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Permanent camp updates:

Camas - Monday and Tuesday drop off and pick up will always be at Fallen Leaf Park in Camas.  Wednesday - Friday we will be at Crown Park

AC - Tuesday and Wednesdays schedule will be switched the rest of the summer. 

POSTED August 1st @ 10:15am

As we are facing another threat of shut down... stay tuned for mask mandates and the probability of our beach trip being cancelled or changed. 

ATTENTION:  Camas drop off and pick up on Tuesday will be at Crown Park.  We will only be at Fallen Leaf on Monday.  

Camas SC - we will have our pizza party on Thursday.  Sign up and bring $7 if your kiddos want to participate. 

AC  - you may have heard Isaac sprained his ankle on Friday.  Team adjustments will be made next week.  

AC Schedule: Monday - Lucia Falls; Tuesday -  Jackson Bottom Wetlands; Wednesday - Kayaking and swimming Lacamas Lake; Thursday  Powell's Books (bring money for pizza).

POSTED July 28th @ 5:30pm

Today we say goodbye to two AC staff members.  Megan accepted a six week position at SHAPE and today we are sending her off with good luck and a lot of appreciation for her influence at camp. Shawn also has resigned as he found a better fit professionally.  We will miss them both and all of the love and effort they put into kids at camp.  I will be taking over Shawn's group a few days a week at camp.  

RF SC - your pizza party is tomorrow. Remember to bring $7 if you want to participate.  Venmo works well too.

AC - ALL  -  we will be going to Bullwinkles tomorrow.  Pack your lunch as we will do a sack lunch on site before entering the park. The tickets per person are $35 and I am asking parents to chip in $15 of the admission price. 

Camas SC - your pizza party will be next week.  I will post an update with more information. 

POSTED July 25th @ 8:30am

AC Schedule update

Monday: Latourell Falls Loop hike

Tuesday: Boneville Fish Hatchery and swimming

Wednesday: Lacamas Lake Kayaking

Thursday: Bullwinkles (Bring $15 to help with admission)

Friday: Kids Choice

POSTED July 18th @12:15pm

AC Schedule: 

Monday:  Beacon Rock Hike and Swimming after

Tuesday: Mt. Tabor Land Navigation

Wednesday: Kayaking 

Thursday: Ape Caves - 8:45am DEPARTURE 

Friday: Kids Choice

POSTED July 14th @ 9:40pm

AC Overnight Coach contact information:

RF - Coach Isaac 360-607-9791

Camas - Coach Caroline 503-705-2712

Staff attending the overnight:  Caroline, Isaac, Shawn (Gucci) and Alina is on call if needed for low ratios. I will be at camp for a bit to check on sleeping arrangements and organization and will head out before dinner time. 

POSTED July 13th @ 7pm - AC will be kayaking on Wednesday.

POSTED JULY 12th @7pm

AC - The Battleground Camp out is Thursday night to Friday.  Here is how it works. We will be spending the day at Battle Ground Lake on Thursday and Friday.  The kiddos who are just coming for the day will camp as normal, as we will leave camp at 9am, spend the day in BG and then will be back on location by 3:30pm.  Friday will be the same.  For those staying overnight, they will have camp as normal on Thursday, stay the night at the campsite and come back on Friday with the rest of the kiddos not staying overnight. We will need to get confirmation tomorrow at sign in.  I will have a sign up list for items to be contributed for food at camp. 

Sleeping arrangements... we will have a boys site and a girls site, a site for food and eating and will have a coach at each site in their own tent.  We have a number of two person tents but if you want to bring one of your own feel free to do so. Pack for camp as normal on Thursday and bring a few extra things for the camp out. We will not allow boys and girls to share tents unless they are family and they are the only ones in the tent. 

Packing List:

Pillow, sleeping bag, toiletries, bug spray, towel, tent (optional) and personal snacks and one items from the list below to share with the group.

