Preparing For Camp
General camp information
CAMP ABSENCES & SICKNESS
If your camper misses camp for any reason, please call the Schoolhouse Office or your Site Manager. We’ll be asking parents to partner with us in keeping campers home if they show any symptoms of COVID-19, have a positive diagnosis, or a just plain sick.
FAMILY CIRCLE
Friends and family are invited to celebrate the week with us at Family Circle on Friday afternoons. Family Circle starts at 2:45p for campers who get picked up at the 3:00p pick-up or 4:45p for campers at the later pick-up time.
CAMP STORE
After Family Circle on Friday afternoons, check out our camp store! We will have t-shirts, water bottles, knives, and buttons for sale. Our camp store is card only. No cash please!
If you need to reach your camper please call the Site Manager at the number located in the onboarding email.
PHOTOS & SOCIAL MEDIA
We want to share how much fun we’re all having at camp!
- We routinely post photos on Facebook and Instagram.
- You must grant Photo Permission for pictures of your child to be included.
- Images of your child will not include their name. Please update the information in your account according to your wishes.
- During the camp week, you will receive an email with Conversation Starters to help you learn more about your camper’s experience
Rainy Days & Challenging Weather
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What to Pack
- Water bottle: 16 oz. or larger, we’ll refill during the day
- Weather-appropriate clothes and a change of clothes
- Comfortable shoes that can get a little dirty
- Water gear like a swimsuit or clothes that can get wet, a small towel, and shoes for water
time. Examples include Keens, Crocs, or old sneakers. No flipflops. - Sunscreen: We recommend broad-spectrum with SPF 15 or higher. We strongly discourage
the use of aerosol products. - Insect repellent: We encourage you to select an insect repellent that deters ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you. We strongly discourage the use of aerosol products and products that combine sunscreen and insect repellent.)
- Knives are optional for 7-12 year olds: A folding lockable blade or fixed blade 4″ or less. All fixed blade knives must be stored in a protective sheath. (Knives are NOT allowed for 5-6 year olds. Whittling tools will be provided for campers without knives.)
Please send clothes and shoes
that your camper can change
with minimal assistance.
Please start each day with sunscreen and insect repellant on!
Food
Lunch: Please send a packed lunch with your camper each day that does not require refrigeration or heating. Campers often eat more at camp than at school. Please pack a little extra food.
Snacks: Please send two snacks each day.
Because we don’t share food, nuts are ok to bring!
Meds
Campers are not allowed to self-administer any medications. We will sign in all medications on the first day of camp and keep them the whole week.
Medications must be in original packaging with dosage instructions. We will only check in the exact number of doses the camper will receive in a week. At least one dose of medication must be administered before any medication can be administered at camp.
We’re on a mission to shape kind, curious, & confident kids through nature-based outdoor adventures.
Our Most Asked Questions & More
Tips from the pros
Overloaded Bags: Your child will be carrying their backpack for a good part of the day! A heavy or over-stuffed bag can create an unnecessary challenge to carrying or independently packing their bag.
Backpacks: Many school backpacks are fine for our programs. Please don’t send backpacks with string or rope straps. A comfortable backpack (size and style) will make for a better day
Gross Lunchboxes: Avoid a mess! Pack an extra plastic zip-top bag for lunch trash. This can keep messy or unfinished food from becoming an unwelcome surprise. Send small, resealable drinks instead of juice boxes or pouches that aren’t always finished in one sitting.
Footwear: Many kids like wearing their water shoes (with or without socks) all day if they’re comfortable for walking. If they don’t arrive in water shoes, please send some shoes that can get wet.
Water Gear: Some kids prefer to arrive in water gear and change into dry clothes after water time.
Leave it at home
Man-made Entertainment like:
- Toys
- Electronics
- Sports or Gaming Equipment
- Money
- Books
- Playing cards and trading cards
- Valuables
Cell phones, like other electronics, are not allowed at camp for any age camper. This includes apple watches or any device capable of making a call.
Drop Off & Pick Up
Drop Off Times
- Pre-K Drop Off:
- 8:00–8:30am — Brookhaven
- 8:00–9:00am — West Point
- 5–12 Year Old Drop Off:
- 8:00–9:00am — Brumley, Eno River State Park, Three Bears, West Point
- 8:15–9:00am — Crowder, Harris Lake, Three Bears, Umstead
Pick Up Times
- Pre-K Pick Up
- 3:00–3:30pm — West Point
- 5–6 Year Old Pick Up
- 3:00–3:30pm — All Sites
- 5:00–5:30pm — Aftercare Option
- 7–12 Year Old Pick Up
- 5:00–5:30pm — All Sites
- 3:00–3:30p — Optional Early Pick Up
Drop off & pick up locations
Durham
- Eno River State Park: 4390 Old Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27712
- Enter the park and continue down the road leading to the first parking lot on the right. There will be a Schoolhouse of Wonder parking sign and cones designating drop off and pick up.
