Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
Welcome! We know you have questions, and we’re here to help make your experience smooth and simple. Below are some of the most common questions we receive from parents.
Camper Readiness & Preparation
Q: How do I know if my child is ready for overnight camp?
A: We want your child to have a fun, safe, healthy, and successful camp experience! The key to success lies in a few basic independence and self-care skills. Please review our full list of readiness skills below and practice them at home:
- Sleep over at a friend’s house (not a relative) without wanting to come home or talk to Mom or Dad on the telephone?
- Brush teeth?
- Shower, wash body (and hair) and towel dry?
- Select clothes and dress?
- Separate clean and dirty clothes?
- Fold clothes; not perfectly but well enough to put them away?
- Hang up wet suits and towels?
- Generally follow written schedules/ instructions or ask for clarification?
- Keep track of belongings and keep personal space tidy?
- Can walk 1/2 mile?
- Cooperate in a group? Share adult attention?
- Listen, focus, and follow verbal instructions (with more than two steps.)
Registration & Camp Forms
Q: What are the key payment deadlines and refund policies?
A: A one-third deposit is due upon registration and is refundable before April 1st. A second nonrefundable one-third payment is due on April 1st. The final nonrefundable payment is due four weeks before the session begins. After April 1st, refunds are only issued if a waitlist camper can replace your child. Our full refund policy can be found here.
Q: How do I apply for a scholarship?
A: Check the corresponding box on your application. Once enrolled, a scholarship form will appear in the Forms and Documents section of your CampInTouch portal. We review applications on a rolling basis starting in January and notify families by email when awards are offered. Members of an Episcopal church should also check with their priest for additional help.
Q: Where can I find and submit the required camp forms?
A: All forms, including the Pick-Up Form, Camper Expectations, and medical forms, are available on the CampInTouch portal. We appreciate you submitting them at least a month in advance.
For Complete Details
Please note: This section covers our most frequently asked questions. For all policies, detailed procedures, and in-depth information regarding enrollment, health forms, daily schedules, and more, please refer to our Parent Handbook, which can be found here.
Arrival, Departure, & Visiting
Q: What are the drop-off and pick-up times?
A: Youth Camp drop-off is from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday (check your email the week before for your assigned time slot). Pick-up* is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Please consult the handbook for specific times for CITs and Minicamp sessions.
*Pick up for YC1 will end on Fri, July 3rd instead of Sat, July 4th due to the holiday weekend. All holdovers will need to head home in between YC1 and YC2, similar to our Session Break.
Q: Can I visit my camper?
A: Visits are best planned for Saturday afternoons. All guests must check in at the Camp Office immediately upon arrival, and if you take your camper out of camp, they must be signed out and back in by a staff member.
Q: What is the pick-up process?
A: You must sign the pick-up form you filled out prior to camp. Only the people specified on your child’s Camper/CIT Pick Up Form are legally allowed to pick up your child for a visit or at the end of the session.
Q: What happens during Session Break for multi-week campers?
A: All campers must be picked up during Week 4 departure. Campers can leave their belongings in place, but you must bring fresh sheets, take their bedding home to wash, or use the takeaway Laundry Service over the weekend. They can be checked back in quickly head of Week 5 registration.
Life at Camp & Communication
Q: How are cabin assignments made?
A: Cabins are assigned by camper age. Mutual requests for cabin mates are only honored if one of the children is new to camp. Camp Bishopswood has a gender-inclusive cabin when numbers allow for the middle age group, and we are happy to discuss placements for trans, non-binary, or gender nonconforming campers. For more information on our Gender Inclusive Housing practices, click here.
Q: Is there a laundry service for multi-week campers?
A: Yes. A laundry service is available for multi-week campers, with pick-up on Saturday morning and return on Sunday. The service is charged by bag size, and fees (average weekly cost of $20–$36) will be billed to your account.
Q: Are care packages allowed?
A: No. We ask that families please do not send care packages to ensure an equitable experience for all campers; they will be held and returned at check-out. You may send a supply-only package for essential items if you email the Registrar at registrar@campbishopswood.org beforehand. Specific instructions are outline in our Parent Handbook.
For more information about camper and parent communication, visit our Communication with Camp and Campers page.
Q: Should my child bring a cell phone or other electronics?
A: No. Electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, e-books, and electronic games are NOT allowed at camp. If a cell phone is necessary for travel logistics, it can be turned into the office at registration to be locked away until departure.
Q: How can I see photos of my child at camp?
A: All camp photos are posted exclusively to the Campanion App. Download the app and log in with your CampInTouch email and password; the app uses facial recognition technology to help you find photos of your camper.
Q: What should my camper pack?
A: Check out our What To Bring page for more information on prepping for camp.
Health & Safety
Q: What is the camp’s policy on medications?
A: Campers are not allowed to keep any prescribed, over-the-counter (OTC) medications or homeopathic remedies in their cabins. All medications must be stored and administered by the nurse in the Health Hut. Prescription medications must be in the original container from the pharmacy.
Q: Are there dietary accommodations for allergies or special diets?
A: Yes, common dietary needs like vegetarianism or common allergies are accommodated. If your child requires a vegan or gluten-free diet, we ask that you provide supplemental food. For extensive or severe dietary needs, please call the Director as soon as possible.
Q: What should I do if my child has a history of bed wetting?
A: Bed wetting is a normal part of growing up — please be sure to note this and relevant details (frequency, etc) on your Letter to Counselor form. It’s also a good idea to provide additional sets of traditional bedding (not just a sleeping bag) so linen changes can occur quickly and easily.
Questions?
Registration & CampInTouch Support
Nicky Martin (nicky@campbishopswood.org) and/or Camp Registrar (registrar@campbishopswood.org)
Family Billing & Payments
Camp Registrar (registrar@campbishopswood.org)
Staffing Questions
Nicky Martin (nicky@campbishopswood.org)
Donations & Giving
Mike Douglass (mike@campbishopswood.org)
Site Rentals
Mike Douglass (mike@campbishopswood.org)
Alumni Questions
Mike Douglass (mike@campbishopswood.org)
Vendor Invoices, Bills, & Payments
office@campbishopswood.org
