Preparing for Camp
Where do I go for my camp? What do I need to bring? These questions and more are answered below.
Table of Contents
- Camp Locations and Directions
- Allergy Statement
- Refund Policy
- Coyote Kids! information
- Spring Break Camps and No-School Nature Camps
- Summer Day Camps
- Overnight Camps
- Cancellations/transfers made at least 15 days prior to the first day of camp will receive a full refund, minus the 25% non-refundable deposit.
- Cancellations/transfers made between 8 and 14 days prior to the first day of camp will receive a refund of 50% of the total camp tuition
- Cancellations/transfers made 7 days or less prior to the first day of camp, or after the start of a program, are not refundable
- Appropriate clothing for the outdoors (Warm hat, rain gear, boots, etc.)
- Water
- A backpack or other way of carrying their own posessions
- Your child will be exploring in the woods and if all goes well, she or he will get dirty. Please dress your child in clothing that can get dirty and that is appropriate for the weather. (i.e. Sun hat, sunscreen, warm clothing or raincoat. Layers are a good idea. Closed-toe shoes are highly encouraged.)
- Nutritious lunch (for all-day programs) and snacks (for all programs)
- Water in a refillable container (yes, water in addition to any other beverages)
- A backpack (be sure your child can carry his/her belongings independently)
- Your child will be exploring in the woods and if all goes well, she or he will get dirty. Please dress your child in clothing that can get dirty and that is appropriate for the weather. (i.e. Sun hat, sunscreen, or raincoat. Layers are a good idea. Closed-toe shoes are highly encouraged.)
- Nutritious lunch (for all-day programs) and snacks (for all programs)
- Water in a refillable container (yes, water in addition to any other beverages)
- A backpack (be sure your child can carry his/her belongings independently)
- Age 9 and older only: Locking-blade pocket knife (optional). See About Knives
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping pad
- Water Bottle
- Clothing that can get dirty (earth tones preferred)
- Long pants
- Shorts
- Swimsuit
- Hat
- T-shirts
- Socks (at least 1 pair wool
- Underwear
- Warm jacket
- Raincoat
- Sunglasses
- Sandals and Sneakers (for sneaking)
- Bandana
- Towel
- Toiletries (showers and bathrooms will be available)
- Sunscreen
- Personal Medications (to be given to camp medical director)
- Day pack
- Personal Snacks
- Fixed blade knife (3-5 inches)
- Flashlight
- Non-locking knives (i.e. Swiss army knives)
- Electronics (iPod, DS, etc.)
- Non-biodegradable soap or strong-scented cosmetics
- Lighters/Matches
Where is my camp located? How do I get there?
Please click the location name for maps and driving directions to each site. Not Sure what site your camp is located at? Check the page for the camp and it will usually say where the camp is taking place.
Day Camp Sites:
Hendricks Park
Dorris Ranch
Many Hands Community
Alton Baker Eastgate Woodlands
Big Bear Camp
Oak Hill School
Spencer Butte Park
For Coyote Kids! Information Click Here
Allergy Statement
Childhood allergies are unfortunately very common these days. The most common and dangerous allergy we encounter is to peanuts. For this reason, and to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone we are asking that no one bring food containing peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils, etc. to any day camps. This is in addition to our usual policy of kids not sharing food. We appreciate your understanding and sensitivity to the needs of all our campers. Please do not send your child to day camps with any peanut-containing foods in his or her lunch or snacks. If you are having a difficult time coming up with alternatives to the good ol’ PB&J please refer to this list of ideas.
What is your refund policy?
Whole Earth Nature School has implemented the following cancellation policy based on the time, resources and staffing that goes into planning a camp. We cannot recover these expenses if you cancel. Cancellations made on short notice can also prevent others from attending.
All programs have a non-refundable, 25% deposit
If you cancel or ask to transfer to a different camp for any reason:
Oops Policy: You have 48 hours from the time of purchase to cancel your registration with no penalty. (Cancellation must be requested prior to the start of the program.)
