Welcome to Camp Red Cedar

Posted on June 1st, 2022

Please read over the following information to guide your camp experience for your registered week

WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP

Daily Lunch
One Towel
Bathing Suit (one piece or tankini recommended for females)
Sunscreen (Please apply before drop off, we will reapply every 90 minutes after, when in direct sunlight)
Bug spray
One Light Weight Jacket
Rain Gear
Water Bottle
Needed toiletries
Fishing Pole/Tackle (optional)
Camera (optional-disposable with name on it is best)
At least one pair of jeans, if riding (Journey, DSANI, Explorer, and Range Rider Camps)
One Sturdy Pair of Shoes or Boots for Hiking and Riding (Journey, DSANI, Explorer, and Range Rider Camps)
One Pair of Athletic Shoes for morning rotations
Enough play clothes for your camper’s needs: shorts, socks, underwear, t-shirts, sweatshirts (mornings can be cool) etc. Please label your camper’s clothing to prevent him/her from losing it at camp

The following items are prohibited at Camp Red Cedar: cell phones or web-enabled devices: (laptops, iPods, iPads (tablets), MP3 players, expensive electronics) illegal substances such as drugs and alcohol, cigarettes and other tobacco products, adult/inappropriate books and/or magazines, weapons of any kind, walkie-talkies, inappropriate messaged t-shirts, prank items (shocking pens, handcuffs, mechanical bugs, or magic ink), skateboards, bikes, camper-owned vehicles, pets, televisions, laser pens.

WHEN ARRIVING/PICKING UP AT CAMP RED CEDAR

Camp Red Cedar has modified drop-off/pick-up procedures. Please review the updated procedures below.

Just a reminder that if you are using maps please search for Camp Red Cedar or 3900 Hursh Road. Hursh Road is the only able to be accessed by either Tonkel Road or Auburn Road.

Drop off traffic flow:

Arrival at Camp

Check in times is 8:00am daily
Enter Lodge parking lot
Pull into Red or Blue side , spots 1-10
Please remain in your vehicle while your camper is checked-in daily.
A staff member will greet you and will call for the assigned counselor
If your camper is taking medication at camp this must be check-in with admin staff on Monday morning. Please make sure they will have a full supply for the entire week. **PRESCRIBED MEDICATION MUST BE IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING with doctors orders on the label**

Visitors– All visitors must sign in at front desk.

Pick Up

Adventure/DSANI/Journey/Quest Day – 2:45pm-3:00pm
Range Riders/Discovery – 3:45pm-4:00pm
Explorer Camp– 3:45pm-4:00pm

Please call or text 260-312-1405 with your camper’s name, color and space number once you arrive onsite and the counselor will bring your camper to the car with their belongings at the end of each day.
Late fees will occur if camper is picked up later than times listed above. Charges are as followed for any late pick up: $5.00 for first 15 minutes late; $1.00/minute each minute after

Camp Store

We ask that you have it filled out and send in the money with the order form. We accept cash, check, or major credit/debit cards. Cash or check can be sent in with camper or given to staff at beginning of day and we will have it ready at the end of the day. Please be sure to note the size needed and color desired. All sales are final.

Tee Shirts: $15.00
Long Sleeve Dri-Tec Horse Tee-Shirt: $20.00
Baseball 3/4 Sleeve Tee-Shirt: $20.00
CRC Sweatshirts (limited sizes): $35.00
Mask: $5.00
Sunglasses: $5.00
Lanyard: $5.00
Drawstring Bag: $10.00

CAMP HEALTH CARE POLICY

Camp Red Cedar is fully equipped to handle routine cuts, bruises and other types of injuries. We have a complete line of over-the-counter medications available to campers as needed. As with all over-the-counter medications, our health staff checks the camper’s health form for allergies, contradictions, and parental permission for medical assistance.

In case of illness or accident, campers are cared for by camp staff with direction from a medical nurse, if needed. Parents are contacted when there are any important medical concerns. In case of an emergency, campers are taken to Parkview Regional or DuPont Hospital. Camp Red Cedar is compliant with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). No one will be given copies of your plans or reports without your permission.

When you check-in at camp, we ask that you drop off all medications (including any forms of over-the-counter medications) with our admin staff and provide instructions for scheduling of medication distribution. MEDICATIONS MUST BE BROUGHT IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING and checked in Monday morning at drop off.

