Camp Policies
Please review the Parent Handbook for all Camp Policies. Policy highlights can be found below.
CMW Unplugged!
It is our goal at Camp Merrie-Woode to foster a close camp community. Our campers create friendships at camp that last a lifetime. As the use of technology isolates and distracts our young campers in the outside world, we find it increasingly important to protect what has been cultivated at camp for over 100 years. Camp is a time to connect with friends, experience a variety of activities, and enjoy the natural setting of this beautiful place. With technological distractions, our sense of community is quickly lost and campers lose focus on why they are here.
Camp Merrie-Woode is proud to be “UNPLUGGED.” Please do not bring electronic items to camp. This includes, but is not limited to the following: cell phones/smart phones, iPods/MP3 players, laptops, electronic games, DVD players, electronic readers, or cameras with internet-uploading capability.
We realize music at camp is important and is very much a part of our camp culture. Cabins and activity areas do have iPods with appropriate music for everyone’s enjoyment. These iPods are provided with speakers, but no earphones to create a shared music environment. We ask that you support our policy by not sending your daughter to camp with the electronic items listed above.
Mail, Phone, & Email
We encourage the use of good old-fashioned snail-mail for communicating with your daughter at camp! Even veteran campers appreciate handwritten letters from their parents. Letters should be addressed as follows:
Camper Name
Camp Merrie-Woode
100 Merrie-Woode Road
Sapphire, NC 28774
While you may send emails to your daughter, keep in mind that she will not have computer access to send emails back. Campers may only mail written letters through the USPS. Parents will be provided with email instructions before the camp session begins.
Telephone, fax, and camp office email accounts are used for camp business and in the event of an emergency only. Campers may not make or receive phone calls or faxes unless cleared by the Camp Directors.
Food & Packages
Package Policy
Camp Merrie-Woode has a no package policy. Only flat letters may be sent to campers. This policy includes books, magazines, food, candy, and oversized envelopes. Please spread the word to family and friends. This policy was implemented to keep with Merrie-Woode’s non-competitive focus and emphasis on simple living.
If your daughter is having her birthday at Camp, please mark package “hold for ‘camper’s name’ birthday” and drop off at the office on the Opening Day of camp. Please do not send food or candy.
If your daughter has forgotten something essential from home, please call the camp office to have it approved before sending it. If it is not approved, it will be returned unopened.
Food & Candy
Please do not bring food, candy, or gum to camp. Food and candy (including gum) are distinct health hazards by attracting mice and other rodents to cabins as well as a significant source of litter. Likewise, when some campers follow the guidelines and some do not, honesty issues can occur.
Campers have three filling meals per day and plenty of opportunity for sweets and candy bars after meals and on trips. We ask that you support our policy by not sending your daughter to camp with candy and not bringing candy into camp during the summer.