7480 S Mill Hollow Rd. Kamas, UT 84036 1-877-960-9622 UPDATED: November 2024
YMCA OF NORTHERN UTAH
YMCA MILL HOLLOW
SUMMER OVERNIGHT CAMP INFORMATION PACKET
21 Program Specifics 22 Shared Gear, Renting Gear, and Packing Lists 26 Safety Precautions
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Adventure Camps, Intro Excursions, and BOLD & GOLD
3 Letter from the Director 4 Program Goals and Objectives 5 Camper Code of Conduct 7 Being Prepared for Camp 8 Sunday Check In 10 Friday Check Out 11 Communication
Traditional Camp, Mini Camp, and Little Millies
13 Program Specifics 15 Themes 16 Packing List 17 While at YMCA Mill Hollow 19 Mini Camp Check-Out 19 Little Millies Check- In
General Content
The YMCA Staff want your campers to have the ultimate camp experience. We are excited your child is joining us for a week of new friends, skills, and experiences. This information packet is designed to acquaint you with the basic information needed to prepare for camp and help your camper get ready for a camp experience to last a lifetime! If you have any questions after reviewing this packet, please give us a call or drop us an e-mail!
HOWDY, AND HELLO FROM CALI!
FROM THE CAMP DIRECTOR
Thank you so much for choosing YMCA Mill Hollow this summer! My name is Cali Gurnicki, and I have been the Camp Director of this special place since 2024 (although, some of you might remember me as the Assistant Director in 2022)! I have looked up to camp directors my whole life and the work they do to provide kids, like my brother and I, with safe spaces to wholly live into their childhood and experience what a community built on respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring looks and feels like. Being a part of Mill Hollow during this phase of camp makes me feel incredibly lucky. Camp is in a fun period of growth-- from buildings being remodeled to the program evolving and much more! There is an air of excitement around this whole place (it is quite literally buzzing) and your camper gets to be a part of it! As always, I take special care to build a staff and community that is focused on our values and unite us all under our mission. We will continue to strive to keep your campers at the center of our work. As that stays a constant, keep up with us as we grow our program and capacity for opportunity! It's a great summer to be at YMCA Mill Hollow! Until Check-In Day, Peace To You and Yours! Cali Gurnicki CGurnicki@ymcautah.org (385) 247-6747
YMCA Mill Hollow welcomes youth ages 5 to 17, regardless of ethnic, religious, political, or gender backgrounds or identities. Campers participate in both classic summer camp recreation and outdoor education with a program that cycles yearly (traditional camp activities for 2025 include archery, arts'n'crafts, bushwhack, group sports, gardening, low ropes, and boating). We have expanded our excursion programs to welcome more ages and levels with introductory camps, adventure camps, and our BOLD & GOLD program. All of these programs are designed to help campers who attend YMCA Mill Hollow achieve the following: Build self-esteem, promote good health, and have fun. Learn to thrive in an environment that celebrates cultural diversity and the unique abilities of each person. Learn about reverence for the world and the actions steps to care for it. Instill the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility for themselves, others, and the world. The purpose of camp is to provide a safe place for children to disconnect from their technology, and other overwhelming media and influences, so that they can instead connect with a community that is living in the moment and using that time to help each other grow, laugh, listen, and excel. YMCA staff create a healthy balance of challenges and leisure at camp to keep kids engaged, learning, and having fun.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
RESPONSIBILITY
The best way to ensure your camper has a successful week at camp is to follow the four core values of camp: Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility. Some ways your camper can follow those values are: Staying in a group of three people minimum and letting adults know if you need to go somewhere, like the bathroom or cabin. Not marking, defacing, or destroying camp or personal property or nature. Avoiding foul language, foul gestures, harsh words, and harsh tones. Understanding that horseplay, teasing, or other unkind behaviors are not allowed. Leaving all pets at home (print out a photo instead-- we would love to see your furry friends)! Not bringing snacks into the cabins to avoid attracting unwelcome critters and bugs into your bunk! Camp will provide snacks, but if you must bring your own (only recommended for those with medical need), it will be housed in the main lodge and all litter will be properly thrown away. Keeping all medication (prescription, over the counter, vitamins, etc.) in the health lodge. Leaving all electronic equipment at home and understanding any electronic equipment will be confiscated until check out day. Watches are allowed! Understanding that all valuables are brought to camp at your own risk. Camp does not recommend bringing valuables. Camp donates unclaimed items the following week after campers leave so please check Lost'N'Found before checking out! Bullying is not tolerated.
GUARDIANS: Please read over this section with your camper. It helps our community thrive if your camper knows that our expectations are also your expectations.