Food Sign ups - please let coaches know tomorrow what you will be bringing:

• 3 packs of Hebrew National hot dogs for those with dietary restrictions 
• 3 packs of hot dogs
• 3 packs of hot dog buns
• 3 packs of hot dog buns 
• 3 cans of chili
• 3 cans of chili 
• 2 bags of ice
• A box of individual bags of chips 
• 2 large bags of family sized Fritos
• Large bag of shredded cheese (8  cups or larger)
• 2 loaves of bread
• Jar of PB
• Jar of Jelly
• Box of pancake mix
• Large bottle of syrup 
• Butter
• 2 bags of marshmallows
• Box of Graham Crackers
• 6 pack of Hersey's Chocolate Bars
• 6 pack of Hersey's Chocolate Bars
• 2 dozen eggs
• Paper Plates
• Solo cups
• Plastic forks/spoons/knives 
• 5 gallons of water

POSTED July 11th @ 8pm

The Battleground Campout is this Thursday night to Friday for AC.  I will have sign ups on the site tomorrow evening with a checklist of things to bring as well as food items to pitch in for the group.   Please NOTE:  only campers that have zero incidents this weed will earn a spot in the overnight camp-out.  No exceptions or negotiations on this one, but with the progress we made last week, I believe this will be a non-issue. So proud of the progress AC is making. 

POSTED July 7th  1:04am

A few reminders and updates for this week, late fee policy as well as a camp behavior assessment

Late Fees

I have reiterated the importance of picking up no later than 4pm in previous posts.  If you are going to be a few minutes late, please pay the late fee to the camp counselor that is there after hours with your kiddos. Every person signed the medical waiver form which has all of our policies listed on it including the late fee policy. It is not written in fine print and it even has it's own section that requires a signature.  Here is what it states: "The scheduled camp hours are from 9am-4pm. For the courtesy of our coaches, please make it your best effort to be there by 4pm. Late fees may be assessed at the rate of $15 for the first 10 minutes and $1 fee for every minute thereafter. All late fees are paid directly to the coach that is on duty. If you are late, please be proactive in paying your fees and pay your coach that day. Checks can be made out directly to the coach on site".  All of our coaches have Venmo which makes things quite easy.  Please do not get upset with them as this is our camp policy. 

Adventure Camp

We will be going to Sandy Beach Wednesday here in Washougal to combat the heavy crowds anticipated at Mary S Young park. 

Also, I have put in the AC letter to parents that proper shoes are required at camp. NO flip flops or slides in adventure camp.  We will be making sure campers have the proper shoes especially on hiking days. This is for their own safety.  

Life Jackets - if your camper is enrolled in AC for the whole summer they should be coming to camp with their own life jacket each day.  Please make sure you invest in this if you have not already. 

Sports Camp

Camas Sports Camp will be doing tie dye on Friday. If your kiddos want to participate in this have them bring one item from home to tie dye. It is a super fun activity for them.

Behavior Assessment

First, I will say I am overwhelmed and pleased by the level of support I have received from parents surrounding this issue.  Thank you for recognizing the post was a very difficult one for me to make but necessary.  I have received nothing but praise and support. I am so impressed. What you are doing at home is working at camp.  We have had an incident free two days at Adventure Camp and about an 80% improvement in sports camp.  While SC is needing a little more work - It's only been a few days since the post but I feel very confident that if we maintain this standard the camper issues will be manageable.  So parents, thank you for your partnership on this front. 

POSTED July 3rd @ 5:33pm (written Thursday July 1st)

Parents,

I need you to please read the entire email about camp policies as they will be enforced fully starting Monday, with no exception. First, we have great news that Camas SC will be using Fallen Leaf Park every Monday and Tuesday. This means that all campers in both SC and AC will drop off and pick up at Fallen Leaf every Monday and Tuesday and drop off and pick up will be by the covered pavilion at Crown Park on Wednesdays – Fridays. 

