This is the third in a series of emails and blog posts covering important topics about sending your child to camp. The other topics are listed below.
Parent Play-by-Play #3: Getting to Camp
An important step to having an amazing camp experience is getting to camp! In this blog post we answer your questions about dropping your child off at camp and picking them up on the last day. Please use this information in conjunction with developing information pertaining to Covid-19 to plan your child’s opening and closing day at camp.
The Jewish value of K’lal Yisrael – Welcoming Jewish People and Friends – is one of camp’s core values. It’s not just the similarities but the differences that unite people worldwide. Feeling welcome and part of a community begins the first moment each camper reaches camp. When campers arrive at camp, whether by car or plane, our staff will greet them with a smile and help them feel comfortable at their home away from home.
Clear communication between parents and the Camp Office regarding your child’s travel information is essential. We use CampInTouch to track campers’ travel plans to and from camp. Please complete the online Transportation Form (which can be found in your CampInTouch portal) by May 15 so we can make the proper arrangements.
When is drop-off and pick-up?
Getting to Camp by Car
On the first day of each session, families are welcome to drop their child off at camp. Please plan to arrive at camp between 10:00am and 11:00am. To ensure a smooth first day of camp, we ask for your cooperation in arriving during the prescribed window. We will have staff members directing traffic, unloading luggage, and showing you where to park.
While the specifics of Opening Day drop-off are still being determined, we expect that only campers will be permitted to get out of the car and we ask that parents and siblings remain in the vehicle while we help your camper arrive.
We expect to administer a rapid response covid test to all campers when they arrive and parents will be asked to stay until we receive the results of the test, likely within 20-30 minutes.
Parents will receive an email a few days before the first day of camp reminding you of important drop-off logistics.
Our summer address is:
Maccabi Sports Camp
c/o Menlo College
1000 El Camino Real
Atherton, CA 94027
If my child is flying to camp, who will pick them up from the airport?
Getting to Camp by Air
For campers who will be traveling by airplane, please book flights to arrive between 9:00am and 11:00am. If you are not able to secure a flight that lands in this time frame, please call (415) 997-8844 or email Maya to discuss.
Nearby airports, in order of preference for pick-up:
- San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
We will provide transportation at no additional cost to and from these airports.
Most major airlines allow for travel by Unaccompanied Minors over the age of 5 years old. We encourage you to review the specific requirements of each airline as they are all different. Please notify us directly if your child will be traveling as an Unaccompanied Minor.
All campers deemed to be Unaccompanied Minors will be greeted inside the terminal by an adult member of our camp staff and transported directly to camp. Those that do not qualify as an Unaccompanied Minor will be met just outside security. Once your child arrives at camp, you will receive a phone call notifying you of their safe arrival.
When booking travel for an Unaccompanied Minor, the airline will ask for the name of the adult picking up your child at the airport. Due to the complexities of airport pick-up logistics, we are not able to provide this information until days prior to your child’s flight. For now, put “Josh Steinharter” in that space and we will follow-up with you as the date nears to give you the name of the camp staff member that will actually be greeting your child when they get off the plane.
Campers flying to camp are permitted to bring a mobile phone for use during travel; it will be collected upon arrival and kept in the camp safe for the duration of the session. Campers should bring a phone charger and we will ensure their phone is fully charged for the trip home.
If you are flying to the Bay Area with your child and plan to bring them to camp yourself, more specifically, you do not require transportation from the airport, please take the following action:
- Enter your child’s transportation method as “driving” – not flying
- And email our office directly to let us know your plans
When we see flight information in the system, our default is to make arrangements to pick up your child at the gate so it is of utmost importance for you to notify us if you are flying in yet providing transportation to camp on your own.
Returning Home from Camp
For families living within driving distance, please plan to arrive at camp between 10am and 11am on the last day of the session. Parents will also receive an email a few days before the last day of the session reminding you of important pick-up logistics.
For campers who are flying home, we will provide transportation to the airport. Campers will be supervised throughout the check-in process and a staff member will remain at the airport until after their flight has departed. Please arrange flights to depart between 10am and 12pm.
For parents picking up Rookie Campers, pick up is at 5:00pm on the final day of the session. This summer, Rookie Camp I ends on June 25th.
As always, contact our office at (415) 997-8844 or camp@maccabisportscamp.org with any questions.
To view all of the topics in this series, click here.
