General Questions
WHERE WILL MY CHILD LIVE? HOW ARE CABIN ASSIGNMENTS MADE?
A camper cabin sleeps eight to twelve campers and two staff members in bunk beds. Every camper is assigned a set of cubbies for storing personal items. Each bunk has its own bathroom. Each bathroom has 2 sinks, 3 showers, and 3 toilets. All top bunks are equipped with bed rails. Each cabin is equipped with a smoke detector, emergency lights, and fire extinguishers. All of our cabins are airy with good circulation. Bunk assignments are made on the basis of school grade, social and emotional maturity, and mutual requests.
WHAT KIND OF CLOTHING SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO CAMP?
We dress informally at Camp, and it is not necessary to buy new clothing for your child. Camp is primarily an outdoor setting, and simple and modest clothing is the most appropriate. Girls usually wear t-shirts or blouses with casual shorts, pants or skirts, or sundresses. Boys usually wear t-shirts with shorts or pants. High-heeled shoes, designer clothes, and expensive jewelry are neither necessary nor encouraged. We strongly discourage campers from wearing inappropriate attire- clothes that are intentionally tight or revealing should be left at home. All clothing and personal belongings should be clearly marked with the camper’s full name. One of the most distinctive times at camp is our observance of Shabbat. In keeping with our tradition, we ask that our camp community dress in all white, with either white or khaki bottoms for Friday evenings.
HOW CAN I GET A COLEMAN T-SHIRT FOR MY CHILD?
A Coleman T-shirt will be provided to every camper at camp. Make sure you update your shirt size when registering!
WILL MY CHILD NEED LOTS OF SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FROM HOME?
During the course of the session, your child will have many opportunities to learn or develop new skills. In almost all cases, the camp supplies the necessary equipment and supplies to participate. In particular instances where your child is seeking mastery of an activity, he/she may desire his/her own special equipment; be selective, and remember that the Camp is not responsible for loss or damage of personal items.
Do you do laundry at camp?
Campers should have enough clothing with them to last at least 2 weeks. At least once every 2 weeks, cabins will have a scheduled laundry day. Our laundry service will pickup laundry bags from a designated place, wash and dry the contents, and return the clean clothes and linens the next day.
HOW WILL MY CHILD GET TO AND FROM CAMP?
More information on travel polices for 2021 is coming soon.
HOW’S THE FOOD?
Coleman’s kid-friendly menu offers campers plenty to eat. Almost all meals are served family style, with bunks eating together at assigned tables. Breakfast includes a hot item and cereal. Lunch and dinner usually include a hot entrée or a deli meal, as well as the option to visit the salad and soup bars. Whenever meat is served, a vegetarian option is offered. We make accommodations for campers on special allergy- or health-related diets. Camp Coleman is not a Kosher facility, although Kosher meals are available by request and all of our meals are served Kosher style which means we do not serve pork or shellfish, or products containing them, and do not permit such products on camp grounds.
Will my child get SNACKS every day?
Each regular camp day, campers will be given two snacks – one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
WHAT IF MY CHILD’S BIRTHDAY OCCURS DURING CAMP?
Birthdays that occur during the Camp session will be celebrated. This observance is not only a treat for the camper, but a lot of fun for everyone. Have you ever had a birthday party with 600 friends in attendance? However, in accordance with our food policy, please do not send food of any kind for your child’s birthday. He/she will receive a cake for his/her cabin on the special day. You child will be allowed to make one phone call home on their birthday.
Health & Safety
What medical facilities do you have at camp? What happens if my child gets sick?
It is our hope that every camper will remain healthy and fully able to participate in all aspects of camp life all summer long. Just in case, though, Camp Coleman has a range of systems in place to manage health care issues that may arise. The Camp’s modern, well-equipped Health Center is staffed by medical professionals 24 hours day all summer long – usually a doctor and four nurses. We supervise the dispensing of medication at each meal, and the counselors take campers who need medications at other times to the Health Center (i.e. bedtime). A Medical Form (that is filled out in the spring prior to camp) with comprehensive information will be all we need to take great care of your child while at camp.
Does my child need to be immunized?
Yes, the Union for Reform Judaism requires that all camp and travel program participants, staff and faculty must be immunized. For more information, read the URJ Policy Statement on Vaccine Status.
WILL MY CHILD BE SAFE WHILE AT CAMP?
All of the URJ Camps are dedicated to providing safe and secure environments for our campers and staff. Coleman conducts regular safety and security reviews and evaluation and works closely with local law enforcement officials to make sure our safety standards and practices are the best they can be. The health and welfare of our community will always be our top concern.
Staff information
HOW DO YOU SELECT, TRAIN, AND SUPERVISE YOUR STAFF? WHAT IS THE STAFF-TO-CAMPER RATIO?
At Camp Coleman, we take a great deal of pride in the selection of our staff, who will provide a stable and caring home for campers all summer long. The staff is comprised of college students, graduate students, and professionals in various fields. Each year, we look for competent and energetic young adults to fill our staff positions. While many have grown up at Coleman, others join us from across the country and around the world – all bringing their own special gifts to share. Each staff member fills out an application, interviews with one of our directors, provides references, and undergoes a background check.
An extensive training program is provided at the start of the summer season and is ongoing throughout the summer. Staff members are trained on topics such as child development, how to recognize, prevent, and take action against bullying, positive reinforcement as a behavior management tool, and much more. During the summer, staff are supervised and evaluated by members of our camp leadership team, all of whom have proven experience overseeing the work of staff members. Coleman maintains a 1:5 staff-to-camper ratio.
Communication
HOW WILL I STAY IN TOUCH WITH MY CHILD?
Camp offers kids and parents the chance to develop a rarely practiced skill – letter writing. We strongly recommended that parents write to their campers at least every other day. A card, letter, or e-mail, arriving regularly, does more for camper morale than anything else. If a camper receives no mail from a parent for five days, we will call home. The Camp tries to ensure that campers write letters or postcards to their parents at least twice each week. It is a required activity. Your letters or cards from Camp may be short, but they will be regular. We partner with CampIn Touch, which will allow you to send e-mails as often as you like. Campers then have the opportunity to send you back a letter via snail mail or send you an E-Letter that will be scanned directly to your CampInTouch account. In order for your camper to receive an E-Letter, you now have the option of sending a blank email with a bar-code that will be attached to your email. Camp In Touch also offers a photo gallery, and we post pictures 5 times a week of what is happening in camp.
CAN PARENTS CALL THE CAMP TO CHECK ON THEIR CHILDREN?
Parents are welcome to call the Camp during the summer to find out how their campers are doing. After we receive your call, your camper’s Unit Head will call you back within 24 hours.
CAN I VISIT MY CHILD WHILE HE/SHE IS AT CAMP?
Parents and other visitors are not allowed to come to Camp during the Camp sessions.