Living at the Villages

Facilities
Each Village has a kitchen, dining room that seats 100 to 120, health center, swimming area, program activity areas, cabins or houses with bunk beds, and an administrative building. Screens cover all windows and screen doors swing shut. Some facilities are used only during the summer; consequently, sometimes wood walls and studs are visible. Our facilities are inspected regularly by state fire marshals and state sanitarians. We ensure that smoke alarms work, fire extinguishers are charged, emergency directions are posted and sanitation standards are implemented. Staff and villagers together assist with keeping their own cabins and bathroom facilities clean and neat on a daily basis. Common household cleaning supplies are used. A large maintenance staff and housekeepers keep everything running smoothly.

Bathrooms/Showers
Different sites have different bathroom and shower facilities. Traditional camp facilities have bathrooms and showers housed separately from the sleeping cabins. Newer retreat facilities may have bathrooms in sleeping quarters. Villagers can expect group shower rooms (separated by gender) as being the norm in most of the facilities leased for our programs. In addition, some villagers use the saunas (with bathing suits) at sites where they are located as well as daily swims to stay clean.

Meals
The food here is incredible! We cook and bake our culturally authentic meals from scratch, rather than serving pre-packaged, processed foods. Villagers are served three balanced meals and at least one snack per day to ensure they have the energy for camp. Meals are eaten family-style at the table and are preceded with a mealtime presentation in the target language. We also serve our meals at culturally appropriate times recognizing the customs of each culture. Your child will discover that every meal in the dining hall is an exciting and unforgettable adventure. Please prepare your villager for the experience of eating new foods at our camp.

Special Dietary Needs
Because food is a major part of the experience here, our menus are planned around special dietary needs of villagers. As you complete the health form, please identify dietary needs based on documented health concerns, such as anaphylactic reactions, physically visible food intolerances, and other proven physical food allergies. These conditions will be planned for by the head cook, the Village nurse, and a dedicated core staff member. We also recognize vegetarian-style food preferences as the only other exception for catering to special dietary needs. We do not provide kosher or halal meals.

If you are concerned about your child’s nutrition, please contact the food service manager for general inquiries, or contact the Village nurse if you feel your villager’s health form needs to be corrected.

Sending Food from Home
For reasons related to serious allergies and the potential attraction of mice and other animals/insects, please do not send any food items in care packages from home. Food and snack items sent to villagers will be disposed of, either in the Village waste system or at the local food shelf. If there are special circumstances, such as planning for a birthday, parents can contact the Village office and arrangements can be made. Rest assured that the food choices offered at meal time and at snack time will be kid-friendly within the context of each cuisine.

Environmental Awareness
All of the Villages work to model environmentally responsible behaviors, including reducing, reusing and recycling; developing respect for nature and property; and learning outdoor skills. We believe that’s how a global citizen should act. Most of America’s children have very little time in their rushed schedules to “be” in nature these days. In order to help villagers truly become aware of the natural world, and to interact with their woodsy surroundings at the Villages, we prohibit the use of electronic devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, iPods, and other noisy devices. Nature is its own music! Join us in the quiet. Listen. We are committed to helping our participants reconnect with the natural world and have employed a full-time environmental education specialist who has cataloged and developed many of the natural settings of our Turtle River Lake sites and who consults with staff at our leased sites.

Inclement Weather
Village deans use a NOAA weather radio and have developed a weather response plan specific to their Villages. Staff is trained to follow this plan, which emphasizes the safety of the villagers.

Minnesota: The summer weather of northern Minnesota varies greatly. We can have hot, muggy weather in the upper 90s followed by very cool days in the low 40s. Your villager may also experience a thunderstorm, some of which have high winds, driving rain, thunder and lightning.

Georgia: The summer weather in Savannah can be very hot. Facilities are air-conditioned.

Worship Services and Faith Diversity
Faith diversity within the Village community is respected. An on-site, non-denominational peace service is held weekly at each Village in support of diverse faith beliefs. Attendance is optional. Villagers may attend weekly religious services in a nearby community, if available.

Is Your Child Ready for a Summer Villages Experience?
Arriving  
Leaving Camp
Communicating with Your Villager