- West Point on the Eno: 5101 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704
- Enter the park to the right and take your first left. Drop off is at the first “upper” parking lot.
Orange
- Brumley Forest: 3223 New Hope Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
- Drop off and pick up are in the cul-de-sac straight ahead on the paved road.
Wake
- Brookhaven: Meet our staff at the entrance to the park on the wooden deck, near the roofed area.
- Crowder: 4709 Ten-Ten Rd, Apex, NC 27539
- Enter the park and continue to the Robin Shelter.
- Harris Lake: 2112 County Park Dr, New Hill, NC 27562
- For paddling camps, drop off and pick up are in the Disc Golf parking lot. For non-paddling camps, drop off and pick up are near the Cypress Shelter.
- Three Bears: 645 Beaver Dam Rd, Creedmoor, NC 27522
- Turn into the gate and follow signs down the dirt road until you see the yellow port-a-potties. Park along the left edge.
- Umstead Loblolly: 2100 North Harrison Avenue, Cary NC 27513
- Drop off and pick up are at the bulletin board near the bathrooms at the main parking lot of the I-40 Reedy Creek entrance.
- Umstead Whispering Pines:2100 North Harrison Avenue, Cary NC 27513
- To reach Whispering Pines, turn right onto the road with the brown barricade. The park staff have given us permission to carefully pass on the left side of the barricade. Please, drive slowly and carefully. In about 1/3 mile, turn right onto the gravel road marked “Camp Whispering Pines.” Our Drop Off and Pick Up locations are at the end of this gravel road.
Rainy Day PIck Up Locations
Durham
- Eno River State Park: In case of inclement weather, pick up will be near the picnic shelter at Cole Mill Access Parking log.
- West Point on the Eno: In case of inclement weather, pick up may be moved to either of the picnic shelters or other sheltered areas near the loop. We will have staff at the upper parking lot area to let you know where your camper’s pick-up area is.
Orange
- Brumley Forest Nature Preserve: In case of inclement weather, the pick-up area may be located near the typical drop-off areas or at the barn. If pick-up is moved to the barn, we will contact all parents in advance and have a staff member available at the regular area to provide any additional directions.
Wake
- Brookhaven Nature Park: In case of inclement weather, the pick-up area will be at the regular pick up location.
- Crowder County Park: In case of inclement weather, we will have staff at the lower parking lot near the pavilion to direct you to our pick up area.
- Harris Lake County Park: In case of inclement weather, we will have pick up at the Loblolly Shelter near the public picnic area.
- Three Bears: In case of inclement weather, please park in the regular parking area near the port-a-potties. Staff will walk your camper up from the shelter.
- Umstead Loblolly: In case of inclement weather, pick-up may be at Shelter #2 instead of the typical pick up area.
- Umstead Whispering Pines: In case of inclement weather, the pick-up area will remain the same as a typical day. If pick-up is moved to another location, we will contact all parents in advance and have a staff member available at the regular area to provide any additional directions.
Rainy Days & Challenging Weather
Camper Safety
- Competitive hiring practices that result in a dedicated, responsible, and caring team of mentors.
- All staff maintain First Aid and CPR certifications, with many staff having advanced medical training or experience such as Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
- Each staff member undergoes a comprehensive background check, including a National Sex Offender Registry search, to ensure a safe environment.
- Extensive staff training on child development, behavior management, emergency response, bullying prevention, and more.
- Annual training on recognizing and preventing child abuse and neglect, emphasizing the mandatory reporting responsibilities of all staff.
- We maintain low camper-to-staff ratios to provide attention and support.
- Educating campers about common hazards in the camp environment (e.g. poison ivy, biting/stinging insects, snakes, ticks).
- An organizational emphasis on engagement that places our experienced staff right next to your child while they explore, learn, and grow.
- Year-Round staff with over 150 years of direct experience in outdoor programming with children.
Water Safety
- Be in full sight of counselors.
- Be in water that is not deeper than their navel.
- Wear shoes.
Durham Location: Campers in the 7-9 and 10-12 camps occasionally have the opportunity to float in deeper water. A securely fastened Personal Flotation Device (life jacket) must be worn any time a camper is in water above their navel.
Harris Lake Paddling Camp: Campers are required to wear a Personal Flotation Device (life jacket) any time they are in the water.