We are delighted you enrolled your child at Camp Widjiwagan!

A strong partnership between parents, campers and staff members strengthens the opportunity to achieve your child’s potential. Use this planner to become familiar with our guidelines and expectations as you encourage your child to take full advantage of their summer experience.

**We are a nut free and cell phone free camp!**

Explore Our Camps

Day Camps

Overnight Camps

Ranch Camps

Check-In/Check-Out Procedures

We know that the camp fun begins the moment your child is signed into our care. We strive to set the tone for the day by making check-in fun, accurate and as smooth as possible. At the end of the day, we want each camper to return home with the same ease and fun.  

Please review the check-in/check-out procedures below for your relevant camp type.

Drop Off is 7:30-8:30 a.m. Pick Up is 4:30-5:30 p.m. Please adhere to these times. 

 

Day Camp Check-In

AUTHORIZED PICK UP

Please make sure anyone picking up your child from camp or the bus sites is listed as an authorized pick up on your account.  To update: Login to campwise; click “update info” next to campers’ name; click on “forms” and then update in the Camper Profile Form.  Campers will not be released without an approved authorized pick up and photo ID.

EARLY PICK UPS

To schedule an early pick up, please call the camp office (by 12 p.m. at the latest for same day pick up).  For the safety of our campers, early pick ups must occur before 3 p.m.  Pick ups after 3 p.m. will be asked to wait until 4:30 p.m. car rider pick up begins. Be prepared to wait up to one hour if you do not provide us with advance notice of your pick-up.

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES

For the safety of our campers, transportation changes must be requested before noon the day of the change and approved. If an emergency arises, please call the camp office.

CAR RIDER  

Drop Off: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Our staff will direct you around the loop to the appropriate drop off point for your camper.  Remember to drive slowly on the way in and out of camp for the safety of our campers.

LATE CAR RIDER

Any car rider campers arriving to camp after 8:30 a.m. must sign in at the camp office.

BUS RIDER

Drop off at Bus Site begins at 7:30 a.m. (See Bus Schedule for Departure time) 

LATE BUS RIDER

Our bus drivers are not allowed to stop for late campers once the bus is in motion.    

 

Day Camp Check-Out

AUTHORIZED PICK UP

Please make sure anyone picking up your child from camp or the bus sites is listed as an authorized pick up on your account.  To update: Login to campwise; click “update info” next to campers’ name; click on “forms” and then update in the Camper Profile Form.  Campers will not be released without an approved authorized pick up and photo ID.

CAR RIDER

Pick Up: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Please be ready to show your photo ID to a Widji Staff before the Day Camp Loop.  Once all buses have left camp, cars will be allowed into the pick-up loop.

BUS RIDER

Pick up dependent on bus site (please see Bus Schedule) As the bus arrives, please form a line to sign out your child.  The counselors will exit the bus and begin the check-out process.  You will need to have a photo ID and be listed as an authorized pick -up to sign your camper out.  Check-out ends at 6 p.m.   
 

 

Reporting Absences or Questions

If your child will be absent from camp or you have questions regarding transportation, please call the Camp Office at (615) 360-2267. We are here to help!

For a map and directions to Camp Widji, click here.

Overnight Camp Check-In

Overnight Camp check-in is between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on SUNDAY afternoon.** Check-in procedures will not begin before the scheduled time of 3 p.m. Please plan on the check-in process to take approximately 30 minutes. Please see the Camp Widjiwagan driveway greeter for directions to your Check In Location. ALL PROGRAMS WILL CHECK IN AT THE TURNER DINING LODGE.

AUTHORIZED PICK UP

Please make sure anyone picking up your child from camp or the bus sites is listed as an authorized pick up on your account.  To update: Login to campwise; click “update info” next to campers’ name; click on “forms” and then update in the Camper Profile Form.  Campers will not be released without an approved authorized pick up and photo ID.

Overnight Camp Check-Out

  • Check-out for the VOYAGER VILLAGE will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon in the Turner Dining Lodge. 
  • Check-out procedures for all other overnight camp programs will begin after the Overnight Camp Parent Program, where parents can meet their children’s counselors and hear about the week’s adventures.
  • In order to pick-up your child, you must either be the parent/guardian or listed as allowed to pick-up. Photo identification and sign-out signature is also required.