Camp Red Cedar is a no smoking facility.

EARLY CHECK-OUT POLICY

If your child will be leaving early, please notify the office personal, in writing, on the morning of the designated day or before. The staff will have your camper prepared to depart at your requested time.

We CANNOT legally release a camper to anyone other than those listed on the authorization list on the paperwork packet.

FINANCES

Payment Options

If you need to make additional payments, contact Nathan Smith at 260.637.3608 or Cindy Graeber at 260.744.6145
To pay by check: please make check payable to:
- Camp Red Cedar 3900 Hursh Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46845
Please contact us if you would like to set up a payment plan.
- Final payment is due two weeks prior to your camp session
- Payments received after the two week deadline will be assessed a $5 late fee. All returned checks will be charged $20.

Transfer Policy: Camper transfers from one session to another or from one program to another will only be made if space is available. Transfer requests must be submitted in writing to the director.

Waiting List In the event that a camp or riding session fills prior to your registration, we may place your child on our waiting list. You will be contacted if a spot becomes available.

Age Exceptions Camps must be the age indicated in the camp brochure by the first day of camp. There will be no age exceptions. Camps are designed with curriculum and programming for campers of a certain age.

Pro-rating Camps We believe that a true camp experience is a week-long experience. For this reason, we do not pro-rate camps.

Tax Information for Camp Red Cedar Tax ID: 35-1049596 Camp Red Cedar is a non-for-profit 501 C3 organization

REFUND POLICY

If you must cancel your attendance, please contact the camp office immediately. Full refunds are given for certified medical reasons only. Late arrivals/early departures and campers sent home for disciplinary reasons receive NO refunds. The $75 registration fee per week is non-refundable. If you develop a schedule conflict, you may change your session attendance with no penalty, as long as space is available.

VISITORS, TELEPHONE CALLS, AND HOMESICKNESS POLICIES

We ask that parents and/or friends do not visit or call campers during the camping session as campers are busy playing, developing independence, and having fun! Campers are not permitted to have cell phones at camp. This policy helps reduce homesickness and results in an improved program. Please feel free to call the camp office and speak with the Director or Program Manager for any extenuating or family situations. We post camper pictures on our Facebook page weekly, giving parents the opportunity to see our wide variety of camp activities. You might even see your child in one of the pictures!

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR CAMPER

Facebook has become a valuable tool in allowing you to stay connected to your child while at camp. Pictures, videos, updates and blogs will be posted weekly. All updates can be found at facebook.com/CampRedCedar. A Facebook account is not required to view the pictures. Be sure to tag your photos so you can share them with your camper when they arrive home.

While your camper is at Camp Red Cedar, we encourage you to keep in contact with them. The preferable methods of communication are letters and e-mails.

Email: redcedar@campredcedar.com

When sending letters and packages using the U.S. Postal System:
Camper Name
Camp Red Cedar
3900 Hursh Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46845

LOST AND FOUND POLICY

As campers get involved in activities, they tend to leave clothing and other belongings around camp. Every attempt is made to return lost items while your camper is at camp. Camp Red Cedar is not responsible for the loss or breakage of clothing and equipment, and we encourage you to only bring items that would not upset the family if lost. Please include the last name (not initials) on all clothing, equipment, bedding (sleeping bag) and baggage. This includes water bottles and cameras. This is especially important with all overnight campers. Take time to check for lost items before you leave camp. If you notice something is missing after returning home, please call the office immediately. If you find some items that do not belong to your child, please return them to camp the following day. Unclaimed items are distributed to local charities.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Benchmark Human Services/ Camp Red Cedar to provide employment, training, and other services to individuals without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, and/or mental or physical disabilities.

PERSONAL CONDUCT & DRESS

Campers are responsible for their behavior while at camp. If a camper’s behavior causes undue risk for the safety and/or well-being of themselves or others, we will contact the parent/guardian and the child will be required to leave camp. Additional cause for immediate dismissal can include, but is not limited to: continual behavior disruptions, possession of alcohol, tobacco, drugs or firearms.

