Frequently Asked Questions
Every decision you make concerning your child's life should be thoroughly thought out. We have attempted to answer the questions most commonly asked by parents here however we are happy to help you if you have more. If you have further questions we can be contacted on 781-834-2700 or email.
What is the ACA and why is it important?
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 Camping Association Web site for parents.
What is the camp's philosophy and program emphasis?
The mission for the Crossroads for Kids camps is Life changing Opportunities and Experiences for Youth . 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.
What is the camp director's background?
Pat's Info here
Matt's Info here
Deb's Info here
What are desired qualities in camp staff?
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.
What training do counselors receive?
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.
What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?
We keep our ratio very low, at one staff member to four campers. That means a cabin has eight campers and two counselors. If there are more than eight campers in a cabin (some bunks hold 12), there are three counselors, or sometimes even four staff members.
At Camp Wing/Duxbury Stockade, each of our cabin groups is part of a larger group called a village, and there are 4 villages—Junior Girls (ages 7-10), Senior Girls (ages 11-13), Junior Boys (ages 7-10) and Senior Boys (ages 11-13). Each girls village usually has four cabins, and the boys villages have six. Although each staff member is directly responsible for his or her individual cabin group, all the village staff work as a team. Most activities combine more than one group and so there are always plenty of staff around and actively watching campers.
At Camp Mitton, there are only eight cabins total—four for girls, and four for boys. Similar to Camp Wing, however, all the counselors work together as a team and they will all know your camper. Each of them will be an instructor at some point for your child's activities as well.
Additionally, at both camps, 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. At Camp Wing, this includes four Village Directors who oversee all the cabin staff in the village.
What are the ages of the counselors?
The majority of our staff are in college, and a very few 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.
What percentage of the counselors returned from last year?
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 one half 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.
How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled?
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 evening at camp, the staff—either your child's counselor or a leadership staff member, and often both, talks to the whole camp about what's expected of a Crossroads for Kids 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 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 Behavior Specialist/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. For more serious situations, our Behavior Specialists can write a behavior contract with your camper outlining the behaviors that are a problem and what the result will be if they do not stop.
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, if the behaviors continue on 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.
How does the camp handle special needs?
With compassion and care. We are not a program for campers with special needs, specifically, and we are a large, outdoor site spread over approximately 300 acres, so we're not always the right choice for everyone. We have had a number of campers with mild special needs attend camp over the years, most of them very successfully.
While each camper is different, we have found that most campers who have critical difficulties with individual care or ablutions, transitions between activities, speech or comprehension, social interaction, or significant physical limitations will be more successful at a camp where there are staff who are trained specifically to deal with those concerns. When determining your child's success at camp, please consider that your child will be sharing a counselor with at least seven other children, so one-to-one care or assistance will rarely be a possibility.
We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the specifics of your child's needs directly with you over the phone or in person, so we can ensure that your child has the best camp experience possible. In many cases, if we together decide that Crossroads is not the right program for your child, we can recommend a different program which will provide an amazing summer experience. You can reach us anytime at 781-834-2700.
How does the camp handle homesickness and other adjustment issues?
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 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 and guardians 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 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!
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 ACA web site for parents.
How do I register my child?
You will need to complete an Admissions Application for each child you are registering for camp. The form is lengthy, but we use each and every piece of information to make sure we're ready for your camper's stay at camp. Please make every effort to fill out the application completely. The Financial Assistance application is attached to the Admissions Application.
Once you fill out the form for each child, include a $50 deposit per session and mail it in to our office at 119 Myrtle St., Duxbury, MA 02332 Attention: Registrar. It's that easy
Click here to request a brochure and application be sent to you.
How do I apply for financial aid?
If you are applying for a “campership” (that's like scholarship—but at camp!), fill out pages 7-8 of the Admissions Application, in addition to filling out pages 1-6 which is the camp application. Gather the appropriate supporting documents and mail them along with your application to our main office at 119 Myrtle St., Duxbury, MA 02332 Attention: Registrar. You will receive notification of your aid package by phone, within 3 weeks. If you accept the campership, we will register your child. Read more about the Financial Aid process here.
How do we know if our child is registered?
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).
Where do I get a medical form? What do I do with the medical form?
A medical form will be enclosed with your Welcome Packet, 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.
How do transportation arrangements work?
We offer free transportation by bus to and from Dorchester's South Bay Center, or you may transport your child directly to camp if you prefer. The transportation section on the admissions application is used to make final transportation rosters, so please consider carefully what method of transportation will work best for your family when you are filling out the application.
The welcome packet will provide the time of drop off for opening day and pick up for closing day of camp.
As with all our camp programs, the safety and care of your children is our first priority. We always have many camp staff members on the bus to provide supervision on the ride.
Can my child attend the last week of one session and the first week of the next? How about half sessions?
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 the entire session. Everything that happens on the first day of camp is not repeated the next week because all the campers are staying on from the week before. Counselors and cabin groups get to know each other and activity schedules are planned for the whole session based on those groups. Swim evaluations, lessons, and end-of-session level tests all revolve around the session 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 camp experience, we don't allow campers to attend by “straddling sessions.”
While we understand that extenuating circumstances may come up, we ask that you please do not register your child for a session that you know you will be pulling him or her out significantly early for any reason. We offer a number of session choices so you can find one which fits with your schedule, and we have a number of campers on our waiting list each summer. It's not fair to those campers when another camper signs up but does not intend to stay for the duration of camp. Please let us know ahead of time for any arrangements you need to make regarding leaving on the day before the last day of camp, etc.
How are groups decided? Can my child be in the same group as her friend (brother, cousin, etc.)?
This is a question we get asked all the time! The answer is, possibly. Our groups are single-gender and based on approximate age and grade. That means we group boys with other boys and girls together with other girls who are within approximately six months to a year of each other in age. If your child and her friend are in the same grade at school, it is possible that they will be together in a cabin, and we will take a request to place them together and try to make it happen. They will most likely be together in the same village.
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 cabin 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 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 together including all meals, Spread (recreation time after dinner), many evening programs, and many all-camp special events. On top of that, we often pair up groups of similar age campers for activities, sports games, field games, special projects, and swim lessons. So, even if they are not together in their cabin group with a specific person, campers will definitely have more than a few chances each day to spend time with their friends and siblings .
The child I am registering is actually ten but is slightly delayed, so he gets on much better with children a few years younger. Can he be placed in a younger group ?
While our intention is to group children by their chronological age, we do this so that the cabin 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.
