Guide to Camp Wildcat for Parents, Campers, and
Schools
About Camp Wildcat
- Founded at the University of Arizona in 1965.
- A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- Student run, with support from a university advisor.
Current advisor is Steve Holland, Assistant VP for Risk
Management & Safety.
- 7 weekend camps for students from Title I schools and
various single-day activities annually.
- Annual budget of more than $20,000, met through
constant fundraising efforts by membership.
General camp information
- Cost: Free. (All meals and supplies provided.)
- Duration: Friday afternoon-Sunday afternoon.
- Capacity: 40-60 campers on a "Big Camp," 20-35 campers
on an "Adventure Camp."
- Counselor to camper ratio that does not exceed 1:2.
- Held at campsites in local state parks, or on the University
of Arizona campus.
- Participating schools in the 2008-2009 school year: Drexel
Elementary, Imago Dei Middle, Lynn Urquides Elementary,
Maxwell Middle, Altar Valley Middle, Davidson Elementary,
Picture Rocks Intermediate.
Activities on camps
- Hands-on art, social studies, and science projects.
- Team-building.
- Hikes.
- Environmental awareness.
- Original skits, planned, rehearsed, and performed at
camp.
- Conversations about college and general success.
Camp Wildcat staff
- University of Arizona student volunteers from a variety of
academic disciplines.
- Fingerprinted in accordance with Federal Department of
Public Safety guidelines; all members pass the same
background checks that teachers must undergo.
- Trained in Camp Wildcat policies prior to camp.
- Strictly enforced "truddy" system that requires
counselors interacting with campers to be in groups of 3 or
more at all times.
Risk Management
- Camp Wildcat is insured and adheres to a strict risk
management policy.
- An Insurance Officer is designated on every camp to
maintain the Camp Wildcat insurance policy and serve as
"camp nurse." The IO is responsible for attending to any
illnesses/injuries and administering all medications.
- Approximately 50% of staff, including "Insurance Officer,"
is CPR/First Aid Certified on any given camp.
- At least 1 staff member per camp is Food Handler
Certified.
Working with parents
- Parent information letters and applications sent out, in
both English and Spanish.
- Parents called by staff the week before camp, in English
or Spanish.
- Parent Meeting held the week before camp.
Working with schools
- Camp Wildcat selects schools from a comprehensive list
of Title 1 schools posted by each school district in the greater
Tucson area. There is no application process for schools to
request selection by Camp Wildcat.
- We make an effort to bring different schools on our
camps every year.
- Schools are contacted at least 4 weeks prior to camp
date and weekly meetings are arranged between the school
administrators and Camp Wildcat camp directors.
- Camp Wildcat counselors meet with students of the
selected school 2-3 weeks prior to camp date.
- Camper selection process is flexible, but often this is
done on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- Camper pick-up and drop-off will done at the campers´
school on Friday and Sunday afternoons, so arrangements
must be made for a school representative to be present and
school gates to be open at the designated times. Camp
Wildcat is not allowed to drive campers to their homes.
If you believe students
at your school or after-school program would benefit from
participating in a Camp Wildcat program, please fill out our
online application
to be added to our
database.
How to contact us:
- Email: mail@campwildcat.org
- Office Phone Number: 520-621-7048 (Please note that the
office is not reguarly staffed during the summer months and
UA holiday vacations.)
- Mailing Address: Camp Wildcat / University of Arizona /
1303 E. University Blvd / Box 20581 / Tucson, AZ 85719
Still have questions?Please see Frequently Asked
Questions or contact us at the email address or phone
number above.
Does Camp Wildcat not meet your needs? Check here
for other resources:(Please note that Camp Wildcat has
no relation to these other organizations and is not responsible
for their website content or conduct.)
College Resources
- College
Board Complete resource for all things college: preparing
for college, required tests, college search, information about
paying for college, and more.
- Fast Web
Guide to help pay for college including links to numerous
scholarships, financial aid, military-service options, and job
searches.
- US Department of Education Information
and paying for college through government subsidized loans.
- AmeriCorps
Earn money for college while serving your country and
learning new skills as a civilian service member.
Arizona Family
and Youth Resources
- Child and Family Resources List
of various resources in Tucson for all types of families in
need.
- Southern Arizona
Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) 24-hr Sexual
Assault Crisis Lines: (520) 327-7273 or (800) 400-1001 (Se
habla espanol) It is their mission to reduce the trauma and
incidence of sexual assault by providing treatment and
promoting prevention of sexual abuse, incest, molestation and
rape. They provide a safe place for survivors to gain
strength, learn coping skills, and develop trusting, caring
relationships.
- EON Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Youth Center. Provide
support groups, drop-in center, homeless youth resources
and shelter, tutoring, and leadership development programs.
They also provide 24-hour Anti-Violence crisis line for people
of all ages: 520-624-0348 or 800-553-9387
- Homeless Center Directory
List of emergency homeless shelters for men, women,
and children in Tucson.
- List of
Arizona Resources for Teens including suicide
prevention hotline and counseling services provided by
Youthline.
National Family and Youth Resources
- National
Runaway Switchboard (NRS) Resources concerning
youth runaways for both parents and teens. The crisis line
for runaway youth seeking resources, a safe space, or just
someone to talk to: 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929)
- Youth America
Hotline Providing peer-to-peer consulting and resources
for youth in crisis. Talk to a fellow youth and not an adult: 1-
877-YOUTHLINE (1-877-968-8454)
- Child Help
Dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse.
Resources for both victims of abuse and those suspecting
abuse of another. National hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-
412-4453)
- National Dometic
Abuse Hotline Anonymous and confidential help for
victims of domestic abuse and their peers: 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-
7233) 1-800-787-3224 (Text telephone)
- National
Center for Victims of Crime Providing legal and social
support for crime victims.
- Suicide Hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-782-2433) in
English, 1-800-SUICIDA (1-800-782-2432) en Espanol
- List of other National Resources including missing
children, victims of rape and crime, domestic abuse, among
other categories provided by athealth.com.
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