How are camp session costs determined?

Our camp session costs are determined by several factors, the main one being the price of bus transportation to and from camp. Bus prices fluctuate depending on the price of gas, the amount of campers, and the kind of bus we rent. The bus companies we use are top of the line with a bathroom and DVD player. A portion of the session also pays for the bus to make two round trips, opening and closing day of each session.

The other costs included are: meals, hiring of summer staff, program supplies, session photo, and horse transportation/fees for the horse sessions (horse programs prices only apply to campers in that specific horse session).

How can I learn about camp when there isn't a camp open house due to the distance of travel?

There are LOTS of other ways to learn about camp! You can check out all the information on our Web site; you can contact us by phone at 847-741-5521 or by e-mail at info@gs-sybaquay.org.

Because your campers arrive via bus to camp, this can help alleviate anxiety about you leaving your camper. Sometimes adults and/or campers try to prolong the adults leaving; they try to walk them through camp, help make their bed, etc. Bussing encourages our girls and young women to say good-bye to family members and then they are introduced to new friends as they sing and talk on the ride to camp.

What are the advantages to a camp that buses their campers?

The major advantage to having your campers bused is that they get to experience the adventure of traveling across the state with a group of other campers as they prepare for the excitement of camp. This empowering experience allows our girls and young women to gain some independence as they wave good-bye to their families and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Another advantage is that parents are able to drop off their campers and lovingly place them in our care as we provide the transportation to camp.

What should/shouldn't my camper bring with them to camp?

When you register your camper for camp you will receive a confirmation packet that has all your forms for camp, including a packing list (the confirmation packet is also online). The packing list carefully outlines the items your camper should and shouldn't bring with them.

Even with a packing list, there are always some questions about certain items. Below we've listed  a couple of  items which campers should not bring with them to camp:

No Snack/Candy Food
Although in the past, campers have been allowed to bring candy and other snack items to camp with them, problems always seem to arise. Sometimes campers leave the items in their bags, causing animals to get into their belongings. Additionally, sometimes campers don't want to share their snacks with other members in the group or don't have enough to share. Because of these reasons we ask that you NOT provide your campers with snacks or candy. At camp we provide them with any snacks they may need. This way the food doesn't cause conflict.

No Cell Phones or Other Electronics
Cell phones and all other electronics such as I-Pods, Discmans, laptops, Blackberrys, etc. are NOT ALLOWED at camp! These electronics are expensive and may be damaged at camp. To protect such valuables, please leave them at home. If it is necessary to contact your camper you can ALWAYS call the camp office and we will have your camper call you back.

What happens if my camper gets sick at camp?

There are several kinds of camp "sick." There may be sickness caused by anxiety or a conflict at camp, a physical sickness such as the flu, cold, etc., or home-sickness.

Anxiety/Conflict Sick
Sometimes when a camper has anxiety, is worried about something, or had an argument with a friend, she will tell her counselor that she's "sick." This usually results in a stomachache or an "I just don't feel good." All staff are trained in assessing situations like this at camp. If there is no concern for physical sickness, the counselor will send the camper to the health and wellness director/coordinator. If the counselor knows that your camper has had an argument with her best friend, however, we will act accordingly; the counselor may sit the two friends down to talk to them, or talk with your camper about why she's feeling sick. In most cases, talking with the counselor and friend about the argument makes the "sick" go away.

Physical Sickness
The state of Wisconsin has high standards for resident camps. At Pokonokah Hills we hire a health and wellness director who is always on site. The health and wellness director is either a registered nurse, physician, physician assistant, national athletic trainer, emergency medical technician or certified in American Red Cross Emergency Response.

If your camper does come down with the flu, a cold or other illness when at camp, we will contact you immediately and make you aware of the sickness. Your camper will rest comfortably in our Health and Wellness Center with the director looking over her if necessary. If it's something like a small cold, we will call you and inform you that we have/will provide your camper with the medication you indicated from her on her health history form. Depending on the severity of the sickness, you may be asked to pick your camper up from camp. In all cases, however, we communicate with you about how to handle the situation.

Homesickness
Homesickness is a very common occurrence at resident camp, especially when a camper is away from home for the first time, at a new camp, or is a far distance away from her family. All staff are trained in how to handle the issue of homesickness.

Many times a camper can be homesick because they have a particular night ritual, such as a song, a prayer or a book. Our counselors may help to provide such routines to your camper.

In particularly serious cases, we call home and inform you of what's going on. From there we decide whether you would like to talk to your child, or offer any other options for them.

