A MINISTRY OF THE FIRS
FAQ'S
Have questions about anything and everything Firwood?
See our Frequently Asked Questions below to see how we can help!
ACTIVITIES
PAINTBALL
Paintball is for campers who seek adventure and strategy! The cost is $35 per single 2-hour session or $60 for the week-long activity class (1-hour sessions).
Paintball payments are nonrefundable once camp begins. Each session is limited to 24 participants and is first come, first served.
Long pants and closed toe shoes are required. Safety gear and markers are provided on site and personal camper gear is not permitted.
EXTREME STUDIO ARTS (ESA)
Get ready for an extreme art experience! Art savvy campers will use a variety of mediums to create projects they’ll be excited to bring home. Extreme Studio Arts is a week-long activity class that costs $20 per camper. ESA payments are not refundable once camp begins. There is a limit of 30 campers for this activity class.
registration
HOW DO I LOG INTO MY CAMPER'S ACCOUNT TO REGISTER FOR CAMP OR TO CHANGE OR ADD INFORMATION?
Click on 'Sign-in' or 'New user sign-up' to access the Registration Portal. If you have difficulties, please contact us at register@thefirs.org.
HOW QUICKLY DO SESSIONS FILL UP?
Registration typically begins in January and sessions may fill up as early as April. In this case, a waitlist will be started for full sessions. Any sessions that don’t fill to capacity will have the advantage of smaller cabin groups and smaller Activity Classes.
Here are some guidelines for you to follow when dealing with a waitlist situation.
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When a spot opens, you will be notified by email. Please keep an eye on your emails and respond as quickly as possible.
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The email you receive will have a “please let us know by” date. If we do not hear from you by that date we will assume your plans have changed and move to the next waitlisted camper.
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If your camper isn’t offered a spot in camp one week prior to the start of camp, your deposit will be automatically refunded.
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Do not register your camper in a camp week “just in case” they do not get into the wait listed camp unless they plan to go to both sessions. If they get into the wait listed camp and you cancel out of the non-wait listed camp; the $200 deposit is non-refundable.
WHAT COMMUNICATION SHOULD I EXPECT BEFORE CAMP STARTS?
All pre-camp communication will be sent via email including a packing list, Opening & Closing Day instructions and directions to camp.
WHAT IF I AM NOT RECEIVING ANY EMAILS?
Make sure that you have added register@thefirs.org, registration@thefirs.org, and firwood@thefirs.org to your contacts list so that our informative emails do not go to your SPAM folder.
HOW MANY CAMPERS ATTEND CAMP FIRWOOD EACH WEEK AND HOW MANY CAMPERS ARE IN EACH CABIN?
A full session at Camp Firwood serves 225 campers. One cabin can accommodate 8 campers. Two Counselors/Summer Staff are assigned to each cabin.
WHAT IS YOUR CABIN MATE POLICY?
We love it when friends come to camp together! We are more than happy to facilitate two (2) cabin mate requests per camper. These can be made in the camper registration portal under “Buddy Requests.” Please be sure to list the friend’s first AND last name. Also, be aware that all cabins are grouped by age and, for this reason, buddies must be within one academic grade of each other.
WHAT IS FIRWOOD’S CANCELLATION POLICY?
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The $200 deposit is non-refundable for all cancellations before the start of the camp week.
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Day-of cancellations or no-shows are still responsible for the full tuition.
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Refunds of camp fees will not be made for any campers departing early from camp for any reason, including health or unacceptable behavior.
WHAT IS CAMP FIRWOOD'S/THE FIRS' TAX ID NUMBER?
Our tax ID# is 91-0609820N. According to Washington State Law; we can’t offer tax advice.
WAIT! MY QUESTION WASN'T ANSWERED HERE!
Feel free to reach out to us at register@thefirs.org for any other questions.
health care
WHAT IF MY CAMPER IS REQUIRED TO TAKE PRESCRIBED MEDICATION DURING THE WEEK?
All medication is given to the Health Aide on Opening Day during Check-In. During the week, the Health Aide will notify campers on a daily basis to take their medication so they won’t forget. The Health Aide will also notify their counselor about medications and/or allergies.
WHAT IF MY CAMPER GETS SICK DURING THE WEEK?
