Daily Schedule and Activities
7:00 – Wake Up
7:30 – Polar Bears
8:15 – Morning Announcements
8:30 – Breakfast
9:30 – Values
10:00 – Skill Group 1
11:15 – Skill Group 2
12:30 – Lunch
1:30 – Rest Period
2:30 – Cabin Group Time
4:00 – Free Choice Time
5:00 – Return to Units
6:15 – Evening Announcements
6:30 – Dinner
7:15 – Twilight Games
8:30 – Campfire
9:45 – Lights Out
Polar Bears – 3…2…1… JUMP! Wake up early to take a dip in the lake! This activity is optional, but so much fun and creates wonderful memories.
Values – We teach the YMCA’s core values: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, and Caring and how to use those values in everyday life.
Skill Groups – Swimming, archery, music, wilderness survival, sports, hiking, arts and crafts, and more.
Rest Period – Flat On Bunk (FOB) is a chance for campers to relax, read a book, or take a nap to refresh for the remainder of the day. Teen Campers have a downtime known as Hangout, Be Cool (HOBC).
Cabin Group Time – This is the time for quality group bonding! Counselors may take their group hiking, swimming, creek-walking, or scavenger hunting. Cabin group time is also a great time to visit the shower house.
Choice Time – This is a great time for siblings and friends in other units to come together, relax on the grassy field, and participate in the same activities. Areas typically open during choice time include archery, swimming, boating, field games, arts and crafts, and the camp store.
Twilight Games – Capture the Flag! Alien Hunt! Flight From Mordor! Twilight games bring the whole camp together for crazy fun.
Campfire – Everyone comes together around the campfire. Cabin groups may sing a song, lead a skit or share a story.
Lights Out – Counselors may sing songs, read stories, or let campers share devotions such as Roses and Thorns, when campers reflect on their day by sharing their favorite moment, something that was challenging, and what they are looking forward to tomorrow.
Preparing Your Child For Success at Summer Camp
Nurture self-confidence and autonomy in your camper by allowing them to experience a new adventure and be themselves.
- Discuss the setting, schedule, and activities they’ll get to participate in. Start with Family Camp or Short Session.
- Assist your child but don't pack for them. Campers need to manage their own belongings.
- Help them practice self-care, including brushing their teeth and hair, putting dirty clothes into their laundry bag, and washing their hands frequently.
- Practice applying bug spray, antiperspirant (unscented), and sunscreen at home.
- Practice putting long hair in a braid or ponytail to help prevent lice.
- Teen girls may start their period unexpectedly. Pack accordingly and encourage them to talk to their counselor or camp nurse.
- Normalize feelings. Some homesickness and anxiety are part of any new adventure.
- Encourage your child to bring a comfort item such as a stuffed animal, book, or photo.
- Provide your child with materials to send letters home. Let them know that you are excited to hear about their experiences.
- Don't tell your child they can call home or that you will pick them up early.
- If homesickness becomes severe enough to impact a camper’s ability to enjoy camp, we will contact parents/guardians and make a plan to help the camper succeed at camp. We do not offer campers the choice to call home. If a child is not able to stay at camp due to homesickness, the parent/guardian and the Camp Director will make the decision together before communicating with the camper.
Behavioral Expectations
In order to create a safe and fun camp environment, we ask campers to follow three basic guidelines.
- Respect Yourself: Speak kindly about yourself, maintain personal hygiene, and follow rules.
- Respect Others: Speak kindly to and about others, keep your hands to yourself, and respect personal property.
- Respect Camp: Take care of camp equipment, buildings, and trails, and support camp activities.
If your camper has any behavioral or emotional concerns or a diagnosis that may impact their experience at camp, please contact the Camp Director so we can create a plan for an excellent experience at camp. Our staff is trained in providing support to a wide variety of children and we look forward to getting to know your child and helping them enjoy Camp Silver Creek.
We have a no-tolerance policy for bullying, including physical (hitting, tripping), verbal (name-calling, belittling, humiliating), and social (exclusion, coercion). We recognize that conflict between children is normal and we work to provide them with healthy strategies for resolution.
If a child breaks camp rules, we will work with them to seek a solution for a positive camp experience. If the behavior continues, we will notify parents to pick up their child from camp. No refunds are made if a camper is sent home for violating camp policies.
Visitors
We do not permit visitors at camp. Family visits tend to disrupt camp activities and detract from the magic of being away from the rest of the world. If there is cause for concern about your camper, we will contact you. If you have a family emergency, please call the Camp Director.
Electronics
We do not permit phones, tablets, laptops, or music devices. Campers learn from the challenge of finding other interests, exploring nature, and building new friendships.
Registration Policies
Register Online or call 503-399-2788
Registration for Camp Silver Creek requires a non-refundable deposit of $50 with final payment due no less than two weeks prior to the start of that camp session. Please call if you need a payment plan.
Transfers may be possible at no charge if space is available. Please get in touch with us right away if you need a different session as there may be a waiting list. You may cancel with full refund (less deposit) up to 30 days before the start of the camp session. Cancellation 7-30 days before the start of the camp session may be eligible for system credit (less deposit). If a camper must leave camp during the session due to illness, a partial reimbursement or rescheduling may be possible. No refunds are made for cancellations less than one week prior to the session or if a camper is sent home for violating camp policies.
