Frequently Asked Questions

General Camp Program Questions

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• Q: What is the registration process?

Registration Opens each year in January. Links to the application will be posted on our WEBSITE and social media. Returning campers will get an email from us with a link to register. 

There are three steps to the registration process:  

Step one is completed by you, steps two and three are completed by your child’s cardiology office. Here are the steps in detail:

 

1. Online registration – You will fill out the online registration form and will need:

• Your child’s cardiac diagnosis, current medications, immunizations and allergy information

• Insurance information (if you have insurance)

 

2. Camper Cardiologist Form (In-Person Summer Camp Only)  is filled out by a nurse or the pediatric cardiologist at your child’s cardiology clinic. Once you complete the online registration, we notify your child’s cardiology clinic to complete the Camper Cardiologist Form.  Your clinic will submit the completed medical form and any clinic notes from your child’s last appointment, including test results.

 

3. Camp Medical Team/Camp Program Director approval – Once the Camper Cardiologist Form is complete our camp medical team will review the application along with our Camp Program Director and notify you of camp acceptance or denial.

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• Q: Can a family member or aid come to camp with my child?

No. An important piece of the camp experience is gaining independence and leadership through the experiencing of new and challenging things. Additionally, due to limited bed space, providing accommodations for an aid means that we have capacity for one less child to come to camp.

 

• Q: Can a family member or aid work at camp during the session my child is attending?

No. We would love for you to volunteer however, and you can apply to attend a session your child is not attending.

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• Q. Can I visit my child while they are at camp?

No. We do not have accommodations available for family during camp, and do not allow visitors during sessions.

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• Q. Is there a place at camp for my nonbinary child?

Camp del Corazon is committed to creating an inclusive environment that supports equal participation opportunities for campers and equal employment opportunities for staff members. We enforce a nondiscrimination policy for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, national origin, or disability. So, yes... send your kiddo to camp!

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• Q. How many days and nights is camp?

Camp is 5 days and 4 nights.

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• Q: Is transportation provided to Residential Camp?

Yes and No.  You are responsible for getting your child  to the “dock.” Our chartered boat to Catalina leaves from the Catalina Island Express in San Pedro (Berth 95, San Pedro, CA 90731 at Swinford and Harbor Boulevard) 

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• Q. What should my child bring to camp?

You can see our suggested packing list here. Please remember each camper is limited to a maximum of one duffel bag. The only loose item may be a sleeping bag if it does not fit inside the duffel. Please make sure your child’s full name is on everything they bring to camp.

 

• Q. What should my child NOT bring to camp?

Campers may not bring cell phones, smart watches, iPads, tablets or gaming devices, soda, candy, alcohol, personal sports equipment, animals, weapons, drugs, other valuables and/or illicit items to camp. New and expensive items do not belong at camp.

In the event a child arrives at camp possessing any of these items, they will be collected and remain in administrative control for the duration of the session.

 

• Q. What is the food like at camp?

Campers receive 3 hot meals a day. There are hot vegetarian options available for every meal. During breakfast there is an extensive fruit and yogurt options and during lunch and dinner there is a full salad option to supplement the main course. Please email info@campdelcorazon.org to express any dietary restrictions in detail and fill out your child's camp application accordingly.

 

• Q. What are the cabins like? Sleeping arrangements?

We have all open air cabins. Each cabin has 4 walls and a ceiling with canvas doors and windows. Cabins let in plenty of fresh air during the day, are fully insulated and offer plenty of privacy. Each camper has their own bunk bed with a mattress. In addition to the insulation, campers will need a sleeping bag and a sweatshirt to keep warm at night.

 

• Q. What are the qualifications of the counselors in my child’s cabin? 

Each member of our staff goes through an extensive application and interview process with our Camp Director. All counselors attend a full day of Staff Development training prior to the start of camp. Before being accepted, each volunteer is subjected to a thorough background check including, but not limited to, the national sexual offender database and the national police department databases.

 

• Q. How does camp handle my child’s medication?

There is a full team of nurses at every session of camp. Each cabin is assigned an RN or med nurse who is responsible for administering all medications. Medications are handed out at meals.

