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Parents
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Thank you for choosing the Mahackeno Outdoor Center this summer. For 60 years Mahackeno has provided
opportunities for campers to enjoy their summers by learning, making friends, and giving them a chance
to try something new. Our 32-acre property is designed to allow each camper to appreciate outdoors under
proper supervision and safety. Our directors and staff place your camper's quality of care as their first
priority.
Select an item to go directly to that section.
Family Nights |
Session Themes |
Sunrise/Sunset Programs |
Specialty Camps
Bus Service |
Camp Pick Up and Drop Off |
Arriving Late/Leaving Early
Lunch |
Clothing |
Lost and Found |
Typical Day |
Special Event Week
Dew Days |
Medications |
Camp Policies
This parent guide has been put together to help answer any questions you may have about our programs and
policies. If you have any further questions, we invite you to call our office at (203) 226-4221.
Family Nights
Family nights take place the second Thursday
of each session (except session 1). The families
of all campers are invited to bring a picnic
dinner (5:30-6:30) and watch our campers perform
fun songs and skits (6:30 - 7:30). This is also
a great opportunity to spend time with camp staff
and experience what camp is all about. Parking
for Family Nights is at the Sunny Lane parking
lot and the commuter lot across from the Red
Barn Restaurant only. Handicapped parking is
available at the Rice's Lane lot.
Family Night Dates and times:
| Session | Day | Time |
| Session 1 |
Tuesday July 1st |
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
| Session 2 |
Thursday July 17th |
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
| Session 3 |
Thursday July 31st |
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
| Session 4 |
Thursday August 14th |
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
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Session Themes
Themed sessions will make each session of Mahackeno a new and fun experience for campers. Details about
the themes will be sent home as summer approaches.
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Sunrise/Sunset Programs
Sunrise/Sunset programs provide before and after camp care. Under the instruction and supervision of our
camp staff, children participate in games, stories, recreational swimming, and quiet activities. Please
see camp brochure for prices and details. If you need to use either program on occasion, we offer a daily
rate, which must be paid by check on the day that your child is in the program.
Sunrise All Sunrise campers should be brought to the pick-up Corral (Sunny Lane entrance) and signed in
with the Sunrise staff, who arrive as early as 8:00 a.m. No campers may be left before 8:00 a.m. Per-day
sign up for sunrise is available for a small fee.
Sunset Parents must sign out their child with the Sunset staff near the tennis court (Sunny Lane entrance)
by 6:00 p.m. during nice weather and in Rotary pavilion during inclement weather. All Sunset children are
brought to the pick-up corral in between 5:30-6:00 for dismissal. A $5 late fee is charged for every five
minutes or part thereof after 6:00 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., emergency contacts will be called to make arrangements
to provide transportation for the camper. All late fees must be paid within 24 hours or camp and extended day
privileges will be suspended.
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Specialty Camps
IMonday - Thursday.
Archery
Entering 3rd-7th grade
Have our professional
instructor work with your
camper on skills and safety
to enhance their love of this
century-old sport.
Limit: 10
Mon., June 30-Thur., July 3
Time: 4:30-6:00 pm
Fee: $90
Fishing Camp
Entering 3rd-7th grade
For campers with a special interest in fishing,
from
beginners to experts. Campers will get a chance
to
fish every day at Mahackeno or in a canoe on
Lees
Pond.
Limit: 10
Mon., August 4-Thur., August 7
Time: 4:30-6:00 pm
Fee: $90
Swim Camp
All ages
The Family Y’s experienced coaching staff will offer a
series of intensive clinics for swimmers 5-12
years old.
This four day clinic will be held at the Mahackeno
pool. Ideal for campers who need assistance
with
stroke and swimming technique.
Limit: 10
Mon., July 14-Thur., July 17
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Fee: $90
Law and Order’s SCU–Special Camping
Unit
Entering 3rd - 7th grade
Campers work in teams and solve problems by
promoting
a sense of accomplishment and self-direction.
Teaching of scientific theories lets campers
gain new
knowledge by completing an investigation.
Limit:
10
Mon., July 28-Thur., July 31
Time: 4:30-6:00 pm
Fee: $90
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Bus Service
We encourage you to use bus service as it decreases
the number of cars accessing Mahackeno and
allows for easier dismissal of campers and staff. A Mahackeno staff
member is on each bus route to provide supervision. Please see the
camp brochure for more information, and please note that bus service
is not available for during special event week.
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Camp Pick Up and Drop Off
If you choose not to take advantage of the
bus service, it is very important that you
are aware of our pick up and drop off procedures.
Morning Drop-Off
- Special Cares campers are dropped off and picked at the Rice's Lane entrance.
- ALL other campers (including CITs): campers are dropped off at the Sunny Lane entrance.
Please drop your child off at the correct entrance between 9:00 and 8:55
a.m. Camp starts at 9:00 a.m.
Afternoon Pickup
At the end of the camp day please pick up your child at the same place. Normally there is a short line
of cars that moves quickly once the campers arrive in the pick up circle. Please be patient during the
pick up process, and be prepared to show photo identification each day so dismissal is easy and convenient
for parents, children, and staff.
Please note: our camps have two dismissal times.
- Shawnee, Mohegan, and Special Cares campers are dismissed at 4:00 p.m.
- Any Shawnee or Mohegan camper that has a sibling in an older camp will be in the siblings program while
they wait for the 4:30 p.m. dismissal.
- Lakota, Cayuga, Apache, Rangers, LITS and CITS are dismissed
at 4:30 p.m.
