Camp Greider Parent's Corner

Register Online or call Felicia 503.399.2788

Registration & Final Payment: Registration to Camp Greider is initiated through payment of a non-refundable deposit that secures your child’s spot at camp. Final payment must be received 2 weeks prior to the start of your camper’s session. If a payment plan has not been arranged with the camp office, registration may be suspended and your camper placed on a waiting list for their chosen session if there is a balance due less than 2 two weeks before the start of your camper’s session. You may pay by check or credit card. If paying by check, please include camper’s name.

Change in plans: We understand that circumstances can change and so we have established policies for transfers, cancellations, and refunds.

1. Transfers: Transfers may be made at no charge and are based upon availability.
2. Cancellations: If cancellation is more than 30 days before the start of the camp session, you can receive a refund that could take up to 21 business days. If cancellation is less than 30 days before the start of the camp session, you will be eligible for a system credit, less the non-refundable deposit. If a camper must leave camp during the session due to medical reasons/illness, reimbursement may be available (fee, less deposit & pro-rata daily rate).
3. Refunds will not be made for the following:
   1. Cancellations less than two (2) weeks prior to session start.
   2. No shows
   3. If parent/guardian chooses to pick camper up for any reason other than illness.
   4. Campers who violate camp policies and are sent home (camper pick up and transportation is the parent/guardian’s responsibility.)

For the 2024 Summer, Camp Fees are:

• Traditional Day Camp: $360 (members) / $410 (community members)
• Short Session: $288 (members) / $328 (community members)

Yes! Thanks in part to generous donors, we are able to offer financial assistance for camperships. YMCA Camp Greider is committed to ensuring every child has the ability to spend a fun-filled week at camp exploring, learning, laughing, playing, and more.

To begin, please complete the Financial Assistance Application.

Note: A Financial Assistance Application must be resubmitted each year.

Qualifying applicants may receive a discount on camp programs. E-mail your completed form to our Camping Services Director or drop it off at one of our branches.

Details TBD for 2024 

We ask that you abide by the following guidelines to ensure smooth drop offs and pick ups.

1. The camper's ePact must be completed before the child's first day of camp. Failure to complete ePact could result in your camper losing their spot at camp
2. Each day you will be signing your camper in and out with a staff member. At pick-up, we will be checking IDs to ensure campers are going home with the correct person. Please have your ID ready at pick up to help the speed up the process.
3. We ask that parents/guardians do not leave without signing their camper in or out.

In the event of emergencies where the time or location of drop-off and pick-up is changed, Camp Greider will reach out to all registered families to inform them of the change. If possible, we will have a Camp Greider or YMCA Staff member present at the original drop-off/pick-up site to inform any families we were not able to contact.

Camp Greider divides campers into groups of approximately 12, similar-aged campers with two staff members. Your camper will be under the supervision of their counselors or another staff member running activities.

If campers need to leave the group for any reason, they follow the buddy system and travel in groups of three or more for safety.

Daily Schedule

• 7:30 - Extended care starts at the Withnell Family YMCA Gym
• 8:00 - Camp loads the bus and leaves Withnell Family YMCA 
• 8:45 - Bus arrives at Camp Greider
• 9:00 - Critter Talk and Values
• 9:15 - Snack/Group time
• 9:45 - Skill group 1
• 10:45 - Skill group 2
• 11:45 - Lunch
• 12:15 - Pool/Water Activity
• 1:15 - Large group game/Campers choice
• 3:00 - Snack
• 3:30 - Group time
• 4:15 - Flag
• 4:30 - Bus Departs Camp Greider
• 5:00 - Bus arrives at Withnell Family YMCA 
• 5:30 - Extended care ends at Withnell Family YMCA Gym

Values – Values is a long-time tradition here at YMCA Camp Greider . We focus on teaching the YMCA’s core values: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, and Caring as well as demonstrate how campers can use those values in their everyday life.

Critter Talk – Staff members teach the camp about an animal of their choosing. Where it lives, what it eats, and fun facts. These animals could be found at Camp Greider, deep in the ocean, or maybe even mythical creatures.

Skill Groups – Throughout the week, campers select two staff-led activities to partake in where they can grow and learn new skills. Typical skill group selections include archery, slingshots, sports, hiking, arts and crafts, and more.

Pool Time – Campers have multiple chances throughout the week to spend time in the pool on site at the 4-H Center. All campers are provided a chance to take the swim test and those that pass can go in the deep end. Camp Greider counselors will also lead games in the shallow area of the pool that everyone can choose to join in on.