 

• Q. Can I call and speak with my child during camp?

No. To maximize your child’s experience at camp, we do not allow incoming or outgoing phone calls during the five days your child is at camp. 

 

• Q. How can I contact my child in case of an emergency?

In case of emergency you may contact the main office at (818) 754-0312. Our office managers will then get in touch with someone on-site and relay any pertinent information.

 

• Q. What happens if there is an emergency involving my child?

In the case of an emergency while camp is in session, you will be contacted immediately. In the event we cannot get hold of you, we will call the next emergency contact listed on your application. In the case of a medical emergency, our camp physicians will assess the situation, administer treatment if possible, and accompany the child to an advanced facility if deemed necessary.

 

• Q. Can I send packages to my camper?

No. Mail takes longer than average to make it out to the island, so the arrival date cannot be guaranteed. If your child is lacking an essential item, we have extra toothbrushes, water bottles, sunscreen, etc. which will be made available to those children.

 

• Q. What is drop off and pick up like?

 

Drop Off: Parents will bring their children to the Catalina Express San Pedro docks at the designated time the morning of the first day of camp. Upon arriving they will be signed in by a staff member and introduced to one of their cabin counselors. They will then board the ferry as a cabin and cross over to the island.

 

Pick Up: Parents will arrive at the dock for pick up at 1:30pm on the last day of the session. Once the ferry reaches the dock, campers will wait with their cabins until their authorized guardian signs them out with a staff member.

 

• Q. What does it mean to be an ACA-accredited camp?

ACA-Accredited camps meet up to 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality set forth by the American Camp Association. To learn more about the ACA, visit http://www.acacamps.org/

 

• Q. How many kids are in a cabin?

We have a maximum of 8 campers in one cabin.

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• Q: How will my child be placed in a cabin?

Campers are placed in cabins with other campers of the same gender identity and age range. We also consider your child’s health needs, in order to create a well-balanced cabin group. Camp counselors sleep in cabins with campers.

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• Q. How many counselors are in a cabin?

We have a minimum of 3 counselors in a cabin: 2 cabin counselors and 1 activity counselor. Each cabin is also assigned a med nurse.

 

• Q. What is the counselor and camper ratio during camp?

To ensure adequate levels of supervision at all times, we maintain a ratio of 1 counselor to 5 campers.

 

• Q. What kinds of activities will my child be participating in?

We offer a wide variety of activities run by qualified staff including kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, high-ropes, climbing wall, archery and riflery.

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• Q. Are kids in a cabin all the same age?

Yes. Your child will be in a cabin with other campers approximately his/her age.

 

• Q. How many staff members are on site?

We have a total of 70-90 staff members on site at all times.

 

• Q. What medical supervision is available during camp?

A team of no less than 12 nurses is present on the island at all times. 2 pediatric cardiologists will be on site to provide further medical supervision.

 

• Q. Can my child be placed in the same cabin as his/her friend?

On your child’s application there is a space to request cabin mates. We do our best to accommodate these requests, but we cannot promise there will be space in each cabin and session. 

 

• Q. How will my child’s dietary restrictions be accommodated?

There are complete vegetarian options available at every meal. Gluten allergies can also be accommodated by our kitchen. In all cases your child must be able to make appropriate meal decisions along with the support of our staff. Please fill out the application in full detail and let us know if cross-contamination is a problem. If so, you may have to pack your child their meals for the duration of camp.
 

• Q. Is my child guaranteed a space at camp? In my first choice session?

We strive to allow as many children as possible to experience camp. That being said, there are limits to what our facilities can accommodate, and we can only accept campers for whom we can offer the appropriate level of care. Applying to camp early will reserve your spot, pending approval from our camp Medical Team.

 

• Q. Can I find all this information in hard copy for my reference?

Yes. Once your child has been accepted to camp, you will receive a confirmation packet outlining all camp rules, camper expectations, procedures, and drop off/pick up day instructions.

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COVID-19​

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• Q. Will vaccines be required for Campers or Staff? What about Testing? Masks?​​

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