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FAQ
Where
do you get your counselors?
Our unit counselors are from colleges and universities from all over
the United States. We have a strong core of staff that returns year
after year. What is amazing about these counselors is that they give
up higher-paying jobs to come and work at Cazadero. Our counselors have
a passion for working with children and making sure that all of our
campers have the musical and social time of their life!
Are
there any discounts or scholarships available?
Yes, Cazadero does have a scholarship fund. If you are interested in
financial assistance, please contact us. Discounts are also available
to those who send multiple children from the same family.
What
is the maximum number of campers per session?
For Summer 2008, the maximum number of campers that we can take per
session is 168. Campers are placed in their respective sessions and
units by age and ability. Evening programs are camp-wide and involve
all campers.
Should I enroll my 9th grader in the Junior High Session or the Senior High Session?
Some worry that their 9th graders are "too old" to benefit from the Junior High Session, yet too young to fit in with the "older" kids of the Senior High Session. Consider the following facts:
An average of the last three years shows that approximately:
18% of High School Session campers are entering the 8th grade in the fall;
42% are entering the 9th grade;
25% are entering the 10th grade;
12% are entering the 11th grade; and
Only 3% are entering the 12th grade.
Is All Camp Choir (Young Musicians and Middle School Sessions) required for the whole camp?
All Camp Choir for Young Musicians and Middle School campers is 45 minutes each day, and is required for everyone. Medical studies have shown that there are no ill-effects from required singing in an instrumental music camp.
What about electives offered at Caz?
During Young Musicians and Middle School sessions, campers participate in all-camp choir for one hour daily. Campers may also select an additional one-hour elective class such as music theory, conducting, jazz improvisation, chamber ensembles, instrumental techniques, percussion improvisation and vocalization, and nature studies. (Click here for more information on the nature program.) Electives offered may vary from session to session. Assignments are based on camper preference, ability level, and availability. What time should I arrive in camp on the first day if I do not ride the bus?
You should plan to arrive in camp on the first day between 10:30 and 11:30 AM.
Do
I have to stay at camp the whole time?
In order to get the most out of your time at camp, please do not sign
up for any session unless you can stay the entire time at camp. Campers
may leave for a short time with their own families after the mid-week
sessions concerts.
What are the camper accommodations like?
Campers sleep on beds under the stars on platform decks in supervised groups that are assigned by age. All campers have access to indoor showers, toilets and changing rooms. Every effort will be made to assign friends to the same group if requests (limited to 2) are noted on the application.
What
happens in case of emergencies?
Cazadero has 2 professional full-time nurses living in camp during our
youth sessions. Our nurses are all employed by hospitals, doctor's offices,
or other medical facilities. There are some medical conditions that
we are not capable to accommodate. Additional staff members are also
trained to provide health care. All staff receives training in areas
such as safety drills and other emergency procedures. If you are interested
in volunteering this summer as a nurse, please contact us.
What items should I pack to bring to Camp?
Pack everything in a suitcase or duffel bag and label everything you bring with your full name.
- Sleeping bag & pillow (plus wool blanket if your bag is light)
- Pillow Case*
- Flashlight, with extra batteries*
- Casual clothes for everyday wear
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Rubber sandals or other non-skid shoes for pool & shower
- Well-built shoes for lots of walking around camp: Closed-toe shoes REQUIRED in camp except at pool
- Mirror, towels and toilet articles
- Personal medication (give to the Camp Nurse) labeled!
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Personal sports equipment (balls, gloves, frisbee, etc.) labeled!
- Musical instrument(s) labeled!
- Camera and film*
- Favorite CDs - labeled! (for our Cazadero Dances!)
*for sale at Caz Camp Store
Theme Clothes to bring:
Fun PJs for the pajama breakfast
Hawaiian or tie-dyed shirts for the wildest shirt contest
Please do not bring:
Portable stereo or audio systems, video game players, cell phones (they do not work in the canyon), beepers, fireworks (illegal in Western Sonoma County), electric clocks or radios, snacks. Don't bring anything you would really miss if it was lost or broken. How
much money should I bring to Camp?
Zero. We believe that campers having money while at camp can only present
problems. We give each camper a T-shirt, camp photo, and CD recording
of the session's concerts. We also provide afternoon snacks at no additional
cost. Parents may want to open a camp store account through the Berkeley
office, or you may wish to bring money to concert days to purchase Cazadero
Caps, Visors, Water Bottles, and other merchandise.
