Camp Echo Policies

All deposits are non-refundable, unless the McGaw YMCA cancels a program or if the camper is on a waitlist. To cancel from a waitlist, call the Camp Echo Office as soon as possible. If we offer you a spot in camp, and you decline the offer, you forfeit your $50 waitlist deposit.

Add on (horses/ranch camp) refunds are 100% refundable 48 hours to the start of your session. Layover refunds are 100% refundable 48 hours to the start of the layover weekend.

For the adventure trips requiring commercial transportation, no refunds of the $500 transportation deposit will be made after tickets have been purchased, unless the spot is filled by a camper on the wait list. Note that the $500 transportation deposit is separate from the $100 camp deposit.

For all other Camp Echo programs, after the payment due date has passed, the refund of the fee you have paid (less the deposit) will be prorated based on the date you notify us that you want to cancel. For example, if you tell us 7 weeks before the 1st day of a session that you want to cancel, we issue a 70% refund (less the deposit). To qualify for the maximum refund you must notify the Camp Echo Office as soon as possible.

The only exception to this prorated policy occurs if we are able to fill your spot with someone from the current waitlist. In this case, we issue a full refund (less deposit).

No refunds of camp fees will be given to campers who are sent home for behavior problems, or who leave camp voluntarily due to homesickness, family emergency, or a medical condition that arises once the camp session has begun, regardless of the length of the camper’s stay at camp.

Partial refunds due to last minute illness, injury, family tragedy, or other hardship situations that make it impossible for the camper to attend camp may be granted at the discretion of the Camp Director, pending appropriate documentation. To apply for such a refund, mail or fax a letter to the Camp Echo Office. Explain the situation and attach appropriate documentation (such as a doctor’s note). Note: Summer school does not qualify as a hardship situation.

Trading Post balances of less than $20 will be donated to our scholarship fund. Balances of greater than $20 may either be donated or refunded, at the discretion of the parent. If you don’t reply to the Trading Post email within 5 business days your balance will be refunded.

You may transfer a program registration to a different session and/or program at no charge until March 1. After this date, each transfer requires a $25 fee. The fee is charged even if the change is within the same session, or the same program but to a different session. If the program or session you transfer into has a higher or lower fee, your balance due will be adjusted accordingly. Transfers must not reduce the number of registered sessions; if you drop a session, it is treated as a cancellation and the refund policy applies. The transfer fee increases to $50 on May 1. Transfers will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability in the desired program.

If a camper withdraws from a program we contact the first person on the waitlist. Waitlists require a $50 deposit. If your child is on a waitlist and you want to qualify for a refund of your deposit, you must notify the Camp Echo Office when you are no longer interested in having your child attend that session. If we contact you about an opening and you decline it, you forfeit your $50 deposit. Please note the waitlist deposit is $25 for families applying for fee assistance. If we do not offer you an opening and you remain on the wait list until the camp session begins, your deposit is refunded within three weeks of the start of that camp session.

Campers must be a current YMCA member in order to receive discounted member pricing for camp. They can be members at any YMCA (not only McGaw YMCA). This membership must be active at the time of registration through the time of your camper’s program at Echo. Eligible memberships include youth, teen, or family memberships. Adult memberships do not qualify campers for discounted member pricing for camp. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact the McGaw YMCA membership team at 847-475-7400 for more information. Additional information can also be found on the McGaw YMCA website.
Note: Camp Echo staff can no longer adjust pricing if you purchase a membership at a later date (after submitting camper registration).

We provide an accessible experience to all who would like to enjoy Camp Echo by providing finical support through Community Partnerships / Outreach and Sliding–Scale Fee Assistance.  To apply for Fee Assistance, submit your most recent 1040 tax form. The level of assistance offered is based on your annual income and the number of people in your household. To qualify for sliding scale fee assistance the camper must be a member of the McGaw YMCA.

*Membership requirement is waived for families that qualify for families who qualify for benefits through the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). They receive assistance based on the non-member rates.

http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31071

We can provide families an “estimation of their camp fee” over the phone so that a general idea of the cost of camp is available. The level of assistance will be communicated officially via email of confirmation once the required documentation has been received. If the level of assistance is not enough and may prevent your camper from attending camp, please email Taylor Jackson, Registration Specialist, at echoinfo@mcgawymca.org to provide additional information relating to your families situation.

When you register for camp, you will pay a deposit, which is applied to the camp fee; deposits are non-refundable unless the McGaw YMCA cancels your program or if the camper is on a waitlist. At the time of registration, you may select Monthly Payment, Pay as You Go, or Pay in Full; however, if you register for a program on or after the payment due date, the full payment is due at the time of registration.

