Meriden YMCA

FAQs and Policies

How do I contact camp?

Call the camp office at (203) 237-7864 or email mmdaycamp@meridenymca.org. Once camp begins, the camp phone will be the main way to directly contact your camper or the camp staff. Please contact the camp office if your child will be absent, late or need to be picked up early.  

What are the ages for camp?

  • Our youngest campers start at age 3.
  • All campers must be potty-trained. No pull-ups.
  • Our Traditional Camps are for PreK through grade 9 (grade completed at the end of the 2023-2024 school year). Camps are organized in villages based on the grade completed.
  • Most of our Specialty Camps (for example Adventure, Sports, STEM) are for campers who have completed grades 3-8 as of the school year with the following exceptions: Art Camp (grades K-12) and some Performing Arts Camps.

What are the camp hours?

Where is Mountain Mist Day Camp located?

  • Mountain Mist Day Camp is located at 576 High Hill Road, Meriden, CT 06450.
  • If you are new to camp, please be sure to type the complete address into your GPS.
  • There is a High Hill Road in Wallingford also that does not connect through.
  • Our camp is at the very end of High Hill Road in Meriden.
  • Please note it is a residential area and the speed limit is 25 mph. Please drive carefully. Let's keep our neighbors safe.

Is bus transportation available?

  • Yes. Here is the link to the Mountain Mist Camp Bus information.
  • If you want your child to take the bus, you must register your child for the bus for each session your camper will attend.
  • You must register your camper for the bus before the session starts. 

Can I drive my camper to/from camp? 

  • Yes there is a parent/guardian drop off and pick up option. If you choose to drive your child to camp, you will indicate that on your registration.
  • All guests must check in at the welcome hut.
  • The first day of each session, camper will be given two window placards. Please be sure that when you come to camp you have this clearly visible in your car window. It is so we can safely identify you and your children when arriving at camp.
  • You will be directed to the appropriate drop off/pick up point to sign out your camper.
  • You must be on the authorized pick-up list, have a placard, photo i.d. and the code word.
  • Drop off time: 8:45 - 9:15 a.m.
  • Pick up time: 2:45 - 3:30 p.m.

What happens if a child is not picked up at pick up time or closing? 

If a child is not picked up by 3:30 p.m. they will be sent to the after care camp and parents will be responsible for payment at $25 per half hour.

If child is not picked up by closing hours the following steps will be taken: The child/children will be kept calm, busy and reassured that he/she will be taken  care of and their parents are probably held up at work. Parents will be called at work, home, and cell phone to try to reach them. If parents cannot be reached, we will call the emergency or alternative contact at  5:30 p.m. When the emergency contact person has picked up the child staff will leave notes on the camp office door to tell the parents who picked up the child and  when. (Every effort will be made to contact the parent.) At 6:00 p.m. if the child is not picked up the YMCA will have no choice except to call the police department. At that time, the child may be released to the police.

What are the lunch options?

  • Campers will be offered a free grab and go breakfast snack and lunch.
  • Please note any food allergies in your Camp Doc.
  • If your camper prefers to bring lunch they can bring a peanut and tree nut free cold lunch.
  • Pack the lunch with an ice pack as it will stay in their backpack until lunch time. We do not refrigerate lunches. We do not heat anything up.
  • The lunch menu is similar to the school meal menu. (2024 menus to come. It is a rotating menu. See below for sample menus from last year.)
  • 2023 Grab and Go Breakfast Snack Menu
  • 2023 Summer Lunch Menu

How do I stay up to date with the latest camp info? 

Sign up for our Remind Service to receive text updates from camp. 

Download the Remind App to your phone, and text one of the following codes to 81010.

Download the Remind App to your phone, and text one of the following codes to 81010.

Session Date Remind Code
Session 1: June 17 - June 28, 2024 @s12024
Session 2: July 1 - July 12, 2024 (no camp July 4th)  @s22024
Session 3: July 15 - July 26, 2024   @s32024
Session 4: July 29 - August 9, 2024 @s42024
Session 5: August 12 - August 23, 2024 = @s52024
Pathfinders @4hbak3

Please also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ymcamountainmistdaycamp and check your email for messages from camp.

What should my camper bring to camp?

All campers:

  • Campers should bring a backpack packed with a peanut and tree nut free lunch with an ice pack that stays in their backpack until lunch time if they do not want to receive the free lunch that is provided to all campers. (Nothing that needs to be refrigerated or heated up.)
  • Bring your bathing suit and a towel. Campers will change in the locker rooms in the pool area before and after swimming. If campers prefer they may wear their bathing suit.
  • Sunscreen (no spray)
  • Reusable water bottle with your child's name on it. We have water filling stations to refill throughout the day.
  • All campers must wear sneakers. No other footwear is allowed for safety reasons. No crocs are allowed. They are not safe footwear.  If campers arrive with footwear other than sneakers we will call you to bring sneakers to them.