For all Coyote Kids Programs:
We will meet the kids at their school. Instructors will be available on the first week of camp to help students find their way to the appropriate meeting place. Pick up will occur two hours after the end of school. There is a 15 minute grace period on pick-ups. Please see our late pick-up policy below for more details.
Please come to Coyote Kids! prepared. Kids will need:
Here is a list of meeting places for each school:
Adams: Meet in front of the office by the benches, pick-up at the same location.
Camas Ridge: Meet in the grassy area in front of the lower (West) building. Pick-up in the same location.
Charlemagne: Meet at the roofed shelter uphill from the school near the portable building. Pick up will be in front of the school at the pull-through driveway.
Cesar Chavez: Meet on the Northwest corner of the school near the playground. Pick-up will be at the pull-through pickup zone.
Edgewood: Meet at the flagpole in front of the office. Pick up will be at the upper parking lot near the large boulders.
Edison: Meet in the bike locker behind the school. Pick-up will be on the west end of the playground behind the school.
McCornack Elementary: Meet behind the school on the large concrete circle. Pick up will be in front of the school.
Oak Hill School: Meet outside your classrooms near the playground. Pick-up will be in the Gather Room.
Village School: Meet in the hallway outside your classrooms. Pick up will be in the front parking lot near the soccer fields.
For all Spring Break Nature Camps and No-School Nature Camps
Check-in begins at 8:30 at the camp location.
Pick up is between 3:30 and 3:45. (Please read section below about late pickups.)
What to Bring
For all Summer Day-Camps
Check-in begins at 9:00 at the camp location.
Pick up is between 4:00 and 4:15 for 6-11 year olds; between 1:00 and 1:15 for 4-5 year olds. (Please read section below about late pickups.) Please note that camp ends for all groups at 1 pm on Friday. On Fridays we’ll host a special Potluck that you and your family are invited to attend, which will begin promptly at 1pm! Bring a dish to share and your own plates/glasses and eating utensils. The kids will share songs and stories with you before we eat.
What to Bring
What is our discipline policy?
The foundation of the guidance and discipline policy at Whole Earth Nature School is to encourage positive behavior in the individual which will support a positive experience for everyone. Please view our detailed Guidance and Discipline Policy
Late Pickups
We understand that sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances which could cause you to be late. We allow 15 minutes after the end of the camp for you to pick up your child without penalty. From 16-25 minutes late, we charge a flat fee of $5. For every additional minute after this, we charge $1 per minute. We do this in order to make every effort to support and compensate our instructors for the time they invest. We need our team leaders to be able to go home and be with their own families, rest and return refreshed to care for children the next day.
For Overnight Programs
Please leave at home
A Note About Camp
Big Bear Village is an opportunity for teens to connect with their natural environment, develop team skills, and begin to become self-sufficient adults. Participants in this camp will be expected to make and keep a set of group agreements for the week regarding behavior toward each other and our environment. We encourage campers to bring whatever is necessary to stay safe and comfortable but please leave at home anything that will distract from your interaction with your peers and natural environment. We also recognize that when teens get together in a new environment, hormones are likely to run high. We understand because it wasn’t that long ago that we were in the same position. We will take necessary measures such as separating sleeping quarters but we also expect campers to maintain our trust by making good choices for themselves. In case of an emergency: Cell service is limited at the camp. If you have a true emergency and you need to get a hold of us call 541-937-5437. We may not be able to answer right away, however we will be checking the phone for messages twice a day.
We reserve the right to remove kids from camp if their behavior endangers the physical or emotional safety of the other participants. To read our full discipline policy, please see our website page at: http://wholeearthnatureschool.com/guidance-and-discipline-policy/
Late Pickups
We understand that sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances which could cause you to be late. We allow 15 minutes after the end of the camp for you to pick up your child without penalty. From 16-25 minutes late, we charge a flat fee of $5. For every additional minute after this, we charge $1 per minute. We do this in order to make every effort to support and compensate our instructors for the time they invest. We need our team leaders to be able to go home, rest and returned refreshed to care for your children the next day.
