Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question you don't see listed here? E-mail the Camp Administrative Secretary.
Paying for Camp
What to Bring to Camp:
What is this about a mattress & how do I go about getting one?
Every camper needs a mattress for sleeping in camp on metal (spring) or wooden bunk beds. Air mattresses are usually not durable enough because they can be punctured. Egg carton type mattresses are readily available at K-Mart, WalMart, etc and you can buy a queen size and fold it over or two twins. We recommend a 3" - 5" thick foam pad with a removable vinyl or cotton cover. A good standard size would be 30" x 75 ". A doubled over full or queen memory foam mattress topper would work.
Foam mattresses can sometimes be found at mattress stores; they may sometimes be found at department stores. Often we've found a suitable foam pad at a fabric & craft store like Joann Fabric and Craft, Michaels, MJ Designs or other good sized fabric and craft store. At these stores you can purchase foam (usually used for making cushions) of various thicknesses cut to any size you need.
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Where's my parent handbook?
A packet containing a parent handbook and medical forms is mailed to every accepted camper. If you have never received or you have misplaced your parent handbook you may download and print a new copy using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is free software that allows users to read and print documents online--especially those with complicated formatting. Click here to download free Acrobat Reader. Click on the parent handbook you need below.
Parent Handbooks along with all other necessary forms can be downloaded from the FORMS page.
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I misplaced my medical forms. How can I get another set?
Medical forms were mailed to enrolled campers along with the parent handbook. If you've misplaced your medical forms or need a replacement you may download them from the Forms page. Here is some general information about medical forms:
Bring all medical cards with you to camp. Do not send them ahead of time. You will need:
2 copies of the Medical Information Form
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1 copy of the Immunization Proof Form
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2 copies of the Prescriptions Form. Your child's doctor needs to fill this in and sign it.
1 copy of the Release and Agreement and Use of Likeness Forms
1 copy of the In-depth Health Information Form
2 copies of your child's insurance card and prescription card (if different)
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Can I send food to my camper while she or he is at camp?
DO NOT send food. Food is just as tasty to bears, bugs, and mice as it is to your child. Campers are well fed at camp. Feel free to send comics, art supplies or anything else that might be fun and is inedible.
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The deadline has passed. Are there still spaces available?
The deadline rolls until all spaces are filled so go online to apply and you will see the available spaces. You can also e-mail or call the camp administrator 717-481-4870.
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Who is eligible for camp?
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Who is eligible to go to camp?
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Do you have to be a Quaker?
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What's your acceptance policy?
1 Campers at Opequon, Shiloh and Catoctin are between the ages of 9 (or 8 and entering 4th grade) and 14 Campers at Teen Adventure and Teen Adventure Leadership Training are 15 and 16 years old respectively although we accept campers who are 17 or 18 in some circumstances.
2. You do not have to be a Quaker to go to camp. All the camps are operated by the Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, which is a regional organization serving individual Quaker Meetings (congregations) in Virginia, Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
3. Briefly, we accept campers in this order: returning campers, new BYM Quaker applicants, Quakers from outside the region, then all others. We strive for gender and age balance at all the camps and the Directors reserve the right to deny acceptance to any applicant. Please see our acceptance policy for more information.
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How do I apply to camp?
You may APPLY ONLINE, or you may download and print an application.
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Can I apply online?
YES! You may apply online by clicking here Once you create an account, you will be able to use it again and again, log in and update your information. Feel free to call the Camp Administrative Secretary at BYM for more information about applying online: (717) 481-4870. Click here for more information about the application and acceptance process.
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How much does it cost to go to camp?
Camper Fees 2012
| Opequon, Shiloh | Opequon, Catoctin, and Shiloh | Teen Adventure | ||
| 1-week session | 2-week session | 4-week session | 3-week session | |
| $700 | $1200 | $2,400 | $2150 | |
Payment Deadlines:
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A $50 non-refundable administrative fee and a $250 deposit is required when you send your application, by February 1st. The deposit is applied toward your total camp fees.
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The balance of camp fees is due May 15th.
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We will no longer collect any payments at camp. You need to have paid in full in advance.
