YMCA Camp Gorham Parent Information

Parents may register their camper online using the link on our parent dashboard. A 15% deposit is required at the time of registration with the balance due on June 1. Payment plans may be established by contacting the Camp Office.

Helping your child prepare for camp is an important part of the experience; it is exciting, but it can be stressful for some first-time campers. Your campers stay at YMCA Camp Gorham will be enhanced if they are invested in their own experience, and the good news is that you can diminish any stress with a little preparation by you and your child!

• Involve your child in the process: talk to them about camp; contact us to assist with any unanswered questions you may have.
• Arrange for an overnight at a friend’s house if your camper has never been away from home before.
• Help them pack using the list provided; make sure your camper is familiar with use of toiletries and how to organize their clothes.
• Pack a favorite item from home such as a stuffed animal or blanket.
• Explain how you will communicate with them while they are at camp.
• Be a role model of confidence and focus on positive expectations.
• Come and meet our staff at one of our upcoming events or call to arrange for a tour of camp.
• Take care of all parent paperwork in advance of check-in day; make your doctor’s appointments early.
• Make your travel arrangements well in advance including hotel reservations; contact us for information on the closest airport or any questions you may have on the area.
• Confirm medical authorizations for medications have been received from your physician.

Don’t ever hesitate to call the Camp Office (315-357-6401) with questions – we love talking with our families! 

Checking in and out at Camp Gorham

You’ve packed. You’ve planned. You’ve texted your camp friends!
It’s time for Opening Day!

Sunday Check-in

Check in between 1:30 and 3 pm.

If you are planning on arriving after 3 pm, please contact the camp office, 315-357-6401. Check in should take about one hour.

Upon arrival at our front gate you will:

• Meet the Executive Director
• Meet the Summer Camp Director
• Be asked if your camper has a cell phone and to take it home if so
• Receive your camper’s cabin, and specialty track assignments (this will also be emailed to you in advance)
• You then will be directed to drive to your camper’s cabin, office or health lodge  

If you are directed to the office, you will:

• Meet the Director of Administration
• Complete any needed paperwork
• Open your camper’s store account if not done in advance
• Settle any balance due

If you are dropping off medication, you will be directed to the Health Lodge:

• Meet with the Nurse
• Turn in your camper’s medications in the original packaging
  • Ensure campers medical paperwork is complete prior to arrival
  • Please note: Medication without proper paperwork cannot be distributed to campers per the Department of Health

At your child's cabin you will:

• Offload luggage and bring to your camper’s porch
• Meet your child’s counselors
• Beds will be picked by campers once all children in the cabin have arrived

Saturday Check-out

Check out is between 10 am to Noon. Parents are welcome to join us for a barbeque in our dining hall starting at 10:30 am. If you need to make special pickup arrangements, please call the camp office, 315-357-6401. Campers will be waiting in their cabins. If your child participated in horseback riding or waterskiing, parents will be able to see your campers in action!

The process includes:

• Pick up your camper and their belongings at the cabin
• Lost and Found will be displayed at the dining hall. Please check the lost and found for any of your campers belongings
• Pick up any medications at the health lodge
• Camp Store will be open for purchases!
• Unused camp store balances will be donated to our Annual Campaign for camper scholarships

Accurate medical information is necessary to ensure we can provide the best care for your child possible! Our Camp Nurses are present during all Camp Sessions 24/7. Our nurses all have extensive training, strong backgrounds and up-to-date certifications.

All medical forms are completed using your Parent Dashboard. Please remember a complete physical within 24 months of your camper’s camp session is required for camp attendance. This physical must be signed and dated by your camper’s physician and will need to contain any medications your camper will need to be given while at Camp.

Dispensing medications is part of our Camp Nurse’s daily duties. Our Nurses track and log medication dispensation and ensure that your camper is in good health. All medications must be checked in with our nurse during check-in. Medications must be in the original manufacturer’s package and dosage/frequency must match the doctor’s written instructions on your camper’s medical form. All medications are kept in the infirmary.

All Camp Gorham staff members are certified in CPR and First aid. Activity leaders and Village Heads are all well trained in their respective areas of camp.

The safety of your Camper is our top priority. If you have questions or concerns regarding your camper’s health, medication dispensing schedule or medical forms required for camp, please contact the Camp Office at 315-357-6401.

