4. CVS/Pharmacy (prescriptions to be paid by parent with credit card): (413) 528-2860

(Day Camp):Because of their proximity to camp, local parents, when contacted, may wish to pick up their campers and take them to their own pediatrician to avoid any unnecessary complications regarding medical care.

Please note that YMCA Camp Hi-Rock does not provide insurance for campers.
Parents should include all health insurance information with medical documentation;
any fees incurred as a result of medical treatment will be applied to the parent's bill at the end of the summer.

Resident Camp: Transportation

Parents or guardians driving their campers to Camp Hi-Rock can find directions here or through most online map websites. If you use directions from somewhere other than those provided by Camp Hi-Rock, please double-check with our directions once you reach the general vicinity of the South Egremont/Mount Washington area. The directions listed by some websites may include some roads with little or no signage, and can be difficult to follow for anyone not familiar with the area.

As an alternative to driving your campers to and/or from camp, Camp Hi-Rock offers bus transportation to and from some of our major service areas: Fairfield and Bridgeport, CT, White Plains and Manhattan, NY, and Boston, MA. Limited airport transportation is also available. Buses are only available at the start and end of each two-week session; parents must arrange transportation for campers coming to or leaving camp in the middle of a two-week session. Bus fees are updated each year on our registration form.

Please note:
*Campers taking the bus home will leave on a Sunday**, even though camp sessions end on Saturday. Parents who pick up their campers from camp must arrive on Saturday morning.
**All buses run on Sunday except for buses taking campers home on Saturday, August 16, the last day of camp.

Airport Transportation: If your camper does not live within driving distance, Camp Hi-Rock also offers limited transportation to and from two local airports, JFK and Bradley International Airports. Please contact our office well in advance to coordinate flight details and transportation needs. All flights must be scheduled to arrive on Saturday except for session 1 (when arrivals should be scheduled for Sunday, the first day of camp). If other airports or other days are requested, an additional charge may be incurred.

Resident Camp: Packing List for Campers

Please help your camper pack appropriately for his/her stay at camp, and discourage your camper from bringing any expensive electronics or valuables. We recommend that you use a footlocker for camp no taller than 18 inches so that it will fit underneath the bunk beds. Please be aware that each camper is responsible for his/her belongings. We cannot accept responsibility for damage to, or theft of, personal property while at camp. You may wish to bring a combination lock for a footlocker, and to label your camper's bags, cases, and footlocker.

The Best Name Tape Company provides affordable sew-on and iron-on name labels for clothing and apparel. For more information, visit www.bestnametape.com.

The following is a list of suggested items for campers to bring to camp for a two-week session. All items should be clearly marked or labeled for identification. Since campers spend a large portion of their day outside, we advise that they bring clothes which they will not mind getting dirty. Please remember that camp activities will still run in periods of light rain.

Toiletries, as needed: shampoo, soap (in container), comb/brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, sunscreen, non-toxic insect repellant

*These items, and more, will be available in our camp store.

Please note:
Be sure to pack enough warm bedding and clothing; nights can be cold.
The following items may not be brought to camp: glass containers; aerosols; target sport equipment; PSPs, Gameboys, or similar handheld devices; knives or Leathermans; fireworks; food or gum; lighters; TVs, computers, or cellular phones.
Campers may bring personal music listening devices, but they are not allowed outside the camper's cabin. If they are used outside the cabin, they may be confiscated until the day the campers leave camp.
Any other items listed above, including cell phones, are not permitted, and will be confiscated until the camper leaves camp.

Lost and found items will be washed and sent to Goodwill after each session. If your camper loses something of significance, let our office know and we will do our best to locate it.

Flip-flops and open-toed shoes may not be worn on camp, except while on the waterfront or inside the shower house. Please do not expect your camper to wear flip-flops at any other times.

