SUMMER FAQ
Q: How is Vesper Point doing camper drop-off this summer?
A: Based on parent feedback, we are making some changes to camper drop off this summer. If you are dropping off a boy camper, your drop off window will be from 8:30am-9:30am on Monday morning. If you are dropping off a girl camper, your drop off time will be from 9:30am-10:30am. If you have a need to drop off your camper during a time slot that is earlier or later than your camper's gender, please email or call our camp office at cvp@vesperpoint.org (423-332-1849) and we will schedule your request. If you are dropping off a boy and a girl camper, you are welcome to choose either time slot. We are making this change to hopefully make the drop off process less crowded and more efficient.
Q: Am I allowed to walk around the camp and check out my child’s cabin on drop off day?
A: Absolutely. We want our parents to feel free to walk around the property on drop off or pick up day. While our staff are not available to give tours on drop off day, we are happy to give you a map of the camp should you want to walk around.
Q: Am I allowed to see my child’s cabin?
A: You are also welcome to visit your child’s cabin. We would ask though that you please allow our counselors to lead the bed making process which will occur later in the day. Our counselors are trained to supervise this activity and we double check all beds before bedtime on the first night. In our experience, a quick parent drop off is best to ensure that your child does not experience homesickness. Campers are immediately integrated into our camp program and it is always best for mom and dad to allow this process to happen quickly and smoothly.
Q: Are pictures updated daily on the camp website?
A: Yes. Our media team does their best to upload a variety of pictures onto our camp website. We also do our best to ensure that every camper is spotlighted as much as possible. We do appreciate your patience as some days may present a delay in uploading. Don’t forget to check out our Director’s Blog which is also updated daily on our website.
Q: Is there an expectation to buy store items or leave mail or packages for my camper?
A: No. Purchasing store items and leaving packages for your camper is optional. We do not want parents to feel pressured to buy anything from the camp store. If store items are not your preference, you are welcome to send mail to your camper via the USPS or leave letters that we will deliver. If mailing via USPS, please have it in the mail no later than Monday to ensure delivery before camp ends.
Q: How does the camper pick-up work on Saturday mornings?
A: Due to our limitations in parking and people’s busy schedules, we made the decision to switch back to a standard pickup on Saturday mornings. When you arrive on Saturday morning, we want to create a space where parents can reunite with their child while meeting their camp counselors. If you are in a hurry and need to make a quick pickup on Saturday morning, please email or call our camp office so we can make these accommodations. Families are also welcome to walk around the camp property after camper pick-up on Saturday mornings.
Q: Do you allow for early camper pick-up during the week?
A: We understand that sometimes it is necessary for a parent to pick up their child before Saturday morning. With the exception of illness or injury, our policy is that a camper cannot return to camp if an early pick-up is required for events such as sports games or any other reason. We are not set up to handle back and forth pick-ups and drops off during the week. Our strong recommendation is that campers stay for the entirety of the week so they can enjoy the full extent of our camping program. If a pick-up is needed, please call our camp office to make us aware.
Q: Will I be called if my child gets sick?
A: Yes. Our nurse will give you a call if your child has a fever, throws up, or if there is any kind of injury. In cases of minor cuts and scrapes, we use our best judgment if we need to make a call home. In the event of a fever or if your child throws up, our policy is that the camper must return home until they have a fever and are throw-up free for the period of 24 hours without the aid of medication. If your child recovers, please call our camp office to make us aware so they can return to camp.
Q: What is your philosophy on homesickness?
A: We believe that it is so important for campers to learn how to be away from mom and dad for a short period of time. If your child experiences homesickness, we do our best to comfort and assure them that they can make it to Saturday. Our counselors and leadership staff are trained with best practices on how to handle homesick campers. If we reach a point where our best efforts are not working, we will give you a call. In our experience, we have not found it helpful for parents to talk to homesick campers over the phone as this usually makes the situation worse. During a typical summer, we rarely have to send a camper home due to homesickness.
Q: What are “clinics” and how are they different from other camp activities?
A: Clinics are skill based classes that campers sign up for during registration to take each summer. Our goal and philosophy with clinics is to introduce and teach campers a specific skill set in each clinic class which will increase their knowledge base and confidence. Clinics are taught by our counseling staff and meet daily. While each clinic is intended to be fun and enjoyable, we want to be intentional with teaching skills during these classes. We feel that it is important for a camper to leave camp being able to say, “I learned how to shoot a bow and arrow or how to fish at camp and I have the knowledge and skills now to do this outside of camp if I choose to.” Outside of clinics, each camper will enjoy the following during their week of camp:
Two “BOAT” camps during the week where their entire cabin will go out on the ski boats to tube and/or ride the banana boat for an hour.
