Camp Kooch-i-ching Parent Handbook Summer 2018

JR Verkamp, Director

Before June 1 Cincinnati office (513) 772-7479

office@campingedu.org

After June 1 International Falls office

(888) 266-7273 toni@campingedu.org

USPS Letter Mailing Address

Your Son’s Name

c/o Camp Kooch-i-ching PO Box 271

International Falls, MN 56649

FedEx & UPS Package

Mailing Address

Your Son’s Name c/o Camp Kooch-i-ching 2124 County Road 137 International Falls, MN

56649

Camp Kooch-i-ching Visiting Address

2124 County Road 137 International Falls, MN

56649 (4th right turn when you are

on County Road 137)

Table of Contents

2018 Highlights – Kooch-i-ching’s 94th Summer ................................................ 1

Preparing for Kooch-i-ching ................................................................................. 2 Today ...................................................................................................... 2 2 Months Before ..................................................................................... 2 1 Month Before ....................................................................................... 2 2 Weeks Before ...................................................................................... 2

Camper Forms ....................................................................................................... 3

Travel .................................................................................................................... 3 Independent Travel by Car ..................................................................... 3 Travel by Car to meet the Minneapolis Shuttle ...................................... 4 Flying to and from the Minneapolis Airport .......................................... 4 Flying to and from the International Falls Airport ................................. 5 Unaccompanied Minors .......................................................................... 6 Travel One Travel Agent ........................................................................ 6 Flight Delays, Cancellations, or Changes ............................................... 6 Cincinnati Bus ........................................................................................ 7 Luggage .................................................................................................. 9 Baggage Tags ......................................................................................... 9 Nametags ................................................................................................ 9 Dress for Air Travel ................................................................................ 9 Conduct ................................................................................................. 10

Visiting Camp ..................................................................................................... 10 Final Week Visitation ........................................................................... 11 Lodges & Resorts ................................................................................. 11

General Camp Information ................................................................................. 12 Camp Kooch-i-ching Rules .................................................................. 12 Health Center ........................................................................................ 12 Accident & Illness Insurance ................................................................ 13 Valuables .............................................................................................. 14 Communication .................................................................................... 14

Letters ........................................................................................... 15 One Way Emails ........................................................................... 15 Telephone ..................................................................................... 15 Care Packages ............................................................................... 15

Photo Galleries ..................................................................................... 16 Fees & Expenses ................................................................................... 16 Equipment for Kooch-i-ching ............................................................... 17

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2018 Highlights – Kooch-i-ching’s 94th Summer

Saturday, May 12 Pre-season crew reports for duty Saturday, June 2 Pre-season meetings begin on Deer Island Saturday, June 9 Camp opens for its 94th season Sunday, June 17 3-week Prep camp begins Thursday, July 5 Mid-season Grand Council in the Council Ring* Friday, July 6 Friendship Dance/Parent Fish Fry* Saturday, July 7 First session ends Monday, July 9 Second session begins Thursday, August 2 Friendship Dance* Friday, August 3 Final Grand Council and Parent Fish Fry*

Saturday, August 4 Red Lodge Barbeque on small ballfield and Final Meeting in Council Ring for parents, alumni, and friends*

Sunday, August 5 Campers depart Deer Island Monday, August 6 Final Staff Meeting Tuesday, August 7 Staff departure begins

*Parents and alumni are welcome to all events marked with an asterisk.

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Preparing for Kooch-i-ching Today • Apply for a US Passport for your son if he does not have one. Please be

sure to check the expiration date on any current passports. Some passports may take up to 6 weeks to obtain. If you have questions or concerns, please call (513) 772-7479.

• Please log into your account at https://campingedu.campintouch.com/v2/login.aspx and begin to fill out camper forms.

• Finalize airline travel plans. • Make an appointment for your son’s physical. New campers should have

a recent physical before attending camp. If your son is a returning camper, he only needs a physical every other year.

• Obtain a copy of your son’s immunization record. If your son is a returning camper, you only need to do this if he has had new immunizations since last summer.

• Review the gear checklist that was mailed with this handbook and order any gear or supplies needed for camp. A list describing gear is included on page 16 of this handbook.

2 Months Before • Order iron-on name labels if using them. • Order trunk. Kooch-i-ching campers use their trunks to store their

clothing in during the summer. Trunks should not be higher than 16” tall. • Complete all of your online forms. These forms are necessary for our

care of your son while he is at camp. If you have any questions about these forms, please call our Cincinnati office at (513) 772-7479.

1 Month Before • Review the gear checklist that was mailed with this handbook and make

sure you have all of the items listed.

