Expeditions Resources

• Now! – Read Parent Information Guidebook
• April 1 –Book Airfare and send confirmation to Camp Kanuga including the following information:
  • Name of Airline(s)
  • Departing city and any stops
  • Flight Locator number, Flight Number and boarding times
• April 1 –Review flight carriers policies as soon as you book your flight (Alaska and Hawaii Only)
• April 1 –Balance Due
• April 1 –CK Expedition Physical Due (Alaska and Hawaii Only)
• May – Review and Collect all items on packing list May 1
• First Day of Session – Check-In Form and Waiver Due: First Day of Session

The check-in form and waivers will be sent to you 10 days before the trip begins. Campers will need to have this form completed and signed by the Parent/Guardian when they check-in with trip leaders.

Explores: Alaska and Hawaii
The fees for the Alaska and Hawaii Expeditions include most meals, entrance fees, park passes, group gear, lodging and travel during the trip. These fees do not include airfare, baggage fees, or personal spending money. The camper may want to bring enough spending money for snacks while traveling, meals in airport, meals in town, gifts and souvenirs.

Pioneers
The camp fee includes all program fees, a camp picture, and a t-shirt. The camp fee does not include any airport shuttles, prescription fees, lost and found postage fees, or funds for the camp store, Camp Kanuga Outfitters.

There are physical demands on some parts of this expedition. Our trip will include long day-hikes. We operate our programs out of “basecamps”. Campers will NOT be required to carry all their gear on their backs at one time, just daypacks. The sea-kayaking portion of this trip will require sitting, paddling continuously for long periods. Walking on rugged shorelines and mountain trails in heavy rains may also occur as well. Prior physical conditioning and a positive attitude are necessary to be a helpful team member and to get all that you can out of this experience. The more you prepare, the better your experience can be.

Traveling on your Own
Please check with the Parent Information Handbook for your check-in time and location. A staff member will be at the airport to greet campers who may be traveling on their own. Our leaders will try to meet the students at the gate. If this is not possible, we will coordinate via cell phone our meeting location inside the airport. Our Expedition Directors will constantly check for flight delays or changes in travel plans. Students are expected to call their parents as soon as they land to confirm safe arrival.

Things to Consider

• Airline and TSA rules and regulations can change often. Please be sure to check with your airline and review age limitations, baggage details, arrival times, and carry on restrictions.
• Baggage Fees: If your checked bag requires a fee because of weight or size this can cost anywhere from $25-$150. You will have to pay at the counter.
• Spending Money: You will want your own personal funds to buy snacks during travel, pit stops and all airport meals. Also, do not forget about the Christmas ornament for grandma and matching sweaters for your parents! We suggest $200-250.
• Air Travel: Transportation to and from the expedition are the responsibility of the family.
• For persons on the Hawaii Trip, fees are covered for inner islands flights to and from Honolulu and Kauai.

Unaccompanied Minors (UM):
When a person travels as an UM with an airline, there usually is an extra fee (est. $150 one-way). Rules change depending on the airline as to whether a UM policy is required. Check your airline for UM policy guidelines. The fee provides a service for your child to have an escort the entire length of his/her flight. Parents will be allowed to accompany your child through security to the gate. An airline official will walk your child to his/her seat. Upon arrival, a flight attendant will escort your child off the plane, and stay with him/her until a designated Camp Kanuga staff member signs the appropriate paperwork for the airlines to release your child. If you are traveling as a UM, you will need to give the airlines the names of the Camp Kanuga staff. Please use the name: “Camp Kanuga Trip Leader” when requesting UM services. We will provide you with the names at least 10 days before the trip begins.

Travel with a Group from Camp Kanuga
Students may arrive at Camp Kanuga’s base camp in Hendersonville, NC the DAY BEFORE WE FLY your destination. Please do not arrive before 4:00pm. Students and Kanuga Trip Leaders will ride together to the airport. You may also meet us at the airport if you decide to book a flight on the same flight with the camp staff. Final logistics can be made after your registration is completed. Please contact the Camp Director if you desire to fly on the same flight as the Camp Kanuga Trip Leaders.

Long Flights
Depending on where you live, the total time it takes to get to Hawaii can be considerable. A non-stop flight from Atlanta to Honolulu is over 9hrs. Please remember to bring books, journals, cards, iPods, ear buds and anything else to help make your travels easier. Hawaii is 6 hours in time difference (behind) the East Coast. Please research and prepare how to handle jet lag – drink water, rest before and be physically active before you depart.
Overland Travel (15 passenger vans)

Camp Kanuga will lease 15 passenger vehicles, mini vans and/or trucks from a nationally recognized rental company (Alamo, Enterprise or comparable). We will only use vehicles that are mechanically sound with annual inspections.

