Parent FAQs
Where do Hollymont campers come from?
All over! Our campers represent many states and several countries.
What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?
The ratio and safety standards from the ACA (with which we always comply) are: For girls ages 6-8, the cluster counselor-to-camper ratio is 1:6. For girls aged 9-14, the ratio is 1:8. For girls ages 15-18, the ratio is 1:10.
At Hollymont, our ratios are WAY better!
How is mail delivered to my daughter?
Camper mail is usually distributed during the mid-afternoon rest hour. You may access the Bunk1 website to purchase and send emails to your camper. These emails are downloaded each morning and distributed with the regular afternoon mail. To learn more, click here (Bunk1).
Remember to write happy letters of encouragement and please do not use this as an opportunity to write about "bad news."
Is your daughter celebrating a birthday while she is at camp?
Please send packages in the care of her counselor. If you wish to send flowers or balloons, you may do so. Becky's Florist (828-253-2975) is near camp and delivers. Your daughter will receive a birthday cake after lunch or dinner in the dining hall and everyone will sing to her.
What can I expect my camper's room to be like?
The configuration of the room depends on the number of campers in the room. We generally use single beds and bunk beds. There is an open closet and at least one chest of drawers and a desk.
How often do the skills meet?
A-1W and C-1W (6 day sessions)
- Full skill days are on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
A and C sessions:
- Full skill days are on the first Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- On the first Friday, campers attend morning hall activities and afternoon skills (3rd - 6th).
- Saturday (sleep late, no 1st skill, 2nd -5th skill regular schedule, 6th skill to be announced)
- No skills on Sunday
- Full skill days on the second Monday and Wednesday
- On the second Tuesday campers attend morning skills (1st and 2nd) and afternoon hall activities.
- On the second Thursday - special morning activities (horse show, pool & games) and afternoon activities (all skills will meet briefly to wrap up their session's activities, packing, and special practice times)
B1 and B2 sessions:
- Full skill days are on the first Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- On the first Thursday, campers attend morning hall activities and afternoon activities (3rd-6th).
- Saturday (sleep late, no 1st skill, 2nd-5th skill - regular schedule, 6th skill to be announced).
- No skills on Sunday.
- Full skill days on the second Monday and Wednesday.
- On the second Tuesday, campers attend morning skills (1st and 2nd) and afternoon hall activities.
- On the second Thursday - special morning activities (horse show, pool & games) and afternoon activities (all skills will meet briefly to wrap up their session's activities, packing, and special practice times).
What are the ages of the staff?
The majority of our staff range in age from 17 (assistant counselors) to 60+ (program staff/nurses). The cluster counselors are college-aged girls.
Can we tour the camp prior to enrolling?
Absolutely! We encourage you to visit camp and we would be happy to arrange a visit with you anytime. If you would like to visit in the winter months, please call our camp office ahead of time so we can find a time that best suits both parties. If you would like to visit during the summer months, we have designated tour days. Our tour schedule for the summer of 2008 is as follows:
- Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
- Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
- Monday, June 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
- Monday, July 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
- Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
- Monday, August 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Please let us know ahead of time which works best for you.
Can my daughter fly into Asheville? If so, what airlines service the airport?
If you anticipate flying your daughter to camp, we recommend making reservations as soon as possible. The Asheville Regional Airport is served by US Air and Delta Connectors (Comair and Atlantic Southeast), and Continental Airlines.
My daughter takes medication. Can she keep it in her room?
On her first day at Hollymont, each camper is instructed to leave her medication (prescription and over-the-counter) with the camp nurse. Medications are locked in the infirmary and dispensed by camp nurses as needed. Recognizing that campers may need to carry an inhaler or bee-sting medication kit, an exception may be made for a limited amount of medication for life-threatening conditions.
What is the weather like in the summer months?
The daytime temperatures are usually between 75 and 90 degrees. The evenings are cool.
Can we visit our daughter while she is attending camp?
Our designated visitation day is Sunday. For security reasons, please let us know in advance who is coming and give us an approximate time you'll be stopping by. We encourage you to join us for chapel and then you are welcome to take your daughter to lunch. If she would like to take a friend, we have to have written permission in advance from the camper's parent.
Do we accept payment by credit card?
No, we are not set up to accept credit card payments. Money orders and personal checks are accepted.
What is the food like?
Hollymont serves three well balanced meals a day - and they are scrumptious! In addition to the main meal being served at lunch and dinner, campers and staff always have access to a fabulous salad bar. Junk food anyone? Canteen is open to campers and staff after rest hour each day. You can choose one drink item and snack per day. The canteen is stocked with chips, ice cream, fruit juices, candy, and soft drinks. The cost of the treats is deducted from your camper's account. If your child has a food allergy, we need to know in advance so we can prepare special meals or remove items that your child may need to avoid.
