how old do the campers have to be to participate
They have to be 7 on the first day camp starts and cannot be older than 16 on the date camp starts. However, we do have a Camper in Training program for 17 year olds. See our registration page.
my child is 17 years old, can they come to camp? What is a cit?
Yes! In 2017, we started a CIT (Counselor-in-training) program by request of one of our campers. Thank you Steph! These kids do sleep in the same bunks with the campers and help out where needed at camp. So they work with the activity counselors as well as with the camp counselors, giving them exposure to all aspects of the camp program. There is a cost to being a CIT. Please see the registration page for up to date details. It's a great transition from being a camper to a volunteer.
how much does camp cost?
in 2018, 2019 and 2020, camp is $225, if paying via credit card or paypal, additional fees apply. Please see the registration page for details.
where is camp?
Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the address of camp. This email will include GPS coordinates for those using GPS. We rent a facility called Camp Cherith and it is located in Hunt, NY which is near the south end of Letchworth Park, near Nunda, NY.
Are you affiliated with camp cherith?
No. If you visit their page, see it for their property photos only. We do not do the same activities or follow any program. We are not a religious organization and are not affiliated in any way. They are very kind to rent their facilities to Celiac Strong Camp and are very gracious hosts. We hope to run Celiac Strong Camp for many years at this location. You may visit their website at Camp Cherith.
how do i register my camper?
Registration opens on February 1st. Please mark your calendars as we usually book solid soon after registration opens. Please also consider volunteering, as we cannot host camp without volunteers. Thank you in advance for your enthusiasm!
do you accept volunteers?
Yes. We are all volunteers, including the activity counselors and board members. These folks are generous and gracious enough to take time off from work and come be part of Celiac Strong Camp. We thank everyone for volunteering. Please visit the registration page and complete a registration form to be placed on the list. We select based on the need of the number of children at camp. You do not need a special talent to volunteer.
We cannot guarantee that you will be selected to volunteer, but we try to accept as many as possible. Please do not hinder your child's registration based on your acceptance, as we can never guarantee your selection. Please apply! You will work hard, but be rewarded by how wonderful and grateful these children are - the smiles and carefree diet is the best! Once you volunteer, you will understand why the children count down the days until they get to come back - our campers and volunteers have so much fun and they are an awesome group!
We cannot guarantee that you will be selected to volunteer, but we try to accept as many as possible. Please do not hinder your child's registration based on your acceptance, as we can never guarantee your selection. Please apply! You will work hard, but be rewarded by how wonderful and grateful these children are - the smiles and carefree diet is the best! Once you volunteer, you will understand why the children count down the days until they get to come back - our campers and volunteers have so much fun and they are an awesome group!
Once selected as a volunteer, what's expected?
After you have been selected, we will send to you an email. It will be addressed from message@veritysecure.com. This is the company that we hire to perform our background check, which camp will pay for. However, if you are selected, go through this process and do not attend camp, we ask that you reimburse camp for our costs incurred. Thank you for understanding this in advance and for agreeing to do this on your volunteer registration form.
The process is
Orientation and training at camp on the day camp starts.
At camp, our priority is the safety of our campers. We ask that you be respectful to one another, be appropriate with language, do not bully or harass in anyway our volunteers or campers, and that you bring your patience and kindness. We keep things upbeat and cheery, we smile, perform skits and share a positive attitude. You may get s'mores in your hair or have the chance to win the Golden Plunger award with your cabin. We support one another and try to allow the campers just have fun... safely.
The process is
- Application
- Background permission
- 2 references must be mailed in directly to us, your first year as a volunteer only
- Camp forms, a packet which we will email to you
- Online safety training
Orientation and training at camp on the day camp starts.
At camp, our priority is the safety of our campers. We ask that you be respectful to one another, be appropriate with language, do not bully or harass in anyway our volunteers or campers, and that you bring your patience and kindness. We keep things upbeat and cheery, we smile, perform skits and share a positive attitude. You may get s'mores in your hair or have the chance to win the Golden Plunger award with your cabin. We support one another and try to allow the campers just have fun... safely.
sleeping arrangements
The campers, CIT's, and camp counselors are assigned to sleep with the campers by gender in age appropriate cabins.
These cabins are rustic. THEY ARE NOT AIR CONDITIONED. They are bunk bed style twin beds.
We recommend for all to bring:
Also for volunteers only, we recommend:
These cabins are rustic. THEY ARE NOT AIR CONDITIONED. They are bunk bed style twin beds.
We recommend for all to bring:
- Plastic mattress cover
- Mattress pad
- Twin-sized fitted sheet
- Sleeping bag or warm blankets
- Pillow
Also for volunteers only, we recommend:
- Fan
- Extension chord with power strip. There is electric in each cabin but there may only be one outlet and they are not always in a convenient area of the cabin.
- Phone charger
What activities does camp usually offer?