CAMPER CODE OF CONDUCT
Campers will be made aware of all camp expectations upon arrival. Most disciplinary situations at camp are minor and can be resolved with minimal corrections. Camp staff use discipline as a learning opportunity for the camper and try to integrate problem-solving skills into the discussion. Violating the code of conduct and the four core values will result in the following: Camp staff will first redirect the child to more appropriate behavior. Camp staff will also ensure the needs of the child are being met to find a root cause to unwanted behavior. The child will be reminded of camp expectations and then the camper and counselor will have a discussion to create goals and objectives towards more appropriate behavior. If the unwanted behavior persists or elevates, campers will be given a natural consequence (example, the natural consequence for unreasonably smearing cream cheese over multiple plates is cleaning the plates) Upon further violation, the camper will have a discussion with the Camp Director. Documentation of the unwanted behavior will be recorded as a "behavior contract" to be signed by the camper and staff (and shared with the guardian). A parent/guardian will be notified of the problem. If behavior does not improve, parents will be notified and the child will be sent home. The camp staff will discuss all decisions thoroughly before any child is sent home. The camp administrative staff retains the right to take immediate action if the campers' behavior poses a threat to their own safety, the safety of other campers, and the experience of other campers. There will be no refund of any amount for campers who are sent home because of behavior problems.
Extremely rare, but important to note, the following are infractions that will result in immediate dismissal from camp: Endangering the health and safety of children and/or staff. Stealing and/or damaging YMCA or personal property. Leaving the YMCA summer program without permission. Using profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity frequently. Acting in lewd manner and/or possessing sexually explicit material. Weapons. Possession of any tobacco/nicotine product, alcohol, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or prescription or over the counter drugs that are not checked in. Camp Administrative staff retains the right to include other items not on this list in the interest of creating a safe camp atmosphere for all.
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PROCESS
SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
Cancellations must be received by the YMCA Office in writing at least SIX WEEKS prior to the child's camp session. Your camp fee will be refunded minus the non-refundable deposit. Campers who must leave camp for medical reasons, not of their own choosing, will be sent a prorated refund upon request. A refund will not be given to those campers who miss their transportation, fail to attend, choose to attend late / depart early, voluntarily leave camp with their guardian, or are sent home for behavioral reasons.
Office Address (Admin) 675 E 2100 S, Suite 200 Salt Lake City, UT 84106
BEING PREPARED FOR CAMP
Billing and Registration welcomedesk@ymcautah.org (801) 466 6299
BEFORE CAMP BEGINS
We cannot guarantee that cabin mate requests will be honored. For it to be considered, requested campers MUST be within one year of age and registered for the same camp session. Cabin mate requests are limited to one individual.
Now that you have registered for YMCA Mill Hollow, you should have received an e-mail detailing: Camps you registered for Balance owed on registrations and fees Forms required prior to camp Camp fees and completed forms must be received SIX WEEKS before your first camp session. Campers will not be allowed to attend camp until all fees have been paid AND all forms are completed, signed, and on file at the YMCA. PAYMENTS CAN BE PROCESSED BY: Debit / Credit Card Check Cash (in person at the YMCA Office)
Cali Gurnicki (Camp Director) cgurnicki@ymcautah.org (385) 247-6747
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
CABIN MATE REQUESTS
REFUNDS
DIRECTIONS TO CAMP
SUNDAY CHECK-IN INFORMATION
VAN TRANSPORTATION
We encourage guardians to drive to camp, meet the director and your camper's counselors, and help your camper settle into their cabin. YMCA Mill Hollow is located in Mill Hollow Canyon, 18 miles East of Kamas, UT. 1. From Salt Lake City, take I-80 East, past Park City. 2. Exit 146 on to US 40, to Heber. 3. Go approximately 4-5 miles toward Heber on US 40. 4. Exit 4 to Park City / Kamas and then turn left towards Kamas for 11 miles. 5. Once in Kamas, turn righta t the first stoplight (you will see a 7 / Eleven). 6. Continue to follow UT-32S until it turns into East Lower River Road and finally East State Highway 35. 7. Continue along HWY 35 past the Nobletts Trailhead. Turn right onto FR054 towards the Mill Hollow Reservoir. 8. Continue until you arrive at an old Forest Ranger Station. Just past this, you will turn left onto Mill Hollow Road. 9. Follow the road until you reach the YMCA Mill Hollow sign and our main gates. Stay left of the sign and park in the parking lot at the end of the road.
Camper transportation is available to and from YMCA Mill Hollow on Sundays and Fridays of the summer. The cost of transportation is $30 each way. Space in the vehicle is limited so early registration is required. The pick-up / drop-off location is at Mill Creek Elementary school. The address is 3761 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84107. Sunday Drop-Off: Transportation will arrive at 3:00 PM. We will leave by 3:15 PM and arrive at camp around 5:00 PM. Remember to give your child's medication and medication form to the YMCA staff upon checking them in. Friday Pick-Up: Transportation will leave camp by 2:00 PM and arrive at Mill Creek Elementary around 3:30 PM. Communications about changes will be sent via call or text to the number listed as Primary Unit in your registration forms. Passenger Safety Rules: YMCA staff will enforce the following safety procedures: Passengers will remain seated at all times with all parts of their body inside the vehicle. Seat belts will be fastened with one person per seat belt. Noise level will be such as not to distract the driver. There will be no throwing of objects or other disruptive behavior. Passengers will enter and leave the vehicle under the direction of a staff member. If the vehicle makes an emergency stop, passengers will follow direction of staff members and use the buddy system if leaving the vehicle.