Best Name Tape Company

Resident Camp: Check-In Procedure

• If you are dropping your camper off at camp, please plan to arrive between 11:30am and 2:30pm.
• Please be very careful to drive slowly and carefully when driving up the mountain road. It is easy to forget the speed limit on such a beautiful, winding road, but there are children living along the road and neighbors walking at all times of day.
• When you arrive at the camp entrance, proceed to our main gate next to the maintenance buildings. Please inform the camp staff of your name and the name of the camper you are checking in. You will receive information on your camper’s Unit name and camper number. At this point, please separate your camper’s medical forms and swimming materials from the rest of his/her belongings; footlockers, trunks, and suitcases will be transported directly to your camper’s unit area.
• Please park your car, as directed by our camp staff, to reduce impact and improve traffic flow. Our staff will be dispersed throughout the camp to direct you towards our check-in location.
• When you arrive at the check-in location, you will meet our Executive Director, Jessica Speer-Holmes, and our Camp Director. It is at this point that you will find information on your camper's cabin assignment.
• There will be various tables with information on additional programs, such as our waterski program, our Bunk1 one-way email service, and our swim program. Please stop by these tables to confirm registration in, or inquire about, these activities. You will also have the chance to confirm your camper's birthday and verify your contact emails and listings for people authorized to pick up your camper from camp.
• All balances should be paid in advance, no later than May 1, or upon registration. Please confirm the status of your account at our Billing/Accounts table. At this time, you can also confirm your camper's store account, and add any extra funds.
• The camp nurses will have a table to meet parents, double-check the status of your camper’s medical forms, and to accept any medications and/or vitamins you wish to be administered to your camper while at camp. Campers must have complete medical forms in order to come to camp. Campers will also undergo a lice check by trained staff members.
• Before finalizing check-in, feel free to meet our Unit Directors and other administrative staff. Our Unit Directors will be available to greet you and your camper, and to discuss any issues you would like to address.
• Camp Store: You may visit our camp store with your camper to purchase items without accessing your camper's store account. Camp store accounts will not be accessible by campers until the first full day of camp.
• Lunch: Feel free to enjoy a cold lunch buffet, prepared for campers and families.
• Changeover: If your camper is coming back to camp from a previous session and you arrive after the conclusion of check-in for new campers, please proceed directly to our office so we can follow proper check-in procedure.
• Swim Tests: After check-in, campers will proceed from their cabins to our waterfront for their swim tests.
• Good-Byes: Please say goodbye in a timely fashion to help your camper begin a smooth transition into camp life.

Resident Camp: Check-Out Procedure

• If you are picking your camper up from camp, please plan to arrive between 9:30am and 11:30am.
• Please be very careful to drive slowly and carefully when driving up the mountain road. It is easy to forget the speed limit on such a beautiful, winding road, but there are children living along the road and neighbors walking at all times of day.
• When you arrive at the camp entrance, proceed to our main gate next to the maintenance buildings. Please bring proper identification; you must be authorized in advance in writing to take anyone off camp. At the main gate, you will receive a "Check-Out Checklist" with the following steps.
• Please proceed directly to our office so we can confirm you as an authorized pick-up for your camper. Once we have confirmed you and signed out your camper; you will receive a ticket allowing you to take your camper off camp. You should hold on to this ticket until you leave camp.
• If you have any remaining account activity, you should make final payments at this time.
• If your camper has been taking any medications, please stop by the infirmary next to the office, and pick up any unused medications. Any medications not picked up may be shipped home at the parents' expense.
• At this point, head towards your camper’s unit area. You will be able to meet and speak with your camper's cabin mates, counselors, and Unit Director, who will help you bring your camper's belongings to your vehicle. Please show your authorization ticket to your camper's counselor upon arrival in the unit.
• Please check in front of the dining hall with your camper to view our collection of Lost and Found, especially if he/she knows of any misplaced belongings. Lost and Found items will be washed and sent to Goodwill after each session. If your camper loses something of significance, please let us know and we will do our best to locate it and contact you. YMCA Camp Hi-Rock cannot be responsible for any lost clothing or items.
• Before leaving camp, please visit our camp store to close your camper’s account, and to pick up any summer souvenirs. While there, please indicate what you would like to do with any remaining camper balances. Remaining funds can be processed in three ways; please read the "Camp Store" section for more information.
• When leaving camp, please show your authorization ticket to the appropriate camp staff at our main gate next to the maintenance buildings.
• Changeover: If your camper is returning for the following session and you come to visit after 11:30am, please proceed directly to our office so we can follow proper check-out procedure.
• Buses: Campers taking the bus home will leave camp the Sunday morning after the end of the session, except for session 4.
• Note: Campers may not leave camp with anyone not previously authorized to take them off camp. Authorizations must be made in writing, in advance, by the camper's parent/guardian.

