COVID-19 Precautions:

Q: What are you doing to keep campers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

A: Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp has and will always keep camper, volunteer, and staff safety at the forefront of every program. We have been in constant communication with the States of Oregon and Washington, the Department of Health and Human Service, United States Forest Service, American Camp Association, Clackamas County, and many other state and local entities in designing programs to meet all health and safety guidelines. For more information on new sanitization procedures, enhanced health policies, and all things COVID-19 related, please take a look at the Camper and Parent Guide or our Virtual Town Hall recording. These both detail what we are doing to keep individuals safe during 2021 Summer Camp programs. Any additional questions can be submitted to Operations Director, Allan Cushing, by email at Allan@mhkc.org.  

GENERAL:

Q: Why is Camp so important?

A: Camp provides children and adults with the opportunity to connect with nature, to participate in human-powered activities, and to benefit from personal and primary relationships.

“The camp experience is recognized by child development professionals as valuable in helping [individuals] mature socially, emotionally, intellectually, morally, and physically… ‘At camp, children learn to problem-solve, make social adjustments to new and different people, learn responsibility, and gain new skills to increase their self-esteem.’” – Benefits of Camp: Psychological Aspects

Q: What makes Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp different than other camps that serve individuals with disabilities?

A: The biggest difference between MHKC and other special needs camps is our ability to offer a 1:1 camper to counselor ratio at no additional cost. In a normal year, this 1:1 support comes from our partnerships with Portland State University (PSU) and other local universities. (Note: off-site campers are a 2:1 camper: counselor) Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic there will be no counselors from partnering universities and all groups will be overseen entirely by staff. 

Q: What age of campers can attend MHKC?

A: For eligibility requirements, click here.

REGISTRATION:

Q: When does registration start?

A: Registration is always the second Monday in January. In 2021, registration will begin at 8:00 am on January 11th. 

Q: Where can I find the camp application?  

A: Our application is online through a program called CampMinder! Click here to apply, or use the link on the front page of the website under “Register for Camp.”

Q: Which session is my camper attending?

A: Login to your CampInTouch account and look at the invoice under the Financial tab.

Q: My camper wants to go to Camp the same week as his/her best friend. Can you accommodate that?

A: We try our best to accommodate such requests; however it is not always possible. Please be sure to include such requests on the camper application. Both campers need to put each other’s name on their application for these requests to happen, but still not guaranteed.

Q: Can my camper sign up for two weeks of camp?

A: Campers are allowed to sign up for a second week of Camp only if availability allows. Please call our Program Administrative Coordinator, Kathy Werschkul at 971-230-2923 if interested.

Q: How do I know which program to sign my camper up for?

A: Unless approved by the Programs Director, all first time campers must sign up for Main Camp.  If you are registering a returning camper and are unsure of which program(s) they are approved for please call our Programs Director, Kayla Plessinger at 971-230-2931 or email her at Kayla@mhkc.org.

FORMS & PAYMENTS

Q: Where can I find the list of what to bring?

A: Download the Packing List here!

Q: Does our camper need a physical exam every year?

A: Yes, to meet American Camp Association standards every camper must have a new physical exam within 12 months of the start of their session.

Q: How do I get to my CampMinder account to access my forms?

A: Just click here and sign in.

Q: When are forms and payments due?

A: Payment due dates vary based on the payment schedule you choose (pay in full or installment payments). Unless a third party (e.g. – a brokerage) is paying for camp the full cost of camp must be paid by June 15th. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forms and payment due dates will be announced at a later date, after enrollment has occurred.

Q: Is financial aid available?

A:We are committed to offering camperships to families in financial need every summer. Our pool of funds varies from year to year and we consistently have more requests than we can accommodateCampership applications will open once campers have been enrolled into Camp. They will be made available on our website, at this time.

Q: How can I apply for a waiver of the enrollment processing fee?

A: To be eligible, campers must already be registered and accepted to camp. The waiver is only available to campers who utilize Medicaid or Public Funding to pay for Summer Camp.

To apply:
Enrollment Processing Fee Waiver applications will be available after camper enrollment has occurred. Applications will be made available at MHKC.org at that time.

Q: What does check-in look like?

A: There are 3 important parts to check-in every camper and caregiver must go through. First meeting the staff who will partner with your camper for the week, second check-in, and third, nursing consultation. Each step is mandatory for campers and caregivers to attend and each caregiver can expect to spend between 1-3 hours during drop-off/check-in. All steps of check-in are extremely important and we appreciate your understanding and patience during this process.