2 Weeks Before • Assemble and mark all of your son’s clothing, gear, and supplies with his

name. • If you are shipping your son’s luggage to camp, please send via FedEx or

UPS. You can find the address for shipping luggage on the cover of this handbook.

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Camper Forms Camper forms can be found by logging in to your CampInTouch account at campingedu.org. Please note that we launched an entirely new system in 2017 so many forms will look different. The Transportation form is new for 2018. Camper forms are essential and allow you to communicate all necessary information about your son in an organized manner. Please keep these forms updated if any information changes. Travel Please complete the new Transportation Form one month prior to your son’s arrival at Kooch-i-ching. Below are the different travel options to and from camp. • Independent Travel by Car • Travel by Car to meet the Minneapolis Shuttle to and from camp • Flying to and from the Minneapolis Airport • Flying to and from the International Falls Airport • Cincinnati Bus (only to camp on June 8 and from camp on August 5)

If special transportation accommodations need to be made, please call our Cincinnati office at (513) 772-7479. Independent Travel by Car To Camp • Independent travel means that your son is traveling with a

parent/guardian all the way to camp, with no assistance needed from Kooch-i-ching.

• We welcome campers beginning at 1:30pm. We ask that you drop off your son no later than 6pm so he is able to join us for dinner, which begins at 7pm.

From Camp • Independent travel means that your son is traveling with a

parent/guardian from camp, with no assistance needed from Kooch-i-ching.

• Campers should be picked up in the morning on their day of departure. Kooch-i-ching staff wear many hats, including turning over the camp for the next session in July and closing camp down for the season in August.

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If you are going to be late for any reason, please call or email JR Verkamp ahead of time.

Travel by Car to meet the Minneapolis Shuttle To Camp • If you are planning on driving with your son to Minneapolis, you are able

to drop him off at the Minneapolis airport and Kooch-i-ching will provide transportation to camp. You must call the Cincinnati Office by May 1 to sign up for this shuttle service.

• The Minneapolis shuttle leaves the Minneapolis airport by 12:30pm in order to get to Kooch-i-ching by 7pm for dinner.

• Please meet the Kooch-i-ching staff at the East Mezzanine Level of Terminal 1 (Lindbergh Terminal) by 12pm (noon). The East Mezzanine Level overlooks the ticketing counters of Terminal 1 (Lindbergh Terminal).

• The Minneapolis shuttle fee is $85 for a one-way trip. This fee will be charged to your account when you sign up for the shuttle by calling the Cincinnati Office at (513) 772-7479.

From Camp • The Minneapolis shuttle leaves Kooch-i-ching at 5am in order to arrive at

the airport by 11am. • Please arrive at the Minneapolis airport, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh Terminal)

at 10:30am and park your car in short-term parking. You may have to take the tram to the Transit Center to meet your son at 11am.

• The Transit Center only allows buses to enter the lot, so you will not be able to drive your car up to the Minneapolis shuttle.

• Please arrive on time to pick up your son from the Transit Center. Our staff are often traveling through security with other campers after seeing your son off, so any delays in picking him up could result in another camper not making it through security in time to make his flight.

• The Minneapolis shuttle fee is $85 for a one-way trip. This fee will be charged to your account when you sign up for the shuttle by calling the Cincinnati Office at (513) 772-7479.

Flying to and from the Minneapolis Airport

To Camp • Flights must arrive at the Minneapolis airport by 12pm (noon) to meet

the Minneapolis shuttle that will take campers to Kooch-i-ching. • The shuttle leaves the Minneapolis airport by 12:30pm in order to get to

Kooch-i-ching by 7pm for dinner. • A Kooch-i-ching staff member will meet your son at his gate inside

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security. • You will be contacted at least 24 hours prior to your son’s arrival with the

name and phone number of the Kooch-i-ching staff member that will be meeting your son at his gate.

• The Minneapolis shuttle fee is $85 for a one-way trip. This fee will be automatically charged to your account at when you enter your son’s flight information into the Transportation Form. If you are traveling with your son and will not be meeting the shuttle, you must contact the Cincinnati office to avoid being charged the shuttle fees.

From Camp • Flights should be scheduled to depart from the Minneapolis airport

between 1pm and 5pm. • The Minneapolis shuttle leaves Kooch-i-ching at 5am in order to arrive at

the Minneapolis airport by 11am. • The Minneapolis shuttle fee is $85 for a one-way trip. This fee will be

automatically charged to your account when you enter your flight information into the Transportation Form. If you are traveling with your son and will not be meeting the shuttle, you must contact the Cincinnati office to avoid being charged the shuttle fees.

