Earth Connections
                                                                                    PO Box 146
                                                                                    Slaterville Springs, NY 14881-
(607) 844-3178

 Summer 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The Earth Connections’ staff are looking forward to great summer at Camp.  We are excited to see all the returning campers and meet all the new campers who are registered for our programs.  We have wonderful programs in store for everyone’s enjoyment.  Please read the following information thoroughly in order to assist you and your child/children in making your summer camp experience a memorable one.

CAMP HOURS: The camp program runs from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Campers who do not ride the bus may be dropped off at the camp between 8:30am and 9am each morning, and picked up between 4:30pm and 5:00pm. Directions to the Hammond Hill Camp are included in this letter. 

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACTS – Unless it is an emergency please try to contact Directors’ during camp hours.  

·         Susan Rausch (Camp Director)                                 844-3178                        

·         Linda Spielman (Program Director)                            844-3178

·         Robin Joseph-Hochman (Assistant Director)               844-3178

ATTENDANCE: Parents/Guardians should always call the camp at 844-3178 if their child will not be attending camp that day.

PICKING UP CAMPERS – Please be sure to list the names of all people who are allowed to pick up your child on the Medical History and Permission Form included in this mailing.  For the protection of all campers only the people listed on this form will be allowed to pick up your child.  Please introduce yourself or have the person picking up your child introduce themselves to the staff.  If someone who is not on the list needs to pick up your child, please send a note and call the camp office so we have this information.

LUNCH AND SNACKS – Earth Connections is providing two healthy snacks daily to all campers. Camp Earth Connection will not be providing lunch or meals with the exceptions indicated in the programs with overnights as indicated in the program descriptions (Village Camp and Weekend Programs.)  Please make sure not to pack items which need refrigeration, as we do not have refrigeration room for individual’s lunches.  Recycling will be stressed at camp, so please try to keep “throw away” materials to a minimum. Please send your child with a full water bottle with their name on it.  This will assist us in ensuring that children drink enough water during these hot summer days. 

DIRECTIONS TO CAMP EARTH CONNECTIONS from Ithaca, NY –-

From Rte 13 - go  East past NYSEG approximately 2 miles, make a right on Irish Settlement Road - as your driving up Irish Settlement a few hundred feet it will bend left and then a sharp right and begin to go up a steep hill. Drive a total of 3.4 miles and on your left will be Hammond Hill Rd.  Follow Hammond Hill Rd. for .3 miles, the road will split, bear to the right and continue on another .2 miles.  You will see a large gravel parking lot on the right.  The camp is just ahead.

From Rte 79 - from Ithaca go approx. 8 miles toward South-East towards Caroline, make a left on to Midline Rd., stay on Midline Rd for 2.5 miles - it will split - bear to the right and you will be on Irish Settlement Rd.  Continue 1.7 miles and make a right on to Hammond Hill Rd. Follow Hammond Hill Rd. for .3 miles, the road will split, bear to the right and continue on another .2 miles.  You will see a large gravel parking lot on the right. The camp is just ahead.  

TRANSPORTATION (updated) – Earth Connections has contracted with Tioga Transport to provide transportation for campers to and from the camp. If you would like your child to ride the bus, please indicate that on your registration from.  There is no fee for riding the bus, and we will guarantee a space for all registrants whether they choose to ride the bus daily or specific days.  The bus will be picking up campers at the Green Street bus stop at 8:30am and will return them by 4:45pm.  Staff will be at the bus stop to ride with and supervise the campers on the bus.  Please do not leave your child to wait for the bus until you have checked your child in with an Earth Connections’ staff person. Parents/Guardians should pick up their child by 5pm.  Staff will stay with children until their parents arrive, but if it is after 5pm, the parent will be charged an additional fee of $10 for every 15 minutes they are late.  Any money collected from late fees will go towards camper scholarships.  Campers signed up to ride the bus but who are not taking it on any particular day, must bring a note, signed by their parent/guardian.  Parents should also call if possible, as sometimes children forget to give staff their notes. Bus transportation is now included with all camper registrations.  Although we will guarantee a seat for your child, we still need you to indicate that your child will be riding the bus, so we can account for them each day.

PHOTO RELEASE FORMS – We do take photographs of campers involved with our activities for a camp photo album.  At times we look for good photos to use in our brochures, web page or for publicity of our programs.  If you do not want us to use a picture that has your child in it, please make note of that on the photo release section on the medical history form.

CHANGE OF CLOTHES – For the camper’s comfort, you may want to send a complete change of clothes in a waterproof bag on the first day of camp. Names should be written on all clothing in order to avoid misplacing them.

Although there is not swimming at Hammond Hill, campers will have opportunities to get cooled off when it gets hot, through stream splashing activities.

LYME DISEASE – Lyme disease has been diagnosed in people living in Tompkins County.  It is an infection that can produce skin, arthritic, cardiac and neurological symptoms.  Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterium that is spread by a bite of the deer tick, which can be found in almost any outdoor location with vegetation.  While we teach campers necessary precautions to reduce the chance of tick bites, any activity “off the pavement” may bring people in contact with ticks.  We encourage you to be sure to report any tick bite or unusual rash to the Camp Director and your child’s doctor.  Lyme disease is relatively minor problem if caught and treated early.

PAYMENTS/CANCELLATIONS/CHANGES/REFUNDS (Updated) –  Check or money order payments can be made by mail.  Credit Card payments must be made on-line through our web-page using our paypal secure account.  Cancellations or changes made up to 2 weeks prior to the start of camp will receive a refund minus a $25 dollar administrative fee.  Cancellations made less then 2 weeks prior to camp will forfeit the deposit.  A 50% deposit will be required to register for all camp sessions or programs.  Full Payment is due 2 weeks prior to the start date of the program your camper is registered for.  If the payment has not been made, it is possible that your child will lose their space at camp.  Full payment is charged for campers who do not show up or cancel before 48 hours of session.

T-SHIRTS, CAPS AND OTHER CAMP ITEMS WITH LOGOS (Updated) – New T-shirts and other camp items will be available to purchase this summer at camp.  

Please complete and sign the Medical History and Permission Form, and the Earth Connections Camp Confirmation and Bus Confirmation Form and return them along with the balance of camp fees no later than two weeks prior to the start of your scheduled camp session.

We strive to make camp the best experience possible for each camper.  If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We will do everything possible to help.  We also appreciate your ideas and suggestions.

Susan Rausch
Camp Earth Connections

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