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FAQs

What makes Wa-Klo different than other camps?

We understand that there are many wonderful camps from which to choose, the secret is to find the best fit for your daughter. Camp Wa-Klo balances a rustic yet comfortable environment extremely well. We are unplugged, so girls slow down and learn to celebrate the beautiful basics of life of face-to-face conversation, laughter, and fresh air. We are a small, down-to-earth camp with girls who want to escape the drama of everyday life and just have fun. The uniform “levels the playing field” where girls look to the inside of what makes everyone special. Girls get to choose their weekly schedule, and the focus of activities is on improving skills not dominating the competition. Wa-Klo is also unique in the fact that it was founded by women and is owned and directed by women. Wa-Klo truly is place where girls can be girls, and women support women; where the campers have strong female role models to emulate.

What is the mission of Wa-Klo?

Camp Wa-Klo empowers a girl to be confident, independent, and have a voice.

Why is Wa-Klo an all-girls camp?

Research tells us that in social and learning environments, girls tend to defer to boys, and teachers often favor male students. In our single-gender community, we eliminate those attitudes and the social pressures of dating. The all-girl environment encourages campers to have fun, not be concerned about how they look, take supportive risks, and develop at their own pace in a positive way. That being said, we also know that it is important for girls to have social opportunities, so we plan activities (frequency and type based on age) with boys’ camps and often host coed sporting events and socials.

 

Community is first built in the bunks where mutual respect is practiced. As time moves along, camp begins to feel like a “second home” as each learns the names of everyone in camp. Wa-Klo is called “little corner of the world,” for all who live there. Hopefully the lessons learned in the camp community are brought to each campers home, neighborhood, and school or work environment. Being unplugged, gives each camper the chance to really cherish the natural world that surrounds her. The connections made within the self of each camper are ones of courage, confidence, and compassion. Through new discoveries, campers connect to the passions that drive them.

Why do girls & staff wear uniforms?

At camp, we create a level playing field for all by having our girls wear Wa-Klo green and white for the summer! We have found that girls are more at ease when they don’t have to worry about what they are wearing or what they look like. We concentrate on having fun at camp, not what we have to wear! Once a week we have a “Civvie’s Day,” where girls can wear whatever they want in order to express their personal style. As an extra benefit, uniforms make life easier for everyone, and, in the long run, save people money.

Can new girls fit into the community?

We know that any new environment can be intimidating, so we make every effort to get to know the family before the girl comes to camp. Tammy either meets or does a video chat with new campers prior to the summer. This helps her get to know each camper before they arrive which makes the girls and families feel a lot more comfortable. We love saying “nice to see you again” on opening day instead of “nice to meet you”. With Tammy meeting our new campers, it also helps with bunk placements and with our Big and Little Sister assignments.

 

Our Big and Little Sister Program also helps to make girls feel immediately welcomed and included. A Big Sister is assigned to the new camper. They start writing to each other before camp, speak on the telephone, and often meet. When the new camper arrives at camp, she already has a friend and feels more comfortable. Plus, many of our girls come alone to camp in order to meet a new group of friends. So, if your child comes alone, she will be in wonderful company.

Is Wa-Klo an ACA Accredited camp?

Yes! We are proud of the fact that we have achieved the rigorous standards of the American Camp Association. We also comply with the New Hampshire State Board of Safety Rules, insurance requirements, and Marine Patrol Inspections.

Is Wa-Klo affiliated with any religion?

Wa-Klo is a non-denominational camp. Girls come together to learn about and respect all the varying cultures and beliefs. The diversity of cultures gives Wa-Klo a unique and special feel.

 

In respect to all, we do our best to accommodate attendance to religious institutions if a request is made by a parent or child.

When was Camp Wa-Klo founded?

Camp Wa-Klo was founded in 1938 by two educators from New York, Ethel Kloberg and Olive Watkinson, who gave life to a dream, which flourished under the watchful eye of Marie Jensen who came to Wa-Klo in 1959. Camp Wa-Klo continued their legacy with Ginger Maurer and Susan Chenet at the helm until 2016 when Ginger Maurer’s daughter, Tammy Fortune became direct. Wa-Klo welcomes girls from all over the United States as well as from all corners of the globe as it empowers girls to be confident, independent, and have a voice.

Where is the camp?

Wa-Klo is nestled in the heart of southwestern New Hampshire at the base of Mount Monadnock (most frequently climbed mountain in the world!) between Jaffrey and Dublin on Thorndike Pond. Jaffrey, NH is close to both Massachusetts and Vermont. This special place is only 4 ½ hours from New York and less than two hours from Boston making an easy day trip.

Can my daughter bring her cellphone?

Camp Wa-Klo is a proud, unplugged camp. Camp offers the opportunity for a girl to unwind and unplug and enjoy all the things that surround her. Wa-Klo promotes the art of conversation and letter writing (snail mail) and a less stressful way of life. Cell phones of any kind are NOT allowed at camp (even ones without a sim card). Electronic devices that can access the internet or cellular services are NOT allowed at camp. This includes computers, netbooks, hand-held game devices, iTouch and the like, tablets, Ereaders, etc. are NOT allowed and will also be taken. Our campers realize within a few hours of entering the gates of Wa-Klo that they are happier without the devices and don’t miss them at all!

Can my daughter call home while at camp?

During Wa-Klo’s long history, at no time has a camper ever said that a phone call home has helped with homesickness or made her camp experience better. With many campers, phone calls can cause anxiety and often bring about severe cases of homesickness. Although it may sound harsh in a world of constant communication, campers may not make or receive telephone calls while at camp. This policy is truly in the best interest of the camper and to the camp environment. However, if you have any concerns you may call the camp office to speak to the camper advocate, area head, the camp nurse, your daughter’s counselor, or to one of the directors at any time. The only exception to the “no telephone policy” is on your daughter’s birthday or if your daughter has a stay in the infirmary.

