Camp Birkett Outdoor Center

Lost and found items are hung on hooks on the side of the Director’s Cabin and can be checked at drop-off and pick-up. On Friday, there is a lost and found fashion show for the campers before they leave in hopes of getting their belongings back to them. After the fashion show, all remaining are transported on the bus to the pick-up/drop-off location. If there are still any remaining lost and found items, they are stored at the Ann Arbor YMCA for up to two weeks after the current session. After two weeks the remaining items will be donated.

All camp staff are certified in first aid and CPR. The Health Officer completes a state mandated training course and is prepared to provide emergency aid. The Health Officer will distribute medications to campers at the times parents/guardians have designated. Epi-pens and other emergency medications are kept with your camper’s group counselor in a locked container to ensure they are secure and available in an emergency. If your camper takes the bus to and from camp, their medications will be placed in a locked container and sent on the bus at the end of each day.

Camp Birkett is a traditional outdoor day camp. Campers have five activity periods each day, one of which is always swimming. The other periods include arts & crafts, nature & outdoor skills, sports, boating, archery, and theatre. This year the older groups will also have “choice” time. During this time, they can choose from a set of special activities for the week.

Each week of camp has a theme that is utilized throughout the week and culminates in the Friday all camp activity. Examples of past activities include a camp wide scavenger hunt with silly challenges for pirate week, a dinosaur safari in which campers had to find camp counselors dressed as dinosaurs for Jurassic week, and a games carnival for circus week. Water games are frequently integrated into the all camp activity for extra summer fun!

• Ratios: The American Camp Association regulations require one lifeguard to every ten children swimming. We follow this standard rigorously, as well as employing additional counselors in the role of waterfront observer to promote safety during swim time.
• Swim Test: Campers in groups 1-3 (the youngest groups) do NOT take the swim test. Very few are able to pass the swim test, and those that do often spend most of their time in the shallow end so they can be with their friends. Campers in groups 4-8 and LIT’s take a swim test on the first day of the week. They must demonstrate their ability to swim across the swim area without touching the bottom.
• Swim Buddy System: Each camper has a designated swim buddy that they check in and out of the swim area with. When the lifeguard calls a buddy check, they locate their buddy and stand together with hands raised. This simplifies the process of counting all swimmers, and makes identification of a potential missing camper rapid.

* Life jackets and water wings are available at our waterfront by camper request!

If there are multiple days of rainy weather, the Camp Director may choose to show a G rated movie and make popcorn. Parents/guardians will be notified the day before of the chosen movie. There will be a separate activity available for any campers that opt out of the movie or are not permitted to watch the movie per the request of their parents/guardians.

We designate a table at lunch that is allergen free that kids can eat at if needed. It is very important to list allergies on your child’s medical forms so their counselor can keep an eye out for any concerns.

Drop-off: Please send a message in advance on Procare the counselor a heads up!

Pick-up: Please message at least an hour in advance on Procare and we will do our best to have your camper at the front and ready to leave. You can show up without notice, but it may take us time to prepare your child to leave.