Only about 1 out of 4 camps in the country have gained accreditation from the American Camping Association—and we’re proud to be one of them! The ACA is a national organization which sets out standards of achievement for camps that reach far beyond what is required by state and local regulations. The ACA also provides information for parents to help them choose a camp, and they suggest that you know the answers to the first ten questions listed here when selecting a camp for your child. This will also answer many questions you may have regarding our camp and programs.

The American Camping Association has a lot of information about preparing for camp. As part of an article on getting ready for camp, and worrying about homesickness, they say “Camp, like the rest of life, has high and low points. Not every moment will be filled with wonder and excitement. Encourage your child to have a reasonable and realistic view of camp. Discuss both the ups and downs your child may experience. Your child should not feel pressured to succeed at camp, either. The main purposes of camp are to relax and have fun.” You can get a lot of great tips on getting your child ready for camp at the American Camp Association website for parents.

The “motto” for Camp Wing Day Camp is Summer Fun and Enrichment for Youngsters on the South Shore. We believe that each day at camp should be filled with fun, excitement, learning, and new social experiences. When we say “learning,” we don’t mean that kids are studying—we mean that kids are growing and expanding their repertoire of physical, social, and emotional skills. Our staff are trained to take advantage of “teachable moments”—those instances where learning opportunities unique to our outdoor environment pop up.

Our programs are designed around a Youth Development model unique to Crossroads for Kids which is based on current research regarding how children develop and how we can best help them grow at camp. Of course—during camp, you’ll hear your camper come home raving about their newly learned canoeing skills, their group’s achievement on the ropes course, or the necklace they made in Creative Arts. You’ll never hear your camper coming home and talking about “skill development,” “social competency” or “personal growth.” But you’ll know we’re thinking about it all the time. 

Jim is a Soccer coach and teacher in Scituate during the year then our amazing Day Camp Director in the Summer.
This will be Jim’s third summer directing camp.  

We are looking for outstanding people who have the ability and desire to work with children safely, actively, and with enthusiasm. Moreover, we are looking for trustworthy, responsible, dependable, outgoing, talented, and unique individuals who will really bring something to the camp community. Staff need to be able to adapt to any situation, communicate clearly and appropriately with children and their parents, accept instruction and feedback from the camp director or senior staff, and be a positive role model for children. If you know someone who fits this description, they can read about potential opportunities for summer employment here.

Our staff go through an extensive hiring process which includes filling out an application, having a personal interview, provision of 3 professional written references (to whom we also speak individually), and background checks. We perform two different types of background checks. A CORI is the Massachusetts state Criminal Offender Record check, and a SORI is the Massachusetts state Sexual Offender Record check. If staff have lived out of state, even to attend college, we require that they provide us with out-of-state equivalents to these forms from the local police district where they have lived. The state board of health often reviews these background check policies and updates the requirements for camps employing staff to work with children, and you can rest assured that should new or additional background checking procedures become available to us, we will do everything possible to continue to hire qualified, capable, safe staff members for your children.

Our goal is to have staff on camp who are well-trained and confident in their abilities to create a wonderful experience for your camper. All of our staff attend an intensive pre-camp training week. We cover an amazing amount of information during this time, including camp policies and procedures, emergency information, child abuse awareness/training, basic safety, first aid and health care, waterfront training, team-building workshops, risk management, behavior management, working with children who exhibit symptoms of ADD/ADHD, child development, nature orientation and outdoor skills, how to effectively lead a group and activities, diversity, conflict resolution, bullying, and more! In addition, most of our staff come trained with a background in child development, education, psychology or other youth-related fields.

Additionally, we require any staff who work in specialized areas such as archery, waterfront, or challenge course, to have certifications from a nationally recognized organization. Our lifeguards/swim staff have all attended and passed exams for water safety, first aid, CPR and lifeguarding, at a minimum achieving a LGT certification from the American Red Cross. Some of our swim staff, in addition to our Waterfront Director, have also received their WSI (Water Safety Instructor) certification. All staff are trained to assist at the pool as “eyes on water” during free swim and how to effectively assist at swim lessons as an extra helper.

Our ropes course staff, who work with our older campers on the climbing wall, high and low ropes course, and teambuilding activities at ground level, go through an intensive certification course prior to the start of the regular pre-camp training week. They have also had a great amount of practical experience working on challenge courses. 

