All About Camp

Click here GeneralAugustCampInfo.pdf for a pdf document you can save with this information.

August Camp has a Yahoo group to allow communication among campers.

Please read carefully and attentively the two sets of information posted on our web site. This document (“All You Need to Know”) is generic information, true of most 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 posted on line. After reading all of this information, if you have additional questions, please refer to the “Frequently Asked Questions” document on line and check the Yahoo site. Please KEEP AND REFER TO both sets of information and to the equipment list as you plan your trip to August Camp. Once notified of acceptance, YOU MUST RETURN ALL FORMS AND YOUR BALANCE DUE BY May 1st. If your balance is not paid by May 1st, your space and deposit may be forfeited. Please send by REGULAR MAIL, not by any means requiring a signature for delivery.

As of 2012, all August Camp information and forms are only available electronically. If you do not have a computer, please consult with friends, family and the local library to access this material and print required forms.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Please refer to the "Specifics" sheet for specific information for this year’s Camp.

People should make their own flight arrangements to the gateway airport, planning to arrive by mid-afternoon on arrival Saturday and to depart mid-late morning on departure Saturday. Many campers choose to arrive a day early and spend the Friday night before their first Saturday of Camp near the airport. You may also wish to consider spending your final Saturday night near the airport and flying out on Sunday. 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 considered to be an approved driver you must fill out and return the “Authorization to Drive Camp Vans” form to the Transportation Coordinator. The AMC's insurance carrier then runs a check on your driving record. You will be notified only if you are not approved. Approved drivers 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 "Specifics" document.

EMERGENCY CONTACT WHILE AT CAMP

The CONTACT NUMBER where you can be reached at Camp in the event of an emergency is given below. This is the most dependable way for someone to reach you. The number is checked daily. PLEASE LEAVE THIS NUMBER WITH SOMEONE AT HOME in case you need to be contacted at Camp. To access the emergency number:

• Dial 1 800 706 1333, 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 #)

SEE THE 2012 CAMP "Specifics" DOCUMENT FOR CALLS DIALED FROM WITHIN CANADA.

Do not assume there will be electricity or phone access at Camp. CELL PHONE USE WITHIN ANY COMMUNAL AREAS OF CAMP IS DISCOURAGED. This includes the tent, dining, and campfire areas as well as on all activities. Cell service is often spotty. If you must stay connected, please do so out of the hearing of fellow campers.

EMERGENCY CONTACT FOR TRAVEL/ARRIVAL SATURDAYS ONLY is given on the "Specifics" document.

Camp Facilities
Campers share two-person wall tents, approximately 8’ x 10’, 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 EMS or Campmor. The 2.5 or 3 gallon size is sufficient for one shower. Water for washing and filling sun showers will also be available. Chemical toilets and hand washing facilities will be provided at Camp.

Food
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 about an hour before breakfast and in the late afternoon before dinner. (Bring your own mug to hang on the mug “tree” outside the tea tent.) Campers prepare their own lunches at the lunch tent which opens about one half hour before breakfast. The lunch tent provides a variety of options for lunch. August Camp accommodates vegetarian diets. 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 form. We are a “field kitchen” and cannot accommodate individual food requirements/preferences. We can deal with gluten intolerance by offering rice cereal, rice cakes, baked potatoes, rice and fruit. If you have dietary restrictions, you may need to bring some of your own food to camp. Storage space will be provided. You may not be able to partake of every course of every meal. Lactose-free milk is available. To discourage unwanted “critter visits” we ask that you not store food in your tent. Alternative non-refrigerated storage space will be made available. Be aware that scented cosmetics and toiletries may also attract unwanted visits and should be stored in airtight containers.

Happy Hour & 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 discreet use of alcohol is permitted, but realize that you cannot sit around after dinner drinking in the dining tent. The Croo needs to have their dinner and do clean-up promptly. There is generally a Camp-sponsored happy hour during the week, at which snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are provided.

Evening Activities
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 may end with a sing-along or conversations around the fire. Bring instruments!

Activity Program
Four or more trips will be offered each day, including hikes rated A, B, and C as well as an excursion/walk (W). 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 may be focused on photography, nature trails, or visits to a scenic area, museum or local events. There is usually a backpacking and/or car camping overnight offered each week. Some water-related trips (canoeing, kayaking, float/raft trips), usually involving an additional fee to campers, may be scheduled. Campers may 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 at Camp and on daily activities.

Be Prepared
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.

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 vary from very hot to very cold. Hikers must carry in their daypacks layers of non-cotton clothing, full rain gear, hat, sun-block and sufficient water.

While you do not need to purchase trail guides, many campers like to familiarize themselves with the area beforehand. Please see the "Specifics" document for guidebook recommendations for this year’s Camp.

Leadership & 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 Camp Manager directs the Croo, while the Head Cook orders the food, plans the meals, and runs the kitchen. Croo members are often students saving money for their school expenses. They work very hard to give campers the best possible experience at Camp. “Feeding the Croo kitty” is an August Camp (and an AMC) tradition. Much as you’d hear on PBS, give as generously as you feel is appropriate, taking into consideration the number of Croo personnel and the number of days and hours per day they work for you. All contributions are important and gratefully received. Some campers choose to bring a blank check to use for the Croo tip.

The volunteer CAMP DIRECTOR is the liaison between hired staff and campers. The Director endeavors to keep all aspects of Camp running smoothly. Questions about Camp operations and comments about how Camp is going should be addressed to the Director, who will in turn take camper concerns to the appropriate staff.

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 & 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 overnight, bugs in the tent are not a problem. We have been known to purchase citronella buckets for campfire pests, but your own individual preventive measures are your first line of defense.

If we are camping or hiking in an area where bears are a concern, there will be a section on bears included in the “Specifics” document. Please read that information carefully and take it to heart.

BALANCE DUE
Send balance on or before May 1st to the Registrar at the address given on the sheet entitled “August Camp Camper Information,” posted on line. Late second payments may result in the loss of your space at Camp. Remember, if you or a member of your party is not a member of the AMC there is an additional $50 charge per non-member.

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 web site and is included in the registration paperwork, page two, which you should save for reference. 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.

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 obtain information on line here or by calling Travel Insurance Select’s customer service number 800-937-1387.

PLEASE REMEMBER YOU MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FOLLOWING FORMS TO THE REGISTRAR NO LATER THAN May 1:

1.  _____the August Camp Camper Information sheet (one for each camper)
2.  _____the Confidential Health Questionnaire (please copy/print as necessary for each person registered)
3. _____the AMC Volunteer Managed Facilities Release form. All members of your party can sign the same release form. Parents must sign for minor children
4. _____your check for your final payment, made out to AMC August Camp. (NO credit cards)

PLEASE RETURN THESE FORMS TO THE TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR at the address given on the forms no later than May 1:

1. _____the Transportation form with your COMPLETE flight information, including record locator. Notify the Transportation Coordinator promptly of any flight changes, NOT the Registrar.
2. _____the Authorization to Drive August Camp Vans form if you want to be considered as a designated van driver for Camp. Only approved, designated drivers may drive the August Camp vehicles and the success of our activity program depends on having enough approved drivers each day.

See you at Camp!