The Camp Store is only open during Check-In and Check-Out times. Items for sale include YMCA Mill Hollow gear such as clothing, water bottles, soft toys, etc. Campers should not have money with them while at camp. The Camp Store is cashless. Card only. New to this year: Campers will have the option to Tie Dye while at camp. This can be a white item from home or white shirts will be available for purchase in the store.
Please ensure that you have completed all camper health forms on the registration platform before attending camp. Please include any limitations or areas of concern regarding medications, diet, behavior, or daily routine. During Check-In, the Health Coordinator will ask you if you have any medications to turn in. At camp, medications include ANYTHING that is taken orally or topically. This includes prescription medication, over the counter pills, ointments, vitamins, medical devices, etc. All medications must be given to the health coordinator at this time for proper storage. No one is allowed to administer their own medication while at camp, except inhalers and EPI pens with a doctor's approval. All medications MUST BE IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER that identifies the prescribing physician, the name of the medication, the dosage, and the frequency of administration. Over the counter medications and vitamins will only be accepted when accompanied by a doctor's prescription or signed instruction from a guardian. In order to submit medication to the health center, you will need to have completed the medication form. This can be accessed in your registration confirmation email or you can fill it out onsite at check-in.
CHECK-IN TIME
All campers who have a session beginning on Sunday will have an assigned check-in time between 3:30 - 5:00 PM. You will be assigned a check-in time the Thursday before your session begins based on camper age unit and session type. If you have more than one camper, you may receive multiple check-in time-- just select one of them and arrive all together! When you arrive at the parking lot, one our staff members will greet your group and give you directions. Your camper will need to go through a Health Check with our Health Coordinator (this involves head and feet checks). After you are cleared and you have handed in any and all medications you have brought, you are good to either stop by the Camp Store or go to your assigned cabin. At the cabin, you can meet your camper's counselors and help your camper settle in. Check-in time will depend on the amount of families that show up at the same time but it is expected to be less than an hour process.
HEALTH CENTER CHECK-IN
CAMP STORE
For campers being picked up at camp, we invite all guardians to join us for our closing ceremony! Gates will open at 3:30 PM on Friday to give everyone enough time to park, fill out a "Check-Out" card, and collect any medication your child may have brought to camp. Our Closing Ceremony will begin at 4:00 PM at our amphitheater. The ceremony is a fun place to wrap up the week, give out awards, and say one last good bye to your camper. Campers may ONLY be checked out after the ceremony ends. You will need to show your photo ID and hand your Check-Out Card to your camper's counselor at their cabin. Once they have verified that you are an authorized pick-up, you and your campers are allowed to leave camp. The Camp Store will be open on Check-Out days. If you believe you are going to be late for pick-up, please let the Camp Director know as soon as possible. This can be emotionally straining for campers and prevents our staff from starting their much needed off-time.
LOST AND FOUND
We value your feedback and use it to improve our programs from week to week. An electronic survey will be emailed to you the following week. Please be sure to take the time to fill out the survey. Your opinion matters and we can't make camp great without you! We ask families to be mindful about feedback to be realistic and specific requests-- feel free to use names, dates, etc. to help us understand better. During check-out, the Camp Director will be available to discuss your camper's week and answer any questions.
Please make sure to log-in to your CORE account and provide us with authorized pick-ups for your camper. We will require a photo ID matches those authorized names and a signature is collected during pick-up. It is important to note ALL potential pick-ups under this section of registration, INCLUDING people you may have listed in other areas like emergency contacts and primary guardians. In the event an adult who is not on the list appears to pick-up the camper, the camper will not be released from our care until the Camp Director makes contact with an authorized guardian and gets approval. Please ensure we have an updated contact number for the entire week of camp, but especially during Check-Out day.
AUTHORIZED PICK-UPS
CHECK-OUT TIME
Please check our Lost'n'Found table by the flagpole during Check-Out. Items will not be kept after Check-Out ends and will be donated.
PARENT EVALUATION
FRIDAY CHECK-OUT INFORMATION
COMMUNICATING TO YOUR CAMPER
COMMUNICATION
YMCA Mill Hollow will communicate with families through the following mediums: Facebook: Throughout the week, the photographer will upload photos captured to Facebook and organize them by session week. Please note: camp has one photographer who has to cover a large area of ground. Your camper may not be photographed as regularly as you might have expected. Registration emails: You can expect an email confirming your registration, a welcome email the Sunday before your session, a check-in email the Thursday before your session, and a check-out email the Thursday during your session. Mid-week update: Families who have campers attending a full week of camp can expect an email update from their counselors during the middle of the week. Social media: Our Instagram and TikTok accounts will occasionally feature fun photos and videos from camp! Feedback request: Please consider filling out our parent survey after your session! Please ensure you are accessible by phone and email while your camper is at camp in case of emergencies or unexpected situations. Less frequent, but other communications could include a clarification on medicine, a homesick camper wishing to check-in with home, notice of a behavior issue, etc.