What
is the staff to camper ratio?
The ratio of staff to campers is about 3 campers per 1 staff member.
We are always careful to have the most amount of supervision possible.
This is to not only ensure physical safety, but also emotional safety.
We teach our campers to encourage one another, and this makes for an
outstanding camp experience for everyone.
What
about cabin assignments?
Cabin assignments will be made on the basis of age and school grade.
Years of experience show the advantage of close friends and groups of
friends being assigned to separate cabins, thereby permitting new friendships
and experiences to emerge. Therefore, only request two individuals for
your child to room with (same age or grade level). If the person requested
does not request your child also, and if more than one camper is requested,
we may not be able to honor the request.
Due to the fact that every bunk is reserved in camp, there will be no
change in unit assignments on registration day. Changes like this would
set off a chain reaction, which would complicate our registration procedures.
Campers will be placed in units according to age level. Campers should
not come to camp expecting to be in a particular unit since the makeup
of each unit changes from year to year and session to session based
upon the total enrollment and ages of all the campers.
Is
there laundry service at Caz?
There are no laundry facilities available at camp. For those campers
staying longer than one week, parents should bring clean clothes to
replace the dirty laundry, or may take their laundry to Guerneville
or other nearby town after the mid-week concert.
How
does mail get to my son/daughter?
OVERNIGHT: Mail is important to a camper. A daily note is better than
an occasional long letter. Keep your letters cheery and avoid mentioning
how sorely your camper is missed or the "fantastic beach parties"
happening at home. Your child will be encouraged to write home frequently
but don't expect to get too many letters since the campers are very
busy. Please allow 4 days for letter travel in either direction. With
younger campers, improperly addressed and /or unstamped envelopes delay
mail. We suggest you pre-stamp and address several envelopes or postcards
for relatives and friends.
Send
camper mail to:
Camper's Name
Cazadero Music Camp
P.O. Box 140
Cazadero, CA 95421
UPS OVERNIGHT & EXPRESS MAIL: Parents who send packages to campers
via UPS/Fed Ex should not use the regular camp post office address-
it will only delay delivery. Please note that overnight packages mailed
after Wednesday may not reach your child before they leave, the second
week of any session.
For
faster service, address package to:
Camper's Name
Cazadero Music Camp
5000 Austin Creek Road
Cazadero, CA 95421
Please allow this to take a few days to reach camp and your camper.
Even though mail is given out each day, Express mail does not come in
until later. So please plan accordingly.
How does Cazadero deal with
discipline?
Cazadero staff is carefully trained to work with children in a positive
and trusting environment. It is assumed that campers are amenable to
normal camp discipline and will confirm to the ideals and regulations
of our camping program.
Corporal punishment, denial of food at meals, isolation without supervision,
ridicule by staff or campers, excessive exercise or deprivation of sleep
are expressly prohibited as a means for discipline in our camp. Any
camper found in possession of alcoholic beverages, drugs, drug paraphernalia,
cigarettes, fighting, vandalism, and theft will be dismissed from camp.
In such cases, parents or guardians will be contacted immediately. Any
camper dismissed from camp for disciplinary reasons will forfeit any
refund of fees.
Can my camper use the telephone?
Telephones are not available for camper use except in staff supervised
business or emergency situations. If parents have an emergency that
requires a telephone call, please ask to speak to the Camp Director,
and your message will be written down and delivered to the child, normally
at the next mealtime. IN CASES OF EMERGENCY, DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL
THE CAMP DIRECTOR AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT.
What about visitors?
"Drop in" visits can create a number of problems, sometimes
disrupting programs, diverting staff, or setting off homesickness in
susceptible campers. First day check-in, mid-week concerts, and last
day concerts are good times to visit with staff and tour facilities,
not during the week. If parents are going to be in the area, please
make phone arrangements ahead of time. It is important that all visitors
check in at the office. When visiting, please do not ask to take other
campers from camp. How
can I contact the camp?
Cazadero Music Camp
P.O. Box 140
Cazadero, CA 95421
(707) 632-5159
Director E-mail: jim@cazadero.org
After hours, please contact the Camp Director at (707) 632-5159
How
does Cazadero deal with health and safety issues?
All campers are screened for medical problems at check in. Occasionally
campers do become ill or require other medical attention. Camp has a
well-equipped health facility, complete with dispensary and isolation
rooms. A certified nurse or EMT is on-call 24-hours a day.
