37976 Road 222 . Wishon, California 93669
Phone: 559-642-3720 . Fax: 559-642-3395
E-mail:
|
SKYLAKE YOSEMITE CAMP 37976 Road 222 . Wishon, California 93669 Phone: 559-642-3720 . Fax: 559-642-3395 E-mail: |
|---|
|
We hope this answers most of your questions about the Skylake camp experience:
If we didn't cover every one of your questions here…..we welcome more. Please don't hesitate to call us!
Camp office - year around: 559-642-3720 |
Why Skylake?
Camps are similar in many ways, but also very different. Our strongest advice is to
research only American Camp Association camps which are also members of the Western
Association of Independent Camps. Then, do your homework to find the subtle differences.
Our strong points:
What does it mean when you say…Skylake is like a traditional East Coast style camp?
Skylake is Just like the picturesque, charming and sentimental camps you see in movies.
What we are not…is a one-focus kind of camp, like sports camp, science camp, or
computer camp. What we are…is a camp with rustic cabins in a pine forest in the
mountains on a beautiful warm-water lake….where singing, nightly campfires, and playing
with friends is our focus. Our philosophy…Skylake is a place for kids to unwind and not
compete.
How do I know if my child is ready for sleep-away camp?
If your child is bringing up the topic and/or is excited by the idea…then he or she is
ready. If you bring up the topic and do not get positive feedback, then your child may
not be ready.
Will I be able to stay in touch with my child?
In-season, Skylake's secure "Parent Log-In" section on skylake.com, offers parents a
daily glimpse of a "day in the life" of your child's stay at camp. Every day, we
upload dozens of photographs of the campers in the midst of their many activities.
Reading the Director's chatty, daily website news articles will make you feel as if
you are there! And you can even learn what your child is eating….our breakfast, lunch,
and dinner menus are posted daily on the website.
Will my child be able to stay in the same cabin with his/her best friend?
Probably yes…but not absolutely. If the friends are in the same grade level we can
almost 100% guarantee they will be together if both children request it. If the
children are of different grade levels, they may not be housed together. However,
our campers do choose their own activities. This allows campers who do not share
the same cabin to still spend lots of time together at their mutual activities.
How can I be sure Skylake is safe?
Safety starts at the top. Jeff Portnoy, owner/director, is a 59 year-old professional,
who has raised two daughters and has been Skylake Director for the past 13 years.
Our two top administrators, Jon Moore and Vernon Tallmon, have each over 20-years
experience with Skylake. Our staff-to-camper ratio exceeds all accreditation standards.
All of the Skylake staff attend a one-week onsite training program and are required to
have First Aid and CPR certifications. In addition, over 90% of our staff also is
lifeguard Certified. Every year we review our procedures to continually improve all
phases of our operation. We have no rifle range, no jet skis, no motor cycles, and
no rock climbing. This doesn't mean, however, that camp is risk free. Any outdoor
activity has its risks. But we work very hard to control them. Skylake history
speaks for itself…..63 years of success running a highly regarded, safe, and fun
children's summer camp.
I'm afraid my child might get homesick…how do you deal with this?
Being away from home is a huge step. Almost all campers experience at least a little
homesickness…..this is normal and to be expected. Skylake staff is trained to
compassionately deal with homesick campers. Although campers do not phone home, our
staff will contact parents at the first hint of an "out of the norm" problem, working
through strategies to resolve a camper's homesickness. Out of 800 campers each summer,
only 3 or 4 go home early because of homesickness.
What Session length do you recommend?
We still refer to our four-week sessions as a "traditional camp session". Four-week
sessions provide enough time for projects to be completed, adequate time for
out-of-camp trips such as three day backpack trips, and for friendships to blossom
from acquaintances to deep friendships. However, our world has become much busier.
Now, a greater majority of our campers come for two weeks. Unfortunately, even our
two-week campers cannot take part in everything that Skylake has to offer. There
simply isn't enough time. And while most first-time campers come for at least
two weeks, we also offer one-week Mini Camp, two sessions, for our youngest
first-time campers to accommodate those with a busy summer schedule too packed to
fit in a two-week session. Again, the vast majority of our first-time campers still
come for at least two-weeks.
Where do Skylake campers sleep?
Skylake has 19 cabins on the girls' side of camp and 18 cabins on the boys' side
of camp. Each cabin has 4 double bunk beds, accommodating 6 or 7 campers and 1 or 2
counselors. There is no electricity in the cabins…flashlights and candles are what
make camp more fun.