AUTHORIZED PICK UP

Please make sure anyone picking up your child from camp or the bus sites is listed as an authorized pick up on your account.  To update: Login to campwise; click “update info” next to campers’ name; click on “forms” and then update in the Camper Profile Form.  Campers will not be released without an approved authorized pick up and photo ID.

*Campers attending consecutive weeks at Overnight Camp may stay over the joining weekend at no additional charge. Please confirm this at check-in. Any late check-ins or check-outs not confirmed at check-in will be subject to an additional $100 late fee.  
**Session 1 Overnight Camp check-in occurs on Monday, May 27th from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Parent Program

The Overnight Camp Parent Program is at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Front Porch Amphitheater. We strongly encourage you to arrive early to find a seat. Specialty camps such as Broadway Theatre, Jam Camp and Lil’ Rockers have their own performances for parents at 9:15 a.m. We do not currently have a Parent Program for the Voyager Program.

Care Packages

Parents are welcome to bring letters or care packages that contain food (without nuts) during check in. We will have boxes labeled with the day of week in the Turner Dining Lodge, and you can place your care package or letters accordingly to the date you wish you child to receive it. Parents can also mail care packages to our camp office throughout the week.

Ranch Camp Check-In

CAR RIDERS check-in at camp between 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. Upon arriving at camp, friendly counselors will direct you to the Airnasium. BUS RIDERS will begin check-in at 7:30 a.m. at all bus sites. Introduce yourself and your child to the bus counselors and sign in your child. If there are transportation changes, please notify the bus counselor and call the camp office at (615) 360-2267.

Ranch Camp Check-Out

CAR RIDERS check-out between 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Cars that arrive before 4:30 p.m. will be directed to a specific waiting area on the road that circles the office. Check-out ends at 6:00 p.m. BUS RIDERS arrive at different times. See the Bus Schedule page for arrival and departure times. As the bus arrives, the counselors will exit the bus and begin check-out. You will need to have a photo ID in order to sign out your camper.

Parent Program

At the end of the camp week, parents can meet their children’s counselors and hear more about the week’s adventures in what we call the Parent Program. Day Ranch Parent Programs will be EVERY FRIDAY AT 2:30 PM AT THE BARN. When arriving for the Parent Program, follow signs leading up to the barn and park to the left in the Mockingbird parking lot. Please sign out your camper at the barn before leaving the Parent Program.


Overnight Ranch Camp Check-In

Overnight Ranch Camp check-in is from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. on SUNDAY afternoon at the Turner Dining Lodge. Check-in procedure will not begin before the scheduled time of 3 p.m. Please plan on the check-in process to take approximately 30 minutes. Please double check with the Camp Widjiwagan driveway greeter for your check-in location.

Overnight Ranch Camp Check-Out

Check-out procedures will begin after the Overnight Ranch Camp Parent Program at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Barn. In order to pick-up your child, you must either be the parent/guardian or listed as allowed to pick-up. Photo identification and sign-out signature is also required.

Parent Program

At the end of the camp week, parents can meet their children’s counselors and hear more about the week’s adventures in what we call the Parent Program. Overnight Ranch Parent Programs will be EVERY SATURDAY AT 9:15 AM AT THE BARN. When arriving for the Parent Program, follow signs leading up to the barn and park to the left in the Mockingbird parking lot.

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Additional Important Information

Day Camp 
TBD

Overnight Camp 
Suzy Gandy 
Overnight Operations Director 
sgandy@ymcamidtn.org

Equestrian Camp 
Trelley Jones 
Equestrian Director 
trjones@ymcamidtn.org

Registration Questions/Changes 
Sheila Ridings 
Registration Coordinator 
sridings@ymcamidtn.org 
Or 
Alison Gilmore 
agilmore@ymcamidtn.org

Meals 
Hunter Martin 
Camp Kitchen Operations Director 
hmartin@ymcamidtn.org 
 

Additional Contacts 

Cancellation for a session must be made at least 7 days before a session begins to receive a refund less deposit. The deposits are transferable if you have a balance on your account. Cancellations within one week of the session’s start day will be non-refundable. Campers who leave early and cannot return for the remainder of the session due to a medical condition will receive a pro-rated refund. Dismissal due to unsatisfactory conduct is not refundable. The Executive Director has the final decision in a dismissal. The $50 deposit is non-refundable regardless of circumstances.

