Below we provide information on many things Foley Families are curious about prior to camp. If you still have questions, please contact the Camp Office by email or (218) 543-6161.

Birthdays

We love birthdays at camp! Birthdays at camp include:

1. Camper is serenaded with the Foley Birthday Song
2. Camper has a birthday party with their cabinmates
3. Camper gets a birthday cake to share with their cabinmates

You may send a birthday package (nothing edible) and cards, but please mark as such. We will hold packages and cards until the day of your child’s birthday. Flowers and balloons can be delivered by Sherwood Florist at 1-218-587-2802. You can also call to wish your camper a “Happy Birthday;” please arrange this call with the camp office in advance.

Cabin Placement

We strive to create cabins of campers that set the stage in forming the “cabin family.” Cabin placements are made based on age and/or school grade, diversity in where campers are from, similar interests, and camping experiences. Mutual requests for cabin mates can be arranged if two campers both request ONLY each other.

It is impossible to guarantee placement with several campers or a group of campers. If a younger camper requests to be with an older camper, there is a strong possibility that the older camper would have to drop down and be in a cabin with the younger grade.

If a request is not mutual, Foley will assign campers to their cabins without considering their requests. Mutual requests need to be into our office two weeks prior to the start of the session.

Canteen (Camp Store)

Allocating funds to your camper’s Canteen Account is a part of registration and should be done as part of the preparation for camp. The canteen carries a variety of Camp Foley items including: sweatshirts, t-shirts, water bottles, pants, hats, etc. We also carry small items like playing cards, pencils, sunglasses etc. Campers may also purchase toiletries, batteries and other items they may have forgotten at home. Please see Canteen (Camp Store) under Money Matters for more information and instructions on how to put money into your account.

Community Living

In Camp Foley’s Enrollment Agreement (on the registration form) we ask that you pay special attention to our policies regarding camper behavior, personal property, camp property and photos and personal information and how it pertains to community living at Camp Foley.

If you have any questions regarding community living, please contact the camp office by email or (218) 543-6161.

Please discuss the below behavior expectations with your camper prior to camp:

• Camp encourages campers to take respectful pictures while at camp. Video cameras will have limitations if brought to camp to protect the privacy of others.
• Foul language and improper conversations are discouraged and considered disrespectful.
• Campers are expected to comply with requests and directions that ensure the health, safety and welfare of everyone at Camp Foley.
• Camp Foley does not tolerate emotional or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse of one person by another and may be grounds for dismissal.
• Mental, emotional, social and/or physical behavior that affects a camper’s ability to participate in the program or that significantly disrupts the program experience for others may constitute grounds for dismissal. Parents are required to give us this information.
• Foley staff does not accept gratuities. Parents wishing to thank or honor a staff member can make a tax-deductible contribution to our scholarship fund. Lean how to Donate.

Homesickness

Every child adjusts to being away from home differently and experiences some degree of homesickness or missing family, friends and a familiar routine. Separation is an important part of growing up but can be a challenge. The methods we use to cope with homesickness differ from camper to camper – please feel assured, by our long history as a summer camp, that we can adequately handle homesickness.

As a parent you can help before camp by talking positively about camp, independence and separation. Please do not promise your child they can call home or see you if they are homesick as they cannot. Discuss the positives of camp like cabin living and the activities. Visit Dr. Chris Thurber’s website, Summer Camp Handbook, for more ways to prevent homesickness.

Each summer we visit with more “childsick” parents than we do homesick campers!

Social Media Policy

Campers and counselors keep in touch after the summer in a variety of ways including email and social media, which we believe can continue a positive, lasting relationship between campers and counselors.

We ask that campers and staff:

• Keep all exchanges PG
• Keep what they say positive and respectful of staff and campers alike
• Not use obscenities, vulgar or sexual language
• Not post pictures online that would embarrass or violate anyone’s privacy
• Not pose as another camper or counselor online or spread false information
• Not to talk about things that are against camp policy

If something inappropriate were to be posted online, our policy is to ask that it be taken down and we inform the parents of minors involved to express our concern. You hold full responsibility for online interactions between your camper and staff outside of camp, but if you have a concern, please share it with us. Any camper or staff who violates our policies regarding out-of-camp communication may not be able to come back.

Spirituality

Camp Foley has no official religious affiliation. Each week, Catholic campers can attend a Catholic Mass (either at our on-site Chapel or a local church). Non-Catholic campers attend a Nondenominational service (Vespers) of varied topics ranging from environmental awareness to making meaningful connections. The focus of our camp is on friendship, character development and community building. Before every meal we sing a grace that centers around Christian ideals and discuss one of six character traits: caring, fairness, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness and citizenship.

Swim Check and First Day

On the first day of camp (campers 11 and older) or the second day of camp (campers 10 and under), campers take the “Foley Safety and Endurance Swim Check,” which includes lifejacket safety and a swim check for endurance. To pass the Swim Check, campers must swim comfortably in their lifejacket, tread water for five minutes and swim 50 yards using front crawl or breaststroke. Endurance and confidence are key factors.

Campers that do not pass the Swim Check the first time will be able to try again the following day. If a camper does not pass the Swim Check their parent will be notified and they will be signed up for Swim Lessons for one of their activity periods.

Campers who do NOT pass their Swim Check are still able to participate in Sailing, Canoeing and Fishing as well as swim in designated area of our Swimdock. They can also free swim with a lifejacket utilizing the water toys we have available..

Learn more about the First Day of Camp also known as Foley’s Arrival Day Celebration!

Visiting Camp

Because of our mission of building independence in campers, we discourage visitors throughout the 3-weeks session. Parents, grandparents and other loved ones are encouraged to come tour around at camp at the end of the session when you do camper pick-up. If you absolutely need to visit, please contact the camp office ahead of time – 218-543-6161 – to set up a time to visit. Campers are often so busy with their activities that we want to make sure your visit doesn’t cause them to miss something they are looking forward to!