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Frequently-Asked Questions
What is the daily schedule?
Discovery/Explorer 4-Day Camps: Begin at 9:00 a.m.; end at 3:00 p.m. the first three days; last day ends at 5:00 p.m. (with optional campfire, overnight camping, and next day pancake breakfast after 5:00 a.m.)
Discovery/Explorer 5-Day Camps: Begins at 9:00 a.m. at the center; ends at 4:00 p.m. the first four days; the last day camp ends at 5:00 p.m. (with optional campfire, overnight camping, and next-day pancake breakfast after 5:00 p.m.). For optional bus transportation, drop off campers between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the corner of University Drive and Park Avenue; pick up 4:30 p.m.
Wee Wonderers: Begin at 9:00 a.m.; ends at noon
Rock'n River: Drop off between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m.; pick up at 4:30 p.m.
Lunkers & Hogs: Drop off between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m.; pick up at 4:30 p.m.
Raptors & More: Begin 9:00 a.m.; end at 3:00 p.m.
Watershed Wonders: Begin 9:00 a.m.; end at 3:00 p.m.
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What do I need to wear and bring each day?
For specialty camps, please review the confirmation materials sent to you. For Discovery and Explorer campers, every day you need to wear outdoor clothes that may get dirty, and closed-toe shoes. You should also bring a small backpack for carrying the following things: a no-waste lunch, a full water bottle, a raincoat or poncho, a hat, and sunscreen. On Thursday you need to bring an extra pair of old sneakers for stream exploration, because you are going to get wet. On Friday you need to bring your swimsuit, a towel, and definitely sunscreen!
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What is a "no-waste lunch"?
A no-waste lunch is a healthy lunch packed in a reusable container. Putting a peanut butter and jelly sandwich into a Tupperware container that can be used again, for example, creates less waste than putting it into a baggie that will be thrown away. Another example is packing whole fruit instead of prepackaged fruit chews like Fruit by the Foot. Even what you bring to drink can be wasteful. A reusable plastic water bottle creates less waste than a single-use juice box.
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Do I have to bring a backpack?
Yes. Many groups will choose to have lunch on the trail, so you need to be able to carry your water bottle, lunch, and raincoat or poncho with you. Please do not pack lunch in a small cooler, which is hard to carry on the trail.
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Do I need to bring extra shoes?
On Thursday each group will explore the streams around the center by actually getting in and gently turning over rocks to look for life in the stream. If you are careful, you will get wet only up to your ankles. We require everyone to wear an old pair of sneakers to protect his or her feet from sharp rocks and sticks in the stream. Because sneakers have thicker, more protective soles, they are preferable to those soft water shoes you might wear at the pool.
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How early may I arrive at camp in the morning?
With the exception of the 5-day Discovery/Explorer Camps, Lunkers & Hogs Camp, and Rock'n River Camps that meet their buses on campus, camp begins at 9:00 a.m. Prior to that, our staff is busy preparing for the day and may not be able to supervise you. You are always welcome to come a little early and explore the gardens, watch for hummingbirds, or enjoy a trail, as long as you are with one of your parents or your carpool driver.
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When should my parents pick me up in the afternoon?
Discovery and Explorer 4-day camps end at 3:00 p.m. for the first three days (usually Tuesday through Thursday). Please ask your parents to arrive close to 3:00 p.m. to allow our staff a much-deserved break and time to clean up from the day. On the last day (usually Friday), camp ends at 5:00 p.m. Your parents should be at Shaver's Creek by 5:00 p.m. to assume responsibility for you. The staff needs to be free at this time to prepare for the evening activities (see below).
For Discovery and Explorer 5-day camps, the schedule depends on whether you are riding from campus or driving out yourself. If you are riding the bus from the Penn State University Park campus, you may arrive at the picnic pavilion between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Please have your parents pick you up between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. On the last day, camp ends at 5:00 p.m., so please have your parents pick you up between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. The picnic pavilion is at the corner of University Drive and Park Avenue. If you are driving yourself, please arrive at 9:00 a.m. and have your ride ready at 4:00 p.m., except on the last day, when the pick-up time is 5:00 p.m.
Raptors and More Camp and Watershed Wonders Camp begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m.
For Rock'n River Camps and Lunkers & Hogs Camp, arrive at the picnic pavilion at the corner of University Drive and Park Avenue between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Please have your parents pick you up between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.
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What is the schedule for the last day of Discovery/Explorer camps, with the optional overnight family campout and pancake breakfast on Saturday morning?
Join us for the evening festivities! When your parents arrive at 5:00 p.m., show them around the camp—take them to your group's special spot. Return to the yard and set up your tent and picnic. There are no grills at Shaver's Creek, so please plan a meal that doesn't need to be cooked. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Shaver's Creek during camp activities. At 6:30 p.m. the staff will serve Meyer Dairy ice cream in the front yard. At 7:30 p.m. the campfire will begin. We will ring a cowbell and parade down to the campfire circle together. If your mom or dad plays an instrument and wants to play at the campfire, please let us know! After the campfire we will go on night walks. These will be led by each of the group leaders, and the walks will be age-appropriate (including the distance traveled). You and your family will probably choose to go with your counselor. The night walks will vary in length, from thirty minutes to one hour, depending on the respective group's interests and abilities. Quiet hours will begin at 10:00 p.m.
On Saturday morning your parents can likely get coffee in the kitchen by 6:00 a.m. The camp staff will prepare a pancake breakfast for everyone who camped overnight. There is no charge for the breakfast, but donations will be appreciated. Breakfast is usually served from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. After breakfast all that remains is to pack up your tent and head home with visions of next summer in your head!
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How will I be assigned to a group for Discover/Explorer camp?
You will be grouped according to your age and the grade you will be entering in the fall. We try to keep 6- and 7-year-olds together, 9- and 10-year-olds together, etc. If you request to be with a specific friend but you are younger, we usually place the friend into your group rather than placing you with a group of older campers. We try to honor requests to be with friends, but ask that you request only one friend on the registration form.
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Who will the counselors be and what are their qualifications?
Doug Wentzel and Paul Brigman are the camp directors and oversee Wee Wonderers and Discovery/Explorer Camps. Doug has been camp director at Shaver's Creek for more than fifteen years and infuses his love of the natural world into our camp. Paul joined our staff in 2004 and brings to us his musical talents and boundless energy. In addition to Doug and Paul, the camp staff includes: Rod Lee and Will Wise (Rock'n River), Doug Steigerwalt and Jennifer Brackbill (Raptor Camp), George Vahoviak (Watersheds), and George Vahoviak and Jeff Deitrich (Lunkers & Hogs).
Our counselors for Discovery/Explorer and Wee Wonderers Camps are college students and graduates hired into the Shaver's Creek internship program. We carefully screen applicants and interview folks who have experience working with kids (previous camp experience, student teaching, volunteering, etc.). We also look for people who have that certain spark that makes them kid magnets. The counselors go through a two-week training process, with one full week dedicated to summer camp training. All staff are certified—through the American Red Cross—in first aid, CPR, and how to use an EpiPen (for severe allergic reactions).
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