Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. How do I register my camper?
Registration and payment of camp fees is available via this web site. We recommend everyone submit their registration via the site since space is limited and girls are accepted on a “first come - first served” basis. Early Registration is available for volunteer's camper(s). Check the current year Day Camp page for registration schedule.
- 2. What is the registration process and deadline?
Space is limited and girls are accepted on a “first come - first served” basis. Volunteer’s campers will be placed first. Online registration submission (via this site) provides a reserved spot on the camp interest list. As online submission are processed, you will receive an email RESERVING your child(ren)'s space in camp. Shortly afterwards you will receive an invoice, for the total amount due, payable upon receipt. Camp attendance will not be CONFIRMED until all complete paperwork AND payment has been received. You will receive another email when you have a CONFIRMED place in camp. Please do not hesitate to join the WAITING LIST if the program grade you need is full. We will be adjusting units to accept as many girls as possible. Reserved spots in camp will only be held until April 15th. If ALL paperwork and payment(s) are not received by that date, your spot will be released to those on the waiting list. The final registration deadline is May 1st.
- 3. Registration is full. Do you offer a waitlist?
We know camp often fills before the May 1st registration deadline but at times openings may become available. Campers will be accepted off the wait list priority based on a combination of a camper’s registration date/time stamp as well as volunteering offered in combination with our current needs. Volunteer needs are viewable here. We try to offer camp to as many girls as possible and we will contact you via email as soon as space becomes available for your child. There is no need to check-in with camp regarding waitlist movement. If you would like to alter your volunteer commitment contact volunteers.iydc@gmail.com
- 4. Why should I Volunteer and when is help needed?
Issaquah Youth Day Camp is a 100% volunteer-led camp meaning there are NO paid employees. With volunteers like you, the camp is able to make a huge difference in the number of girls that can participate at camp! Volunteers are needed Mon-Fri from 8:30am to 4:15pm daily. Descriptions of roles in addition to our current needs are listed on the Volunteer tab. Volunteer’s campers will have guaranteed placement as long as all paperwork and payment is received while availability is still open.
- 5. Can my Preschooler or Son attend camp?
Our facility does not allow us to easily accommodate preschoolers. However, a Boys unit for children of adult volunteers is available. The Boys Unit is open to all boys entering grades 1st through 5th in the fall. The adult volunteer must be on-site for the boy to attend camp.
- 6. What is the refund policy?
If you need to cancel, you may do so before May 1st for a refund minus a $50 administrative fee per camper. Request for refunds must be in writing and emailed to registrar.gsww@gmail.com. No REFUNDS will be available after May 1st .
- 7. Where is Issaquah Youth Day Camp hosted?
Issaquah Youth Day Camp is hosted at the beautiful Vasa Park Resort in Bellevue, WA. Our camp operates out of the red Vasa Hall and adjacent fields (west side of the street).
- 8. What should my camper bring to camp?
A camper letter will be sent closer to camp with details but here is an idea of what to bring every day:
- * Hardy NUT FREE lunch (campers are very active!)
- * Reusable water bottle
- * Backpack with extra clothes (labeled with name)
- * Sunscreen or bug spray (optional)
- * Swimsuit & towel
- * Water-shoes (flip-flops ok for lakeside only)
- * Hat (optional)
- 9. Can adults/counselors reapply sunscreen for my child?
Much like a school or daycare setting, we are not allowed to apply sunscreen for campers. For that reason, we suggest applying sunscreen at home before coming to camp and sending in spray-on sunscreen for those who think it’s necessary.
- 10. What should my camper wear to camp?
Campers should wear seasonally and weather appropriate clothing.
- * Shorts (typically)
- * Swimsuit (optional to ease transition time to lake)
- * Their camp unit shirt (provided on the 1st day of camp) to wear daily
- * Closed toes shoes (Keen-type shoes with closed toes are acceptable).
- 11. What will my child eat at camp?
Your camper should bring a hardy NUT FREE lunch to camp (Monday through Thursday) as campers are very active and often need a larger lunch than usual. Friday's activities include an all camp lunch provided by the camp. If your camper is a picky eater, you may want to send along additional food on Friday. Units attempt cooking lessons throughout the week but PLEASE note that these are fun snacks and only supplement a hardy meal. While our camp promotes and enforces a NUT FREE policy, please make sure to note all food allergies during registration.
- 12. My child would like to attend with a friend/neighbor/sibling. Can they be together at camp?
This will depend on the age of the campers. Our camp is divided into units based on grade level in the Fall (not scouting level). Your child has the option to list a camp buddy during the online registration process. Note camp buddy request must reciprocal - meaning each child must list each other as their "buddy". Buddy placement is not guaranteed, though we strive to organize camp so that it is the best experience for everyone! Regardless of placement, all campers come together at lunch and can socialize with each other during that time.
- 13. Our entire troop would like to register. Can they be placed together at camp?
Day camp is not a troop based experience, while some girls may be placed together, there is no guarantee they will be. Additionally, camp is divided into units based on grade level in the Fall (not scouting level). Nevertheless, all campers come together at lunch and can socialize with each other during that time. We recommend that you coordinate with a buddy, request each other in your registration and be open minded to make new friends!
- 14. What does a typical day look like?
A typical day schedule is below:
- 9:00am - 9:30am Each day at camp starts at 9am with drop-off, songs and our opening ceremony.
- 9:30am - 12:00pm Units rotate through activities focused on their unit theme (e.g. arts/crafts, games, team-building, outdoor skills, etc.) or camp-wide stations (ie. Candles, Big Craft, Community Service, Swimming, Archery - for 4th and 5th graders)
- 12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch with all campers & open field play
- 1:00pm - 3:00pm Lots more activities with more unit rotations.
- 3:00pm - 4:00pm Time to clean up, flag ceremony and then say goodbye to new and old friends.
- 15. My child (cannot/doesn't like/still learning) to swim. Will that be a problem?
During camp units are assigned swimming time slots. Children cross over to the lakeside portion of Vasa Resort as a unit but are never forced to swim. They are free to play at the park on the playground equipment and/or swim as they choose. At lakeside there are lifeguards present along with our camp's additional adult volunteers. There is a shallow swim area for children who choose to swim. Campers grade 3 and above are given the option to take a swim test (on Monday only) to swim in the deeper portion of the swim area.
- 16. My neighbor/friend/nanny/etc will pick-up my child. What is you pick-up procedure?
The first day, parents must walk their campers inside. If you need to update your Camper Release Form, you can do so at that time. ALL ADULTS picking up campers must show Photo ID , and only adults listed on the Camper Release Form will be allowed to sign out campers. Please arrange carpools in advance so that your form is accurate for any changes needed. **NOTE** Our closing flag is from 3:30-4PM and campers will not be released during that time. Parents are asked to wait at the door until we are finished with our ceremony.
- 17. I need to pick-up/drop-off my child early? What is the process?
Camp programming of crafts and special projects may not wrap up until ~3:15. Yet if you must have an early release - the adult must be in headquarter by 3:00pm. For the safety and convenience of all concerned we ask that if your child must leave camp early that you check them out before we start our camp closing and preparations for flag. Please let your child’s P.A. know of your plans ahead of time when possible.