Please note:
Do not give your ticket to your camper's counselors; this ticket must be presented as the last step before physically leaving camp. Parents without a ticket will be directed back to the camp office.
Parents whose campers incur additional fees during their stay at camp (for overdrawn camp store accounts, laundry fees, medical fees, etc.) may not be contacted until after the end of their camper's stay. Camp store funds cannot be applied towards these fees during the camper's stay.

YMCA policy prohibits tipping. You may show your appreciation by making a donation towards either our Strong Kids Campaign or our new Hi-Rock Forever Fund. Please read more about making a donation to camp here.

Day Camp: Transportation

Camp Hi-Rock provides free bus transportation for some of our major service areas: Great Barrington, Sheffield, South Egremont, Stockbridge, and Mount Washington, MA, as well as Austerlitz, NY, Hillsdale, NY, and Salisbury, CT. Specific times and locations can be found in the appendix of this handbook. Parents may specify a morning location that is different from the afternoon location, if necessary. If you would like to change either location for your camper, please contact our office at least one week in advance. Changes to bus routes can only be made before the relevant week has begun. Bus routes and times are subject to change; please contact our office in advance to confirm times and locations for bus routes.

Please note:
Locations may be added if there is sufficient interest; please contact our office to express interest in additional locations.

Because of daily variation in traffic and driving times, please try to bring your camper to the morning location at least five minutes in advance. Parents or guardians should remain with their campers until our bus arrives, and accompany their campers to the bus in order to sign our sign-in/sign-out sheet. At this time, you may also submit to the day camp staff any waivers or parental notes you wish to submit to our office. Parents should not expect to pay camp fees at the bus stop. All fees must be paid in full by June 1, including any store fees. Those who register after June 1st must be paid in full upon registration.
No campers should be left on their own while waiting to be picked up by the bus. Parents must sign their camper in with the camp staff.
Campers must be seated while on the bus and follow all rules set by camp staff.

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock will not leave campers unsupervised if a parent is not present at the afternoon pick-up location. There is a fee of $1/minute after the printed pick-up time, until an authorized parent/guardian arrives to pick up his/her camper. If no one arrives to pick up your camper, we will continue on the scheduled route and return to the pick-up location after all other campers are dropped off from the bus. If there is still no one authorized to pick your camper up, we will return to camp and attempt to contact you. In the case that we cannot reach you or the emergency contact, we will notify the local police.

Day Camp: Packing List for Campers

Campers should bring clothes which they will not mind getting dirty. Please remember that camp will still run in periods of light rain. To avoid lost articles, make sure that all clothing and personal items are clearly labeled. Lost and found items will be washed and sent to Goodwill after each session. If your camper loses something of significance, let our office know and we will do our best to locate it.

The Best Name Tape Company provides affordable sew-on and iron-on name labels for clothing and apparel. For more information, visit www.bestnametape.com.

Please help your camper pack appropriately for camp, and discourage him/her from bringing expensive electronics or valuables. Each camper is responsible for his/her belongings. We cannot accept responsibility for damage to, or theft of, personal property while at camp. The following items may not be brought to camp: glass containers, aerosols, target sport equipment, PSPs, Gameboys, or similar handheld games, radios, knives or Leathermans, fireworks, gum, TVs, computers, lighters, or cellular phones. If these items are found, they will be confiscated and parents will be notified.

If you have medications (as specified on the Medication Administration Release Form) which you would like administered to your camper during the day, please label a paper bag clearly with your camper’s name and submit that to the camp staff on the bus.

Best Name Tape Company

Other Important Administrative Information

Personal History Form: A Camper Personal History Form is provided with confirmation of registration, and is available here. This form allows you the opportunity to share information with the camper's Unit Director, the Camp Advisor, and appropriate camp staff. Please include any information that will help us better serve your camper.