Flying to and from the International Falls Airport

The International Falls airport is a small airport, served only by SkyWest Delta Connections. Due to the small size of the airport, unaccompanied minors may have difficulty flying out of the International Falls airport on designated travel days.

To Camp • We prefer to have your son arrive on the afternoon flight into

International Falls, so he is able to join us for dinner at 7pm. • You will be contacted at least 24 hours prior to your son’s arrival to

Kooch-i-ching with the name and phone number of the Kooch-i-ching staff member that will be meeting your son at the airport.

• If you are flying into International Falls with your son, we are able to pick you up from the International Falls airport. Please call ahead of time to arrange this.

From Camp • Please book a flight that leaves no later than 1pm from the International

Falls airport. Please do not book your son to depart on the 5:45pm flight.

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Unaccompanied Minors – *Please Note New Pre-Pay Policy* If your son is flying as an unaccompanied minor, please refer to the airline your son is flying on for the rules. Kooch-i-ching will email you with the name and phone number of the Kooch-i-ching staff member meeting your son at the airport 24 hours before his departure. New for 2018* Please pre-pay all Unaccompanied Minor fees for both the departing and return legs of your camper’s travel. A receipt for UM fees for your son’s return flight must be forwarded to Cincinnati Office at michelle@campingedu.org. If you do not provide this documentation, Kooch-i-ching cannot guarantee that you will not be charged twice for UM fees. Travel One Travel Agent Travel One is a travel agency based in Minneapolis that has provided travel services for Kooch-i-ching. Through their contracts with various airlines, they may be able to provide discounted tickets for campers flying to and from the Minneapolis airport and the International Falls airport. • If you book your son’s travel using Travel One, they will try to schedule

your son to fly with a fellow Kooch-i-ching camper and arrange for them to sit next to one another.

• There is a $25 fee for using Travel One, which will be included in the quoted price.

• 3 weeks prior to travel they will mail you the e-ticket receipt. This is a service, but is in no way required. You may find better prices by booking travel yourself. To book with Travel One, please call or email Sheila Sigel. Call: 800-245-1111 Email: ssigel@traveloneinc.com www.traveloneinc.com Flight Delays, Cancellations, or Changes If your son’s flight to camp is delayed, cancelled, or missed please call the International Falls Office at (888) 266-7273 to notify us.

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Cincinnati Bus

Transportation to and from Cincinnati, with stops in Indianapolis, Chicago, Madison, and Duluth, is offered for all 1st session, 4-week, and 8-week campers departing Cincinnati on June 8. It is also offered for all 2nd session and 8-week campers departing International Falls on August 5. We recommend that you limit spending money to $25 for meals while traveling on the camp bus. There is an 11pm “lights out” policy on the camp bus.

To Camp • Even though the first session of camp starts on June 9, the bus leaves

Cincinnati on June 8. • A coach-style bus, leaving on June 8, travels from Cincinnati with stops

in Indianapolis, Lafayette, Chicago, Madison, and Duluth arriving at camp on June 9. Please note the location change for the Chicago stop.

• This bus is only offered to those arriving at Kooch-i-ching on June 9. • The bus schedule is as follows:

Date Arrive Depart Time Zone City Location

June 8 3:30pm Eastern Cincinnati, OH Armstrong Chapel Church in Indian Hill

June 8 6pm 6:15pm Eastern Indianapolis, IN BP Travel Center in Whitestown, IN

June 8 6:55pm 7:30pm Eastern Lafayette, IN McDonald’s on State Route 26 & I-65

June 8 9:45pm 10pm Central Chicago, IL Des Plaines Oasis I-90 just north of

O’Hare

June 9 12:05am 12:20am Central Madison, WI Shell Station in Cottage Grove, WI

June 9 7am 8am Central Duluth, MN Perkins at the mall

June 9 11am Central I’Falls, MN

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• The charge to take this bus is dependent upon where your son gets on the bus and will be charged to your account when you sign up for the Cincinnati Bus on the Transportation Form.

Cincinnati $180

Indianapolis $170 Lafayette $160 Chicago $155 Madison $135 Duluth $80

• Campers are allowed only 1 piece of luggage on the bus and 1 carry-on

bag due to storage space on the bus. If your son has more luggage than this, please mail the luggage to camp 2 weeks prior to arriving at camp. You can find more information about shipping luggage on Page 8 of this handbook.

From Camp • A coach-style bus departs from camp at 5am on August 5, with stops in

Duluth, Madison, Chicago, Lafayette, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati. • This bus is offered only for those departing Kooch-i-ching on August 5. • The charge to take this bus is dependent upon where your son gets off the

bus and will be charged to your account when you sign up for the bus in your online forms.

