Camp Netimus Summer Camp for Girls
Frequently Asked Questions
Camp Netimus is a friendly/family type camp. We are well known for our nurturing environment. Our staff members and campers are warm, friendly, and accepting. Our Administrative Team is "second to none" in its year round devotion to camp.
You may find answers to many of your questions by clicking on the topics below:
Activities
Bunk assignments
Cabins
Camp Fees
Counselors
Food service
Health concerns
Keeping in contact with your daughter
Laundry service
Transportation
Finding out more about Camp Netimus
Activities:
What is the ratio of structured to elective activities in your program?
Campers select their own activities and "build" their own schedules; instructional swimming 3x per week is the only required activity until the camper tests out of swimming.
How competitive is camp?
There's something for everyone at Netimus! All activities are elective so you may choose to be competitive or noncompetitive. Tournaments with other camps are held weekly and are optional. Green and White is an ongoing competition which includes day and evening activities involving sports, board games, marathons, puzzle solving, clue nights, etc.
What evening activities are planned?
There are different activities every night. These include cabin nights, option nights, dances/socials with Camp Shohola (our brother camp), Green and White activities, campfires, skits and shows, as well as counselor-planned activities like "Flea Market", "Casino Night", etc.
Do you schedule inter-camp events or tournaments, and how often?
Weekly inter-camp tournaments are held in activities such as land sports, water sports, and riding with other local camps. Tournaments are age grouped and are optional. We have various coed activities with our brother camp, Camp Shohola for Boys: dances, trips, and sports events, etc. All are optional.
What out-of-camp trips do campers take?
Water-skiing at Lake Wallenpaupack, canoeing down the Delaware River, white water rafting, Adirondacks canoeing, camping, and hiking, mountain biking, overnight camp-outs, daytime hiking trips, and field trips (theater, arts and crafts related, etc. depending on weather and interest).
What special events are scheduled?
Olympic Day, Marathon Day, 4th of July celebration, the NJ State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, trips to a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees baseball game (N.Y. Yankees farm team), movie trips, etc.
Bunk Assignments:
How many counselors are in the bunks with the girls?
There are two counselors living in each cabin with 8 campers. The younger campers have three counselors in the cabin.
How do you assign campers to bunks/cabins?
Campers are assigned by considering 6 things: age, grade level, length of stay at camp, maturity, returning or new camper, and requests.
What is your camper to counselor ratio?
We have 145 girls at camp and about 65 counselors; this does not include the Admin Team (Senior Staff) or support staff. So, we have a ratio of 2.5 campers per counselor.
Cabins:
What are the cabins like that the campers live in?
Cabins are wood-framed buildings with screens and sliding windows, bunk beds, electrical lights and outlets. All cabins have bathrooms (toilets and sinks). There is a centrally located shower house (with individual stall showers and a bathroom) as well as a centrally located bathroom facility (with toilets and sinks) which is called the "Bingee". The younger cabin groups have a shower in their cabin.
Camp Fees:
How much does it cost to attend camp Netimus?
For information about camp fees click here.
Counselors:
How does Netimus recruit and interview counselors?
We recruit by word of mouth, through agencies, the internet, and advertisements on college campuses. All counselors are interviewed in person or via telephone. Background checks are performed on all new staff members. International counselors are hired through agencies that interview and screen prospective counselors before they go through our interviewing and selection process.
Is there a staff orientation and what does it cover?
There is a 10-12 day pre-camp training program which includes sessions on teaching techniques and lesson planning, health and safety, emergency procedures, first aid, department set-up, personnel policies, understanding cabin dynamics and handling situations, etc. In addition, some staff members come to camp early for certification or refresher courses in various activity areas.
What is Camp Netimus' policy regarding staff and the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco?
Counselors are expected to be on duty and not "under the influence" when at camp. There is zero tolerance for the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco on camp property. The staff members we hire understand their responsibilities and sign a contract in that regard. Counselors are terminated immediately for violation of this policy.