Day Camp Coaching Period Request Form: YMCA Camp Hi-Rock offers individual choice programming for older day campers. Coaching periods give campers in the Bobcat and Falcon units some scheduling flexibility from week to week, and are an opportunity for them to try new activities or develop skills in others. If you believe your camper will be eligible, please fill out the Coaching Period Request Form and submit it to our office no later than two weeks before the start of camp. If your camper is staying for longer than two weeks, the staff will ask partway through each session if his/her preferences have changed for the next session.

Camp Birthdays: If your camper's birthday falls during his/her stay at camp, we would be happy to prepare a cake for them and to have the whole camp wish them a happy birthday. Please contact the camp office well in advance to let us know of a birthday that will happen at camp, and please confirm on check-in day that we have your camper in our list of birthdays that session.

More Parent Resources

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), a community of camp professionals dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through the camp experience. Along with the ACA, we believe that informed parents are best equipped to prepare their children and themselves for a positive camp experience. To that end, we welcome parents to visit the American Camp Association’s website geared directly to camp parents (http://www.campparents.org) and to contact us with any questions relating to your camper’s upcoming stay at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock.

The Summer Camp Handbook is an award-winning guide for parents sending children to summer camp. The book, co-written by two longtime camp and youth development professionals, has been published online for free viewing by parents and campers alike. Please feel free to visit http://www.summercamphandbook.com and to contact us with any questions relating to your camper's upcoming stay at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock.

Camp Store

Campers and adults are welcome to visit our camp store while on camp to buy stamps, postcards, souvenirs, clothing and apparel, limited amounts of snacks, and other supplies. Campers should draw on funds deposited towards store accounts during the registration process. We have found that about $40 is sufficient for a two-week period. If you have not already done so and would like to set up an account for your camper, please contact our office.
During camp, campers may visit the store once per day, but are only restricted in their food purchases. Please counsel your camper on proper spending habits. Additionally, store funds can only be applied towards purchases in the store, and cannot be used to fund laundry fees, field trip fees, or other incidental expenditures. Parents will be billed and notified separately for these expenses.
At the conclusion of summer camp, leftover store amounts can be processed in three ways. Please visit our store while you are here to indicate your preference:
1. Remaining funds can be donated. Donations can go either to our Strong Kids Campaign which provides financial assistance to campers and a general subsidy to all of our youth camp programs, or to our Hi-Rock Forever Fund to improve camp facilities and equipment.
2. Funds can be left in your online account as a system credit. This is the simplest method. The credit can be applied towards any future Central Connecticut Coast YMCA fees including but not limited to Hi-Rock fees.
3. Leftover amounts can be refunded. If you paid via check or cash, the refund must go through our corporate office and can take up to 90 days, regardless of amount.
Store funds which are left unprocessed will be automatically applied as a system credit to your account for balances under $15. For balances above $15, families will be contacted.

Resident Camp: Laundry

Laundry service is only available for campers staying for more than 2 weeks. Pick-up times will be announced to campers in advance. Laundry will be sent to a local laundry service, washed, dried, and folded. Parents will be charged approximately $1.25 per pound of laundry, and will be notified after we receive the final invoice. It is the camper’s responsibility to organize his/her laundry. Please provide campers with a large, durable laundry bag that is clearly labeled with your camper’s name. If no bag is provided, we will purchase an inexpensive bag on your camper’s behalf. Your camper’s name may be written on the bag for identification.

Resident Camp: Correspondence (Mail, Food Care Packages, Phone Calls, Emails)

Mail is extremely important to campers. Writing to your camper can make a world of difference. If possible, send several shorter notes, which can be more cheering than fewer longer letters. When writing mail, keep your letters cheerful, and avoid mentioning how much your camper is missed at home. You should address any camper correspondence in this format:

(Camper's Name) - (Unit Name)
YMCA Camp Hi-Rock
162 East Street
Mount Washington, MA 01258
You will learn the name of your camper's Unit during check-in.

