Question 1

My child is 17 years old, can they come to the camp?

Accepted Answer

At this time, no. Our campers are between the ages of 7 and 16 (on the first day of camp). Our activity counselors are 18 and over and our counselors are 21 and over.

Question 2

How old do campers have to be to participate?

Accepted Answer

They have to be 7 on the first day camp starts and cannot be older than 16 on the date camp starts.

Question 3

Are you affiliated with Camp Cherith?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

How do I register my camper?

Accepted Answer

Registration opens on February 1 at 12:01 am. Mark your calendar, we usually book soon after registration opens. Please also consider volunteering, as we cannot host camp without volunteers. Thank you in advance for your enthusiasm!

Question 5

How do I make a donation to the camp?

Accepted Answer

Your donations are tax-deductible and appreciate all your support. You may mail your checks to Celiac Strong Camp, 4010 Dean Road, Marion, NY 14505 or 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.

Question 6

Do you accept volunteers?

Accepted Answer

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. 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!

Question 7

Once selected as a volunteer, what’s expected?

Accepted Answer

After you have been selected, you will receive an email from message@veritysecure.com. This is the company that we hire to perform our background checks, which camp pays 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 ($25).

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

These need to be met by the deadline to be a registered volunteer.

Orientation and training occurs on the first day of camp.

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.

Question 8

What are the sleeping arrangements?

Accepted Answer

The campers and 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:
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 for your own cell phone

Question 9

What activities are typically available at camp?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

What kind of food will be served?

Accepted Answer

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! Veggies and fruits are served as well with meals. Usually two fruits with breakfasts, a hot veggy with dinner and salads in the in afternoon and also with dinner. 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.

Question 11

Camper to counselor ratio and how do we group the children?

Accepted Answer

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 children are assigned in age-appropriate groups and with their counselors, they go to their activities.

Question 12

Where do I mail payment for camp?

Accepted Answer

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!

Question 13

Who do I make the check payable to?

Accepted Answer

Celiac Strong Camp Inc.

Question 14

Are pets allowed at camp?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

How old do you have to be to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

As young as 18 and no age limit. We select volunteers based on need. Former campers must wait one gap year to come back as a volunteer.

Question 16

When are camp forms due?

Accepted Answer

Please check registration page. No exceptions, May 15th. This will hinder your registration status for attending camp and our camp fee is non-refundable.

Question 17

Can a sibling attend with my child?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as the sibling is between the ages of 7 - 16 they may register as a camper.

Question 18

Do I have to return all pages of registration packet even if no medication is taken?

Accepted Answer

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 May 15th.

Question 19

Refunds

Accepted Answer

Camp registration is refundable only if your camper's reservation can be filled by a registration on the waiting list. For details, they will be listed on the registration page beginning on February 1st.

FAQS

Camp Questions