Camp Wojtyla Essential Eligibility Criteria for Basecamp Programs (EEC)

Camp Wojtyla is a wilderness camp; this designation entails atypical living factors and expectations that participants and their families must be aware of before attending these programs. The following sections outline Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) for participants in all Camp Wojtyla basecamp programs: 

SAFETY AND JUDGMENT 

Each participant must… 

  1. Be able to follow verbal directions given by the group leaders. 

  2. Be able to effectively signal or notify group leaders or other group members of personal distress, injury, or need for assistance. 

  3. Act reliably around designated hazards (including but not limited to loose rock, cliff edges, moving water, wild animals) to minimize risk. 

TEAM-ORIENTED BEHAVIOR

Each participant must… 

  1. Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially difficult social or physical conditions. 

  2. Contribute to a safe learning environment—no verbal or physical inappropriate behavior of others is tolerated for any reason. 

  3. Effectively communicate ideas and concerns on an individual and group level. 

  4. Be open to participating within a Christian environment. While Camp Wojtyla does not require campers to be practicing Catholics, programs are faith-based and participants are expected to be respectful during group activities and discussions.

OUTDOOR SKILLS

Each participant must… 

  1. Remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat illness, or sunburn.

  2. Be able to move about the campsite in order to attend activities, attend to toileting needs, and contribute to group tasks as necessary. 

  3. Live in teepees or tents in a rustic environment for the uninterrupted period of the program length, which ranges from 6-9 days. Conditions of this environment may vary from cold (below 40º F) to hot (above 90º F), depending on the campers’ session dates, and may include rain, snow, hail, and intense sun and wind

  4. Have the average strength and endurance and basic balance and agility needed to travel on hiking trails with a small backpack. 

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL ALPINE EXPEDITION PROGRAM ONLY:

  1. Hiking conditions may include rough, rugged, uneven steep and sloping terrain. Rocky terrain that may range from smooth bedrock to extensive areas of large rock boulders (boulder fields). Campers may need to ascend, descend or traverse slopes covered in snow, rocks or vegetation.

  2. Hiking distances can range from less than one mile to more than eight miles in one day, and duration can range from less than one hour to more than six hours in one day. 

Please note: Due to the remoteness of Camp Wojtyla, it may require over 30 minutes in clear weather to reach the nearest advanced medical care.  Parents, and campers who will be over 18, will be asked to digitally sign the following statement when registering for Camp:  

I have read this document and understand the living conditions and expectations of Camp Wojtyla programs. If I have a minor child who will be attending Camp, then we have reviewed this document together. I (We) understand that if the participant is not able to meet these conditions, Camp Wojtyla staff have the right to send the participant home before the end of the session.