HISTORY AND PURPOSE:

BCWS is owned by the Burgundy Farm Country Day School in Alexandria, VA. The summer camp was founded in 1963, with John Trott as director, and has been in continual operation ever since. The purpose of the camp is to nurture in children and teens a respect and sensitivity to the natural world through greater knowledge of self and nature. The campers develop this through direct interactions with nature and the staff, through learning scientific information, and through gaining experiences as part of a community.

ACCREDITATION: BCWS is accredited by the American Camping Association.

PROGRAM:

At BCWS, exploration of the natural world is interwoven with games, song, story, music arts, hiking, and swimming. Children and teens learn and live together in a friendly, non-competitive community. Each day is filled with a new selection of activities offered by the staff. Campers are introduced to plant, animal and earth science, participate in overnight trips, and then pursue their strongest interests in a project of their own design. Each afternoon brings a new selection of activities. Groups are small and there is plenty of individual attention. Evening programs are occasionally small group choices, but more often whole group gatherings.

DAILY SCHEDULE FOR SENIOR PROGRAM	DAILY SCHEDULE FOR JUNIOR PROGRAM	DAILY SCHEDULE FOR ADULT WEEKEND
7:00   Wake up 7:30   Breakfast 8:15   Clean up 9:00   Morning Activity 10:15 Snack 10:30 Morning Activity 11:45 Free Time 12:00 Lunch 1:00   Rest 2:00   Swim/Free Time 3:00   Afternoon Activity 5:30   Reflections 6:00   Dinner 7:00   Free Time 7:45   Evening Program 9:30   Lights out	7:00   Wake up 7:30   Breakfast 8:15   Clean up 8:45   Morning Activity 10:00 Snack 10:30 Morning Activity 11:45 Free Time 12:00 Lunch 1:00   Rest 2:00   Swim/Free Time 3:00   Afternoon Activity 5:30   Free Time 6:00   Dinner 6:45   Reflections 7:15   Evening Meeting 7:30   Evening Program 8:45   Lights out	6:30   Early birders 7:00   Wake up 7:30   Breakfast 9:00   Activities 12:00 Lunch 1:00   Rest/Swim 3:00   Activities 6:00   Dinner 7:30   Evening Program 10:30 Quiet

ADULT WEEKEND:

This weekend was created at the request of parents who, while dropping off their children, were themselves wishing to remain at BCWS in the cool green foliage, watching the sunset from the mountaintop, sleeping to the sound of owls and katydids, waking to birdsong, and trying their hands at the various activities and inactivities. The population includes adults in their 20s to 70s, some of whom are entirely new to the program. Some are constantly active, some take time in the hammocks, by the pond, or on a solitary stroll. The staff are always available with workshops or hikes, but the beauty of being a grown-up camper is that all the schedule is optional. The food includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, and upgrades during the weekend for adult palates. Snacks are available throughout the day.

Examples of before-breakfast options: Birding, polar bear swim, breakfast picnic hike Examples of morning activities: 3-hour Mushroom hunt Butterfly hike Canopy studies Caudy's Castle climb Sweat Lodge Fossiling Walk through Fern Valley 1.25 hour Pollination Soil Bones Stream study Economic botany Walnut dye Spiders and webs
	Examples of afternoon activities: Stuart Hollow hike Watercoloring Herpetology hunt Deer runs Wild teas Ant hills Poetry on Right Ridge Tree identification Ancient tree hike Invasive aliens T-shirt leaf prints Ben's knob and sinkholes Examples of evening activities: Folklore, nightwalks, stargazing, sleep-out on the Bald, owling

DIRECTOR AND STAFF:

Lavinia Schoene has been associated with BCWS since 1968 as a student, camper or staff member. This is her 25th year directing. She holds degrees in biology and in education, and is a teacher and science curriculum advisor. The staff are high school, college, graduate students and teachers, most of whom were once BCWS campers themselves, and are knowledgeable in specific areas of the natural world. They bring their education, experience, energy, creativity and sense of humor to each moment. There is one staff member for every two campers.

LOCATION:

BCWS is located in Cooper's Cove, a secluded 500 acre sanctuary in the Appalachian Mountains. It is near Route 50, west of Capon Bridge, West Virginia. This beautiful remote valley is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Washington D.C.

LOCATION AND SUMMER ADDRESS:
The summer address is: HC 83 Box 38DD Capon Bridge, WV 26711

LAND:

The forest and meadows shelter a wide diversity of plant and animal life. Unusual ferns and mushrooms are interspersed among an abundance of wildflowers. Campers may see turkeys, Cerulean Warblers and foxes. Bluebirds, salamanders and deer are common sights. The spring-fed stream and pond support a rich aquatic ecosystem and provide good swimming.

FACILITIES:

The spacious main lodge includes an all-purpose room with open-hearth fireplace, dining porch, field study and work areas, infirmary, bookstore, darkroom and library. The canopy walkway is 10 minutes walk from the lodge. Staff and campers share meals family style. Campers sleep in two staff-supervised dormitories, where screens invite in fresh air and the night sounds. There are about 16 campers and 2-4 staff in each dormitory.

