Pre-Camp Newsletter
- Rascal
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 8
In this newsletter:
Camper Welcome Postcards
(new for 2025)
Campers will receive a welcome postcard from their Program Aides towards the end of this week.
This postcard includes the camper's unit assignment so they will know where to go when they arrive at camp. Please note: we cannot accept requests for unit changes.
Bus Information
Bus Information Mailing: If your child is riding the bus, your family will receive a letter later this week with their bus information and bus stop location.
Bus Details: Drop-off begins at 8 AM with buses leaving promptly at 8:30. Buses will return at approximately 4 PM (traffic dependent).
Transportation Questions: If you do not receive your bus letter by Tuesday, July 15, or if you have other transportation questions, please email our Transportation Coordinator: transportation@mountaindalenorth.org.
Camper Release Form
The deadline for making changes to your child's camper release form is Sunday, July 12.
Please arrange all carpools in advance of this date, and make sure all drivers/pick up persons are listed on your child's form.
We cannot release campers to unauthorized persons.
Campers and Volunteers Who Are New to Camp
If this is your child's first time attending Mountaindale North, or if you are volunteering for the first time, there are a few things you can do to get ready for the week:
Check out the Camper's Day at Mountaindale page or the Volunteer's Page on our website to see what a day at camp is like.
Check out the Mountaindale A-Z page to learn about some of our camp's "lingo"
Think about what you'd like your camp name to be. Every camper, PA, and adult leader gets to choose a fun camp name (different from their real name) that everyone will call them by for the week (e.g, "Meowzer" or "Skittles"). Everyone also gets to decorate a nametag with their camp name on the first day.
What to Wear to Camp
Weather-appropriate clothing: Camp is held entirely outside, rain or shine. The Mountaindale forecast is available on our website.
Camp T-Shirt: Campers receive their camp t-shirt on Monday and should wear it every day to camp. No tank tops or sleeveless shirts, please.
Shoes: Shoes should be appropriate for hiking with good tread (i.e., sneakers or hiking boots). No sandals, Crocs, or open-toed/sided shoes of any kind. For safety reasons, campers who are not wearing appropriate footwear are not permitted to participate in camp activities.
Shorts or Pants: Shorts should be approximately fingertip length or longer, as campers may be sitting on the ground. Please, no extra-short shorts.
Sweatshirt or Jacket (optional)
What to Bring to Camp
Backpack: Large enough to bring lunch, a water bottle, and a sweatshirt.
Lunch: Pack lunch in a large Ziploc bag labeled with your child's name (no lunchboxes or glass containers, please). All lunches will be packed flat into coolers by camp unit. All garbage will be sent home inside the ziplock back.
Note: If your camper is in a unit with someone who has a nut allergy, you may be asked to send your camper with a nut/peanut-free lunch.
Water Bottle: Plastic or metal water bottle.
Extra Snack (optional)
Sunscreen & Bug Repellent: (optional) unscented and non-aerosol. Campers may not share.
S.W.A.P.S. (optional): SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere) are small tokens of friendship, typically handmade charms attached to safety pins, that Girl Scouts exchange with one another at camp and special events.
We invite all campers, PAs, and volunteers to bring SWAPS to camp for trading.
DO NOT SEND: Please do not send your child to camp with anything valuable, sentimental, or anything that cannot get dirty. While the camp does have a lost and found, the camp is not responsible for lost or misplaced items.
Thursday Overnight
Campers entering 4th grade and above (Juniors, Outdoor Explorers, PAITs, and PAs) are eligible to stay over on Thursday of camp week.
Eligible campers will receive an email with details and a link to the permission form.
Camp Spirit Days
Everyone is invited to dress up for our camp's theme days! Themed outfits should be worn in addition to camp t-shirts.
Tuesday: Crazy Sock Tuesday
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (could be crazy hair/wacky clothes, etc.)
Thursday: Twin Thursday (match with another camper, PA or adult)
Friday: Western Friday
Food at Camp
Our kitchen staff provides a variety of food and snacks for campers throughout the week, including Friday Lunch for EVERYONE at camp.
Nuts: All of our food options are nut-free; however, we cannot guarantee that all products are processed in a nut-free facility. If this is a concern for your child, you may send them with alternate food and snacks.
Forgotten Lunch: If your camper forgets their lunch, they can request one from the kitchen. We offer traditional, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Menu: The menu for the week (items provided by the kitchen) is posted on our website. If your camper is cooking in their unit during the week, your child's unit leaders will be reaching out in a separate email with food information.
General Camp Info
Please label everything! All lost & found items will be held for 30 days.
Camp Closure: If the camp must close for any reason, we will notify families BY EMAIL by 7:30 AM on the day of camp.
Emergencies: If an emergency occurs that forces camp closure during camp hours, we will contact parents to pick up their children at the bus pick-up location. Please have your phones on so you will receive any notifications.
Attendance
Sick Child/Absences: Please email attendance@mountaindalenorth.org if your child will miss camp for any reason.
Emergency Pickup: If your child gets ill or injured during the camp day, we will contact your child's listed emergency contact to pick them up. Adults should not drive to the camp without authorization from our camp director, as we need to ensure that our one-way driveway is clear of other vehicles before entry.
Camper Sign Out: Campers may not leave the camp unless signed out by camp staff and released to an approved pick-up adult.
Health Information & Updates
Changes to Your Child’s Health Information: If there are any changes to your child’s health status, including injuries that might change their ability to participate in camp activities, please notify our camp’s Health Director: health@mountaindalenorth.org ASAP.
Sick Child: Please DO NOT send your child to camp if they are ill. Our camp follows illness guidelines provided by the Washington County Department of Health:
Fever: temperature of 100.4°F or greater. Child must be fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine to return to camp.
Diarrhea or Vomiting: Must be symptom-free for 24 hours. If your child gets sick (vomiting) at camp, they may not attend camp the following day.
Red eyes w/ discharge or skin rash w/ open sores: Must be symptom-free.
Contact Information
Please note that cell service is extremely spotty at camp. If you need to reach us during the camp day, the fastest way is by emailing the camp director or attendance.
Registrar / Attendance: attendance@mountaindalenorth.org
Camp Directors: director@mountaindalenorth.org
Health Advisors: health@mountaindalenorth.org
Volunteer Coordinator: volunteers@mountaindalenorth.org
PA Coordinator: pa@mountaindalenorth.org
Transportation Coordinator: transportation@mountaindalenorth.org
Mountaindale Phone Number (emergency only landline): 503-647-4331
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