Fall Break Camp Frequently Asked Questions

Camp Widji is located at 3088 Smith Springs Road, Antioch, TN 37013.

The outdoor activities planned at Camp Widji consists of ziplining, giant swings, rock wall climbing on Buzz Tower, archery, sling shots, canoeing, fishing, arts & crafts, team building games, barn visits, hiking and other active games. We will spend a minimum of 90% of our time outside. Don’t forget socks!

We group children in age and grade ranges so that we can ensure we are staffed properly. We also do this so that we can play age appropriate games and for their safety.

We operate a 1:10 staff/child ratio during Fall Break Camp. We also have trained/certified staff managing the activities (rock wall, ropes, etc.). We will also have volunteers supporting the program. All volunteers follow the YMCA protocols for background checks, references, and training. No volunteer or staff will be alone with a child. We will encourage your child to try new things, make new friends, and enjoy new adventures.

The campers must be able to follow commands independently and stay with the group. This includes toileting, washing hands, and changing clothes. Our staff are trained in redirection, conflict management, and trauma informed care. However, if a child puts himself or others at risk by not being able to follow commands, keeping up with group, or creating an unsafe environment, we will call the parent/guardian and ask you to come and pick up your child. We do not offer 1:1 staff/child supervision. Parents called due to these or any discipline issues must pick up your child immediately at camp.

The discipline procedures that will be followed are: 

1. Verbal warning 
2. Redirection 
3. Parents notified 

Suspension from our program immediately for the following, but not limited to, inappropriate behavior:

1. Harming another child or staff person 
2. Stealing 
3. Damaging or destroying property 
4. Using foul language or discussion in inappropriate topics 
5. Being totally disruptive and/or uncontrollable in a group setting 
6. Any form of bullying 
7. Any issues on the bus.

I understand I must pick up my child immediately if I am called due to a disciplinary issue 

• Staff action will not damage the child’s self-image or embarrass the child. 
• Staff action will help kids learn self-control, choose alternatives, identify feelings and develop understanding and respect of feelings for others. 
• Every effort will be made by staff to enlist the cooperation of the child and parents to solve problems. 
• To teach responsibility in the event that a child deliberately damages any property or equipment that the YMCA is using, the child/parent will be responsible for the cost of replacement. 
• Staff are responsible for proper discipline of children. We cannot allow parents to “discipline” or question children who are not their own.

We welcome your thoughts and comments. In the event you report an issue at the camp, please be assured that we will complete a thorough investigation, which includes speaking to any pertinent staff and sometimes the children. We reserve the right to suspend a child’s care indefinitely while an issue is being investigated. Listed below are the procedures we follow when dealing with parental concerns: 

1. We speak with the parent/guardian to get all the information regarding the concern. We are unable to speak with anyone other than the parent/guardian (this includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.).
2. If necessary, we will bring our Human Resources Director in to work with us. 
3. Once we have gathered all the pertinent information, we will follow the YMCA of Middle Tennessee’s Policies and Procedures. 
4. Depending on the circumstances, disciplinary action may be required. 

Due to confidentiality, we are unable to discuss any details, even if it involves another participant or a staff member. There is no time limit with an investigation. We will take as much time as necessary to thoroughly investigate all issues. Due to confidentiality, if there is an incident involving multiple participants, we will investigate according to YMCA policy. We will not discuss the specifics of the other students involved. Parents are not allowed to question or talk to the other program participants or staff regarding involvement in an incident. Retaliation against anyone who reports an issue or concern is not tolerated. Whenever possible, we will do anything possible to protect anonymity.

If your child is injured at camp, we will take whatever steps are necessary to obtain emergency medical care. These include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Attempts to contact parent or guardian. 
• Attempts to contact parent or guardian through emergency contact listed on enrollment form. 

If we cannot contact you, we will call EMS. Should your child need to go to the hospital, they will leave with EMS. YMCA staff are not permitted to transport children. 

• In a non-life-threatening situation, we will not call an ambulance unless the parent requests it. 
• Please note—In the event of a serious emergency, 911 will be called first.

Because of the active outdoor adventures, children must wear comfortable clothing, closed toe tennis shoes and socks daily. Each child will need to bring their own water bottle, backpack, and a change of clothes. We will be getting wet and playing outdoors. Do not wear clothing or shoes you wouldn’t mind getting dirty. If you did not give permission for the YMCA to provide sunscreen and bug repellant in your child interest form, your child must bring sunscreen and bug repellant daily.

Do not bring electronics to camp, including cell phones and smart watches, money or food. The YMCA reserves the right to seize any illegal materials including, but not limited to: fireworks, lighters, weapons, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or e-cigarettes and this will result in immediate dismissal from camp.

The bus pick up/drop off locations are finalized and we are currently working on bus pickup and dropoff times. We will have those finalized by mid-September and send everyone registered for those locations an email stating what time you can drop off and pick up your child. We guestimate times between 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. for drop off in the morning and pick up around 4 – 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon. Exact times are coming. All children riding buses must remain in their seat, keep hands to themselves, and follow instructions. Food is not permitted on the bus.

You will be responsible for bringing your child to Camp Widji if you miss the bus.

In the morning, you can arrive 5 mins before dropoff time (child remains in car until bus is there and ready to be loaded) and parent MUST sign your child in for camp with YMCA staff, then child will get on the bus. In the afternoon, parent/guardian/authorized person MUST sign your child out of camp with YMCA staff at pickup time. The YMCA staff will not release a child to anyone other than the authorized parent/guardian or other individuals authorized, in writing on your camp interest form, by parents. ID must be shown to staff to verify authorization.

Widji drop off is at 8:15 a.m. and pick up is at 3:45 p.m. We will not take children after 8:30 a.m. If there is an unavoidable situation and you must pick up before 3:45 p.m. one day, please inform camp staff and we will have your child ready in the camp office for you to sign out.

We will provide a morning and afternoon snack as well as a sack lunch daily. Do not send food with your child from home. Camp Widji is a peanut free property. Please list any allergies on the Camp Interest form. We will ensure the food follows your child’s health plan.

The Camp Interest form has an area for you to let us know about the medicine and a permission acknowledgment for us to administer meds. Please ensure you fill out all information about the medicine and identify the time you would be available for a phone call about your child and the medicine. Someone from camp will call you to ensure we are all on the same page. Children may not carry around their medicine. YMCA staff will secure medicine and administer it.

If it storms (thunder and lightning), we will continue programming in a covered shelter until it passes then resume outdoor activities. Should it only be liquid sunshine (rain) we will continue outdoor activities as planned. We watch the weather closely and will ensure the children are safe at all times.

We ask that you apply bug repellant and sunscreen at home in the morning before dropoff and we will reapply throughout the day at camp with our provided products. If your child has reactions to certain repellant or sunscreen, please provide your child with the kind you want them to use from home. They need to bring this in their backpacks daily.

The YMCA is not responsible to lost or stolen personal property. We ask that you leave electronics, phones, smartwatches and other personal things at home and only bring extra clothes and a water bottle in a backpack. If you need to bring sunscreen and bug repellant, that’s fine too.

You can always check out our Camp Widji website and get a feel of what our property looks like and get an overview of fun activities. We will also have 3 online town halls leading up to camp where you can meet some staff and ask some questions. However, if you have any questions before that, reach out to us at PALFallBreakCamp@ymcamidtn.org. We can schedule a time for a call or correspond via email.

Email PALFallBreakCamp@ymcamidtn.org and let us know. Depending on the changed situation, we can make the adjustment or we will send you a new form/change form to fill out.