Being away from home can be hard for many campers and their families. Camp has two easy ways for you to keep in touch with your camper while they are away: Send your camper daily messages by emailing millhollow@ymcautah.org and these messages will be printed and handed out once a day during breakfast. Please include your camper's name and cabin assignment in the subject line. At Check-In, you can hand in letters/gifts/etc. to our staff with your camper's name and if there is a specific day you would prefer it handed to them. YMCA Mill Hollow NO LONGER receives letters mailed to campers due to the inconsistency in delivery to the Kamas Post Office and Camp Staff availability to go to the Post Office.
CAMP COMMUNICATING TO YOU
Traditional Camp, Teen Week, Mini Camp, and Little Millies
7:15 AM Wake Up Call 8:00 AM Morning Reflection 8:15 AM Breakfast 9:00 AM Activity Rotation 1 10:30 AM Activity Rotation 2 12:00 PM Lunch 12:45 PM Chores 1:00 PM Camper Choice Activity 2:00 PM Wellness / Rest Hour 3:00 PM Free Time / Snack 4:00 PM Cabin Activity 5:00 PM Dinner 6:30 PM Evening Activity 1 7:30 PM Evening Activity 2 8:30 PM Bedtime Routine 9:00 PM TAPS (Evening Reflection) 9:30 / 10:00 PM Lights Out Activity Rotations include: Archery, Arts'n'Crafts, Bushwhack, Gardening, Team Sports, Teambuilding, and Boating. Evening Activities include: Campfire programs, large camp games, s'mores, theme night competitions, tie-dye, dodgeball, carnival, camp dance, etc. NEW: Tie-Dye Tuesday. Tuesday evening, campers will have the option to tie-dye an item brought from home. Campers uninterested will be invited to play camp dodge ball during this time!
PROGRAM SPECIFICS
A DAY AT CAMP
Our base camp experiences such as Traditional Camp, Teen Week, Mini Camp, and Little Millies provide classic summer camp experiences with an outdoor education lens. Outdoor education is rooted in experiential learning where campers are put an environment to grow, discover, and engage with the world. 2025 will feature camp favorites like archery, canoeing, team building, themed activities, and more while keeping our activities fresh with new features like gardening, back country bushwhacking, playing team sports, and diving deeper into arts and crafts. It is sure to be a summer to remember! Traditional Camp will run from Sunday check-in all the way through the Friday closing ceremony. Campers who sign up for this program will get to experience every aspect of YMCA Mill Hollow for a full week of fun! NEW: Teen Week is a special week of camp where we expand our age limit of traditional camp to welcome campers 13-17 years old! Along with the beloved traditions of summer camp, teen campers who join us for this session will get the opportunity to have a more tailored version of camp-- specialized activities and building your own schedule are key highlights of this week. Mini Camp is a 4 day, 3 night opportunity for campers who are more satisfied with a shorter week of camp. Campers will check in with everyone on Sunday and participate in the same activities, but will have their own special send-off and go home on Wednesday. Little Millies is a 2 day, 1 night option for our youngest campers just dipping their toes into camp! These campers will join camp Thursday morning and check out with everyone else on Friday.
This is a sample menu for a week of traditional camp at YMCA Mill Hollow. The menu should follow this week to week, dependent on food supply. If your child has a diet that requires a substitution, please make sure it is noted in your registration so that we have enough time to order the correct food. We have classic staples like plain noodles, ramen, cereal, etc. to accommodate picky eaters. Please note, foods separated by a slash (/) are served in separate containers to be assembled by choice to help kids have more autonomy and support both picky eaters and children who experience sensory related food preferences.
SAMPLE MENU
The theme of the week adds flavor to camp by influencing how camp is decorated, costumes created, skits performed, games played, etc. We welcome all campers to dive into the theme for the week to any level they want to! Props and costumes are always welcome but there is no pressure or obligation for your camper to bring theme-week items. A big trend at camp is for cabins to utilize arts and crafts to make everything they will need for the week! It might amaze you what they come up with! Session 1: Aliens Vs. Unicorns-- Dive into a post-human world where aliens and unicorn populations thrive. These two species have lived in harmony for centuries bonding over their shared love of an ancient delicacy-- donuts. Conflict arises as the donuts go missing and the two populations quickly jump to accuse another! Who will come out on top? Who is responsible for this donut mystery? Will a hero rise above to unite them all once again? Session 2: No Camp-- Enjoy 4th of July week! Session 3: Dungeons & Dragons-- Campers will begin the week creating their characters and learning the lore of Mill Hollow village and the dungeons that surround it. Campers will build costumes, armor, tools, and more to get ready for a large game of Dungeons & Dragons played throughout camp as counselors turn into shopkeepers, mages, and quest givers! Roll the dice and see what happens! Session 4: Mill Hollow Jam-- Calling all music lovers! Bring your voice, instrument, or dance shoes because this week is all about making and enjoying music together! Campers will have special opportunities throughout the week to practice for a camp performance Thursday night! Session 5: Boats'n'Floats-- A great week for campers who love to build-- we will be constructing small watercraft to put to the test at the reservoir! For our teen week participants, those interested can partake in building two large vessels to put their counselors in to race across the reservoir! Win or lose, everyone will celebrate with a root beer float at the end of the week! Session 6: Banzai! It's Japan Week-- Join us for a celebration of the cultural gifts Japan has give us! We anticipate that anime and video game lovers will shine during this week of camp and find like-minded friends! Beyond those interests, we will definitely enjoy a few Japanese inspired meals and other interests that arise! (NOTE: Mill Hollow is a space for cultural appreciation. Any appropriation or acts of discrimination will not be tolerated). Session 7: Expedition: Bermuda Triangle-- Strange occurrences have taken over camp. Join us for a week of investigating the unknown-- Big Foot hunts, recreating UFO sightings, and more await! It is up to you to discover if your counselors are really from a parallel universe or not! Session 8: Mill Halloween-- A beloved tradition returns for it's third year of fun! Get back into the spooky spirit with costumes, candy, and fall themed activities all in the heat of summer!
