Frequently Asked Questions
Can parents visit camp during the camp day?
Definitely. A very important goal of Blackwood Nature Camp is to welcome parents to visit or participate anytime. Children feel good about "their" camp when parents take the time to share the experiences their children have found to be meaningful.
What are Staff Qualifications?
Staff members possess a strict safety constitution and adhere to the Nature Camp's philosophy and guidelines. All hold current certification in Adult/Child First Aid & CPR, and thorough background checks, including the required Criminal Background Check and good driving records. At BNC, and all swimming or water sport activities, such as river rafting or canoeing (on the Brazos River) is supervised by Lifeguard Certified staff.
How safe is this camp?
Our mission is to provide the safest camp conditions and to provide for the physical, emotional, and psychological well being of all participants and staff. Outdoor adventure and environmental education have inherent risks that are different from a "classroom" setting. Blackwood Nature Camp is committed to minimizing these risks through safety conscious staff, proper equipment management, always updated physical conditions, and daily 45 minute staff meetings at the end of the day. Risk management and safety guidelines are our top priorities.
Effective Outdoor Leaders must constantly upgrade their safety, environmental, educational, and risk management practices. BNC's approach to safety and risk management is entwined with competence, sound judgment, and purposeful, substantial programming. Our staff implicitly guides every action and interaction, to reduce accident potential.
At BNC it truly comes down to this: If there is a situation where safety would be compromised, it is a situation in which we will not participate.
What are the sleeping arrangements for my child? My child is 8. How can you ensure the 13 year old children will not bother her?
First, the girls and boys are divided into separate bunk rooms. The girls’ bunk room will have two female senior counselors present in the room every night, and the boys’ bunk room will have two male senior counselors present every night. Counselors are there to ensure campers are treating each other with respect of and courtesy.
Second, the experience of Mixed Age Learning creates a very unique space, where children naturally learn to take care of each other. Thirty-three years of experience at Nature Camps Inc. in Maryland, among other institutions, demonstrate that this is the case.
We consider safety our first priority. If children have specific needs or parents have specific concerns, please indicate on the Health Form, or talk directly with the camp director.
Blackwood has no swimming pool. Where do children swim, hike, and go rafting?
While most of the camp will be on the 23 acres of Blackwood (including perhaps swimming in the pond!), we children will occasionally be driven to nearby places for certain activities. Specifically, occasional visits will be taken to a community swimming pool (about 5 miles away) and to the Brazos River for rafting (3 miles away). Staff will ensure children use seat belts and drive safely to these locations, and all staff members have good driving records and are responsible drivers.
How do the Counselors determine the swimming ability of my child?
Before any swimming activities, counselors individually watch the children at the swimming pool where the Water Safety Instructor and Life Guards determine swimming ability. Please indicate on the Health Form your child’s swimming ability level.
What should my child bring to camp?
The following list is of strongly suggested items. Please feel free to contact us if there are other items not addressed here that you would like to bring. Items with an asterisk (*) are not strongly suggested but are welcome. Please label everything.
Clothes:
7 Pair shorts and T-shirts
7 Pair Underwear
7 Pairs of Socks
2 Pairs of closed toe shoes (at least one you don’t mind getting muddy)
2 Pairs long pants/blue jeans
2 Pair Long sleeve shirts
2 Bathing suits
1 Hat (for sun)
1 Rain coat/jacket
*Sweater or pile fleece (for cool mornings)
Toiletries:
Tooth brush and tooth paste
Any prescription or non-prescription drugs (see Health Form “Medications Being Taken” for details on how to label containers)
Sun block
Soap/shampoo (some soaps will be available)
*Contact cleaning/saline solution (if child wears contacts)
*Prescription glasses (if child wears contacts)
*Lip balm
*Insect repellant
Other Items:
Large duffle bag (to be stored under bunk bed for all campers belongings)
Sleeping bag
Pillow
2 Towels (1 for bathing, 1 for swimming)
Day pack (for hikes, canoe trips, other outings)
Flash light
2 Water bottles, clearly labeled
*Laundry bag (drawstring bag or extra day pack)
*Musical instrument (guitar, harmonica, small percussion instrument, etc.)
