FAQs for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers
What disabilities can Camp Fish Tales accommodate?
Camp Fish Tales strives to be able to accommodate any disability. Some common disabilities that we accept include: Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Down’s syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Aspergers/Autism, TMI, Multiple Sclerosis, Arthrogryposis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Epilepsy, vision and hearing impaired, Chromosomal disorders, diabetes, mentally, emotionally and cognitively impaired. The Camp Director and Camp Fish Tales reserve the right to refuse an applicant if it is determined, in their judgment, that the camper does not meet requirements or Camp Fish Tales cannot adequately meet the needs of the camper.
We strive for safety first, if your camper is going through a time period of anger (biting, kicking, hitting), we may ask that you wait a year before sending him/her to camp.
Does Camp offer programs in the non-summer months?
YES!! We now offer weekend respites. These programs are for post-secondary and older campers to allow an opportunity to socialize that is no longer available since they are out of high school and or college.
Unfortunately, we do not offer youth respite weekends at this time.
How do you decide who comes to Camp?
This starts with a conversation between the Camp Director and the care giver. When a more severe disability is involved, the Camp Director consults with the nursing staff to ensure that we can safely care for a particular camper. Camp Fish Tales makes every effort to accommodate individuals. Camp Fish Tales is known for providing unique accommodations that other camps are unable to.
What does it cost for a camper to go to Camp?
While there is a fee to attend camp, we have never turned away a first-time camper with financial difficulties. Camp Fish Tales offers scholarships along with helping families obtain community support scholarships.
Will my camper be safe at Camp?
We do all we can to provide a safe environment for the campers at Camp Fish Tales. All staff are carefully screened including reference and background checks. Our medical providers are fully licensed. Our counselors go through an 6-day intensive orientation and training before Camp begins. All program areas are reviewed for safety on a yearly basis. All staff members maintain certifications as required for specific program areas. We are licensed by the state of Michigan. Each summer we go through two state inspections, 1 health department inspection and 1 Fire Department inspection. Camp Fish Tales is proud to carry an ‘A’ rating!
Who will take care of my camper?
Our counselor’s undergo a strict interview and screening process including reference and background checks. Counselors are chosen from many applicants based on their experience, enthusiasm and empathy. The entire staff receives intensive training in areas including: safety, medical issues of our campers, sensitivity and disability training, behavioral techniques, and cultural awareness. Camp Fish Tales also utilizes outside agencies to come in and train our staff every summer.
What is the staff to camper ratio?
At Camp Fish Tales, the ratio is 1 staff member to 1 camper for the majority of campers. Never is the ratio more than 1 staff member to 2 campers.
Can I visit or talk to my camper while he/she is at Camp?
In our experience we have found that talking to home often causes or increases homesickness in our campers. Our policy is that campers do not call home during the first three days of camp. You can call our office and speak with the Camp Director, the Nurse, or your camper’s counselor to get an update. Parents are only allowed to visit at the end of the week with a prior appointment set up by the Camp Director.
Who provides medical care for my camper?
Our medical building is staffed with 2 registered nurses, 1 licensed practical nurse and a paramedic 24 hours a day. The nurses provide routine scheduled medical care for the campers as prescribed by their primary physicians or specialists and their parents. Parents have the opportunity to sit down with the head nurse to review all medical care on arrival day. You can review all your camper’s special needs, medications, restrictions, etc. You also have the opportunity to talk with and go over any routines for your camper with their assigned counselor on arrival day. Your camper’s counselor will take you through the registration process and spend as much time in the afternoon as you need to feel comfortable. Remember this is supposed to be fun and relaxing for everyone involved!
Do I need to bring my camper's medical supplies?
YES. Please send all medications and supplies to Camp with your camper. Make sure you send enough to last the entire time your camper is with us at Camp, plus extra day’s worth. We ask that you include an extra day’s worth of medication for safety purposes. This includes: all medications (prescription and over the counter), supplies for tube feeding and vent care, and all other supplies, (wound dressings, diapers, wheelchair, crutches, etc.). If your camper needs oxygen during the day or overnight this must be arranged prior to coming to Camp by you and your oxygen supplier.
What should your camper bring to camp?
You will receive a checklist of items to bring when we receive a completed application.
Typical items include t-shirts, shorts, socks and underwear for one week. A bathing suit, beach-wear, sandals for beach and shower, towels. Sweat-shirts, jacket, jeans or sweat pants for cool evenings
We require tennis-shoes to be worn at all times, flip-flops or sandals are not allowed outside of the beach activities.
Bedding to include pillow(s), a fitted twin sheet and blanket, or a sleeping bag.
Toiletry items such as: shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, personal hygiene or feminine products.
Laptop computers, MP3 players, radios, are at your own risk.
Camp t-shirts may be bought on opening and closing day only. There is a camp store with inexpensive items at .50 each. The camp store is open daily in the afternoon.
Cell phones are not allowed. They must be turned in with medication on check in day. They will be returned on the last day of camp, prior to leaving. Phone calls may be made through the office, with the permission of the camp director.
