OVERNIGHT CAMP
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS MY CAMPER A GOOD FIT FOR CSM?
We stand strong in our belief that all campers have the right to attend camp and we welcome all campers that meet our eligibility criteria into our programs. Just as the benefits of a positive camp experience are vast and indisputable, the effects of a negative camp experience can be detrimental. We have found the two leading causes of a negative camp experience are campers not being ready and CSM not being the best fit for a particular camper. The eligibility criteria is a tool for families to help decide if their camper is ready to attend, including determining if CSM is a good fit. Our staff is committed to working with camper families and welcome conversations about their particular camper’s circumstances.
For our full explanation on camper eligibility criteria click here.
WHAT IS THE REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY?
Cancellations before June 1: Full refund, less the non-refundable deposit.
Cancellations on or after June 1: No refunds will be issued.
We know life happens, and schedules can change. If you need to cancel after June 1, give us a call. If there’s space in another session, we’ll gladly move your camper. If not, we’ll place a credit (minus the deposit) on your family account, good for up to one year (good for any CSM program for any family member on your account). Some sessions may fill before June 1, and families are responsible for any fee differences when switching weeks.
*The June 1 refund deadline is tied to the summer your camper is enrolled in. (Example: For Summer 2026 sessions, the deadline is June 1, 2026).
For more information, visit the Cancellation & Refund Policy on our website.
DO YOU OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
Yes, we have a Campership program. To receive a Campership award, a camper must be currently enrolled in a CSM program and have paid the $75 deposit required to enroll in a summer camp session. If your Campership award is not sufficient to allow your child to attend camp, you may cancel your registration and will receive a full refund of your deposit. Campership applications can be found here.
WHAT IS THE SUMMER CAMP PAYMENT POLICY?
Each camper’s registration must be accompanied by a $75 non-refundable deposit/session.
All registrations made before June must be paid in full by June 1 (of your registered summer camp year). Registrations with unpaid balances will not be guaranteed. Final payments made by check must be postmarked no later than May 24 or received before June 1 (of your registered summer camp year).
All registrations made after June 1 (of your registered summer camp year) must be paid in full at the time of registration.
For more information, visit the Payment Policies on our website.
WHAT IS A CAMPER'S TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE?
| 7:30-8:45 am | Morning Routine (Breakfast Hygiene, Medications) |
| 9:15 am-12:30 pm | Area Programming (Area Include: Arts, Ballfield, Spiritual, Waterfront) |
| 12:20 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch & Rest Time |
| 1:00 -5:15 | Area Programming (including waterfront) |
| 5:20 – 6:30 pm | Dinner |
| 6:30-7:20 pm | Open Ball Field |
| 7:30-8:30 pm | Evening Program |
| 8:30-10:00 pm | Night Routine (Hygiene, Medications, Night Prayers) |
| 9:00 -10:00 pm | Lights out |
WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CAMP?
CSM requires the same vaccinations that are required to attend public school.
We do not require the COVID-19 vaccine. (if the health dept. changes their requirements, we will as well)
CAN YOU ATTEND CSM IF YOU ARE NOT CATHOLIC?
Yes, Camp Stella Maris is non-conversional and campers are not required to be Catholic. CSM is a self-governing and self-supporting entity that follows the Catholic faith. Campers attend a kid-friendly Catholic Mass 2 times each week. Our spiritual program teaches values and lessons that can be applied throughout our lives regardless of where each person is in their faith journey.
WHAT IF MY CAMPER HAS DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
A menu will be emailed the week prior to your camper’s arrival.
We do provide multiple food options each meal including gluten free, vegan and vegetarian.
If your camper has special dietary concerns, please contact Melissa 585-346-2243 ext 104 or by email melissa.haynes@campstellamaris.org
HOW DO I COMMUNICATE WITH MY CAMPER?
We encourage parents to write their campers! We encourage campers to do the same, but don’t require them to do so. Not receiving written communication from them probably means they are having a great time.
