Below we provide information on many things Foley Families are curious about prior to camp. If you still have questions, please contact the Camp Office by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (218) 543-6161.
Birthdays
We love birthdays at camp! Birthdays at camp include:
- Camper is serenaded with the Foley Birthday Song
- Camper has a birthday party with their cabinmates
- Camper gets a birthday cake to share with their cabinmates
You may send a birthday package (nothing edible) and cards, but please mark as such. We will hold packages and cards until the day of your child's birthday. Flowers and balloons can be delivered by Sherwood Florist at 1-218-587-2802. You can also call to wish your camper a "Happy Birthday;" please arrange this call with the camp office in advance.
Cabin Placement
We strive to create cabins of campers that set the stage in forming the “cabin family.” Cabin placements are made based on age and/or school grade, diversity in geographic homes, similar interests, and camping experiences. Mutual requests for cabin mates can be arranged if two campers both request ONLY each other. It is impossible to guarantee placement with several campers or a group of campers. If a younger camper requests to be with an older camper, there is a strong possibility that the older camper would have to drop down and be in a cabin with the younger grade. If a request is not mutual, Foley will assign campers to their cabins without considering their requests. Mutual requests need to be into our office two weeks prior to the start of the session.
Canteen (Camp Store)
Allocating funds to your camper's Canteen Account is a part of registration and must be done before your camper can purchase anything. The canteen carries a variety of Camp Foley items including: sweatshirts, t-shirts, water bottles, pants, hats, etc. We also carry small items like playing cards, pencils, key chains, sunglasses etc. Campers may also purchase toiletries, batteries and other items they may have forgotten at home. Please see Canteen (Camp Store) under Money Matters.
Code of Living
The Camp Foley Code of Living further supports our camp's Core Values. Everyone in the Foley community is expected to abide by our code of living, which encourages each of us to be the best possible person.
- Each person generates caring by reaching out in a compassionate and considerate way.
- Each person responsibly fulfills the tasks he or she has chosen, accepted or been assigned.
- Each person accepts responsibility for his or her behavior and personal property.
- Each person plays by the rules and treats others fairly.
- Each person is honest, reliable and trustworthy and performs with integrity.
- Each person becomes a "good citizen" to others and our environment, beyond the boundaries of our camp community, through their actions or deeds.
- Each person respects authority and the law.
- Each person respectfully resolves disagreements and responds to insults peacefully.
- Each person treats property respectfully.
- Each person follows the Platinum Rule: Treat others the way they want to be treated.
Communication
Campers may receive mail and emails from their parents but NOT packages. Phone calls to and from campers are not allowed. You can expect to receive a letter from both your camper and your camper's counselors during or after the session.
Learn more about Communication.
Community Living
In Camp Foley's Enrollment Agreement we ask that you pay special attention to our policies regarding camper behavior, personal property, camp property and photos and personal information and how it pertains to community living at Camp Foley.
If you have any questions regarding community living, please contact the camp office by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or (218) 543-6161.
Other Behavior Policies:
- Camp encourages campers to take respectful pictures while at camp. Video cameras will have limitations if brought to camp to protect the privacy of others.
- Foul language and improper conversations are discouraged and considered disrespectful.
- Campers are expected to comply with requests and directions that ensure the health, safety and welfare of everyone at Camp Foley.
- Camp Foley does not tolerate emotional or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse of one person by another and may be grounds for dismissal.
- Mental, emotional, social and/or physical behavior that affects a camper's ability to participate in the program or that significantly disrupts the program experience for others may constitute grounds for dismissal. Parents are required to give us this information.
- Foley staff does not accept gratuities. Camp personnel are not to accept any gratuities. Parents wishing to thank or honor a staff member can make a tax-deductible contribution to our scholarship fund. Lean how to Donate.
Dress Code & Packing
It is important that campers dress appropriately for the active, outdoor, multi-age, coed camp environment. We feel a "natural look" compliments our camp setting best.
We do our best to return any lost and found items daily throughout the summer. Labeling personal items greatly improves the chance campers return home with everything they arrived with. Everything must be labeled with a sew-on label or permanent marker prior to camp.
