We get asked many of these questions several times a year by parents. Here is an attempt to answer your question as quickly as possible. If you don't see your question here, the first question explains how to contact us. We are happy to hear from you and answer your questions at anytime.
1. How do I register for camp?
Contact the camp office at 616.754.7258 or email at office@campgreenwood.org or click on the registration button below:
Mail Registration to:
Register, Camp Greenwood
1511 Helen Avenue
Portage, MI 49002
2. Are scholarships available?
Yes! Complete our scholarship application.
3. What are your cabins like?
The cabins that your children will be staying in (except when they are "outposting") were mostly built in the 1980's. They have tile floors and drywall walls. They have electricity and indoor plumbing (a full bathroom in each cabin). Each cabin has bunk beds, with a single bed for the counselor.
4. Who are your staff and how are they hired?
All of our counseling staff are at least 18 years old. Many have one or more years of college (and many are students during the rest of the year). In order to be hired on staff you must complete an application, have three positive references, and go through an interview process. Before the staff see any children they complete a 10 day staff training, background check and are often matched up with an experienced counselor for their first week or two.
5. My child had two counselors last year, is this normal?
We try, whenever possible to put two staff in each cabin. Often one is "the counselor" and the other holds another position at camp (such as working in the kitchen or doing maintenance, therefore one may be under 18). Your child will always be within sight or sound of someone over 18, 24 hours a day.
6. My child is allergic to a food (milk, wheat, etc), is that a problem?
Usually this is not a problem. We do ask that you provide alternatives if the allergy will effect your child (such as providing rice milk if your child is allergic to milk). This will be kept in the kitchen and given to them when they ask for it.
7. Should I send food with my child?
No, unless your child has a food allergy. They will have the opportunity to visit the camp store at appropriate times (usually after lunch) and purchase a snack if they would like. We provide three balanced meals a day, plus a snack before bed.
8. How much money should I send for the camp store?
This is up to you. A candy bar is about 50 cents, a pop or juice is about 75 cents, shirts run $8-$12, and often we will sell souvenirs that range from 50 cents to a few dollars. We also stock such things as soap, shampoo, tooth brushes and tooth paste in case they run out or forget to bring it from home.
9. What happens if my child gets sick?
We have a health officer on site at all times that can deal with minor injuries and illness. We have Tylenol, band aids, and some general medical supplies. If your child is sick or injured and has to go to the doctor or stay in the health lodge over night, we will call you. In most cases they are welcome to stay at camp, but we want you to know what is going on at all times.
10. Can my child call home?
Generally we have a policy against this, but in special circumstances yes. In cases of severe homesickness (apart from a little crying on their first night just after they go to bed), we will often call you (the parent) to talk to you about this. Sometimes the parent will want to talk to the child, sometimes they will choose not to. Obviously if you would like to speak to your child, we can set up a time for you to call when they can be by a phone. We ask that you use discretion as this will require us to pull them out of an activity. There are no phones in the cabins, and except in cases of emergency, we will ask that you call back at a specific time. In cases of a death in the family or other emergency, we will immediately pull your child out of an activity and bring them to the office to talk with you.
11. I am worried about my child being homesick, what can I do?
I am glad you asked. In 95% of homesickness cases the parent has set up expectations
for the child to be homesick. In many cases of homesickness the child will
come to us to explain that they are homesick. As you talk to them, they are
having a great time, but they know how much those at home (mom, dad, Aunt
Mary, Grandpa, the dog and even the goldfish) miss them. It is not that they
are homesick but the parents have spent a long time explaining what homesickness
is, how they will be homesick when they are at camp, and leave it there. The
child comes to camp, and wanting to please their parents is "homesick"
as soon as you pull out of the parking lot.
My advice to parents is to touch on the subject if you feel it is necessary,
but also stress how proud you will be when they spend a whole week at camp.
Talk about what a great time they are going to have and all the new friends
they are going to make. You are obviously going to miss them, and they might
miss you a bit, but the more you explain those feelings to them, in most cases,
the more homesick they are.
Some children do get homesick (sometimes physically sick and can not put a
name to it). In a case like this, we will call you.
12. I am worried about my child, can I call to see how they are doing?
Sure, we welcome calls from parents. In larger weeks, I (or someone else who answers the phone) might not know at that moment how your child is doing. We might have to check with their counselor and call you back, but we can do that. You can also see pictures of your child (usually within 24 hours of when they were taken) on the web, at this site. (click on the photos and more button to the left).
13. I forgot to send my final payment two weeks in advance, can they still come?
Yes. Bring your final payment with you when you register. We prefer to have a cashier's check, cash or money order if you are paying the day that you drop off your child. Please call us if you have a problem coming up with your final payment.
14. We are not Presbyterian, can we still send our children to your camp?
Yes. We are a Christian Camp, and will be teaching Christian Education, praying before meals, worshiping, and having morning watch and evening vespers with the campers. Our basic Christian Education is in line with all main line denominations (ie. God loves us all). When those hard questions are asked, we will share what we believe, but make it clear that what I believe may not be what everyone believes. We do not avoid the hard questions (this is a safer place to ask them than a corner with their friends), but try to answer them in a way that explains that people believe different things, and it is OK to not know all the answers.
15. My question was not answered, what should I do?
Call us at 616.754.7258 or e-mail us at office@campgreenwood.org and ask your questions. Your child's experience is very important to us, and we want you to be comfortable sending your child here. We are very happy to talk with parents and answer any questions you may have.
