
Table of Contents



About Camp Taiwan
Away from Home
Regulations
Living groups
PAL Program
Our Staff
Camp experience
Packing for Camp
Health and Wellness
To and From Camp
A Camper's Day
Activities and Themes
Meals at Camp
Communication
Good to Know
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Camp Taiwan was founded in 2003 by Tom and Nara McDonald together with Morty Chu-Langslow. In 2005, the first summer campers arrived to make s'mores, sing for their supper, jump off the zip line and live together in nature. Since then, we have grown our programs and expanded our facilities and enrollment.
Thousands of campers from Taiwan and all over the world have participated in our week-long North American-style summer camps. We have become an institution in the lives of many of our campers, and we have had several campers who have returned to camp as counselors – completing a circle that exemplifies our commitment to camp and the youths that attend it.
Our Mission is to provide an outdoor living experience using the traditions of North American summer camping. We aim to create a community founded on respect for self, others and nature. We endeavor to give our campers an experience in nature that opens their minds, encourages personal growth and provides cultural, social and environmental awareness. In our fun, supportive environment, campers are free to participate fully, make friends, and have a memorable experience.

Away from home
Regulations
Living groups
PAL program
Camp Stuff
About Camp

In order for the summer camp experience to be successful for children and parents – both need to be well prepared.
Seven steps to getting ready:
1. Make sure you are ready to send your child away to camp and that you think camp will be a good, happy experience for your child! If you have fears or misgivings about the camp experience, then your child is more likely to be afraid.
2. Include your child in the process of getting ready for camp. This includes showing them the Camp Taiwan website, photos on our Facebook or Instagram pages and YouTube videos of camp.
3. Plan for a sleepover for your child at a friend's house in the weeks leading up to camp – especially if this is a new experience for your child.
4. Talk about camp in positive terms. Tell your child why you think camp will be a great experience and what you are excited about for your child. Set some goals together for your child's camp experience. Start this conversation early.
5. Mention that feeling “home-lonely” is perfectly normal and discuss things to do to make your child feel better; write a letter home, keep a journal to write or draw about the good, happy things about camp, and send a special toy or stuffed pet.
6. Encourage your child to speak to their counselor at camp about their feelings. Whether they are feeling home-lonely or are concerned about an activity or other campers, our counselors are trained to deal with these issues. They are there to help your child have the best experience.
7. Don't give your child the “call home” or “go home early” promise. Telling a child that they can call home or go home early if they are sad or unhappy undermines a child's ability to deal positively with these challenges. It sets them up for failure. Usually campers experience some home-loneliness at the end of positive days full of energetic fun and new experiences. We are prepared for this and can handle these situations and provide your campers with these opportunities for growth.
Regulations
1. Food and Electronics Campers may not have food or electronic devices while at camp. During check-in, food will be disposed of and electronics, including phones, smart watches, and digital cameras, must be checked in – to be returned before departure from camp. Failure to check in electronic devices or misleading camp staff may result in immediate dismissal without refund.
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2. Personal/Shared Space Campers need to work as a team to keep their living and eating areas clean and organized. Campers must ask permission from a counselor before entering another camper's tent.
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3. Boundaries Campers need to stay within the camp boundaries and must remain with their group or counselor when moving between activities.
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4. Abuse Campers may not physically or verbally abuse or degrade another camper or counselor. Campers engaging in abusive behavior may be dismissed without warning.
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5. Medication All medication must be checked in with the camp nurse. Medical forms must be completed and sent to camp with the camper.

Camp is not home or school – it is a unique living environment that can be wonderfully successful within a framework of regulations that support safety, independence, cooperation, fun and learning. Our regulations adhere to our overall mission and encourage a physically and emotionally safe experience for campers. Counselors make a point to check in with each child every evening, so please discuss this with your child and prompt them before camp to speak to their counselor – or any counselors – if they are feeling mistreated.

PAL Program
PEER ADVENTURE LEADER
(PAL) 4 weeks program
Peer Adventure Leaders (PALs) are high school students interested in developing leadership skills in a real working environment over 4 summer weeks.
PALs are either former Camp Taiwan teen campers who are 16 years old, or 17-year-old high school students on leadership internships. PALs serve as apprentice instructors with regular camp staff to learn and practice the skills necessary to supervise and lead younger campers.
Our PALs have their own counselor who works directly with them on a leadership curriculum. Over the course of 4 weeks, PALs gradually begin to assume co-care responsibilities.
PALs also receive instruction on developing “hard” skills – those that will help them become assistant facilitators for adventure activities, including archery, ecology and belay certification etc. We will do our best to tailor our support to meet the needs and interests of the PAL.
Some PALs move on to become a full time summer camp counselors in later years.

Staff
Carefully Selected
We choose our summer interns based on their experience working with youth, their activity skills, their leadership qualities, and their commitment to the mission and values of Camp Taiwan.
Background Checks
Everyone who works with our campers is subjected to a police and criminal background check. All counselors must have verified experience working with youth/children. Many on our team are working toward careers that involve recreation, education or ecology.
In addition to a successful background check, counselors must have CPR and First Aid certification.
Training
Summer staff receive extensive training before campers arrive. This includes learning all camp safety procedures, activity skills, and protocols and standards for camper care. We run an intentional training program to help our counselors form a cohesive team.
Supervision
Our dedicated year-round staff closely supervise the summer team and offer on-going training and support throughout the summer.

The Camp Experience
Packing
Healthcare
Transportation
The Camp Day
Activities/Themes
Food at Camp
Communication
Good to Know


Packing For Camp
Clothing
TIP #1
We suggest that clothes be packed in labeled zip bags with one complete set of clothing for each day, plus one extra set. The bags should be labeled Tuesday, Wednesday till Saturday and one more labeled Extra.
Mandatory Clothing
* 6 shirts
* 6 pairs of shorts or light pants
* 6 pairs of underwear
* 6 pairs of socks
ADDITIONALLY
* 1 long-sleeve shirts (light weight)
* 1 jacket
* 1 sunhat
* 1 set of pajamas or night clothes
* 1 waterproof raincoat (not disposable)
* 1 pair of running shoes
* 1 pair of rubber shoes or sports sandals that cover the toes that can get wet.
* 1 full bottle of sunscreen
* Mosquito repellant
* Flashlight
* Water bottle (with strap)
* Bathing suit ( rash guard swim shirt is
recommended, but not required)
* Toiletries (tooth brush and paste, brush, face cloth etc.)
* 1 laundry bag for dirty clothes
* 1 Pillow
OTHER USEFUL ITEMS
* Books or journal for rest time
* Letter-writing materials – including envelopes and stamps with the home address written on if they wish to post letters home
* Small string day bag for carrying water bottle and sunscreen
TIP #2
Running shoes that are acceptable can be tied or Velcro securely and have a good sole. Shoes must cover the toes.
TIP #3
Have your child pack with you! This helps them know what is coming, how to find it, and how to keep it organized.
TIP #4
Please pack in a backpack or duffle bag. One medium-size backpack will usually do for smaller children. It is easier for them to carry a backpack and a small zip bag rather than a suitcase.
WHAT AND HOW TO PACK
Here is the list of what your child needs to have at camp with them. In our 15 plus years we have come to learn that how you pack can be just as important as what you pack! Please read on for our tips and suggestions that will help your child with organization and independence.
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