FAQ

A love of the outdoors, reasonable physical condition and a positive attitude are much more important than previous outdoor experience. An adventurous spirit and willingness to try new things is everything! All activities are designed to be age-appropriate and instruction is provided for each activity. We operate under the "challenge by choice" philosophy and campers are never be forced to do anything they are not comfortable doing (though we will always encourage you to give it a try!). Although our programs are graduated in difficulty, prior experience is not a requirement.

Safety is our primary consideration at all times. It is the bottom line in all decisions regarding the outdoors. While outdoor activities do entail certain risks, we greatly reduce the chances of injury with strict guidelines and thorough instruction. Our staff is certified in First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard and/or Waterfront Lifeguard, Wilderness First Aid, and all are trained in the safety aspects of the activities according to the industry standards. We are extremely proud of our excellent safety record. Therefore, unsafe or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. With a serious infraction, parents are called. The camper, counselors, and parents will discuss the situation and if the unsafe behavior continues, parents will be asked to pick up their child without compensation.

We make every effort to stick with our schedule of activities but changes are sometimes needed in response to bad weather or availability of equipment. The flexibility and open-mindedness of campers and parents allow us to make every week unique, challenging, and fun.

All programs run, rain or shine. Our goal is to follow the planned schedule of activities even if it is raining - we recommend all campers have rain gear available each day. We will alter our plans if there is a safety concern, such as an electrical storm or wet rocks for rock climbing. In this case, we may substitute other safe outdoor activities or indoor alternatives such as a rock climbing gym. Safety is our primary concern and our staff are well trained to recognize and respond to dangerous weather situations.

We travel in passenger vans for all of our programs. Day programs offer pick-ups and drop-offs in Branchville or Westport, Connecticut. We understand that the amount of time spent in the vans is a concern to many. Although some activities and locations are further away and may require more travel time, our goal is to keep our travel to within one hour.

Trailmark Expeditions programs leave from and return to Ridgefield, Connecticut. Many expeditions have a second pick-up location as well.

All programs run with a minimum of 6 and no more than 13 participants and two adult staff members. All programs are offered as co-ed, with one male and one female staff member assigned to each group. This small group allows for full group participation, interaction and decision-making, as well as individual instruction.

The Mountain Workshop will issue no refunds after May 1, 2010 for any reason, however...

Awesome Adventure and Trailmark Expedition summer camp participants are encouraged to purchase a travel insurance plan, such as the Travmark Travel Protection Plan or other plan of your choice. Travel insurance benefits are designed to protect you for situations or losses resulting from sudden and unexpected conditions or events. A protection plan can be purchased to provide coverage for program cancellation, program interruption, medical expenses and emergency assistance. Travmark offers plans with this coverage as well as a Cancel for Any Reason Benefit Option.

The Travmark Travel Protection Plan is offered and administered by Trip Mate. If you have any questions regarding this coverage, please call Trip Mate, the Plan Administrator at 1-800-888-7292 and refer to Plan ID# 550 or visit them online at www.travmark.com

Organization Name: Mountain Workshop
Organization ID#: mntn11

If your child is unable to attend on a particular day due to illness or a conflict in their schedule, we ask that you call The Mountain Workshop no later than 7:00AM and leave a message so that staff may be notified and unnecessary wait time is eliminated. There will be no refunds given for the missed day(s).

Several forms are required for every participant in a Mountain Workshop summer camp. After registration is completed, all paperwork required for your program will be sent to you, including a Parental Permission and Release form, Health Exam form, Health Information form, and various waivers required by our outfitters. We ask that these forms be returned to us by May 1, 2010 or as soon as possible.

• A Health Exam form, which includes immunization records, must be completed by a physician. This form is required by the State of Connecticut and may be up to three years old. You may substitute The Mountain Workshop's Health Exam form with another form that includes the same information, such as the CT school blue health form.

• The Health Information form is to be completed by a parent or guardian to inform our staff of any allergies, conditions and medications.

• If a camper will be taking ANY medication (prescription or over-the counter) while on a Mountain Workshop program, an Authorization for Administration of Medication form must be completed and signed by the camper's physician as well as a parent or guardian.

• A Parental Permission and Release form must be signed by a parent or guardian.

• Various waivers are required by certain outfitters or locations we use.

Information regarding various allergies should be included on the Health Information form, which is required for each participant. In order for our staff to be able to administer any treatment for an allergic reaction, an Authorization for Administration of Medication form must be completed which includes a physician's written order and parent or guardian's authorization to administer medications. Specific authorizations are required for the use of an EPI Pen as well as the administration of Benadryl.

It is the goal of The Mountain Workshop to teach outdoor skills and help everyone feel comfortable living in the wilderness for a short period of time. On most trips, campers will sleep in tents (separate for boys and girls). On some trips, tarps, lean-tos or sleeping under the stars are also viable options. Bathroom facilities can range from public bathrooms with hot showers to outhouses and no running water to river water (all trips are provisioned with adequate amounts of potable water) and using the woods. Conditions may be cold, wet, muddy, hot or tiring. The days can be hard but the rewards are huge!

With the assistance of your instructors, campers will take part in preparation, cooking and clean-up of meals. This is part of learning to be responsible, informed, outdoor adventurers. We usually cook on camp stoves. With the exception of lunch the first day, all food is provided.

All camping and activity-specific gear is provided. On biking trips, campers are required to provide their own bike, helmet, and for touring programs, a rear rack. There are program-specific gear requirements that include, but are not limited to, personal clothing, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and rain gear. Gear lists for the programs will be sent to you.

We ask that cell phones, iPods or other electronic devices not be used while on a Mountain Workshop trip as these interfere with the mission of our camp. We simply want everyone to enjoy the beauty, sights and sounds of the outdoors and disconnect from the many electronic distractions. Our leaders carry cell phones and/or satellite phones on all trips and are reachable in the event of an emergency.

At all times throughout a program, our office staff will know the group's locations and contact phone number. Our leaders carry cell phones and/or satellite phones on all trips and are reachable in the event of any emergency. During the summer, your calls will be answered 24 hours a day. Contact the office in case of emergency at (203) 544-0555 or (800) 831-1273 and we will reach your child's group.

During overnight expedition programs, campers may be given the opportunity to call home once during the week, however, parents should not expect calls. As a reminder, no news is good news.