What is a typical day like?

A typical day for a camper starts at about 7:15 each morning when everyone wakes up to the infamous bugle, the flag is raised, and breakfast is served. After an all bunk clean-up, there are three morning activity periods followed by lunch at 12:45. After lunch, the entire camp takes time to write letters, play games, nap, read, or just relax with friends around the bunk during rest hour. There are two more activity periods in the afternoon, and, at 5, everyone enjoys a flexible period of swimming, spending time with the bunk, showers, special activities, and a multitude of other options. After supper, a variety of wacky and fun evening activities take place and can include anything from team games, bunk skits, movie night, plays, scavenger hunts, campfires, and more. After the evening activity, bunks head back to their cabins for lights out (time depends on age). The older campers are often treated to a post-evening activity.

How is the food?

Meals are a time for coming together, conversation, songs, and fun. Girls sit in age groups while counselors change tables each week. Meals are served family style. Our director makes it a priority to ensure we serve quality and healthy food for everyone. As a result, everyone agrees, the food is great! Favorites include pizza, pasta, hamburger cookouts, and lo mein. Of course, we offer alternatives to meet dietary or vegetarian needs. We offer a salad bar at lunch and supper, and fresh fruit is available at all meals. Weekly cookouts and buffets are great moments for bunk bonding as the bunks sit together and picnic on the lawns around the dining hall.

Are you a nut-free facility?

Yes. We are a nut-free facility. Anyone having a nut allergy meets with our chef before each meal to make sure there is no contamination. Since we are nut-free, campers can sit with their friends and feel safe.

Is Wa-Klo a competitive camp?

Our focus is on individual achievement; however, we do have inter-camp and intra-camp competitions for those girls who elect to participate. Our swim, tennis, and soccer teams compete with nearby camps. We also divide our camp into two teams, the Green and White. The older girls assume the positions of Team CAPs (Caring, Accepting Persons). Competition is fun with wacky relays, songs and dances, and a variety of field games.

How are counselor applicants hired?

Fortunately, our staff consists of college students and educators, many of whom return year after year. They are certified and/or skilled in their activity areas and have experience working with children. We hire not only American counselors, but also international ones generally from Europe and the Commonwealth nations. New applications are scrutinized, references are checked, and all prospective staff are interviewed. Criminal background checks are performed annually on ALL employees.

What medical facilities are at camp?

Wa-Klo has two medical personnel on site in our clinic “The Pill Box”. Camp is seven miles from the nearest hospital, three pediatricians are on call, and an ambulance is just minutes away. In addition, the majority of our staff is certified in first aid and CPR.

How will I get my daughter to/from camp?

You may drive your daughter to camp or have her join other campers and counselors on Wa-Klo transportation that leaves from Long Island, the Bronx, and Connecticut. Counselors also meet campers at the airport in Boston (Logan) and Manchester, New Hampshire to escort them to and from camp each session. At the conclusion of camp, in August, Wa-Klo transportation is available for New York and Connecticut stops.

Will my daughter live with girls her age?

Yes, and the bunks or living areas are comfortable and homelike. A group of 3-10 girls (depending on size of bunk) will live with 1-3 counselors and are grouped as follows:

Juniors (1st – 3rd graders)

‘Fishbowl’ and ‘Driftwood’ are the two cabins where our youngest campers live. They are centrally located to make it easy for our juniors to find their way. Each cabin has a shower, toilet, and sink, a large shared room for 4-7 campers and 2-3 counselors, and a ‘backyard’ that overlooks the lake.

Mids (4th graders)

‘Way Out’ or ‘Far Out’ are where you will likely find our Mids! Both cabins have a main room with ample space for campers and counselors to live and play, cubbies for storage, and a smaller back room with a bathroom. Most importantly, they each have a front porch and ‘yard’ area that our Mids love to hang out and play in during rest hour.

Inters (5th & 6th graders)

‘Pop Out’, ‘Out There’, and ‘Somewhere’ have a shared living area for counselors and campers, toilet and sink, and “cubbies” (shelf unit) for daily articles for each camper. A shower house with individual stalls is available for use.

Seniors & Pioneers (7th-9th graders)

The ‘Area’ is a separate living area in the pines for the oldest campers. Cabins have a large main living area for counselors and campers, a smaller back room for storage or to use as a changing room, toilet and sink, and “cubbies” (shelf unit) for daily articles for each camper. A shower house with individual stalls is available for use.

Leadership Training Group (10th grade)

The LTG’s live in the newly renovated two-story Cracker Barrel. Cracker Barrel is equipped with a meeting room, a lounge with couches and a tv, showers & bathrooms, three bedrooms, and separate quarters for counselors.

Can I make bunk requests?

We know our campers very well, and the administrative team chooses the bunks for every camper. Because bunk placement is a sensitive process, we don’t allow bunk requests from our parents. We take a lot of time when placing campers in bunk, and we consider what is in the best interest of each child when doing so. We do our very best to make sure that every camper is happy and has the best summer experience absolutely possible.

What clothing will my daughter need?

Shorts, t-shirts and sneakers are the basics. We suggest that each camper have a ten-day supply of clothes since laundry is done weekly. A uniform order from Maine Camp Outfitters and/or Amerasport will list the specifics; also, refer to the website and Parents’ Guide. Clothing and equipment can be purchased from the outfitters with the camp logo or you can buy items in the correct colors at local stores. Dark green and white uniforms are worn six days a week, and, once a week, campers wear “civvies”.

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