Essential Eligibility Criteria

Camp Ketcha takes the health and safety of our community very seriously. This includes the physical and emotional safety of our campers and our staff. Camp is a magical place where campers have the opportunity to grow, meet new and different people, experience challenges, and gain a sense of community. To help you identify if your child is ready for Camp Ketcha, please evaluate the following criteria prior to registration. 

What does camp readiness look like?

• Campers can use established coping mechanisms following an event that causes frustration, sadness, anger, or other difficult emotions. 
• Campers can ask for help and communicate their basic needs. 
• Due to the nature of our program, campers go between program areas throughout the day. Campers can navigate transitions and get from location to location throughout the day. 
• Campers can stay with their group throughout the camp day. 
• Campers are able to independently navigate hills, uneven trails, and rough terrain. 
• Campers can follow verbal directions.
• Campers can manage their basic personal hygiene independently which includes toileting, hand washing, and changing in and out of a bathing suit.
• Campers can contribute to a safe camp community. 
• Campers must be able to function in a group setting in a positive and cooperative manner that displays tolerance and respect for self and others. 
• Campers can stay away from technology and electronic devices for the full duration of the camp day. 
• Campers can manage the sensory stimulation of a frequently large, loud, and energetic group environment. 
• Campers can demonstrate age-appropriate social and emotional skills in managing personal boundaries, relationships, communication, stress, and conflict.

What support can our staff typically provide?

• Staff can help campers talk through difficult moments and provide peaceful conflict resolution as needed. 
• Staff can provide age-appropriate support and coaching with basic needs such as changing, toileting, and hand washing. 
• Staff can support campers through transitions with visual schedules, reminders, and positive incentives. 

What support can we not safely provide?

• Extensive behavioral support that requires 1:1 support of a camper. *Please note that if your child receives 1:1 support at school they will typically need 1:1 support at camp. Camp Ketcha does not provide 1:1 services but we can accommodate them when provided by parents, the school, or a third party service.* A camper’s parent or guardian may not serve as a 1:1 aid for their child.
• We are not able to accommodate medical issues requiring treatment beyond the scope of our health center and Camp Nurse as outlined in our Standing Orders prescribed by our Camp Doctor. 

If you are unsure about whether your child meets the Essential Eligibility Criteria, then please contact us to discuss their needs/interests and possible accommodations to support them. We would love to learn about your child and how we may be able to provide a healthy and safe camp experience.

Our camp may be able to accommodate a camper if it does not significantly alter the fundamental nature of the camp experience, jeopardize the health and safety of the camper or other campers/staff/volunteers, or place an undue administrative or financial burden on camp. If Camp Ketcha ends up not being a good fit for your child, then we are happy to help connect you with another camp better suited to their needs and interests.

Maine Summer Camps Find a Camp Tool