How do I address mail or packages to my camper?
Your Camper's Name
Camp Young Judaea
9 Camp Road
Bunk xx
Amherst, N.H. 03031
You will receive bunk assignments on Opening Day. Once you know the bunk number, always be sure to specify whether it's G (girls) or B (boys). Example: Bunk B-3
Pre-address and stamp letters and postcards to leave with younger campers to ensure that their mail will get to you, their grandparents, friends, etc. Encourage family and friends to write to your camper frequently with short, upbeat letters.
Should I leave travel plans with camp if I'm planning a vacation?
Please use the parent itinerary form (available after June 1) if you're going to be away, even for only a day or two, so we have a way of contacting you.
How do I get in touch with the camp?
Our office hours are 8:30 am until 6 pm. During off-hours, an answering machine remains on for emergency calls and is monitored frequently. Please do not call after 10 pm or before 8:30 am unless it is an emergency.
When you call, our policy is to return your call within 24 hours. Of course, if it's an emergency, we will call back even more quickly. Please note that when the director or other staff member returns your call, we will call you collect.
What are some things that my child should bring?
Here are some tips from parents of long-time campers:
*If your child wears glasses or contacts, PLEASE send an extra just in case--be sure to label the case and the glasses, if possible. Also, don't forget extra contact lens solution
*White or old T-shirts for decorating, tie-dying, etc.
*Extra kippot (head coverings for boys)
*Tennis racquets, softball mitts, basketballs (we will provide these at camp, but some children like to bring their own--don't forget to put names on them!!)
*One good flashlight and extra batteries
*Camera and extra film (label or write their name on it, even on disposables!)
*Battery-operated fan (small clip-on or hand-held)
*Water bottle (no metal canteens, please)
*Insect repellent, sunscreen (a must!), and sunglasses
*Baseball caps or hats
*Books, comic books, puzzles, deck of cards
*Stationery, stamps, pens (also available for purchase from Canteen. Pre-address and pre-stamp envelopes for younger children.)
*Toiletries including soap case and soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste and something to carry it in--many kids bring small buckets with drainage holes
*Shoe bag (optional, but a very popular item to hold small items and footwear), etc.
Should I label all my child's belongings?
Yes. You can use sew-on, stamp-on, iron-on labels, or laundry pens. Please explain to your child the importance of keeping track of his or her belongings. Be prepared: invariably, kids lose stuff or trade with their friends.
Can I take my child out of camp?
We strongly discourage removing children from camp. We urge parents to only take children out for absolutely necessary reasons such as a doctor's appointment, an extreme circumstance, or emergency. Removing children from camp is extremely disruptive to our camp community.
Check-in/check-out will only be allowed from 9-9:30 a.m. and 7:30-8 p.m. (on Fridays from 8:30-9 p.m). Parents must first check in at the office when they arrive at camp to pick up or drop off a child. Parents are not allowed to walk or drive into camp while it is in session.
Please call us for further details. You must make arrangements with us at least one week in advance by calling us or sending the information in writing by mail or fax.
When will I get my child's cabin assignment?
Cabin assignments are given out on Opening Day. Children are bunked by grade, not by age.
What rules about camp should I explain to my child?
We expect all CYJ campers and staff to:
*treat everyone with respect, including younger and older campers, counselors and staff
*be inclusive and fair to everyone
*attend and participate in all activities with a positive attitude
*use appropriate language and words that do not put down or hurt others
*stand up for others who need help; tell counselors when someone is involved in a potentially dangerous or destructive behavior.
We will not tolerate bullying, name calling, swearing, hitting, stealing, or damaging other people's property!
What is the phone, faxing, and email policy?
We do allow you to send emails to your child, but we do not allow phone calls or faxes to campers. Many camp families enjoy using our email service; information will be sent in May about how to sign up. Campers must write home three times a week, so you will hear from them!! (If not, just call us!)
Can my child bring food with them? Can I send food packages?
We do not allow campers to bring or receive food, candy, bottled water, or chewing gum. We will confiscate and dispose of or donate any that we find in the cabins or in packages sent to the camper.
Please be sure to share our policy on food packages with friends and family.
We appeal to you: DO NOT send food or gum hidden in packages and DO NOT allow children to bring massive quantities with them to camp. We appreciate your support and understanding.
What about cell phones, ipods, or other electronic items?
Remember, this is camp! We don’t allow electrical appliances, including TVs, clocks, fans, electric blankets, stereos, etc. You can bring battery-operated radios, "boom boxes," clocks, and small fans, but battery-operated TVs, computers, or DVD players are not allowed.