Fishing Camp:

  • Campers will need to provide their own fishing poles and tackle. Bait will be provided by Mountain Mist Day Camp.

Horseback Riding Camp:

  • Campers should wear jeans and boots. Please bring shorts, bathing suit and towel for the afternoon. 

Gymnastics Camp:

  • Campers should wear shorts without zippers or buttons and a shirt that can be tucked in. 

What should my camper leave at home?

  • Do not bring any electronics, toys or valuables or money or crocs to camp. 
  • CELL PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT CAMP. If they come to camp, they must be turned off and remain in backpacks. We will collect all cell phones from the Voyagers and up and they will be kept in the office. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. We are not responsible for lost or stolen phones.
  • If you need to communicate with your camper call the main camp number at (203) 237.7864.
  • The Y is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Is there a lost and found area?

  • We have a lost and found area and counselors do bring campers there to check.
  • The counselors constantly remind campers to check and make sure they have all of their things as they move from area to area but kids still forget items.
  • Please write your camper’s first and last name on all items your camper brings to camp.
  • Whatever is left in the lost and found at the end of the camp session is donated to local charities.
  • Please do not send any electronics (tablet, smart watch, games, etc.), valuables, favorite toys.
  • If a camper brings a cell phone it must stay in their backpack and be turned off during the camp day.
  • The Y is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Can my child arrive late to camp?

  • Campers that will be arriving late for camp must be signed in by a parent/guardian.
  • Please call the camp office at (203) 237.7864 and let us know if your child will be arriving late.

What if I need to pick my child up early from camp?

  • The camp office must be notified if a child will be picked up early from camp. Please call the camp office at (203) 237.7864 and text our Remind System. 
  • Please call the camp office the morning of when your camper will be dismissed early.
  • Please provide extra time when picking up your camper early from camp, as they may be involved with an activity at the time that you arrive.
  • If the camper will be picked up by someone other than a parent/guardian, that person must be listed on the camper’s registration form and must present a photo I.D., code word, and have a placard.
  • Please note: Campers will not be released to anyone not on the Authorized Pick-up List or to persons on the list who do not present a valid I.D., code word, and placard.

What guidelines are Mountain Mist Day Camp following to plan for camp this summer?

Mountain Mist Day Camp is following all guidelines and requirements from federal, state, and local governments as well as the YMCA including: the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, and YUSA.

How will staff keep camp clean and sanitized?

  • Camp cleanliness and sanitizing meeting the current CDC guidelines of promoting healthy hygiene practices and intensifying cleaning, disinfection and ventilation
  • Cleaning equipment and portable foam hand sanitizing dispensers will be located throughout camp 
  • Jugs of sanitizer will be at each group space
  • Visual signs everywhere at camp as a reminder to wash hands, keep each other safe from germs, and keep camp clean
  • Equipment will be cleaned before, during and after use
  • End of day spraying with Ghost B Sprayer 105ex all outdoor equipment and picnic tables. 

What is the daily Traditional Camp activity schedule?

Each grade has its own village and within the village groups are formed with their counselors. The group may do things on their own, but they also do things together as a village. Various villages may do activities together too.

Morning Activities:

  • Arrival and morning announcements
  • We will follow the regular camp requirement for staff ratios which 1-12 for ages 6-up and 1-9 for younger campers.
  • Campers must bring water bottles that will be filled by counselors, at one of the various water stations, throughout the day.
  • Follow planned activities for the day scheduled by unit directors and counselors.
  • Rotations to assigned areas and activities. 

Lunch:

  • Campers must bring their own lunch. Campers should bring a lunch with ice packs that can stay in the backpack or is packed in a cooler. No refrigeration will be provided. Nothing will be heated up.
  • Please note: We have campers with food allergies and peanut allergies, so please be courteous when choosing foods to send for lunch.
  • Also in situations where campers forget their lunch, or if camp staff feel an inadequate lunch has been provided for a camper—parents will be notified in the morning and will be expected to provide a lunch by lunch time.

Afternoon:

  • Continue with scheduled activities

Can you tell me about the pool and swim time?