Sabrina carefully coordinates these activities with a committee. In the past, camp has had swimming, archery, astronomy, gaga ball, tether-ball, Frisbee golf, scavenger hunts, performed skits, sing songs, story time, movies, lip syncing, fishing, hikes, arts & crafts, cooking demonstrations and campfires. If you have suggestions, please contact her directly Sabrina40154@yahoo.com.
what kind of food will be served?
Please rest assured that our menu is approved by a nutritionist, and the kitchen is managed by one of the camp directors who is certified under the National Registry of Food Safety Professional as a Food Safety Manager. We will serve gluten free and can accommodate lactose free diets only. We cannot accommodate any other diets/allergies/preferences. The kitchen will be gluten free and not shared by any other camps during our stay.
We try to have a fun menu for kids. They have had hot dogs, tacos, spaghetti, chicken nuggets, and pizza! The pizza is made, donated and delivered by our own pizza man, Paul, who owns Livingston County Pizza. He is a generous man and the kids enjoy having a pizza delivered and thank him with a song. When visiting, please let him know you are a Celiac Strong Camper or Volunteer!
We do serve fruits and vegetables with each meal. Sometimes people are concerned about their picky eaters, but when they come to camp and are with their new friends, they eat well. We always have peanut butter and jelly, plenty of snacks, and treats.
We do not allow any food items be brought to the camp to ensure all food is gluten free, and we do not allow food in the cabins to not attract pests.
We try to have a fun menu for kids. They have had hot dogs, tacos, spaghetti, chicken nuggets, and pizza! The pizza is made, donated and delivered by our own pizza man, Paul, who owns Livingston County Pizza. He is a generous man and the kids enjoy having a pizza delivered and thank him with a song. When visiting, please let him know you are a Celiac Strong Camper or Volunteer!
We do serve fruits and vegetables with each meal. Sometimes people are concerned about their picky eaters, but when they come to camp and are with their new friends, they eat well. We always have peanut butter and jelly, plenty of snacks, and treats.
We do not allow any food items be brought to the camp to ensure all food is gluten free, and we do not allow food in the cabins to not attract pests.
Camper to counselor ratio and how do we group the children
We try to group the children from
7 to 10 year olds
10 - 13 year olds
13-16 year olds
The minimum ratio we will have is 1 counselor to 8 campers.
During the daily activities, the boys and girls are assigned in age-appropriate groups and with their counselors, they go to their activities.
7 to 10 year olds
10 - 13 year olds
13-16 year olds
The minimum ratio we will have is 1 counselor to 8 campers.
During the daily activities, the boys and girls are assigned in age-appropriate groups and with their counselors, they go to their activities.
where do i mail payment for camp?
Our mailing address is:
Celiac Strong Camp Inc
c/o Sabrina DeVos
4010 Dean Road
Marion, New York 14505
Checks are payable to: Celiac Strong Camp Inc.
Please note, this is not our camp address... this is our home address!
Celiac Strong Camp Inc
c/o Sabrina DeVos
4010 Dean Road
Marion, New York 14505
Checks are payable to: Celiac Strong Camp Inc.
Please note, this is not our camp address... this is our home address!
Who do i make the check payable to?
Celiac Strong Camp Inc.
how may i make a donation to camp
Your donations are tax-deductible and appreciate all your support. You may donate via paypal directly at https://www.paypal.me/CeliacStrongCampInc.
Please also ask your employers or doctor's offices to possibly contribute monetary, product donations, or even hang a flyer in their office for us. We greatly appreciate all the support! Please visit our support / donation page.
Please also ask your employers or doctor's offices to possibly contribute monetary, product donations, or even hang a flyer in their office for us. We greatly appreciate all the support! Please visit our support / donation page.
are pets allowed at camp?
No, not even in the check in line. Please do not bring any pets to camp. They are not allowed on the property.
They will need to be left in your car and cannot even wait in the check-in or check-out line for the safety and regulations of owners of the camp.
They will need to be left in your car and cannot even wait in the check-in or check-out line for the safety and regulations of owners of the camp.
How old do you have to be to volunteer
As young as 17 and no age limit. We select volunteers based on need.
when are camp forms due?
Please check registration page. No exceptions. This will hinder your registration status for attending camp and our camp fee is non-refundable.
Can a sibling attend with my child?
Yes, as long as the sibling is between the ages of 7 - 16 they may register as a camper. They may also register as a C.I.T. or a volunteer.
do i have to return all pages of registration packet even if no medication is taken?
Yes. It is imperative that all forms are returned even if they do not take any medication, printed single-sided.
As they are at camp, the nurses use the medication sheets to note any concerns that they may go over with you at check out. Thank you in advance for completing all forms, printing them single-sided, signing them where noted, and returning them by the due date of June 1st.
As they are at camp, the nurses use the medication sheets to note any concerns that they may go over with you at check out. Thank you in advance for completing all forms, printing them single-sided, signing them where noted, and returning them by the due date of June 1st.
REFUNDS
Camp registration is refundable only if your camper's reservation can be filled by a registration on the waiting list until May 1st.