THEME WEEKS
Must Haves
PACKING LIST
Bathroom
Water bottle Day bag
Bedding
Nice to Have
Sandals (MUST have a heel strap) Head lamp or flashlight Laundry bag Disposable or light digital camera (no phones) Stamped and addressed envelopes Book or journal Returner campers: Dog tag necklace
T-shirts Long sleeve shirts Shorts Long pants Clothes that could get wet (boating) Underwear Socks Pajamas Jacket / coat / sweater Warm layers for evening activities Rain coat or poncho Tennis shoes Sun hat or baseball hat Sun glasses Warm hat and light gloves
Twin-sized fitted sheet Sleeping bag or comforter Pillow Blanket for evening programs Optional: Comfort Item Optional: Eye mask or ear plugs
Toiletry bag / shower caddy Toothbrush and toothpaste Body wash / soap Shampoo / conditioner Bath towel Lotion Menstrual hygiene items Shower shoes Sunscreen Bug spray
Below you will find a helpful packing list specific to Traditional Camp, Teen Week, Mini Camp, and Little Millies! PLEASE NOTE: We put these items on here for a reason and we often have campers come to camp unprepared for the weather, terrain, and bugs. Because of our elevation, camp stays relatively cool all summer, especially at night. Please pack appropriately and reach out to the Camp Director with concerns or items you may need to borrow. In terms of foot wear, there are many activities at camp that require campers to wear closed toed shoes in order to participate. Additionally, we recommend packing extra clothes and shoes to account for accidents or getting messy. NOTE: Some campers have difficulty repacking their belongings. Please consider bringing a bag with extra room to help. Additionally, some of the walkways up to camp make it difficult to depend on rolling bags for transportation.
Clothing
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Our staff are trained and prepared to handle minor cuts and bruises. In the case of serious illness or an accident involving your camper, you will contacted immediately. If you plant to be away from home during your camper's stay, please provide the YMCA with a phone number where you can be reached. If we are unable to reach you right away, your authorization on the medical form allows us to acquire immediate medical attention.
VISITORS
There is a director on site at all times. Camp staff have been selected for their character, enthusiasm, and program skills. All staff participate in a twelve-day training program prior to camp and are evaluated on a regular basis to ensure high standards of performance.
LEADERSHIP
INSURANCE
We believe that camp is an opportunity for campers to acquire independence and confidence in a new environment. To assist in this growing process, we ask that caregivers refrain from visiting. If you need to visit or get an emergency message to your camper, please call the YMCA Office (801) 839-3379 to make arrangements. Unverified guests at any program site will be assumed as trespassers.
The guardian is responsible for any medical costs incurred while at camp. Be sure to provide accurate information regarding your insurance carrier as this will be a necessity when finding your camper outside medical treatment.
Safety is a main priority throughout every aspect of the camper's experience. We emphasize education and risk prevention with out staff and campers. While there are inherent risks in any outdoor activity, our goal is to minimize all possible risks. All staff are First Aid / CPR certified, excursion staff are Wilderness First Aid certified, adventure specialists are certified lifeguards, and a registered medical personnel is on site at all times. Should any serious accident or illness occur at camp, the camper's guardians will be contacted immediately. In case of minor illness, guardians will be contacted if the camper requires health care for more than 24 hours. The YMCA reserves the right to send a camper home if so advised by medical personnel.
CAMPER RESPONSIBILITY
WHILE AT YMCA MILL HOLLOW
We encourage campers to share in the responsibilities of keeping camp beautiful and being part of the camp community through the ownership of maintaining camp. This is doen by sharing in daily chores. These may include dish washing, cleaning up the lodge after meals, picking up around camp, cleaning bathrooms, etc. On excursions, campers will rotate through roles of the day in which they will have specific responsibilities to the group. We believe this is a great way to come together as a group and instill pride and ownership in camper's experience.