  • Traditional Camps rotate through activities. Swimming periods occur throughout the camp day. Specialty Campers do their specialty activity in the morning and then swim in the afternoon.
  • Locker rooms are available to change before and after swimming.
  • Our Red Cross Certified lifeguards watch over the pool at all times. 
  • We have flotation devices for our campers that need them. Counselors are in the water with them.
  • At the beginning of each session our campers take a swim challenge to see which area of the pool they are allowed to be in. The challenge is administered by our lifeguards and consists of swimming one length of the pool, treading water and floating on your back. Our campers swim skills are evaluated and then they are given a color coded bracelet and told which area of the pool they can be in. All campers are required to take the swim challenge to be allowed in the deeper areas of the pool.

If your child is uncomfortable taking the swim challenge, email the camp at mmdaycamp@meridenymca.org and we will make arrangements. 

How does the Swim Challenge work?

Swimming is a wonderful life skill and a popular activity!  It is one of the areas of camp that we are the most cautious and strict on rules and expectations to ensure the safety of all participants.

Our swim challenges are designed to make sure that we know that all campers are capable of swimming without assistance in the level most suitable for their safety. 

Our number one priority is to keep kids safe. We will always err on the side of caution if a child is teetering on the edge of passing or failing the swim challenge.  We also offer opportunities for campers to retake the swim challenge throughout the summer.

All campers complete a safety swim challenge at the beginning of a session to determine swim level. Campers are then clearly identified by wristbands that are visually and easily recognized by lifeguards and staff. For preschool children aged 3 to 5 years old, there will be at least 1 program staff member with every 4 children. For school-age children there will be at least 1 lifeguard for every 25.

Procedure for Swim Challenge

Below are all of the expectations from our aquatics department  for your child to be deemed as a ‘deep end’  swimmer, allowing them to swim in water 5 feet or deeper.

Swim 25 yards from the shallow end with their arms coming fully out of the water and feet kicking to the deeper end. This swim should be a  ‘freestyle’ or ‘forward crawl’. Lifeguards are looking to see that a child has endurance, and does not become exhausted or need to take a break for long. Underwater swimming, or standing in an area for a non-swimmer, is not considered proof that a child can swim safely in the deep parts of the pool. Your camper must also tread water and float.

All children will be clearly identified by wristbands that are visually and easily recognized by lifeguards and staff. For preschool children aged 3 to 5 years old, there will be at least 1  program staff member with every 4 children. For school-age children there will be at least 1  lifeguard for every 10. 

What happens on rainy days?

  • Camp is held rain or shine. At camp we call rain liquid sunshine!
  • If it is a light rain the campers will go about all of their camp activities in their normal locations.
  • If it is a heavier rain we conduct camp activities under the pavilions and tents.
  • Rainy days are not prorated or refunded.
  • We will closely monitor the weather forecasts daily and announce any cancellation at  5 AM - CANCELLATIONS WILL BE POSTED ON REMIND, WEB PAGE,  FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND A CAMP DOC EMAIL WILL BE SENT

Where and when do we drop off medicine?

Mountain Mist Day Camp uses CampDoc, an electronic, web-based health record system to maximize the health and safety of our campers during the summer, and after school participants throughout the year.

  • Your medical information must be submitted through CampDoc.
  • Once registered in Daxko, you will receive an invite from CampDoc to provide your medical information.
  • Medical information must be entered and completed by the week before your camper attends camp.
  • Please refer to the CampDoc “how to” information link for step by step instructions. 
  • CampDoc Parent Letter
  • CampDoc User Information
  • CampDoc Health Profile
  • CampDoc Upload Documents
  • Email mmdaycamp@meridenymca.org with questions.
  • Every camper needs a medical form signed by your provider in order to attend camp. You will need to print the form and have your medical provider complete them. Then upload the document to CampDoc. Email the camp nurse with any questions at mmnurse@meridenymca.org. 
  • State law prohibits a child from attending camp without the medical forms completed by a physician within 36 months prior to attending camp. If you have attended in the past, please check with the camp nurse by emailing mmnurse@meridenymca.org to check if your form is up to date before getting a new one. 
  • If your child needs to take medication at camp and/or has a care plan, they must be dropped off to the nurse the Saturday before the camp session starts at the downtown Y 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. They may not be dropped off the day camp starts. Medication drop off dates are: June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10, 2024 .
  • If you have questions for the camp nurse please send an email to mmnurse@meridenymca.org.
  • Authorization to administer medicine
  • Allergy
  • Asthma
  • Behavior
  • Seizure

How do camp payments work?

All camp payments must be made in full before the camper attends camp unless other arrangements have been made. Payments will be auto-drafted weekly. Call us at (203) 235.6386 for more information.

Will there be financial assistance available? 

