Day Camps

Camp Otter for boys and girls ages 6-13

At Camp Otter, children spend their days exploring, swimming, learning new skills, and making life-long friends. Located on the sandy shores of Captain’s Pond in Salem, NH, Camp Otter offers weekly themes, a swimming area for both instructional and free swim time, boating, basketball/volleyball courts, a baseball/soccer field, an archery and air rifle range, arts and crafts, ropes courses and more. Daily transportation is provided throughout the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. Close to major highways, Camp Otter offers a rare setting for appreciation of the outdoors.

Camp Otter provides a variety of activities that will help each camper learn new skills and make new friends in an instructional but non-competitive environment.

Road Rangers themed day trips for boys and girls ages 10-14

Fun, challenge and adventure is the name of the game for our Road Rangers Travel Day Camp, which allows campers to get involved in activities that interest them. Weekly themes include activities aimed at improving self-esteem, decision-making skills and working in a group. A sense of adventure, a drive to be challenged and an appetite for excitement are required!

Campers are divided into cabins based on age and gender. There are approximately twenty campers per cabin with at least two cabin counselors plus one Counselor-in-Training (CIT). Campers age eight and younger will explore activity areas throughout the day and will receive swimming lessons each afternoon. Campers ages nine and older will be in their cabin settings each morning and will rotate through the program areas including a swim lesson each morning. Each afternoon these campers will participate in block periods where they will be able to pick three afternoon activities to participate in. There is a different theme each week that allows for new all-camp activities and special guests related to that particular theme. These events may slightly alter the schedule below.

Daily Schedule

8:00 – 8:30am	Drop Off, Buses Arrive
8:30 – 8:45am	Opening Flag Ceremony
8:45 – 9:40am	Activity Period 1
9:50 – 10:40pm	Activity Period 2
10:55 – 11:50pm	Activity Period 3
12:00 – 1:00pm	Lunch/Quiet Time
1:00 – 1:50pm	Activity Period 4
2:00 – 2:50pm	Activity Period 5
3:00 – 3:50pm	Activity Period 6
3:50 – 4:10pm	Pack Up/ Cabin Clean Up
4:10 – 4:25pm	Closing Flag Ceremony
4:25 – 4:45pm	Load Buses/ Car Pick-Up

Program Areas

Adventure – Campers learn how to work together by participating in group games and by using the Low and High Ropes Course. Campers 10 years old and older will use the High Ropes elements including: the Catwalk, the Dangling Duo, the Giant’s Swing, the Multi-Vine, and the Zip Line.

Arts & Crafts – Campers will bring out their artistic side through painting, drawing, jewelry-making and other projects.

Boating – Campers will learn the fundamentals of rowing, canoeing, paddleboarding and kayaking taught by trained lifeguards and instructors certified in small craft safety. Campers must pass a swim test to use the kayaks.

Sports Court – Campers can strengthen their skills in basketball, volleyball, hockey and much more.

Sports Field – Campers participate in games such as softball/baseball, kickball, soccer, flag football, etc.

Targets – Archery is for all age groups and is a favorite camp tradition. Campers learn to use a bow and arrow. Riflery is restricted to campers age 10 and older. In both activities, campers learn the fundamentals related to archery and riflery under the supervision of a trained instructor.

Swimming – Campers will have instructional and/or free swim every day. All swim lessons follow the guidelines and requirements set by the YMCA of USA.

Cabin Time – Campers will use either their cabins or other available areas of camp to participate in group games, teambuilding activities, relaxing, talking or whatever else the group decides. The sky is the limit!

Block Choice – Campers will be given a list of 15 activities each Monday morning, and they must choose three for their block choice periods. Activities may include high ropes, low ropes, archery, swimming, fishing, arts & crafts and much more. During this time campers will not be separated by age and gender, and they will be able to meet more campers through their daily experiences.

Game Center – Campers are able to participate in games such as ping pong, carpet ball, bean bag tosses and much more.