Who are the campers at Skylake?
Skylake campers come almost equally from both the San Francisco Bay Area and Los
Angeles. In addition, our International and out-of-state campers make up about 10%
of our camper population.
Where do Skylake staff members come from?
Skylake employs about 70 Camp Counselors every summer. All of our staff must be
enrolled in or graduated from a four-year University. Many of our Camp Counselors
and Administrative staff were campers at Skylake. We enjoy a high rate-of-return
for staff who join Skylake each summer for two and three years. We also hire a
few International students.
How does a camper get to and from Skylake?
Most of our campers arrive and depart on chartered, air-conditioned buses. The
buses are scheduled from both the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Campers
who fly to camp are greeted by camp staff at the Fresno International Airport,
just one hour from camp. We recommend that campers arrive at Skylake on the
chartered bus. The friendships begin before campers have even arrived at camp.
And while many campers also return home by bus, we invite parents to come see
Skylake on Closing Day, observe our traditional closing ceremony and enjoy our
buffet lunch. We are located approximately 4-hours from San Francisco and 4 ½
hours from Los Angeles.
What kinds of activities can my child take part in at Skylake?
Skylake offers over 20 activities on a daily basis. Over the course of the summer,
over 75 different activities take place. Most important, Skylake campers choose
their own activities each day. Because the campers eat, sleep, and play together,
incredible bonds of friendship are established. Our nightly campfires create
memories for a life time.
Does Skylake have a swimming pool?
No. We think swimming pools belong in country clubs, backyards, and health clubs.
A big lake is essential to a special camp experience. Skylake is located on five
mile-long Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. We have our own, very large,
private dock with an enclosed swim area for our younger swimmers. The lake is
always a warm temperature for swimming and perfect for our waterskiing,
wakeboarding, and tubing activities.
If Yosemite National Park is only a short distance from Skylake, will my child get to see it?
Skylake offers both day trips and backpack trips into Yosemite. As with all
activities at Skylake, campers decide if Yosemite is what they want to do. For
example, campers can visit famous Glacier Point, gazing down on Curry Village in
Yosemite Valley and see Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls in the distance. Other
campers visit the "Valley Floor" where they hike to the Mist Trail. Our CILTs,
with parental permission, have the opportunity to climb Half Dome…..a strenuous
but gratifying 20-hour hike we call "Dome in a Day."
Does Skylake allow parents to contact their child by telephone?
Parents are free to call camp at any time and may request that Camp Counselors
call home regularly with reports. But yes, "no telephone and no cell phone"
is a Skylake "rule". We strongly believe in the traditional concept of
camp…..an environment where children grow and find their own identity. They
are forced to work out situations without their parents there for them. It
is simply amazing how fast children learn to resolve issues on their own when
their parents are not instantly available. And, of course, our "no phoning home"
policy is not a rule "carved in stone." There are many circumstances where
staff arranges for parents and children to speak.
Will my child ever receive recognition?
While Skylake is not an awards-based, competitive camp, there are numerous
little recognitions handed out each session. But the highest achievement is
our "Camper of the Week" award…a long-time Skylake tradition. The
colorful award plaques hang in camp for future generations of campers to see.
Awarded weekly, we recognize one camper in each age group in both Boys Camp
and Girls Camp. It is awarded to those campers who exhibit the highest
qualities of a "happy camper"…friendly, smiling, cooperative, helpful and
interactive.
I hear camp food is traditionally pretty bad…what about Skylake?
We truly believe our food service is second to none. We offer a complete
salad bar almost every lunch and dinner and vegetarian alternative meals
whenever the primary entrée is a meat dish. We offer at all times, all
of the fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk kids could ever want. The
Owner/Director has Culinary Academy training and six years in the
restaurant business. The menu and recipes are revitalized every year
bringing continual improvement and originality.
How soon do I need to make a decision?
Every year, we offer an "Early Bird" savings signup period for the
following summer, from October 15 to December 1. Following those early
sign-ups, each year varies with regard to the more popular age-groups
and sessions. But those most popular age-groups and sessions definitely
fill by the end of March. Currently, for example, if you are looking
for camp for a 14 year old girl, this segment fills very quickly. And
if you desire late July or early August, these sessions also fill more
quickly.