CTY Lancaster - practical questions

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’ll be taking my son to Lancaster this weekend for his first CTY course. My anxiety level is rising. I have everything on the list they sent, and I’m sewing name tapes at every opportunity. I was hoping that some experienced CTY parents could answer a few questions.</p>

<p>Do you bring everything in a trunk, or pack multiple suitcases and bags? Do the rooms have many drawers and a closet? Do you bring a laundry basket?</p>

<p>How do they handle medication? My son needs the Epi-pen (nut allergy), and I know how they will handle that, but he is also taking a generic form of Allegra (prescription antihistimine) twice a day for pollen allergies. Will he have to go to a nurse’s office, or do they distribute medicines at mealtimes? How do they handle vitamins? </p>

<p>Do the kids get enough water to drink? My son tends to forget to drink enough - I don’t suppose they remind them? Should I supply him with a case of individual bottles? </p>

<p>I hate to sound like a helicopter parent, but my son is incredibly absent-minded. He sometimes walks out of the house without his shoes. He is always losing or forgetting things. I would have more confidence in my 7-year-old’s ability to function independently. He has his wits about him.</p>

2

<p>Maybe Carolyn will be able to tell you more about Lancaster, specifically. I would suggest that you talk directly to the administrative staff about the health issues, and make sure they know what to do about your S. You should also be able to talk to his RA on registration day.</p>

<p>As far as luggage is concerned, you can bring whatever you like. S brought a suitcase for clothes and another one containing bedding, toilet kit, etc… We did not need to sew labels on his clothes because he did his own laundry. He used a laundry bag rather than a basket. He will probably need a fan and a lamp unless the dorm is air-conditioned (S’s dorms were not).</p>

<p>Since the rooms are in college dorms, there is enough closet and drawer space, I found, especially since the kids are not required to dress up and they need clothes only for one season. I’m sure that many buildings have water fountains, and of course drinks are available at meal times. There may be drinks machines at several places on campus, too.</p>

3

<p>A nurse will seize all tablets–including vitamins–and there will be a way to get them dispensed during the program. </p>

<p>They’ve got drinking fountains in the classroom buildings and other ways to get water. It doesn’t matter how you pack stuff. The residential advisors will look after the kids quite closely; my son remembers CTY Lancaster as “strict.” </p>

<p>Have a good time. My son is enjoying Ross Program this year.</p>

4

<p>My son, the world’s most asbsent-minded kid, survived four summers of CTY camp and loved every minute. He had asthma and they oversaw his medications just fine. I believe he was allowed to carry his inhaler but had to go see the nurse for other medications/vitamins. It was a pain, but tons of kids had to do it, too. He took one large suitcase/duffle and a small carry-on type bag. Don’t send a laundry basket, just give him a big Hefty garbage bag or a mesh bag for dirty clothes and hope he remembers to use it. I think S did do laundry there, especially in later summers. I’m not familiar with Lancaster but most of the rooms have a bed, drawers and a closet of some sort. I don’t think the boys use the drawers or closet much, just dig through their suitcases for clothes or, more likely, wear the same clothes every day. :slight_smile: Sending some bottled water is fine, but they hit the cafeteria three times a day and there’s plenty to drink. </p>

<p>Don’t worry too much; CTY counselors and teachers are very familiar with absent-minded campers. He will probably have a blast and hate to leave after the three weeks is up!</p>

5

<p>Thank you, tokenadult and marite. I know that all medications, over-the-counter or prescription, must be kept by the staff, except for Epi-pens and asthma inhalers I’m hoping that someone else will keep custody of his Epi-pens as well, because otherwise he’ll be leaving them all over the place. Since the campus is nut-free the chances of his needing the Epi-pens are small. He’s only had the Epi-pen injected once in his life. </p>

<p>tokenadult, is Ross Program the math program that your son applied for, and was accepted from the waiting list after several iterations of problem solving?</p>

6

<p>No, the several iterations program was last year’s, MathPath. This year my son got right into Ross, after working on the application problems for quite a long time, probably because of what he learned the summer before at MathPath.</p>

7

<p>My son stayed in a different program, but in a dorm room, and I would recommend bringing some lysol (spray or wipes) for the room. We also brought a case of water for him (his program was 6 wks.) Don’t forget cheap flip flops for the shower!</p>

