VISTA CAMPS FIRST TERM
PRE-CAMP INFORMATION
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Arrival: Check-in is on Sunday, June 7, between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM. The gate will open promptly at 12 Noon. Campers arriving by commercial airline should schedule arrival at the San Antonio Airport between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. No lunch will be served on opening day, except for those campers arriving by commercial airlines or charter bus.
Closing Day: Saturday, June 20. The gate will open at 9:00 AM and activities will conclude by 1:00 PM. Breakfast tacos and refreshments will be served. Please make plans to join us for your camper’s special day.
No Early Arrival: Early arrivals are discouraged and will be charged at the rate of $200.00/day.
Late Arrivals or Early Departures: There are no discounts for late arrivals or early departures. If a camper must cancel prior to the term or must leave early for medical reasons and the insurance has not been purchased (see information below), then 50% of the remaining camp fee will be refunded upon doctor’s orders. If a camper is sent home for behavioral/disciplinary reasons, then none of the camp fee will be refunded.
Cancellation Policy: Camp fees are due in full by April 1, 2015. If final payment has not been received by April 15 and you have not contacted camp about any extenuating circumstances, your camper may be moved to the waiting list and their spot filled. If a camper must cancel prior to the summer and the camp fee has been paid, then you have two options:
Option 1: Cancellation between April 2 – 30 75% of camp fee will be refunded
Cancellation between May 1 – 31 50% of camp fee will be refunded
Cancellation after June 1 25% of camp fee will be refunded
Option 2: You may purchase an optional camp insurance similar to travel insurance. It protects your investment, provides baggage/personal effects coverage as well as medical expense/evacuation assistance. Purchase is made directly with Travmark at www.travmark.com. There are two plans available, depending upon the coverage desired. To register you need the following information:
Organization: Vista
Organization ID#: vist11
This insurance is only available for U.S. and Canada residents.
Airport Transportation: We do provide San Antonio airport transportation for campers at an additional charge. The cost is $75 each way for each camper. You must make prior arrangements with the camp if we are to pick up or deliver your camper. Please click on the red login button on the camp website and sign in to your CampInTouch account to complete the online transportation form as soon as travel plans are made.
Camper Forms: Go to the red login button on the website and sign in to your CampInTouch account to complete the online Health Form, Confidential Questionnaire, Transportation form, Participation Agreement, and Camp Policies prior to your camper’s term. Print out the Dr’s Exam Form and have your child’s doctor fill it out. A school physical or sports physical will also work for the Dr’s Exam as long as it is within a year of the exam date. We are required to have these forms before your child may participate in the camp program.
Camp Store: You can add money to your camper’s store account directly from your CampIntouch Account! Just log in to the camper dashboard and go to “View Accounts”. This is the best way to add money to camper accounts. You will then be able to log in and see what your child has purchased (water bottles, t-shirts, caps)… and also add money if they are running low. Please add a minimum of $25 to each child’s account. Every camper will have a chance to visit the camp store, and we don’t want anyone to feel left out.
Shipping Trunks: Trunks may be shipped to camp prior to your camper’s arrival. Please see that trunks are durable and well marked with camper's name and home address. Send to Vista Camps, 175 Rio Vista Rd, Ingram, Texas, 78025, (830) 367-5353. For trunks and other camp supplies, please visit www.everythingsummercamp.com, (800)535-2057 and use the promotional code Trail427RV or Trail425SV for your respective camp, or www.kangaroocases.com, 800-890-1073.
Visitation: There is no visitation during the camp session. We feel it is in the best interest of our campers and reduces homesickness, and is an important security consideration. Please give your camper the opportunity to adjust to camp life and gain some independence. Your family is invited to join us on Closing Day.
Telephone or Cell Phones: Campers may not make or receive phone calls. No cell phones are allowed! We ask your respect of and cooperation with our no phone policy. If there is an emergency or you have concerns about your camper, please call the office at (830) 367-5353. Please do not call the 800#, as it is reserved for inquiries and camp information only.
Mail Delivery: "Mail Call" is an important part of camp life and greatly anticipated by every camper. Mail, e-mail and faxes are delivered every day after lunch. Please write your camper often and keep news positive. Address should include camper's name, cabin name, camp name (i.e. Camp Rio Vista or Camp Sierra Vista), 175 Rio Vista Rd, Ingram, Texas 78025.
E-Mail, Camp News and Photos: Sign in to your CampInTouch account to view daily pictures and newsletters as well as to e-mail your camper. There is no fee for viewing photos and the daily news, but there is a fee for the e-mail service and for purchasing photos and other items.
Camp Care Packages: Please do not send packages containing candy, gum, food, money, water balloons, etc. Any packages containing food or any of these items will be picked up and disposed of at the Director's discretion. No confiscated items will be saved for any reason. Food in the buildings attracts insects and causes unnecessary problems. Some companies which specialize in camp care packages are: The Wrinkled Egg (800) 736-3998 or www.thewrinkledegg.com, Sealed With a Kiss (800)888-7925(SWAK) or www.eswak.com , Showers of Flowers (830)367-7171, Beyond Bookmarks (866) 746-5133 or www.beyondbookmarks.com and Camp Pacs (800)248-CAMP or www.camppacs.com .
Cabin Assignment: Campers are placed in cabins according to age, grade level, size, and physical and social development. Cabin requests will be considered, however we cannot guarantee placements. The cabin assignment process is complicated and many factors must be considered. The final placement will be made at the Camp Directors’ discretion.
Bunk Assignment: Beds will be selected by camper drawing. Each camper will draw for his/her bunk upon arrival on Opening Day. If a camper must have a lower bunk for health or safety reasons, then a bed will be reserved for them. Please specify this on your camper’s confidential and health forms.
Do Not Bring to Camp: No cell phones, video players, Game Boys, MP3 players, I-Pods, two-way radios, computers, candy, gum, money, water balloons, water guns, silly string, permanent markers, fireworks, knives, expensive jewelry, costly cameras or electronic gear, expensive clothing, parental-advisory music, or electronic gadgets (with the exception of a fan, hair appliances, or alarm clocks). The camp cannot be held responsible for items lost, left or damaged. We recommend that campers leave all valuables at home as they are not needed at camp.
Marking Equipment & Clothing: Please be sure that everything is clearly and permanently marked with your camper's name. (This includes shoes, socks and underwear!) Check out www.labelyourstuff.com for labels. If items are clearly marked, we can return them to their owner. Vista Camps cannot be held responsible for items lost, left, or damaged.
Laundry Service: There is no laundry service for one week campers. Two week campers will send laundry out once and four week campers will send laundry out three times.
Activity Choices: A list of activities normally offered each summer is listed below if you wish to discuss choices with your camper prior to camp. Occasionally a specialty activity will not be offered if a skilled instructor cannot be found or the camper interest is low. Those activities are designated with an asterisk.
Aerobics Animal Care Archery Arts & Crafts Basketball
Board Games Camp craft Canoeing Cheerleading Conditioning
Dance Drama * Fencing Fishing Football
Frisbee Golf Golf * Guitar Horseback Riding **Hunter Safety Course
Individual Sports *Photography Journalism Just for Fun Kayaking
*Lacrosse *Martial Arts Rappelling Riflery Ropes Course
Sailing Scrap booking Soccer Softball *Specialized Dance
Swimming *Synchronized Swimming Team Sports Tennis Tumbling
*Twirling Trap Shooting Volleyball War Canoe Water skiing
*Wrestling
* special activities ** requires an additional charge, ages 9 – 16 only