Q: WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
A: Prior to February 28th at 5PM, cancellations are accepted, and full refunds of any payments made will be processed excluding the one-time $60 registration fee and the $50 per week deposits, which are non-refundable.
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When you enroll for a week of camp, you are reserving the time, space, staff and provisions (which are purchased in advance) for your child.
Our full refund policy can be viewed in our 2025 Parent Handbook
Q: HOW ARE CAMPER GROUPS DETERMINED?
A: Our camp is a place that is welcoming and inclusive to all — a place where each camper can meet and make new friends, grow through new experiences, increase independence, learn how to successfully navigate group dynamics and develop essential social and interpersonal skills.
Camp Mahackeno campers are grouped in cabins according to grade level for each week of attendance; Hafaday campers are grouped by age. Cabins are finalized prior to camp starting. Group and/or friend requests are not accepted given that our YMCA summer camp’s practice is to be welcome and be inclusive of all.
We reserve the right to move campers to a different cabin mid-session or for future weeks if behavioral issues warrant it, to be determined by the Camp Director.
If a family has twins or triplets and has concerns about their cabin placement, please contact the Mahackeno Camp Director at mahackeno@westporty.org or Mini Camp and Camp Hafaday Director at kgiglio@westporty.org after registration.
Q: WHAT TIME AND WHERE DO I PICK MY CAMPER UP?
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WHAT TIME DO YOU PICK UP IF YOU HAVE MAHACKENO CAMPERS IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS?
If you have campers at multiple pick-up times, all campers in the family will be picked up at the younger siblings’ pick-up time and location. For example, if you have an 8th Grader, a 4th Grader and a 1st Grader, you will pick up at 3:15 in the Camp Mahackeno Loop.
HOW DO YOU PICK UP IF YOU HAVE CAMPERS IN MAHACKENO AND HAFADAY?
If you have campers in Mahackeno and Hafaday Extended Day, all campers in the family will be picked up at the WWFY Main Building Loop at 3:00PM.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM LATE TO PICK UP MY CAMPER?
A: There is a late fee for arriving late to pick up your camper at the end of the camp day, to cover the administrative and staff costs of remaining with the campers after the camp day is finished.
- Emergency contacts will be called at the end of the camp day (4:00 PM for Camp Mahackeno, 3:30 PM for Camp Hafaday, 1:00 PM for Mini Camp and Hafaday/Extended Day).
- Late pickups are billed at a rate of $15 per each 15-minute increment past dismissal time, which will be billed to your Camp Brain account. After 15 minutes, a second $15 charge will incur, repeating every 15 minutes until the camper is picked up.
- Per state licensing regulations, if no parent, guardian or emergency contact can be reached after 60 minutes, the Westport Police Department will be contacted.
Q: CAN I PARK AND DROP OFF OR PICK UP MY CAMPER BY WALKING UP TO COUNSELORS? CAN I WALK MY CAMPER IN TO CAMP?
A: Walk-up drop-offs or pick-ups are not permitted at Camp Mahackeno. Any attempt to drop off or pick up a camper by walking up to the Mahackeno Loop pavilion will not be allowed and anyone attempting to do so will be directed to return to their vehicle and get in the vehicle line. There are numerous serious health and safety concerns that are involved: distracting counselors from safely monitoring the campers, need for campers to be checked in and out by the appropriate staff, the need to check the Authorized Pick-Up list and photo ID for safety at pick up, and the proximity to traffic and moving vehicles. Any deviance from these rules will not be permitted.
Parents are not allowed to walk their campers into Camp Mahackeno unless they arrive late, after 9AM. For safety reasons, only authorized staff are allowed on the campgrounds during camp hours. Additionally, parents bringing their campers into the campgrounds can be a distraction to their own camper (who may experience greater separation difficulties) and other campers.
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.
Camp Mahackeno Early Pick Up
- Email Camp Office Manager on the day in question the following information
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- First and last name of camper(s).
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- Cabin of camper(s).
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- Early pick up time (no pick-ups permitted after 2:00 pm).
- Walk up to Beck Lodge, where you will sign out your camper — photo ID is required.
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.
Early pick-ups must be made in writing. Early pick-up cannot be arranged by telephone or by sending a note in with the camper.
Mini & Camp Hafaday Early Pick Up
Please note that campers who are picked up before 12:30 PM may be in the pool or missing important swim lesson time. If a child is being picked up early a parent/guardian must check in with the Director in writing beforehand and check in with the Membership desk upon arrival to find out where their child’s group is. Early pick-up cannot be arranged by telephone or by sending a note in with the camper. Pick-up persons must walk to the child’s location to get them. You must bring in a photo ID and sign out your camper. Telling a staff member out loud and in person may not get the message to the correct people, so please email Kathy at kgiglio@westporty.org.