Policies – Phone calls – Camper behavior and consequences – ALL CAMPERS

I have spent some time now in all of our camps this summer and it is time we had a conversation. This is going to be a tough one, so please buckle your seatbelts as it is going to be a long read with a reminder of camp policies and expectations we have of camper’s behavior, language and physical conduct.  Please read this entire post as I will ask you to sit with your campers this weekend and discuss camp expectations as well as consequences. I am a firm believer that parents should parent and discipline and camps provide boundaries.  So, right now I am going to ask you to discuss boundaries with your kids and explain to them the consequences if certain inappropriate behavior is displayed at camp. 

This is SHAPE’s 13th summer running camp and never have I seen so many behavioral issues as I have this early on in camp. The number of kids I have witnessed and heard of being physically inappropriate is at an all time high and it will come to an end.  I have been personally hit and scratched, my female coach has been repeatedly smacked on the behind, kids are hitting other kids, throwing sticks and pine cones just to name a few. The first week I was trying to give kids the benefit of the doubt thinking they would shake off the covid cobwebs. I do not see a decrease in this wildly inappropriate behavior. Everyone is aware of our no bullying policy. This is a policy that will go into full force starting Monday without apology or refund. If your camper has an incident at camp, parents will be called to come and pick their camper up immediately. If they are sent home for the day for a violation of physical conduct or throwing anything at another camper,  they will not only have to go home for the day but they will not be allowed back at camp the following day. If the incident happens on Friday, they will then sit out the following Monday. This is a non-negotiable. Please have the conversations with your kiddos. Depending on the severity of the situation, we may require a permanent removal of camp… again, without refund. 

My staff should be having fun with your kids, teaching them cool games and playing sports as that is the skillset I looked for when hiring them and the job they signed up to do. At this point, they are stressed, overwhelmed and feel as if all they do is try to correct behavior and keep kids from hitting one another. NO MORE. Absolutely. No More. In addition, parents, if we call you to pick your camper up and you do not answer or reply within 30 minutes there may be up to an additional day suspension of camp.

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to compose this update. I hate these sorts of things. But the integrity of this camp and the safety of our campers is my top priority, as it should be yours as well.  I want to say thank you for doing your part in helping the camp environment be the best it can be. Together, can definitely remedy this situation before it gets out of hand. 

A special segment for Adventure Camp Parents and Campers

First, please let me tell you where my heart is. I want kids to be kids. I want to provide a safe and fun experience for them to enjoy the outdoors and learn about nature and the environment and just play. And once we can get the conduct and complaining under control we can get there again. We hire our staff for their love of the outdoors and their strong desire to be a role model for kids. This is a tough job even in the easiest of circumstances. Your kids are in adventure camp, and what a privilege and great opportunity for them to experience something so unique in a camp environment.   I took the kids and coaches this morning to the lake to show them how to run kayaking properly. The staff was trained properly in how to do it so I was a bit confused as to why they felt they needed more training. After leading the campers today, I can see why. The griping, complaining, nagging, not listening, not participating or helping.. my goodness. Here is the conversation I had with them today (Thursday) and please know I am not trying to throw out idle threats here. I really do need for campers to understand I mean what I say. In order for camp to run smoothly and for campers to get the maximum benefit we all have to chip in and help.  Here are my expectations:

On hiking days and kayaking days, all campers will hike and kayak. If there is any complaining or running off or refusal, I will simply ask your campers to not attend on hiking and kayaking days. These are scenarios where we just cannot simply let kids make up their own rules and decide if or when they are going to participate.  Please have the conversations with your kids, excessive complaining, refusing to help, complaining, not participating etc… these are all reasons I will ask campers to not participate in subsequent hiking and kayaking days. I gave them fair warning today what the expectations are. 

A few additional things to the above read. Today (Thursday), the AC has lost their privilege to be at the big playground for one week. The screaming, language, throwing very large sticks, as well as other things is not the behavior I want at camp, nor is it the image I want to have in the community. I was quite embarrassed at the behavior I witnessed from several kids today. Please discuss with your kids the behavior they have in the community is a direct reflection of our camp as well as your family. We have been blessed to be given the opportunity to use the spaces we have and that is because we have maintained a high level of integrity in how we operate camp. I will not have the compromised. 

