Q: WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
A: Prior to March 15th, cancellations are accepted, and full refunds of any payments made will be processed, excluding the non-refundable registration fee and the non-refundable weekly deposits.

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 or will 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 welcoming and inclusive to 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 – or by – the day in question in writing by email before 11:00am to the Camp Office Manager.  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 203-226-8981 x 103 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 new, 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.

• Your car dashboard sign should be placed in your front car window. Dashboard signs should be given to any authorized pickups for your children.
• 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),  4th (Cayuga)  will be picked up in our main camp loop as normal.

• Campers who are entering 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 ask that you pack a jacket with your camper on days when rain is expected. We make every effort to keep to our regular schedule and only go to the “liquid sunshine” schedule in case of severe weather. Camp has plenty of covered space for our camp groups on rainy days. Campers and staff will stay in their groups for the day.

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 be taking more frequent hydration breaks and will be encouraged to fill their water bottles more often.

Q: WHAT DOES MY CAMPER NEED TO BRING WITH THEM TO CAMP EVERY DAY?
A: 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, and Crocs are not appropriate and can lead to injury or the inability to participate in certain activities.

Other items include: a towel, one piece bathing suit, spray sunscreen & bug repellant, refillable water bottle, morning snack, and a lunch.