Camp Orchard Hill has carefully cultivated an atmosphere of relational, emotional, physical and spiritual safety.  Our staff team will model healthy, caring relationships and then expect the same from campers in the group setting.  Our programs are specifically designed to develop and promote teamwork and inclusion.  Bullying behavior is contrary to our vision and mission and will not be tolerated.

If a camper bullies another camper, they will meet with leadership for an explanation of the offending behavior and the harmful effects that result.  If the behavior continues, the camper will be sent home.

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

Part of the power of camp is the freedom to unplug from the constant noise and distraction of technology, and plug-in to the beauty and wonder of God’s creation.  For this reason, campers are not permitted to bring their cell phones to camp.  However, parents are encouraged to send letters or use e-camp one-way emails and camper reply services.  Photos of camp activities are also posted on our camp website regularly to help you share in the camp experience.  Check out opportunities to communicate with your camper while they are at camp!

Camp Communication

Attending camp with a friend is a awesome experience! Indicate your cabin-mate preference on your registration form and we will make every attempt to honor your request.  Cabin-mates must be within one year’s age of each other and requests must be written.

The camp experience is designed to build confidence and a healthy sense of independence in each camper.  While it is rare, we do encounter campers who experience homesickness and we will give individual attention to each situation.  On the first day, our counselors will work to keep the camper on-task and focused on the very next thing – instead of the whole week.  On the second day or night, the Executive Director or Program Director will call a camper’s 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) to create a comfortable environment.  If homesickness continues after the second day we will again contact parents to determine if it is in the camper’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.  Our desire is to help every camper have a safe and successful week of camp!

Ratio requirements vary based on the age of campers and the camp setting.

• For Overnight Camp, the ratio is 1 counselor to every 7 campers.
• For Day Camp ages 4-5, the ratio is 1 counselor to every 6 campers.
• For Day Camp ages 6-9, the ratio is 1 counselor to every 8 campers.
• For Day Camp ages 10-15, the ratio is 1 counselor to every 10 campers.

We hire every seasonal staff member as if they were caring for our own children and provide intense training to prepare them for service.  All Day and Overnight Staff undergo a rigorous screening process including an application with references, an interview, plus state and national criminal background checks.  Each team member completes a 10-day training and orientation program that encompasses all aspects of camp life and covers the ACA requirements for staff readiness.

At Camp Orchard Hill we plan every activity with your child’s safety in mind.  In the unlikely event that he or she requires medical attention while at camp, COH is prepared with a registered nurse on duty 24/7, certified lifeguards, and staff certified in CPR and First Aid.

If you child has an accident or illness we will use the primary contact information that you have provided on their health form, as well as alternate contacts if you cannot be reached.  This process is initiated by the Director and/or the lead health-care provider, but can be delegated to an appropriate staff member.  Since we have no way of determining what each person considers an emergency, the general camp practice is to contact parents when there is concern about a camper’s health and/or when a situation is not progressing as expected.  Because many people remotely access their voice mail, it is expected that camp personnel will leave a voice message that appropriately communicates the need for a given parent to call the camp.

If it is necessary to seek medical attention, every attempt will be made to contact parents prior to treatment and again at the conclusion of treatment to provide an update on the camper’s health.

As an accredited member of the American Camping Association, you can be assured that we comply with up to 300 health, safety and program quality standards.  Being accredited by the ACA is solid proof of our accountability, credibility and commitment to you, the parents, and your campers.