Postal Mail
OR
Email
The ONLINE COMMUNITY is a service that provides an opportunity to send and receive letters to and from your camper. More specific information is sent to families prior to arrival.
In case of a true emergency and to reach someone ASAP, please call 585-613-2175.
ARE CAMPERS ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR CELL PHONES?
No. We believe there are numerous benefits to having campers unplug for the week and therefore have a no phone policy at Camp. We have found that campers do their best when they are fully invested in Camp and can experience Camp independently. Some of the benefits of unplugging that we’ve seen as camping professionals is a willingness to engage with peers, try new things, and step outside their comfort zones in many different ways.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE IF A CAMPER IS HOMESICK?
Homesickness is a very natural part of the camp experience. It is normal for campers to miss home. Our counselors are trained to work with campers that may be struggling with homesickness. This usually involves distraction techniques with activities and friends.
If our methods are not successful a counselor will call home and ask for advice.
Our goal is for campers to have a positive and successful experience at CSM. Sometimes, it just isn’t the right time, and a camper will go home. Focus on the positive and encourage your camper to try camp again next year.
WHAT SHOULD MY CAMPER PACK FOR CAMP?
Space is limited in the cabins; therefore, we recommend you do not overpack. Please make sure all items are labeled with your camper’s name.
The walk from the parking lot to the cabins is long. We highly recommend bringing a wagon to help move belongings to your cabin. Click HERE for a printable packing list.
Clothing
t-shirts/sweatshirts/long-sleeved shirts shorts/pants/sweatpants
undergarments
socks
bathing suits*
pajamas
Laundry bag/garbage bag (for dirty clothes)
Shoes
Sneaker (required)
Water shoes
Crocs/Flip flops (shower shoes)
Cabin Gear
Pillow/sleeping bag or sheet/blankets (twin-sized)
Twin-sized fitted sheet
Flashlight/reading light
book/sudoku/mazes/coloring books etc. (to help fall asleep at night)
Snacks & candy
Water bottles
Sunscreen/bug spray
Shower/Personal Stuff
Bath towels
Beach towels
Washcloths
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Soap or body wash/shampoo/conditioner
Deodorant
Brush/hair ties
Shower caddy with holes/something to carry shower stuff in
Contacts/glasses
Feminine products
Optional Items
White t-shirt to be tie-dyed
Lacrosse stick, football, etc.
Battery-powered fan
Raingear/ windbreaker
Black pens/markers to write home & paper
Email response paper (from the parent portal/online community) or self-addressed, stamped envelopes.
Comfort items (stuffed animal, journal, etc.)
Sunglasses/hat
Medicine *to be stored in the health center*
Lotion
Extra batteries (flashlight & fan)
What not to pack
Any items of high personal or monetary value
Cell phones
Money
Extension cords/outlet strips
Electric fans
Any device with Wi-Fi, 5G, or other internet capabilities (tablets, iPads, Kindles, etc.)
Valuables (watches, jewelry, etc.)
Pocket knives/lighter
*Bathing suits must cover and contain all private areas and be appropriate for the activity. Sports bra style is very popular and preferred (no string ties). Please do not pack white bathing suits as they tend to be see-through.
A note on cell phones: We wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of unplugging at camp and ask that you respect this policy. Camp Stella Maris is a unique setting where kids are given the valuable resource of belonging to a community of their own. A community in which kids interact face-to-face, with positive role models who have time to listen, talk, relax, and reflect. CSM provides a safe environment that allows kids to learn positive things to say and do when they make mistakes and face challenges. Suspending electronic interactions teaches kids not only how to read facial emotions and non-verbal cues, but also how to make social adjustments to new and different people. We believe campers do their best when they are fully invested in the camp experience, and they can experience camp independently. We have often found that this separation can be harder for our parents than for our campers. We encourage you to talk to your camper ahead of time about ways they can share their camp experience. Letters, journaling, and photographs are some great ways to connect while apart.
Packing Tips
- Have your camper pack with you. Not only will this build excitement (especially if there might be potential homesickness), but also accountability. You won’t be there to help find a missing sock, so this is a great opportunity to work on responsibility and taking care of their belongings.
