WELCOME TO AMC’S AUGUST CAMP
All you need to know
August Camp now has a
Yahoo group to allow communication among campers. Check our website for details.
Please read carefully and attentively the two sets of
information packets you have received.
“All you need to know” is generic information, true of all August
Camps. “August Camp Specifics” provides
information specific to THIS SUMMER’S CAMP ONLY. BOTH SETS of information are very
important. A comprehensive equipment
list is also included. Please KEEP AND
REFER TO both packets and to the equipment list as you plan your trip to August
Camp.
YOU MUST RETURN ALL FORMS AND YOUR BALANCE DUE BY JUNE 1. If your balance is not paid by June 1st, your space and deposit may be forfeited. Please send by REGULAR MAIL, not by any means requiring a signature for delivery.
Please refer to the
SPECIFICS sheet for specific information for this year’s Camp.
In general, people make their own flight arrangements to the gateway airport, planning to arrive by mid afternoon on arrival Sat. and to depart mid-late morning on departure Saturday. Many old timers choose to arrive a day early and to spend the Friday night before their first Sat. of camp near the airport. August Camp rents vans to meet campers at the airport on each arrival Saturday and we use these same vans to return Campers to the airport at the end of their time at Camp. These same vans are used for transportation to all August Camp hikes and other activities. As campers arrive at the airport, vans are filled and sent off to Camp. Vans are driven by APPROVED VOLUNTEER drivers. In order to be an approved driver you must fill out and return a driver form to the transportation coordinator. The AMC's insurance carrier then runs a check on your driving record. If there are no problems, you become an approved driver for the duration of your stay at Camp and are authorized to drive the vans to all Camp activities and to and from the airport. Even those who drive to Camp in their own cars will want to consider being an approved volunteer van driver.
DIRECTIONS FOR THOSE TRAVELING
IN THEIR OWN VEHICLES: see " Specific"
.
·
Dial 1 800 706 1333 and listen to the recording and then press *
·
Press 2 to leave a voice mail
·
Enter August Camp code number 10 1887 1887
·
Follow directions (hash key=pound key #)
EMERGENCY CONTACT FOR
TRAVEL/ ARRIVAL SATURDAYS ONLY is given on the “specifics” sheet, as is the
CAMP MAILING ADDRESS.
Campers share two-person
wall tents large enough to stand and walk around in, but without a floor. Campers usually bring a tarp or small throw
rug for the floor. Tents are equipped
with two cots, two washbasins and a
water pail. Campers provide their own
sleeping bags, air mattresses or foam padding, and pillows. Some people like to bring a camp chair for
campfire and relaxing. Drinking water will be available at camp. Shower tents/stalls are provided for using
with one’s own sun shower. Sun showers
can be purchased at camping goods stores such as
August Camp provides
ample, nutritious food. Breakfasts and
dinners are prepared and served by August Camp’s hired “croo”. There is a cooking area for meal preparation
(off limits to campers) and a dining pavilion with picnic table style seating
for 64. The hot beverage tent is open
approx. an hour before breakfast.
Campers prepare their own lunches at the lunch tent which opens approx.
one half hour before breakfast. The
lunch tent provides a variety of options for lunch. While we make no special accommodations for
individual dietary requests, there is a vegetarian option available at meals. As the
cook needs to plan for food purchasing, if you want to avail yourself of the
vegetarian option you MUST so indicate on the camper information sheet.
To discourage unwanted “critter visits” we ask that you not store food
in your tent. Alternative storage space
can be made available. Be aware that
scented cosmetics and toiletries may also attract unwanted visits and should be
dealt with as foodstuffs.
HAPPY HOUR AND ALCOHOL
Happy hour is an August
Camp tradition that enhances relaxation and camaraderie. Campers provide their own drinks and snacks
for these informal gatherings. Look for
the happy hour flag! In the dining tent
alcohol is permitted discreetly, but NOT in bottles, please. Bottles ARE OK at the
occasional all Camp happy hours held at the dining tent with snacks provided by
the Croo.
We end the day with a
campfire at which campers report on the day’s hikes and hear announcements
about the next day’s plans. Campfire may
also include informational talks or programs.
The evening ends with a sing-along or conversations around the
fire. Bring instruments!
