We know it can be difficult on many levels to see your student off for a few days of camp, especially if they are not used to being away from friends and family. This process will be beneficial and life-changing for them, no matter their previous experiences or activities. We have provided some tips that we think will enhance the processes of helping your student to grow, as well as some specific needs that all parents, guardians, and family members should have.

Prepare AHEAD of Camp With Your Student.
Putting your mind at ease will allow your student's mind to be at ease. Make sure you review the packing list, and all of the information on the site and application TOGETHER. This way, expectations and questions can be asked as a team, rather than the student approaching the issue on their own. Take down the following information on how to reach your student in the case of an emergency during the time that they will be at camp, and make sure you have a plan of action on WHO will be contacting each other WHEN. It's VERY busy from sunrise to well after sunset at MASC/MAHS Leadership Camp, so don't feel bad if you don't hear from them after the first day or so.

In the case of an emergency, your student will be allowed to carry a cell phone should he/she have one. However, during ANY scheduled activity, we will encourage your student to "disconnect to connect" and it may be off. We have a staff of at least 6:1 that will be with your student at any time, and we can get in touch with them in the case of a true emergency. However, a conversation between what a true emergency entails may be a conversation to have before arriving at camp.

If you have general questions prior to camp, please contact the MASC/MAHS/MASSP office, where one of our staff members will be more than happy to help you. You can reach our office Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 5:00pm and Fridays from 8:00am to 4:00pm at (517) 327-5315. If leaving a message, please state your student's name CLEARLY, as well as a contact number best to reach you AND the best time to reach you.

When at camp, you can call Todd Burlingham, MASSP Director of Student Services and Camp Director 24 hours a day in the case of an emergency. Todd will be supervising the entire staff, and present at all activities. He is charged with the safety, security, and growth of the participants and staff. Please note that when ON CAMPUS, Todd will constantly be evaluating urgency of activities. If your question or concern does not require an immediate answer or attention, consider sending an email or text message to the cell phone number or address below.

Camp Director, Todd Burlingham
Cell Phone: (517) 775-1071
(If leaving a voicemail, please identify your student's name clearly and how to reach you.)
Text Message: Same Number (Please identify YOUR name, your STUDENT'S name and your question/concern.)
E-Mail: todd@mascmahs.org (This is preferred and checked for non-time sensitive issues, your email will be returned.)

If the situation is URGENT, and you have CALLED the director's cell phone, you can also reach CMU Camps and Conference Staff, who will be in direct walkie-talkie contact with our staff. Please, only use this number AFTER the channels above have been exhausted, and this is a case of true emergency.

The Woldt/Emmons Front Desk Number is
(989) 774-5911

Central Michigan University also has a full police force on campus, who will be aware and assisting our group the entire time of our stay. You can reach the on-campus police department at (989) 774-3081. Your students will be taken care of promptly and professionally in the case of ANY emergency situation, and we ask that you allow the campus safety and camp core staff to direct the actions of your student, rather than calling them personally. Students will be instructed to report into their parents/guardians after a situation has been resolved. We are committed to making your student's experience safe and secure. In the case of health or medical issues, a member of the camp core team will be in constant communication with the student's emergency contact once the situation has been addressed and is secure.

Spread the Word!
We want happy families to spread the word about the experience that your student will be having! There may be opportunities for others to learn about MASC/MAHS Leadership Camps from your positive testimonials. If you are excited about sending your student, the best compliment would be to share the news with another family member of an aspiring or acting student leader. We accept students of all involvements, backgrounds, schools, and grade levels--and would love to have you help us grow the program. You can even refer a student to our office to receive materials using this online form!

Follow Along at Home!
We will be utilizing social media to show family members back home the awesome things that your students will be doing. Members of the facilitator teams will be showing photos, video clips, and brief quotes and narratives on our Facebook and YouTube pages. Bookmark these sites and visit them while your student is away so that you can be assured of the amazing experience that they are having, with your support and love!

Model the Way.
Even though we have a GREAT track record of turning out community-minded, charismatic, and creative student leaders--we will not say that it happens without some minor issues along the way. Each year, there are a handful of students who struggle with homesickness, manifested through a number of channels. If your student calls you within the first 12-48 hours with issues of loneliness, homesickness, or other emotional issues, we encourage you to MODEL THE WAY! Students often take their cues from those who love them, or who they are closest with. A supportive family member or guardian will show compassion without concession. Make sure your student knows that there are people all around who support them, and who want them to have an amazing time, and that returning home is not a succesful alternative to these feelings. A calm and collected family member will usually result in the same behavior from your student. Utilize the channels above, and communicate any information you can to our staff where we can assist your student in working through these feelings. Generally speaking, they are fleeting and short-lived, there's no time for loneliness at leadership camp!

Trust the Process.
There are many things that will go into making a dynamic experience for your student. Support from a parent, family member, or guardian can be the deciding factor between success and failure in reaching your student. They may speak to you mid-camp with topics of confusion or indifference, depending on how they react to each of the activities we have them experience. By TRUSTING THE PROCESS and listening without judgement, you will allow your student to succeed once the spectrum of experiences that they will have are complete. As stated in our marketing materials, it is RARE (if ever) that we hear a student that had a mediocre or negative experience with our leadership camps. Just as we ask you to do, we ask our staff members to TRUST THE PROCESS and know that students open up, react, and process things at different timeframes and levels. By the closing ceremony, we will send your student back changed and forward thinking.