- Make sure your younger camper can open all shower bottles and know how much to use.
- For younger campers, we recommend packing a change of clothes for each day in separate zip-lock bags.
- Bath and beach towels? Yes, maybe 2 of each. Beach towels tend to get sandy & dirty.
- Extra socks & underwear – you can never have enough dry socks (or underwear)!
- A couple of swimsuits – putting on a wet swimsuit is the worst!
- Extra sheets and/or blankets for accidents at night.
- Whatever you decide to pack in, remember you have to carry it to and from your vehicle. We recommend plastic totes (some have wheels)! Cabin floors may get dirty, wet, and sticky. There is no right or wrong, make it practical and easy for your camper to get in and out of. We have wagons to borrow if needed.
- Candy? Really? YES! Think baseball cards – campers get to know each other by trading/sharing their candy & snacks. Please no melty stuff – cabins can get very toasty.
- If you want it back – label it!
Lost and Found
- CSM is not responsible for lost or damaged clothing or equipment.
- We encourage parents/guardians to check cabin clotheslines and CSM’s lost & found areas before departure.
- Please make sure to pick up your camper’s medications at the Health Center.
- We will hold lost & found items until October. Please call the main office if your camper is missing something.
ARE CAMPERS REQUIRED TO SWIM DAILY?
Campers must swim check, however during waterfront time there are various activities other than swimming.
IS THERE A SWIM CHECK REQUIREMENT?
Yes! The Department of Health requires all campers to swim check yearly.
This ensures that campers have demonstrated the skills needed to swim in a section safely.
Once registered, more specific information regarding sections and skills required can be found in the parent portal.
WHAT TIME IS PICK UP & DROP OFF?
Drop-off times depend on the first letter of the Camper’s last name
A – L: 2-3 pm
M-Z: 3-4 pm
Pick up times
Short weeks (C, E, G, I) Friday between 5-6
Long weeks (B, D, F, H) Saturday between 9-10
CAN I PICK UP MY CAMPER EARLY?
Yes. You MUST contact the office to pick up your camper at a different time then their scheduled pick up time. 585-346-2243
DO COUNSELORS SLEEP IN CABINS?
Yes! Each cabin will have TWO counselors who will sleep in a cabin with the campers each night. Counselors who sleep in the cabin will be the same gender as the campers in the cabin but may not be the same counselors who are with them all day.
For example, if one of the counselors for a male cabin is female, she will not sleep in the cabin and a male counselor will replace her during the night.
IS THERE SECURITY AT NIGHT?
Yes! There is a night watch person monitoring the grounds throughout the night. Cabin counselors can contact the watch person to keep an eye on campers that may be walking to the bathroom as well.
WHAT IS BLUE-GREEN ALGAE (BGA)?
Harmful Agal Blooms (HABs), sometimes referred to as Blue Green Algae (BGA) occur when bacteria that can make toxins rapidly multiply, particularly in warm, calm water conditions. The Livingston County Department of Health tests our water regularly and determines if it is safe to swim. When a HAB exists the swimming area remains closed until the water is clear and testing confirms toxin levels are not a health threat. Contact with these harmful algal blooms can lead to health issues such as itching, rashes, fever, headache, respiratory symptoms, vomiting, and diarrhea. We are currently working with the Conesus Lake Association to find ways to lessen the duration of these blooms. When the lake is closed for swimming, we provide our campers with fun alternatives such as land inflatables, slip and slides, and other water games.
CAN MY CAMPER REQUEST A CABINMATE?
Yes.
You may have ONE name listed as your cabin mate request. The request MUST be reciprocal (requested by the other camper) to be considered.
For more detailed information, visit the Cabin Placements section on our website
GIVE US A CALL OR SCHEDULE A TOUR
info@campstellamaris.org
585-346-2243
585-346-2243
Fax- 585-346-6921
info@campstellamaris.org
4395 East Lake Road
Livonia, NY 14487
Camp Stella Maris of Livonia, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 16-0743941