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About Those E-Letters…

About Those E-Letters…

We're excited to be offering the "e-letter" option this year. You can add an "e-letter" form to an email you send your child, and it will be printed out with your email and delivered to your camper with the regular mail (after dinner each evening except Sunday).

A Few Reminders...

Sending your camper an "e-letter" form does not mean they are going to write you back right away. Just like with regular letter writing, sometimes campers get busy, are having too much fun, and don't have time to write you back right away! There is a lag between the time you send your camper an email (with or without an e-letter) and when your camper receives it. Sometimes campers are out of camp at one of our outposts (Shaver or Backpacking) for a few days. They will eventually get it, but not right away. Your camper is not sitting by a computer or phone receiving your email or the e-letter form. They will receive a printed out copy. We're old-fashioned up here! Your camper will need to write the letter and drop it off in the mail slot in order for us to be able to scan and send it back to you. Many years ago we offered a similar service, and parents started contacting us to say they hadn't received anything back from their camper. Know that we do not require campers to respond just because you've sent them an e-letter. This is not something we can track. We will make sure that your camper writes ... Read more

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Safari Dance & Appreciation Campfire

Safari Dance & Appreciation Campfire

Last night our staff and June Specialty campers partied down in Granite Grove for our Safari Dance! DJ Tank spun the records and our GAC family had the chance to show off their dance skills for the first time this summer! Campers and staff enjoyed Footloose, Tragedy, and Move Your Body, among other favorite songs. There was a photobooth and a collection of fun games for those folks who needed a break from the dancing. Following our dance, we closed the session with our traditional Appreciation Campfire, featuring performances from the Specialty campers and our staff members. It was a great way to end the session that started the summer! [gallery size="large" ids="4660,4661,4663,4664,4665,4666"]

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Meet Our 2019 Head Counselors

Meet Our 2019 Head Counselors

As we quickly approach our first session at main camp, let's get to know our 2019 Head Counselors. Meet Nemo, Frames, Peanut Butter and Mec. Our Head Counselors have an important role at camp. They train, support, and encourage the Group Counselors throughout the summer. Head Counselors get to know the campers in each of their groups and provide extra leadership and support. Together, our 2019 Head Counselors have 24 years of experience at GAC. They are looking forward to using their experience to help campers have fun, make friends, and grow this summer. On the first evening of the session, Head Counselors visit each of their cabin groups, introducing themselves and making sure campers know that they are another person that campers can turn to (outside of the counselors in their own group) if they need anything. The Head Counselors regularly join cabin groups for meals, activities, and campfires. They also administer a mid-session evaluation where campers can let them know about any issues or concerns they have. Head Counselors are trained to follow up with campers discretely. We talk about the mid-session evaluations in our First-Year Families Orientation Video. What's their favorite thing about working at Gold Arrow Camp? Nemo: "Beautiful sunsets, meeting new friends, and living the dream." Frames: "Being able to truly be myself!" Peanut Butter: "Connecting with the staff and being in nature." Mec: "Hanging on Shaver Island, ... Read more

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