*Binoculars
*Sunglasses
*Cell phones are to be used only in emergencies. Hence, they are welcome, but campers will be asked to leave them in their duffle bag. If parents need to contact their children, BNC staff will be within reach by cell at all times.
Items NOT welcome at Blackwood Nature Camp:
Any open toe shoes
Any portable computer games
Any portable music players (iPods, etc.)
Any kind of fireworks (for July 4th)
Are laundry facilities available at Blackwood?
No. As campers staying two weeks will go home one night, on Saturday night, we decided not to provide laundry services. It was simply too taxing on our staff to wash that many clothes in one washer. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may pose.
What sort of food does BNC serve? What if my child has special dietary needs?
Blackwood prides itself on fresh, delightful meals and snacks. In accordance with the philosophy of Blackwood, all foods are very nourishing for active, growing bodies. Most meals are vegetarian, except for the Friday Family Overnights and the end of camp celebration and a meat option each day for lunch sandwiches. Plenty of dairy (eggs, cheese, milk, etc.) and other protein options (nuts, rice and beans) will always be available.
If your child has special dietary restrictions, please be sure to describe these restrictions (and/or food allergies) in detail on the Health Form. Also, feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the food at Blackwood Nature Camp. We will be more than happy to discuss and entertain any special requests.
Breakfast items include: cereal, oatmeal, fruits, juice, toast with butter and fruit preserves.
Lunches include: sandwiches, fruits, and snacks.
Dinners include: spaghetti, black bean tacos, hot dogs and mini pizzas.
Family Overnight Feasts are potluck and will be organized by BNC staff.
When are the Family Overnights? What all is involved?
Family Overnights are held every Friday evening. The Family Overnight dates are July 4th and 11th. Children are involved in activities until parents arrive, late afternoon. Supper is 6-ish. Tents are welcome, although families are welcome to sleep under the beautiful stars. There are not enough bunks for parents to sleep indoors.
Dinner will be followed by all-family games and a relaxing, delightful evening concert. Following the concert, activities include "night walks" and various evening crafts. There will be a campfire and songs before bedtime.
Why must I list all of my child's immunizations?
Because Nature Camps follows all Texas State regulations that require the actual dates of immunization be in your child's health file while your child is at camp. Texas State Regulations does not accept such statements as "up to date" or "per public school requirements."
Therefore, your Health Form will be returned to you for these dates, and your registration is not complete until the entire Health Form is in the BNC office. One suggestion is to keep a photocopy of this year's Health Form, and when you register next summer, you have all the dates which you may copy on to next year's Health Form! Due to HIPAA regulations, Health Forms are destroyed after camp, and cannot be saved from year to year.
I registered (by mail or fax or online) several weeks ago, and have not received any confirmation.
You will receive confirmation only after we have the following three items in the NC office: 1) Registration Form, 2) Complete Health Form (with all signatures and immunization dates), and 3) your deposit of $300 or more.
When does the camp officially begin? When does it end?
Session 1, campers are to be dropped off at 6 pm, Sunday June 29th (please eat dinner before arrival) and picked up at 10 am, Saturday, July 5th.
Session 2, campers are to be dropped off at 6 pm, Sunday July 6th (please eat dinner before arrival) and picked up at 10 am, Saturday, July 12th.
Campers attending both sessions will arrive and depart with the other campers, going home for one night (see above). Interns (CIT’s) stay one extra night, and are to be dropped off at 5 pm, Saturday June 28th, go home for one night, and are picked with the other campers.
Where exactly is Blackwood? Why can’t I find directions online?
Blackwood is located just north of Hempstead, Texas. Please contact us for directions. As Blackwood Educational Land Institute is also a residence, it is the policy of Blackwood not to publish its location online, but to issue personal invitations for planned events.
Our Mission:
“Blackwood Nature Camp (BNC) is committed to Outdoor and Environmental Education, through the use of experiential education activities that promote individual growth and sensory awareness for both children and parents. BNC is associated with the non-profit organization, Blackwood Educational Land Institute.”
|
