Overnight Camp FAQ

Parent Packet

Welcome to YMCA Camp Eberhart! For over 110 years, YMCA Camp Eberhart has provided children with the adventure of a lifetime. I am both excited and honored to serve your family this summer and welcome your child to our community. Our dedicated team of experienced camping professionals has spent the year planning and preparing for a safe, fun & memorable camp experience your camper will never forget. We take pride in the trust that you’ve given us, and the opportunity to provide your child with a lifetime of skills and experiences.

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Overnight Check-In Procedures

STEP 1: Report to Klinger Hall between 2:00 – 4:00 PM EST

Please note that our gates will be closed until 2:00 PM. Families typically arrive early and wait in line outside Klinger Hall. If you arrive early, we recommend taking a short jaunt up the road to “Corey Lake Orchard” for a fresh apple cider smoothie. Klinger hall is where you will actually check-in for Camp, receive your cabin assignment, schedule, and turn in any medications you might have (see Health & Safety section). We will also quickly check your camper for head lice. Those little buggers can be a drag at Camp and it’s always best to stay ahead of that problem. 

STEP 2: Set up your bunk

After your camper is checked in, head down to their cabin and set up their bunk. Picking a bunk is a science. We recommend bunking with someone you have never met before and make a new friend right off the bat.

STEP 3: Time to say farewell

As dramatic as you can make it, in front of as many of their peers as you can, make sure you hug them and send them on their way to have the best week(s) of their lives at Camp!

Waterfront

All campers must complete a swim assessment where they will receive a red, yellow, or green band. This will be done Sunday after check-in, once you have set up your bunk. A green band demonstrates an ability to stay in the deep end of the swimming area without any significant risk, a yellow band demonstrates a beginner’s ability at swimming but maybe not the full ability to be safe in the deep end. A red band is for campers who are beginners in the water and who our staff would need to recognize in order to keep Camp safe.

If your camper receives a red band, we will call you and see if we can make some shifts to their schedule to get them into a swimming period to take swimming lessons. Campers need a yellow band for BCK and a green band for water skiing and sailing. For your child’s safety, we include swimming lessons in all of the swimming activity periods.

Friday Evening Check-Out

Check-out time is from 4:30-6:00 PM EST.

Pick-up time is between 4:30-6:00 PM EST. To assure your child's safety, please present a government-authorized photo ID and make certain you, or who you have identified to pick up your camper, are listed as an authorized person to pick up the camper. We ask that you don't pick your camper up early unless absolutely necessary. Campers are engaging in and enjoying activities right up until pick-up time. Those who are picked up early will miss out on our fun Friday activities!

If picking up your camper late, please let us know in advance. There may be an additional fee for campers who require late pick-up. More importantly, we want to assure your child we are aware of when to expect you.

3-Day Try-it Camp Check-Out

3-Day Try-It Camp pick-up is on Wednesday at 5:30 PM in Klinger Hall. Parents will be alerted if Campers wish to extend their time early in the week and pay the balance difference.

Multi-Week Stays

• If you’d like to visit your camper please be sure to indicate that during registration.
• Campers may be picked up as early as 10:00 AM and must be dropped back off no later than 5:00 PM.

*LCs and SITs - All though your LC/SIT Camper may be old enough to drive they are unable to do so. A Parent must be present at drop off and pick up.

Email Your Camper

YMCA Camp Eberhart is an unplugged camp, however, if you have an emergency and need to speak to your camper, please do not hesitate to call the office (269-244-5125) and we will connect you to your camper. Our desire is to create a sense of independence and character development among our campers, but we still also firmly believe in working with parents to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible at camp.

We offer a one-way email service ($5 for 5 emails, $10 for 10 emails) that allows parents to send daily correspondence to their camper. Emails can be sent through your online account created during the registration process and are delivered to campers daily. Emails are distributed just like traditional mail and are checked every day Monday-Thursday. Also, if you would like to have packages delivered to your child, you are welcome to bring them at check-in. Just let us know who they are for and when you’d like them delivered (learn more here/link). 

Follow these directions to email your camper:

• Click here to log into the YMCA Camp Eberhart Registration system.
• Log in using your email as your login and enter your password
• The next screen should say “My Account Dashboard” (if it does not – then click on “MY ACCOUNT” next to the Y logo at the top)
• Click on View Registrations
• Click on your Camper’s name 
• Click on Envelope SEND EMAILS (Or if you need to purchase emails – follow directions on the page)

Please note, your camper will not be able to reply to emails.

Flight Accommodations

We offer transportation from O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on Saturdays during our summer season. Please contact our office for availability and pricing.

Cabin Assignments & Roommates

Campers are placed into groups with other campers who are of similar age and school grade by our Leadership team. Each group’s staff to camper ratio is based on the age of the campers.

Campers can request one bunkmate as long as they are within 1 year of age of each other. A 12-year-old camper is very different than a 10-year-old camper and we work hard to ensure that cabins keep a tight age range to help facilitate friendships through shared experiences. Remember, part of the camp experience is making new friends!

Directions for how to submit and accept roommate requests:

• Login to your account
• Click on “View Summer Camp Registrations”
• Click on your camper’s name. If registered for multiple weeks, choose each week individually.
• Scroll down the page and select “Roommate Requests.”
• Enter the other camper’s First Name, Last Name, and Email that is linked to their camp account. (If you use an incorrect email, notification will not be sent.)
• If you receive a request you will be notified via email. Using the code from the email, follow the above steps, and enter the code under the “Roommate Request” link.

Overnight Camp Daily Schedule Example 

Please note, schedule is based on traditional overnight camp.

Care Packages

If you would like to send food or care packages, please send them in a sealed Tupperware container. We work very hard to keep squirrels & other “guests” from entering the cabin. Care packages can also be dropped off during check-in with the Store in Klinger Hall. Please make sure to add the camper's name and date to be delivered. Do not send any food that has peanuts or has been packaged in a peanut facility.

Care Package Ideas: Stuffed animals, waterfront toys, plain shirt with color markers for cabin mates to sign, glow sticks, clothes to match our themed weeks, hair ties, etc.

What to Bring

Sturdy, comfortable clothes are encouraged. Laundry service is not provided except in emergencies.* A suggested packing list is provided below for your convenience. Please be sure, if your child is attending a specialty camp, to check the Specialty Camp packing additions as well, as there may be specific items required for those camps. Be sure dirty clothes bags are labeled with your child’s name, so dirty clothes also return home.

Please remember to clearly label your camper's belongings!

Packing List

Bedding

• Twin blankets or sleeping bag
• Sheets
• Pillow

Bathroom Items

• Body wash, shampoo, and conditioner
• 5 towels – 2 hand, 2 bath, and 1 beach
• General toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, etc.
• Hairbrush and/or comb
• 2 washcloths

Clothing

• 2 pairs of long pants
• 4-6 pairs of shorts
• 8 sets of underwear
• 6 short sleeve shirts
• 2 summer jackets, sweaters, or sweatshirts
• Pajamas
• 2 swimsuits (one-pieces only)
• Boots, tennis shoes, and sandals
• Hat or cap
• Raincoat or poncho

Miscellaneous

• Headlamp and/or flashlight with extra batteries
• Sunscreen and insect repellent (non-aerosol)
• Water bottle
• Laundry bag or plastic garbage bag for dirty and wet laundry
• Small backpack or bag
• Sunglasses
• Battery operated fan

Please Note, this packing list is based on a week at traditional overnight camp. Specialty camps and other programs may require different or additional items.

Required for Ranch Camp

• 2 pairs of long pants
• Footwear that covers toes and heals