Buddies
Many campers attending camp feel more comfortable attending with a friend. Each camper may designate ONE “buddy” at the time of registration. Both campers must request each other. We do our best to honor buddy requests but cannot make any guarantees. If you have already registered and would like to add a buddy request, please e-mail the Camp Director with their camper’s name, the session they are attending, and their buddy’s name. Typically the older camper will be placed with the younger camper.
Directions
Camp Silver Creek is located in a private section of Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, USA. Map and Directions. If another GPS takes you to the park's outskirts, follow the signs to “Conference Center, Youth Camp, Campground”. Stop at the Park Service booth and let them know you are going to YMCA Camp Silver Creek. Turn left after the booth, then left almost immediately at the sign pointing to Camp Silver Creek. Follow that restricted access road about 2 miles to camp. Keep in mind that the closest gas stations are in Stayton or Silverton.
Check-in
Check-in is 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the first day of each camp session. Please be prepared to wait in your car. Our staff and nurses will confirm registration, review your ePACT (due two weeks prior to camp), collect any medications, and check each camper for fever and head lice. Campers with signs of lice may return to camp once cleared. Late check-in must be arranged in advance with the camp director.
Camp staff will then direct you to your campers' unit were you can help them move into their cabins, meet their counselors, and take photos. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have or provide camp staff with any additional information you feel is necessary to make their stay a success.
Camp Store
The Camp Silver Creek store is open to families during drop-off and pick-up in the administration building. Please drop off your campers first. You can use the store two ways:
1. Add funds to a child’s store account for the child to spend during the week. Use the price list to help you determine an appropriate amount. We will notify campers who have store credit. Any leftover credit is donated to camp scholarships.
2. Purchase items for your camper to receive during the week as mail. Securely label items (we have masking tape and Sharpies you can use) then put them in the camp mailboxes.
Please bring cash for the camp store. We can accept cards, but cash is much faster.
US Mail can take several days so you may want to prepare letters in advance. We have receptacles for letters and packages outside the camp store. Campers receive mail on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They are on overnight camp-outs on Thursdays. As much as you may be tempted, please do not send any food, candy, or gum. It will attract rats. Our mailing address is YMCA Camp Silver Creek, 19984 Silver Falls Highway SE, Sublimity, OR 97385.
Check-out
Check-out is 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the final day of each camp session. The person picking up must present a photo ID and be listed on the camper’s ePact file. Remember to collect your camper’s medication and check the lost and found at the administration building before leaving camp.
Early pick-ups must be arranged in advance with the camp director.
Special Diets
Camp food is healthy and includes vegetarian and vegan options. Fresh fruit and vegetables are available for snacks throughout the day. If your child has severe allergies or requires a special meal plan, please contact the camp director in addition to providing details in ePact. We are a NUT-FREE camp. Please refrain from sending care packages, snacks, or meal supplements that may contain nuts.
Safety
Your child is safe at Camp Silver Creek. Campers are always under the supervision of their counselor or another staff member and remain in groups with their cabin or skill group. If campers need to leave the group for any reason, they must travel in groups of two or more. All adults at camp, including volunteers, undergo background checks every year.
Our trained and accredited staff and the Oregon Department of Forestry are prepared to protect campers in emergencies and to evacuate them safely during a natural disaster. In case of emergency we will post updates on our Facebook and Instagram pages and send email from campsilvercreek@theyonline.org.
Health Care Procedures
All staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR. We have a registered nurse or paramedic on-site or supervising at all times. We document all trips to the Camp Infirmary and report these to you at the end of the week. We will call you if your camper
- Has temperature of 100 degrees
- Has two (2) loose stools or vomits
- Has green discharge from nose and/or eyes or any type of eye infection
- Has chicken pox, scabies, or other contagious disease
- Has what appears to be head lice
- Has an allergic reaction
- Receives an injury more than a minor cut or scrape.
The Camp Director and healthcare staff will provide or obtain necessary medical care for your child. This could include calling an ambulance to transport the camper to Stayton Hospital or taking them to Stayton Urgent Care.
Health History/ ePact
ePACT must be completed at least 2 weeks prior to the first session. Health information is available only to staff responsible for your child. Please provide as much detail as possible to allow our healthcare staff to make informed decisions about your child’s care while at Camp Silver Creek. Campers with asthma, heart defect or disease, seizures, diabetes, or bleeding disorders may require a physician’s authorization to attend camp. Please contact the Camp Director if you have any questions.
For the protection of all staff and campers, your child's vaccinations must be current. If your family does not immunize, please contact us to obtain a waiver.
Medications you can just remove the Health History Form and add ePACT
Medications
We are required to dispense medications from their original container according to directions on the label. Medications must be turned over to the camp nurse at check-in, including prescription and non-prescription medications such as vitamins, creams, and painkillers. Please review your camper’s ePack information for a list of over-the-counter medications we have on hand to dispense as needed. We recommend you send only enough medication needed for the duration of your camper’s stay, plus one dosage.
Campers should follow their regularly scheduled medications while attending camp. Experience shows that medical continuity helps campers have the most successful experience.
Campers who carry an epi-pen or an inhaler should bring two (2), one for the healthcare staff on duty and one for your camper to carry.