General Info

To call in a late camper or leave a message related to your child call (508)869-0586. In an emergency if you cannot get through to us at (508) 869-0586, please call our 2nd line at (508)869-6171. Any question regarding your child's registration or balance should be referred to Stephan Lockney at (508)869-0586

Campers are NOT ALLOWED to have a mobile device at camp. If you need to reach your child you can contact the camp office and we will either bring the camp cell phone to your child or bring your child to the office.

Parents are encouraged to visit the camp during the camp day. All guests are required to register at the Camp Office and obtain a guest pass which is to be worn while visiting the camp. Pre-season or weekend visits may be arranged by calling Stephan Lockney at (508)869-0586

(Click here for a link to staff expectations)

All staff meet or exceed DPH standards for summer camps. Program specialists have certifications and/or experience in their area of expertise. In addition, the staff complete an extensive 25 hour pre-camp training program (this program includes training on behavior management, child abuse prevention, etc.)

(Click here for registration paperwork)

All camp registrations are on a first come first serve basis. Children will be taken off the wait list on an age basis (i. e. if a 2nd grade child drops out of camp, the first 2nd grade child on the wait list will be called). The reason for this is to maintain appropriate camp staff/camper ratios for DPH standards.

All refunds must be approved by Stephan Lockney. If you use camp as child care in order to work you may qualify for a federal income tax credit up to 20%. The YMCA tax exempt number is: 04-2105885

Lunch (refrigeration not available), snacks, beverages, bathing suit (or wear bathing suit to camp), towel, sunscreen, bug repellent, sweatshirt. Label all items and clothing with your child's name. The YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. The YMCA needs your WRITTEN permission to apply bug spray or sunscreen to your child.

YMCA Camp Harrington has a Parent Advisory Board of camp moms/dads that help drive camp. In 2002 they established a counselor appreciation fund for the staff that work at Harrington each Summer. If you wish to make a donation you may do so during camp at a Family Night or you may send a donation to YMCA Camp Harrington with a note re: counselor appreciation fund. All funds go towards a small thank you gift for ALL staff each summer at our Formal Staff Dinner.

Each camper must bring their own lunch to camp. It is recommended that an ice pack is put into the lunch. LUNCHES ARE NOT REFRIGERATED DO NOT SEND PERSIHABLES. Also, lunch boxes will keep your camper's lunch from getting squashed during transportation. At Lunch, each group will have an opportunity to go to the camp store to purchase soda, ice cream, and snacks.

How Families pay for camp is up to them at YMCA Camp Harrington. You may choose from any of the options below dependent on the month you are registering: (we accept MC/Visa/Amex and personal checks) Make Checks payable to YMCA please and include your child's name on the check on the memo line.

• Option #1 A monthly payment plan (credit card required to be on file in case a payment is missed if you are not paying via credit card) EXAMPLE: For Families registering in February they will pay 20% of their total bill each month from February through June


• Option #2 You can pay 10.00/session deposits + extended care payments (due in full if needed) and then pay your final balance in monthly payments based on the month you registered. EXAMPLE: Family pays deposits on March 15th. The family then pays 33% of balance due 4/20/11, 33% on 5/20/11, & the final 33% on 6/20/11


• Option #3 Families can create a payment plan that works for them as long as the week(s) your child(ren) is/are in camp are paid prior to attendance. You must complete our PAYMENT PLAN FORM and detail out exactly how you want to pay for camp to choose this option & a credit card is required to be on file for any missed payments.

Registrations received after 6/15/11 are pay in full or each week must be pre-paid prior to attendance.

There is a $20/child or $30/Family camp fee and a separate $10 deposit per session + extended care fees due in full if needed. Each should be submitted along with your child's registration in order to secure a spot for each desired session. Payment is due in full one week prior to each session or according to the payment option you select. Those who are not paid in full may not be permitted to attend the camp program. Payment plans are available (though a credit card must be kept on file in case payments are missed).

The camp store is open every day during lunch. All campers have an opportunity to purchase snacks and drinks during lunch. The store sells the following items: Juice; Water; Popsicles, Ice Tea; Chips. Other snacks, ice cream, and frozen products are available.

Campers are assigned to groups according to the grade in school they've completed as of June 2010. Groups are coed and range in size based on the grade level of the campers. Children can request to be in the same group as a friend provided that both children are in the same grade and the Camp Director is notified prior to the camp season. If by chance the request is not accommodated, please call (508) 869-0586 and we will do our best to make the switch will occur the next day of camp.

Attendance is taken in every group each morning. If your child is going to be absent or late to camp, please call the camp phone at (508) 869-0586, (508) 869-6171 or send a written note to camp prior to the absence or late arrival. We will call the family of any child who is absent from camp without prior notification.

DO NOT SEND THEM TO CAMP. Campers should not bring or wear any valuable personal articles such as expensive footwear, watches, radio, electronic games, trading cards, athletic equipment, key chains, or toys. Camp is not responsible for any items lost/stolen on camp property.

