Getting Ready for Camp

Where to meet

Bus transportation will be to and from the Fairview Church in Seattle. The address is:

Fairview Church
844 NE 78th
Seattle, WA. 98115-4202

Directions:

Southbound on I-5 from Everett

  • Take Exit 172 toward NE 80th St.
  • Merge onto Corliss Way N, then slight left to NE 80th
  • Turn Right at 8th Ave NE
  • Turn Left at NE 78th St.

Northbound on I-5 from Tacoma

  • Take Exit 171 toward Bothell (Hwy 522)
  • Turn Left at NE 80th St.
  • Turn Left at Roosevelt Way
  • Turn Right at NE 78th St.

Departure to camp

Be at the church by 9:00am on Sunday to check in, load luggage and board the buses for camp. We cannot hold the bus, so plan to be on time! Campers arriving after the bus departure will have to drive, at their own expense, to Camp Casey.

Health and Safety

Please do not send your camper to camp if he or she is exhibiting any symptoms of the flu. The symptoms of flu include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, tiredness, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. According to the Center for Disease control, "encourage sick campers and staff to stay home and/or away from others for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without the use of fever reducing medicine." Once your child is symptom free Kiwanis Camp Casey staff will do everything in their power to help your camper attend the remaining week of camp. Please contact the director or camp head nurse should you need assistance. We appreciate your cooperation.

Return from camp

Parents, be at the church before 12:00 noon on Saturday to pick up your tired, but happy camper. Please check lost and found before you depart the parking lot with your camper.

How drop off and pickup work

Before camp, we will have tables set up for each barracks when you arrive. Check in with your barracks captains and pick up your name tag and ID bracelet and luggage tags. Put the luggage tags on each piece of luggage and equipment, including wheelchairs. Then, our friendly nursing staff will also be at your table. They will take your medications, special foods, adapted eating utensils or formula (please don't pack these things). You must check in with the nurse, even if you don't have any meds. Be sure that the nurse has the best phone number to reach you in the event there are any questions.
After that, say goodbye to your parents/guardians and hop on a bus.

After camp, you and your parents should check out with your barracks captains. Medications will be packed inside the camper's luggage. Also, stop by the Arts & Crafts table to pick up your art projects and be sure and check out the lost and found table in case we misplaced any of your clothing. We know you are excited to see your camper, but please do remember to check with the Barracks Captains, Nurses and check lost and found. After camp all lost and found will be sent to a thrift store.

If Driving Your Camper to Camp

Kiwanis Camp Casey is located at the Camp Casey Conference Center, owned by the Seattle Pacific University, on Whidbey Island, Washington. Driving directions can be located at the SPU web site: http://www.spu.edu/depts/casey/Reservations/mapdirections.asp

Parents/guardians should not leave camp until they have checked in with the nurse. Suggested arrival time to camp is between 11:00 to 12:00pm on Sunday, August 1, 2010. Please plan to be at the camp to pick up your child no later than 9:00 am on Saturday, August 7, 2010. To avoid blocking the buses, please park on the road closest to the field, behind the barracks.

What to bring

We've included a packing list to help you bring what you will need. Please remember to mark everything! If it isn't marked, there is a good chance you won't get it back. You must use a laundry marker or the label may come out in the wash. Even if you do not use laundry services label all your camper's belongings.

Mail and Contact Information

Campers love to get mail while at camp. It takes a little while to get there, so mail early and often. Address your mail as follows:

(Your Camper's Name)
Kiwanis Camp
c/o Casey Conference Center
1276 Engle Road
Coupeville, WA 98239

The phone number at camp (for emergencies only please) is: (mess hall) 360-678-4959.
If that number doesn't work, the general number for the conference center is: 360-678-5050. (This is office hours only)

Picnic

On Thursday, the whole camp has a picnic up at Fort Casey. It runs from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, and is open to all camper families. If you would like to attend, please RSVP two weeks before camp so we can plan the food.

