FAQs for Kids



Question:

Can I be in the same cabin as my friend or sibling?

Answer:

Campers are placed in cabins based on age. If two campers mutually request to be with each other, we will do our best to honor that request. If one camper is much older than the other, the older camper will be placed in the younger cabin. If you can’t be in the same cabin though, you will still have plenty of time during the day to see each other. 


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Question:

Can I bring candy, snacks or money to Camp?

Answer:

Please do not come to Camp with any money. You will have the chance to go to the camp store once a day and use a store-card valued at $6.00. No money may be added to this card, and you can’t use cash at the store. If you bring money, your counselor will take it and put it in our camp safe during the week, and give it back when you leave.

As for candy and snacks, we highly discourage you from coming to camp with a large amount. You will have a chance to go to the store once a day and get snacks, goodies and slushies with your store card.

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Question:

Can I bring my cell phone or iPod?

Answer:

Camp Stella Maris firmly believes that in order to have a true camp experience, you don’t need many of the electronic devices that have become so much a part of life today (i.e., hand-held video games, MP3 players, computers of any kind). Not only are they expensive and run the risk of being damaged, lost or stolen, but they tend to isolate campers from each other, instead of building the group experience we hope each camper has here at Camp Stella Maris. Because of this, we discourage having them at camp. Still, we recognize that these things are important to today’s youth. Thus, we wish to clarify what we will permit and our policy for their use.

The following devices should not be brought to camp: computers of any kind (i.e., laptops, PDAs, iPads, etc.), any device with WiFi, 3G or other internet capabilities(i.e. iPod Touch, etc), hand-held video games and cell phones.

Since it has become customary for our counselors to have a wide selection of music and the systems to play it in their cabins, it certainly is not necessary for campers to bring their own music. However, MP3 players may be brought to camp, but their use is restricted to the cabin at the cabin counselors’ discretion. Small battery-powered CD players with headphones are also allowed, but these too must remain in the cabin.

Just a reminder, CSM is not responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen items.



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Question:

Can I talk to my parents while I’m gone?

Answer:

We encourage every camper to write as many postcards or letters as possible throughout their week with us. Because we want every camper to have a true camp experience while at Camp Stella Maris, we discourage any calls to home. Remember, we have great counselors that you can talk with during your stay with us.


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Question:

Do I get to choose what stuff I can do?

Answer:

Yes! Our oldest four divisions get to choose options in the morning, to be combined with activities that are pre-selected. For all five of our divisions, we offer a lengthy open waterfront every day in which you can participate in numerous beach and water activities. After dinner, we have an open ballfield during which you can choose to play anything that is offered, such as basketball, soccer, 4-square, knock-out, mini-golf, volleyball, pavilion games and more!


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Question:

How easy is it to make new friends?


Answer:

For many new campers, not knowing any other campers can make you a little nervous. Don’t worry about that because the nervousness doesn’t last long. By the end of the first day you will know everyone in your cabin and many other kids too. When your week at CSM comes to an end you may leave with many new life-long friends.

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Question:

How many kids are in my cabin?


Answer:
You will be sharing your cabin with 10-15 other campers that are the same gender as you and similar in age.   

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Question:

How’s the food?

Answer:

Since this is considered our “home” during the summer, why would we want to eat anything but delicious food for two months? Typical breakfast meals range from pancakes to scrambled eggs to waffles. Lunches include soups, various sandwiches and energizing food to get us through the rest of the day. Our dinners range from tacos to chicken patties to the delicious fiestada! There is often a salad bar option as well as a vegetarian option for all meals. Breakfast is served buffet style, while lunch and dinner are served family style.


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Question:

What are the counselors like?


Answer:

In one word, AWESOME! Age 17 or older, our counselors come with a wide variety of experiences. Above all, they have been chosen to work at CSM because they all enjoy working with kids. Many of our counselors are past campers who understand our needs. We train our counselors for an entire week before our first campers arrive. During this period, the counselors not only play games and sing songs; they also work hard at getting ready for you. They want to help you experience new things and have the time of your life!


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Question:

What kind of stuff will I do at camp?

Answer:

At Camp Stella Maris, we offer a wide variety of activities for you to participate in. We feel that part of the camp experience is trying new things, yet at the same time being able to enjoy many of the classic activities that kids love. There’s not enough room to list them all, so here’s just a sampling of our activities:

-   Basketball, soccer, mini-golf, swimming in Conesus Lake, tubing canoeing, rowing, fishing, playing on our inflatable, arts & crafts, singing, volleyball and much more!

-   The following activities are for our older campers: High ropes elements, waterskiing, kayaking, sailing, archery, pottery, bouldering, junior guard,  inflatables and much more!



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Question:

Where will I sleep at camp?

Answer:

All of our campers live in cabins. There will be two counselors that will be in your cabin from the time you go to sleep, all night and will be there when you wake up. You will be sharing your cabin with 10 to 15 campers of the same gender and of similar age. Bathrooms and showers are a short walk from your cabin. 

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Question:

Do I get to choose which bunk I sleep in?

Answer:

Once you arrive at your assigned cabin, you'll choose your bunk through a bunk lottery. Your counselor will have you choose a numbered chip from a bag. The numbered chip will correspond with a specific bunk. If you have any questions about your bunk selection, your cabin counselor will be there to help you. 

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