ILLNESS
EMERGENCIES
If your camper becomes ill during their camp session, we will make every effort to provide quality care. If your camper is sick for more than 24 hours, we will ask you to pick up your camper. In this event, the YMCA will refund any fees on a pro-rated basis. Please keep campers who are ill from the start of camp at home until they are feeling better ad are not contagious. This is for the sake of your camper and others at camp.
We eat all of our meals at camp "family style." Cabin groups will share serving dishes and pass food around the table. We ensure that there is enough food for every individual to meet their needs. YMCA Mill Hollow will do everything we can to accommodate special dietary requirements. Any such needs and requests (including allergies) will need to be noted on the camper's registration form. We also encourage you to connect with our Kitchen Manager at check-in to ensure that we have the most up to date information.
Homesickness is a normal reaction in many campers. With proper handling, it can be overcome and will provide an opportunity for growth. The following suggestions will aid in preparing for being away from home: Explore the camp brochure, website, parent handbook, and social media with your camper to start discussions about what to expect while at camp. Emphasize to your camper how fun camp will be! Campers who have specific things to look forward to during the week tend to handle homesickness easier (specific activities, making new friends, enjoying nature, etc.). Assure your camper that missing one another is a normal and healthy experience. So, too, is the experience of being away and adapting to new people and places. Once the camper is checked in, have a "short and sweet" goodbye so that they can jump in! Staff will do their best to comfort homesick campers. In the event a child is inconsolable, we may reach out to you to encourage your camper. If the camper is still distraught, we may recommend going home and trying camp next year! Campers who are not pushed too far have a higher chance of coming back and enjoying camp more deeply the following year.
HOMESICKNESS
MEALS AND SPECIAL DIETS
SPECIFIC NEEDS
Out staff are trained to handle bed wetting in a caring and discreet manner. Please alert us about bed wetting issues on the Camper Health Form at least 2 weeks prior to camp.
We will make every effort to serve campers who have physical and emotional needs. However, we cannot accept campers with needs beyond our training and capabilities. Therefore, we insist that campers with such needs be brought to our attention prior to camp by utilizing the Camper Health Form and reaching out to the Camp Director.
BED WETTING
For both Mini Camp and Little Millies, much of the Check-In Day and Check-Out Day procedures will stay the same with only the following times being different. Mini Camp campers will Check-Out on Wednesday afternoon. We will open the gates at 3:45 PM, host the Closing Ceremony at 4:00 PM, then check-out will follow. The Camp Store will be open for Mini Camp Check-Out. Little Millies will Check-In Thursday morning from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The Camp Store can be opened by request. Van transportation will NOT be available on Wednesday and Thursday.
MINI CAMP CHECK-OUT AND LITTLE MILLIES CHECK-IN
Excursion Camps
Human kind has always been made to be apart of nature while most of civilization leads us away from it. Inspired by the way spending time outdoors improves our health, strengthens our minds, and forms life-long friendships, we are committed to creating more experiences for your camper to feel more welcome in the outdoors. We have developed a range of options to help introduce preteens and teens to different levels of outdoor recreation all while keeping the mission of camp at the center of these trips. Our Outdoor Adventure Camp and Aquatic Adventure Camps are designed for campers who love the comforts of camp but want a more unique experience connected to nature. After breakfast, campers will spend each day on a fun excursion off-site with their counselors. Outdoor Adventure will focus primarily on hiking and backpacking skills while Aquatic Adventure will be introduced to a mix of different watercraft. Campers will return by dinner time to YMCA Mill Hollow where they can join the rest of camp in fun evening activities and a good night's rest in our cabins. Ages 11-13. Introductory Camps are offered to campers aged 12-14 years old. These camps offer a balance between staying at YMCA Mill Hollow and a 2-night excursion in the back country to put their new skills to the test! There are three types of excursion camps offered: backpacking, rock climbing, and boating. Our staff will ensure your camper feels ready by taking a few days at YMCA Mill Hollow to prepare and learn then leading them through a beginner-friendly excursion. Our rock climbing and paddling trips will be accompanied by certified guides from Summit Journeys to ensure quality and safety. BOLD & GOLD trips are the ultimate excursion opportunity at camp. Teens who are 14-17 years old can anticipate a 4 night back country experience that will create memories and develop skills to last a lifetime. After a night preparing at YMCA Mill Hollow, these participants will head out Monday morning and return on Friday. Excursions being offered range from the surrounding Uintas to Captiol Reef and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Our rock climbing excursion will be accompanied by certified guides from Summit Journeys to ensure quality and safety. BOLD & GOLD Junior Instructor training is a great opportunity for teens aged 15-17 who want to dive deeper into their leadership and outdoors skills. This program is designed to build the next generation of instructors through a week of hands-on experience and training. Included in the price is the opportunity to return to camp that same summer for another trip to act as a Junior Instructor to a group of other participants. Additionally, registrants will get the opportunity to practice their interview skills in the Spring season with the Camp Director.
