Communication

For Adventure Trip participants, mail that arrives at camp during the session will be held until the trip returns to camp; there is no way to forward mail to the group once they leave camp. Teens on trips that don’t return to camp (Cascades, Minnesota Canoe, Rockies Backpacking) will have no way of receiving mail that arrives during the session; it will be forwarded to the home address after the session ends.

Camper emails are provided through your CampInTouch account. Every parent will be given 5 free camp stamps per week to send camper emails. You may purchase additional camp stamps for a minimal fee. Any camper emails sent before midnight will be printed the next morning and distributed after lunch.

What should your email say?

There are very effective ways to let your camper know what you are doing, while still being encouraging and supportive of their time at camp.  A good letter from home is one that is upbeat and cheerful.  Your letters should include an encouraging hello as well as providing a positive report from home that describes general, routine things that are happening around you (i.e. trips to the grocery store, washing the car, getting your hair cut, etc.). We suggest including questions that encourage your camper to write back as well as a reassurance that you will write again soon.

Avoid mentioning that you are miserable without your camper or any sad news.  It is okay to say that you miss your camper, but it is important to not make the camper feel guilty that he or she is having such a good time.   It is best to save bad news until you can talk to your camper face to face.  Unfortunately, there are situations in which it is necessary for your camper to be aware of an issue immediately.  In these cases, we expect that you will call camp and relay that information to us.  We will decide together the best way to handle the situation while at camp.

Approximately 99% of our communication with families comes through email or via our website. We must have a valid email address for each parent of registered campers. This is the only way to guarantee that you receive important announcements and updates from us.

Parents may send packages containing non-food items only. Because we live in a wilderness setting, food in cabins attracts undesirable animals and insects. Do not include food, candy, gum, or snacks in packages. Campers visit the Trading Post (“TP”) to have the opening of their package supervised by a staff member; edible items will be removed and discarded.

A few days after the start of the session you will receive a postcard from your child indicating the name of their cabin. The Wellness Team will review these postcards for early signs of missing home or other challenges. Please begin including that cabin (or program) name with all mail and email. This will save us time during the sorting process.

NOTE: Cabin lists will be posted on your Camp-In-Touch account by midnight (Eastern) on arrival day.

Campers are not allowed to make or receive personal phone calls during their stay except in the case of a family crisis, emergency, or when deemed necessary by the Camp Echo staff. On Adventure Trips, trip guides have satellite phones to stay in contact with camp or call emergency services in the event of emergency. Parents may call the Camp Echo Office with other concerns.

We encourage you to write to your camper during their stay at camp. Please note that sending several letters to your camper every day is discouraged as it tends to lead to missing home and causes other campers to feel left out. Parents are welcome to mail letters before camp begins to ensure timely arrival. We suggest first time and younger campers be given self-addressed pre-stamped postcards or envelopes for writing home. Because many children receive letters daily, campers receiving no mail are often disappointed. Remember to keep all letters cheerful and encouraging. Ask them questions about their week, talk about how proud you are of them, and focus on the time later in the summer when everyone will be together again. For young or first-time campers, avoid topics that may make them miss home.