Our wonderful Health Aides are on site at camp, 24/7. They will have your camper’s health form and will provide a quiet space in the infirmary for them until they feel better. You will be notified if necessary.
Please do not bring your camper to Firwood if they are sick within 48 hours of opening day. If any camper or family member within the household has experienced vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or all of those symptoms; they must stay home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
WHAT IF MY CAMPER HAS A PEANUT OR TREE NUT ALLERGY?
While Camp Firwood is not a nut-free campus, we do ensure that the food served from the kitchen does not contain any nuts.
Any counselor who has a camper with nut allergies will be notified and will instruct their campers on how to ensure the cabin is nut free. If there is an EpiPen involved, we may ask the parent/guardian to meet with the Health Aide and counselor to discuss its use. Your camper’s Epi-pen will be kept in the infirmary during their week at camp. We ensure that Epi-pens are brought to any camp event that is outside of walking distance to the infirmary (such as the island, south cover, big field). You can rest assured, your camper will never be far from their medication. Furthermore, the Sudden Valley Fire Department/EMTs are only 1.5 miles from camp in the event of an emergency.
WHAT IF MY CAMPER HAS A FOOD ALLERGY?
Our camp is able to accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian food options. These will be provided to campers who provide notice seven (7) days prior to their first day of camp. Please note any dietary needs in the Medical section of the Camper Registration Portal. Due to food preparation constraints, we will not be able to accommodate campers who disclose dietary needs after the camp week has begun.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate Celiac Disease in our kitchen at Firwood. While we do have gluten free options available, we cannot guarantee that there has been no cross contamination.
Campers with more than one medically restricted dietary concern or restrictions other than GF, DF and vegetarian should plan to bring their own food to Camp Firwood. Camper food storage (for special diets) is available for dry goods and refrigerated items. Any frozen foods will also be stored in the refrigerator. All such food must be labeled with the camper’s name and week of attendance (i.e. Johnny S. Week #2).
As Firwood strives to be a nut-free in the dining hall, we ask that camper’s bringing their own food continue to keep these nut-free, as well. (For example: bringing soy or oat milk rather than almond milk.)
Only kitchen staff members will be able access camper food brought from home to accommodate medically restricted diets. A microwave will be available, if needed, but no commercial food prep space is available for campers.
A small meal discount may apply, depending on your unique circumstance. Please contact register@thefirs.org for more information.
arrival/departure
WHERE SHOULD I DROP OFF AND PICK UP MY CAMPER?
Opening Day Check-In and Closing Day Pick-Up is at Camp Firwood. Please read more about it here.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CAMPER WILL BE DROPPED OFF LATE ON OPENING DAY?
Please email the Firwood Admin at firwood@thefirs.org with the date and time your camper will be arriving/departing. It is helpful to do this two weeks prior to arrival/departure. We do not pro-rate for late camper arrival or early departure.
If your camper will be leaving camp early, please double-check that the adult picking them up is on their "Authorized Pick-Up List." This can be found in their camper registration portal. Campers will be released only to individuals on this list. Please ensure that the person picking up your camper is prepared to show ID upon arrival. When you arrive at camp, please wait at the office next to the basketball court. A staff member will meet you to facilitate the arrival/departure.
If you have questions prior to summer about late drop off/early pick up, please email us at register@thefirs.org.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CAMPER NEEDS TO LEAVE CAMP EARLY?
If your camper needs to leave camp early or leave temporarily for an appointment, e-mail the Firwood Admin at firwood@thefirs.org to arrange and time and location for pick-up. A staff member will do their best to have your camper ready and waiting to go upon your arrival. We do not prorate for campers who leave early or miss time during the week. Please ensure that the person picking up your camper is prepared to show ID upon arrival and they are listed on the "Authorized Pick Up List" on the registration paperwork.
CAN I CALL OR VISIT MY CAMPER DURING THE WEEK?
We are fully conscious of our great responsibility to care for your camper. In the case of any emergency, either physical or otherwise, you will be notified promptly. Consequently, we do not allow personal phone calls, either incoming or outgoing, or personal visitation during the camp session due to the interruption to the schedule and the effect on camper morale. If a serious concern arises, you may contact the Camp Admin to discuss the situation.
