“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
-Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
So glad that we will be seeing you later this month! We have been training and creating a loving community all week and are eager for your arrival!
The Lodge Directors (of the 3 different age groups) will be connecting with you if you are new or if there is something on your application that we would like more information about. Any information about your campers lives or things you may think might come up at camp will be helpful to know as their temporary caregivers. New this summer, we are excited to have a Sensible Mental Health Person at IB, Rosie to assist our Wellness Team in supporting staff and campers.
Please email the Lodge Directors to set up a time to connect:
First Lodge (typically 9-10 year olds) Director: Jennifer ibfirstlodge@farmandwilderness.org
Big Lodge (typically 11-12 year olds) Director: Claire ibbiglodge@farmandwilderness.org
Senior Lodge (typically 13-14 year olds) Director: Bella ibseniorlodge@farmandwilderness.org
As staff, we are focused on supporting numerous mental and behavioral health concerns. The most successful camp experience includes a level of CHALLENGE that leads to GROWTH (socially and emotionally). Challenge varies: living with people who are different from them, trips, contributing to daily chore times.
As much as we want to accommodate their wants, we can’t always. We require your support to find tools to deal with anxiety and disappointment and to prepare them for being a strong community member. We expect campers to be able to be aware and articulate their wants and needs and be receptive to the wants and needs of others. We look forward to hearing about new ways of processing a problem or conflict that may work for them!
After some time in the car passing by other camps, you will reach the IB Barn. Keep going! Rel, the Assistant Director, and the Lodge Directors will greet you at the road and tell you which cabin your camper is in. You will then park and walk to the Main Lodge. Check in with our health staff (even if you don’t take medication), get a lice check, confirm trip/apprenticeship choices (for those in Big and Senior Lodges), meet the staff and when you’ve done everything, head back to your vehicle to grab your child’s things and begin moving in. New families are invited to join me in the Main Lodge at 3pm for an orientation. This will include an update on what’s happening this summer and give you a chance to ask any questions after dropping your camper off in their cabin.
Here you will find some information about our Aquatics Program if you are interested in learning more about how we incorporate our Aquatics Goals. ALL 9-12-year-old campers will get 2-3 clinics through the 3-week session. If you would like your camper (including the 13-14 year olds) to receive 2 more extra instruction times, then we can make sure they are placed in a mandatory clinic in place of another morning project activity (such as Barns and Gardens or Outdoor Living Skills). Please contact your Lodge Director (or myself) and let us know if this is something you and your camper are interested in. You are also welcome to let us know on arrival day if you are dropping off your camper.
Pro Tip #33: Pre-write some notes or cards (dated) for your camper and drop them off in our camp mailbox before departing!