If your camper is not dismissed until 4:30, please do not arrive at the Outdoor Center early. This will only
block traffic for the 4:00 dismissal and slow down the whole dismissal procedure.
In cases where pick up must be made by someone other than individuals listed on your child's pick up
authorization form, the camp office must be notified in writing (note at beginning of the day or a fax)
by a parent/guardian before the child is dismissed. A telephone call alone will not allow us to dismiss
your child. To ensure the safety of your child, it is important to note that no exceptions will be made.
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Lunch
Please send your child's lunch in a plastic ziploc-style bag clearly marked with their name and bench group.
Do not send lunch boxes or coolers. We are required to refrigerate each lunch, and lunch boxes/coolers are
too bulky to be effectively refrigerated. Per state and ACA requirements, each child is required to have
a waterbottle each day. If your camper does not, you will be notified by their unit Director to drop one off.
If you cannot, a bottle will be provided to your camper at your cost.
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Clothing
Please be sure that your child comes to camp in appropriate clothing for outdoor activities. No open-toed shoes
or sandals are allowed at camp. We recommend that the campers wear sneakers. If improper footwear is worn to camp,
parents will be notified immediately and their child will not be permitted to participate until proper footwear
has been provided.
On rainy days we participate in outdoor activities
until lightening/thunder or pouring rain occurs.
Please clearly label all clothing and other items that are brought to camp. This includes towels, bathing
suits, extra shirts, and jackets for cooler days. These items should be packed into a backpack or gym bag
that the campers will keep with them throughout the day.
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Lost and Found
We accumulate a huge quantity of lost and found items each day. Please help us by labeling any item that your child
wears or brings to camp with their full name and phone number. Please do not send video games, large amounts of money,
radios, or other expensive items to camp with your child. Mahackeno cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.
Lost and Found items will be brought up to the Sunny Lane tent every Friday and discarded on the last
day of each session.
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Typical Day
Shawnee and Mohegan Units: This camp begins at 9:00 a.m. After
being dropped off, campers walk down to path
to the outdoor amphitheater to join their bench
group and hand in their lunches and any notes.
We begin the day with a loud and fun LOGS (Lots
Of Good Stuff) program, with announcements and
camp songs. The campers then head out to their
scheduled activities, stopping for lunch and
an afternoon snack. Their activities are arts
& crafts, nature, sports, theater, canoeing, woodworking, and swimming.
At the 4:00 p.m. LOGS dismissal, campers head
to the pick up circle, the bus, the siblings
group, or the Sunset program, or After Hours
Camp.
Lakota, Cayuga, Apache Unit: This camp begins at 9:00 a.m. After being dropped off, campers walk down to path to
the outdoor amphitheater to join their bench group and hand in their lunches and any notes. We begin the day
with a loud and fun LOGS (Lots Of Good Stuff) program with announcements and camp songs. The campers then head
out to their scheduled activities, stopping for lunch and an afternoon snack. Their activities are arts &
crafts, nature, teambuilding, leathermaking, woodworking, sports, theater, canoeing, swimming, archery, and outdoor living. At the 4:30 p.m.
LOGS dismissal, campers head to the pick up circle, the bus, or the Sunset program.
Ranger Unit: This camp begins at 9:00 a.m. with their own LOGS ceremony at the Logs program. The campers
then head out to their scheduled activities, stopping for lunch and an afternoon snack. The Ranger unit goes
on 3 field trips per session. While at camp they work on projects relating to the sessions' theme. Rangers
sleepover at Mahackeno the second Thursday of each session and must be picked up by noon on that Friday.
Rangers are dismissed at 4:30 p.m. and campers head to the pick up circle, the bus, or the Sunset program.
Special Cares: This camp begins at 9:00 a.m. They meet their counselors near the tennis court. Special Cares
campers are mainstreamed as far as their ability allows. Each camper is assigned to an appropriate unit and
participates in the activities as much as possible.
LIT Program: Counselors In Training meet the LIT Director at 9:00
a.m. At that time, attendance is taken and announcements
are made. The director reviews the responsibilities for the day and the
CITs spend most of the day with a counselor or program area. The CIT
Director may also schedule to meet during the afternoon for a training
session in leadership skills and working with children and each other.
CIT Program: Counselors In Training meet the CIT Director at 9:00 a.m. At that time, attendance is taken
and announcements are made. The director reviews the responsibilities for the day and the CITs spend most
of the day with a counselor or program area. The CIT Director may also schedule to meet during the afternoon
for a training session in leadership skills and working with children and each other.
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Special Event Week
Special Event Week is the last week of camp before
school begins. Enrollment is limited to 80 campers,
for campers who have finished kindergarten to
5th grade. Every day the campers are dropped
off at the circle on Sunny Lane, and meet their
bench groups at the amphitheater. Each day the
activities change according to the varying themes.
Dismissal begins at 3:45 at the pick up circle.
Please note bus service will not be available
during this week.
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Dew Days
The Mahackeno Outdoor Center has limited indoor facilities in the event of rainy days. The schedules and
activities for all camps are modified to include indoor games, craft projects, talent shows, and skits. We
ask that you pack a jacket with your camper on days when rain is expected. We make every effort to keep to
our regular schedule and only go to the Dew Day schedule in case of severe weather.
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Medications
If your child requires prescription or over-the-counter
medication during the camp day, please make sure
you complete a medication authorization form
available online at westporty.org.
Medication that needs to be administered must be brought to the camp nurse in its original container and
accompanied by a release form available from the Mahackeno office or on our website.
Any health problems should be reported to the camp medical staff.
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