And last but not least: cell phones. Leave them at home. If you bring or use one, you risk being sent home (see rules below).
Are there any items that my child can't bring to camp?
We will send you a comprehensive list of things to bring…and to leave home…in the spring (It will also be available to download in our "forms" section in the spring!)
We don’t allow "super soaker" type water guns, any kind of storage crate/unit like large plastic drawers or containers. Small, flat plastic containers for stationery or socks are fine, but we will ask you to take home any large units (call us or email us if you have questions!) DVD players, TVs, cell phones, PDA's, Blackberrys or Sidekicks are not allowed.
We do not allow "Game Boy" or other handheld electronic games and cartridges. They often "disappear" get broken, or are the subject of arguments and hurt feelings. At camp we try to provide a "digital detox" kind of summer.
I've heard that children can be asked to leave. Why?
We strive to provide a safe, supportive community. That’s why possession or distribution of weapons (including knives), alcohol, matches, lighters, illegal drugs, pornographic materials, cigarettes, and fireworks are all grounds for immediate dismissal from camp. In addition, we do not allow campers to have or use a TV, computer, DVD player, or any video display system. Children can also be dismissed if they leave camp without permission or are out of their bunks after lights out, steal, damage property, gamble for money or personal gain/possessions, or exhibit inappropriate behavior. As mentioned previously, bullying, harassing, hitting, or damaging other people’s property will not be tolerated.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO TUITION REFUNDS OR DEDUCTIONS FOR CAMPERS WHO LEAVE EARLY FOR ANY REASON, COME LATE, OR ARE DISMISSED FROM CAMP.
Does my child need spending money?
Please make sure your child does not keep money with them in the bunk. On registration day, parents leave extra spending money for Trip Day in our office safe (we pay for all admissions and meals on trips). Younger children ages 10 and under should have no more than $15 per month; older children may want more ($20-40).
Can my child give money to his or her counselor?
Counselors are NOT, under any circumstances, allowed to accept any money from campers, either to hold for Trip Days or to purchase items for campers on their time off out of camp.
I've heard that some campers buy food or other items from each other. Is this allowed?
NO! It is against camp policy for children to sell food or any items to other campers, buy items from other campers, or gamble for food, money, or any items of value. We strictly enforce this rule and ask that you make this rule clear to your child. Please check your child's belongings BEFORE he or she leaves for camp--particularly older children.
My child lost an expensive jacket at camp. Aren't you responsible?
No. CYJ is NOT responsible for any clothing, personal items, or valuables left or lost at camp. We urge you to leave expensive, breakable, or irreplaceable items at home. When you pick up your child at the end of his or her wonderful experience with us, please check their belongings immediately and let us know RIGHT AWAY if your child left any major items. We will do our best to locate them. Don’t wait too long! At the end of the summer, we collect items for about two weeks: after that, we donate them to a local shelter. Call us within the first day or two of camp ending and you’ll have a much better chance of getting the item(s) back.
My child had to go to the camp doctor. Does the camp pay the bill?
It depends. The mandatory insurance purchased as part of your Camp Fee ONLY covers accidents. Illness or treatment for pre-existing conditions is NOT covered. Parents are responsible for these medical bills, and we ask that you take care of these accounts promptly.
Do you allow tipping of counselors?
Yes, we do allow parents to tip bunk counselors and most families choose to do so at the end of the summer. Please give to all counselors in the bunk, including the CA (counselor aide). If your child is taking the bus home, or you are not personally picking up your child, you can mail checks (made out to the individual counselors) to our office or give tips on Visiting Day (for full-season campers). Call us if you have any questions about tipping.
When does registration begin for the next summer?
We send out applications starting November 1st and applications are available right from our website after that time. During the month of November, we give preference to returning campers and their siblings, but we do not guarantee space availability. This means that it’s vital for you to send back the applications early in November, EVEN IF YOU ARE A RETURNING CAMP FAMILY. (This is especially true for campers in grades seven and up!).
With a return rate of more than 90 percent each summer, we promise this is not some hard-sell technique; year after year we sadly have to wait list or turn away returning campers because they did not register early enough in November. If you have any reason you must delay registering, just call us right away and let us know!
What if I have other questions?
Please feel free to call us (before June 1st at 781 237-9410 during regular business hours) or email us at cyjnh@aol.com (be sure to put "camp question" in the subject line). There are no "bad" questions as far as we are concerned…we love talking to parents and are happy to work with you.
Back to top
