Frequently Asked Questions
About Camp Waziyatah
- What is Waziyatah Like?
- Where is Waziyatah?
- How do I get there?
- Who are Waziyatah Campers?
- Where do Wazi Campers come from?
- Who are Waziyatah's Counselors?
- Where do Wazi Counselors come from?
- What's the food like?
- Where do I swim?
- Are bikinis allowed?
- Where will I live?
- How is The Pines different from The Hill and The Grove?
- What will I do all day?
- Will I have any choices?
- What should I pack?
- Can I bring a cell phone or electronics?
- Can I get care packages?
- Are there any special events?
- Does Wazi have trips out of camp?
- Can my parents call me?
- What happens if I am sick or injured?
- What if I have allergies?
- What are Wazi's Sessions?
- Can I - or my parents - talk to Wazi Families?
- What is the deadline to apply?
- What time is drop-off or pickup?
- What are some of Waziyatah's Facilities?
Answers
- 130 acres of beautiful woods and fields bordering a privately owned, spring-fed lake
- Right in the center of Maine's beautiful lake and mountains region, at the head of the Sebago Lake watershed
- 50 miles from Portland, Maine, by car
- About 3 hours from Boston, by car
- Click for directions
- Many campers arrive with their families
- Other US campers fly into Portland, Maine (PWM) or Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS)
- International campers connect through Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) to Portland International Jetport (PWM)
- Waziyatah staff meet incoming campers' flights in Portland, Maine
- Van service is provided from and to Portland for all campers and staff
- There is also a bus campers take from suburban Boston
- Boys and girls (ages 7-17) from all over the world -- who enjoy playing, laughing, and growing together
- Campers who seek the excitement and challenge of living cooperatively in a stimulating community
- Regular kids who happen to enjoy each other's company
- Campers who value strong, positive peer relationships
5. Where do Wazi Campers come from?
- Waziyatah campers mostly come from the Eastern Seaboard of the US: New England, Metro New York, Metro DC and Florida
- Campers from all parts of the US bring diversity: California, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, etc.
- International campers come from Italy, Mexico, Colombia, France, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, Japan, Venezuela, and Canada
- Waziyatah is truly an American international community, with 90% US campers and about 10% international campers
- English as a Second Language instruction helps international campers develop skills in conversational English.
6. Who are Waziyatah's Counselors?
- Mature, experienced Division Directors supervise each of the living units
- Mature, experienced Department Heads supervise each of the six program areas
- Men and women, most in their 20's and older, who serve as cabin and activity counselors
- People who choose to focus their summer on helping children to realize their potential
- Teachers, guidance counselors, childcare professionals, students
- Caring and skilled individuals with camp-related backgrounds
- Some former Waziyatah campers who have completed the rigorous two-year training program
7. Where do Wazi Counselors come from?
- All across the US
- From international points: Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, the Caribbean
- From Colleges and Universities around the world
- Wazi uses the served-buffet system: you select what you like to eat
- Entrees include vegetarian options at every meal
- Breakfasts include a fresh fruit and yogurt bar
- Lunch and dinner offer an extensive salad bar
- Waziyatah maintains a bottomless fruit bowl and cool drinks are available all day long
- We have afternoon snacks often baked fresh from our full time baker
- In beautiful, clear Lake McWain
- Because Lake McWain is relatively shallow (45 feet deep) it warms quickly in the spring and holds its warmth through our season
- Lake McWain is 31⁄2 miles long, providing excellent facilities for boating, water skiing, and swimming alike
- Yes, appropriate bikinis are allowed (not too revealing and no thongs).
- In a comfortable rustic cabin with 6 - 12 other campers of your age and grade
- Your cabin has electricity, toilets, and sinks
- Pines and Grove cabins have a shower in each cabin.
- The Hill has a shower house
- Among friends from all over the world
11. How is The Pines different from The Hill andThe Grove?
- The Pines (ages 8-11) experience focuses primarily on integrating a new camper to our Wazi program
- The Pines experience provides an excellent introduction to all aspects of camp life
- The Pines Division is unique in its small size and very close camper-counselor contact
- Senior campers exercise more ownership in their activities and have more opportunities to shape them, whether performing arts, sports, riding, waterfront or adventure
- Your day starts with lazy breakfast, cabin responsibilities and a short Division meeting
- You have three activity periods before lunch, and three afterwards. One is a “free swim” period including “The Blob”!