HEALTH/MEDICAL

All staff are certified in First Aid and CPR.Our facility includes an infirmary overseen by the health manager, but any serious problems are handled by the staff at the Winchester Medical Center, which is 45 minutes from BCWS. We call the Capon Bridge Rescue Squad in case of an emergency.

SWIMMING:

All aquatic activities are supervised by a certified lifeguard. Campers use the canoe with the guidance of staff trained in canoe safety. All swimming is recreational only, but all campers must take a swim test before their first free swim.

BOOKSTORE:

BCWS operates a bookstore where students may obtain stamps, stationery, field guides, and tee-shirts. Campers do not need to bring money, as the charge is included in the tuition.

LINENS:

Campers bring their own bedding as well as sleeping bags. If desired, bedding may be rented from BCWS at $50 per Senior Session and $30 per Junior Session.

NOT ALLOWED...

Campers may not bring candy, gum or other food; cell phones, electronic games, video, radio, or other devices; hair dryer; sheath knives; firearms; motorized vehicles. Use or possession of illegal drugs will result in immediate dismissal and forfeiture of tuition.

PACKING LIST FOR 2 WEEKS

Many items can be halved for Junior campers
Please label all belongings

2 warm blankets 4 cot sheets 1 3-season lightweight sleeping bag (students carry own sleeping bag for camp-outs) Stuff sack for sleeping bag 2 towels 1 wash cloth laundry bag comb and brush soap and dish shampoo toothbrush and paste pajamas underwear (13 pairs) socks (13 pairs)

10-13 tee shirts / other shirts 2 warm sweaters or sweatshirts 3-4 pairs long pants 3-4 pairs shorts 2 bathing suits jacket or windbreaker rainwear 1 pair comfortable hiking shoes or boots 1 pair old or second rate sneakers water bottle 1 wool/ fleece sweater 1 wool/ fleece hat flashlight

Recommended:

• pillow with 2 cases
• binoculars
• hand lens
• directional compass
• daypack
• field guides pad for beneath sleeping bag
• photographic equipment and film
• insect repellent
• reading material
• 1 slim notebook and pens or pencils
• frame backpack (for Senior campers)

Note: Some outdoor gear can be rented at outfitting stores. If you have any outgrown backpacking equipment, such as frame packs, pads, sleeping bags, boots, wool/ fleece sweaters and wool/ fleece hats, please consider donating them to the BCWS program for use by campers who lack equipment.

TRANSPORTATION:

The parent/guardian is responsible for transportation, but on request we will put you in touch with other families with whom you can arrange carpools.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE:

On both opening and closing days, please plan to arrive between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. You are invited to tour the center and enjoy refreshments and/or you may bring a picnic if you wish. On opening day, lunch is served to the campers at 1:00 pm. We would appreciate your leaving before 2 p.m. so the camper orientation can begin. On closing day, the center is closed after 1:00 p.m.

VISITING:

We provide meals for a moderate charge. Mid-session visits and/or prolonged departures by parents tend to bring out above-average homesickness in young children, so we discourage parents from visiting the Junior Session. Senior Session parents are welcome to visit, if plans are made in advance with the director.

PREPARATION FOR CAMP, ESPECIALLY FOR JR. OR FIRST-TIME CAMPERS:

When considering BCWS for your child, we suggest:

• your child should be interested in some aspect of nature.
• make sure your child has a role in choosing camp.
• consider whether your child has been able to handle overnights away from you.
• your child may want to find a friend who also wants to attend.

• admit to yourself that you will probably miss your child, but do not burden your child with this point, and do not dwell on the fact that the family or the pets will miss your child while s/he is gone.
• let your child have some practice overnights away from you, such as with friends or relatives, including a weekend away.
• be clear that you and the child will not be communicating by phone (we have only one, and it is for business and emergencies only). Talking on the phone tends to make homesickness worse!
• As you and the child pack, include familiar belongings and clothes.
• In packing, include a self-addressed envelope as encouragement! We do our best to get them to write.
• Talk about the fun s/he will have.
• Write a letter a day or two in advance so that your child will receive something in the first mail delivery.

• Avoid a big fuss at departure. Do say goodbye, but do not draw it out.
• Send lots of letters, comic strips, sports statistics, something fun, but NOT GUM, CANDY OR OTHER FOOD.
• In letters, avoid bad news, avoid telling how you miss the child, and avoid telling how much fun you are having without him or her. If your child is going to miss July 4th, avoid discussing all your big plans for that day. Stick to short news bits, funny stories, etc.
• Do not be despondent if YOU don't get any mail. We encourage and provide time for letter-writing, but can only lead a horse to water...You will hear from us if there are any concerns, and we do not hesitate to consult you for advice specific to your child.
• Remember that the staff are trained to deal with homesickness and many other woes, and that the whole purpose of the staff is to provide for the happiness and general well-being of your child.
• Pick up your child on time. Being the only one left, long after departure time is over, can really dampen the best camp experience.

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