Duluth $80

Madison $135 Chicago $155 Lafayette $160

Indianapolis $170 Cincinnati $180

• The bus schedule is variable, depending on what time the bus leaves

camp, traffic between Wisconsin and Chicago, and how long unloading the bus in each location takes. Projected time with average delays are Chicago-DesPlaines Oasis around 5:30 pm for dinner, Indianapolis around 10:30 pm, and Cincinnati between 1:00-2:00 am August 6. Please call our Bus Drivers at 937-609-4728 after 3:00 pm or the International Falls Office at (888) 266-7273 for updates on arrival times.

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Luggage Kooch-i-ching prefers your son packs his belongings in a trunk (maximum height of 16 inches) for storage purposes. • If your son will be flying with his luggage, Kooch-i-ching staff will make

sure to collect his luggage at baggage claim and bring it to camp with us on the camp shuttle. Due to limitations in storage space, we request that you limit the pieces of luggage your son brings with him to 2 bags and 1 carry-on.

• If you are shipping your son’s luggage to camp, please make sure to send it early enough so it arrives before your son does. Shipping early ensures that your son has all of his gear on the first night of camp. You will find the address to ship your son’s luggage on the cover of this handbook.

• If you would like Kooch-i-ching to ship your son’s luggage home, note this on the Transportation Form online. Please do not prepay for luggage to be shipped home. Kooch-i-ching staff will ship the luggage and will bill your account. We will do our best to ensure your son’s luggage arrives home in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Baggage Tags Kooch-i-ching provides baggage tags so staff and your son are able to accurately identify what luggage is his. This allows Kooch-i-ching staff to make sure we take the right luggage from the airport and can transport your son’s luggage to the correct cabin once he gets to camp. • For new campers, we will provide you with 2 Kooch-i-ching baggage

tags. • If you have lost your baggage tags, please call the Cincinnati office at

(513) 772-7479 and we will ship you new ones at no cost. Nametags Kooch-i-ching provides nametags for all campers as a way to identify them at the airport and to help with introductions during the beginning few hours of camp. Dress for Air Travel

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• Every member of our group is to be properly attired. • We recommend a collared shirt to be worn when traveling.

Conduct • Please speak with your son about his conduct while traveling. We have

full expectation that he will be on his best behavior and will be respectful of adults and other passengers around him.

• Kooch-i-ching takes great pride in its reputation and we expect that each young man will live up to the reputation.

Visiting Camp We welcome and encourage families and friends to visit us at Camp Kooch-i-ching on Deer Island. The beginning and end of each session are the best times! We ask that all visitors to Deer Island call our office at (888) 266-7273 in advance to help us plan for your arrival and transportation to and from the island if needed. • We know that each and every member of our Deer Island family will

make visitors feel welcome and wanted. Our staff is happy to meet and chat with parents and discuss the summer, but our staff members have distinct responsibilities that may obligate them to say, “Sorry, but I must go”.

• Boat is the only way to reach Deer Island and the primary point of access is the Foundation House on the mainland. We are pleased to send a boat to pick you up at the Foundation House dock. Upon every visit to Deer Island, we ask that you stop in the Welcome Center to check in.

• Please contact us ahead of time to inquire about space in our dining hall for meals. The dining hall is often crowded, not leaving much space for guests. However, if there is room, we would love to have you!

• We discourage campers from leaving Deer Island for lunch with a parent or friend. We hope our campers will maximize their time at camp. If a camper does go into town for a meal, please notify his cabin counselor and check all schedules, so that he doesn’t miss an event.

• Parents taking any camper off Deer Island for any reason during a camp session will need to complete the “Camper in Guardianship” form at the Welcome Center. Upon return to the island, the camper will report to the Welcome Center and a staff member will sign and stamp the form, indicating the camper has returned.

• No visiting minors without parental supervision will be permitted on Deer Island at any time without the approval of the Director.

• No visiting guests will be permitted to stay overnight on Deer Island

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without the approval of the Director. • Please be mindful of cell phones at camp. We ask that you refrain from

using cell phones in “public” while at Kooch-i-ching. Please step into the Welcome Center if you need to use your phone.

Final Week Visitation Parents are welcome to visit Camp Kooch-i-ching for the final days of each camp session. For more information, please refer to the calendar on page 1 of this handbook. You will be emailed more detailed information about the final days of the session closer to the date. Lodges & Resorts While we cannot offer accommodations at Kooch-i-ching, there are options for places to stay in town.