Camp Foley assumes no responsibility for funds or valuables that are not deposited at the camp office upon arrival.
Learn more about the Packing List & Dress Code.
Health & Safety
We understand that your number one concern is the health and safety of your child. Camp Foley provides an on-site registered nurse, has worked with campres with a variety of allergies and takes measures to help campers protect themselves from ticks and mosquitos.
Learn more about Health & Safety.
Homesickness
Every child adjusts to being away from home differently and experiences some degree of homesickness or missing family, friends and a familiar routine. Separation is an important part of growing up but can be a challenge. The methods we use to cope with homesickness differ from camper to camper – please feel assured, by our long history as a summer camp, that we can adequately handle homesickness.
As a parent you can help before camp by talking positively about camp, independence and separation. Please do not promise your child they can call home or see you if they are homesick as they cannot. Discuss the positives of camp like cabin living and the activities. Visit Dr. Chris Thurber's website, Summer Camp Handbook, for more ways to prevent homesickness.
Each summer we visit with more "childsick" parents than we do homesick campers!
Social Media Policy
Campers and counselors keep in touch after the summer in a variety of ways including email and social media, which we believe can continue a positive, lasting relationship between campers and counselors.
We ask that campers and staff:
- Keep all exchanges PG
- Keep what they say positive and respectful of staff and campers alike
- Not use obscenities, vulgar or sexual language
- Not post pictures online that would embarrass or violate anyone's privacy
- Not pose as another camper or counselor online or spread false information
- Not to talk about things that are against camp policy
If something inappropriate were to be posted online, our policy is to ask that it be taken down and we inform the parents of minors involved to express our concern. You hold full responsibility for online interactions between your camper and staff outside of camp, but if you have a concern, please share it with us. Any camper or staff who violates our policies regarding out-of-camp communication may not be able to come back.
Spirituality
Camp Foley has no religious affiliation. Each week, Catholic campers can attend a Catholic Mass (either at our on-site Chapel or a local church). Non-Catholic campers attend a Nondenominational service of varied topics ranging from environmental awareness to making meaningful connections. The focus of our camp is on friendship, character development and community building. Before every meal we sing a grace that centers around Christian ideals and discuss one of six character traits: caring, fairness, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness and citizenship.
Swim Check & First Day
On the first day of camp, campers take the "Foley Safety and Endurance Swim Check," which includes lifejacket safety and a swim check for endurance. To pass the Swim Check, campers must swim comfortably in their lifejacket, tread water for five minutes and swim 50 yards using front crawl or breaststroke. Endurance and confidence are key factors.
Campers that do not pass the Swim Check on the first day will be able to try again the following day. If a camper does not pass the Swim Check their parent will be notified and they will be signed up for Swim Lessons for one of their activity periods.
Campers who do NOT pass their Swim Check are still able to participate in Sailing, Canoeing and Fishing at the waterfront and Free Swim with a lifejacket.
Learn more about the First Day of Camp also known as Foley's Arrival Day Celebration!
Transportation
We strongly encourage first year campers to ride the bus to camp if it's an option.
Learn more about Transportation to and from camp.
Tuition & Payments
Learn more about tuition, billing and due dates by visiting Money Matters.
Visiting Camp
If you are new to Foley and are interested in taking a tour of the camp facilities, feel free to call the camp office to set something up.
We recommend that parents visit camp on the closing day of the session only. Visits can be disruptive to a camper's adjustment to camp as well as for other campers and staff in the camp community. Visits scheduled during the session will be done so with a number of guidelines in place. Please contact the camp office by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or (218) 543-6161 to learn more.
As a rule: Campers are not to be taken out of camp for a visit, food and care packages are not permitted during visits, and parental permission is needed for visitors not accompanied by a legal guardian. All visitors under 18 must be accompanied by their parent.
Wilderness Trips
Campers 11 years of age and older can sign up for three-day biking, canoeing, hiking or base camp trips. Campers are taken to local state parks, rivers or offsite camp-owned property and are transported via camp-van by a Foley staff member who is 21 years of age or older.
Learn more about our Wilderness Trips.
