Stay Connected this Summer

Stay in Touch

It is a big adjustment to go from regular communication with your child at home to very limited contact at camp. We completely understand! On this page, we share how we’ll stay in touch with you and provide tips on how you can stay connected to your child and to camp. You’ll find everything from photo album links, camp mailing addresses, our package policy, and more!

Sending Your Camper Mail

Campers LOVE getting mail! People from home (parents, friends, extended family, etc.) should feel free to send it frequently and enthusiastically. Written correspondence creates excitement and when done properly, provides a healthy connection to home. Campers love to hear how their beloved pet is doing, how their local sports team is faring in July, or what is happening with a sibling or grandparent.

Mail for your camper should be addressed to your child at their camp address (not the Aloha Foundation Office):

• Aloha: 2039 Lake Morey Rd, Fairlee, VT 05045
• Hive: 3295 VT Route 244, Fairlee, VT 05045
• Lanakila: 2899 Lake Morey Rd, Fairlee, VT 05045

**A Note to our International Families: International families (and those unable to send or receive US mail during the summer) may send camper mail via email to the camp offices. These letters will be printed for campers and put in their mailbox with regular mail delivery. Please use the subject line: Camper Mail for <insert your child’s full name>. To reply, campers may handwrite letters and bring them to the office for scanning back to family at home. See our Key Contacts page for the right email address to use.

 

Mail & Package Policy

Family and friends are asked to send postcards or correspondence that fits in standard envelopes or flat mailing envelopes. We ask that you not send packages and we cannot accept food of any kind. We discourage sending magazines and newspapers as these risk bringing the outside world back into camp—and we do receive newspapers at camp for older campers who want to catch up on world events. Certain magazines bring product advertisements or topics poorly suited for the wide age ranges found at camp.

While it is certainly normal to imagine the pleasure your children will have from receiving toys, games, or special items (e.g. Pokemon cards, markers, trinkets, a cool new flashlight), it is also highly distracting and creates a culture of competition or “want” with other campers. If your child forgets an important item, such as a favorite stuffed animal, or a bathing suit, please call your camp office before sending the forgotten item so we can ensure your child receives the package as exceptions will be made for forgotten essentials. If you are unsure if something is considered essential, please ask!

 

When to Call, Email, or Visit

Camper Phone Calls & Email: Especially if you are a first-time camp parent, we understand your wish to hear your child’s happy voice at the end of the phone. However, phone calls do not always contribute to a child’s happiness or to their adjustment to camp. Sometimes the sound of a parent’s voice can alter the experience of even the most content and enthusiastic camper, interfering with their adjustment. So, in most instances, we urge you to communicate with your camper by mail and restrict calls to birthdays and other special occasions. In both cases, arrangements should be made ahead of time with the camp office. Campers will not have access to email at any time.

The Camp Office: During the summer, the Camp Office and Health House will be your main point of contact. Because our Camp Directors are generally outdoors during the summer engaging with campers and counselors, we ask that you please only email them directly if it’s really necessary. Year-round foundation staff are generally offline on the weekends, but our Camp Offices are open seven days a week, morning through evening. Office Managers can relay urgent messages to the right person in a timely fashion.

• Aloha: 802-333-3410 or campalohaoffice@alohafoundation.org
• Hive: 802-333-3420 or camphiveoffice@alohafoundation.org
• Lanakila: 802-333-3430 or camplanakilaoffice@alohafoundation.org

Visits: While most campers do not have visitors during their session, some families do choose to schedule a visit. Any visits should take place at least 10 days into your camper’s session. We want to be sure your camper has made significant connections and will be less likely to feel the pangs of separation when family leaves after a visit. Visits usually happen between 12:00 pm and 2:45 pm and visitors typically bring a nut-free picnic lunch to share with their camper at camp. All visits must be scheduled in advance by emailing or calling the camp office.

 

Communication From Camp

New Camper Phone Calls: If you have a camper who is new (including Hive graduates now attending Aloha), we will call you within the first few days of their session to let you know how your child is doing.

Counselor Letters: About 10-12 days into your child’s session, we will email a letter from your camper’s counselor. This letter will update you on your camper’s adjustment to camp, share news about their tent family, their favorite activities and more. These letters will be emailed from enrollment@alohafoundation.org.

Photo Galleries: New photos will be uploaded to each camp’s album twice a week (we do our best to upload on Tuesday and Friday evenings). You’ll receive a link by email within the first few days of your child’s session. Email our Enrollment Team if you missed the link.

Visiting Weekend: Families of Full and 1st Session Campers are invited to visit camp during Visiting Weekend. Learn more online.

Don’t forget to also check us out on Instagram and facebook!