How many girls are in a cluster and where does the counselor live?
Most clusters have between 6-12 girls, 1-2 counselors and a counselor-in-training. A cluster consists of four rooms.
How many girls attend camp each session?
We have an average of 120 campers per session.
Where are the bathrooms located?
You will be glad to know your daughter doesn't have to walk through the woods with a flashlight in the middle of the night to locate the bathroom! There are bathrooms on the end of each hall consisting of multiple private stalls and private showers.
How do we pack for camp?
A downloadable packing list is available on this website.
Can my daughter request to share a room with her friend?
If your daughter and her friend are from the same town, same school, and same grade, we do not recommend placing them in the same room. We can put girls in the same cluster (four adjacent rooms - one counselor room and three camper rooms). This encourages the girls to make new friends while at camp.
Will my daughter need a trunk or a suitcase?
It is totally up to you. Suitcases have the advantage of being stowed more easily under a bed or in a closet. A trunk is larger and may take up more space.
Will my daughter have access to laundry services?
Laundry service is provided to campers staying one month. The clusters on the hall share one washer and dryer. Once a session, each cluster counselor will wash a load of towels.
Is transportation provided?
We provide transportation for those arriving by air. Otherwise, campers are driven to camp by their family. Here are driving directions courtesy of Google Maps; you may also download printable driving directions from the downloads section of our site.
Can you recommend local hotel accommodations in the Asheville area? Do you have directions?
Yes! There are many lodging opportunities within the Asheville area ranging from economy to five star-resorts. We hope this link to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce will make your search for a place to stay a little easier!
Can we send our daughter packages while at camp?
NO FOOD or GUM, please! The problems created (sanitation, hurt feelings, poor eating habits) by food packages far outweigh the joys of receiving them. We encourage packages of books, games, and clothing. Please understand that this policy is for the good of your camper and her fellow campers. Remember: campers really enjoy receiving cards and letters every day!
What if a camper is picking on my child. How do you handle this?
Our counselors are trained in orientation to deal with campers displaying unacceptable behavior.
- Depending on the situation, the counselor will sit down and talk to the camper(s) involved and work on a solution.
- If a counselor feels more involvement is needed or if the problem continues, a director will sit down with the camper and work on an acceptable solution.
- If the problem persists, a director may call a camper's parents.
How will I know if my daughter arrived at camp safely?
If your camper is flying in, we will ask her to call home to let you know she arrived safely. Afterwards, her cell phone will be turned off and kept in the camp safe until the end of the session.
My daughter has never been away from home and is afraid she will be homesick. What can I do in advance to help prevent that?
Whenever we spend time in a new environment, it's totally natural to have some anxiety. The best thing to do is to remind your daughter of the new friends she's going to make, the new talents she'll discover, and the exciting opportunities she'll have to try new things! If that doesn't work, here are a few additional tips you can try.
- If you were once a camper, share your fun memories and experiences.
- Encourage her to write a letter, play a game, talk with friends, etc. when she gets homesick.
- Remember to send your daughter letters, pictures from home, funny cards, or Bunk Notes.
- Encourage your daughter to speak with her counselor.
I will be child-sick. Will I be able to talk to my child while she's at camp?
This is totally normal. Try to focus on the fact that you are providing your daughter with a wonderful opportunity to have fun, gain a measure of independence, and make new friends.
We don't allow campers to use the phone, but we encourage you to mail letters and send Bunknotes (via Bunk1).
Please call our office if your daughter indicates she is having a problem or if there are family, school, or emergency circumstances requiring immediate attention. Our staff is available to answer questions and address issues regarding your camper. Often the situation can be resolved without your directly speaking to your daughter; thus allowing her to learn a valuable lesson in self-reliance.
Is Camp Hollymont accredited or licensed by a professional camp organization?
Protecting the health and wellness of the girls at Camp Hollymont is our number one priority. We are accredited by the American Camp Association, an organization made up of camp professionals who have joined together to share their knowledge in enhancing the quality of camp programs. The ACA, who inspects us every three years, establishes guidelines for needed policies, procedures and practices to make our camp a better, safer place to spend the summer!
How much money should I send with my daughter?
We suggest a deposit of $90 per two week session be placed in her spending account. We strongly encourage campers to deposit their spending money in their camper spending account on arrival rather than leave it in their rooms. Charges for personal items, cluster and hall activities, medical expenses, and camp store/canteen will be deducted from the camper's spending account. The campers are issued limited money as needed. After camp, any unused spending money is refunded. Spending overages can be settled on closing day at the camp office, or you will be billed.
