Preparing For Camp
General camp information
CAMP ABSENCES & SICKNESS
If your camper misses camp for any reason, please call your Site Manager or the Schoolhouse Office. We’ll be asking parents to partner with us in keeping campers home if they show any symptoms of a contagious illness, have a positive diagnosis, or are 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!
You’ll be sent a pre-camp email a week before your camp with important reminders and the contact info for your camper’s Site Manager!
PHOTOS & SOCIAL MEDIA
We want to share how much fun we’re all having at camp!
- We routinely post photos on Facebook and Instagram, camp week photo galleries, our website and more.
- Images of your child will not include their name.
- If you don’t want your child included, please email us before your child starts camp.
- 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
Please send clothes and shoes
that your camper can change
with minimal assistance.
Please start each day with sunscreen and insect repellent on as well as send it with your camper!
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.
Cold Weather Comfort: Dress for a full day outside! Raincoats, warm jackets, rain boots, extra layers, dry socks, hats, and gloves can make all the difference in keeping campers cozy and happy during chilly days. On especially cold days, hand warmers are also a great way to add a little extra warmth and comfort.
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, smart watches, or any device capable of making a call.
Drop Off & Pick Up
Drop Off Times
- 8:00–9:00am — Brumley, West Point, Sandy Creek, Slocum Camp
- 8:15–9:00am — Umstead-Loblolly, Umstead-Whispering Pines, Schenck
- 8:00–8:30am — Brookhaven
Pick Up Times
- 5–6 Year Old Pick Up
- 3:00–3:30pm — All Sites
- 5:00–5:30pm — Late Pick Up with Optional Aftercare
- 7–12 Year Old Pick Up
- 5:00–5:30pm — All Sites
- 3:00–3:30p — Early Pick Up Window if Needed
Drop off & pick up locations
Durham
- West Point on the Eno- Main Entrance: 5101 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704
- Enter the park to the right and take your first left. Drop off and pick up are at the first “upper” parking lot.
- West Point on the Eno – Environmental Education Pavilion Entrance: 5253 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27712
- Enter the Environmental Education Pavilion parking lot off of Roxboro Rd. Drop off and pick up are near the entrance to the paved trail.
- Sandy Creek: 3510 Sandy Creek Road, Durham, NC 27707
- Continue down Sandy Creek Drive until you reach the parking lot. Our staff will be just past the parking lot for drop off and pick up.
- Slocum Camp: 918 State Forest Rd, Bahama, NC 27503
- Turn onto State Forest Rd and drive approximately 0.5 miles. Look for our signs on the north (left) side of the road near an open gate and turn in. Our staff will be there to give additional directions. This is before the main area of Slocum Camp.
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: 5125 Berkley Street, Raleigh, NC 27614
- Meet our staff at the entrance to the park on the wooden deck, near the roofed area.
- Umstead Loblolly: 2100 North Harrison Avenue, Cary NC 27513
- Drop off and pick up are in the field 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 location is at the end of this gravel road.
- Schenck Forest: 2201 State Farm Road Raleigh NC 27607
- Turn off of Reedy Creek Rd and continue 0.1 mile on State Farm Rd before turning right onto a gravel road, marked with Schoolhouse of Wonder signs. If coming from Mission First Trail, turn right onto State Farm Rd and continue 0.1 mile before turning left onto a dirt road, marked with Schoolhouse of Wonder signs. Drive slowly as you continue down to the drop off area.
Rainy Day PIck Up Locations
Durham
- West Point on the Eno – Main Entrance: In case of inclement weather, pick up may be moved to either of the picnic shelters or other sheltered areas. We will have staff at the upper parking lot area to direct you to your camper’s pick-up area.
- West Point on the Eno – Environmental Education Pavilion: In case of inclement weather, enter the Environmental Education Pavilion parking. Look for our staff at the parking lot area to direct you to your camper’s pick up area.
- Sandy Creek: In case of inclement weather, the pick up area will be located near the main parking area. Look for our staff to give further direction.
- Slocum Camp: In case of inclement weather, the pick-up area may be located near the typical drop-off area or near cabins 1-8. We will have staff available at the State Forest Rd gate to regular drop off and pickup to direct you to your camper’s pick up area.
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. If an alternate location is used, we will have staff available to direct you to your camper’s pick up area.
- 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.
- Schenck Forest: In case of inclement weather, the pick up area will typically be at the regular pick up location. If an alternate location is used, we will have staff available to direct you to your camper’s pick up area.
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.
Although not yet required, we strongly encourage all campers to wear a swim shirt at water time.
Whispering Pines and West Point 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.