Water bottle Day bag for daily hikes
Sandals (MUST have a heel strap) Bandanna / Buff Trekking Poles Head lamp or flashlight Laundry bag Disposable or light digital camera (no phones) Stamped and addressed envelopes Book or journal Returner campers: Dog tag necklace Pee rag (ex, Kula Cloth or bandanna) Lightweight, foldable camping chair Hand warmers
Below you will find a helpful packing list specific to Outdoor and Aquatic Adventure Camps! PLEASE NOTE: We put these items on here for a reason and we often have campers come to camp unprepared for the weather, terrain, and bugs. Because of our elevation, camp stays relatively cool all summer, especially at night. Please pack appropriately and reach out to the Camp Director with concerns or items you may need to borrow. In terms of foot wear, this program requires that campers wear closed toed shoes that can handle hiking long distances in. Hiking boots can be helpful for those who have growing or sensitive ankles. Additionally, we recommend packing extra clothes and shoes to account for accidents or getting messy. NOTE: Some campers have difficulty repacking their belongings. Please consider bringing a bag with extra room to help. Additionally, some of the walkways up to camp make it difficult to depend on rolling bags for transportation.
T-shirts Long sleeve shirts Shorts Long pants Clothes that could get wet (boating) Underwear Socks Pajamas Jacket / coat / sweater Warm layers for evening activities Rain coat or poncho Tennis shoes / Hiking Boots Sun hat or baseball hat Sun glasses Warm hat and light gloves
OUTDOOR / AQUATIC ADVENTURE CAMP PACKING LIST
3 T-shirts 2 Long sleeve shirts Pajamas 1 Long sleeve underwear (100% polyester) 1 Warm hoodie / sweater 1 Warm outer layer (i.e., puffy coat) 1 Waterproof jacket with hood 1-2 T-Shirts / Long Sleeves (NOT cotton) 1 Pair of long underwear bottoms (100% polyester) 1 Pair hiking pants / shorts (synthetic) 2-3 Shorts 1-2 Long pants Clothes that could get wet (boating) Underwear 2 Pairs hiking socks (wool, polyester, nylon) 4-5 Pairs regular socks Trail running shoes / Hiking Boots (make sure to break these in before camp) Light weight foot wear (ex, Crocs, sandals, hard-soled slippers) Sun hat or baseball hat Sun glasses Warm hat and light gloves Bandanna / Buff
INTRODUCTORY CAMPS PACKING LIST
Below you will find a helpful packing list specific to Introduction to Backpacking, Rock Climbing, and Pack and Paddle! PLEASE NOTE: We put these items on here for a reason and we often have campers come to camp unprepared for the weather, terrain, and bugs. Because of our elevation, camp and the surrounding Uintas stay relatively cool all summer, especially at night. Please pack appropriately and reach out to the Camp Director with concerns or items you may need to borrow. In terms of foot wear, this program requires campers to have closed-toe shoes that can handle walking far distances comfortably. Hiking boots are encouraged for campers growing or with sensitive ankles. Underlined items are for use at YMCA Mill Hollow, and not neccesarily when on trail during your Excursion Camp.
2 Water bottles (1 L each) PLEASE SEE PAGE 25 FOR CAMPING, CLIMBING, and PADDLING SPECIFIC GEAR
Laundry bag Disposable or light digital camera (no phones) Stamped and addressed envelopes Book or journal Returner campers: Dog tag necklace
Laundry bag Disposable or light digital camera (no phones) Stamped and addressed envelopes Book or journal Returner campers: Dog tag necklace Deck of cards / small games Hand warmers Camping Pillow Pee rag (ex, Kula Cloth or bandanna)
Below you will find a helpful packing list specifically for our BOLD & GOLD participants! PLEASE NOTE: We put these items on here for a reason and we often have campers come to camp unprepared for the weather, terrain, and bugs. Because of our elevation, camp and the surrounding Uintas stay relatively cool all summer, especially at night while the Capitol Reef trip could experience high temperatures during the day and still cool temperatures at night. Please pack appropriately and reach out to the Camp Director with concerns or items you may need to borrow. In terms of foot wear, this program requires campers to have closed-toe shoes that can handle walking far distances comfortably. such as hiking boots or trail running shoes. Underlined items are for use at YMCA Mill Hollow, and not necessarily when on trail during your Excursion Camp..
BOLD & GOLD PACKING LIST
1 Long sleeve underwear (100% polyester) 1 Warm hoodie / sweater 1 Warm outer layer (i.e., puffy coat) 1 Waterproof jacket with hood 2-3 T-Shirts / Long Sleeves (NOT cotton) 1 Pair of long underwear bottoms (100% polyester) 1 Pair hiking pants / shorts (synthetic) Long pants Optional: Swimwear to "dip" in lakes to clean off Underwear 2-3 Pairs hiking socks (wool, polyester, nylon) 2-3 Pairs regular socks Trail running shoes / Hiking Boots (make sure to break these in before camp) Light weight foot wear (ex, Crocs, sandals, hard-soled slippers) Sun hat or baseball hat Sun glasses Warm hat and light gloves Bandanna / Buff Optional: 1-2 comfortable outfits to wear while at YMCA Mill Hollow.
