What to expect at camp grassick
Cabin Living
Cabin living at Elks Camp Grassick offers a comfortable and friendly home-away-from-home experience. Each camper is assigned a cabin and will have a single bed and personal dresser. Camp provides bedding, pillows and towels. All living quarters are air-conditioned, ensuring a cool and relaxing space to unwind after busy camp activities. Campers can expect to share their cabin with 5–7 cabinmates, creating a close-knit environment where new friendships form and everyone contributes to a positive, supportive community.
Laundry
At Elks Camp Grassick, laundry procedures vary slightly by session. During the Therapy and Skills Camp, a full load of laundry will be done once or twice, so families are encouraged to pack roughly a week’s worth of clothing and personal garments. For all other sessions, only soiled items will be washed on an as-needed basis, and no full laundry service will be provided. Packing appropriately ensures campers have everything they need for an enjoyable camp experience.
The bell
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At Elks Camp Grassick, the ringing of the bell is a familiar and cherished part of daily life, signaling mealtimes, wake up times, evening activities and helping keep everyone on schedule. The bell rings at a minimum three times each day—at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast, 12:15 p.m. for lunch, and 6:00 p.m. for supper—gathering campers and staff together in the dining hall. This simple tradition not only helps the day run smoothly but also creates a sense of community and routine that campers look forward to throughout their stay.
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Meals
Meals are served 3 times a day - at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast, 12:15 p.m. for lunch, and 6:00 p.m. for supper. Mealtimes at Elks Camp Grassick are a warm, family-style experience where everyone gathers together to share food and conversation. Most meals are served right at the table, with dishes passed around so each camper can serve themselves before passing items to the next person. At times, meals may include a buffet line or a salad bar for added variety. Campers are expected to use their utensils appropriately, remember to say “please” and “thank you,” and practice good table manners, helping create a respectful, friendly, and enjoyable dining environment for all.
Technology at camp
Phones and other technology often leads to problems at camp. We provide plenty of activities, unstructured free time, and lots of time outdoors. This doesn't give campers a lot of time to use devices and "technology withdrawal" is often escalated by having a device close by that they aren't allowed to use.
That being said, all cell phones that are brought to camp will be kept in locked boxes and can be used at designated times. If you feel better keeping electronic devices at home, campers can call home from the office phone. (*Camp Grassick is not responsible for lost or damaged electronics or other items.)
Campers are encouraged to send "snail mail" to family members and we welcome families and friends to send mail or packages to their campers.
That being said, all cell phones that are brought to camp will be kept in locked boxes and can be used at designated times. If you feel better keeping electronic devices at home, campers can call home from the office phone. (*Camp Grassick is not responsible for lost or damaged electronics or other items.)
Campers are encouraged to send "snail mail" to family members and we welcome families and friends to send mail or packages to their campers.
Packing for camp
Here are some packing suggestions:
- Enough clothing for changing weather conditions - pants, sweatshirts, shorts, etc. Clothes should be comfortable "play clothes".
- Campers may want to bring a couple dressy outfits for dances and the final banquet.
- Tennis shoes for recreation
- Flip flops or sandals for waterfront
- A light jacket or rain jacket
- Swimsuit(s) or swim trunks
- Shower and hygiene products - shampoo, soap, toothbrush/paste, comb, hair products, deodorant, etc.
- Camp provides sheets, pillows, blankets and towels - We prefer that campers do not bring their own towels as they are easy to misplace.
- A special blanket or pillow if it helps with sleep (Please make sure they are well marked.)
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- An act for the talent show (for example, bring an instrument if you play one)
- Camera (disposable or small digital camera)
- Stamps or pre-addressed letters for writing home
Missing Home is Normal!
It is perfectly normal to feel worried and anxious about going to camp, even if you have been to camp before! On the first night or two you can expect a little bit of homesickness. Campers will be welcomed right away and will learn the schedule quickly. They will be so busy, that it will be hard to do anything but have fun.
However, if campers don't feel okay, they can always talk to their counselors at any time, go to an older camper to get some advice, discuss it with any staff member or the camp director, and call home for some extra love. Everyone will be there to support and take care of them. We sometimes discourage phone calls in the first couple of days because it makes some campers' homesickness worse, but don't worry, your camper can always call home if they need to.
