We are here to help!
Camp Echo registration opens next week!
This is an exciting time of year for our community as we look ahead to life-changing experiences amidst warm summer weather (far from the “wintery mix” hitting Evanston and Fremont this week). The Camp Echo staff team looks forward to seeing how campers have chosen to grow at camp, be it in Traditional Camp, an Adventure Trip, or a Teen Leadership or Wilderness program.
With the excitement, there are also unknowns that can add a degree of anxiety: How will Camp Echo align with other camp, school, or work opportunities? What if my camper doesn’t get the program or session that they want? How can I afford camp this year? Is my camper ready for overnight camp?
Our team is dedicated to doing everything we can to reduce anxiety and meet families where they are as they prepare for camp. Our randomized application processing removes the pressure to submit the application right away and provides time for you to ask us questions before, during, or after you submit your application. We offer a variety of reduced program fee options that include our self-selected option pricing, need-based assistance, and YMCA member discounts. We adjust our capacities as applications are received to best serve as many campers as possible.
We sadly cannot promise every camper will get their first choice, but our team is happy to meet with campers who are disappointed to share more details about other options, answer questions, and get them excited about new opportunities! Similarly, we love meeting with campers who are unsure about attending camp. Often, a short chat in our office or via video chat, can be enough to work through camper (or parental) fears and get everyone a bit more excited for camp.
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Your Guide to the Early Registration Lottery |
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The early registration window is open for 10 days, from 12 PM (noon) CT on Monday, November 21 through 12 PM (noon) CT on Wednesday, November 30. It is not first come, first served: an application submitted at 11:59 AM on November 30 has exactly the same chance as one submitted at 12:02 PM on November 21.
After the registration window closes, Camp Echo staff will divide the applications into three buckets, which are processed in the following order: returning campers, new campers who are McGaw YMCA members, and non-member new campers. Within each “bucket,” families are assigned a random number and applications are processed in numerical order, with siblings processed at the same time.
For each camper, parents can list up to six programs, in order of preference. We also ask parents to let us know if they want the camper enrolled in one or two programs.
A few important points:
- Historically, programs during Sessions 4, 5, and 6 fill most quickly, often during the initial application window. If interested in these sessions, list them at the top of your preferences.
- The more options you provide, the more likely your camper is to be enrolled.
- We will attempt to enroll every camper in one program before enrolling any camper in a second program.
- There is an open-ended opportunity to explain any unique preferences on the application.
- We do NOT take friend requests into account during the application process and do NOT release information about the enrollment status of other campers or families.
For older campers:
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If session is most important, preference different programs in the same session. For instance, for a rising 11th grader interested in Session 4:
- Session 4: Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking
- Session 4: Counselor In Training
- Session 4: Voyagers @ Birches
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If program is most important, preference the same program in different sessions. For instance, for a rising 11th grader interested in Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking:
- Session 4: Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking
- Session 1-2: Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking
- Session 5: Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking
For campers trying to do multiple programs, use the same principle as above by listing what is most important first. For instance, with our rising 11th grader above, Georgian Bay is most important and then they hope to do Counselor In Training:
- Session 4: Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking
- Session 1-2: Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking
- Session 5: Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking
- Session 4: Counselor In Training
- Session 5: Counselor In Training
- Session 3: Counselor In Training
Note: We would not enroll a camper in two trips or multiple sessions of our Leader In Training (LIT) or Counselor In Training (CIT) during this phase of enrollment.
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Is your camper on the fence? |
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“My child isn’t sure they want to go to camp, what should I do?” – This question is one of the questions we receive most often from parents over the course of the year. The answer, just like children, is always different.
We always advise listening to campers. No child should be forced to attend overnight camp, as this will likely lead to less positive experience and possibly prevent them from ever wanting to attend overnight camp again in the future.
Our team is here to help and happy to meet with campers in our office, or connect by video chat, to answer questions about camp and get to know your child. We do not aim to convince a camper that they will have fun at camp. Instead, we seek to learn more about their interests and concerns. Understanding what excites them and why they don’t want to attend camp then gives us the capacity to share the most relevant information about camp. These conversations are invaluable and can often (but not always) swing campers from not wanting to attend to full of excitement.
It is also important to note that interest in attending camp is only one step towards readiness to attend. Please consider the following when determining if your camper is ready for camp. Before their first overnight camp experience, be sure your child…
… is interested in attending camp.
… is comfortable at sleepovers away from home.
… is becoming independent in everyday tasks.
… gets along with their peers and can navigate conflict.
… can follow directions from leaders and ask questions.
… is interested in trying new activities.
What does this mean with registration opening next week? For campers who are ready to attend but not sure they want to, we would recommend either applying for a one-week session or scheduling a time to connect with Camp Echo staff. Or both. One week might not seem like enough, but it’s best to leave campers wanting more!
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McGaw YMCA Camp Echo
1000 Grove St, Evanston, IL 60201
P 847.475.7400 x259
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The Impact of Camp Echo
Camp Echo Wish List
Camp Echo has also compiled a specific wish list as we look to rebound from the financial impact of a canceled youth camp summer in 2020. Some items that we were ready to replace or add have been moved down our priority list. This list is an opportunity for friends of Camp Echo to help us in the areas that they are particularly passionate or excited about! Please click here to view the Camp Echo wish list.
To avoid any duplicate purchases, coordinate delivery, and ensure proper recognition, we ask that you let us know if you are purchasing or donating for a specific item by emailing our team!
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