Also, the name calling is out of hand. I absolutely will not tolerate kids calling other kids names.  If you have boys in Sophie’s or Alina’s group there is almost a 100% chance you need to have a stern conversation with your kids, as I did. I told several campers  that if I am told of them acting out physically or verbally to another camper I will send them home and the decision as to whether or not that will be a permanent one is entirely dependent on their behavior.  They are at the age now to where the first warning is the final one before a phone call is made. Please note, that wherever we are at adventure camp, that is where your camper will need to be picked up if that is the scenario. 

ALL CAMPERS Parents, I have instructed my staff to start making phone calls for campers to be picked up when their behavior is not conducive to the camp environment. This starts Monday morning.  I suspect there will be quite a few phone calls made the beginning of the week and as parents get in the groove of setting expectations with their kiddos and as campers start adjusting their behavior -  things will start to iron out in time.  I know I will have full support from parents on this front as I have already seen the level of involvement we have from parents early on this year. 

Best,

PJ

POSTED July 1st  11:30pm

REMINDER:  Drop off secret coaches thank you cards at camp tomorrow as I will give them as a care package to our staff over the weekend. 

POSTED July 1st  11am

Parents,

Camas Parents  - I need a response from you... Our representative from the City of  Camas came by   Fallen Leaf this morning  to observe camp and was so impressed with how well the kids were playing and how much they loved the space that they have asked us if we would like to use the space more regularly.  I thought I would get a general idea from parents and will say majority rules here... what this would look like:

Every Monday at Tuesday drop off and pick up would be at Fallen Leaf park and we would be at Scout Hall Wednesday - Friday.  Now, I understand that not all parents have kids in sports camp however this would impact all ages/grades.  AC would keep their normal outings each day so the only thing that would change for them is the drop off and pick up location - but it would give SC a cool opportunity to enjoy the lake and the private park. Our sports camp kids LOVE this area and this would be a very special treat for them as we have not had this kind of opportunity in the past. 

Let me know what you think... I need 35 parents to say yes to make this a go.  Text me your reply at 503-867-4328 or shoot me a quick email at paulina@shapenw.com.  Let's see what we can do to boost camper experience this year and let the sports camp kiddos enjoy Fallen Leaf this summer. 

POSTED June 29, 2021   6:40pm

Hello!  Just a few things...

Secret cards for the coaches - we are heading out to our staff retreat this weekend so if your kiddo would like to make a card for their coach at camp as a thank you for all of the hard work they put into making camp special.. please address the card to their coach - put it in a non-see through bag or a larger envelope with my name on it and deliver it to camp.  I will assemble all of the cards and give them to the coaches this weekend. It is one of the most special things you can do as an appreciation.  I would like to collect as many as I can by tomorrow, but Thursday morning will be OK too.  

Days off and an error:  I made a huge error on the website and used last years schedule for SC.  For next week it says in the description that we are off Thursday and Friday. This is inaccurate.  The only day we have off this summer in Camas in Friday, July 2nd.  In RF we have Friday July 2nd off and we end camp Thursday August 19th. My apologies.  I will get that fixed ASAP.

REMINDER: No Camp at any location on Friday July 2nd as that is the day we chose to observe the holiday.

Camas schedule this week - we will be at Fallen Leaf again tomorrow then back to Crown Park starting Thursday.  Remember drop off and pick up will be on the side of the park next to the covered pavilion.

POSTED June 26th 5:02pm

Hello All, 

We have made calls to all of the families regarding tomorrow's schedule updates.  

RF Sports Camp there are no further updates. 

For all of Camas and RF Adventure Camp - tomorrow, we will be at Fallen Leaf Park in the am for swimming.  We will head to the movie  theater Regal Cascade Stadium off of 164th in Vancouver for the 12:40 showing of Peter Rabbit 2.  We hope to leave Fallen Leaf at noon and arrive back by 3:15pm.  The movie cost is $9.15 - any amount you can contribute will be helpful, however, since it is an unexpected expense, we will accept donations and SHAPE will cover the difference.

