Q: WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED CAMP FORMS?
A: All forms must be completed and uploaded to your Camp Brain account by June 3, 2024.

REGISTRATION FORM: Completed on-line on Camp Brain.

AUTHORIZED PICK UP FORM: Completed on-line on Camp Brain.

CAMPER PHYSICAL: All Campers must have a health form on the file dated within the past two years. Form is filled out by Child’s doctor.

MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM: Campers who need medications such as inhaler, Epi Pen, or other required medications at camp. Form is filled out by Child’s doctor.

INDIVIDUAL CARE PLAN: Campers who have special medical needs, such as mediation, require this form. Form is filled out by a parent or guardian.

Q: WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
A: Prior to February 29th at 5PM, cancellations are accepted, and full refunds of any payments made will be processed.

Cancellation Based on Documented Illness or Injury: In the event of a documented illness or injury accompanied by a doctor’s note, a credit may be issued to use towards an alternate week of camp.
Cancellation Due to Extreme Family Emergency: In the rare event of an extreme family emergency and on a case-by-case basis, such as loss of a loved one, a credit may be issued to use towards an alternate week of camp.  If an alternate week of camp is not suitable, a refund will be issued at the discretion of the Camp Director minus the non-refundable registration fee and the non-refundable weekly deposits.
Camper Dismissal:  No refunds will be issued if a camper leaves camp early due to disruptive behavior, excessive disciplinary problems, failure to submit medical forms or illness/injury without a doctor’s note, as determined by the Camp Director.
Camp Closure:  Should camp close or operations be suspended for a full or partial session, camp families will be refunded in full or on a prorated basis.

Q: HOW ARE CAMPER GROUPS DETERMINED?
A: Camp Mahackeno is a place that is welcoming and inclusive to all — a place where each camper has the opportunity to meet and make new friends, to grow through new experiences, to increase independence, to learn how to successfully navigate group dynamics and to develop essential social and interpersonal skills.  We encourage all our campers to embrace the experience as an opportunity to grow their social circle and develop new connections.  

Group placements are finalized prior to camp starting. Group and or friend requests are NOT honored or accepted given that our YMCA summer camp’s practice is to be welcome and be inclusive of all. Through our camp curriculum and activities, we work hard to ensure each camper has the opportunity to meet and make new friends, become more independent each day, learn how to successfully navigate group dynamics and develop essential social and interpersonal skills.   

 From many years of experience, group requests often result in non-group members being excluded from group dynamics, which is the antithesis of a positive, learning, fun camp experience.   

Q: IF I NEED TO PICK UP MY CAMPER EARLY WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE? 
A: Campers who are picked up early may miss important activities, including group activities, afternoon snack, special events and Closing Assembly.  Early pickups can be very disruptive to a camper’s experience and we encourage parents to allow their campers to enjoy their full day with their peers.

Early pick-ups must be arranged on the day in question in writing by email before 11:00am to the Camp Office Manager at lbloomingdale@westporty.org.  Early pick-up cannot be arranged by telephone or by sending a note in with the camper.

Early pick-ups must be completed before 2:00 pm — any attempt to pick up after 2:00 pm will not be permitted, absent an emergency.  After 2:00 pm, all pick-ups must follow the general procedure.

• Email Camp Office Manager the following information
• First and last name of camper(s).
• Cabin of camper(s).
• Early pick up time (no pick-ups permitted after 2:00 pm).
• Park and call the Camp Office at 203-635-1954 on arrival.
• Walk up to Beck Lodge, where you will sign out your camper — photo ID is required.
• Please allow up to 15 minutes for us to locate your camper after you arrive at Beck Lodge.  We are not able to bring your camper out of their activities until you arrive on the campus so please allocate time accordingly.

Q: WHAT TIME AND WHERE DO I PICK MY CAMPER UP?
A: Look out for large orange signs that say Mahackeno.  Please use the camp-specific pickup and drop off lane allocated for Mahackeno.  Make the 1st right after the traffic light into the long driveway.  Have your campers and their belongings easily accessible to allow for a quick drop off.  We ask that you remain in your car during drop off.

• If you have campers at multiple pickup times please pickup at the YOUNGEST camper’s time in your younger campers pick up location. Please do not come before your designated pickup time as your camper will not be in the pickup area until their allotted time.
• Campers who are entering K (Abenacki), 1st (Shawnee), 2nd(Mohegan), 3rd(Lakota) will be picked up in our main Mahackeno loop.