Food Service:
What is the camp food like?
In the opinion of most campers and staff members, the food is good. In addition to the food served at the tables, there are optional choices provided at a steam table and an extensive salad bar at lunch and/or dinner. Peanut butter and jelly is always available.
How is the food served?
The food is served family style. Eight campers and two counselors sit at a table. Table assignments are changed weekly so that campers have the opportunity to meet other campers and counselors.
Health Concerns:
How many people work in the Health Center, and what certifications do they hold?
We generally have a staff of three working in the Health Center. At least one (and usually two) is a Registered Nurse. The other worker(s) have medical training: LPN, EMT, etc.
What is the Health Center like?
Our Health Center consists of a six-bed ward, an isolation room, and a treatment room as well as a full bathroom. The Center is staffed 24 hours a day.
What is your notification policy concerning a child being sick?
Parents are notified if a child visits the doctor or if she spends an overnight in the Health Center.
How close are emergency medical facilities?
Milford has an ambulance service. There is a hospital with an emergency room in Port Jervis, NY, which is approximately 10 miles away. We use a Doctor who practices full-time in the town of Milford, PA, which is approximately 5 miles away from camp.
How do you handle homesickness?
The problem is handled on a case-by-case basis. Homesickness and adaptation to camp life is closely monitored by the senior and health care staff. Formal input is also provided by counselors. Difficult cases are handled by the Directors, who in turn are in touch with the child's parents. Parental support is crucial.
Keeping In Contact With Your Daughter:
What is Camp's letter writing, e-mail, and telephone policy?
Campers must write a letter home once a week. Campers may NOT receive phone calls during the first week of camp. AFTER the first week of camp, parents can call their daughters during meal time. Campers cannot call home except for special occasions (such as birthdays of parents/siblings). Campers can receive but not send e-mails.
Can campers send and receive faxes?
Campers can send faxes from camp, but there is a charge per page. There is no charge for faxes received.
What is Camp's policy regarding cell phones?
Cell phones are NOT permitted at camp. Any camper bringing a cell phone to Camp will be asked to leave it in the office for safe keeping. The phone will be returned when the camper checks out at the end of Camp.
Laundry Service:
How is laundry done?
Laundry is done "in-house"; cabins groups take their laundry to the camper laundry once a week and pick it up the same or the next day.
Transportation:
What types of vehicles are used for transporting campers?
Camp Netimus owns a number of buses and vans and keeps them inspected and in good repair; safety checks are performed on them weekly.
Who does the driving of campers to out of camp activities?
In order to drive a vehicle which is transporting campers, staff members must be 23 years of age and pass a classroom and over the road test in a camp owned vehicle. Buses are driven by CDL licensed drivers only.
What kind of transportation is provided for campers at the beginning and end of the camp sessions?
Coach buses are hired to transport campers to and from camp. Bus service is available from Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and New York, as well a Newark and JFK airports. All vans and coaches have camp staff/chaperones on board. Airports arrivals and departures are performed by members of the senior staff.
Finding Out More About Camp Netimus:
Is there an orientation for campers and parents before the summer?
We hold an Open House/Tour weekend in late March or early April. For the last few years we sponsor a Family Orientation Weekend during the Memorial Day weekend, giving new parents and campers a taste of overnight camp life with camp food, activities, as well as orientation sessions for parents. Returning campers and their parents are present to answer questions.
Do you supply references?
Of course; we try to provide references that are close to the child's age and geographical area.
How would I find out more about Netimus and whether it's right for my daughter?
Call us at 1-866-NETIMUS or 570-296-6131.
Email us at info@netimus.com.
Attend one of our Open house/slide presentations.
Tour our camp in the off season or during the summer.
Talk to references which we will gladly provide.
Study our Netimus website and view our camp DVD.
Read the testimonials to find out what folks are saying about us.
