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Merrimack Valley YMCA Camps
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  • YMCA Camps
    • 2021 Camp Information
    • Camp Lawrence (Boys Overnight Camp)
    • Camp Nokomis (Girls Overnight Camp)
    • Camp Otter (Co-ed Day Camp)
    • Camp Road Rangers (Co-ed Travel Day Camp)
    • Family Camp (Family Overnight Camp)
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Day Camper Essentials

Packing List

What to Bring to Camp

  • Comfortable shorts (or pants, if weather is cooler)
  • T-shirt
  • Sweatshirt/long-sleeve shirt (it’s cooler than at home)
  • Swim suit and one or two towels
  • Plastic bag for wet clothes
  • Sneakers and socks (sandals may only be worn to and from the beach)
  • Bug spray
  • Sunscreen and other sun protection gear (when possible, please apply before camp)
  • Raincoat or jacket on rainy days
  • Water bottle
  • Lunch and snacks (morning & afternoon)
  • Backpack/bag to store items during the day

What NOT to Bring to Camp

  • Cell phones or picture phones
  • iPods, MP3 players or video games
  • Jewelry or special toys
  • Trading cards
  • Any other valuables
  • Knives or any other weapons are strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action

PLEASE LABEL YOUR CAMPER’S POSSESSIONS!

Camp Otter and Camp Road Runner are not responsible for lost or stolen items. All articles brought to camp are the sole responsibility of the camper.

Transportation To & From Camp

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation to and from Camp Otter is included in the tuition. Bus stops are available in Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, Salem, Windham and Atkinson. Camper’s bus and stop must be the same in both the morning and afternoon. The Camp Otter Director or Assistant Director is available until all campers have been picked up. Scroll down for the bus schedule or click here for a printable version of the bus schedule.

Parents’ Rules for Bus Transportation

  1. Prior to the first day of camp, please ensure your child knows his/her bus and stop number.
  2. Parent(s) and camper(s) should arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early.
  3. All transportation changes must be arranged with the office at least 24 hours in advance.
  4. If a camper misses his/her stop in the afternoon, he/she will be taken to the last bus stop on his/her route. Parents are responsible for picking up their child there. Because of time constraints buses are unable to turn around to drop off a camper if he/she misses the stop.
  5. A child will be dropped off at his/her registered stop ONLY IF the parent/guardian is present with proper identification. The bus will wait five minutes and if the parent does not arrive, the child will be transported to the final stop on his/her bus route

Bus Schedule

Please note that the times listed are estimates.

Please allow an additional 10 minutes both in picking up and dropping off.

Car Transportation

Camper drop-off is from 8:00am to 8:30am and pick-up is from 4:45pm to 5:00pm.

Morning Drop-Off:  Cars and campers will be directed by staff at the top of the road.

Afternoon Pick-Up:  Cars will enter the pick-up line in the staff parking lot at Plaisted Circle. After buses are loaded, parents will collect their camper(s) at the pick-up site and proceed out the front gate.

Parents’ Rules for Car Transportation

  1. Campers are required to check out with parent pick-up staff every afternoon. Parents or other designated adults will be responsible to show I.D. upon checkout.
  2. Entrance through the front gate is NOT permitted between 3:30pm and 5:00pm.
  3. If you are dropping off late or picking up early, you must go to the Camp Otter Office and sign your camper in or out. A picture I.D. is required.
  4. In the event that you are unable to pick up your camper(s) or if your camper(s) is going home with another adult, please send a note in the morning or we cannot authorize the transportation change.
  5. All transportation changes must be arranged with the Camp Otter Office at least 24 hours in advance.

Late Pick-Up Fee
Please plan to pick up your child on time. All car riders must be picked up by 4:45pm at Camp Otter. All bus riders must be picked up at the final stops by 5:45pm. If you pick up your child after the designated times listed above, you will be charged $1.00 per minute per child.

Bus 1

STOP LOCATION TOWN AM TIME PM TIME
1 Andover/N. Andover YMCA Andover 7:30am 5:30pm
2 West Parish Cemetery Andover 7:45am 5:15pm
4 Camp Otter Salem 8:15am 4:45pm

Bus 2

STOP LOCATION TOWN AM TIME PM TIME
1 Andover/N. Andover YMCA Andover 7:30am 5:30pm
2 Beacon St. & Mount Vernon St. Lawrence 7:45am 5:15pm
3 Riverside Dr. Loop Andover 7:55am 5:00pm
4 Camp Otter Salem 8:15am 4:45pm

Bus 3

STOP LOCATION TOWN AM TIME PM TIME
1 Andover/N. Andover YMCA Andover 7:30am 5:30pm
2 North Andover Youth Center North Andover 7:45am 5:15pm
3 North Andover Library North Andover 7:55am 5:00pm
4 Camp Otter Salem 8:15am 4:45pm

Bus 4

STOP LOCATION TOWN AM TIME PM TIME
1 Lawrence YMCA Lawrence 7:30am 5:30pm
2 Neil Playstead Methuen 7:45am 5:15pm
3 Comprehensive Grammar School Methuen 7:55am 5:00pm
4 Camp Otter Salem 8:15am 4:45pm

Bus 5

STOP LOCATION TOWN AM TIME PM TIME
1 Methuen YMCA Methuen 7:30am 5:30pm
2 Marsh Corner Church Methuen 7:45am 5:15pm
3 Salem Ice Center Salem 8:00am 5:00pm
4 Camp Otter Salem 8:15am 4:45pm

Bus 6

STOP LOCATION TOWN AM TIME PM TIME
1 Camp Otter Salem 7:15am 5:40pm
2 Griffin Park Windham 7:30am 5:25pm
3 Freshwater Farms Atkinson 7:40am 5:10pm
4 Atkinson Academy Atkinson 7:50am 5:00pm
5 Camp Otter Salem 8:15am 4:45pm

Campers’ Rules for Bus Transportation

Please review the following with your child:

  1. Check in with the bus monitor before getting on or off the bus.
  2. Get off the bus at your stop only.
  3. Stay seated at all times.
  4. Keep hands, arms and body parts inside the bus.
  5. Do not throw anything out the windows.
  6. Keep noise to a minimum.
  7. Do not eat or drink while on the bus.
  8. Do not touch the emergency door.
  9. Respect all other campers and staff on the bus.
  10. Follow all rules given by the bus monitor or driver.

Camp Forms & Information

  • Log in to your Camp Brain account
  • 2021 Day Camp Otter Registration Form
  • Camp Otter Health History Form
  • Camp Physician’s Examination Form
  • Asthma Inhaler and Epi-Pen Release Form
  • Financial Assistance Application
  • Financial Assistance FAQs
  • Parent Information Manual
  • Statement of Understanding

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