Parents' Frequently Asked Questions How do I register? Registration for Bangor Y members and child care participants begins Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 7am at both the Second Street and Hammond Street facilities. Public registration begins Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 8am at both the Second Street and Hammond Street facilities. Because we have limited space and last year filled up 8 out of our 10 weeks, we encourage you to register early! A $25 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit is required for each week of camp. Full payment is due by Wednesday, two weeks before each registered camp week. Campers will not be able to attend camp if payment in full is not received. No changes may be made after May 30, 2008. All registrations received after August 1, 2008 must be paid in full. Camp packets may be obtained online or at either Bangor Y welcome center and must be filled out and returned at the time of registration. The cost for one full camper week is $145 and $170 for a two-week LIT session. For more information, feel free to contact Erin Hatch at ehatch@bangory.org. Where is Camp Molly? Camp Molly Molasses is located in Bradley, Maine on Chemo Pond, approximately 15 miles from the Bangor Y. Campers and staff meet at the Bangor Y on Second Street and ride buses to and from camp each day. Click here for specific directions. What is the typical enrollment? Camp Molly provides programming for approximately 140 campers each week. Over ten weeks, we see over 400 individual campers. We serve campers ages 5 to 12 years old and both boys and girls. Many of our campers return year after year, and many follow big brothers and sisters to Camp Molly! What does an average Camp Molly day look like for a camper? Each day, campers rotate with their groups through various activities. We also meet as an entire camp before the day begins for camp songs and announcements, and at the end of each day for announcements and dismissal. Each group's schedule rotates so each day is a little different. Fridays are always special as the whole camp follows a different schedule based around a creative theme with original and imaginative activities that often include amazing challenges, dressing up & pretending! Click here for the Fun Friday 2008 schedule. Campers may enjoy archery, swim instruction, recreational swimming, water games, fun Fridays, ropes course, canoeing, nature education, cooking, sports, arts and crafts, singing, camp fires, hiking, fishing, theme days, talent shows, parent days, and optional overnights throughout their daily rotation & the summer! For a look at tentative daily schedules, please click on the appropriate link: Eagles, Bobcats, Coyotes, Cougars, Moose, Black Bears, or Hawks. Does my camper need to bring a lunch? Campers do need to bring daily lunches, morning and afternoon snacks, beverages, and a water bottle. Camp Molly is equipped with a large walk-in refrigerator which is used to keep lunches cold throughout the day. We do ask that parents do not send warm ups, as we do not always have access to a microwave or oven. Also, water coolers are situated throughout the camp so campers can always keep fresh cool water in their water bottles. What are the camp facilities like? Camp Molly provides a beautiful setting complete with 1,200 feet of shoreline, forest lands, a ball field, high & low ropes course, and lots of indoor classroom space for those rainy days. Besides the main lodge, which houses our Great Room, kitchen, offices, bathrooms, and 3 large classrooms; we also have a large art cabin and a smaller adventure cabin, the Dahl House. Building began December 2006 on our brand new bath house, which will be a large and much anticipated bathroom facility, as well as changing stalls for our campers! What is the LIT program offered at Camp Molly all about? Camp Molly is pleased to offer opportunities for aspiring leaders between the ages of 13-15 years old in our LIT program. LIT's enjoy the option of all the above activities, only experienced at an age appropriate developmental level. They also build job skills, discuss individual strengths and goals, and develop leadership skills with their LIT supervisor, Lacey. Part of the learning experience involves working closely with our staff to provide activities and create a safe environment for our campers. The program is catered to each individual LIT and what they want to experience. Limited space is available. What do you do when it rains? We continue experiencing, enjoying, laughing, learning, growing, building friendships, practicing new skills, and making every moment an adventure! Luckily we have many indoor spaces and utilize those classrooms and cabins if the weather is stormy or rainy! How are the campers divided into groups? Campers are assigned to their camp groups appropriately according to age and developmental level. Most campers stay with the same camp group and counselors for the remainder of the summer they attend camp. So, for instance, if your camper is a Cougar week 1, they will likely remain a Cougar for week 2, 3, and so on. We believe this strengthens the counselor camper relationship. Therefore, the counselors develop a good understanding of what your child enjoys, including goals, challenges, and how to give that child, or young adult, the individualized attention he or she needs! We have seven camper groups at Camp Molly including Eagles, Bobcats, Coyotes, Cougars, Hawks, Moose, and Black Bears. Why should I send my child to camp? "Kids who go to summer camp have higher self esteem, improved skills, more developed goals, are less likely to commit crimes, and have better overall well-being [than children who do not attend summer camp]." Search Institute "Children say: Camp helped me make new friends (96%) Camp helped me get to know other campers who were different than me (94%) Camp helped me feel good about myself (92%) At camp, I did things I was afraid to do at first (74%) Parents say: My child gained self-confidence at camp (70%) My child continues to participate in activities learned at camp (64%) My child remains in contact with friends made at camp (69%)" American Camping Association survey What do others have to say about the Camp Molly experience? "I love this camp. I have loved it ever since I first set foot on it those 8 summers ago when I was only in unit two. That is the reason I come back every summer; the memories, the people, and my dear love for Camp Molly Molasses!" Kate Weigel, a seasoned Camp Molly CIT 2006 "Directors have done a great job and always make us feel important. We made suggestions last year and our thoughts were listened to and addressed this year. [That] shows that parents' opinions are valued!" Jana & Kevin Hanscom, parents of Moose & Bobcat campers 2006 "Excellent staff, positive attitudes, and flexible drop off & pick up times!" Tiffanie Dodge, parent of a Cougar camper 2006 "My daughter Haley was such a shy girl. She left me with some tears, but always came home grinning from ear to ear!" Sharon Gotlieb, parent of an Eagle camper 2005 "The staff made themselves very available. It was great to be able to see the directors in person in the gym each day." Andrea Lee, guardian of a Black Bear camper 2005 "Cameron has been coming since the 1st grade. He comes for more than half of the summer every year, and its not daycare, he wants to be there. He plays basketball, so he could go to camp for that. He plays baseball, so he could go to camp for that; but he loves Camp Molly because it's a good old fashioned camp!" Jennifer Grover, parent of a Black Bear camper 2005 100% of Camp Molly parents surveyed in 2006 agreed... Camp registration was quick and easy! Their children were safe at camp every day! And camp staff were responsive to their needs!