Sports Camp (SC) 

Pack/Bring:

• Car Seat
• Camp shirt if you have one
• $ for snacks 
• Wear swim suit and apply sunscreen prior to coming to camp
• Life Jacket (please put your name on it)
• Water, lunch and snacks

Adventure Camp (AC)

Pack/Bring

Wear your camp T-shirt

Bring Life Jacket, change of clothes and towel

Bring $ for snacks

If you need to contact me, please text 503-867-4328

Best, PJ

________________________________________________________________________________________________

POSTED June 25th 11pm

Hello Families,
The first week of camp is behind us.  Ahead of us is another several weeks of amazing camp experiences and some extremely hot weather.  I have some camp updates for next week including location drop off and pick up changes for Camas and some new requests for all campers. Please read this email thoroughly and let me know if you have any questions or comments.

All Camp Information

Next week we are experiencing higher than normal temperatures. From what I understand, there will be a lot of campers staying home on Monday to avoid the weather all together.  For those of you who will be attending camp I have a few requests for next week.

Water Clothes

I am not fully confident that sunscreen and shade alone will be enough to give the protection that is needed from the high temperatures next week. I am urging all parents to please have your campers wear swim shirts to camp as we will try to participate in water activities everyday to try and combat the heat. In addition, please have the discussion with your kiddos that the water shirts are to be worn in the sun. I would like to see no exposed shoulders next week.  

Sunscreen protocol

We have implemented a sunscreen policy where we are asking parents to make sure their kiddos have sunscreen on prior to coming to camp. We reapply at noon and again at 2pm... so every two hours.  If you feel like that may not be enough for your kiddos.. they are probably a good candidate for water shirts. 

No Camp on Friday

In observance of the holiday, we will not be hosting camp at any of our locations Friday July 2nd.  I will be taking our staff on the annual coaches appreciation trip to Idaho.  We will be leaving Thursday at 4pm and will return bright and early Monday morning. 

Late Pick Up and Late Fees

Parents, I want to extend a big thank you for mostly being on time for pick up, especially so early in the season.  it is important for  a number of reasons why campers have to be picked up no later than 4pm. As you know we have contracted with our locations to only be on site until 4pm and with some minor covid protocol restrictions this has put a little more pressure on us to hold this mandate.  We hope next year we will be able to resume after care. I understand some of you are coming across the bridge and battling traffic to get to us the best you can and I would like to be sympathetic toward that.  That being said... please understand also that all of our staff are required to clock out by 4pm.  I do not pay our staff to stay past 4pm.  If you know you are going to be running a few minutes late, please call and do the courtesy of paying the $15 late fee directly to the staff via venmo or cash.  This thank you gift goes a long way for these young adults who pour in so much time and energy to your kids everyday.  

Camp Updates on the Website

I would like to start updating the website with information you need to stay updated on things such as these. Once I have the information up.. instead of weekly emails, I will ask you hop on the website for all updates in the future. I have added a "camp updates" tab.  I would check in every couple of days just to see if any updates have been posted.  Sometimes if your screen isn't large enough the tab may read "more" instead of "camp updates". I am not sure why, but I do know it has happened in the past.  So keep your eyes peeled.  