However, if campers don't feel okay, they can always talk to their counselors at any time, go to an older camper to get some advice, discuss it with any staff member or the camp director, and call home for some extra love. Everyone will be there to support and take care of them. We sometimes discourage phone calls in the first couple of days because it makes some campers' homesickness worse, but don't worry, your camper can always call home if they need to.
How do I know if my child is ready for camp?
Full transparency, I'm adding my own spin and doing a lot of paraphrasing of Jack Schott, a camp professional who has worked at, owned and/or managed several summer camps. I think he has a great take on this question.
First, there is no magic formula for knowing when your child is ready. Being "ready" also doesn't mean that your child will do perfectly on day 1 or even year 1. Especially with the special population that we work with at Camp Grassick, being ready means being willing to try (for both parents and students!) and having a supportive place to be "ready enough". Our camp starts at age 7, but everyone isn't the same age when they start. Some kids are ready at 7, some kids start at 16. All kids are different and that's ok.
Here are some questions to help you decide:
How does your child do in school? Do they like the structure? How do they handle transitions or new experiences? Have they ever been away from home overnight? How did they do? Do they want to make new friends? Do they genuinely want to try going to camp, even if they are also very nervous?
Here are some things that I often tell parents about sending their kids to Camp Grassick for the first time:
If you have questions or concerns about sending your child to camp, please reach out. I would be happy to help you navigate the right path for your family!
First, there is no magic formula for knowing when your child is ready. Being "ready" also doesn't mean that your child will do perfectly on day 1 or even year 1. Especially with the special population that we work with at Camp Grassick, being ready means being willing to try (for both parents and students!) and having a supportive place to be "ready enough". Our camp starts at age 7, but everyone isn't the same age when they start. Some kids are ready at 7, some kids start at 16. All kids are different and that's ok.
Here are some questions to help you decide:
How does your child do in school? Do they like the structure? How do they handle transitions or new experiences? Have they ever been away from home overnight? How did they do? Do they want to make new friends? Do they genuinely want to try going to camp, even if they are also very nervous?
Here are some things that I often tell parents about sending their kids to Camp Grassick for the first time:
- The kids usually do fine; it is harder on the parents!
- Kids will be uncomfortable because it is a new experience and we are asking them to step out of their comfort zone. It is perfectly normal that they may cry and get upset.
- It is important that you don't give kids an "easy out". Saying that you will come get them the minute they seem sad will not help them to learn to be independent or grow in this experience. That being said, I promise we are not going to let your child suffer. If they need to go home, I will let you know!
- Camp Grassick is inherently kind and accepting. Staff is trained for this.
If you have questions or concerns about sending your child to camp, please reach out. I would be happy to help you navigate the right path for your family!
Frequently Asked Questions About Applications
how much does camp cost? I don't know if I can afford to send my child.
No child is ever denied admittance to Camp Grassick based on financial status. Caregivers are asked to honestly pay whatever portion of the camp fee they are able. Payments can also be made on the fee. Thanks to generous donors, sponsorships are available to cover part or all of a camper's fee. There are no forms to fill out, simply indicate how much you will pay on the application and the rest will be covered. Any amount that caregivers pay towards the campership fee helps Camp Grassick to provide scholarships to as many children as possible.
can i get local sponsorship for my child?
Yes! Sometimes community organizations or special education units will help to cover the cost of the camp fee. Please consider reaching out to organizations in your community to sponsor a camper. This is not required, just an option to help cover camp fees.
A sample letter to organizations can be found here. This is just an example. Please personalize the letter and re-write or change it as necessary. There is no need to send this letter to Camp Grassick, just fill out the Fee Agreement found at the end of the application. We also prefer that you do not send a letter to your local Elks Lodge as the Elks already sponsor camperships through their donations.
A sample letter to organizations can be found here. This is just an example. Please personalize the letter and re-write or change it as necessary. There is no need to send this letter to Camp Grassick, just fill out the Fee Agreement found at the end of the application. We also prefer that you do not send a letter to your local Elks Lodge as the Elks already sponsor camperships through their donations.