Step 1: Upon parking in the lot your Counselor Supervisor or Assistant Counselor Supervisor will greet you and introduce you to the counselor who will spend the week focused on your camper. This is an important step to building trust and starting the information download that will make your camper’s week more spectacular.

Step 2: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, check-in procedures have changed. Check–in will occur at your car. Each camper is permitted only ONE parent/caregiver to accompany them through the check-in process. The parent/caregiver must also adhere to new screening procedures before entry into Camp. You will go through and give your campers name and have the opportunity to meet with and share information with Behavioral Support Staff and the Speech Language Pathologist at Camp. 
 
Step 3: The nursing consultation is critical for us to provide the most safe and healthy stay at Camp for your camper. Every camper and caregiver will meet with a nurse assigned to their group and have a chance to discuss any medications, supplements, and any general or specific health concerns for the camper. This process is extremely important and sometimes takes more time to complete.

MEDICAL:

Q: My camper takes vitamins and supplements – can they take them at camp?

A: Yes, however a doctor’s order must accompany them or our nurses will be unable to dispense them to your camper.

Q: My camper’s medication dosage has changed and is not accurate on the pharmacy bottle label – is that ok?

A: No – if the pharmacy label is not accurate a doctor’s order must accompany the medication or it can’t be dispensed for the new dosage.

CAMPER SUPPORT:

Q: My camper requires help toileting – is that something your staff can do?

A: Yes! All of our staff are trained to help assist our campers with their bathing, toileting, showering, and dressing needs – including those campers who need full personal care and support.

Q: My camper has strict dietary needs – do I need to bring food for them?

A: We understand that many campers may have certain dietary concerns that need to be met during their time at Camp. We are able to accommodate campers needing gluten free, dairy free, gluten and dairy free, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, nut free, soy free, and egg free diets. We are also able to accommodate other dietary needs on a case by case basis. Although we can accommodate these dietary needs it is important to note we are not free of these items within the Camp kitchen and cross contamination is always a possibility. We highly recommend that campers who have restrictive diets or campers who are selective in what they will or will not eat bring supplemental foods provided from home. If you have any questions about your campers’ dietary needs, please contact our Programs Director, Kayla Plessinger, at Kayla@mhkc.org.

Q: I feel my camper needs more supports while at Camp, are we allowed to send a caregiver?

A: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to accommodate caregivers or campers who require a personal caregiver for the 2021 summer camp season. For more information as to why we have made this decision, please take a look at the Camper and Parent Guide or email our Operations Director, Allan Cushing, and Allan@mhkc.org.  

Q: My camper has a communication device, should we send that with them to Camp?

A: Absolutely! We encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to send their camper with whatever supports they need to (within reason) assist in helping their camper have a successful week at Camp. Please spend some time at check in teaching your camper’s staff and how the device works. Just a friendly reminder, however, that Camp is Camp – so please do not send irreplaceable things and bring devices in protective cases whenever possible.

BEFORE, DURING & AFTER CAMP: 

Q: What time is check in on Sunday?

A: Camper check in is from 12:45pm-4:45pm on Sunday. An email will be sent closer to camp to indicate your particular camper’s check in time. All check-in times are firm.

Q: What time is check out on Thursday?

A: Campers should be picked up from camp between 1am-2pm on Friday. A $60/hr fee is assessed for pick-ups after 2pm.

Q: Do I have to stay with my camper during check-in?

A: Yes. Parents/guardians/caregivers are required to remain with their camper until the camper is completely checked-in at Camp.

Q: Can my friend, relative, or facility driver check-in or pick-up my camper(s)?

A: The person checking in the camper needs to be aware of the medications and health history of the camper. Please do not send someone who is unfamiliar with the care of the camper. It is also important that you have ALL PAPERWORK completed and signed if the person dropping off the camper is not a legal guardian. For pick-up, you will need to specify the person(s) who are allowed to check the camper out.

Q: Should I send money with my camper?

A: Money is typically not needed while at Camp. Off-site campers may want to bring money with them if they want to buy a souvenir or a snack while at All Star Rafting. If you or your camper are interested in camp swag (t-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, sunglasses, etc…), those items are available for purchase at check-in/check-out.

Q: Can friends and family attend the Thursday Night BBQ?

A:Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no guests will be allowed onsite during your camper’s week at camp. This means no guests at the Thursday afternoon BBQ. We understand that this is very disappointing for friends and family but this change will help to ensure the health and safety of all attending camp programs this summer.

Q: What do campers need to bring to Camp?

A: We have a packing list detailing everything campers will need to bring for the week, as well as what to leave at home.