Surprise Thank You Cards by Wednesday

If you would like to say thank you to your camper's counselor... this is a great time to do it. Last year a lot of the campers made hand made cards or just wrote little thank you's to their leaders.  I assembled all of the little cards and little gifts and created care packages for all of the staff. It was the absolute highlight of the trip. It put them in tears and it really showed that the hard work, love and dedication is much appreciated.  Let's do the same this year.  To keep it a surprise... If you would like to drop off a card, please put the coaches name on the envelope.  Then put the card in a non-see through bag and write my name on it "FOR PJ" and give it to the counselor during drop off by Wednesday of next week. I will be heading to Idaho after work on Wednesday and will take all of these notes and make a care package for the staff. It really is the most special thing a counselor can receive.  There is no obligation to do so.. it's just a nice touch. Little ones have a hard time keeping a secret, but let's encourage them to try 🙂 

ADVENTURE CAMP - ALL LOCATIONS Update

We are going to be changing the hike on Monday to Punch Bowl Falls.  It is a nice shaded area with a cold swimming hole at the end.  I would like to also change kayaking to Thursday instead of Tuesday.  Be prepared for water all week. It's going to be HOT.  I think we are going to take Hoyt Arboretum off of our schedule permanently this year as it was jam packed this week and anticipate the crowds just getting bigger over the course of the summer. We do have a couple of overnight camping trips planned this summer.. stay tuned for updates on that. 

Life Jackets

Next week, we will need as many life jackets as possible for our sports camp... if you have a life jacket for your campers, please bring them next week in order to free up ours for the little ones who have a very rare opportunity to swim and kayak next week.

Gear 

A quick note... make sure your campers have AC basics like towels and lots of extra water. 

RIDGEFIELD UPDATES

Sports Camp - as you know the weather....  I have altered the schedule next week and will be replacing some of the scooby doo themed activities and adding water activities instead.  Also, we would like to do water activities in the morning and a movie in the afternoon on both Monday at Tuesday. We are going to try and keep the physical exertion to a minimum the first two days to keep the kids from overheating. We will also offer other indoor activities in the afternoon as well. We will go back to our regular schedule on Wednesday (I will let you know if any changes are to be made based on how the weather cooperates with us).   In addition, a parent has brought to my attention that kids under 4'9" are required to be in a booster seat. If you have a booster seat your kiddo should be in bring it to camp. You can keep it in the van all summer if you would like.. just let the counselors know during drop off. 

CAMAS UPDATES - ALL CAMPERS

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week - drop off and pick up will be at Fallen Leaf Park in Camas. Normal drop off and pick up times will still apply. Drop off and pick up for all campers will be at this location Monday-Wednesday of next week.  While Adventure Camp will be dropped off and picked up there.. they will still head out at 9am for their own adventures each day. The only thing that is changing for them is the location for drop off and pick up. 

Staff Changes

We received some very sad news about our head coach Carson this week. She is going in for surgery in a week as they have discovered a very large tumor in her brain.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as this is horrific news for any young person.  We have identified a great candidate as a replacement for her... Hannah will be taking her position as head coach and will be taking over Coach Isaac's group as their counselor.  We are going to move Coach Isaac over to Adventure camp.  Coach Isaac will be driving the Ridgefield van and will join Coach Alina's group as their group is quite large and two coaches will make for a nice balance. 

Permanent drop off and pick up location change

On Thursday when we return to Crown Park, drop off and pick up will be on the other side of the park by the covered pavilion.  The city has some construction planned on the side where Scout Hall is. We will still occupy the building during the summer, but they are asking parents drop off and pick up on the opposite side of the park.  It is a small inconvenience, but a very easy workaround. I have contact information for the city if you are interested in getting more information as to what construction projects are happening. They anticipate being done by mid-August. 

Sports Camp:  

The City of Camas has offered us the Fallen Leaf Park  space Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week with a very nice under covered area and a small private lake for our kids to use given the heat.  We usually do our sports camp field trips here a couple times a year so young campers can swim and kayak.  I feel very blessed to be able to add a little change for sports camp. it comes with very short notice I know.. but when the City called yesterday..  how could I say no?  As you know the weather is going to be so hot. Please make sure ALL campers wear their swimsuits to camp.  They will have a very short window to get ready for water activities.  Also, I am going to ask that each camper wear a shirt all day.  Pack a ton of water, towels and water shoes. 

As always I appreciated the level of trust you have in us and the communication I have received from parents as we make 2021 the best summer we possibly can.  Enjoy the weekend and try to stay cool if at all possible.