Things to Consider

• Airline and TSA rules and regulations can change often. Please be sure to check with your airline and review age limitations, baggage details, arrival times, and carry on restrictions.
• Baggage Fees: If your checked bag requires a fee because of weight or size this can cost anywhere from $25-$150. You will have to pay at the counter.
• Spending Money: You will want your own personal funds to buy snacks during travel, pit stops and all airport meals. Also, do not forget about the Christmas ornament for grandma and matching sweaters for your parents! We suggest $200-250.

Camp Kanuga provides age-appropriate activities for young people to develop Christian community, take on new responsibilities, gain independence and an appreciation of God’s creation, as well as overcome challenges through safe and fun adventure-based programs. The ability to effectively interact in a small group and be a positive member of a community is required. Camp Kanuga’s Expedition team includes 12-13 campers and two to three trip leaders. Participants are expected to effectively interact with others to accomplish community-building goals, establish positive and healthy relationships, work as a team, and maintain emotional resilience. Camp Kanuga facilitates programs under “challenge-by-choice” practices. Please contact the Camp Director for any special situations that might affect your child’s experience while on expedition such as divorce, separation, new location or any mental, emotional or social health issues. The more we know about your camper, the better we will know how to serve and care for them.

Expeditions Behavior
All participants are expected to be active members of the team. We will all participate in cooking, cleaning, loading and unloading trailers, and maintaining group gear. All participants are expected to have create and maintain healthy relationships as well as communicate clearly their needs. This is not a rehabilitation program. This is not the place to quit smoking, drinking, drugs or to work through behavioral or psychological challenges. Our staff are not trained or experienced to serve children with these challenges.

Bullying Policy
Camp Kanuga has a zero-tolerance bullying policy. Bullying is the antithesis of the Camp Kanuga spirt. Please speak to your camper about bullying prior to their arrival to camp. Please encourage your camper to communicate any bullying or other negative behaviors to their trip leaders.

Dismissal
Although we have never had too, but If a participant’s negative behavior puts themselves, the team or the success of the trip at risk they will be sent home at the expense of their parent/guardian.

Health Care Communications
The phone numbers you provide on your campers online account will be used to contact you in case of an emergency, or if your child needs to see a health care provider other than Kanuga’s staff. We generally do not contact you if your camper has routine first aid need (e.g., skinned knee, sore throat, low-grade fever, etc.). The decision to call parents is determined by the Camp Kanuga staff on a case-by-case basis.

Cell Phone
All of Camp Kanuga’s Expeditions offer a technology free environment. We do suggest that campers travel with a cell phone to and from the destinations. Staff will collect phones and electronic devices on the first day of the expedition. Before we collect cell phones Trip Leaders will ensure that campers have checked in with their parents.

Technology Policy
Camp Kanuga offers an “unplugged” experience. We intend to carry this concept with us wherever Camp Kanuga takes us. Please help us to create an environment where new friendships can blossom and each camper has a unique and special outdoor experience. If campers would like to take pictures, we ask that they bring a separate camera (shock and waterproof) other than their cell phones.

Concerns over appropriate use of the internet, specifically personal websites, blogs and social networking sites, Kanuga has identified some expectations of our child’s in the off-season when referring to the camp, its programs or activities, its campers, and/or its staff members. If a participant chooses to identify him/herself as a camper at our camp on any website or social media platform, some readers may view the camper as a representative or spokesperson of the camp. Because of this, it is important that campers remain respectful at all times; avoid using gross or profane language; never belittle any other Camp Kanuga participant (staff member or camper); and avoid making references to alcohol, drugs, sexual behavior, bullying or any other behavior prohibited by Camp Kanuga. It is also necessary that each camper understand that photographs are for personal memories only; please do not post pictures/names on the internet of another participant without permission. Kanuga regularly monitors the internet for information pertaining to its programs. If any participant is found to have questionable material displayed on any website, specifically as it relates to the use of the Camp Kanuga name, brand or logo, parents will be notified.

REQUIRED for Alaska and Hawaii Campers: Physical by a Licensed Medical Provider Signature.
It is required to have had a physical signed by a Licensed Medical Provider (doctor, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, etc.) within the last 12 months from the start date of the trip. You may use one that you may already have attained for school/sports or use the Camp Kanuga form: CK Expedition Physical

All prescription medications must be checked in with the trip leader at the beginning of the expedition. All medicine must be in the original packaging. Medicines will NOT be allowed if they are not in its original packaging. Kanuga’s staff will only follow the directions printed on the original prescription. The Trip Leaders will dispense prescription medications. Campers that brought inhalers or Epi-pens with them are required to have them on their person at all times.

Campers will have access to laundry at least 1-2 times in Alaska and Hawaii. Be sure to follow the packing list.