Please allow approximately four days for mail to travel in either direction. Even express mail takes up to three days to arrive, so please plan accordingly. If you send any correspondence via overnight or other priority mail services, please indicate a waiver of the signature requirement to expedite delivery. Failing to do so can increase delivery time by up to two days.
Your camper will be encouraged, but not required, to write home. Do not expect too many letters, as camp is a very busy place. We suggest you pre-stamp and address several envelopes or postcards for your camper to mail home. During camp, stamped mail can be dropped off at our camp store or our camp office. Stamps, postcards, and envelopes are available at our camp store.
You will learn the name of your camper’s unit during check-in. If you do not know your camper’s unit name, please contact our office or leave it blank, as incorrect unit names will increase the chance of mail being misplaced.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND FOOD CARE PACKAGES TO CAMPERS! Having food in the cabins attracts raccoons, mice, chipmunks, and other animals into your camper's living area. Please respect camp policy and do not send packages of food to your camper. Camp Hi-Rock will inspect packages for campers' safety. Any food sent to camp will be donated to local community centers or discarded.

Campers may not make or receive phone calls. If you would like to hear how your camper is doing, you may call our office and request that your camper's Unit Director call you back. In special circumstances, arrangements can be made for you to talk to your camper's counselor or to the Camp Advisor, whose duties are to help campers and staff with any problems or issues. Please make sure your camper understands that he/she will not be allowed to call home. Saying otherwise causes distress and contradicts camp policy. Campers may not bring cellular phones to camp.

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock has a new relationship with Bunk1, who will provide email services for our Hi-Rock parents. Through Bunk1, parents can send one-way email to their campers quickly and easily. Emails will be distributed in the same fashion as regular mail. All emails sent before 9am each day will be processed and distributed that afternoon. For more information, please contact our camp office. Detailed information on Bunk1 will be sent out in the spring; you can learn more by visiting the Bunk1 website.

Day Camp: Correspondence (Parent's Night, Newsletters, Important Updates)

Every two-week session will culminate in a Parent's Night on the second Thursday of each session. During this time, parents are welcome to visit camp and to see their campers in the midst of the camp experience. Our camp store will also be open at this time, if parents wish to make cash purchases of clothing and apparel, food and drinks, or souvenirs. At the close of Parent's Night, campers who are 8 years or older will have the opportunity to remain on camp for an Overnight.

The Day Camp staff will produce a regular newsletter for parents over the summer. These newsletters will highlight planned events, such as our Parent's Nights or overnights, announce weekly themes, review highlights of the previous week, and introduce some of the staff members. A copy of the newsletter will be sent home with campers each day that they are produced. If you do not receive a copy of the newsletter, or would like to be sent additional copies, please contact the Day Camp Director by calling (413) 528-1227 x16 (during the summer only).

The camp office will do its best to stay in frequent communication with Day Camp parents regarding any changes to the program, its policies, or procedures. Because we will be constantly making changes to meet your needs and interests, please carefully read any updates we send you, either through your camper or separately through the mail. You are always welcome to contact our office and leave a message for the summer Day Camp Director, who will be happy to call you back and speak with you within 24 hours.

Day Camp: Meals and Snacks

Your campers are automatically enrolled in our meal plan unless otherwise indicated on the registration form, or by contacting the office by June 1. Our meal plan includes 5 fresh lunches each week, provided by our camp chefs and kitchen staff. Please contact our office before the start of the session with any questions. If you opt out of the meal plan, you must pack a lunch for your campers, but please be aware that refrigeration is generally not available for bag lunches. YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is a nut-free facility; please do not send any food containing either peanuts or any other nuts to avoid endangering the health of campers with nut allergies. If you have questions about the food service program at Camp Hi-Rock, or would like to hear from our food service coordinator, feel free to call us at (413) 528-1227.

Campers will receive a light snack in the afternoon before leaving camp. As part of the "Activate America" YMCA movement, YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is committed to promoting healthy living and nutrition. For more information, please visit the Activate America website.

You are welcome to send in cupcakes or other food for your camper to share with other day campers during snack time. YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is completely nut-free; to avoid endangering children with highly sensitive nut allergies, do not send food items containing peanuts or any other type of nuts.

Visiting

Although there is no official visiting day, parents of campers staying for more than 2 weeks are welcome to visit their camper on the Saturday between two-week sessions; please refer to registration material for these "changeover" dates. When you arrive, check in at the office. If you will be taking your camper off camp, it is necessary to sign him/her out to facilitate an accurate count of all campers on camp. For this same reason, we ask you to sign your camper in when you return. You must have proper identification and be authorized on a camper's registration form to take that camper off camp. On these changeover Saturdays, parents may take campers off camp for the day or for an overnight visit, returning by 3pm on Sunday.

