General FAQ

Camp Store

During breakfast and lunch, campers have the opportunity to visit our camp store to purchase camp apparel and other items such as water bottles, journals, frisbees, and more. Additionally, if campers are seeking proficiency in Arts & Crafts or Rocketry, supply purchases will be necessary. Purchases can only be made through the camper's store account. 

How to Add Money to Your Campers Store Account

1. Log into your account
2. Click "View Summer Camp Registrations"
3. From there you will see each camper and the event you have them in.
4. Open an event with your camper's name above it.
5. You'll be directed to their dashboard for that week where you can add money to the store. 

Cancellation Policy

Deposit

A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration for each session of camp. All remaining balances are drafted two weeks before the first day of camp. 

• Overnight Camp Deposit - $150
• Day Camp Deposit - $100

Cancellations & Refunds

Cancellations must be sent in writing to the camp office at campeberhart@ymcagm.org.

• Cancellations must be made two weeks prior to your first day of camp to receive a full refund, minus your deposit.
• Cancellations made less than two weeks prior to your first day of camp will receive a 50% refund, minus your deposit.
• Refunds will not be issued for campers going home early for illness, disciplinary action, or homesickness.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact us at (269) 244-5125, or email us at campeberhart@ymcagm.org. 

Dining Services

Our professional food-service team provides 3 healthy meals each day. We have a breakfast bar at every breakfast as well as a sandwich and salad bar at lunch and dinner. Our Food Service Manager, Heather Wilcox, has been with us for many years and has a passion for making healthy and delicious meals. We can accommodate most allergies, and we are also proud to be a nut-free facility.

Dietary Concerns
We can accommodate most food allergies including gluten-free. However, we are not able to provide a Celiac safe environment. If your camper is a picky eater, has food allergies, or you have any other concerns, email Heather at hwilcox@ymcagm.org.  

Birthday Parties 
If your camper is celebrating their birthday at camp and you choose to bring a treat, it must be nut-free. It should also not be manufactured in a facility that uses nuts. 

Food Deliveries
If the dining hall is needed, please contact Heather. If you choose to bring food to your campers, our Food Service Manager would love to handle all dietary concerns personally. 

Health Services

Our "Say-Ahh-Inn" health facility employs a health officer and lives on-site and manages the health and medical needs of our campers including bumps, bruises, and all medication. Our entire staff is First Aid and CPR certified, and work with both our Resident Camp and Day Camp programs. We also have established health service policies that are reviewed annually by our medical professional.

Lost & Found

To assist us with Lost & Found, please label everything with your camper’s full name—including luggage, backpacks, sleeping bags, pillows, clothing, etc. Valuables and meaningful items should be kept home. YMCA Camp Eberhart is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.

If your camper leaves any items behind at camp, we will do our best to contact parents and inquire about pick up at either YMCA Camp Eberhart, Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA, Niles-Buchanan YMCA, or YMCA O'Brien Center. If pick-up is not an option, we are able to mail packages for the price of shipping. Unwanted items will be donated or thrown away after two weeks.

We provide all program supplies to campers. For example bikes for trail biking, cameras for photography, and supplies for arts & crafts. The only program that required additional items from campers is Ranch Camp:

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

Trail Biking, Climbing/High Ropes, and Horseback/Trail Rides also require closed-toe shoes.

Severe Weather

Thunderstorms are a normal occurrence at camp during the summer. Rest assured that we watch the weather radar and monitor warning systems very closely.

In the event of severe storms, tornadoes, damaging winds, or other emergency weather events, staff is prepared with procedures to keep your camper(s) safe. All cabins and cabin staff are in radio communication with camp leadership and will be notified immediately in case of emergency. We will contact parents as soon as possible via email. If you try to call camp during a weather emergency and receive a recording, please leave a message and a staff person will get back to you as soon as it is possible. Our first concern during an emergency is the safety of our campers and staff. We may not be available to answer the telephone. 

In the event of a short-term power outage due to weather, we will continue to follow emergency protocol as needed. We are prepared with program plans and alternate activities if a power outage interrupts regular programming. We will only notify you if we need to close camp.

Technology Policy

While at camp our goal is that campers are developing meaningful friendships with their bunkmates without the aid of technology. Please leave your camper's cell phone, tablets, games, etc. at home. Any such items brought to camp will be collected and securely stored until the day of departure. Please note that camp assumes no responsibility for any damage or theft of these items. We have a photographer on staff to ensure campers receive photos of their fun week at camp.

In the best interest of our campers and safety, YMCA Camp Eberhart asks for your understanding of our best practice policy:

During the weeks of summer resident and day camp we discourage camp visits to protect camper safety.

Camp Visitors Policy:
1. Camp visits must be approved, scheduled, and require a staff escort to be with visitors at all times.
2. All scheduled visitors are required to provide a valid ID and sign in with office or administrative personnel.
3. Camp visits may not be scheduled at a time that interrupts/disrupts camp programs or operations.
4. Visitors must provide a valid reason to schedule a camp visit.

We thank you for understanding that we have this policy in place to protect the safety of our campers during summer resident and day camp.