Naticook Day Camp
Frequently asked Questions and Answers
 
 
Q. Can you tell me what a typical day at camp is like?
 
A.  A typical day starts when parents drop their children off around 8:45 am. They check in with his or her counselor at the bunk’s designated flag on the grass in front of the white Day Camp office. At 9:00 am everyone assembles around the flagpole for greetings and announcements. After that, the schedule will vary each day but will always include a morning Red Cross Swim Lesson and lunch at 12:00 pm, which is included in the program.
 
Other activities include arts & crafts, theatre, dance, nature, woodworking, games, lake fun, boating and sports. The children have down time after lunch before the afternoon activities. At 3:30 pm, the staff will bring their campers up to be ready for dismissal. When the parent arrives at check out we call your child to come up to meet you.
 
Q. How many kids in camp overall?
 
A. Our camp enrollments vary by the season. The average number of campers is approx. 100 – 130 children per week. Our staff to camper ratio is roughly 1:4 and if you include the waterfront staff it is closer to 1:3.
 
Q. How many kids are assigned to a group?
 
A. There are never more than 10 children assigned to a bunk. There would be two counselors for each group. One counselor is a college student over the age of 18 and the second counselor would be at least 16 years of age.
 
Q. My daughter will be 4 ½ this summer. What is your age requirement for camp?
 
A.  Typically, we have found that children are not quite ready for a full day at camp until they are 5 years of age. By then, they are able to handle the daily routine and do not get homesick.
 
Q. What procedures are used for pick-up at the end of the day?
 
A. At the end of the day, at approximately 3:40 pm, all campers assemble on the hill next to the function hall. The parent, guardian or authorized person reports to the staff member at the check out table in front of the Day Camp Office when you arrive to pick-up your child. At the check out table, they will sign the child out. We have a list of the adults authorized to pick up campers.
 
Q. What do we do if we needed a friend to pick up our child?
 
A. You will need to send in note to our office if someone other than you will be picking up your child other than the parents or guardians listed on your child’s registration form. No camper will be released to anyone, unless authorized by you.
 
 Q. I know Wasserman Park is a public park. How do you distinguish the campers from the everyday public for safety measures?
 
A. For Safety and security, all campers are required to wear fluorescent wristbands, which are distributed the first day of each week, and are colored, according to your child’s swim level. This helps distinguish Naticook campers from the general public. Your child may take his or her wristband home, slip it off and wear it to camp the next day. We have plenty of wristbands on hand at the office if your child needs a new one.
 
All campers are required to be with their bunks and counselors at all times. Occasionally, a camper may travel with a “buddy” (i.e. to the restroom), but campers are always in sight of Senior Staff members. Campers are not permitted to visit with other patrons at the park during camp hours. The park is routinely patrolled by the Merrimack Police Department, and camp personnel have immediate access to emergency services when needed.
 
Q. Will the kids have camp on a rainy day?
 
A. Absolutely! We have many facilities to provide protection from the rain. The kids will assemble in the Function Hall to play games or they will have an extra session of arts and crafts, theatre or woodworking. We are always prepared with plenty of activities to do on a rainy day to keep it just as fun as a sunny day!!
 
Q. I am worried about swim lessons because my child is not a strong swimmer. How do you monitor the water with all of the kids?
 
A. We want to assure you that the children’s safety always comes first here at Naticook Day Camp. Our Lifeguards and Swim Instructors are all Red Cross Certified and CPR trained. Campers are tested for swimming ability and placed in an appropriate swim class. There are restrictions for beginning swimmers’ use of the deep area of the lake. 
 
On hand at all times during swim lessons and lake time are the Lifeguards, Swim Instructors and Camp Counselors. The children are never left unattended by the water. Buddy checks take place during swim lessons and lake time. Camp Counselors are required to assist the swim staff in the supervision of campers. Our goal is for all campers to be confident in the water by the end of the summer!
 
Q. Do you have early drop off and late pick up if I needed to do that?
 
A. Yes, we have extended care for the morning and afternoon hours. The morning hours are 7:30 am – 9:00 am and the afternoon hours are 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm each day. Each camper will be provided with breakfast cereal at morning extended care and a snack at afternoon extended care.
 
You can sign up for both morning and afternoon care for $50.00 per week. If you need only morning or only afternoon care the rate would be $25.00 per week.
 
If your schedule is subject to change and you are unsure if or when you will need extended care, you may sign your child up for extended care as needed. The daily rate for extended care is $7.50 per use or $15.00 per day for both morning and afternoon care.
 
  
Q. Do you accommodate special needs campers?
 
A. Of course! Spots can fill up fast and certain criteria needs to be met and considered for special needs campers. We have five 1:1 aides available for each one-week session. Please contact Sherry Kalish, Parks and Recreation Director, at 882-1046 for more information regarding special needs campers.