Open Houses and Tours: Camp Hi-Rock will hold Open House events in the spring for families who would like to visit camp before the beginning of summer camp. Please check here for dates, times, and other details of our Open House events. If you are unable to attend our Open Houses, but would like to familiarize yourself with the buildings and layout of Camp Hi-Rock before the start of summer camp, you and your family are welcome to contact us to coordinate a visit. Please call our office in advance to arrange a tour.

Homesickness/Other Problems

Often, homesickness lasts only until the camper becomes adjusted to the camp schedule. Our staff members are trained to aid campers in becoming adjusted as quickly as possible. However, if you suspect your camper may experience some homesickness, you can help his or her transition by saying goodbye promptly during the first day of camp. Please refrain from making a fuss or from suggesting that your camper might become homesick while in his or her presence.
Please do not call camp expecting to talk with your camper. If you wish to hear how your camper is doing, you may contact our office and ask to hear back from your camper’s Unit Director. In both our experience and that of other camp professionals, homesickness is aggravated, rather than reduced, by calls from home. It is for this reason campers are not permitted to receive phone calls.

The Camp Hi-Rock staff will make every attempt to create a positive experience for your camper. However, in the event that the Camp Director determines that a camper may not remain at camp, parents must have a firm plan prepared to arrange for their camper's pickup by someone authorized in advance on the registration form or through subsequent correspondence. The parents, emergency contact, and/or other authorized pickups must be available to pick up their camper if deemed necessary by the camp staff.

(Resident Camp): If your camper is prone to wetting the bed, please notify us in advance. Our staff can work discreetly with mild cases and cooperative parents and campers to help provide a normal camping experience. For more information, please contact our camp office.

Camper Code of Conduct

At YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, we want all members of our community to develop the character values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We aim to provide a sense of fellowship, an atmosphere of freedom, a sense of enjoyment, and a respect for others. To this end, we have developed a set of behavioral standards for campers to follow called the "Camper Code of Conduct." This document will be sent to families later in the spring and is available online.
It is critical that parents read through this document with their campers, and that everyone understands the nature of these standards before coming to camp. Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns regarding our expectations of camper conduct. Violations of the Camper Code of Conduct are grounds for removal from camp, without refund, at the discretion of the Executive Director or the Camp Director. Staff members must sign and abide by a similar code of conduct while at camp.

After Camp

Asking your camper the right questions after camp can promote a greater understanding of his/her camp experience. Sample questions are distributed with our check-out packets. The following are examples of some open-ended questions:
"Who were your counselors, and where were they from? Tell me more about them. Were there any other awesome staff members?"
"Can you tell me about the other kids in your cabin? Who did you become friends with?"
"Can you tell me about a time when you helped someone out at camp?"
"Can you tell me about your coaching periods (and what exactly is a coaching period?)"
"Can you tell me about your favorite evening/weekend program? What were some of the activities you participated in?"

At the conclusion of each two-week session, the camp office will email parents with a link to our online parent survey. We use your valuable feedback to help us make important decisions about managing camp each summer. The survey service tabulates our results immediately, allowing us to respond to comments on an ongoing basis throughout the summer as parents respond. The link to the online survey will also be included in the check-out packets distributed on the last day of each two-week session.

If your camper is interested in attending camp for another week or session, we would be delighted to accommodate you! Please call our office to see if there is space in our program and to arrange registration details (bus transportation, meals, programming, etc) and payment information. If possible, please contact us by the Wednesday prior to the relevant week that you would like your camper to attend.

YMCA policy prohibits tipping. However, you may show your appreciation for our camp by making a donation towards either our Strong Kids Campaign or our Hi-Rock Forever Fund. For more information on ways to support our camp, please visit our donations page.

Other Camp Information

Please see our Resident Camp, Day Camp, and Activities pages for more information.

Visit the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA,
an Activate America YMCA

Welcome! We hope you will spend some time exploring our website. Camper forms and staff forms are available for downloading. We welcome any comments or questions you may have.
Emails can be sent to info@camphirock.org
We add new materials often, so please bookmark us and check back soon!

This camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health.