Campers dismissed because of inappropriate conduct are not eligible for any refund of fees. In striving to provide an environment of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, campers wearing clothing and/or bringing equipment with inappropriate messages and/or are deemed overly revealing (including bathing suits) will be asked to change their clothing/cover up.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Participants enrolled in traditional lessons, therapeutic lessons, specialty camps (Journey, DSANI, and Explorer), Quest Retreat and Range Rider camp are scheduled for riding times with the horses. It is required to complete all paperwork annually, including the Equine Liability Release Form, Rider’s Medical History and Physician’s Statement with a Doctor’s signature, for the individual to be able to participate in horseback riding.

SHOWDEO – FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Don’t miss Showdeo, our family fun night at Camp Red Cedar. All campers, riders, and their families are invited to attend. Families participate in a variety of exciting activities with their camper including boat rides, hay rides, making s’mores by the campfire, walking the trails, arts and crafts and more! All Range Riders campers are invited to demonstrate to family and friends, the riding skills they learned at camp. This is a great opportunity for parents to experience and see first-hand, all of the fun their campers enjoyed at Camp Red Cedar. Open to the public.

CAMPERS WITH SPECIAL DIETARY, EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE OR PHYSICAL NEEDS

If your camper has any special dietary, emotional, cognitive, or physical needs or has difficulty in a mainstream situation, please contact the camp office. We are able to accommodate campers with a wide variety of needs when we are made aware of the needs and have adequate time to ensure that we can place the proper staff with the individual. Counselors are told about camper situations on a “need to know” basis. Please arrange a meeting and/or tour of the camp with the program manager to ensure that the needs of the participant do not exceed our training and capabilities. Your full disclosure of abilities is much appreciated.

Annually, we require each camper to submit updated paperwork and have an accurate health history on file. Doctor’s signature is required only if the camper is participating in horseback riding activities. All paperwork and balance of fees are due a minimum of 2 weeks before camp begins.

ASSESSING SERVICES WITH BENCHMARK HUMAN SERVICES/CAMP RED CEDAR THROUGH WAIVER

If you are interested in any Benchmark program(s) that you are not in right now, contact your case manager or Benchmark staff to see if you are eligible to enroll. Your case manager or Benchmark staff can also help you look into receiving services from other programs in the community. In Indiana you can apply for any Benchmark program through the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) or Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Each program has its own guidelines. Your application will be reviewed to see if you meet these guidelines.

RECREATIONAL THERAPY

Recreation Therapy uses structured activities in dynamic settings that unlock your potential for greater physical, mental and emotional well being. Activities designed to enhance your skills and abilities will get you up and moving, doing new and exciting things. Typical services are offered in the community and at Camp Red Cedar.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PERSONS RECEIVING SERVICES

Individuals receiving services at Benchmark Human Services/Camp Red Cedar are encouraged and assisted in recognizing and exercising their rights, as well as in honoring their responsibilities.

Individuals served have the right to:

