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Parent Details

Everything you need to know before sending your child to camp.

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Overview

Thanks for choosing Camp Wildlife & YLI Camps. We are beyond excited to spend a week with your child. Camp Wildlife is often a transformational experience for campers, and we work hard to create a fun, challenging, safe learning environment for every camper who stays with us. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us.

Campers will tell you after coming to camp that they:

  • Know how to build friendships.
  • Have learned skills to be more responsible.
  • Have built self-confidence by participating in camp activities.
  • Have grown in creativity.

Below, we've included everything you need to know before camp.

Thanks!
YLI Camps Team

Contact & Directions

Billing / Registration Questions

Contact YLI Camps Support at 864-878-1103 or by email at wildlife@ylicamps.com.

Location

Held at Camp Bob Cooper. The address is 8001 M W Rickenbaker Rd Summerton, SC 29148

How to Contact the Program Director

Call (803) 339-4497

Emergency contact cards will be given at check-in. We ask that you please do not ask your child to call home, and please do not call your child unless it is an emergency. The program staff will call you if there is a problem.

Arrival and Departure

Arrival is 3:00 PM on Sunday. Please do not arrive before check in time on the first day as staff will be preparing and will be unable to supervise participants.

Departure and closing ceremonies are at 10:00 am on Friday. Photo ID is required for check out. Please call if you will be late for pick up on the last day.

Camp Life

Bank

There will be no need to bring any money for canteen or t-shirts. Every participant will receive a snack each day and a program t-shirt.

Food

Menus for the week are designed to provide a balanced and nutritious diet. Camp is equipped with a modern kitchen, which is operated by an experienced and well-trained staff. Please note on the Participant Health Form if your child has any food allergies or other food related issues. Please do not send food with your child. Every camper will receive two snacks each day.

Please do not send food with your child or to your child in a care package.

Contacting Your Child

Writing letters to your child is a fantastic idea. They love getting mail and feel left out when others receive mail and their name is not called. It would be a good idea to write your child and mail it before they leave home on Friday or Saturday, so it will reach them before they leave. Alternatively, you can leave mail with the staff at check-in. Please do not send care packages that include food items. The mailing address is:

Camp Wildlife
Attn: [Participant's Name]
8001 M W Rickenbaker Rd
Summerton, SC 29148

Health & Safety

All campers are required to follow the safety measures set out by our staff and counselor team. We have an impeccable safety record based on decades of experience and rigorous training.

Communicable Diseases Policy

We have decades of experience in managing camper health and wellness which includes communicable disease outbreaks and viruses similar to what we are experiencing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We are members of the American Camp Association (ACA) and the Association of Camp Nursing (ACN) and closely monitor their recommendations for camper health and well-being. The most updated guidance from these two resources can be found at the links below:

Health & Safety

Routine health care is provided by camp staff and follows treatment procedures that have been reviewed by a physician. First aid and CPR certified staff are present on site and available 24 hours a day during camp operations. Designated staff are responsible for dispensing medications.

For more serious health issues, we will utilize professional medical providers and EMS when needed. Professional medical care is available within 15 minutes of the program facility. If necessary, local mental health services will be consulted for any concerns regarding the mental or emotional well-being of a camper. Before we begin operating programs, local EMS, Sheriff Departments, and Fire Departments are notified and provided a copy of our week's itinerary.

Behavior

Participants must be able to function independently and as part of a group. They must be able to comprehend and follow basic instructions and safety measures set out by camp staff. They must have an understanding of natural hazards (for example, roads, lakes, and heights), and be able to change clothes and use restroom facilities without assistance. The Code of Conduct, which outlines prohibited behaviors, must be signed by parents and participants.

Participants who do not follow the behavior standards will be asked to withdraw from the program without a refund.

Medications

All medications, including any vitamins or over-the-counter medicines must be given to the health officer upon arrival at camp. The health officer will be responsible for properly administering the medicine daily, as directed by a physician or parent. All medications are kept under lock and key. (Exceptions may be made for inhalers or Epipens.) Campers will not be given prescription or over-the-counter medication without parent's permission.

Properly label all medicine and pack in a Ziplock bag with camper's name on the bag. Please include in the bag all medication, and a notecard. On the notecard, please have campers name, medicine name, dosage, time of day that medicine is given, and any special instructions.

Allergies

If your child has allergies, please indicate them on the Camp Health Form and let the counselor know. We regularly accommodate children with food and other allergies.

Illness

All campers are screened upon arrival at camp for good health prior to admission. We ask that no camper come to camp ill or with any contagious condition. We reserve the right to send your camper home if they become ill, develop any contagious condition (such as pink eye or head lice) or if they are unable to participate in the major activities of camp. If your camper cannot remain at camp due to health reasons, you will not receive a refund of camp fees.