Q: HOW DO I MAKE A CHANGE TO THE AUTHORIZED PICK-UP LIST?
A: It is the family’s responsibility to ensure the Authorized Pick-Up List is up to date. Changes to the Authorized Pick-Up List can be made at Westporty.campbrainregistration.com. Changes can only be made from a laptop or desktop; you will be unable to access this function if you log in on your phone.
- Log in
- View “My Submitted Applications”
- Under “Form” Click on “Update Household Information”
- Scroll all the way down to “Authorized Pick-Up List.”
Q: I HAVE A CAMPER WITH MEDICATIONS, HOW CAN I DROP THEM OFF?
A: Camp Mahackeno and Camp Hafaday is required to receive parent/guardian and physician authorization to dispense medicine at camp, both prescription and over-the-counter such as Benadryl, Advil or Zyrteck
- For each medication to be administered at camp, we require (1) a Medication Authorization Form, signed by the camper’s doctor and parent and (2) a Care Plan, prepared by the camper’s doctor. These forms must be provided to the camp no later than June 2, 2025. For sample forms, see Camp Forms and Documents page.
- Medications must be submitted one week before camp starts and will not be accepted on the first day of attendance.
- Medication must be in an unopened package, include the prescription label, and be unexpired.
- No camper will be admitted to camp without proper forms or their medication being submitted according to the above guidelines.
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 case of rainy days, the schedules and activities for all campers are changed to include low-key games, craft projects and other group activities. In extreme weather, the Camp Director will decide how best to modify the camp day to create a safe and fun camp experience. Camp cancellations are rare and will only take place due to the most extreme weather events. If 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 can remain inside for the whole 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 decide how best to modify the camp day 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/aerosol sunscreen and bug repellant, refillable water bottle, morning snack (not refrigerated), and lunch (will be kept in refrigerator until lunch time). For our younger campers (K-2nd), we encourage a change of clothes in a labeled Ziplock bag (underwear, shorts, socks). All food must be nut-free.
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 allow Crocs and other closed-toe sandals at our camp, if children are comfortable running in them.
Other Items: A towel, Bathing Suit (girls, 2-piece tankini is perfect for potty breaks), spray/aerosol sunscreen (to be kept at camp), refillable water bottle, snack, change of clothes in a labeled Ziplock bag. Extended Day Campers also bring lunch & an ice pack in an insulated lunchbox. All food must be nut-free.
Q: CAN I REGISTER FOR CAMP MAHACKENO ON THE SAME WEEKS MY CAMPER IS ALSO ATTENDING HALF DAY GYMNASTICS CAMP OR HALF DAY DANCE CAMP?
A: Camp Mahackeno is a full-day camp. As such, if a camper is registered for half day gymnastics or half day dance camp, they will be double registered. Please note: Camp Mahackeno maintains a separate registration system (Camp Brain) than the registration system used by WWFY gymnastics and dance (SGA). Camp Mahackeno will not be aware of any double booking and it is the responsibility of the camp families to make sure they do not have double-booked camp sessions.
If you choose to double register your camper in Camp Mahackeno and another half day program at the WWFY, you will need to come to Camp Mahackeno to sign your camper out of camp and take them to their other activity yourself. We do not have staff available to walk your camper from the Camp Mahackeno campgrounds to the Main YMCA building, where gymnastics and dance camp are located. To do so would require two staff members to accompany your camper and would cause an imbalance in the counselor to camper ratio we maintain.
FOR HAFADAY CAMPERS:
Since Hafaday is in the Main YMCA Building, counselors are able to walk Hafaday campers to afternoon gymnastics or afternoon dance camp. If you are planning to register your Hafaday camper in an afternoon session of gymnastics or dance, please reach out to kgiglio@westporty.org to coordinate.
Q: CAN I REGISTER FOR POST– OR PRE-CARE IF MY CAMPER IS GOING TO HAFADAY, GYMNASTICS CAMP OR DANCE CAMP?
A: No. Pre-Care (7:30am-8:30am) and Post-Care (4pm-6pm) at Camp Mahackeno are for Camp Mahackeno campers only and cannot be used by Hafaday, Gymnastics or Dance campers. Pre- and Post-Care must be matched with a weekly session of Mahackeno.
Similarly, Hafaday Extended Day is for Hafaday campers only and cannot be used with Gymnastics or Dance campers. Extended Day must be matched with a weekly session of Hafaday.
Q: CAN I REGISTER FOR A PARTIAL WEEK OR SINGLE DAY OR POST– OR PRE–CARE?
A: No. Pre- and Post-Care at Camp Mahackeno is a week-by-week program intended to support working families who rely on these extended hours for their necessary childcare. There is no daily or partial week option at this time.
Similarly, Hafaday Extended Day is week-by-week only. There is no daily or partial week option at this time.