YMCA Camp Collins

Summer Camp FAQs
How long does my child stay at camp?
Do YMCA members get a discount?
Is there bus service to camp?
How old does my child need to be to attend camp?
How do I know if my child is ready to stay overnight?
When does summer camp begin and end?
What is the ratio of staff to campers?
Is Camp Collins prepared to give attention to my child who has special needs?
What if my child is taking prescription medicine?
May I tour the site before sending my child to summer camp?
What does my child need to bring to camp?
Can my child and their best friend be put in the same cabin?
What kind of experience does the summer staff have working with children?
What are theme weeks?
What is your cancellation policy?
What are Questor Specialties?
What are the specifics of the CIT sessions?

How long does my child stay at camp?
Resident campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and leave on Saturday morning. There are half-week overnight sessions, Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday, available for campers entering 2nd-4th grade for Sessions 7 & 8. Day campers arrive at camp each morning and leave each afternoon, Monday through Friday.
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Do YMCA members get a discount?
No, we try to keep our prices affordable for both members and non-members by offering a three-tier rate structure. This option allows families to choose the rate that best fits into their budget. Year-round YMCA Childcare participants do receive a reduced rate Session 1 and 8 of Resident Camp. To redeem this discount enter the keyword “YCares” into the Discount Code field online or on the registration form. For more information contact the Camp Office at 503.663.5813.
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Is there bus service to camp?
Every morning and evening, Day Campers will be bused in and out of camp from predetermined sites in Gresham, Clackamas, and NE Portland. This bus service is included in the Day Camp fee. There is no bus service for Resident Camp.
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How old does my child need to be to attend camp?
Day Campers must be entering 1st grade to participate. Resident Campers must be entering 2nd grade.
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How do I know if my child is ready to stay overnight?
Children are ready to attend resident camp at different ages. A great resource for parents is the American Camp Association website www.campparents.org. Our Summer Program Director will be happy to speak with you about whether YMCA Camp Collins’ summer programs will be a good fit for your child. To discuss this further, Contact Us at 503.663.3190.
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When does summer camp begin and end?
We offer eight one-week sessions of Day and Resident Camp in July and August. We also offer one, two and three week programs for Teens in July and August. In addition, we offer a Spring Break Day Camp in March, and Family Camps over Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
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What is the ratio of staff to campers?
In the cabins there are ten campers and two staff (a 5:1 ratio). During the day, cabin groups travel together to activity areas during the day with their cabin counselor where one or more program staff will also be present.
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Is Camp Collins prepared to give attention to my child who has special needs?
We strive to be inclusive; however, our program may not be right for all campers. To speak in depth about whether our summer programs will be a good fit for your child’s specific needs, please call 503.663.3190 and speak to our Summer Program Director.
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What if my child is taking prescription medicine?
YMCA Camp Collins has a Health Officer in residence that administers medications and provides limited health care to our campers. All of our summer camp staff are also First Aid and CPR certified.
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May I tour the site before sending my child to summer camp?
We strongly encourage your family to visit our site before your child’s camp session. We host two Spring Open Houses for families to meet camp staff and take a tour. We are able to give tours during office hours on the weekdays, please call ahead at 503.663.5813 to make tour arrangements.
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What does my child need to bring to camp?
Once your child is registered for camp, your family will receive a link to our Parent Handbook. It includes ideas of how to help them be successful, what to pack, and other useful information.
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Can my child and their best friend be put in the same cabin?
Yes, as long as your child’s friend is of the same gender, within one year of age and in the same unit (Pioneer, Explorer, or Questor). Please request only one cabin mate for your child. Camp is the perfect place to meet new friends! Questor cabin mate requests are not guaranteed due to specialty assignments.
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What kind of experience does the summer staff have working with children?
Many of Camp Collins’ staff members return for multiple summers and our new staff members have experience working at outdoor school programs, other camps, or childcare sites. At the beginning of each summer, staff members attend a weeklong intensive training and orientation that helps prepare them to work with your child and his or her cabin group. All of our staff members go through a comprehensive hiring process that includes a multi-state background check.
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What are theme weeks?
Each week of Summer camp has an assigned theme that a group of staff use to plan theme based activities. Theme weeks are used as a base storyline to engage the camp community and tie the camp experience together. Core activities are the same from week to week although activities involving all of camp such as theme games, campfire and meal times have presences of the weeks theme. Visit About Summer Resident Camp for this year's theme weeks.
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What is your cancellation policy?
A $50 deposit per camper, per session is due at time of registration. 75% of the deposit is refundable when cancellation occurs before April 15th (February 1st for Spring Break). No portion of the deposit is refundable after April 15th. All camp fees are due in full by June 15th (March 1st, 2012 for Spring Break). Space in camp will not be held past June 15th without full payment. After June 15th, 50% of the total camp fee is refundable when cancellation is received at least three weeks prior to the start of the registered session. Transferring campers to another session is allowed pending availability and when the request is received at least three weeks prior to the start of the original session. No refunds are given if a camper leaves camp early for any reason, is dismissed from camp because of failure to adhere to camp policies, cancellation occurs within three weeks of start date or does not show up on the first day of camp.
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What are Questor Specialties?
Questors are the oldest of the resident campers, focusing on skills such as role modeling, making positive choices and taking personal responsibility. Questors choose a program area of focus for the week called "specialty". Questor spend 2-3 hours a day in their specialty and the remainder of the week enjoy traditional camp activities. We do our best to assign each Questor their 1st or 2nd choice specialty.