If your camper suffers an injury or illness that requires professional medical care, is unable to participate in camp activities, or needs medication that you did not provide, we will notify you as quickly as possible.

Homesickness

Parents can help their child adjust by letting them know that they expect them to have fun. They can also encourage them to meet new friends and learn new things. It is best not to promise a child that they can come home if they are homesick. We also discourage children from making or receiving calls from home, especially if homesick. We have found that calls from home make the adjustment more difficult. Our staff works hard to help children adjust by making sure they are involved in team building and fun activities. If an emergency situation arises at home, we ask that you contact the program director.

Staff

Participants receive a high amount of small group interaction and personal attention from staff and instructors. The counselors have been chosen for their dedication and their ability to work with young people.

  • All program staff are employed by Clemson University and have undergone an extensive background check.
  • The ratio of campers to staff is 8:1.
  • Staff undergoes extensive pre-camp training.
  • Counselors supervise campers 24 hours per day.
  • Staff are assigned activity groups during the day and dorm groups during the evening and nighttime.
  • Nighttime dorm groups may consist of up to two rooms per counselor.

Water Safety

  • American Camping Association standards for certified lifeguards are met during all swim times.
  • Life jackets are required for those in a canoe, kayak, boat or tube. Life jackets are provided.

Insurance

Each program has limited medical insurance on every participant for accidents and illnesses that occur during the program. Pre-existing illness and eyeglass/contact replacement are not covered. YLI is not responsible for eyeglasses or contacts that are lost or broken during the program.

Activities

Program Activities

Not all activities are available to all participants, as some activities have age and/or size restrictions. These activities are subject to change, depending on weather, staff availability or acts of third parties beyond our control.

  • Archery
  • Sporting Clays
  • Rifles
  • Hunters Ed (10+)
  • Wildlife Ecology
  • Climbing Wall (6+)
  • Outdoor Survival Skills
  • Slingshots
  • Hunters Skills
  • Fishing
  • Waterfront
  • 3D Archery (Advanced only)
  • Night Shooting (Advanced only)

Assigning of Groups

Activity groups are assigned according to the child's age, so they will be with other participants close to their own age. The group and their counselor will do activities together all week. Dorm groups are assigned according to sex and age. If you have someone you want to room with, please make this request on the Participant Information Form, but they must be within a year of age difference to room together. Roommates are not guaranteed.

Packing List

We've created a list of necessary items, so your child is prepared. We suggest that you help your child pack his/her suitcase so they will know what was packed and will be better able to repack for home. Let your child make some decisions on what to bring. We recommend that they bring only one suitcase and one bedroll, and they do not bring new clothes. If possible, label belongings with your child's name, as we will not be responsible for lost clothing or other personal items.

Items to Bring

  • Sheets/blanket or sleeping bag (single bed)
  • Pillow
  • Towels/washcloths (3)
  • Deodorant
  • Toiletry items
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle labeled with camper name
  • Bug spray/lotion
  • Flashlight
  • Tennis shoes (2 pair)
  • Water shoes (flip flops, sport sandals, etc.)
  • Modest swimsuits (2)
  • 5-8 sets of clothes
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Long pants
  • Hat
  • Rain jacket
  • Inexpensive camera (optional)
  • Musical instrument (optional)
  • Drawstring Bag (optional)
  • Toiletry bag or gallon ziplock bag labeled with camper name
  • Luggage labeled with camper name

Items to Leave Behind

For the safety of participants and staff, we have a no-tolerance policy for these items.

  • Money
  • Cell phones
  • Smart watches such as, Apple Watch, GizmoWatch, etc.
  • Alcohol/Illegal drugs
  • Tobacco products
  • Weapons or knives
  • Food, candy, gum & other snacks
  • Fireworks
  • iPod's, tablets, radios, handheld games or other media
  • Pets/Animals (Except trained service animals pre-approved by camp director)
  • Vehicles (Campers with a vaild Driver's License cannot drive themselves to camp)

Registration / Forms

Refunds

We offer full refunds, minus your $200 nonrefundable deposit, until four weeks before the program begins. This policy exists because we must purchase supplies, shirts, food and materials for your child in the weeks leading up to camp. This policy is strictly enforced.

Transfers

We understand that things change, and you may need to transfer your child from one week to another, so we make every effort to accommodate those requests. There is a $50 transfer fee for each session transferred.

Forms

All forms & payment are due four weeks before the start of camp. After registration, your forms are available in the YLI Camps Parent Login.

Multiple Camps

If you signed up for multiple camps, you only need to fill out the Camp Health Form once.