Please email your RSVP to director@campcasey.org

Questions?

If you have any questions about this information or camp in general, please contact us. The best way is by email (director@campcasey.org or headcounselors@campcasey.org).

Helpful Hints to avoid Homesickness

  • Pack together and talk about camp as you pack.
  • Make sure this will not be the first time your camper has stayed away from home overnight. Arrange for a sleepover at a friend's house or with relatives.
  • Let your camper know it is okay to miss home, but that does not mean they cannot or will not still have fun.
  • Write your camper often. It is best to mail a letter or postcard the day before your camper leaves, and another on the day they leave for camp.
  • When writing to your camper, do not make reference to how lonely you feel without your camper.
  • If a family pet is sick or dies, please wait until your camper returns home to break the sad news.
  • Do not encourage your camper to call home if they get homesick. Campers do not have access to a phone and are not allowed to keep cell phones on their person.
  • Please remember, our Head Counselors and Head Nurse is well-trained in the area of homesickness. You will be notified if your camper experiences excessive homesickness.
  • Reassure your camper that you will be there to pick them up on the last day of camp.

Kiwanis Camp Casey - Packing List

  • Please label everything - you stand a much better chance of getting it back. Cool iron-on labels can be ordered from http://www.bestnametape.com or Sanford "Rub-A-Dub" laundry markers from local stores work well too. Don't forget to mark your equipment too.
  • Camp is a busy, fun time for all of us, in which many of our activities get us dirty. It would be best if you sent clothes which won't be hurt from a lot of activity. We'll do laundry at camp (unless you told us not to on your application) but send plenty of clothes because it sometimes takes a while for laundry to get done.
  • Do not pack: medications, special foods, adapted eating utensils or formula. These should be given to the nurses at check in.
  • If sending medications, pack extra medications, at least two extra day's worth.
  • The days are usually pretty warm so bring summer clothes.
  • Night can be chilly- so bring a warm coat and hat (a fleece blanket is nice if you have one).
  • Most campers bring a set of nice clothes to dress for the dance and graduation. We have theme meals at camp (see other page) and each barracks will have a theme (your barracks captain will be calling you). Costumes make the theme more fun. Be creative, go wild and bring your best costumes (check out Value Village or thrift stores).
  • Pack blankets and sheets if there is any chance your camper may get wet at night. Our washing machines can not handle sleeping bags.
  • Do not bring any money (there is no place to spend it), valuables or electronic devices such as cell phones or iPods.
  • All cell phones should be checked in with the Barracks Captains. There is limited time, if any, for calling home. If you must, please identify with the Barracks Captain when you want your camper to call otherwise they will get busy and forget. We must stress there is limited time -- if every camper was calling home, your counselors could not be attending to all the needs of ALL the campers. If you are a first time camper/parent and want a report, call the mess hall phone and a Kiwanian will check on your camper and give you a report.
  • NC Kiwanis will not take responsibility to replace any lost electronics.
  • Pack the following:
    • Jacket
    • Long pant(s)
    • Short pant(s)
    • Sweater or sweat shirt
    • Dress up clothes for formal dinner and dance
    • Hat/cap
    • Flip/flops or sandals for pool or shower
    • Socks
    • Shoes
    • Underwear
    • Bathing suit
    • Bath towel
    • Pajamas
    • Glasses and case
    • Toilet kit
    • Toothbrush and toothpaste
    • Hair brush
    • Comb
    • Soap/shampoo
    • Towels/wash cloths
    • Sunscreen
    • Optional disposable, labeled camera (do not bring good cameras)
    • Optional Flashlight
    • Sleeping bag or blankets with sheets (see above notes)
    • Pillow case
    • Duffle bag or suitcase
    • Costumes for theme meals (remember to use thrift shops- nothing new or expensive!)
    • Special Equipment
    • Label, LABEL, label!!!
    • Label, LABEL, label and label again!
    •