MONTHLY DRAFT PLAN- With this plan, the balance due will be automatically drafted from your checking account or credit card (whichever method you use for your deposit) in equal payments, starting on the first business day of the month after your deposit is processed, and ending on May 1.

PAY IN FULL OPTION- If you select this option, full payment will be charged at time of enrollment.

PAY AS YOU GO OPTION- If you select this option, you can log into your CampInTouch account to pay at your leisure. All payments are due May 1, 2018. If you have not paid your balance by this time, the Camp Echo office will contact you before taking payment.

Due to the high number of children and families who want to attend camp, PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED by the due date. If we do not receive your payment, we will attempt to contact you by phone and email as a courtesy, but if we are unable to reach you, your registration will be cancelled, your deposit forfeited, and your place given to a camper on the wait list.

Campers cannot attend camp unless all camp forms with required signatures are submitted. All forms are due five weeks prior to the start of your child’s session at camp.

At the McGaw YMCA, we are committed to child safety and child abuse prevention. One of the ways we fulfill this commitment is to make sure every person who enters the McGaw YMCA is checked against the national sex offender database. We ask all visitors 18 and older to please bring a government-issued identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) to the McGaw YMCA front desk. If you are not a McGaw YMCA Member you will need to present a government-issued identification to enter the building for any duration of time.  The scan-in process will take just a few moments. Thank you for your support of our efforts!

Camp Echo cannot offer any pro-rate fees for weekends at Family Camp (ie Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend). We understand that sometimes in a week long Family Camp session, not all family members are able to stay for the duration.  We are able to offer pro-rate fees once the cabin (camper cabin or peak cabin) minimum fee is met.  Individuals who are staying 0-3 nights will be charged half the program rate.  Individuals who are staying 4-6 nights will be charged the full program fee.  Total fees paid must equal at least the cabin minimum rate.

Camp Echo welcomes visitors to Camp Echo so that they can witness first-hand the substance and impact of the Camp Echo program and facilities.

The following regulations must be followed by all who visit Camp Echo:

• Your visit must be approved in writing by the Camp Echo Executive Director, Property Manager, or Alumni Director
• Arrangements for your visit must be made at least 2 weeks in advance of a visit while a program is in session at Camp
• Visits of up to 48 hours may be requested (2 night maximum)
• Visitors may not bring any pets to camp
• Visitors are invited to take meals at camp during their stay if a program is in session
• Visitors are required to wear Visitor Identification Badges while on camp property
• Visitors must remain with the Camp Echo Staff member who is supervising their visit
• No alcohol or tobacco products may be consumed on Camp Echo property

When visitors arrive at camp they will check into the Camp Echo Office where they will be greeted by the staff and given an orientation session on their camp visit. They will pick up a Visitor Identification Badge which must be worn while on camp property.

Visitors are invited to observe any of the following camp activities: Flag Raising, Morning Reflection, Camptivities, Cabin Groups, Fun Swim, Twilight Fun, or Evening Program. We request that visitors not interfere with camp programing or remove a staff member from their duties.

Overnight accommodations at Camp Echo are possible for visitors. Overnight accommodations must be arranged in advance and are subject to availability. A list of nearby hotels, motels, and campgrounds can be obtained from the Camp Echo Staff.

Camp Echo visitors are expected to follow all camp rules and be role models of our core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

Camp Echo welcomes volunteers who wish to share their time and talents to enhance the Camp Echo experience for our campers and staff members.

• Arrangements for your volunteer project and time at camp must be made at least one month in advance of your stay at camp
• Volunteers must commit to being at camp for at least 5 days and no more than 2 weeks.
• All volunteers will be required to fill out paperwork, sign a liability waiver, and be subject to a criminal background check Camp Echo reserves the right to refuse volunteers who do not meet these requirements.
• Volunteers are invited to take meals at camp during their stay if a program is in session
• No alcohol or tobacco products may be consumed on Camp Echo property.
• Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age

When volunteers arrive at camp they will check in at the camp office where they will be greeted by staff and given an orientation on their stay at camp. They will be given a volunteer identification badge which must be worn while on camp property.

Overnight accommodations at Camp Echo are possible for volunteers. Overnight accommodations must be arranged in advance and are subject to availability. A list of nearby hotels, motels, and campgrounds can be obtained from the Camp Echo Staff.

Camp Echo volunteers are expected to follow all camp rules and be role models of our core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.