Gaga – This is a camp favorite! Gaga is a form of dodge ball that combines dodging, running and jumping out of the way of the ball.

Road Rangers

Road Rangers arrive at camp by bus or car in the morning with everyone else. At the end of Opening Flag Ceremony, Road Rangers will board the bus or van to that day’s destination. Alternatively, on some days, the destination might be activities at Camp Otter such as using the ropes course, boating or swimming. Road Ranger campers should pack a lunch, bathing suit, towel, extra clothes, sunscreen, rain gear and sometimes spending money. Information on daily trips will be provided to the parent(s) before the start of the week. In the rare event a trip is changed due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, parents will be notified by the camp immediately.

Essential Information

Lunch & Snacks

Children should bring a nutritious lunch and mid-morning snack to camp every day. Refrigerators and microwaves are not available. Please supply your child with all necessary eating utensils. Please avoid sending anything in glass bottles. Camp Otter offers a variety of snacks and juices at its store, open once daily at 12:30 p.m. While we are not a peanut-free camp, we do have a peanut free table for our campers with nut allergies.

Lost & Found

If you notice that one of your child’s items “ran away,” please check Camp Otter’s lost and found. When clothing is properly marked it simplifies the return process. We show lost items during each afternoon’s closing ceremony and at all family nights. Parents are also welcome to look for missing items that little eyes may miss!

Inclement Weather

Although we like to believe that the sun always shines at camp, in the event of a rainy day at Camp Otter, special programming is planned in advance to keep the campers engaged and active. The campers rotate through our indoor facilities. On the rare occasion where the weather becomes unsafe or if there are signs of severe storms, we reserve the right to enact our Severe Weather Emergency Procedures. The campers would be transported to the Lawrence YMCA at 40 Lawrence Street, Lawrence, MA, and all parents would be notified.

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.

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	DROP OFF	PICK UP
1	(A) Andover/N. Andover YMCA	7:30am	5:30pm
2	(A) West Parish Cemetery	7:40am	5:20pm
3	(L) Beacon St. & Mount Vernon St.	7:50am	5:15pm
4	(S) Camp Otter	8:15am	4:50pm

Bus 2

STOP	LOCATION	DROP OFF	PICK UP
1	(A) Andover/N. Andover YMCA	7:30am	5:35pm
2	(A) Riverside Dr. Loop	7:45am	5:20pm
3	(M) Marsh Corner Church	8:00am	5:05pm
4	(S) Camp Otter	8:15am	4:50pm

Bus 3

STOP	LOCATION	DROP OFF	PICK UP
1	(A) Andover/N. Andover YMCA	7:30am	5:30pm
2	(NA) North Andover Youth Center	7:40am	5:15pm
3	(NA) North Andover Library	7:45am	5:10pm
4	(S) Camp Otter	8:05am	4:50pm

Bus 4

STOP	LOCATION	DROP OFF	PICK UP
1	(L) Lawrence YMCA	7:30am	5:30pm
2	(M) Methuen YMCA	7:40am	5:15pm
3	(M) Howe St. Superette	7:50am	5:05pm
4	(S) Camp Otter	8:05am	4:50pm

Bus 5

STOP	LOCATION	DROP OFF	PICK UP
1	(S) Camp Otter	7:15am	6:00pm
2	(S) Salem Ice Center	7:30am	5:40pm
3	(W) Griffin Park	7:45am	5:25pm
4	(AK) Rt. 111 & Island Pond	7:50am	5:15pm
5	(AK) Atkinson Academy	8:00am	5:05pm
6	(S) Camp Otter	8:15am	4:50pm

Town Guide:

(A)	Andover
(NA)	North Andover
(AK)	Atkinson
(L)	Lawrence
(M)	Methuen
(S)	Salem
(W)	Windham

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.

Forms

• Merrimack Valley YMCA Camps Brochure
• Camp Otter Registration Form
• Camp Otter Health History Form
• Camp Physician’s Examination Form
• Asthma Inhaler and Epi-Pen Release Form
• Parent Information Manual
• Statement of Understanding