We have many different age groups at camp, and so the ratio of counselors to campers will depend on the age of your child. On average, a good rule of thumb is that your child’s age will be the number of children in his or her group. For example, a five year old will be in a group with approximately five campers and a counselor. An eight year old will have eight campers and a counselor, and our largest groups are approximately ten campers with one counselor, for children ten and older.

Each of our camper groups fit into one of our three divisions—Forest (5-7 year olds), Ocean (8-10), or Jungle (11-13). Each division usually has approximately five camper groups, and although each staff member is directly responsible for his or her individual group, all the division staff work as a team. Most activities combine more than one group (i.e., two Ocean groups may combine to play a game of softball, or the whole Forest division will go to the pool at the same time), and so there are always plenty of staff around and actively watching campers.

Additionally, we have a number of staff (the director, assistant director, and program coordinators) who are not assigned to particular groups, but rather help to manage the whole camp program. 

The majority of our staff are in college, and some have graduated from high school and are transitioning to other life experiences such as City Year or similar service programs. We do not have counselors who are younger than 18, and the majority of them are between the ages of 19 and 25.

While we do have a leaders-in-training program for 14-16 year olds, this is an “older camper” program, and the LITs are not considered junior counselors but rather apprentices learning what it will take to become a staff member a few years down the road. As such, they do not have counselor responsibilities and are never alone with a camper group.

We’re fortunate to have a number of staff members who have been with us at camp for many, many years, which provides a great continuity for the program and the campers. On average, approximately a third of our staff return each year, while others move on to life after college or full-time employment and so are unable to return to camp. Many of our staff keep in touch with campers during the school year and are excited to see your campers back summer after summer. We’re also privileged to have the opportunity to bring in new, amazing staff members each summer who add new and wonderful things to our camp program.

Our staff are extensively trained on behavior management and camper discipline policies. They’re different, so we’ll answer these one at a time.

Our main philosophy surrounding camper behavior is that we are a camp community. As such, it’s important for each camper to be able to safely and comfortably experience camp as a member of their small group, division, and the entire population of campers. We don’t tolerate bullying, either physical or verbal, and our staff are trained during pre-camp training to identify and handle incidents of bullying. Of course, we need your camper’s help on this, too—if your child feels like they are being mistreated in any way, they should feel comfortable enough to tell either their counselor, or any staff member at camp, and know that we’ll do what we can to make it right.

On the first morning at camp, our director talks to the whole camp about what’s expected of a Camp Wing Day Camp camper. Behaviorally, we expect that all campers are respectful to themselves, other campers, and staff. That means that we don’t want to hear inappropriate language, see or hear rude or hurtful comments or gestures, or find out that campers are doing anything to make another child feel bad about themselves. We expect campers to participate in activities—that means trying new things even if they’re not sure they are going to like them—and follow directions, stay with the group, and generally behave like they would if Mom or Dad or their adult guardian was around.

That being said, we know this doesn’t always happen. Our discipline policy is very clear: at no time do we condone or allow any physical or corporal punishment whatsoever. We do role model appropriate behavior and staff are trained to use positive reinforcement wherever possible—rewarding campers for good behavior. When campers need to be spoken to about problem behavior, counselors speak directly with the child, not in front of other campers. It’s our goal to have every camper successfully integrate with their group, but if behavior continues to be a concern, the Assistant Director or Director will speak with the child separately and the camper may be asked to sit out of activities for a little while until they can participate appropriately.

We call parents to let you know if there are significant concerns regarding behavior at camp, and work individually with each particular situation to manage those concerns with the best possible outcome in mind. While we rarely find it necessary, a child may be asked to take a one-day break from camp, and ultimately, if when he or she returns to camp, the behaviors are unchanged and create a safety issue for other campers or staff, we reserve the right to dismiss a child from camp for the remainder of the session.

Because we believe that each child at camp has the right to a safe, fun, comfortable environment and an amazing camp experience, we appreciate your commitment to help us work through any behavior issues your child may have at camp, and your understanding that our staff will do everything possible to ensure your child’s success at camp.

 It is our ultimate goal for every camper to have a successful, fun experience at camp. Campers get homesick—first time campers and seasoned campers alike! It’s a natural part of leaving home, even if only for the day, and adjusting to a whole different schedule and experience. Our counselors receive training on how to engage campers into the group from the minute they step onto camp and work with campers who are homesick or need some extra TLC. We know that the best way to get children “adjusted” to a new environment is to make it a fun, safe place to be—and encourage kids to enjoy themselves.

