Outdoor Center Program

Planning Guide

Supervision

  • Group Leaders must check-in with the Director on Duty upon arrival and departure from camp.
  • Group Leaders must be at least 21 years of age and must assume complete responsibility for his/her group.
  • Group Leaders will be given an orientation and review of emergency procedures upon arrival.
  • Chaperones of minors participating in YMCA Camp Watchaug programs are responsible for the supervision and safety of the minors.
  • It is advised that any chaperones of minors be properly screened.
  • It is advised that Group Leader or Rental Group School or Organization provide training to any chaperones of minors regarding the importance of minimizing the potential of being in a one-on-one student/chaperone situation out of sight of others.
  • It is recommended that chaperones be provided to meet the following ratios (camp staff may be included in ratios for Day Groups – check with the Camp Director to ensure that ratios are met.)
Camper Age Number of Staff Overnight Participants Day Participants
5 years & younger 1 5 6
6-8 years 1 6 8
9-14 years 1 8 10
15-18 years 1 10 12
  • Groups will be held accountable for any damage to YMCA Camp Watchaug facilities, grounds or equipment. Please keep camp clean — discard all trash in proper receptacles.

Safety

  • EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: All accidents and injuries must be reported to the Director on Duty.
  • Group Leaders are responsible for first aid and emergency care. Groups must provide their own first aid kit and have the ability to access emergency transportation, (i.e., a cell phone to call 911).
  • It is recommended that rental groups have someone on site that is certified by a recognized organization in CPR and First Aid.
    • It is advised that Rental Group leaders store and lock all medications (both prescription & over-thecounter) except when in the controlled possession of the person responsible for administering.
  • In case of emergency, it is recommended that Group Leaders obtain
    • Names & addresses of all participants;
    • Emergency contact names and numbers;
    • A listing of any persons with known allergies or health conditions requiring treatment, restriction or other accommodation while on site; and
    • For minors, without a parent on site, signed permission to seek emergency treatment or a signed religious waiver.
  • In the event of an emergency, dial 911 and contact the Director on Duty.
  • In the event of an emergency requiring all participants to gather in a central location, an air horn will be blown in repeating sets of 2 blasts. ALL participants should report to the Lodge or amphitheater to await further instruction.
  • All participants must sign an individual or family waiver. It is the responsibility of the Group Leader to ensure that these are distributed and signed.
  • Report all intruders or unknown persons to the Camp Director immediately.
  • YMCA Camp Watchaug assumes no responsibility for accident, illness or injury that may occur during use of Camp property.
  • Campfires may only be built in the designated Fire Ring in the picnic area.
  • Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only (Parking Lot and turnaround). All traffic signs must be obeyed.
  • Alcoholic beverages are permissible only in the form or Beer or Wine and must be used with discretion.
  • The YMCA reserves the right to ask any individual/group abusing alcohol or possessing illegal substances to leave property, forfeiting all fees.
  • Alcoholic beverages must remain in the picnic/dining area and are not allowed in any program areas (i.e.: waterfront, archery range, climbing wall or ropes course.)
  • At no time may illegal substances be present on camp property. The illegal use of legal substances is also prohibited.

Food Service

  • Rental groups may have access to the camp mini-kitchen (sink, refrigerator and microwave).
  • Groups may use the Camp Grill. It is the group’s responsibility to ensure that no one under the age of 18 may operate the grill. Grills must be supervised at all times when hot and in use.
  • Camp does NOT provide groups with any cooking or eating utensils. Please come prepared for your food preparation, serving and eating needs.
  • Groups are responsible for
    • Using only clean and sanitized utensils and cookware and storing them in an area protected from dust and contamination before use. There is no dishwasher or water warm enough to properly sanitize items at camp – make sure you bring extra utensils. We recommend using disposable items for eating utensils (plates, cups, silverware)
    • There is a small sink to rinse and air dry items before taking home.
    • Cleaning and sanitizing any food contact surfaces (any surface that contact raw food during preparation) with a bleach solution or other commercial sanitizer after each use – be sure to bring proper solution with you if you will be preparing raw foods.
    • Minimizing the time that potentially hazardous foods remain in the temperature danger zone of 400F to 1400F.

Aquatics

  • The waterfront facilities are available June – August from 9:00am – 6:00 pm.
  • Swimming is permitted only when a certified Ocean Community YMCA provided lifeguard is on duty.
  • Access to the waterfront and docks without a lifeguard on duty is prohibited.
  • No one may use waterfront equipment or enter the fenced in area of the waterfront without permission from a waterfront staff member.
  • All participants, regardless of age, MUST wear a USCG approved PFD while engaged in ANY boating activity at ALL times. This includes, but not limited to rowboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats and powerboats.
  • Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult while on the beach and/or swimming.
  • All participants are to pass a swim check before swimming in the swim sections. This is to ensure everyone’s safety and appropriate swimming levels. (One width of the shallow section with a forwardprogressing stroke to be able to swim in the shallow section. Tread water for 30 seconds to go into the deep section.)
  • Posted Waterfront rules must be followed at all times.
  • Personal watercraft (i.e.: canoes, rowboats, sailboats, kayaks, motorboats, jet skis, etc.) are prohibited from launching and/or docking on Camp Watchaug property.
  • Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited from the Waterfront area at all times. Waterfront staff has the authority to close the waterfront if alcohol is present.

Recreation

  • Fishing is not permitted at Camp Watchaug. Appropriate licensing is required to fish from State property.
  • Motorized vehicles (ATV’s, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, etc.) are prohibited.
  • Firearms or weapons of any kind are prohibited on Camp Watchaug property.
  • At no time are rental group pets allowed on Camp Watchaug Property.
  • YMCA Camp Watchaug assumes no responsibility for personal property brought into the facilities by any participant.
  • YMCA Camp Watchaug assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen items.
  • Camp Watchaug is a Smoke-Free and Tobacco Free Facility.

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EVERYONE IS WELCOME

It is our policy to make membership available to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or financial circumstances without discrimination. Branches and their programs embrace inclusion, reflecting the composition of the communities they serve.

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