Group Time – This is the primary time for quality group bonding! Counselors may take their groups for hikes, swimming, scavenger hunts, visit arts and crafts, or learn new games.

Choice Time – All of camp comes together for free choice time! This is a great time for siblings and friends in other groups to come together and participate in the same activities. Program Areas typically open during choice time include archery, boating, field games, and arts and crafts.

All Camp Game – Capture the Flag! Kangaroo Court! Dr. T.J. Pepper's 23 Awesome Flavors! Get ready for all camp crazy fun!

Campfire – Lights! Camera! Action! Sign-up to sing a song, lead a skit, or share a story with all of camp.

Forest Friends – Similar to choice time, campers can choose open activities that all have a nature focus to learn more about our surroundings.

Camp Greider is a great place to meet new friends but we understand that many campers attending camp feel more comfortable attending with a friend. Our camper groups have around 12, similar aged campers in each group with 2 staff members

Each camper may designate ONE “buddy” at the time of registration (both campers must choose each other as their ONE choice). We do our best to honor buddy requests but cannot make any guarantees. If you have already registered and would like to make a buddy request, please e-mail the Camp Director with your camper’s name, session they are attending, and their buddy’s name. Both camper’s families must contact the Camp Director.

If two campers are within one year of each other’s age, typically the older camper will be placed with the younger camper.

Make sure your camper knows they are responsible for good self-care:

• Drinking water, washing their hands, and eating their packed lunch/snacks.
• Bug spray & sunscreen are camper’s responsibility; practice applying at home.

Pack with your camper so they know what the brought:

• Camp Greider is busy, campers are always on the move and sometimes things accidentally get left behind. Packing for the day with your camper will help them recognize what belongs to them in case stuff comes out of their bag.

Talk with them about making good choices:

• There are lots of option at camp. Talk about how to make good decisions.
• Encourage your camper to ask for help from any staff member (Counselors, Program Staff, Camp Directors) if they have a problem.
• We can’t help them if we don’t know about the concern.

In order to create a safe and fun camp environment, we ask campers to follow three basic guidelines.

• Respect Yourself: Speak kindly about oneself, maintain personal hygiene, follow rules and guidelines.
• Respect Others: Speak kindly to others, hands to yourself, respecting personal property.
• Respect Camp: Causing no harm to camp (including gear, buildings, and trails), respecting activities at camp.

If your camper has any behavioral or emotional concerns or diagnosis that may impact their experience at camp, please contact the Camp Director so we can create a plan so they can have an excellent experience at camp.

Our staff is trained in providing support to a wide variety of children and we look forward to getting to know your child and helping them enjoy Camp Greider.

Camp Greider has a no-tolerance policy for bullying. We define bullying as physical (hitting, tripping), verbal (name-calling, belittling, humiliating), and social (exclusion, coercion). We recognize that conflict between children can occur and we work to provide children opportunities where they can be socially successful. We train our staff to recognize bullying behavior which is not necessarily a single event but can escalate into multiple events. The camp will not tolerate these behaviors in person or via electronic devices. Our camp staff has been trained on how to provide clear expectations for campers, guide them to make positive choices, and be consistent while working with all.

If a child is unable to follow camp rules or participates in escalating bullying behavior, they will work with their counselor, program staff, and if necessary, the Camp Director in order to solve the situation that is occurring. We will make every effort to meet the needs of the campers and seek a solution for a positive camp experience. Parents will be notified if a camper is not being successful in following rules at camp. On occasion, campers who choose to continue disregarding camp rules will be dismissed from camp.

Any campers dismissed from camp for bullying behavior will not have their camp fees refunded.

Camp Greider has their Health Care Procedures reviewed by a licensed M.D. to determine we are following best practices. Some of the procedures include:

We take the care of your camper very seriously at camp. At all times we have a licensed RN or Paramedic at camp OR in close communication with Camp Greider Health Care staff supporting camper health concerns. All members of Camp Greider staff are certified in First Aid and CPR prior to campers arriving.

Parent/Guardian Notifications: Minor injuries while at camp will be treated according to best practice. Parents will be notified if their camper had any first aid or health concerns during the day. Camp Greider staff are certified in First Aid and CPR.

    You will be notified if your camper:

• Has a temperature of 100 degrees
• Has 2 loose stools or vomits
• Has green discharge from nose and/or eyes or any type of eye infection
• Has chickenpox, scabies, or another contagious disease
• Has what appears to be head lice
• Has an allergic reaction
• Receives an injury more than a minor scrape or cut

If any of these occur, the Camp Director and Health Care staff will make a determination about your child returning home or remaining in camp. 

