Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a nurse on duty?

COH leads every activity so your child can have fun – safely.  And, even in the unlikely event that he or she was to have an accident, COH is always prepared with a Registered Nurse on duty 24/7, certified lifeguards and the counseling staff certified in CPR and trained in First Aid. 

How do you hire and train your staff?

All resident camp counseling staff members are college age and undergo a rigorous screening process including an application, references, interview, state and national criminal background checks.  Each team member then completes a 10-day training and orientation program that encompasses all aspects of camp life. 

What is your counselor to camper ratio?

Our counselor to camper ratio is 1 counselor to every 7 campers.

How do you handle homesickness?

From time to time we encounter campers who experience homesickness.  If it is the first day, the counselors work to keep the child on task and thinking about the very next thing - not the whole week.  If it is the second day or night, the Executive Director or the Program Director will call parents to ask for suggestions or routines that may alleviate homesickness.  We will do our best to implement these suggestions i.e. night light, bedtime story.  If homesickness continues after the second day we will again contact parents.  At that point we will determine if it is in the child’s best interest to remain at camp.  In our experience, campers calling home does not improve the situation but almost always concludes with the camper going home.

If my child has a friend, will they be in the same cabin together?

You can indicate cabin-mate preferences on your registration form and we’ll make every attempt to honor your request.  All cabin mates must be within one year’s age of each other and requests must be written.

How do the challenge elements work during free time?

New this summer, all campers will be able to tackle the Climbing Wall, take a ride on the Giant Swing or try out our new Racing Zip Lines during free time.  The cost is $5 for each and is paid through your child’s Apple Tree snack shop account.  This will entitle your child to one ride.

What is your refund policy?

A $100 deposit is required for each resident camp and is non-refundable.  A $50 deposit is required for each day camp and is non-refundable.  All extra fee applications (go-carting, horseback riding trip etc.) are refundable unless camper attends camp and does not choose to participate in the activity.

Can my child bring their cell phone?

Campers are not permitted to bring their cell phone to camp.  However, parents are encouraged to send letters or use Bunk1.com one-way emails and camper reply services.  These are available through our website. 

What are the camp’s policies concerning bullying?

Bullying is aggressive behavior by a child or a group of children who take advantage of the power they have to hurt or intimidate others.  Bullying can take many forms:

  • Verbal abuse including taunting, gossiping, mocking, name calling
  • Physical abuse including hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking
  • Organized social rejection including exclusion from activities or groups
  • Public humiliation
  • Threatening racist, religious or sexist remarks
  • Frightening acts

Our goal is to create an atmosphere that is physically, emotionally, socially, mentally and spiritually safe.  Programs are designed to promote the idea of team and the inclusion of all.  Therefore, if a camper bullies another camper they will be given a warning and an explanation of the offending behavior and the harmful effects that result.  If this behavior continues, the camper will be sent home.

How can I take advantage of the early bird discounts?

Camp Orchard Hill offers a tiered pricing structure that rewards you for registering and paying early.  In order to take advantage of these discounts, the camp fee must be paid in full by the dates listed.

Food: 

At COH, mealtime is FUN time and we take our food very seriously.  Under the direction of Lisa Stull and a staff of paid and volunteer help, the kitchen at Camp Orchard Hill is putting out food that campers, groups and leaders are talking about - and not because it's bad - because it's food that doesn't taste like "camp food".  Lisa has over 15 years of food service experience and is Serv-Safe certified.  She has attended several food allergy seminars and COH is ready to meet the needs of campers with special dietary issues. 
 
We take great pride in consistently providing wholesome, nutritious food that tastes great.  All COH meals are prepared on-site and are served buffet style.  We are constantly trying new items and sticking with the tried and true favorites (PRETZEL SANDWICHES).  Our menu changes daily and is designed to meet the specific age group of the campers.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are served daily and a non-meat option is available at each meal.  We offer several different kinds of cereal and milks in the morning along with a hot breakfast.  Our juice offers 100% fruit juice each morning and than switches over to a juice concentrate for lunch and dinner.  Peanut butter and jelly are a staple at every COH meal, but we take peanut allergies especially serious and will remove peanut butter if necessary and we use no peanut based cooking products.
 
Ample portions, wholesome, great tasting meals and lots of fun are what sets the Camp Orchard Hill dining experience apart from other camps.  One last thing, Lisa isn't just our Food Services Director, she's also a mother of four, so every meal prepared is Mom approved

Share this on:
Del.icio.us! Google! Live! Facebook! StumbleUpon! TwitThis