Aquatics - Campers learn basic lifeguard skills, raft down the Sandy River and enjoy a variety of pool activities. Aquatic specialty campers should have basic swimming skills and feel comfortable in the water (offered all sessions).

Challenge Course - Campers expand their knowledge of challenge course elements through learning basic knot tying, facilitation and belaying from certified staff. Team building, creativity, confidence and adaptability are among the skills practiced. (offered all sessions)

Horseback Riding - Campers learn basic Western riding skills, tack, grooming and other related equestrian skills. Horse specialty campers explore a variety of trails on camp. (offered all sessions)

Rock Climbing - Campers learn basic knot tying, belaying and rock climbing techniques on our 65 foot climbing tower. Rock specialty campers enjoy a day of climbing on real rock face at Lewis & Clark State Park when weather permits. (offered sessions 2,4,6 & 8)

Wilderness Living Skills - Campers will learn fire-building, orienteering and shelter building using the natural environment of Camp Collins. Other practices that may be explored include Leave No Trace wilderness ethics, horticulture and sustainable living. (offered sessions 2,4,6 & 8)

Drama - Campers will be introduced to the performing arts through acting techniques, improvisation games and other skills all culminating in a short performance at our Friday night campfire. (offered sessions 1,3,5 & 7)

Mountain Biking - Campers learn basic riding skills, maintenance and bike safety. Led by qualified staff, biking specialty campers explore the trails of Oxbow Regional Park and enjoy a long trail ride off camp. Bikes and helmets are provided. (offered sessions 1,3,5 & 7)
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What are the specifics of the CIT sessions?
Three week session specifics
CIT's will spend the first two weeks of camp building a team and working together with experienced camp staff to learn the necessary aspects of camp counseling and youth development. During this time they will take field trips to other camps in the region to gain a broader perspective of camping programs. The three week session also includes an American Red Cross Adult and Child CPR and First Aid course for which CITs will have the chance to receive this 2 year certification. This is a valuable certification that is required of employees within most youth serving organizations. The three week session will also feature a lesson planning workshop where CITs will learn how to create camp activity lesson plans to include safety considerations, equipment and age appropriateness. CITs will then practice the art of facilitation and giving clear instructions as they implement their activities with campers.

During the CIT's third week, they have the opportunity practice their skills in a cabin as an assistant counselor. Side by side a senior staff member, CIT's will help lead younger campers through exciting camp activities. They will receive support, coaching and verbal and written feedback through evaluations from camp staff and the CIT Coordinators.

Two week session specifics
CIT's will spend the first week of camp building a team and working together with experienced camp staff to learn the necessary aspects of camp counseling and youth development. During the CIT's second week, they have the opportunity practice their skills in a cabin as an assistant counselor. Side by side a senior staff member, CIT's will help lead younger campers through exciting camp activities. They will receive support, coaching and verbal and written feedback through evaluations from camp staff and the CIT Coordinators.
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