Camping Houseboats

Voyageurs National Park http://www.nps.gov/voya/index.htm

(877) 444-6777

Rainy Lake Houseboat www.rainylakehouseboats.com

(800) 554-9188

Resorts Hotels

Thunderbird Lodge www.thunderbirdrainylake.com

(800) 351-5133

Days Inn www.daysinn.com

(218) 283-9441

Island View Lodge www.gotorainylake.com

(218) 286-3511

AmericInn www.americinn.com

(800) 634-3444

Tara’s Wharf www.taraswharf.com

(218) 286-5699

America’s Best Value Inn & Suites www.americasbestvalueinn.com

(218) 283-8811

Sha Resort www.shashaonrainylake.com

(218) 286-3241

Hilltop Motel Hilltopmotelifalls.com

(218) 283-2505

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General Camp Information Camp Kooch-i-ching Rules Educators agree that the “best camping experience is the one which calls upon each person for initiative and resourcefulness, and that regimentation has no place in modern constructive camping”. Rules should be minimal – they are outlined here for understanding.

1. No one may ever go swimming alone. Swimming only takes place under proper supervision.

2. No one may ever leave our group without notifying the proper authority. This applies to our trips, as well as those on Deer Island

3. PDFs (life vests) must be worn properly whenever called for by Kooch-i-ching policy governing their use.

4. All campers must comply with the laws of the State of Minnesota, the United States, and Canada.

5. Campers are prohibited from using, possessing, or distributing drugs or alcohol.

6. Campers should not act in a manner which damages the reputation of our organization or any of its members, or which may be contrary to the best interest of Kooch-i-ching.

7. Cell phones, iPods (or iAnythings), Kindles, game systems, or any form of electronics with the exception of cameras, are not permitted at camp. Camp will not be held responsible for lost or damaged electronic equipment.

Beyond these basic rules, we rely upon fine leadership to produce a worthwhile camper experience for all. Health Center The Kooch-i-ching infirmary acts upon the standing medical orders that are reviewed and approved by a doctor. All Kooch-i-ching staff is Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder trained. • The infirmary is open at all times and campers have access to help as

needed from staff. • Kooch-i-ching’s medic will only administer prescription medication that

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is ordered by a physician and sent to camp in the original prescription bottle with the label intact. Any medications (including vitamins) should be in a clearly labeled bottle and instructions for taking them should be included in your son’s medical forms.

• All medicine will be kept in the infirmary, although campers will be allowed to carry their inhaler throughout the day.

• You do not need to send “over the counter” medications to camp with your son. The infirmary is stocked with a wide variety of “over the counter” medications which will be administered according to package instructions based on your son’s height and weight as needed.

• If your son is exposed to a contagious disease prior to coming to camp, please keep him at home until the incubation period has passed.

• Although Kooch-i-ching staff do a thorough lice check upon your arrival at camp, please do a lice check at home prior to sending your son to camp.

• Here at Kooch-i-ching, we have a 24-hour rule – if an illness or injury persists for longer than 24 hours, that camper will be taken into the town of International Falls to be seen by a doctor.

• In the event of a serious illness or injury on the island or out on trips, the camp director and/or medic will contact the parents by telephone as soon as possible to explain the camper’s condition, and will follow up at least daily with information regarding the camper’s status and recovery.

Accident & Illness Insurance As part of your tuition fee, your child is covered under an excess or secondary accident/illness insurance program. This policy is in excess of or secondary to any medical, dental, sickness, and life insurance coverage carried on your child. They will pay only after your own insurance company and only up to the maximum benefit listed below. Accidental Medical and Sickness Coverage All medical expenses which may arise from a covered accident in which a camper is injured while registered at Kooch-i-ching with a limit of $10,000 for bodily injury and $1,000 for dental. Illness/Sickness All medical expenses which may arise from an illness while a camper is registered at Kooch-i-ching with a limit of $10,000. Accidental Death and Dismemberment Accidental death and dismemberment has a maximum benefit of $10,000.

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Through arrangements with the hospital and clinic in International Falls, the hospital/clinic will file the insurance claims with your insurance carrier as the primary and also with our insurance as the secondary. For them to do this, you must upload a copy of the front and back of your insurance card in the online camper forms. It is important that this be a readable copy. If a camper arrives at camp with a pre-existing condition, the condition is not covered under our camp policy. Any treatment expense will be billed to your account. If you do not have health insurance, our insurance becomes the primary. The expense for an emergency evacuation of a camper from a trip will be billed to the parents. Kooch-i-ching recommends that families contact their insurance company regarding evacuation insurance. Valuables One of the best parts of Kooch-i-ching is the ability to “unplug”. We ask that you discuss with your son the importance of following Kooch-i-ching’s rules about cell phones, iPods, etc. • We recommend that all valuables be left at home. • Money, watches, jewelry, electronic devices, etc. will be kept in the