• Campers who are entering 4th (Cayuga), 5^th & 6^th (Apache), 7^th & 8^th (Ranger), 9^th &10^th (LIT) will be picked up in the main YMCA building loop

Q: I HAVE A CAMPER WITH MEDICATIONS, HOW CAN I DROP THEM OFF?
A: For any camper who will be taking medication at camp, (1) a Medication Authorization Form, signed by the camper’s doctor and parent and (2) a Care Plan, prepared by the camper’s doctor (one of each form will be required for each medication that may need to be administered at camp) (see section on Forms for Medication Administered at Camp, below). Medications must be submitted prior to the start of camp, no camper will be admitted to camp without proper forms or their medication. 

Q: WHAT DOES CAMP DO IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER?
A: The Mahackeno Outdoor Center is a traditional outdoor day camp; indoor facilities are limited. In the event of rainy days, the schedules and activities for all campers are modified to include low key games, craft projects and other group activities. In the event of extreme weather, the Camp Director will make a determination of how best to modify the camp day in order to create a safe and fun camp experience. Camp cancellations are rare and will only take place due to the most extreme weather events. In the event that camp is canceled we will use this as a day to further the professional development of our counselors.

RAINY DAYS |We operate on rainy days! Most rainy-day activities take place under our covered pavilions or inside Beck’s Lodge. However, campers should come prepared with the proper rain gear for transitions to and from program areas. On rainy days, please send campers with a raincoat, extra clothing and proper footwear.
We make every effort to keep our regular schedule and only go to the “liquid sunshine” schedule in case of severe weather. In the event of severe weather, we will bring our groups into our main building, Bedford
Family Center. Due to other summer programming we will bring groups inside on rotation throughout the day, as we do not have the capacity to bring in our entire camp.

EXTREME HEAT  | In the event of extreme heat, activities will be modified to ensure that our campers are safe, hydrated and protected from overheating. For example, there will be an increase of water activities, including splash pad, swimming, slip and slide and other fun water play. We may curtail certain activities that may increase exposure to heat, such as canoeing on Lee’s Pond where there is no shade or archery. In extreme cases, we may use certain indoor facilities for part of the camp day. Campers will take more frequent hydration breaks and will be encouraged to fill their water bottles more often.
Like our rainy day policy, in the event of severe heat or weather advisories, campers may experience a revised schedule to include rotations of increased water activities, indoor periods in Beck’s Lodge and potentially in the Bedford Center Building. Due to other summer programming and since we are primarily a traditional outdoor camp, we cannot guarantee that the entire camp will be able to remain inside for the whole camp day. If you are concerned about your camper being uncomfortable, we would kindly advise you to keep them home. Please note that if you chose to keep them home, you would not receive a refund for that day.

AIR QUALITY POLICY | The Westport Weston Family YMCA and Camp Mahackeno follow the guidelines and policies of the Town of Westport when it comes to closure of youth programs for weather or public safety related issues (e.g. closure for snow or other inclement weather). We are in contact with the Town of Westport and the Town of Westport Fire Department and use their advice and guidance. If and when the Town of Westport cancels its programming due to inclement weather, that is part of our cancellation determination.
The Mahackeno Outdoor Center is a traditional outdoor day camp; indoor facilities are limited. In the event of poor air quality, the schedules and activities for all campers are modified to include low key games, craft projects and other group activities. In the event of extreme weather, the Camp Director will make a determination of how best to modify the camp day in order to create a safe and fun camp experience. Camp cancellations are rare and will only take place due to the most extreme weather events.

Q: WHAT DOES MY CAMPER NEED TO BRING WITH THEM TO CAMP EVERY DAY?
A: CAMP MAHACKENO: Campers should wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in and is appropriate to the weather of the day. Shoes should be closed-toed sneakers — sandals, flip flops or Crocs are not appropriate and can lead to injury or the inability to participate in certain activities.
Other Items: A Towel, One piece-bathing suit, Hat or Visor, Spray sunscreen and bug repellant, refillable water bottle, morning snack, and lunch (will be kept in refrigerator until lunch time).

MINI MAHACKENO & CAMP HAFADAY: Campers should wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, take on and off, and is appropriate to the weather of the day. We understand that sneakers and lace-up shoes can be tricky for our youngest campers, so we do allow Crocs and other closed-toe sandals at our camp, as long as children are comfortable running in them.
Other Items: A towel, Bathing Suit (girls, 2-piece tankini is perfect for potty breaks), Aerosol sunscreen (to be kept at camp), refillable water bottle, snack, change of clothes, and lunch & ice pack in an insulated lunchbox – Extended Day Only.