FAQ'S
Have questions about anything and everything Firwood?
See our Frequently Asked Questions below to see how we can help!
ACTIVITIES
WHAT IS PAINTBALL?
Paintball is for campers who seek adventure and strategy. Long pants and closed toe shoes are required. Safety gear and markers are provided (camper gear not permitted). The cost is $30 per single session (payment is non-refundable and non-transferable). Campers will be able to register for up to 2 sessions during online registration. On Opening Day, campers may sign up for additional sessions if space is available. Each session is limited to 24 participants so registration is first come, first served.
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 begins in early February. Typically some sessions start to fill and wait list as early as April. The sessions that don’t fill to capacity have the advantage of smaller cabins and smaller Activity Classes.
The following sessions historically have become wait listed:
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Juniper Camp #2 / #3
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Cedar Camp #2 / #3 / #4
Here are some guidelines for you to follow when dealing with a Wait List situation.
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When a spot opens, you will be notified by e-mail.
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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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If a spot opens and your camper has no intention of coming, your $200 Deposit will not be refunded. To receive a refund please cancel the wait listed registration as soon as you change plans.
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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 250 campers. One cabin can accommodate 9 campers. One Counselor is assigned to each cabin.
WHAT IS YOUR CABIN MATE POLICY?
Please refer to our Cabin Mate policy by clicking here.
WHAT IS FIRWOOD’S CANCELLATION POLICY?
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For cancellations more than 2 weeks before camp, $100 of the deposit will not be refunded.
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Cancellations within 2 weeks of your camp dates will result in a forfeit of the full $200 deposit.
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Refund requests for cancelled sessions must be made to Firwood Registrar and will be refunded via check or credit card.
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No shows are non-refundable.
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Refunds of camp fees are not 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.
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. When you arrive at camp; please wait at the basketball court to meet a staff member. We do not pro-rate for late camper arrival or early departure.
If you have questions prior to summer about late drop off, please email us at register@thefirs.org.
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 the Health Check-In. 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 allergies.
WHAT IF MY CAMPER GETS SICK DURING THE WEEK?
We have a wonderful on-site Health Aide at camp, 24/7. The Health Aide has your camper’s health form and a cozy room to make everything better. You will be notified if necessary.
Please do not bring your camper to Firwood if they are sick prior to their week of camp. If any camper or family member within the household has experienced vomiting, diarrhea, fever or all of those symptoms; they must stay home until at least 24 hours has passed. If any camper or family member has Covid or has been exposed to Covid-19 in the last 14 days, please notify the registrar at register@thefirs.org. For the protection of both campers and staff, we are unable to admit sick campers. These requirements have been mandated by the Whatcom County Health Department.
WHAT IF MY CAMPER HAS A PEANUT OR TREE NUT ALLERGY?
Working with you as a parent; we will do our best to create a safe environment through educating the counselor and cabin mates on food allergies. Parents must be careful to pack safe care packages that do not include any peanut or tree nut products.
The counselor who has a camper with allergies will also meet with the Health Aide to discuss use of an Epi-pen (you may also meet the counselor). We ask that you send two Epi-pens to camp. The camp has central locations in which your camper will never be too far from the Infirmary. 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?
We are able to accommodate most food allergies as there are Gluten free, Dairy free, and Vegetarian food options are available to accommodate medically restricted diets. These will be provided to campers who provide notice 7 days prior to their first day of camp. Campers with more than one medically restricted dietary concern or restrictions other than GF, DF and Vegetarian should bring their own food to Firwood. Camper food storage (for special diets) is available for dry goods and refrigerated items. Frozen food needs to be stored in the refrigerator. All food needs to be labeled with the camper’s name. Campers are encouraged to bring their own oat, soy, or rice milk as a dairy substitute. Due to nut allergies; coconut, almond, macadamia, cashew, or any other nut milk are not allowed as a substitute.
Fresh whole fruits are always available. Salad bar is available to campers with allergies. We do not add milk to eggs. Fudgesicles are always available for a GF dessert option and popsicles are always available for a DF dessert option. Only staff members can access camper food brought from home to accommodate medically restricted diets. The staff member can also microwave items if needed. 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.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate Celiac Disease in our kitchen at Firwood. We do have gluten free options available, but we cannot guarantee that there has been no cross contamination.
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.
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.