FAQs
1. How do I get to Mercersburg?
2. When is the best time to say goodbye to my child(ren)?
3. Where can I find a packing list and what should I pack?
4. How much money should I leave with my child?
5. When can I call my child?
6. When can I call the camp administrators?
7. I am going out of town, do I need to provide my new contact information?
8. How do I know what is going on at camp?
9. Can my child stay for multiple sessions?
10. What can my child bring to camp?
11. When and where will registration be?
1. How do I get to Mercersburg?
Directions to and around campus, hotel accommodations and information about the area are available on Mercersburg Academy’s website. Feel free to print the campus map and bring it with you and it will serve as your guide on a tour of our beautiful school.
2. When is the best time to say goodbye to my child(ren)?
We have a quick separation of campers from parents at our opening ceremonies, so if you want to impart wisdom/warnings/goodbyes/whatever, do so before the opening ceremony starts.
2. When is the best time to say goodbye to my child(ren)?
We have a quick separation of campers from parents at our opening ceremonies, so if you want to impart wisdom/warnings/goodbyes/whatever, do so before the opening ceremony starts.
3. Where can I find a packing list and what should I pack?
Tag those clothes! Double check the packing list and let us know if you have any questions. You can also help your camper make the transition to Adventure Camp life by reviewing the “What Not To Bring”, “Snacks, Sodas, and Care Packages”, and “Telephones and Visiting” sections of the Camper Handbook before they arrive at camp.
4. How much money should I leave with my child?
Campers do not need to bring money to camp and we do not have a camp store or camp bank. Since many parents feel the need to put $10 in their camper’s pocket, we allow that much, $10, per session. We supply all snack and refreshments, and a little money to spend at amusement parks and baseball games. In addition, if toothpaste, SPF 30, bug spray, or other essentials run low, we will provide those items.
5. When can I call my child?
Remember that campers do not make or receive phone calls, except in emergencies/urgent situations. This helps us create the unique Adventure Camp atmosphere and it fosters independence. Besides, with the pace of our schedule, they won’t have much time to call you anyway. Telephone calls to(or from) home tend to distract campers from the camp program and break the momentum of camp, and they can spur major episodes of homesickness. Enjoy the letters that you’ll receive and feel free to send letters and cards to your camper.
- Counselors do call you after the start of camp to give you an update on your camper.
- Fax to email – your camper writes the letter, we scan it as a .jpeg and send it to your email address (Given that a correct email address is provided).
- Helpful hint – send a postcard before camp starts so that your camper receives something the first or second day of camp. We also suggest sending pre-addressed postcards with your camper, so that all they have to do is write and send.
- Send mail to your camper (with their name and the name of their camp) at:
300 E. Seminary St., Mercersburg, PA 17236 - Send an email to your camper (with their name in the subject line) to:
• MAC@mercersburg.edu
• TAC@mercersburg.edu
• JAC@mercersburg.edu - We will deliver hard copies of your correspondence. Campers will not have access to their own email accounts.
6. When can I call the camp administrators?
During camp, we want you to have every access to our office and to the directors of each program. You will receive a laminated, wallet size phone card at the parents’ meeting on opening day with our contact information. Call the office number during the day (8:30 am-4:30 pm). After office hours, you can either call us directly if the matter is urgent or you can leave a voice mail at the office number and we will get back to you the next day. You can also leave messages at any of the numbers listed for us. Please do not hesitate to call (day or night) if you need anything or if there is an urgent message you need to get to us or to a camper. We want our parents to feel relaxed and at ease, and if a call to us can ever alleviate any anxiety you might be battling, pick up the phone.
As you know, we have an ambitious slate set for every program, one designed for fun and enrichment, as well as one that fosters self direction, independence, and responsibility. As part of our focus on individual attention and development, our counselors will spend time prior to the start of camp looking at enrollment forms and getting to know each camper as well as possible before their arrival. We would appreciate any extra information you might want to relay about their interests or needs before camp begins. You can do this via email, letters, or phone calls.
7. I am going out of town, do I need to provide my new contact information?”
If you plan to be at a location with contact information different than what is listed on the enrollment form and medical form, we need to know. So, if you will be away on vacation or business, please indicate your contact information on the transportation sheet or forward the dates and the contact information to the summer programs email account(summerprograms@mercersburg.edu). We would like to have this information before registration if possible.
8. How do I know what is going on at camp?”
You can stay in touch with what is happening at our Adventure Camps all summer via our camp website and other social media such as our blog, twitter account, facebook page and flickr page.
9. Can my child stay for multiple sessions?
Multiple session campers may choose to stay on campus between sessions with a few of our counselors. Cost for stayovers this summer: July 8 – 10 $100, July 22 – 24 $100. The charge covers laundry expenses, on-campus activities, special events on Saturdays (movie theatre, roller skating), and meals. Campers will not need money of their own unless they wish to purchase personal items.
10. What can my child bring to camp?
Adventure Campers are not permitted to have cell phones, televisions, stereos, radios, gameboys, CD/MP3 players, video games, or other electronic devices. Any food or beverages. Campers get plenty of food, snacks and beverages from Chef Jim and his crew.Exposed food and drinks in dorm can mean unwelcome visitors, so we minimize opportunities for our four legged friends.
Alcohol, tobacco products or drugs are strictly forbidden.In accordance with the policies of Mercersburg Academy and local laws, participants are not permitted to possess or use drugs(including alcohol), tobacco, or any drug/tobacco paraphernalia in any form. This also applies to non-prescription drugs which are not presented to an approved by the program staff. Typically, campers do not get soda or have access to junk food. Our dining hall supplies tasty snacks (including rice-krispie treats) for us as needed.
We ask that parents(and others) not send food or candy as part of a care package. We do not distribute food packages to campers, nor do we take responsibility for storing any such packages and returning them to campers at the end of camp.
11. When and where will registration be?
Adventure Camp registration will be in Lower Ford and at . Young Writers Camp registration will be in Lower Ford at . Summer Theatre Workshop registration will be in Lower Ford at . Junior Adventure Camp registration will be in Lower Ford at . Teen Adventures registration will be in Lower Ford at .
