Questions & Answers

I have girls that are considering going to “Ocean Adventures” at Camp Ocean Pines and I have a few questions.  My girls are twins and they have never been away from home - I'm concerned about safety and I've written a lot of questions.  Can you help?

Mom
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Dear Mom,

Thanks for your note!  You are obviously a parent who cares deeply for the growth, development, and safety of your daughters!  That’s what we like to see – because this is the same way we take care of kids here at Camp Ocean Pines.  Let me answer your questions – then feel free to contact me at camp (805-927-0254) or on my cell phone (805-441-9736).  Even better, take a short trip to camp and see the site for yourself!

Chris Cameron
Executive Director
Camp Ocean Pines


Q - Safety:  There is an awful lot of play/activities in the ocean.  How does your camp assure safety for the children? 
A - Most of our staff are lifeguards (kitchen/office staff excluded).  In fact, several of our staff are lifeguard TRAINERS.  Many are longtime surfers/divers and are very comfortable in the water.  We keep a low staff to student ratio – and that is around the clock!  When we are at the beach, there will be AT LEAST 1 counselor watching 4 kids (not counting our additional program directors who are also at the beach!).

Q - How many counselors are watching the kids when they are swimming/boogie boarding/playing in the water?  This is my biggest concern about this camp. 
A - We will always have staff IN the water when students are IN the water.  It is hard to give the number, because kids are always going in and out – so it is a dynamic number.  But there will be AT LEAST 1 counselor/lifeguard to every 4 campers IN THE WATER when kids are in the water. 

Q - My girls have NEVER been separated from each other.  Can I be assured they will be roommates or in the same bunk?  Is there electricity in their rooms?  Bathrooms? 
A - Yes, yes, yes.

Q - What are the field trips?
A - Depending on the program schedule for the week, we take kids kayaking, boogie boarding, surfing, and playing at local beaches of San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, and Morro Bay; field games and swimming at San Luis County parks and pools; nature study and tidepooling at Morro Bay & Montana de Oro State Parks, watersliding at the local water park.  Some weeks we visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or go jade hunting in Big Sur.  Check the schedules online or call Martha Barbee, the Program Director for weekly details.  Of course, we also reserve the right to adjust field trips according to tides and weather.

Q - What type of activities do you have in the evening for the children? 
A - Campfire programs with special presentations, sing-a-longs, marshmallows around the fire, talent shows, skit nights, astronomy shows, flashlight hikes, movie nights, counselor hunt, “nocturnal avengers” (a night time game) etc, etc.  How are they supervised?  Our staff is always leading the evening programs with the same ratios at daytime.

Q - What if the kids don't want to do the "group" activity...is there another choice? 
A - Since we limit our camp enrollment to 50 campers, we all do the same evening activity. If a student isn’t up to playing a large group game, they are welcomed to play a less active part or to sit out and watch.  We have a pocketful of activities, and constantly watch as kids participate.  We are pretty good at evaluating when a game or activity has run its course, and quickly change gears when needed.

Q - What can I expect them to learn? 
A - Your girls will learn to slow down, take some time in nature, enjoy making new friends, do some art and craft projects, learn some new songs, and develop an increased comfort level and enjoyment at the beach.  Students lead pretty busy lives and have a lot of intensive learning at school.  While all our staff members are really smart and able to teach, we think kids need a time to slow down and learn at a natural pace.  Those with a serious interest in marine biology will get the opportunity to learn a lot about tidepool and beach critters.
 
Q - Meals?  What does a typical menu look like?
A - Excellent meals and afternoon snacks.  My cook has the freedom to order whatever food is appropriate for the group.  Some meal samples are: 

• Breakfast = pancakes/bacon/juice, French toast/fresh fruit, scrambled eggs/sausage/strawberries, yogurt/granola/fruit/muffins.  When we’re camping we’ll make oatmeal, have cereal, hot chocolate, fruit. 
  

• Lunch = quesadillas, sandwiches, avocados stuffed with tuna, soup, fruit.  When camping, we’ll make sandwiches and have fruit, chips, drinks. 
  
• Dinner = carnitas, make your own burrito/taco, lasagna, chicken, vegetables, fruit, always a green salad, dessert.  When camping, we may roast hot dogs over the fire, mac and cheese, salad, fruit, jiffy pop over the campfire, hot chocolate. 
  

Q - What is bedtime and how enforced?
A - Bedtime is usually 9:30 in the cabin, 10 pm lights out.  There are 2 counselors and 8 campers in each cabin.  Counselors enforce bedtime.

Q - How is any bad behavior handled? 
A - Counselors are trained in positive reinforcement and how to handle common camp problems.  If the problem needs to go beyond the counselor, it goes up the chain…day/evening director, up to program director, up to executive director.  We have never sent a child home for bad behavior, but have handled it with the skills and resources at camp.  Of course, we would never use any corporal punishment.  We will contact parents if the problem is big, working out a behavior management contract.  The very worse thing that could happen is a totally boring time-out in the executive director’s (my) office!  The last step would be to have parents come and pick their child up.  This has never happened.

Q - How do you handle homesickness?
A - Homesickness is a totally normal step in the process of growing up, and a normal part of camp.  We spend a lot of time training our counselors how to engage the homesick student to redirect their focus from sadness about missing home, to excited expectation of the great things about camp.  We do NOT encourage calls to home as that always exacerbates the problem, but we DO encourage letters to/from home.  Truthfully, we’ve had more problems with homesick PARENTS who call 3-5 times each DAY because they missed their kids so much!  Parents have a responsibility to prepare their kids AND themselves for the new social/emotional adventures of camp!

Q - Can they call or write to home? 
A - We encourage letters, but not phone calls.  This is part of the “growing up” process of independence, which all parents want for their children.  We do not want kids to bring cell phones to camp.

Q - Should they bring extra money for any excursions? 
A - Yes, campers should bring some spending money for t-shirts, souvenirs, and an occasional treat.  We recommend about $25 or so per week.

Q - What are the bathroom and shower arrangements? 
A - Each cabin has a room with a toilet and hand-washing sink, and a room with a shower.  There are doors with inside locks.  There is also a large sink and mirror open to everyone.  All 10 people in the cabin share these facilities.  There are other bathrooms scattered around the camp.

Q - What does a typical day look like? 
A - Wake up around 7 am.  Get ready for the day.  Breakfast at 8 am.  Morning activities until lunch (activities range from tidepooling, kayaking, arts/crafts, beach time, etc).  Lunch at noon – hot lunch at camp or a packed lunch if offsite for the day.  Afternoon activities, snack, free time until dinner at 5:30 pm. After dinner we have some large group activities and closing campfire.

Q - Do the girls have to bring their own bedding (sheets, blankets, bedspread, sleeping bags, etc.) 
A - Yes, campers bring their own bedding, pillow, and shower/beach towel.