Please review the following list as you make decisions about packing for camp. This list is based on a two-week stay at camp. Those staying longer or for only a one-week session, should adjust accordingly. Campers staying for longer than two weeks will receive laundry service. The cost of laundry service is $22. Please label items with your camper’s name to help us return lost items to them.

• 10 t-shirts (as much in your village color as possible, please do not make special purchases)
• 4-6 pairs of shorts (enough for length of stay)
• 2 pairs of sweatpants
• 2 sweatshirts, heavy sweaters or medium weight jackets
• 4 pairs of jeans or long pants (enough for length of stay)
• 3 pairs of wool or synthetic socks
• 14 pairs of regular socks and underwear
• 2 swimsuits
• 2 pairs of warm pajamas
• 2 pairs of tennis shoes/sneakers – low top or boater style (one pair to remain dry and one pair to get wet.)
• Walking shoes appropriate for rocky terrain
• Shower sandals
• Baseball hat/bandanna for sun protection
• Sunglasses
• Rain gear (poncho or rain jacket)
• 3 towels/washcloths
• Pillow, blanket and sheets (twin bed size)
• Sleeping bag (for use on overnights)
• Day pack (book size backpack for use on overnights)
• Toiletries (toothbrush/paste, soap, deodorant, tissues, shampoo, comb, brush, etc.)
• Lip balm/lotions (sunscreen, insect repellent – non-aerosol)
• Water bottle
• Flashlight/extra batteries
• Laundry bag
• Nice outfit for closing banquet. 
• Riding boots or boot with pronounced heel (campers registered for horseback riding lessons)

Please leave at home:

• Cell phones
• Vape Devices/Cigarettes/E-cigarettes/Any form of tobacco/marijuana and/or smoking products
• Knives or weapons
• Animals
• Walkie Talkies
• Fireworks/firearms
• Illegal drug/alcohol
• Items of high personal or monetary value

Camp Gorham’s scholarship program is made available through generous donations to the YMCA’s Annual Campaign. Applications are available through the parent dashboard and are kept confidential. The amount of assistance granted is based on individual need and family circumstances. Applications are due by May 31 and have a two-week processing time. Applications received after May 31 have a four-week processing time. If you have questions or need assistance with your application, please contact the Camp Office.

Remember, no two families are alike financially. Please call us with any questions you may have. We are happy to answer your questions.

Please be aware of the following:

• Scholarship will be given for up to two weeks of Overnight Camp.
• Each applicant will be asked to pay a minimum of 15% of camp tuition.
• Scholarship applications and all required paperwork are due prior to May 31. All applications require a minimum of two week processing time. Any application submitted after May 31 is subject to a four week review period which may affect your child’s ability to attend camp.

What do you have to do? (Submit complete application by May 31.)

1) Submit a Camp Enrollment Request online through the Parent Dashboard for each camper applying.

2) Submit Part 1 and 2 of the Scholarship Application Online: for each camper applying.

3) Upload Part 3 of the Scholarship Application:

• Supporting Financial Documents Proof of income:
  • Copies of your 4 most recent pay stubs and your 2022 1040 Federal Income Tax Form – first two pages (W-2 forms are not accepted) OR OCFS Worksheet if applicable.

4) Please be aware a 15% deposit of your camper’s full camp tuition is needed with your enrollment request. This deposit is refundable if we cannot provide assistance. If you would like to request a payment plan for your deposit, please indicate in the Scholarship section of your enrollment form an amount you can afford at the time of enrollment. We will contact you to discuss a deposit payment plan.

NOTE: Your child will NOT be enrolled for camp until a deposit is received.

YMCA Camp Gorham is proud to be an American Camp Association (ACA) AND Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) accredited camp. The ACA nationally recognizes camps which meet the highest standards focusing on health, safety, and program quality. Layout 1The CHA provides the accepted Standards for Equestrian Programs. CHA accredited members meet standards for safety, education and animal welfare through a detailed process which examines the site, program content, staff qualifications and equine management. YMCA Camp Gorham is also licensed to operate as a summer camp by the NYS Department of Health.

Camp Gorham's Cabins are gender specific, which means:

•    Girl+ Cabins are a space for girls, trans and non-binary campers who feel most comfortable living with girls
•    Boy+ Cabins are a space for boys, trans and non-binary campers who feel most comfortable living with boys 

For any questions regarding our cabin placement or inclusion policies, please reach out to our Camp Director, Paul, at Paul.Davidson@RochesterYMCA.org.