FAQ’s and Video

Registration and Enrollment

What is the best way to find out more information about Wyonegonic?
Wyonegonic and Winona travel to several cities in winter months to offer new and returning families a chance to visit with the Directors and learn more about camp. We will also visit in your home or town at your request. Studying the website, brochure, video, speaking with families and spending time discussing your questions with Wyonegonic are all helpful in determining if your daughter is ready for camp. If you are planning ahead for summers in the future, we love to have you visit Wyonegonic during the camp season.
When do I need to submit a registration?
You may submit a registration anytime as long as you feel comfortable about Wyonegonic being the right fit for your daughter.  Returning campers submit their returning registrations and deposits by October 15th to ensure their space for the following summer.
I have heard that Wyonegonic has a waitlist. What if space is not available?
Because of our high return rates and requests for full season, it is common for us to have a waitlist in Senior Camp (age 13-15). The waitlist is established by the date the Wyonegonic office receives the completed registration and accompanying deposit. The waitlist is specific to session request and grade level. Immediate acknowledgement of registrations will be sent. At that time, you will be notified if your daughter is waitlisted. We call the next applicant on the waitlist when cancellations occur.
If my daughter is attending the first three and a half week session and she decides that she wants to stay at camp for seven weeks, is that possible?
Space depends on age and session. There are many reasons why it is beneficial for your family to decide upon the ideal session length prior to the summer. Please call the camp office if you would like to discuss this matter.
Is it difficult for a new camper to start her Wyonegonic experience in the second session?
Not at all! Many campers arrive at camp midseason. Staff and 7-week campers welcome new arrivals and assist in each camper’s adjustment. The new girls participate in an orientation to acclimate them to their program choices.
Can my daughter be in a cabin with her best friend from home?
We give careful consideration to cabin assignments. One of the purposes of camp is to meet new people from different places. We purposefully attempt to provide a geographic mix and normally we avoid placing best friends from home in the same cabin.

 

Camp Life:

How can I communicate with my daughter during the summer?
Campers have time to write letters during recreational time and rest hour. We encourage parents to write two to three times a week. Daily correspondence has a propensity to bring on homesickness. Care Packages should be limited to a maximum of one per session (essentials only and no food allowed). Phone calls are not permitted. Parents may call the directors if they have concerns at any time up until 10pm each evening..
How often can my daughter see her brother at Winona?
Family members can visit once at least once per session as a minimum. The visit will be on Sundays after lunch and will not interfere with our programming (excluding the first Sunday of the session). The visit alternates each week at Winona or Wyonegonic.
What is the best way to prepare my daughter for her first summer at camp?
Campers who have never been to sleep away camp benefit from sleepovers with friends or relatives. Prepare your daughter with positive encouragement and focus on the fun and exciting things she will do at camp, rather than the things she will miss at home. Speak to other families who have gone through the process and utilize Wyonegonic as a resource. Prior to the camp season, we will send helpful information to review with your daughter that will assist in the transition from home to camp.
What if my daughter gets homesick?
We expect campers to experience homesickness in different ways. It is very normal to miss home. Counselors are trained to look for signs and seek out necessary assistance.  Because camp is fun, active, and campers are surrounded by peers, the problem usually resolves itself. More challenging cases are handled by our nurses and directors on an individual basis. It is extremely unusual for a child to leave camp.
What if my daughter has a birthday while at camp?
Campers with birthdays are the exception to the phone call policy. Parents may call in at meal times for a birthday phone call. Birthdays are celebrated with a small cake enjoyed by the camper’s cabin group.
Are there toilets and electricity in the sleeping cabins?
There is no electricity in camper cabins but all main buildings have power. Toilets, sinks and showers are centralized and conveniently located.
Should my daughter bring her mobile phone or other electronics?
We do not permit cell phones, MP3 players, e-Readers, laptops, or any other electronic device. If a child needs a phone for her travels, we have a system for storing them in an office lock box for safe keeping. Disposable cameras are preferable to those that require recharging.
Can I choose my daughters activities?
Your daughter will choose her activities after she arrives at camp. You can give suggestions to her prior to the summer, but we believe girls learn a lot about making decisions and setting goals by setting their own schedule. She will have the guidance from her counselor and the Program Director. Programming is chosen weekly which allows for change and variety. This allows her to focus on areas of personal interest and to try new things.
What should my daughter bring to camp?
We try to keep camp life simple and personal space in the cabins is quite limited. Wyonegonic laundry is subcontracted and goes off property once per week and returns after 24-48 hours. We recommend enough clothing for ten days. A suggested packing list is available in the parents login.
My daughter has special diet restrictions. Can camp accommodate?
All health issues including diet restrictions or food allergies must be notated on the health form and have full disclosure from the camper’s primary physician. The review of health forms initiates “need to know” information that is shared with appropriate staff. Parents of campers with specific health needs often speak with camp nurses prior to the summer. Food allergies are monitored carefully. Severe diet restrictions (i.e.: gluten free or celiac disease) often necessitates a meeting between parents, the Health Center Supervisor and Food Services Director. Parents may then provide supplemental food that will be dispensed by the Health Center and the Head Chef.

 

If you have any questions that are not covered here, please contact the Wyonegonic Office.