YMCA Camp Gorham Parent Information

Parents may register their camper online using the link for 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. If for any reason the YMCA of Greater Rochester must cancel camp, you will be refunded.

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 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

Our check in process will be staggered. You will receive an email the week prior to your camper’s arrival with your scheduled arrival time. Time slots will be scheduled between 1:30 and 3 pm.

Please remember Camp Gorham does not allow pets on property, even on opening day. 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 Program Director
• Receive your camper’s security pass*
• 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 slowly to your camper’s cabin, office or health lodge  

If you are directed to the office. you will:

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

If you are directed to the Health Lodge, you will:

• Meet with the Nurse, turn in your camper’s medications in the original packaging

At your child's cabin you will:

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

Saturday Check-out

Please note: Check out for Camp Corral is July 1, 10 am to Noon.

Check out is between 10 am to Noon and will be staggered. We will email your pickup time slot the week before your camper’s session. If you need to make special pickup arrangements, please call the camp office, 315-357-6401. Campers will be waiting in their cabins. Please plan to spend approximately one hour at check out.

The process includes:

• Greeted by the Camp Program Director at the main gate
• Parents present security passes* with photo ID at the front gate and at the camper’s cabin for the campers they are picking up. If parents do not have their pass they will report to the health lodge at Oak Hall with photo ID
• Pick up child and 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 as we do not have the ability to ship belongings to campers after they have left.
• Pick up any medications at the health lodge
• Camp Store will be open for purchases and Summer 2024 pre-registration! Unused camp store balances will be donated to our Annual Campaign for camper scholarships

*Security Pass: A security pass is issued to each camper parent at check-in with cabin assignments. The security pass will have the names those listed as contacts for the child. This pass and a photo ID must be presented to your camper’s counselor by one of the people listed on the pass at check out for your camper to be released. By giving this card to someone else, you are authorizing him/her to pick up your child. Parents without a security pass need to report to the health lodge with identification to be positively identified before picking up their camper at their cabin. At the front gate you will be asked to present your security pass and ID and then you will give it to the cabin counselors who will check it as well.

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 12 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 and are able to communicate with the Executive Director and the Camp Nurse 24/7.

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 888-518-5671.

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 (Girls: if you bring a two-piece, please make sure it is modest)
• 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.)
• Comfortable boots for hiking (shoes w/good ankle support are fine)
• Boots with a heel for horseback riding as cabin groups (hiking boots are fine)
• Shower sandals
• Slippers for cabin wear
• Baseball hat/bandanna for sun protection
• Sunglasses
• Rain gear (poncho or rain jacket)
• 3 towels/washcloths
• Pillow, blanket and sheets (single 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
• Camera/film
• Laundry bag
• Nice outfit for closing banquet. Collared shirt for boys, skirt or dress for girls.
• Riding boots or boot with pronounced heel (campers registered for horseback riding lessons)
• Mask(s) should you wish your camper to wear one

Please leave at home:

• Cell phones
• Juul/Vape Devices/Cigarettes/E-cigarettes/Any form of tobacco 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, Project 241. 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 31st have a four-week processing time. If you have questions or need assistance with your application, please contact the Camp Office.

The goal of our Scholarship Program is to ensure as many children as possible have an opportunity to experience overnight camp. To meet this goal, we need your help as you apply.

Remember, no two families are alike financially. Please call us with any questions you may have. We are happy to answer your questions and share how the overnight camp experience can benefit you/your family and/or camper.

Please be aware of the following:

• Scholarship will be given for up to two weeks of Overnight Camp or one Year-Round Program
• 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 2019 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.

The Scholarship Application can be found within Parent Dashboard located on your Y camps website, located within the forms section of the Parent Dashboard. Please call with any questions or concerns.

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.