Our Policies
Helping Campers with Missing Home at Kenesserie Camp
At Kenesserie Camp, we understand that being away from homeāespecially for the first timeācan be an adjustment for campers. Itās completely normal for children to miss home, and we have a caring, structured approach to support them through it.
Our Approach
We call it āMissing Homeā
Instead of using the word "homesick," we refer to it as āmissing home.ā This small shift in language helps campers see their feelings as normal rather than something that makes them feel unwell.
One-on-One Support
Our staff are trained to recognize when a camper may be feeling a little down. Often, spending some one-on-one time with a counselor, sharing a laugh, or engaging in a fun activity can help campers feel more at ease.
Bedtime & Mealtime Strategies
These are the most common times when campers may start to miss home. We take the time to ask about their usual bedtime routine and find ways to incorporate familiar comfortsālike a bedtime story or a quiet chatāto help them settle in.
Bringing a Piece of Home to Camp
We encourage campers to stay connected to home in meaningful ways, such as writing letters to loved ones, creating crafts for family members, or sharing their favorite parts of camp with their counselors and friends.
Our Policy on Phone Calls
We know that hearing a parentās voice can sometimes make missing home more difficult. Because of this, campers do not call home. In very rare and extreme cases, the Executive Director may make an exception, but this is not part of our usual approach.
Our Goal
Our goal is to help campers build confidence and resilience while making incredible memories. Most campers who feel unsure at first end up having an amazing time! Our staff are here to support them every step of the way.
If you have any concerns about your child adjusting to camp, feel free to reach out before their session beginsāweāre happy to chat!
What we expect of our Campers at Kenesserie Camp
To ensure Kenesserie Camp provides a safe and nurturing environment to our campers, family, and staff, please make your camper aware of these expectations.
Respect:
We ask that before your camper arrives, you talk to them about respecting other campers, staff members, policies, and camp property.
Language:
Kenesserie Camp has a zero tolerance policy for any abusive and or inappropriate language including swearing, slurs, prejudice language, etc.
Violence:
Violence of any kind is not tolerated at Kenesserie Camp and is treated very seriously to ensure the safety of others at camp.
Substances:
The possession of any alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or any illegal substance is not allowed at camp or on camp property. This includes parents during drop-off and pick-up.
We reserve the right to contact the parent/guardian of any camper who does not comply with the above expectations. If a serious issue occurs, the camper will be sent home with no refund and potentially billed if damage is cause to the property.
Sending Your Campers Mail
Receiving mail at camp can be a great way to boost your campers spirits. If you would like your camper to receive mail from you throughout the week, during registration drop your mail into our mail pail that corresponds to the day you want them to receive the mail and they will receive it after lunch on that day!
Things to Note:
- Be sure to use positive and encouraging language to not encourage missing home. For example instead of language like āI miss you so much, I canāt wait for you to get homeā, try instead āI am excited for you to tell me about all of the fun things you did when you get home!ā.
- Please do not send your camper any food items, snacks, or drinks in the mail.
- If you would like your campers to be able to send you mail throughout the week, please provide the envelope with your address and a stamp on it so we can properly send it out.
Mission Statement
Kenesserie is a Christian camp, a part of Godās Creation, which encourages sharing and growth of faith and friendship within a safe, fun-filled community.
Vision Statement
Kenesserie Camp is a registered childrenās charity dedicated to building great kids through camp.
Fun & Adventure
Fun and adventure are an integral part of the Kenesserie experience and as such are incorporated into each camping session through themes, cookouts, sleep outs, wide games, daily activity sessions, cabin group activities, and organized events.
Appreciation for all Forms of Life
Kenesserie Camp is a part of Godās creation and deserves to be treated with respect. It is the intent of Kenesserie Camp that nature be respected, that wildlife be appreciated, and that vegetation only be removed when necessary.
Human Relationships
Kenesserie Camp encourages friendship and interaction between all members of theĀ Kenesserie family; campers, staff, parents, volunteers ā we ALL share in Godās community of love and accept all; no matter what.
Fulfillment of a Camperās Potential
It is the goal of Kenesserie Camp to encourage all campers to grow in all areas: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. To assist in each camperās journey to realize their personal goals and to reach their full potential.
Day to Day Safety
- Proper footwear is so important for staying safe at camp, please pack the following
- Comfortable casual shoes for day to day activities
- Running shoes for high energy games and activities
- Boots for the ravine and for rain conditions
- Sun Safety
- Be sure to bring to being sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle
- Headlice
- During registration your camper will recieve a lice check to ensure we don't bring any extra critters into the cabins. It is a good idea to give your campers a headcheck before you arrive so their are no surprises!
Medical Safety
- Qualified Healthcare Coordinator on site at all times
- Walky-Talkies are always near by to get ahold of the Healthcare Coordinator in case of emergency.
- In case of emergency, your camper will be taken to the Newbury hospital.
- Be sure to indicate any health related risks (Allergies, pre-existing injury, etc.) on your med form, and keep us updated should anything change.
- If your camper has an epi-pen, inhaler, or a related medical device, the Cabin Counsellor or camper will carry it with them at all times.
Camp Counsellor Manifesto
I am a summer camp counselor.
I believe in camp.
I believe in shorts and t-shirts.
I believe in singing camp songs.
I believe everyone should know five games to play during downtime.
I believe in early morning smiles (even if I donāt feel like it).
I believe that if you play with children you will stay childlike.
I believe that camp makes a difference in every camperās life, as well as my own.
Camp is a place that I can get away from the rush of everyday life and back to the basics.
I come to camp for the campers, but also for myself.
Every camper is an individual and I need to treat them as such.
One method does not work with all campers.
I will strive to find the balance that will help me to see each camper as an individual
And help me to give them each the summer of their lives.
I will remember my favorite counselors and teachers,
By remembering I draw on the positives of these people to make myself into a better counselor.
I am the most important person at camp to my campers.
My campers will watch everything that I do and say this summer,
So I want to do what is right and say what is good.
Camper see, camper do.
I need help and I will not be afraid to ask for it.
The staff want to see me succeed and will help me to do so, but only if I ask.
Camp is camp because of the people who are there.
I believe that every child should have an opportunity to attend camp at some point in their lives.
Camp is good, no, camp is great ā in fact, I believe camp is the best place to be.
I believe this is going to be the best summer yet.
Joe Richards, Kenesserie Camp Alumni