We also know how much parents can help with this process. Before camp starts, we’ll send you a Welcome Packet with lots of information—including some tips on getting your child ready for camp (read some of that information here[link to our Getting ready for camp page]). Specifically, we suggest that you come and take a tour of camp (we offer them weekly in the Spring—see a schedule here[link to ?]) or attend an Open House so your child becomes accustomed to the site and feels comfortable coming back on the first day of camp.

We recommend that you talk with your child about how much fun you had at camp as a camper, what a neat experience it’s going to be, and all the cool things they are going to be able to try. We do ask that you don’t tell your camper that if they don’t like it, you’ll come pick them up—it’s much better to encourage them to stick it out and know that even if it’s scary in the beginning, they’ll have a great time once they realize how fun it is at camp!

If you would like to register, you need a registration form, which you can download and print out here. The form is double sided—make sure you print both pages! Or, you can click here to request a brochure and application be sent to you. We ask that you please read the application carefully and fill it in completely so that we can accurately register your child. Once you fill out the form for each child, include a $100 deposit per session and mail it in to our office at 119 Myrtle St., Duxbury, MA 02332 Attention: Day Camp Registration. It’s that easy.

  Initially, the same way you would for the camper program (see above “How Do I register my child?” above). There is also an additional set of forms which will be mailed to you once your registration is received.  One page is to be filled out by the prospective LIT (your teen), and the reference forms should be given to two different teachers, youth group leaders, coaches, or other similar persons who can provide a character reference for your teen. The LIT application and references should be returned together to our office prior to the start of the camp session. We suggest applying early for this program to allow enough time for references to reach our office.

We will send you a confirmation approximately ten days after receiving your registration. Early in the winter months, this will be a letter indicating that we received your forms and deposit, and your child is registered for camp. Later in the Spring, all registered families receive a Welcome Packet includes an invoice for the remaining balance, a medical form, as well as information about what to bring to camp, pick-up and drop-off locations, and more. It should answer most of your questions about getting your camper ready for summer! If you have not received your letter or welcome packet and it has been a while since you mailed your forms, we apologize! (Many of our families have summer addresses and find their forms waiting for them when they get there!) Just give us a call at the office and we can confirm your registration over the phone and make sure you get the proper papers in the mail at your winter address. Please make sure you provide us with your mailing address on the registration forms if it is different from your street address (i.e. post office boxes if you have one).

A medical form will be enclosed with your Welcome Packet in the spring, but you may need one earlier. You can click here to print out a medical form. 

Parents need to fill out and sign the front side of the form, the Health History and emergency authorization.  If your child has had a physical in the 24 months prior to attending camp, you do not need to have the doctor fill out the 2^nd page of our form, you can just attach a signed copy of that physical, and a copy of the child’s immunization record, to the front page of the form. If not, your child will need to have a physical, at which the doctor should fill out and sign the back of the form.

Please do not send ANY medical forms to our camp office. Medical forms should come to camp with your child on the first day. We are required by state regulation to have the forms on site for your child to attend camp. If you have any questions about the required health form, please do not hesitate to call our office.

Extended day has “any-time” drop off and pick-up by the Pavilion, in the morning between 7:30 and 9 a.m. and in the afternoons between 4:00 p.m and 6 p.m. Morning extended day includes a light breakfast and activities such as crafts, group games, and field activities. In the afternoon, campers have a snack and participate in additional organized activities, or can choose to do quieter activities if they’re tired at the end of the day. Options offered during this  time vary daily, and include hikes, Wet and Wild, ropes course, arts-and-crafts projects, and more.

As with all our camp programs, the safety and care of your children is our first priority. We always have camp staff on the bus to provide supervision on the ride, usually two counselors in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Our bus schedule for the summer is usually not finalized until mid-March, but the prior year’s schedule is a good guide. The bus schedule from last summer is as follows:

2006 Bus Schedule

Going to camp

7:45 Hingham House of Prayer Lutheran church 916 Main Street (Rt 228)
8:00 Cohasset Jack Conway Realty Cheif Justice Cushing Highway (RT 3A)
8:05 Scituate High School
8:20 Marshfield St. Christines Church (On Rt 3A)
8:40 Pembroke (Friendlies and Lamberts)
8:55 Kingston Hannafords Parking (near bank in lower lot area)

Going home from camp

4:15 Kingston Hannafords Parking (near bank in lower lot area)
4:30 Pembroke (Friendlies and Lamberts)
4:40 Marshfield St. Christines Church (On Rt 3A)
4:50 Scituate High School
4:55 Cohasset Jack Conway Realty Cheif Justice Cushing Highway (RT 3A)
5:10 Hingham House of Prayer Lutheran church 916 Main Street (Rt 228)

Can my child attend the last week of one session and the first week of the next? How about half days?

