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Below
you will find answers to some
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do
your campers come from? We mostly
draw from the mid-Atlantic region, though some students have come from
Florida and New York.
Do
you require a physical exam for my child to attend camp? Yes,
within 2 years of the program.
Does
my child need to be physically fit? Not
necessarily, though it helps and makes some activities easier. Some
activities include hiking and some destinations require uphill climbs.
What
is your camper/staff ratio? For
overnights camps 3:1, for day camps 4:1.
What
are the qualifications of your staff? We believe
that a strong staff team is the backbone of a high quality program. We
take hiring the best staff possible for all of our programs seriously
and ensure that they are mature, responsible, good role models. At a
minimum, all staff have 1st Aid/CPR. Most staff are trained as
Wilderness First Responders, which is an advanced 10 day medical
training. A certified lifeguard is on duty at all times for swimming.
Staff are selected based on their wilderness skills, leadership
qualities, and dedication to working with youth. We also do background
checks on all our staff.
Where
are the camps held?
Our camps
are held about 20 minutes west of Charlottesville, Virginia up against
Shenandoah National Park in Sugar Hollow. The Camp facility is on 75
acres of forest and field and a stream for swimming, pavilions, tents
on platforms, kitchen, bathrooms/showers, and much much more.
Can
I contact my child at camp? In an
emergency please call first, so that we can relay the message as
needed. We ask that parents do not just show up at camp unannounced as
that can often be disruptive to the group. If you would like to remain
in contact with your child we encourage you to send letters along to
them.
What
if my child gets sick or injured at camp? If a child
is injured or sick, a parent will be notified right away and every
incident will be documented. It is important that the emergency form is
carefully filled out in case of an emergency. We are about 20 minutes
from 2 full service hospitals. We have a great safety record, and take
great care in protecting your child from injury.
Is it okay to sign
up with friends or on their own? Both are relatively common, so
it is up to what the camper prefers. We do our best to keep them
together if requested.
What
do you do in case of inclement weather? We run our
camps rain or shine. All staff are trained in what to do if lightning,
severe rain, or high winds become an issue. The camp center has covered
pavilions and buildings for our use and we will take the best cover
available.
What
should I do if my child will need to miss a day of camp? We ask
that you contact us at the earliest convenience so that we can let the
staff know, and make necessary arrangements. Though we strongly
encourage campers remain at camp for the full duration of their camp
session.
Can
parents come along?
It is our
experience that having a parent present at camp can take away from a
campers experience. It tends to be harder for the camper to immerse and
be present with the experience. We will be glad to fill you in on how
your son or daughter is doing.
What
kind of food do you serve at camp? Day
campers bring their own sack lunch. At overnight camps we provide kid
friendly food, that is 95% Organically Certified. We find that campers
love the food. Every meal has both Vegetarian and meat options. We
focus around a balanced whole foods diet, that stays away from
additives and artificial ingredients. We are able to accommodate most
dietary restrictions (including allergies), though we do need adequate
notice. We often have multiple options available in case someone
doesn’t like something.
Can
I send food to my child at camp? We
discourage this because it proves to be a distraction, and we try to
keep sugar to a minimum. If your child has special dietary needs,
please notify us in advance and we can make exceptions.
Can
my child bring along a cell phone, Gameboy, or Walkman? No. We are
trying to create an experience where the camper is immersed in nature
and involved with their group and these things tend to be distractions.
Do
we need any special equipment? No, though
a carving knife is needed for overnight camps. An excellent carving
knife can be purchased from us directly if needed. We will mail
you a list of what to bring upon registering. Only the
backpacking expeditions require special equipment.
Where
can I get a good carving knife? A lot of
outfitters sell knives. We prefer non-folding knives with a
straight shaft. If you do go with a folding knife, make sure the
blade locks (the Swiss Army knives do not lock). It is not
necessary to spend a lot of money on a knife. I have bought
fancy knives only to have them break. We sell a solid knife that
is great for carving for around $16 that has so far withstood any abuse
a camper or myself has inflicted upon it. If you bring a knife to
camp, make sure it is sharpened and ready to go. A dull
knife is a dangerous knife. If you have more questions please
give us a call or email. We take knife carving seriously and have
strict safety measures at all times.
Does
my child need money at camp? In most
cases no. If your child needs a knife we prefer they purchase it
upon arrival. We remain at camp, so the need for money is not
necessary. On our backpacking expeditions, we do stop into towns
while we travel in vehicles, so a little money is necessary.
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For more information call (540)
456-7339 or email LES
or
mail: Living Earth School, 101
Rocky
Bottom Ln, Afton, VA 22920
Let
us know if you want to be on our email list!
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