Be informed of their rights in writing or in a manner that they can understand.
Exercise their constitutional, statutory and civil rights, including the right to vote, unless limited by adjudication or finding of mental incompetence in a guardianship or other civil proceeding.
Advocate for themselves or designate someone else to advocate for them.
Receive services in a safe, secure and supportive environment.
Receive humane care and protection from harm.
Direct the people centered planning process to the maximum extent possible and choose individuals to participate in the process.
Participate in planning their services, know the effects of receiving and not receiving such services, and be informed of the alternative choices of services or habilitation programs.
Receive services, as authorized in their individualized support plan that are meaningful and appropriate, in accordance with standards of professional practice, guidelines and budgetary constraints.
Choose any qualified, approved provider and case manager to deliver their services.
Evaluate the services they receive.
Request an update to the individual plan at any time.
Refuse to receive services if they are an emancipated adult however, certain programs require that individuals receive services to remain eligible for that program.
Petition the committing court for consideration of services if they are being involuntarily committed.
Not participate in experimental research or treatment without their informed, voluntary written consent. They have the right to withdraw consent at any time.
Have their records treated confidentially, and give written consent before any information from the record may be released to someone not otherwise authorized by law to receive them.
Inspect and copy their records at their expense.
Be treated with consideration, dignity and respect, free from mental, verbal, emotional and physical abuse, neglect, maltreatment, exploitation and retaliation.
Be free from discrimination in the provision of services on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, language, and socioeconomic status.
Have the opportunity to participate in social, religious and community activities as desired.
Contact & consult privately with an attorney of their choice, at their expense.
Consult with a doctor of their choice, at their expense.
Be free from seclusion, chemical and physical restraint, unless necessary to prevent danger of abuse or injury to themselves or others.
To be free of interference and coercion.
Be free from corporal punishment including but not limited to the application of painful or noxious stimuli, forced physical activity, hitting, pinching, and electric shock.
File a grievance and have access to an internal appeal if they feel a right has been violated, without reprisal, following the written procedure of the provider (see Benchmark Grievance Procedure for specific instructions).
- If the complaint involves a clinical treatment matter or decision, contact the primary therapist or case manager.
- If the complaint involves a matter or decision made by another service provider, contact the provider – the supervisor, program director, and administrator.
- A decision regarding the grievance is made within ten (10) days of filing the grievance.
- Appeal decisions made by a State agency, if they disagree with the decision.
Exercise their “conditional right,” which can only be restricted under these conditions:
- In the circumstances and according to the procedures established by rules of the appropriate division.
- On an individual basis, only for good cause as set forth in the individual treatment record and approved by them or their legal guardian.
Under their conditional rights, and based upon their Individualized Service Plan, they have the right to:
- Wear their own clothes.
- Keep and use personal possessions.
- Keep and be allowed to spend reasonable amounts of their money.
- Have access to individual storage space for their private use.
- Have a reasonable means of communication with persons outside their home.
- Be visited at reasonable times.
- Converse privately with others.
- Receive and send mail – unopened.
- Place and receive telephone calls at their expense.
- Come and go at any time.
- Eat whenever they choose.
- Decorate your own room.
- Choose roommate(s) and options regarding where to live and receive services.
- Participate in meaningful non-work activities in an integrated setting.
- Be free from a requirement to work for the service provider or others without pay or special minimum wage rate, except for commonly required personal housekeeping, volunteer work (if desired by the individual) in the community or in a sheltered workshop if Benchmark or outside workshop has a certificate from the United States Department of Labor authorizing the employment of workers with a disability at a special minimum wage rate.
An accounting of how the payee is spending their money. The payee is required by law to spend the check for their needs. Their funds will not be misappropriated
Expect their services to have a reasonable chance to improve their life.
An obligation to follow the rules of their service area and to carry out their responsibilities as agreed in the Individualized Support Plan (ISP).
Be free from any practice that denies them sleep, shelter, food, drink, physical movement for long periods of time, medical care/treatment, or use of the bathroom unless a physician’s order is in place.
On a regular basis, as specified in my ISP, be informed on my medical condition, developmental status, behavioral status and right to refuse treatment.
File an initial complaint/grievance with an outside agency such as but not limited to Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) 1-800-622-4845.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The following procedures ensure that individuals receiving services are able to exercise their right to file grievance/rights and have access to an internal appeal if they feel their rights have been violated.

To file a formal complaint, grievance/right or appeal the person served must complete the Benchmark Grievance Form and submit it to his or her program coordinator or Q.I.D.P. Any individual who, without false intent, reports a grievance will be free of any form of retaliation.
The program coordinator or Q.I.D.P. must address the formal complaint, grievance or appeal in writing within ten (10) working days and arrange to meet with the person served to review it. The program coordinator or Q.I.D.P. will copy his or her director, the appropriate vice president, and the Human Rights Committee on all correspondence.
If an individual receiving services is not satisfied with the response he/she receives, he/she may file an appeal using the Benchmark Grievance Form. The appeal should be submitted to the appropriate program director. The program director must address the appeal in writing within ten (10) working days and arrange to meet with the person served, and all personnel deemed appropriate, at which time he/she will present their written response verbally. The program director will copy the program coordinator or Q.I.D.P., the appropriate vice president, and the Human Rights Committee on all correspondence.
If an individual is still not satisfied, he/she may file a formal appeal with the Human Rights Committee. The Committee shall have ten (10) working days to review the appeal and provide a written response detailing their decision.
At any point in this process, you may contact the following:

Indiana Protection and Advocacy Commission (IPAS) at 1-800-622-4845or your local Bureau of Developmental Disability Services or local Aging and In Home Services.