Camper Mail and Packages
- Campers love receiving a letter or two each week from you in the mail.
- We ask that you send no more than one package per session.
- No food or candy is permitted within packages.
- Please pack white envelopes with your camper to use
Letters
Campers love to receive letters. Wyonegonic strongly encourages handwritten letters as a way of correspondence. There is something magical about receiving a handwritten letter in today’s fast-paced technical world. We suggest two letters per week as a guideline. (Daily letters are not recommended as they may contribute to homesickness and can create inequity.) Campers are encouraged to write home a minimum of twice per week. Be patient as mail may take up to a week for delivery in the US.
Letter Guidelines
- Before camp, please review USPS guidelines with your camper. The correct way to address an envelope; paper only in an envelope (no bumps such as string, buttons or clasps); and use of blue or black ink.
- Please pack standard size envelopes (no larger than 11 1/2 L x 6 1/8 H inches) that are white or a light color. Our postage meter has red ink and does not show up on dark-colored envelopes. All letters must fit through our automated processing equipment, so keep these guidelines in mind.
Homesick Letter Tips
It is normal for campers to miss home, so expect homesick letters and feelings of separation in the beginning of a session. Keep in mind, campers are writing letters during rest hour or unprogrammed time. Therefore sad feelings may be magnified, but quickly diminish as they go on with their active day. Most campers are well-adjusted and the letter you are reading may be “old news.” Parent tip: if you do receive homesick news, reply with calm and happy letters. Use words like “love” instead of “miss.” Reassure them that missing home is a normal feeling and that you believe in them. Call the directors if you feel missing home is lingering or beyond a controllable scope. They will get back to you within 24 hours. This time is needed to touch base with your campers counselor and/or unit director to assess your daughter’s needs.
Packages
We know that campers love to receive packages at camp and parents love to send them! However, we request some guidelines so that Wyonegonic can continue to focus on relationships not materialistic items. Also, please help us strengthen our Wyo commitment to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle regarding packages:
- Expect an additional day of internal delivery of packages once received at camp
- Packages are limited to one package, per camper, per session. No food or candy is permitted. Please limit packages to necessary items only. All Packages will be opened in the presence of a counselor. Any food or candy received will be sent back or donated to be eaten by staff. (Please be aware that your actions affect our living environment, cabin dynamics and could encourage wildlife into the cabins.)
- Resources are limited when processing the large amounts of daily packages coming into camp and the recycling of the packaging and boxes after the packages have been opened. Unfortunately due to market conditions, regional recycling facilities are limited and overloaded. Tips: Shop early to minimize last minute items sent to camp. Encourage friends and family to write letters rather than send packages.
- Keep in mind, some campers do not receive any packages or letters all summer. In efforts to create a sense of belonging and equity at camp, we ask you to keep the feelings of others in mind when making decisions about sending items in a package. Before buying an item on Amazon or shipping anything, ask yourself if it is necessary to be sent. Does your camper “need a new hammock, different crocs and glittery pens?” or are they requesting items for other reasons? Remember at Wyonegonic, Camp Life is Simple, we have limited storage space at camp and limited packing space for returning home.
Alternative to Postal Mail
CampStamps/eLetters
Although traditional letter writing is still strongly encouraged, Wyonegonic offers an electronic alternative, eLetters purchased through your CampInTouch account. Please be aware that eLetters are provided to parents as a convenience but they should not be overused. One or two a week is a maximum guideline. The daily processing of incoming and outgoing eLetters takes time and energy from our office staff. Multiple daily letters are not necessary, reasonable 3-5 day response times from your camper should be expected just like with postal mail.
You will need to purchase CampStamps, which are used as currency, to send eLetters and receive eLetter Replies. Please note your camper will not have access to a computer, she does not receive a notification of a sent letter until a printed paper copy is delivered to her at our daily regular mail delivery time in the Units. A response will not be returned the same day. Campers will hand write their eLetter Reply and the camp office will have it scanned, and through CampIntouch, you will get an email notification to view the letter. The eLetters and eLetter Replies will be treated just like postal mail in camp; printed out and distributed once a day through the Camp Office.
How do I buy CampStamps/eLetters?
Go to the Wyonegonic website and access your CampInTouch account by using your Parent Login. Then purchase CampStamps, which are used to send and receive eLetters and provide an eLetter Reply.
Steps
There is a login at the top of every page on our website. Enter your email address and password (or hit Retrieve/Reset if you forgot your password). You should now be logged in to your CampInTouch account.
Scroll down to Your Account and click on CampStamps. Purchase your desired amount using a credit card. (If no credit card is on file, go down to Credit Card for CampStamps and Photos and enter your credit card number.)
Unused CampStamps rollover from year to year. Your CampStamp account is deducted once the emailed letter is sent. (Purchase on your credit card statement will say from CampMinder.)
Cost of CampStamps to Send eLetters
1 Electronic email/eLetter to your camper costs 1 CampStamp
1 Electronic email/eLetter Reply from your camper costs 1 CampStamp
CampStamps
- 10 for $10
- 15 for $14
- 20 for $18
- 30 for $25
When purchasing, keep in mind you will have the option to print blank eLetters Replies prior to camp (see Tip below).
To Send an eLetter
Scroll down to Online Community and click on Email. This is where you can write a letter to your camper. You can also buy eLetter Stacks for your child prior to camp (see Tip below). You will also have the option to send a eLetter Reply that will print out for your camper with your eLetter and she can then use it for the handwritten reply.
Guest Accounts
If you want to buy CampStamps for your family to use, scroll down to Guest Accounts to sign up a guest first, then back to purchase guest CampStamps, so that they may send eLetters.
Tip – eLetter Stacks!
Prior to camp, you can print out a supply of blank eLetter Replies, called eLetter Stacks, to give to your camper so she can write to you throughout the summer. Each blank eLetter Reply will have a barcode, which is attached to your account. Unused eLetter Replies that are never sent, will not be charged to your account. eLetter Stacks can benefit campers as they can write whenever they want, without having to wait for an eLetter Reply to be sent from parents first.