- After dinner, you will enjoy an evening activity with the whole Camp, or possibly your division or cabin
- Pines is quiet by 9:30PM, Hill and Grove by 10:00 PM, Ridge and Ledge by 10:30PM, CIT 1’s by 11:00PM
- Your day is filled with choices: your individual schedule is based on YOUR choices!
- You choose what YOU want to do each week
15. Can I bring a cell phone or electronics?
- Camp is about doing things you don't do at home
- Cell phones, PSP’s, and other video games are not allowed. Ipods (non video)are allowed, but can only be used at rest hour and bed time. Note: Camp is not responsible for valuables.
- Camp Waziyatah allows packages to be sent to campers, but no candy or food of any kind may be sent. We suggest a care package service, (Sealed with a Kiss - www.eswak.com) which sends packages directly to camp. Other packages will be opened by camp staff and delivered on Mondays and Thursdays. Packages sent from home with needed clothing or other materials can be delivered upon arrival (days other and Monday or Thursday) only if pre-approved by the camp office. Wazi branded clothing and accessories can be purchased and sent to camp directly by our clothing company, Amerasport (www.amerasport.com).
17. Are there any special events?
- Special events are the core of each evening's activities
- They also often happen on two special days each week – we call the Otter Days
- Scattered throughout the summer, we have the Luau, Whitewater rafting, several Musical Theater productions, and surprise field trips like roller skating
- Our fantastic Color Wars (Kerns Challenge Days and The Parker Cup), game shows, block parties, and fun campfires
- Your cabin will spend a night camping out, eating s'mores, and telling stories around the campfire
- Every day at Wazi is a special day
18. Does Wazi have trips out of camp?
- The Adventure Bound program offers climbing, hiking, and canoeing trips
- Each session we design a couple of fun trips out of camp that might include: bowling, mini-golf, local attractions, etc.
- Parents may call the camp director at any time to inquire about their child, but may call campers only in emergencies.
- Parents may make appointments for their camper to phone home after their child's first two weeks at Camp
- Campers are required to write home once a week with postcards we provide. They make great keepsakes!
- Parents can communicate to their campers via email from our "Parent Communicator" system.
20. What happens if I am sick or injured?
- Registered Nurses staff the Waziyatah Health Center 24 hours each day to help with colds, scrapes, and other typical camp injuries and sicknesses
- Many staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR to care for emergencies
- Wazi has doctors affiliated with local hospitals nearby in Bridgton and Norway
- Hospital emergency facilities are less than 20 minutes from camp
- A member of the infirmary staff or camp administration will contact parents or guardians for any of the following reasons: any health matter indicating a need for a visit to the hospital or an outside medical provider; any health matter that requires an overnight stay in the camp infirmary; any health matter requiring repeated treatments in the infirmary (e.g. bad skin rash or infection); a new medication prescription or a doctor/practitioner-recommended change in an existing prescription; or orthodontic problems.
- Make sure that you clearly identify any allergies on your medical form so we can address this properly while you are camp.
- See Dates & Rates
23. Can I - or my parents - talk to Wazi Families?
- Many families who have had campers at Waziyatah are happy to speak to you
- In these hectic times most families are very busy, but we will do our best to hook you up with at least two Wazi families after you have spoken with one of the directors and are close to making a decision
24. What is the deadline to apply?
- Waziyatah does not have an application deadline
- Wazi does not believe in creating artificial pressure for your family
- Some age groups fill earlier than others; please call or e-mail to make sure that there is still room –but never assume that it is too late to register
25. What time is drop-off or pickup?
- Pickup and drop-off times are 10am to 2pm on the first day and last day of any session. Please do not arrive early.
26. What are some of Waziyatah's Facilities?
- Four tennis courts
- Ampitheater-style campfire
- Several campfire / campout areas
- 2 riding rings
- Skateboard park
- The Blob (giant, floating, inflatable kid launcher)
- Visual Arts center
- Miles of wooded trails
- 2 tournament-quality ski boats
- Sailboats, rowboats, sailboards, playaks, canoes
- Plenty of dock space
- Beach volleyball court
- 2 basketball courts
- Archery range
- Riflery range
- On-site stables
- Netball court
- Fully equipped theater
- Baseball field
- 2 soccer fields
- Gym
- Weight Room
- Large rustic dining room
- Sandy beaches and deep-water dock
- 50-foot climbing tower
- and more!