8

<p>Lancaster turned out to be a much longer drive and we arrived rather late. But generally the routine is that at check in you meet the nurse and give her meds and talk to her. Then you take the kid to the room and you can make their beds, fill the drawers and put the suitcase in the closet or under the bed. The kids start off by meeting the RA and playing ice breaking games. If you aren’t late you’ll get to meet the RA and share any concerns with him or her as well. I think all the rooms at Lancaster are decent sized doubles.</p>

9

<p>Thanks, chefmom and mathmom. Lysol - what a great idea! I already have the flip-flops. We’ll be there early, because we’re driving down the day before.</p>

10

<p>the best thing you can do is make sure he knows how to do laundry and clean himself (ie, wear flip flops in shower, dont forget to brush twice a day, dont be too lazy to shower, etc). boys can take care of eating and sleeping.</p>

11

<p>What did all of you do about a phone? I’ll bring one, but I’m wondering whether I should get him some sort of calling card.</p>

12

<p>PLEASE say hello to my son when you are dropping off your son. He is 3,500 miles from home and doing both sessions - all six weeks - this summer. He’ll be staying on campus this weekend with just five other “double session” kids who don’t live close enough to get home in between sessions. </p>

<p>I have NEVER had any problem with CTY, or worried about his health and care while there. They take excellent care of the kids, and are really on top of issues like medications, homesickness, and roommate issues. In fact, the ONLY complaint I have ever had about CTY is that when my son is there, he is having so much fun and is so busy that he seldom makes it to the phone to call home. It is a WONDERFUL experience, and my son is truly mournful that this he will “age out” of regular CTY this year. In short, CTY is worth every penny and our children are truly lucky to be able to participate.</p>

<p>As for practicalities, in Lancaster there are two Wal-marts, a K=mart and I believe a target. The BEST advice I can give you is to make sure you stop into one of the three and stock up on lots of goodies and snacks that he can share with others during the evening social times. My son, for instance, always brings at least 24 packages of Orange Tic Tacs to hand out to his floor mates and friends he meets along the way. Microwave popcorn is another big hit — I’m actually about to mail two boxes of it to my son today because he ran through the first two boxes during the first session and, of course, can’t get back to Wal-Mart to restock. My son also brought TWO 24-can cases of soda with him and a 24-case of bottled water. Yes, they get plenty of water to drink, but it is fun at night to have your own and to have enough to share. Do give him a plastic cup, some paper plates, some plastic knives,forks and spoons and a few rolls of Paper towels as some of the kids get creative about making snacks in the microwave… and well, things happen.</p>

<p>If your son has a favorite board game - especially RISK - he should bring it as well. The boys play like to play games in the evenings but for some reason no one remembers the boards, so that is also a big hit if you bring one.</p>

<p>Make sure your son also brings: Duct tape, a bathrobe that he wouldn’t mind wearing in public, post-it notes, glow sticks (if available), and a few rolls of aluminum foil. I will spare you the details of what these items will all be used for (and would hate to spoil the surprise for your son), but they are all necessary at one time or another for CTY activities. </p>

<p>Pack a disposable camera but don’t expect pictures. No need to bring a regular phone or calling card if he can bring a cell phone. They do have to turn in their cell phones during the day, but they can get them from the RA at night and it makes it much easier to keep in touch than using a calling card. An extra inexpensive lamp for the room is also nice, as is a small desk top fan, even though the dorms at Lancaster are air-conditioned. NO flashlights allowed.</p>

<p>No one cares what you cart stuff up to the room in. Since we normally buy everything my son needs to furnish his room when we get to CTY, we lug huge TRASH bags with his stuff up to his room every year and no one blinks an eye. Don’t sweat the small stuff.</p>

<p>Give your son at least $10-15 in quarters for the laundry.</p>

<p>Make sure your son packs his sense of humor. My son has done things at CTY that he WOULD never be caught doing at home - performed on stage, worn his bathrobe to class, dressed in drag (don’t ask), hung out with kids much younger than him - and he has loved every single minute of it.</p>

