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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

Car Transportation

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

Drop-off/Pick-Up:  Cars will enter the parking lot at Plaisted Circle and proceed to the ball field. Parents will drop-off/pick-up their camper(s) 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 5:00pm at Camp Otter. All bus riders must be picked up at the final stops by 5:30pm. If you pick up your child after the designated times listed above, you will be charged $1.00 per minute per child.

Bus Transportation

Bus Transportation to and from Camp Otter is offered weeks 1-10 for an additional $15 per week. Bus transportation is not offered week 11. Bus stops are available in Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, Salem and Windham. 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.

Bus Schedule Weeks 1-10 (No transportation week 11)

Please note that the times listed are estimates.

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

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
3 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. (At loop end) 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 Stevens Memorial 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 Park 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 Griffin Park Windham 7:30am 5:30pm
2 Crossing Life Church Windham 7:45am 5:15pm
3 Salem Bible Church Salem 8:00am 5:00pm
4 Camp Otter Salem 8:15am 4:45pm

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

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

Registration and enrollment forms are all available on Camp Brain.

  • Log in to your Camp Brain account
  • Asthma Inhaler and Epi-Pen Release Form
  • Parent Information Manual

Financial assistance is available to those who qualify on a first come, first serve basis. Families are encouraged to register for camp prior to applying for financial assistance in order to secure a space for their child. Financial assistance applications may be submitted after January 1st for the upcoming summer. Completed applications and copies of financial documentation may be emailed to campinfo@mvymca.org or mailed to:

Merrimack Valley YMCA Camping Services
360 Merrimack Street, Suite 270
Lawrence, MA 01843

  • Financial Assistance Application
  • Financial Assistance FAQs

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