What is the staff/camper ratio at camp?

At Camp Pokonokah Hills we follow two guidelines for ratio - Girl Scout Safety Wise and the American Camp Association for our ACA accreditation. These guidelines indicate that our ratio should be at least the following numbers of staff per camper:

Unit Size/Session Size

For every 2 staff members:

12 Brownie Girl Scouts, grades 1-3
16 Junior Girl Scouts, grades 4-6
20 Cadette Girl Scouts, grades 7-9
24 Senior Girl Scouts, grades 10-12

One staff member to each additional:

6 Brownie Girl Scouts, grades 1-3
8 Junior Girl Scouts, grades 4-6
10 Cadette Girl Scouts, grades 7-9
12 Senior Girl Scouts, grades 10-12

Program Center numbers are slightly higher numbers of girl/staff members due to facility size and proximity.

Ratio of Waterfront Activities

# of Swimmers/Boaters    Lifeguards    Watchers

        1-10                                 1 adult               1 adult
        11-25                               1 adult               2 adults
        26-35                               2 adults             3 adults
        36-50                               2 adults              4 adults         

What are the staff qualifications?

The resident camp staff application process is an in-depth and involved procedure. Anyone who applies fills out an application answering a series of questions that pertains to resident camp/working with children, provides us with several references, and is screened for crime violations.

Once we hire staff, each member goes through an intensive 1-2 weeks of training where they learn about working with children, teaching methods, outdoor skills, and other skills to prepare them for working with our girls and young women at camp. During training each staff member goes through the American Red Cross First Aid and CPR course and many also take Lifeguard training. Once they have passed the training those counselors receive certification.

Specialty certification for health and wellness staff, food service staff, and waterfront staff are a must. Our health and wellness director is certified by the state of Wisconsin and is one of the following:

Licensed physician
Registered nurse
Physician assistant
 National athletic trainer
Emergency medical technician
An individual with American Red Cross emergency response training

The waterfront director is 21 year old and a certified lifeguard with numerous years of experience; the food service staff is trained in food sanitation and preparation.

What if my child has medication to take while at camp?

Before your camper leaves for camp there will be a health check-in. At that time we collect any and all medications your camper is bringing with them to camp, whether it's Tylenol for headaches or prescribed medication. The medication travels via an adult bus chaperone and is then transferred to the health and wellness director AS SOON AS THE BUS ARRIVES at camp. The health and wellness director or another member of the leadership team trained to do so may hand out your camper's medications daily or as needed.

What about showering and bathroom facilities?

Each platform tent has a latrine and sinks nearby. Our shower house has flush toilets, as well as several showers for our campers and staff to use daily. Each unit leader sets a daily shower schedule so that our campers can shower daily. It's important that campers shower daily to wash away lake water along with dirt and sweat from daily activities!

Each camper travels with a "new friend/buddy" anytime they need to use the bathroom, or go anywhere else. When our campers have to use the bathroom at night, we require them to take all the campers in their tent. Because camp is dark at night, this helps to ease night confusion, as well as protecting every camper form potential peer-on-peer conflict.

Meals: What are they like?

At Camp Pokonokah Hills, healthy eating and nutrition are very important. All our food comes from an approved source and is capable of being maintained in a wholesome condition. Not only that, but our hired kitchen staff members are trained in food preparation and service by a food service facility manager who has passed a department-approved examination on food practices.

There are three daily meals at camp: breakfast, lunch and dinner, and each meal follows the new food pyramid so that each camper gets their needed daily servings of protein, dairy, grain/wheat, fruits and veggies.

We also provide meal-options to include all our camper's eating habits - whether they have special medical dietary needs or are simply vegetarians (for strict dietary foods or food allergies, campers may be required to bring some of their own specialty foods.

Here are some examples of our meals at camp:

Breakfast
Scrambled Eggs with choice of meat, cheese and/or veggies (peppers & carrots)
Toast with choice of butter, cream cheese, peanut butter, or jelly
Fresh Fruit Cocktail
Water, Milk & Orange Juice
Cereal Option at Every Breakfast

Lunch
Make Your Own Sub - ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers,         tomatoes, eggplant
French Fries with ketchup, mustard, mayo & ranch
Fresh Fruit
Tomato Soup
Water, Punch, Milk
Rice Krispie Treat

Dinner
Lasagna
Corn
Dinner Salad - lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers
Canned Peaches
French Rolls
Water, Milk, Juice
Chocolate Pudding