Four or more trips will be offered each day, including hikes rated A, B, and C as well as an excursion/walk. The A hikes are for experienced hikers who enjoy a fast pace with lots of elevation gain. The B hikes have a less strenuous pace and less elevation gain. The C hike has a more leisurely pace, easier terrain and shorter day. Excursions/walks can be focused photography, nature trails, or visits to a scenic area, museum or festivity. There is usually a backpacking and/or car camping overnight offered each week. If you think you might enjoy one of the overnights, please indicate your interest by checking the appropriate line on the camper information sheet to receive more information. At Western camps some water related trips (canoeing, kayaking, float/raft trips), usually offered for an additional fee to campers, may be scheduled. Eastern camps traditionally include canoeing/kayaking as part of the overall activity program.
While campers usually participate in the scheduled activities, they occasionally decide to plan their own activity. Campers may use a camp van if available, provided that they have signed up and are approved as drivers on the transportation form in this packet. When leaving camp on your own, you must sign out in the “bootleg” book. Campers can also decide to have a day off at camp.
Although August Camp has no specific children’s program, children over 10 are welcome provided they are under the supervision of a responsible adult.
You will find your hiking experience to be far more rewarding if you come to Camp in good hiking condition. Plan to be as physically fit as possible the day you arrive at Camp. DO NOT plan to “get in shape” at Camp.
Western camps may be at altitudes uncomfortable for some hikers. Please consider altitude as you choose your first few days’ hikes.
The weather is often
changeable and can drop from a very hot day to a very cold night. Hikers must carry in their daypacks layers of
clothing, full rain gear, hat, sun-block and 3 quarts of water for longer
hikes.
While you do not need to purchase trail guides, many campers like to familiarize themselves with the area beforehand. Please see the “specifics” sheet for guide book recommendations for this year’s Camp.
LEADERSHIP AND STAFF
August Camp hires a “CROO”, a CAMP MANAGER, and a HEAD
COOK to assure the smooth functioning of Camp and a pleasant living
experience for Campers. The
The volunteer
Activities are coordinated
by a volunteer HEAD HIKE LEADER and
led by qualified volunteer LEADERS. If a leader thinks a camper is unprepared
for the demands of a given activity, that camper may be asked to choose a
different activity for the day.
A WORD ABOUT BUGS AND
BEARS
Bugs are a fact of outdoor life. We cannot ensure a bug free campsite. If you suffer from bug anxiety consider repellent, head nets, bug suits, and mosquito netting. In general, if tent flaps are closed as evening approaches and are left closed over night, bugs in the tent are not a problem. We have been known to purchase citronella buckets for campfire pests, but your own individual preventions are your first line of defense.
If we are camping or hiking in bear country, there will be a section on bears included in the “specifics sheet”. Please read that information carefully and take it to heart.
Send balance on or before June 1, to the Registrar at the address given on the sheet in the info. packet entitled “Welcome to August Camp”. Late second payments may result in the loss of your space at Camp.
Your deposit of $200 has already been deducted from the
total cost. Your “balance due” is noted on the “Welcome” sheet. Remember if you are not a member of the AMC there is an additional $50 charge.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO ‘AMC AUGUST CAMP’. August Camp does not accept credit cards at
this time.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
The cancellation policy is on the August Camp website and
is printed on the sheet which
gives you your balance due. PLEASE
READ THE POLICY. Cancellations MUST BE
in writing and dated. They may be
forwarded to the Registrar either by regular mail or e-mail. A phone cancellation MUST BE followed by a
request in writing as indicated.
Trip cancellation insurance is encouraged to cover unforeseen emergency cancellations. There are several companies that offer travel insurance. Travel Insurance Select is one such company with whom the AMC has worked, though there may be others that are less expensive. Participants can enroll on line at www.travelinsure.com/select or through Travel Insurance Select’s customer service number 800-937-1387. To view frequently asking questions go to the website.
PLEASE REMEMBER YOU MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FOLLOWING FORMS TO THE REGISTRAR NO LATER THAN JUNE 1:
1. _____the camper information sheet
2. _____the confidential medical form (please Xerox as necessary for all those registered)
3. _____the Volunteer Managed Facilities Release form(found on the back of the Camper Information sheet). All members of your party can sign the same release form. Parents must sign for minor children
4. _____Please include your check for your final payment, made out to AMC August Camp. (NO credit cards)
PLEASE RETURN THESE FORMS TO THE TRANSPORTATION CO-ORDINATOR or designee at the address given on the forms:
1._____the transportation form with your COMPLETE flight information
2._____the additional driver form if you want to be a designated van driver for Camp. Only approved, designated drivers may drive the August Camp vehicles.
Don’t forget to check
out the Yahoo group. See the website for
details.
See you at Camp! www.augustcamp.org
EQUIPMENT
LIST
****YOU MUST
HAVE A VALID
PLEASE NOTE:
Please bring your emergency medical card or insurance card with you. Thanks.
Last Updated 3/9/2010