Parent+Letter

Camp Minikani Parent Information October 15-17

Camp Minikani is owned and operated by the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. It is located on Amy Belle Lake at the foothills of the Kettle Moraine, covering 110 acres. The camp has about fifteen heated cabins and modern washroom facilities with showers. We will be using Fireside Lodge for large group activities and the new Leadership Lodge as our camp headquarters.

Our objectives for Outdoor Education are the following: 1. Encourage students to understand and experience the relationships between themselves and the natural environment. 2. Promote a greater sense of self-respect by challenging students physically and mentally in a supportive environment. 3. Foster a desire to question and investigate a subject of particular interest. 4. Strengthen working relationships between fellow students and teachers. 5. Empower students to use their knowledge toward social responsibility. 6. Provide opportunities for students to succeed in an educational setting outside the formal classroom. 7. Provide opportunities for growth focusing on character development.

At camp, students will be bunking with 7 or 8 of their fellow classmates under the supervision of parent volunteers. During the day, they will participate in classes run by Lakeshore and camp staff that will work on achieving our objectives. The students do not need to bring their textbooks or binders. They should, however, pack a pen or pencil. After classes, students will take part in activities throughout the late afternoon and evening hours that are designed to encourage team-building skills. At no time will the kids have free time to roam around the camp. Their day is fun but structured to ensure a safe experience for everyone. Please see the Packing List for suggestions on what your camper should bring to camp. All meals are provided, however, your child may want to bring along some water bottles and some energy bars to snack on during the day. Note the students are not to bring any electronic devices to camp. This includes cell phones, video games and mp3 players. These devices will only serve to isolate the students from one another. We want to encourage them to be "unplugged" for three days. We know they can do it! We will have two school cell phones at camp for emergency purposes. Their numbers are 414-659-2215 and 414-659-7744. Your help and cooperation on this is greatly appreciated.

On Wednesday, October 15, all seventh graders are to arrive at Lakeshore at 8:15 a.m. If students arrive earlier, there will be parent volunteers to supervise them until the buses arrive. Students should pack one bag of clothing and one bag with bedding materials. We recommend using a garbage bag for bedding in case of inclement weather. Please label all bags to expedite the unloading of the buses. Each homeroom will have its own bus. Please look for the bus marked with your child's homeroom. We will arrive back at Lakeshore around 2:00 p.m. on Friday. You are encouraged to make arrangements to pick up your child at that time. If your child is planning on taking the school bus home, he/she will be supervised until that time.

All first aid supplies and student medications will be stored at the Leadership Lodge. All medications must be placed in special envelopes available at the school office. If you are planning on sending medication, please contact the school nurse, Cathy Cero-Jaeger at 238-7932. She will explain the proper procedures that must be followed. Inhalers and epi-pens should remain with students.

Parents volunteers should be getting a note home today regarding their duties out at camp. If it didn't make it home, or if you need additional copies of any of this information about camp, please see the seventh grade team wiki on Camp Minikani: http://mtsd-ls7.wikispaces.com/Camp+Minikani This page can also be accessed off the seventh grade Lakeshore link at our Lakeshore homepage.

Contact numbers: Linda Krajcik (co-director) 238-7619 Jane Lepold (co-director) 238-7615 Camp Cell Phone - Emergency Contact: 414-659-2215 and 414-659-7744 Camp Office 251-9080