Yes. There are several options:

  • Camp Scholarship program
  • Care4Kids is accepted. We will share the Summer Care4Kids form when it is available. 
    • It is the parent/guardian responsibility to complete necessary Care 4 Kids paperwork and to make sure it is kept up to date. Please use the Summer Parent Agreement Form which will be available in the spring. 
    • $185, or 50% of chosen camp must be paid for at time of registration or scheduled to be paid for each session registered.
    • Campers' accounts will be adjusted accordingly when Care 4 Kids funds are received.
    • Parent/guardian is responsible for the balance not covered by Care4Kids.

Can we request that our camper be with a friend in the same group?

Yes and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

What is the Discipline Policy?

Behavior Policy Mountain Mist Day Camp 2024

Mountain Mist Day Camp is determined to provide a safe and fun environment for all campers, free from bullying and other possible negative behaviors that disrupt a positive day camp experience. We feel that the best way to prevent any negative behaviors from occurring is to provide a quality day program with well trained staff. In the event that a camper exhibits any negative behavior(s), it may result in referral to the camp office, time out of an activity and/or dismissal from the program. By keeping activities moving and well organized, we believe that many potential problems can be avoided or prevented. Disrespect toward staff members or property, injuring other children or staff, disruptive behavior, stealing, leaving camp property, and profanity will not be tolerated. If such a problem occurs, behavior charts will be implemented, and the following steps will be taken: 

  1. First Offense: Verbal discussion with the child. The child will be removed from the group for a specified time frame or privileges will be taken away as well as a phone call home to the parents/guardians to inform them of the incident. 
  2. Second Offense: If a second discussion is needed with the child then a phone call will be made home to the parent/guardian and the child will be sent home for the day with an incident report filled out. 
  3. Three or more offenses: If the problem persists, or a serious infraction has been made, the camper will be put on suspension (via director’s discretion) or removed from the camp program for the remainder of the summer. 

The following negative behaviors will be dealt with by the Camp Counselor. If the offense is repeated or the camper is continuously disrupting the group’s activities, the camper will miss time out of an activity and/or be sent to the Village Director. The Village Director will evaluate the negative behavior and may notify the parents (depending on severity/frequency), fill out a behavior log and put it in the camper’s file and require that the camper miss more time from an activity (depending on severity/frequency). 

  1. Minor hitting, shoving or pushing
  2. Inappropriate language or subject matter 
  3. Not following directions 
  4. Straying from the group 
  5. Distracting counselor/group 
  6. Throwing of objects 

The following negative behaviors will result in camper(s) being sent immediately to one of the Camp Directors. The Camp Director will work with the Village Director to evaluate the negative behavior. Parent(s) will be notified, behavior log will be filled out and put into the camper’s file and camper may be dismissed from camp (temporarily or permanently). 

  1. Aggressive physical contact (hitting, shoving, or pushing 
  2. Verbal threats to campers or staff 
  3. Destruction of camp property or property of others 
  4. Stealing 
  5. Possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, knives or other dangerous items 6. Emotional harassment of other campers or staff 
  6. Endangerment to self or others 

Preventing and Managing Negative Behavior: 

  1. Create group rules/set expectations 
  2. Keep activities moving – no down time 
  3. Use positive reinforcement 
  4. Be tolerant to certain behaviors – being annoying is not negative 
  5. Redirect attention 

Have consequences for unacceptable behavior & benefits of acceptable behavior 

  1. Use “time outs” – have them take a break 
  2. Use punishment as a last resort 
  3. Never use physical or emotional punishment 
  4. If necessary, seek assistance – Village Director, Camp Director. 

 

All parties must be honest in communicating the concerns that they are having dealing with the child. It is important for the staff and parents to stay in constant communication. The concerns could be about anything dealing with: behavior, development, speech, a physical condition, etc. We do have outside consultants and agencies that can help. When we have come across a situation where every possibility has been exhausted, and the child is not benefiting from the programs the facility has to offer, or the behaviors have not changed, the parents will be asked to remove the child from camp. The Meriden YMCA staff will assist as much as possible. We will leave the door open for a child to return to this facility should the behaviors diminish or change to the point where our program would be more conducive to the child’s needs. 

If you have a problem with your child or another child within this facility, you need to address the problem immediately with the director or assistant director. Please do not text any camp counselor directly, or take matters into your own hands. 

  • Under no circumstances will any child be frightened, humiliated, neglected, abused, corporal or restrained. 
  • Under no circumstance will food be taken away for a child misbehaving. 
  • Children are not bad, their behavior is unacceptable. 
  • All staff members are expected to act professionally when they are dealing with children. Appropriate language must always be used to emphasize the positive. 
  • Use supervisors and directors to try to solve problems. Try to work out problems with the parents we work as a team. 
  • Discipline is always under direct staff supervision. 