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Withdrawals of accepted applicants after May 1 will result in forfeiture of the deposit and any fees paid.
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Can I pay my camp fees online with a credit card or bank transfer?
YES! You may apply and pay camp fees online. We are accepting Google Checkout payment for administrative fee, deposit, and balance. You can sign up for a payment plan where you will be sent a reminder e-mail to make payments, or you can make a single payment as many times as you like.
Total camper balance must be paid before you bring your child to camp.
As always, you can send a check made payable to Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Please write your child's name on the check. Send to BYM, 17100 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring, MD 20860.
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What is the refund policy?
The $250 deposit is not refundable after May 1st. If the application for a prospective camper is withdrawn prior to May 1st, all tuition payments less the $250 deposit will be refunded. After May 1st, no refund is available.
Due to the fixed costs of running a safe and successful camping program, Baltimore Yearly Meeting Camping Program expects families to be responsible for the tuition of their registered child. Exceptions are made only if the camper is unable to attend BYM Camps for reasons of health. In this case, tuition will be held over to be used the following year, less the $250 deposit. An alternative option is a refund of half of the tuition (less the $250 deposit). If you fill the spot your child has vacated, you will be relieved of this financial obligation.
It is not possible to make any reduction for entering late or leaving early, except for withdrawal on account of illness incurred at camp. In that case, a partial tuition credit may be applied for the following year. There will be no refund if a camper is asked to leave during the season for an infraction of a camp rule or for unacceptable behavior or if a child is voluntarily withdrawn.
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Are there scholarships available?
Yes. BYM Camping Program Scholarship is available. Aid of this type is dispersed on the basis of declared need. Due to an increase in scholarship requests the form is more complex and it must be filled out completely in order for your request to be considered.
Click here to download a PDF of the scholarship application.
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What's a workgrant?
We provide workgrant opportunities to help families afford camp. What’s a workgrant? Parents, family members or other adults can work at camp for a week in exchange for a $475 credit toward camp fees. Many parents return year after year along with their children and find the adult community at camp very enriching. Parents or other adults may work at one camp while their child attends another. If you would like to be considered for such a position, indicate it on your child’s application. Someone will get in touch with you in the March to schedule your workgrant if you receive one. All workgrant volunteers must consent to a criminal background check in order to be eligible to work/volunteer at camp. Click here to learn more about the criminal background check.
Click Here to Download the Work Grant Handbook
Click Here to Download a Background Check Authorization Form
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Will I have to complete a criminal background check if I do a workgrant or volunteer at camp?
Yes. All staff and volunteers at BYM Camps will have background checks conducted in order to help assure that individuals with a history of certain criminal activity are not in situations which place children in potentially harmful situations.
Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all employees and volunteers.
Individuals with charges falling within the following categories will not be allowed to work or volunteer at camp:
Any type of aggressive incident against another individual
Any type of stalking or threatening incident against another individual
Any misuse of weapons
Any crimes involving behavior toward children, including pornography
Any crimes related to production or distribution of drugs within the past 10 years
If you have more questions about this process, please contact Jane Megginson at 717-481-4870.
Click Here to Download a Background Check Authorization Form
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What equipment do I bring?
We provide a packing list in the Parent Handbook that is mailed with the acceptance packet. You may also click below to link to a camp-specific packing list.
Equipment lists:
Catoctin | Shiloh | Opequon | Teen Adventure
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What time do I drop-off/pick-up my camper?
Each camp has a slightly different pick up and drop off schedule. Also, it's important to note whether you have a Saturday or Sunday drop off/pick up. Each session is different. Click on a camp below to see the specific instructions for dropping off and picking up your camper.
Pick up & Drop off:
Catoctin | Shiloh | Opequon | Teen Adventure
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A NOTE ON OUR PROGRAMS:
Our goal is to foster the kind of self-esteem that facilitates spiritual growth. Opportunities for such growth are created in the process of supporting campers through challenging experiences. Success in negotiating rapids or exploring artistic creativity offers a deeper strength from which to accept the challenge and risk of turning inward toward the Light. Typically, a camper goes home a more competent, confident person whose spiritual roots have deepened and whose ties to the broader Quaker community have strengthened.