While we try to be as accommodating as possible in all areas, this is one time we have to say, unfortunately, no. The way our sessions and programs are designed, our groups are set up to become a “unit” for two weeks. Everything that happens on the first day of camp is not repeated the first day of the second week of the session, because all the campers are staying on from the week before. Counselors and campers get to know each other and activity schedules are planned for the whole two weeks based on those groups. Swim evaluations, lessons, and end-of-session level tests all revolve around the two week schedule as well, as do our registration procedures for opening days. For those reasons, and because we believe in the importance of the relationships formed when a group stays together for the whole two week camp experience, we don’t allow campers to attend by “straddling sessions.”

Following on with similar reasoning, we do not at this time offer half-days or three-day-a-week attendance. We find that even our five year old campers have a very, very successful experience coming full days for two weeks—as a matter of fact, five and six are two popular age groups at camp! We do offer an option for Forest campers (ages 5-7) to have a quiet activity period or rest in the afternoon at parents’ requests.

The way our sessions and programs are designed, our groups are set up to become a “unit” for two weeks. Counselors and campers get to know each other and activity schedules are planned for the whole two weeks based on those groups. Swim evaluations, lessons, and end-of-session level tests all revolve around the two week schedule as well, as do our registration procedures for opening days. For those reasons, and because we believe in the importance of the relationships formed when a group stays together for the whole two week camp experience, we prefer that campers attend for the entire session.

While we do not encourage it, you may choose to enroll your child for an entire two week session, and pay the cost for the two week session, and only send your child to camp for the first week. However, because the introduction to camp and camp policies, swim evaluations and swim group formation, and group activity planning all happens in that first week, we do not allow campers to attend only the second week of a session.  Please be aware that should your child attend only the first week of the session, he or she will not be at camp for: the field trip, Overnight, Late Stay, closing ceremony, or any special activities that are scheduled for his or her individual group to take place during the second half of the session.

For the first time in 2004, we will  be offering a one-week camp experience at the end of the summer (Session 5). This week has a special theme and is different than sessions 1-4 with regards to schedule, activities, and special events. We encourage you to try this session if you are only able to commit to a one week camp experience.

This is a question we get asked all the time! The answer is, possibly. Our groups are coed and based on age. That means we group boys and girls together who are within approximately six months to a year of each other in age. If your child and his friend are in the same grade at school, it is likely that they will be together in a group, and we will take a request to place them together and try to make it happen.

On the other hand, camp is about meeting new people and making new friends as well. In the past, we have been challenged by group requests where four or five campers want to be with each other. This creates two concerns. First, there are two or three other children in the group who may feel quite left out of a block of friends that have all requested each other, and secondly, it creates a difficulty in setting up an even boy-girl ratio in the group and other groups of similar age. It’s our intention to be as accommodating as possible for all of our families—and that includes those campers who are coming to camp for the first time or have no group requests. For these reasons, we can’t make any guarantees that your child and another child will be placed together.

Please don’t promise your camper that they will be with another child. Instead, reassure them (and yourself!) that our camp is relatively small, and we spend a good part of the day (almost half of it) together as one large group, including Pavilion in the morning, free swim, lunch, Spread, end of day songs and closing, and all special events. On top of that, we often pair up groups of similar age campers for sports games, field games, special projects, and swim lessons. So, even if they are not together in their small group with a specific person, campers will definitely have more than a few chances each day to spend time with their friends and siblings.

While our intention is to group children by their chronological age, we do this so that the group operates most effectively and the campers form friendships and bond quickly. If you know that your child is socially more appropriately placed with younger children, please give us a call and speak with us directly. We will be happy to work with you to make sure he or she is placed in the right group.

Camp shirts are worn on trips out of camp to assist with the safety and visibility of our group, for camp photos, and for special in-camp events. Also, wear the shirt any day to show camp spirit! Shirts are free and your child receives one on his or her first day of camp. Should you wish to purchase additional shirts, please ask any of the staff or call our office at 781-834-2700