Lost items are kept outside the Camp Office. Parents are welcome to check for missing articles of clothing. After 2 weeks unclaimed items will be washed and donated to a local shelter. The YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

This service offers an extended day for your child. It begins at 7:30 A.M. and runs until the start of the camp day at 9:00 A.M. In the afternoon extended care begins at the end of the camp day at 4:00 P.M. and ends at 6:00 P.M. Extended Care is a staffed service with loosely structured activities available.

Extended Care is held at the Greendale Family Branch YMCA, 75 Shore Drive, Worcester and at YMCA Camp Harrington, 320 Sewall Street, Boylston. The fee for this service is $65.00 per week or $15.00 per day. This includes both morning and afternoon extended care.

There is a $25.00 charge for pickups between 6:00pm-6:30pm and there is a $50.00 charge for all pickups after 6:30pm  that is billed to a family. Please call (508) 869-0586, (508) 869-6717, or (508) 335-5696 if you will be late picking up your child. Unexpected delays create anxiety for both your child and our staff.

It is preferable that medications are administered at home.  All medications dispensed at camp require Medication Consent From to be completed by parent/guardian.  Upon registration, please obtain a Written Medication Consent Form from our www site www.ymcach.org/pp.html or via the camp office. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medications.

Those with special health care needs (i.e. severe allergic reactions, physical limitations, etc.) are required to fill out a Special Health Care Plan which can be obtained on our www site of via the camp office.  This form must be completed by a parent/guardian and submitted with registration paperwork.

Please hand medications directly to the Health Director located at the Camp Office. (Extended Care medication drop offs can be delivered to the AM Care Coordinator; those children riding the bus can hand medications to the bus monitor),  All medication containers must be clearly labeled with the child’s first and last name. We cannot accept medications that are NOT in their original container.

As a parent/guardian you are responsible for the welfare of your child before he/she is dropped off at camp or picked up at a bus stop.  Once at camp or on  he bus your child will be in the care of YMCA Camp Harrington staff.

In the afternoon, campers will not be released from camp or off the bus unless a previously designated parent/guardian is present at camp or at the bus stop. Parent/Guardian must have a picture ID in order to sign campers out. Campers may walk home from the bus or camp only if the YMCA receives written permission at least one day in advance or camp has on file a walk slip.

If a child needs to leave camp due to an emergency or weather emergency, parents will be contacted by the Camp Director or staff and notified to bring ID to the set location (e.g. Camp Harrington, Greendale YMCA, Worcester Sr. Center, Boylston Elementary School, etc.) If your child’s bus breaks down or has an emergency, parents will be contacted by YMCA staff or the Camp Director as to the new arrival time or location. The ratio of staff to campers on the bus will be no less than 1:25

Discipline and guidance shall be consistent and based upon an understanding of the individual needs and development of a child. Camp Harrington directs discipline to the goal of maximizing growth and development of the children and for protecting the groups and individuals within it.

Prohibitions:
1. Corporal punishment, including spanking, is prohibited
2. No camper shall be subjected to cruel or severe punishment, humiliation, or verbal abuse
3. No camper shall be denied food or shelter as a form of punishment
4. No child shall be punished for soiling, wetting, or not using the toilet.

If a parent/guardian wishes to view the YMCAs background check policy or health care policy you may request copies from the Camp Director.  Families wishing to file a grievance they may contact the camp director and setup a time for a parent conference to discuss the matter and file a grievance.  Parents are also welcome to contact the Executive Director at the Greendale YMCA to file a grievance.

Weapons and Animals are contraband for YMCA Camp Harrington. Any staff/parent/camper on site with a weapon will be immediately removed from camp. Any animal brought to camp will remain at the camp office and held until it is picked up. If a stray local animal is found on camp, Boylston animal control will be called to collect the animal.

All staff agree as a term of employment to not be alone with YMCA youth or program participants outside of YMCA program or facilities. (i.e. baby-sitting, taking children on trips, having them in their homes when others are not present, etc.)

Any cancellation or delay of the camp day will be advertised on WXLO 104.5, WSRS 96.1, and WTAG 580AM. Camp would only be cancelled or delayed due to extreme weather conditions or other major emergencies. Camp Harrington has adequate shelter to run a FULL rainy day program.

Camp scholarships are available for those in need of assistance. Please call Camp Harrington at (508) 869-0586

In order to help encourage equal treatment of all children, gratuities to staff and/or volunteers are prohibited. Gratuities include monetary and/or expensive gifts. Any gratuities received will be applied to the YMCA's Youth Support Scholarship Fund in the receiver's name.

YMCA Camp Harrington has both an Alumni Association and a Parents Association. If you are interested in finding out more information please contact Steve Lockney at (508) 335-5696 or slockney@ymcaofcm.org