What are the Emergency Safety Plans?

EMERGENCY SAFETY STANDARDS 

Emergency Safety Plan for Injury or Acute Illness: In the event of an emergency  involving an injury or acute illness, the Camp Director or assistant director must follow  these risk reduction measures: Call 911 to summon emergency personnel and then call the Camp Office. Notify the parent or the parent emergency contact number. Isolate the scene  to prevent further injury or illness. Have a staff person accompany the child to the hospital and stay until the parent arrives. Prepare a written report immediately but no later than 24  hours following the occurrence. In the case of an injury, correct the hazard immediately, if  possible; study the occurrence to see if changes can be made to eliminate future injuries

Safety Plan for Emergency Evacuation  

As a safety precaution, an emergency evacuation drill must be conducted as follows: Staff  will escort the campers out of the building in an orderly fashion, and proceed to a safe area  (i.e., at least 75 feet from the facility) at the New Life Church property. All camp staff must  remain with their camp group and take attendance. If all campers and staff are accounted  for, the Camp Directors, assistant directors and village directors will maintain order and follow the instructions of emergency personnel. If a camper or staff person is missing when  the attendance is taken, the emergency personnel must be informed immediately, and staff  must follow their instructions. When the emergency drill has been completed, the event must be recorded on the appropriate form, and a record of the dates of all emergency drills  must be kept on location. 

Fire or Other Hazard 

If a fire or other hazard occurs, evacuate campers for their safety, following the Emergency  Evacuation Safety Plan above. If you cannot stop the fire with a fire extinguisher or sand,  call 911 for the Fire Department. 

Natural Emergencies 

When emergency weather bulletins are issued that warn of high winds, thunderstorms or flooding, the Camp Director will notify campus by the three whistles. The Camp Director,  assistant directors and village directors will move campers to safety. Attendance must be taken to ensure that all campers have been accounted for. Those camps that are outside  should immediately move to shelter. 

Emergency Safety Plan for Major Emergencies  

In the event of a major emergency or natural disaster that would be threatening to the well being of the campers (e.g., fire, flood, terrorist act, etc.), the following procedures will be  followed:  

The YMCA will be contacted to send out emergency texts, one call now, remind, etc. to alert parents of the situation.  

Transportation 

Transportation to an alternate site may be arranged and coordinated at the discretion of the Director in consultation with the Supervisor.  

Shelter-in-Place  

If appropriate, camps will follow shelter-in-place procedures to ensure camper safety.  

Communication 

If appropriate, all camp personnel including Camp Directors, Recreation Specialist/Camp Supervisors will work together to notify parents of the whereabouts of campers.  

Crisis Response Protocol 

The Camp Director will be given the most up-to-date version of the Crisis Response Protocol to follow in the event implementation becomes necessary for the safety of campers,  volunteers and staff.  

Displaced Camper  

Staff are responsible to know the whereabouts of campers at all times, both onsite and when on a field trip away from the campsite. Failure to do so could result in a camper  wandering away, which is an extremely dangerous situation. If you are not able to account  for a child for any reason, immediately implement the following procedures: 

Missing for 0 to 5 Minutes: Alert the Camp Director immediately. Check the area where the camper was last seen. Conduct a thorough roll call and head count to ensure accurate accountability.  

Missing for 5 to 10 Minutes: Expand the search area. Assign some staff to conduct the  search. Assign other staff to continue supervising the rest of the campers and to continue  conducting activities with minimal disruption. Simultaneously, conduct a “paper search” by  checking attendance records, bus records or any other daily record that might shed light on  the situation.  

Missing for 10 to 15 Minutes: At 10 minutes, call the Camp Coordinator and the Camp  Supervisor, and give a detailed description of the missing camper (i.e., physical appearance, clothing, etc.) and the time he/she was last seen. Follow their instructions. Conduct another  roll call and headcount. Continue to expand the search area.  

Missing Beyond 15 Minutes: At 15 minutes, the Camp Supervisor, or in his/her absence, the Camp Coordinator will call 911 to alert the police. Call the parents to alert them to the  situation. Follow instructions from the Camp Office and the police. Continue to assign some  staff to the search. Continue supervision of the other campers and continue activities. Complete an incident report when the camper has been found.

DCF MANDATED REPORTERS  

The YMCA Staff are mandated reporters. In our professional capacity, we are required by law to report any suspicion or belief that any child under the age of eighteen might have  been abused or neglected. This includes leaving a child unattended in a car.  

For additional questions, please contact us at mmdaycamp@meridenymca.org.