In addition to Camp's medical staff, arrangements have been made with
nearby physicians and the local hospital for consultation and emergency
service. To complete the arrangement for medical service, we need the
parent's SIGNED authorization and ALL INSURANCE NUMBERS . Cazadero requires
campers to have this signed authorization on file for each camper at
camp prior to arriving at camp.
Any time a camper is referred to medical attention outside of camp,
or is restricted from normal program participation for more than 24-hours,
parents will be contacted. Your family accident/health medical insurance
will be billed, and you will be advised of and billed for any other
medical expenses such as special medication and/or supplies advised
by the physician.
All prescription medication brought into Camp must be accompanied by
written orders that are signed by a physician. Orders must include the
camper's full name, dosage amount, delivery times, and any limitation.
The Confidential Health Form provides an opportunity for staff to work
more effectively with any special help your child might require. Please
share the requested information and be assured that it is handled in
the strictest confidence and is kept with your child's medical records
in the Infirmary.
Cazadero requires that camp have on file a list of individuals that
you authorize to have custody of your child in your absence. Please
be sure and give thought to this list and SIGN your authorization on
the Camper Release Form. This is especially important if some other
person may be picking up your child from camp or may be visiting your
child during his/her stay.
What if my child becomes homesick?
Homesickness is a normal experience in the process of growing up, and
every counselor at Cazadero is trained to help a homesick camper through
encouragement, lots of activity, and building new friendships. Parents
can help by writing friendly and encouraging letters, writing often,
and not promising a camper he/she can come home if they get homesick.
Plan ahead with mail; many letters arrive after a child has left camp.
If you expect that your child will become homesick, don't delay over
your departure from camp. He/she will be in good hands. Refrain from
making a fuss over your departure or suggesting that your child might
be homesick.
Don't be alarmed at letters your child might write, as a homesick child
wants to get home and will use any means to accomplish that end. Your
child may stretch the truth, hoping to gain your sympathy so that you
will come to retrieve him/her. Should you suspect your child is homesick,
please don't call the camp office to ask for your child. In our experience,
homesickness is aggravated rather than deterred by phone calls home.
Please do not promise your child that they will be allowed to call home
as this puts the camp in a very difficult position and is not true!
Contact the Camp Director who will inform you as to your child's progress
and discuss with you our strategy for helping him/her adjust to camp.
Is
West Nile Virus a problem at Caz?
All of the advice we have received to date has been that the chance
of contracting West Nile Virus in our camp environment this summer is
extremely low for campers. As this is a relatively new disease and information
is changing, our healthcare and camp staff are working closely with
the Sonoma County Department of Health and medical professionals to
devise and implement appropriate practices at camp to limit campers'
exposure to West Nile Virus at camp this summer.
West Nile Virus (WNv) is a mosquito-borne virus that can be spread to
humans through a bite from a mosquito infected with the virus. Not all
mosquitoes carry WNv. Mosquitoes contract the virus by biting an infected
bird. WNv cannot be spread from one person to another through direct
contact like touching, coughing, sneezing or sharing the same cup and
has not been found to be transmitted from mammals, such as horses to
humans. To date there have been very few infected birds found in our
area of Cazadero.
While most people who become infected will experience no symptoms or
have very mild illness, for some, the symptoms will be pronounced. For
a very rare few, the virus causes serious neurological illness such
as encephalitis. Research indicates that approximately four out of five
people bitten by an infected mosquito do not have any symptoms that
are associated with WNv.
Despite the low risk of contracting serious WNv at camp, we will work
to reduce campers' exposure to mosquitoes at camp this summer. Counselors
will encourage campers to cover up, we will adapt programs to avoid
high levels of mosquitoes, we will closely monitor the state of repair
of screening in buildings and dormitories, we will reduce or remove,
where possible, standing water on the site, and we will encourage and
monitor the use of insect repellent by campers. Parents should ensure
that they send along appropriate light colored long sleeve clothing
and insect repellent with their children to camp.
Please note: The Sonoma County Health Department recommends those children
aged 6 to 12 should not use insect repellent with DEET concentrations
greater than 10% and not more than 3 times per day. Please do not hesitate
to contact the camp office if you have any concerns.
Administrative
office: P.O. Box 7908 Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 527-7500 Fax(510) 527-2790 Camp office: (707) 632-5159 fax(707)
632-5260
email: info@cazadero.org Camper
Mail: Box 140 Cazadero, CA 95421
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