Frequently Asked Questions
Why was camp cancelled when many states are talking about opening?
Is there a possibility that camp will happen this summer if things change?
This is going to be really difficult for my child, do you have any advice on how to talk to them about summer camp being cancelled?
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Talking About the Loss of Camp with Your Camper: This resource curated by our team and other YMCA Overnight Camps provides some ways to prepare before talking with your camper(s).
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Helping Our Children Manage Summer Disappointments: Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Best Selling Author of The Whole Brain Child, No Drama Discipline and The Power of Showing Up has some practical suggestions for parents whose children will be forced to deal with the disappointment of not being able to attend camp this summer.
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How to Talk to Your Kids about Cancelled Summer Plans: This article provides a breakdown by your child’s age on what parenting role to best take when approaching your child about cancelled summer plans.
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How to Talk to Your Children When Bad Things Happen: This article offers help with one of the biggest challenges of parenthood, explaining bad things in the world.
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Supporting Families During COVID-19: The Child Mind Institute shares supportive and comprehensive resources for parents on a number of coronavirus-related topics.
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Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home: These tips from the American Psychological Association are designed to help families through the current crisis.
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How to Be Your Best Self in Times of Crisis: Psychologist Susan David shares wisdom on how to build resilience, courage, and joy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in this TEDtalk
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Emotional Regulation Worksheets: A Coping Skill Activity: This worksheet and calming technique can help you focus on the present rather than overthinking about the past or future.
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51 Mindfulness Activities for Kids: These tips and activities can teach elementary-aged students how to practice mindfulness.
What about fees that I have already paid?
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Donation to camp. Making a tax-deductible gift of some or all of the funds you have already paid helps sustain our camp operations which allows our campers to grow. Every moment a camper spends at camp is a moment bursting with a powerful youth development opportunity. Campers are fully engaged and active in the outdoors but they aren’t just soaking up the sun! They are unplugged and learning about communication, collaboration and true friendship as they interact with each other and our staff. For one week, they are living in an adventurous but safe place to progressively gain more independence in making decisions, setting goals and caring for themselves. Through all this nurturing, camp is building kids of strong character and faith. THANK YOU to everyone who is able to make this gift to Camp Carson. ( Recently passed CARES Act legislation allows for tax deductions in some amounts for qualified charitable contributions in addition to the standard deduction. Please consult your tax accountant with questions about your specific tax situation.) -
Carry your fees over to 2021. Roll over your fees as a credit for Summer 2021. We will open registration for Summer 2021 on June 1st and enrolled families will have priority registration through August 10th. The fees you have already paid will be rolled over to Summer 2021 as a credit. You can register for Summer 2021 by logging into our Parent Portal and completing this online. -
Receive a full refund. We can process a full refund in the amount paid or you may choose to take a partial refund and make a donation with the remainder. Refunds will be returned by the same method of original payment. Please be sure to log into your Parent Portal and update your credit card information and mailing address. -
Combination. You can do a combination of a donation, rolling over your fee as a credit with a minimum of $75 per camper, and a partial refund.
What is the process to indicate my preference? Should I call or email camp?
Why is camp asking me to consider donating some/all of my paid fees? Would this be a charitable donation?
One of my children is aging out of the program, if I apply my funds paid to 2021 can I use those funds for a different child in my household?
Will there still be 2021 priority registration for 2020 registered and waitlisted campers?
Will Camp Carson survive without a summer of camp?
Can I come visit Camp Carson this summer?
Will Fall programming be happening at camp?
My camper was meant to be a part of your Teen Programs this summer, what are their options for Summer 2021?
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You have a few options moving forward. We do accept incoming Juniors as LITs and our CIT Programs are offered for incoming Juniors. You will have the choice to return for the LIT experience or to join us for the CIT Program. You do not need to be a LIT in order to be a CIT.
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You have a few options moving forward. We do accept incoming Seniors as CITs and our Service Corps Program is open to incoming Seniors. You will have the choice to return for the CIT experience or to apply for a place in our Service Corps Program. We will be in touch with 2020 CITs with Fall volunteer opportunities and with the application and informational packet on the Service Corps Program. A detailed letter about your options will be distributed later in the summer. Please contact Ryan Meeks at rmeeks@ymcacampcarson.org if you have any questions or concerns.
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You will be eligible to apply for our Summer 2021 staff. Our applications will be available in the Fall. We will reach out via email when our Staff Application has been made available. Please contact Ryan Meeks at rmeeks@ymcacampcarson.org if you have any questions or concerns.
How can I help Camp Carson?
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Understanding and supporting the Carson team in our decision making during this challenging time
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Please consider a donation to Camp Carson through your program fees
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Make a donation. Thank you for your support—we are beyond grateful to all members of our community who recognize the challenges Camp is facing due to COVID-19. Camp relies on tuition fees and donations to maintain our property, pay our staff, and ensure Camp will survive. Your gift will help us continue many of the enduring traditions of Carson as well as our camperships and diverse programming options where campers can develop their independence and personal strengths. For those of you who are able and interested, you can make a gift here. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for your support of the Carson Community during these uncertain times.
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Notify us of any grants, foundations, or other funding opportunities that would provide support to Camp Carson during this time. Please contact Heather Pierce, Director of Engagement and Development, hpierce@ymcacampcarson.org with this information.
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We always appreciate hearing from you. Please share messages or photos of how you’re living the Camp Carson Spirit this summer!
I have more questions, who can I contact?
I am a camper or I have a camper who has questions. Who can I/they ask?
Campers, we know how painful this news is. We feel it too. We're sure you have had many emotions after hearing the news, and we know how hard it is to hear that Camp will not happen this summer. We want you to know that this decision is likely the most difficult one that Camp has had to make since we opened 81 years ago. Your safety and your counselor's safety are what we care about most and we had to make the responsible choice for you. Many thoughts have probably crossed your mind, and we will try to help you with those here.