Welcome Center for safe keeping during your son’s time at camp. • They will be returned to the camper when he leaves camp to return home. • We cannot be responsible for valuables kept in the camper cabins or

taken on trips. Communication Parents have various ways of communicating with their son during the summer, which are explained below. We welcome input about your son’s activities and adjustment. The Director, camp medic, unit heads, and cabin counselors are available to discuss matters regarding your son. Communication from Camp Staff Kooch-i-ching understands that there are times when parents would like to be notified about their son and his time at camp. Kooch-i-ching will communicate with parents at the following times:

1. Phone call from a staff member when your son arrives

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2. Introduction letter from your son’s counselor 3. Email regarding your son’s trip with departure date, location of the trip,

and return date 4. Trip evaluation of your camper from his trip leader 5. Director’s Newsletter

The summer is a very busy time, with the Director and Kooch-i-ching staff spending their time teaching activities, planning trips, and hanging out with campers. We ask that parents be mindful of the time constraints that Kooch-i-ching’s daily schedule puts on staff and recognize that this could result in a delay in returning emails or phone calls. Communication with Your Son Kooch-i-ching recommends that you prioritize writing letters to your son, rather than emailing them. Receiving a letter while at camp is a special memory for campers. Letters We ask each camper to write home twice a week while he is at camp (Sundays and Wednesdays). Parents will be able to write letters to their son while he is at camp. Letters are distributed every day and letters will be mailed every day. You can find the address to send letters to on the cover of this handbook. Letters from International Falls can take a few days longer to travel to their destination than letters sent from larger cities. One Way Emails Parent will have the ability to email their son twice a week free of charge. If you would like to email more than twice a week, parents will be required to purchase camp stamps through your online account, which cost between $.80 and $1.00. We strongly encourage families to write more letters than emails! Telephone Campers are not allowed to call home while at camp, unless given permission by the Director. Please call the office with any concerns at (888) 266-7273. Care Packages

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Kooch-i-ching permits 1 to 2 care packages the size of a shoebox during a 4-week period while your son is at camp. Please do not over-do it when sending a care package. When packing a care package, please consider the amount of waste the care package will produce. An excessive number of care packages will not be delivered. Please discuss with family extended family members to ensure that too many packages are being sent. Sending a package with styrofoam peanuts is discouraged. Peanuts make a mess and are non-recyclable, making it hard for Kooch-i-ching to dispose of them. You can find the address for sending packages on the cover of this handbook. Photo Galleries Periodically throughout the summer, Kooch-i-ching will post photos of the summer activities in the CEF photo galleries. You can access this by going to campingedu.org. The images are downloadable. Fees & Expenses Throughout the summer, your son may accrue expenses due to shipping fees, airline baggage fees, and Unaccompanied Minor fees. These types of expenses will appear on your online camper family ledger after the camp session. Trip transportation fees are included in your tuition except for the trip transportation fee for the Senior Big Trip ($600) and certain mountaineering trips ($165). Accounts Receivable Final tuition payment is due by May 15. In the event that you are not able to pay the remaining balance by the due date, please contact the Cincinnati office at (513) 772-7479 or email us at office@campingedu.org. Camp Store In 2018, you will not be required to pre-pay your son’s camp store funds prior to the start of camp. Purchases made at the camp store are billed to you at the end of your son’s session. The store does not accept cash from campers. We ask that you indicate your son’s spending limit on the online Camp Store Allowance form. Our staff does their best to adhere to the parent set spending limit. If an overage occurs due to the timing of updating accounts, the camp will not be held responsible. Thanks for taking the time to speak to your son about being responsible about the purchases they make. Camp Store purchases can be reviewed by following the View Camp Store link in the Your Family section of your CampInTouch account.