In the event of a major injury or illness, the Camp Director and Health Care staff will assess the situation. If necessary, staff will seek appropriate medical attention and contact parent/guardians. This could include calling an ambulance to transport the camper to Salem Hospital.

If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them home in the best interest of all others in attendance. Any campers showing symptoms of an illness will have their parents contact and sent home.  

Health History Forms: Camper Health History Forms must be filled out and returned to camp at least two weeks prior to your camper's first session of the summer. The information you provide will be shared only with designated Health Care staff and other staff who must be aware to provide the best care for your camper. 

FORM COMING SOON

Please be as detailed as possible while completing the form. The information provided does not prevent your child from attending camp, it simply allows our Health Care staff to make informed decisions regarding your child's care while at Camp Greider. Campers with Asthma, Heart Defect/Disease, Seizures, Diabetes, or Bleeding/Clotting Disorders require a physician's authorization to attend camp. Please contact the Camp Director if you have any questions.

All campers are asked to be current with their school vaccinations. If your family does not immunize, please complete a waiver by contacting the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties.

Medications: If your camper requires medication during their time at Camp Greider it must be turned in to the Camp Director (or designated staff member) in the original container. We will administer medication following the directions given by a medical provider present on the container. This includes all prescription and non-prescription medications such as vitamins, creams, and pain killers. Please review your camper's Health History Form for a list of over-the-counter medications we have on hand to dispense as needed.

Please note, we are required to dispense medications from their original container and follow directions as provided on the label. We recommend you send only enough medication needed for the weekly session. If you would like to provide medication in a daily amount, we are happy to accommodate your request.

Campers should continue to follow their regularly scheduled medications, even while attending camp. Routines may be different and continuing their regular medication allows campers to have the most successful experience.

Health Screenings: At check-in to start the week, campers and staff will complete a brief health screening. The health screening may include a temperature and symptom check.

In the event of an emergency, or power outage, we will keep families updated utilizing our social media pages:

• Camp Greider Facebook
• Camp Greider Instagram
• Salem Family YMCA Facebook
• Salem Family YMCA Instagram

You can also expect an e-mail from campgreider@theyonline.org. In some instances, a phone call from the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties may be needed.

It is very important that you label all items with your camper’s name. Including your camper in the packing process helps them be able to recognize their items and creates a sense of responsibility over what they bring to camp.

On Friday afternoon, all lost items from the week are displayed to all campers during camp fire to review before boarding the bus to return to Salem. After that, lost and found items are held at Camp Greider for three weeks. If you believe your camper is missing an item or clothing, please contact the Camp Director and we will look through the lost and found from the week your camper attended. If we find your item, we will make arrangements to have it transported to one of our association’s branches (Salem, Silverton, Monmouth-Independence) where you may pick it up. After three weeks, all salvageable items are donated to a local charity.

All electronic devices including phones, tablets, laptops, and music devices are not allowed at Camp Greider. 

These devices will take away from the camp experience of building new relationships and exploring our surroundings.

If a camper is found to have brought an electronic device, we will safely secure the device in our until pick-up

Camp Greider is not responsible for any lost or stolen items campers choose to bring to camp.

Campers will be prepared for each day by bringing the following items:

• Backpack
• Water Bottle
• Lunch
• Sunscreen
• Appropriate Swimsuit
• Towel
• Snacks

Please label items sent to camp with your camper. We do get messy and wet, please consider that when sending belongings.

Camp is not responsible for lost/stolen or broken items.

Things that should be left at home include:

• Personal sports equipment
• Electronic devices (such as phones, tablets, laptops)
• Candy/gum
• Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, vaping pens
• Weapons or explosives (such as knives, fireworks, lighters)
• Personal Vehicles

Camp Greider is an outdoor day camp and we recommend families send their child in clothing that can get dirty and wet. Campers must wear close-toed shoes suitable for running/hiking OR sandals with a backstrap.

Please dress for the weather and be prepared for rain. 

DETAILS FOR 2024 TBD 

Transportation Guidelines:

1. Please be on time. The YMCA uses the busses to transport other summer programs and it is important we respect the drivers time and other YMCA programs.
2. Campers may not load the bus until directed by a Camp Greider staff member. The bus driver will provide guidance or how to safely load and unload the busses.
3. All bus safety procedures are to be followed per the bus driver and camp staff. Campers must remain seated at all times and may only stand to exit the bus after the driver has secured the bus and given permission. Campers must keep all body parts inside the bus and the aisles clear during travel.