Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs camp at Gordon College?
Academic camps are run by Gordon College faculty, staff, and other Gordon community members. Athletic camps are run by Gordon College head coaches, assistant coaches, current Gordon athletes, and other support staff. La Vida camps are run by La Vida staff, Gordon students, and other support staff.
What do I need to bring?
A detailed list will be shared via email prior to the beginning of camp, but here are helpful lists to get you started!
All Campers:
- Water bottle
- Lunch
- Snacks or money for the concession stand
- Towel
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Sandals
- Raincoat and/or warm layer for colder weather (weather dependent)
Athletes:
Socks and shoes appropriate for your sports (e.g. cleats, basketball shoes, tennis shoes).
Balls and equipment appropriate for your sport (e.g. racquets, shin guards, helmets, soccer ball).
La Vida:
- Backpack
- Hat and/or sunglasses
- Bug spray
What equipment do you provide?
Academic camps provide all equipment and tools specific to the field of study.
Athletic camps provide extra balls and equipment specific to the training experience.
La Vida Adventure Camp provides bikes, helmets, canoes, and kayaks for all activities. If a camper has their own helmet and/or mountain bike (provided it’s properly sized and in good working condition), we recommend that they bring it to camp and use it instead. For the overnight camping trips, all tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and cooking equipment can be provided.
How are campers divided and grouped?
Academic programs are organized by age and year in school.
Athletic campers are divided by age and not skill level. During the week, coaches may make some minor adjustments based on skill level to help a player's overall experience. Please understand that we cannot guarantee or know in advance the overall competitive level.
La Vida camps are organized by a range of factors, including age of campers. While 10- and 11-year-olds may be grouped together, 10- and 13-year-olds will not. Explorers (our 14- and 15-year-olds program) have a separate day-to-day schedule, as well. This means 10-year-olds will not be placed with 15-year-olds.
Can campers be paired with friends and teammates?
We are open to pairing requests if you identify the friends and teammates with whom your child would like to be grouped with, but there are no guarantees those requests can be met.
We recommend campers not request friends who are more than a year different in age. If a request can’t be met, there will be plenty of time throughout the day for campers to be with friends (playing sessions, swim time, lunch, snack breaks, etc.), even if they’re not on the same team or in the same group.
What health forms are required?
All campers are required to have health insurance coverage and provide the College with recent medical reports. A report of a physical examination conducted within the last 18 months as well as an immunization record completed by your doctor will need to be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the start of camp. Gordon does not require that a specific form be used, only that all information is submitted.
What waivers are required?
All campers are required to have an Emergency Contact, Health History, COVID-19 Waiver, Camper Release, Sunscreen, and EpiPen (if applicable) Form on file.
Where is registration, drop-off, and pick-up?
Registration, drop-off, and pick-up information varies depending on the camp’s location on campus. You will receive this information via email from the coaches of each respective camp. If you have any questions about this at any time, please reach out to the camp staff.
What if my child can't swim or ride a bike?
We encourage campers to try camp activities, even if they don’t have much experience with them. Whenever participating in water activities, there will be a lifeguard on duty. In addition, for all activities in a depth greater than 3′, all campers must wear a lifejacket. If a camper does not feel comfortable getting in the water with these precautions in place, other options can be discussed.
Our La Vida biking specialists are trained to teach campers the basics. All groups start with an assessment on a beginner trail before potentially attempting more advanced trails when warranted. If a camper doesn’t feel comfortable biking with the group, we may have them join another group for that activity time. Once mountain biking is over, they can rejoin their original group.
What happens if it rains?
It depends on the severity of the rain and whether the storm includes thunder and lightning. In cases of light rain on a warm day, we often continue enjoying camp outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor camps will do their best to utilize indoor space to continue camp. However, because there are other camps in session at the same time, we may need to supplement other activities until the weather passes.
In those situations, our registration, drop-off, and pick-up location may move and communication will be sent out prior to drop-off or pick-up with more information on the location change.
Are campers allowed to leave early?
Yes. If you know your child will be missing a day of camp, needs to leave early, or will be late, please call your camp registrar to let us know. Talk with your child’s counselors and coaches to find out what activities they will be missing.
Will there be medical staff on-site?
Certified, full-time athletic trainers and student trainers provide immediate treatment to campers in need. Trained EMTs are available on campus and local hospitals are easily accessible if necessary. If your child has a pre-existing medical condition, requires medication, or carries emergency medication such as an EpiPen, please notify the camp director and medical staff. If your child carries an EpiPen, you are required to submit a Permission to Administer EpiPen Form which is included in the Camp Waiver Forms download.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes!
Athletic Camps: 15% discount for siblings and 15% discount for faculty, staff and alumni of Gordon College. Only one discount may be used per Registrant.
La Vida: We offer an early bird discount for campers registered by January 31 and another $25 discount for placing an Adventure Camp yard sign in your yard in late spring through the beginning of summer. Yard signs may be returned at the end of each camper’s camp week or kept for the following summer and additional discounts.
A 10% sibling discount is applied to each sibling attending Pathfinders, Trailblazers or Explorers (for the same number of weeks). Please notify the La Vida office immediately at [email protected] if you think this discount applies to you. The yard sign and sibling discounts do not apply to Adirondack Leadership Program participants.
A 50% discount is available for Gordon College Faculty/Staff. The discount is applied to all the weeks their camper/s register for. Use this link to verify your Faculty/Staff status.
We at La Vida care about all campers, and we don’t want cost to prevent anyone from coming to camp. Thanks to our community of supporters, financial aid is available. If interested, apply with these forms.
Contact us with additional questions about discounts or financial aid.
What is your refund policy?
Boys Soccer: Full refunds can only be issued if camp staff is notified in writing or email 14 days prior to the start of camp. If extenuating circumstances necessitates you canceling your camp registration, please contact camp staff directly.
Boys Basketball: Each registration comes with a non-refundable $100 fee. Full refunds (minus the deposit) will be given at anytime 14 days prior to the start of camp. Please email [email protected] if you need to cancel camp.
Does Adventure Camp qualify as childcare for tax purposes and some work reimbursement programs?
Yes! Our tax ID is 042-104-258. Please contact your tax preparer or employer for more information.
Correspondence
All communication for camp is sent via email so please provide your most relevant email address during registration. This information will not be shared. Additional information and camp updates will be communicated, so please check your email regularly.