The payment dates for the balance of your camp sessions are:

  • May 1st for Sessions 1-2
  • June 1st for sessions 3-6
  • July 1st for sessions 7-10

For the safety of our campers, visitors are discouraged from coming during the week. If you must visit, please contact YMCA Camp Widjiwagan to schedule a time.

For the safety of our campers, the following precautions are made when inclement weather is present. When rain is light to moderate, activities continue. If torrential rain or lightning storms are present, staff and campers take cover under a covered pavilion or in an indoor space. Campers are not allowed on high ropes or in water when lightning is within an 8 mile radius or closer to camp. Staff are trained to keep campers safe and entertained through inclement weather. Once dangerous conditions have passed, camp activities continue as normal.

Please label all items with your camper’s first and last names. If your child has lost an item during the week, please contact your Camp Director below. All unclaimed items will be donated. 

Mutual buddy requests are honored whenever possible and are requested through online registration. The campers must be in the same village or program and be age appropriate.

Photos will be available to view, download and purchase at campwidji.smugmug.com. To receive the password you will need to contact Camp Widji. We cannot guarantee photos of every camper. Photos will be uploaded daily.

There are several ways to contact campers while they are away at camp. Mail and care packages should be labeled with: 

  • The Camper’s Full Name 
  • The Camper’s Cabin Number
  • Camp’s Address: 3088 Smith Springs Rd. Antioch, TN 37013 
  • Emails: TBD

Camp’s Health Lodge is staffed with registered nurses 24 hours a day. Medications, prescriptions, and non-prescription drugs must be in the original container, clearly marked with the child’s name. All medications must be given to the camp nurse, bus counselor, or car rider counselor at check-in. Aspirin, Tylenol, and other over the counter medicines are available from the nurse if needed, at no charge. Medical expenses incurred during a camper’s stay are the responsibility of the camper’s guardians. Please let us know about any emergency medications (Epi-pen, inhaler, etc.) for life-threatening conditions.

Homesickness is a natural feeling experienced by many campers, counselors, and parents too! For most people it passes in a day or so. It is the policy of the camp to keep our campers involved in constant activities so as to reduce the feeling of homesickness. In the case of severe homesickness, a counselor will contact you for your advice in helping with your camper. If the homesickness continues we will arrange a call between you and your camper. No refund will be granted for campers leaving early.

We are a nut-free facility and ask that no food or other products containing nuts be sent with a camper or in a care package. Balanced meals are prepared and served by the food service staff. Overnight campers eat family style meals in cabin groups in the dining lodge. For day campers, lunch is different every day. However, you can always pack your child lunch if they have certain preferences. Note: If your child is vegetarian or has special dietary needs please include this on the online health form.

Note: This policy is subject to change.

Campers are expected to treat fellow campers and staff with respect and to abide by camp rules. It is our policy to use a three-step procedure when disciplining campers: 

  1. Verbal warning 
  2. A behavior agreement with their counselor 
  3. A conference with the Summer Camp Director/Equestrian Director 

Severe behavioral incidents require a phone call home and may necessitate bypassing the three steps and moving directly to a conference with the Executive Director. Any child verbally or physically abusing or “bullying” another camper may be sent home. Bullying is absolutely not tolerated. Parents of campers who are being sent home must make arrangements for the child to be picked up within three hours of being contacted. Campers sent home due to behavioral problems will not be entitled to any refund of fees.

We reserve the right to seize any illegal materials. Possession of any drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or e-cigarettes will result in immediate contact with the camper’s guardians and dismissal with no refund.

It is the policy of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee that no behavior that would be classified as sexual harassment will be tolerated by staff or campers. Such behavior will result in dismissal or termination.

Giving To Camp

At YMCA Camp Widjiwagan, we believe every child should experience a summer of imagination, wonder and adventure. As a nonprofit organization, we commit ourselves to removing financial barriers to camp through our camp scholarships.