Toiletry bag / shower caddy Toothbrush and toothpaste Body wash / soap Shampoo / conditioner Bath towel Lotion Menstrual hygiene items Shower shoes Sunscreen Bug spray Face / body wipes OR a bandanna that you can pair with our biodegradable soap
Whether it is for 2 nights or a full week, this page will specifically highlight the group gear that camp will provide as well as a list of individual gear that campers can either rent from camp or bring on their own. To rent an item for your session, please email the Camp Director with your camper's full name, session week, and specific gear they will need to borrow (as well as any relevant sizing information). We are so happy to let your camper borrow our gear to ensure that they have more confidence during their session. Please see the specified packing lists on the following pages in addition to this page.
PACKING LIST: RENT OR BRING YOUR OWN GEAR
Cell phones / electronic equipment Pocket knives / hatchets Lighters / fire starters Jewelry or other valuables that could get lost Scented perfumes, deodorants, make-up, etc. Personal bear spray / mace Any weapons, alcohol, drugs, nicotine products, etc. If you are not sure if you should bring something, please email the Camp Director
Group Gear Provided (your camper does NOT need to bring)
Rentable Gear / Bring Your Own
Satellite phone / navigation First aid kit Tents Water filters / purification Cooking stoves, fuel, and fire starters Food and snacks Cookware All climbing hardware and equipment Hatchet Trowels and poop kit Hand sanitizer Bear spray Bug spray Sunscreen Menstrual Supplies Group camera All PPE, like life jackets and helmets
Headlamp Waterproof jacket Waterbottles Camp bowl, utensils, and mug 45-60 L Backpack Sleeping bag (20 degrees) Sleeping pad Day pack (BOLD GOLD only) Climbing shoes (Climbing trips only) Waterproof stuff sacks (Paddle trips only) Trekking poles We have a limited supply of clothing that can be borrowed
DO NOT PACK
STAFF QUALIFICATIONS
OVERLAP WITH BASE CAMP
Over the course of our trips, our instructors will have a satellite phone for regular communications with coordinators and in case of emergencies. If you have any questions regarding our emergency procedures, please reach out to the Camp Director. Staff also carry Garmins for fast communication and daily weather updates. Staff are trained and prepared to be flexible with plans in the face of serious weather. For navigation, staff are trained to use and equipped with GAIA GPS maps with pre-planned routes installed, paper maps, and compasses.
All excursions are run through YMCA Mill Hollow. For this reason, there is a lot of overlap of policies, procedures, and program management. Especially for campers whose program spend more time at base camp, it might be helpful to also review the YMCA Mill Hollow information on pages 16-17.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
YMCA staff who lead excursions are required to obtain a Wilderness First Aid certification (WFA) or higher. YMCA excursion staff who transport campers must be at least 21 years old and hold a clean driving record and valid license. For our climbing and aquatic trips, along with our own staff, we also bring in Summit Journeys guides to add an extra level of safety and quality to instructing, facilitating, and supplying gear.
Please take the packing lists provided into serious consideration to ensure the comfort and safety of your camper. We recommend dressing in several layers for proper perspiration and air flow, flexibility in differing climates and hourly temperatures, and protection from predicted elements.
LAYERING PRINCIPLE
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS & NAVIGATION
There is a different culture around personal hygiene in the back country that we invite your campers to embrace! We will be getting sweaty and dirty without trying to cover that up with scented perfumes and deodorants! These products will only serve to attract animals and bugs to your camper. Some ways we effectively keep our bodies clean instead are by using the following methods: Dip in a lake: For participants who bring proper water shoes and clothing, they will be allowed to dip in a lake with the permission and supervision of staff Take a bandanna bath: We will provide biodegradable soap that your camper can also use as body soap paired with a wet bandanna. Face wipes: Unscented face and body wipes work great for a quick clean up before bed.
MEDICATIONS
BANNED ITEMS & SUBSTANCES
PERSONAL HYGIENE ON TRAIL
Excursions are meant to help young people focus on the present moment in order to connect with themselves, others, and nature. The following items will not be tolerated at any time during any of our trips. If such items are found in a participant's possession, it will be grounds for immediate expulsion and evacuation from the trip at the family's expense. The items are: Alcohol Cigarettes and / or nicotine products Drugs and paraphernalia Weapons
If your camper requires medication, over the counter or prescribed, and / or other aids (inhalers, vitamins, epipens, etc.) then our staff need to know about it. Please indicate these needs on the medication forms during registration and check-in. Make sure all items are in their original packaging with patient and dose information labeled. Please make sure to check all of these items in with staff. Medications must be carried by staff to ensure the safety of your camper and all participants. Medication that is more appropriate to be carried by a camper, like an inhaler or epipen, must still be brought to the attention of staff then the camper may carry it themselves.
For more information please refer to our FAQ page on our website or reach out to the Camp Director!
We cannot wait to see you this summer!