<p>CTY has done more to help my son mature, grow into himself, and discover what brings him joy than any other experience in his life. My son went to CTY the first summer an over-weight, nerdy, self-conscious kid and came home a self-confident happy kid who tried out for the football team (and made the team). Every summer we can’t wait to see what magical transformation CTY has wrought. You’ve heard of the book “Colleges That Change Lives?” CTY is the “Summer program that changes lives” for many kids.</p>

<p>So, Mom, pack your worries and doubts away. Replace them with excitement about this new adventure in your son’s life. True, it’s hard because you can’t go along for the ride, but it will be more than OK, it will be wonderful. I promise.</p>

13

<p>At CTY I never showed up at the meds office, b/c I had no percriptions. I’d keep a bottle of advil and Pepto hidden in your room for emergencies, the RAs don’t go looking for it. </p>

<p>$10-15 is not nessicary, unless you like to play poker. $8 tops! I</p>

<p>f you want a great activity to all future CTY Lan out there do ACTING IMPROV! Even if you have no experince it is still made fun and there is a social hierachy which results from it. </p>

<p>If you have a cell phone bring it, its much cheaper. </p>

<p>Don’t forget shampoo like I did one year.</p>

<p>Send newspapers as the CTYers are kept Isolated from outside events.</p>

<p>Are there any Alcove members on these boards?</p>

14

<p>$10-15 is not nessicary, unless you like to play poker. $8 tops!>></p>

<p>LOL! Actually, for my son, I could send him without laundry money and he’d do just fine because laundry is NEVER at the top of his priority list. One of the things we stock up on at Wal-Mart are extra socks and underwear to get him through as long as is humanly possible. Of course, this year, he’s there for SIX weeks so I drew the line and said he had to do at least ONE load of laundry each session. We’ll see how that works out. :)</p>

15

<p>I’ll echo everything Carolyn wrote. My daughter loved every second of CTY and begged to be able to go back this year. She used her cellphone rather than bring an old-fashioned plug in the wall type. Not that she called much, or ever used the stamps and stationery I had packed. They’re so busy, and the staff really makes sure everyone is involved and making friends. </p>

<p>As for the laundry basket, a mesh bag is probably easier to deal with, but whichever he prefers is fine. You can give him a case of water bottles, he’ll drink when he gets thirsty. CTY provides a great opportunity for growth and self-reliance, with a safety net. I imagine CTY kids hit the ground running in college and are very comfortable adjusting to dorm life and being away from home.</p>

16

<p>I have fond memories of bring a laundry basket to turkey hill. I also would buy gallon jugs of water for a dollar, bring them everywhere with me, class, activities, meals. Its all good and easy to refill.</p>

17

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<p>MomOFour, You’re not kidding. Before he left my son wrote a detailed four page college packing list for my daughter who will be headed to college right after he returns from CTY. At first, she was annoyed that her <em>little</em> brother knew more about dorm life than she did, but I have noticed that she is gradually crossing items off of his list as the summer goes on. ;)</p>

<p>On the other hand, when it times to start looking at colleges, it can be hard to find a school that duplicates your child’s image of what college <em>should</em> be — there just aren’t that many CTY-ish colleges out there, although I suspect by the time he’s done, my son will have found them all. LOL!</p>
</i>

18

<p>My kids love CTY, more than loved, said it was the best summer experience ever. Just wish it was not so expensive. Anyway, this is the first summer in a number of years that no one is attending. The only advise I have is to send cookies for everyone in their group and be prepared for lots of long goodbyes the last day and a wonderful video / slide show giving you a brief idea of what the kids experienced. You son will be so busy you may barely hear from him. Enjoy!</p>

19

<p>I guess our kids have settled in for the session now. I sent mine by plane early this morning, and got a quick call in the afternoon to let me know she was fine. Apparently, she’s in a ‘suite’ this year – three bedrooms off of a common room. She said part of the quad is under construction, so about 1/3 of it was not useable. </p>

<p>This is her second year – she took Number Theory last year and is in Cryptology this year. Hope the session goes well for everyone’s kids!</p>

20

<p>Sigh… my kid was moping a little just today that he had aged-out this year. As of right now, he says he’s planning to apply for an RA or TA position in the fall of his freshman year at college in 2007. :slight_smile: I hope it’s a great CTY summer for all of your kids, and for those of you back at home, too!</p>