Frequently Asked Questions

• What do you do if it rains?
  We are able to continue with most activities during a light rain shower. We have several covered areas including our indoor arena for activities during a heavy downpour. This also gives us a great opportunity to do activities in the stables with the horses. We strongly recommend rain gear for any days.
• What is the staff/ camper ratio?
  The ratio depends on the age of the camper and the activity. The ratio can vary from 1:3 to 1:15. For example, horseback riding instruction is 1:5 or 1:7 plus leaders for each individual horse when necessary. Soccer or relay will have a 1:10 to 1:15 ratio. We are always striving to meet the needs of each camper.
• Where do you get your staff?
  Approximately half of our staff come through Cam America which is part of the American Foreign Studies Institute. We attend several camp director fairs where we interview and hire applicants. Other staff members consist of teachers, instructional assistants, and college students. Our staff have experience in working with children in different areas. The majority of our staff are over the age of 20 but we may have staff ages 18 and 19 if we feel that they can perform up to our expectations. We also have several counselors in training each summer to assist the staff with the program.
  
  We provide ongoing training to our staff and continue to work directly with them throughout t6he summer in order to provide a high quality program for all campers. We feel that the staff is the most important aspect of the program and it is the skill of each staff member that contributes to the overall success of the program. Many of our staff have certifications in specific areas including horseback riding, swimming, gymnastics, CPR, firs aid and lifeguard training.
• What about really hot days?
  We always take the weather into account when setting up the daily schedule. The summer is hot! We get used to it! We are out in the heat all day and our bodies adapt. The campers swim twice each day (3,4, & 5 year olds swim once each day) so this helps to cool them down. We do have shady areas and we drink lots of water. The campers may bring water bottles to each activity and there are water fountains located throughout the camp. Many parents use the camp for childcare, so we do not close for code red days.
• Do campers get to choose their daily activities?
  We set up the daily schedule for each group every day in order to keep the day organized and provide a variety of activities. The campers will sometimes have the opportunity to choose between several activities offered during a one hour time block. We want to expose the children to different sports and work on improving their skills.
• How do the clinics work?
  The clinics are offered for campers who want to have additional instruction in a particular area. The camper will have his/ her group for the hour that the clinic is being held and return afterward. The child needs to express an interest in attending the clinic since the regular day is already filled with many activities.
• Is the camp very competitive? Do you have competitions?
  Many different children attend Camp Olympia with various levels of knowledge and skill. Even if your child is not very athletic we know that our program benefits the child because we are working towards the development of motor skills and coordination. The children improve through participating and practicing. They are involved with instructional and recreational activities, individual and team sports, and winning sometimes and losing sometimes. What a great lesson in life! We do have competitions, tournaments and races where the children win ribbons to treasure for years to come. These competitions are within each age group and are dealing with skills that have been part of the weekly program.