In our main camp, we will have at least 1 counselor for every 10 campers. Some days we have 1 to 5, depending upon what we are doing. In the Jr camp, the normal ratio will be 1 to 5. At amusement and water parks, the ratio will be 1 to 3 or 4.
What about safety?
We do have activities that a lot of camps don’t have, but safety is our # 1 concern. All our counselors have lifeguard certification. They are very mature and many have been with us for several years. Because we (Lucy and Mary) are both parents, we view the camp from an adult, parental perspective that puts the safety of the campers in the front of our minds at all times. In open (dark) water, the campers are required to have a float whenever they are in water over their heads.
Most of our sessions are $300 per week. The 4th of July week, a four-day week, is $270, and the week when we go on the Lake Travis Zip Lines (week 9) is $320 (for children doing the zip line). We ask that $100 be paid with your registration to hold your spot and the remaining amount be paid Monday morning, the first day of each session (or earlier).
What is your tax ID #, address, phone?
74-291-8091; PO Box 92034, Austin, TX 78709-2034; 512-983-6100.
Will there be someone at West Enfield and at Balcones District Park? What do the campers do until they leave for the field trip?
Yes, we will arrive at West Enfield, Patton and at Balcones Park at 7:30. We play games, cards, make lanyards and chill out in the hammocks. There is usually time for group games (Capture the Flag, Dodge ball, Soccer, Kickball, Kick the Can, Knock Out, etc).
Campers who are dropped off at Balcones and Patton must be there between 7:30 and 8, because the bus will leave those locations at 8 to go to Westenfield to meet the rest of the group. On Monday mornings, we ask that Patton campers be brought to Westenfield to check in.
How do you travel?
We travel in air-conditioned buses.
What do you do when it rains?
We go bowling, skating, watch a movie, go to a covered pavilion or whatever we
can think of that is inside. Sometimes we go to our "Camp in the
Country (22 acres, just outside Austin).
Will my 2 children stay together, or do you divide children by age?
In the older camp, we usually stay together in one group, but if we ever split up, campers
are given a choice, so, they will have the opportunity to stay together.
Junior campers will usually be separated from the older camp.
Do I have to drop off and pick up
at the same location?
We try to be flexible, and allow switching if we have space in the
bus, and if you
let us know on the morning of the switch. Written notes help
also..
Can I pay by credit card? Yes, you can pay with Paypal online. At the park, we need cash or check. See our registration page.
Are
any sessions full yet?
We keep the
schedule page updated. Check that.
Why can't the kids bring
electronics?
We are no longer going to be the electronics police. If they bring them, they can use them.
However, we will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.
Kids who
sit and engage in solitary play miss out on important socializing that goes
on when we are traveling. We have had items stolen at a water park
when items were left in backpacks. We strongly recommend that
electronics get left at home.
Do you offer a
sibling discount?
Sorry, no. Our costs are
the same and we strive to keep our costs as low per child as possible.
What is your cancellation policy? If we have notice 3 weeks before the session begins, we will refund your deposit, less $30. If you cancel less than 3 weeks before the session begins, you will forfeit your $100 deposit. There is a fee of $30 for switching from one session to another.
In addition to the weekly fee, is there an additional fee to cover the cost of your field trips, e.g. Schlitterbahn, Fiesta Texas, etc. No, the weekly camp fee covers the entrance fee to all field trips (except the zipline is $20 extra making that week's fee $320; $300 for children not participating in the zip line). There is no additional fee; no hidden costs. We prefer campers do not bring money to camp (except on special days to buy food in certain parks that don't allow us to bring in lunches).
Do you have a waiting list for sessions that are full? Yes. Send us an email with your request.
Do we have to pay full price if we have a season pass to Schlitterbahn or Fiesta Texas? W We've been burned by giving the discount up front and then not getting the pass. Now, our policy is that if you give us the pass ahead of time, we will refund $20 (our group price). Sometimes parents get upset because they give the pass to their child with instructions to give it to us, but the child forgets. Parents sometimes think we should remember to ask the children if anyone has a pass, and sometimes we do, but we don't feel like it's our responsibility to remember to ask. We have a lot on our minds. It ends up with hard feelings all around. So, we have the policy to refund your money; please give us the pass when you drop your child off in the morning. We will happily refund $20. We've had trouble with the season pass thing before. Our policy is that if you give the pass ahead of time, we will refund $20 (our group price). I've
Do the children wear life jackets? I see pictures where the children are not wearing life jackets; why is that? Some of the pictures you see where there is white water (see picture above), the water is actually very shallow (the water in the above picture is about a foot deep). Some of the places we go, we require all children to be in life jackets; some places we require younger children to be in life jackets and some places, we require they have a float of some kind if the water is over their heads. We are very safety conscious and if we (or the parents) are concerned about the swimming ability of any child, we (or the parents) can require that child to wear a life jacket. However, our policy is not that children have to wear a life jacket at all times because life jackets are restrictive and unnecessary most places.
We are in a drought and so many places either don’t have or have very little water. How do you work Wet and Wild if there is no water? Yes, it's harder when there is a drought, but we've been through this before. The places that may be closed due to low water are McKinney Falls, Hamilton Pool, Bee Creek, Pedernales Falls and Five mile Dam (Blanco River). Places that have water, even in droughts are: Barton Springs, Comal River, Lake Travis, Krause Springs, Comal River, Prince Solms Tube Chute, San Marcos River, City Park, Granite Beach, Landa Park, all the water parks and swimming pools. Luckily, lots of the places we go are spring fed or are larger rivers or lakes and have always had water. Just the nature of our camp is that we have to be flexible. We do have to change our plans because of floods, droughts and/or rain. We always try to substitute something of equal value and equal fun.