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Equipment for Kooch-i-ching Below is a list of suggested clothing and personal items. Please label every clothing item and piece of equipment with your son’s name. All items that end up in the lost and found without a name will be donated to charity. Items that end up in the lost and found that are labeled will be shipped back to your son at the end of the session. From the following list, the most important items to pay attention to are a sleeping bag, rain suit, boots, and long pants that dry fast (often called quick-dry pants). Outdoor stores like L.L. Bean, Cabela’s, and REI are all good places to find the following items. Necessary Gear for All Trunk (1): A footlocker (maximum height of 16 inches) will fill the need for storage while your son is at camp. This will act as your son’s closet during his stay at camp. Hard plastic trunks also work well. The sturdier the better! Sleeping Bag (1): A good sleeping bag is fairly expensive, but absolutely necessary for the wilderness trips that Kooch-i-ching takes. We recommend a “3 season” synthetic sleeping bag that stays warm in temperatures down to 10°F or 20°F. Please do not send your son with an old, bulky sleeping bag. These won’t keep him warm on trip and will make packing his dry bag or backpack each morning a hassle for him! A “mummy” or “modified mummy” style bag is the best, as they are warmer and pack smaller. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 for a good sleeping bag. Rain Gear (1 set): A two-piece, lightweight rain suit with a hood is the best choice. Rain pants aren’t as important as a rain jacket, but they make a rainy day a lot more tolerable. Duffel Bag (1): Duffel bags are great for travel to and from camp and for storing gear while at camp. Footwear for In-Camp (3 pairs): When they are on Deer Island, most Kooch campers wear cross-trainers, running shoes, or tennis shoes. At least one pair of these is a must. A second pair is a good idea. While we discourage sandals around the campsite, a pair of sandals with straps for the cabin and swimming

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on trip is a good idea. Long Pants for In-Camp (2 pairs): You will want at least two pairs of long pants to wear around Deer Island. Jeans, khakis, cargo pants, etc. will all work. Flannel Jacket or Pullover for Trip and In-Camp (1): It is important to have at least 1 warm shirt for use on trip or for cool mornings/evenings while on Deer Island. A fleece or medium weight flannel shirt is the best choice. Shorts (3-4 pairs): We wear shorts most of the time. Dark colors are preferred, due to the nature of getting dirty during your time at camp. One of these pairs will go on trip. T-Shirts (6-10): The t-shirt is THE shirt. A 2-week supply is suggested. The Kooch-i-ching camp store sells Kooch-i-ching t-shirts. Socks (6-8 pairs): Most prefer athletic socks. Again, a 2-week supply will be more than enough. We suggest bringing old pairs. Collared Shirt (1): This should be worn on travel days. We expect our campers and staff to represent Kooch-i-ching well and this includes traveling to and from camp. Look good, feel good! Underwear: A 2-week supply is necessary while your son is at camp. Kooch-i-ching boxers are sold at the Kooch-i-ching camp store. Swim Trunks (1-2 pairs): These are needed for water-based activities. Hat (1): Everyone will take a hat out on their trip and will often wear them in-camp during activities. Kooch-i-ching baseball hats are available in the Kooch-i-ching camp store. Belt (1): A least 1 belt is needed and is very important for trip. Blankets (2-3): 2 heavy blankets will do the job. Lightweight fleece blankets alone will not do the trick. Please make sure these are twin or bunk sized. We recommend wool. Pillow & Pillow Case (1): Kooch-i-ching does not provide pillows, so be sure to pack this. Sheets (2 sets): Please pack 2, so when laundry is happening (takes a few days given the population size) your son has an extra set to make his bed with. These should be bunk or twin sized sheets. Our mattresses measure 30” by 74”.

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Laundry Bags (2): Again, while laundry is happening you should have an extra laundry bag to store dirty clothes. Bath/Swim Towels (2-3): Small to medium sized towels are the best options. Again, we suggest sending old ones. Toiletries: Please send your son with toothpaste, a toothbrush (and case!), soap, soapbox, comb/brush, sunscreen, and, for those who need it, shaving equipment. There is no need to send a first aid kit, as our health center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Writing Materials: Pens, pencils, paper, and envelopes (pre-stamped and addressed helps!). Ensuring your son is sent with these materials means you will receive letters from him. Flashlight (1): An inexpensive flashlight works for in-camp. Headlamps will be used on trip. Your son can purchase a headlamp at the Kooch-i-ching camp store. Sunglasses: These are important for both in-camp and out on trip. Please send an inexpensive pair. Necessary Gear for Canoe Trippers Dry Sack (1): This is necessary for canoe/kayak trips. These are used on canoe trips to keep personal gear dry. They are sold in the Kooch-i-ching camp store. A size 30 bag typically works well. Once packed, 3 dry bags will be placed inside 1 Duluth along with a tent. Please make sure to buy the correctly sized dry bag to fit your son’s sleeping bag. A bag above 30 liters may be difficult to fit into a Duluth with 2 other dry bags and a tent. Jacket (1): A fleece jacket is ideal for cold mornings or evenings. Footwear: Campers will bring a pair of boots and a pair of sandals (with straps) for use on trip. Boots should be quick drying, have a non-slip sole, and provide good ankle support. Please send footwear that is in good condition, as it will be heavily worn during trip. Long Pants (1 pair): Pants worn on canoe/kayak trips must be able to stand up to considerable wear and should be quick drying. Carhartts are popular for those who don’t mind wearing wet pants. Cotton or khaki pants will work as well. Please do not send jeans. Bandana (1): This will be used for sun protection, bug protection, as a headband, and handkerchief.

