Parents

Sending your child to camp can be a very big step in both your life and your child’s life. We recognize that because a stay at camp means at least a week away from home, we must be the home away from home for your child. Feeling like home doesn’t come automatically, we work very hard to make sure that both campers and parents are comfortable and confident with camp. The first step to building this relationship is taking a trip to camp for a tour or open house.

At YMCA Camp Immokalee, we believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Our Camp provides an exciting, safe community for campers to explore the outdoors, build self-esteem, develop interpersonal skills, and make lasting friendships and memories. Our goals are to assist campers in learning by providing balanced growth in the following ways:

• To develop the responsibility for one’s self and others.
• To nurture self-confidence, good habits and sound moral values.
• To promote an atmosphere which increases new interests and skills without fear of failure.
• To develop in one’s life a respect for individual differences among all of God’s people and creations.
• To encourage good social skills through the experience of community living.

The YMCA Camp Immokalee experience is for all boys and girls regardless of race,  ethnicity, gender, gender or sexual orientation, religion, creed or national origin.

Arrival and Pick-up

Arrival at Camp is on Sunday afternoon.  During check in, you can add any additional activities, such as a horseback trail ride or funds to your child’s camp store account if you did not do this when you registered.  Camp staff will review your child’s health history form with you, checking for any additions or changes, and collecting any medications, vitamins, or other supplements and items you wish your child to receive at camp. Please make certain that your child’s cell phone, tablet, and any other media device does not go with your child to their cabin. After check in, you can proceed to your camper’s cabin to get them moved in and unpacked. In order to prevent long lines, we ask that you arrive within the following arrival times:

If you’re dropping off campers of various ages, please come to the earliest time.

Pick-up for your camper is on Saturday morning starting at 9:00 am and continues until 10:30 am.  Campers will be released to the registering parent/adult or other persons designated on the registration form. YMCA Camp Immokalee requires that person to show photo identification prior to the camper’s release. Teen Leadership (CIT) participants may transport and sign themselves in and out of camp. Individuals under the age of 16 are not authorized to sign out other campers from camp. If an authorized or emergency contact appears to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, camp staff will not release the child until another authorized adult assumes responsibility for the child.

Camp Store

Camp Store happens once per day at camp. This is a chance for campers to get snacks, drinks, t-shirts, hats, lanterns, and much more. The camp store will not accept cash.

Unused balances are unfortunately, not able to be refunded. We do encourage each camper to use their entire balance on the last day of their session.

Homesickness

When children are away from home for the first time, it is reasonable to assume that until they become adjusted to the camp environment they may experience several days of mild to severe homesickness. Understanding parents realize that it is something which a child may need to experience the degree of independence which is necessary to make the camper a self-reliant individual. If you suspect that your camper may become homesick, don’t delay your departure from camp- he or she will be in good hands. If you feel there is a problem, feel free to contact the Camp Director and you will be informed on your child’s progress adjusting to camp life.