Free time each day at the waterfront to swim, blob, ride on the rocket jr, jump on our new aqua trampoline, and canoe and kayak.
Daily cabin activity where each cabin signs up for a specific and desired activity that they do together as a cabin.
Q: What is the best way to pack for camp?
A: We highly recommend that you use a singular plastic trunk for all packing. These trunks fit nicely at the end of a bunk and are usually big enough to contain all needed items for the week. We would also recommend checking your campers luggage to ensure that they have a sleeping bag, blanket, and a pillow for sleeping. Even though our camp occurs during the summer months, it can get cool at night. Please also place your child’s name on as many items as you can. While items do periodically get lost, we do our best to account for all luggage pieces. We would also recommend a laundry bag for dirty and wet luggage. Our packing list can be found on our website here, and it will be emailed to you prior to your camper(s) arrival.
Q: What if I notice something missing from my campers luggage after camp ends?
A: We have a lost and found table set up on Saturday mornings. Please check this during camper pick-up to make sure your camper didn’t leave anything behind! If you notice something missing once you return home, please call our camp office. We would be more than happy to let you know if we have this item. We typically take our lost and found downtown to First Presbyterian Church for a more convenient pick-up location. If you do not live in the Chattanooga area, we will work with you on a way to get your campers items back to you. This is why it’s important to label your campers items - if they’re labeled we will call you to let you know we have it!
Q: What if my child has medication that needs to be taken at camp?
A: All medications (with the exception of rescue meds) must be kept with our Nurse during your campers stay. You will check this in with our Nurse when you drop off your camper. Medications cannot be packed in your campers luggage. At the end of the week, we will have a table set up during Saturday morning pick-up for you to retrieve your campers meds. If you filled out your campers medical form months before camp, please contact our camp office so that you can update anything that may have changed (medications, allergies, weight, etc.).
Q: Why does Vesper Point not allow food in the cabins?
A: In the past, we have had significant issues with ants and other invading animals coming inside cabins when food is present. To avoid infestations, we ask that parents please not pack food items with their camper’s luggage. We also have several campers with various food allergies which could create a health issue if certain snacks are shared in the cabin. As a reminder, Vesper Point is a nut free facility.
Q: What is Canteen?
A: Canteen (formerly known as Sugar Shack) is a mid-afternoon snack time at the V-Dome where campers can choose a food item and a beverage. We offer campers the choice of various treats (nut-free) and sports drink options. Examples of this are: Snow Cones, Cookies, Popcorn, and other treats. Feel free to pack alternate options for your child if they have any special dietary restrictions.
Q: What do we do if my child has food or dietary issues?
A: Please contact our camp office 3 weeks prior to your campers week if this is the case. While we do not specifically cook special diet meals, parents are welcome to bring pre-cooked supplemental food that can be stored in our camp kitchen wherever necessary (i.e. refrigerator, freezer, etc.). We can reheat food in a microwave. If you bring supplemental food, it must be labeled with your campers name and what meal/item it is a substitution for. We are happy to ensure that your child receives any necessary supplemental food during the week. If your child has a severe food allergy, please make us aware of these issues.
Q: Does Vesper Point have child protection policies and are the staff trained in these?
A: Yes. We take child protection very seriously. Our staff goes through mandatory training in child protection each summer and this is a part of our camp handbook.
Q: What is Vesper Point’s policy on cabin buddy requests?
A: We allow campers to add a buddy request on the camper application form. It is our policy to do our best to honor one MUTUAL requests from two campers wanting to room together if they are close in age and grade. A larger group that requests to be together may not be able to honored. Please do not attempt to create a chain of buddy requests. These will not be honored. All cabin placements are revealed on Opening Day.
*Director’s Note: Some of my dearest and best friends are fellow campers that I met at Vesper Point in 1991-1992 who I did not know at the time. I have been in a small group with 2 of these men over the last 30 years and they are some of my best friends. I share this because I believe that it is important and healthy for campers to be in a cabin with people that they do not know. If your child does not know everyone in their cabin, I believe that this is a healthy and good thing.
Q: I still have questions that are not covered here.
A: Feel free to contact us at the camp office with any questions!