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Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt (1): Used for sun protection while paddling during the day, we suggest a thin button down or flannel shirt. Chapstick: Chapstick is a must have on trip. While we pack group personal items like toothpaste, soap, and sunscreen, please send your son with chapstick. Wool Socks (2 pairs): Wool socks are worn in boots and are particularly important for trip. Wool stays warm when wet, which makes them preferable over cotton socks. Necessary Gear for Seniors/CITs In addition to the gear listed above, Seniors/CITs who will be taking the big trip should bring a wool hat, long underwear top and bottom, a pair of unlined leather work gloves, and a bug net. Necessary Gear for Kayakers In addition to the gear listed above, those we are going on a kayak trip are encouraged to purchase a splash jacket. Necessary Gear for Backpackers/Climbers Footwear: A light to medium weight boot with high to mid-high ankle support will be sufficient. Hiking boots should be broken in prior to coming to camp in order to cut down on the instances of blisters. You can break-in boots by wearing them around the house, but keep wearing them until they feel comfortable. Be sure that the boots you use are in good shape. Most backpackers/climbers will bring a second pair of tennis shoes to wear around the campsite other than their boots. Sandals with straps are also recommended. Long Pants (1 pair): It gets cold in the mountains in the morning and afternoons. You will need a pair of long pants. Pants worn on backpacking/climbing trips must be able to stand up to considerable wear and should be quick drying. Carhartts are popular for those who don’t mind wearing wet pants. Cotton or khaki pants will work as well. Please do not send jeans. Boot Socks (2-3 pairs): Boot socks are a must for backpacking/climbing trips. For those backpacking, a few pairs of liners will help as well. Light to Mid-Weight Long Sleeve Shirt (1): This provides sun protection and is an added layering piece. Cap & Warm Gloves: It is cold in the mountains due to the elevation, so a cap

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and gloves help keep your son warm in the mornings and evenings. Long Underwear: A long underwear shirt is necessary, while long underwear bottoms are optional, but encouraged. Hiking Shorts: Loose fitting shorts with pockets are the best for hiking during the day or hanging out at campsites. Waterproof Dry Bag: This is used to keep your sleeping bag and extra clothes dry when it rains. Sunscreen & Lip Protection: The higher up in elevation you go, the more you’ll need both of these things. Please bring enough for a personal supply. Bandana: This will be used for sun protection, bug protection, as a headband, and handkerchief. Optional Gear for All Sweatshirts/Warm-Ups: Synthetic, warm-up style suits are popular and dry quickly if they get wet during activities. Sweat Pants/Pajamas: Most campers bring these to sleep in. Jacket: Medium to lightweight windbreaker or jacket is a good bet. Some campers bring lined jackets; others use a shell with a warm shirt underneath. A down vest is appropriate on backpacking trips for warmth at higher altitudes. Fishing Tackle: For those who expect to fish, an inexpensive spin casting outfit is best with a solid fiberglass rod that is 4-6 feet in length. Lures for walleye, northern pike, and bass are good add-ons. The more durable the better, as these will be used often on trip. Fly-Fishing Gear: We recommend any camper or staff member who enjoys fly-fishing to bring their own personal gear to camp. Fly-fishing on Rainy Lake has gained popularity and our backpackers who head to the mountains will certainly go after some mountain trout! Camera: Many campers like to bring personal cameras to camp to photograph their experience. Given the wear and tear of camp, please send inexpensive cameras. Disposable cameras are available to buy at the Kooch-i-ching camp store. Lacrosse Stick: Lacrosse is very popular at camp, so if your son plays, have him

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bring his stick with him to camp. Baseball Glove: Baseball is another very popular activity at Kooch-i-ching. If your son has a personal glove he enjoys, pack it with him. Compass: Kooch-i-ching has compasses available for use, but those interested in map reading and orienteering should bring their own. Compasses are for sale in the Kooch-i-ching camp store. Provided by Camp Camp Kooch-i-ching will provide canoe paddles and life jackets for those going on canoe trips. For those going on mountaineering trips, Kooch-i-ching will provide foam pads and a backpacking backpack. Please Do Not Bring Camp Kooch-i-ching requests that campers do not bring radios, cell phones, handheld games, CD players, iPhones, iPods, MP3 players, etc. We will not be held responsible for loss or damage if these are brought to camp.