Author: Kim Williams

Parent Guide
July 2-7, 2023

Party in the USA
Camp Wannaklot’s 30th Summer

770.518.8272 | 800.866.4366 | www.hog.org

Welcome to Camp Wannaklot!
You are sending your child off to camp, a valuable experience that your child will cherish. Camp Wannaklot has been in operation since 1994. This summer we expect more than 100 campers. Camp Wannaklot is held at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia. The facility is designed specifically for campers with special needs. Camp Wannaklot is open to children with bleeding disorders ages 7 to 17 who live in Georgia.
You may be wondering, “What do I need to know before I send my child off on this week of fun and adventure? What food do they serve in the dining room? How many campers are there in a cabin? What time do they get up in the morning and what time do they go to bed? What happens if my child gets homesick?” These are all very important questions.
This Parents’ Guide to Camp Wannaklot is designed to answer these questions and more. If you have any additional questions after reading this information, please contact Kristi Fulford at Hemophilia of Georgia.
770-518-8272 OR 1-800-866-4366 – HoG Office
Kffulford@hog.org Kristi’s Email
404-218-0361 HoG Camp Cell Phone

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This summer camp will be under the direction our Camp Director. Kristi comes to HoG with 20 plus years experience in youth development and camping. She is so excited to lead HoG through another successful summer of camp.
At Camp Wannaklot, each day is very special, exciting, and unique. Campers experience a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Each evening after dinner there are special programs planned for the campers’ enjoyment.
Throughout the week we are going to celebrate 30 summers of Camp Wannaklot and the 4th of July. The 4th of July will be a special day full of activities centered around the holiday and connecting with our camp family.
We are planning a fun-filled week for your campers. Camp activities include pool time with a certified lifeguard, Horseback riding, archery, the Camp Twin Lakes Farm, and ceramics classes. For those campers who love the water, there are boating and fishing activities.

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Most commonly asked questions about camp
For many of you this will be the first time you have sent your child to Camp Wannaklot. Below you will find questions that many parents ask before they send their children off to camp.
How much does it cost to send my child to camp?
Hemophilia of Georgia covers all the costs of operating Camp Wannaklot. We only ask for a $10 registration fee from parents. Assistance may be available for those with a financial hardship.
What type of food do they serve at camp and how is it served?
Meals will be served family style or cafeteria line style.
Campers and staff are served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The canteen will be open all day for campers to grab a snack between activities. For breakfast, a camper might have eggs, blueberry pancakes, waffles, muffins, cereal, yogurt, or fruit. The lunch and dinner menus include chicken fingers, spaghetti, quesadillas, lasagna, and of course a variety of fruits and vegetables. There are also vegetarian meals offered at camp.
Please let us know if your child has any special dietary restrictions or food allergies so that we may plan for their needs.
What if my child has a birthday during camp?
Please let us know so that we can make that day extra special for them. We can provide a birthday cake if we know ahead of time.

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What time will my child go to bed at camp and what time will he/she get up?
Because camp is full of fun and exciting activities it is most important that campers get plenty of rest while they are at camp. Lights out for campers ranges from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. depending on the age of the cabin group. Campers wake up in the morning at 6:30 a.m. Campers also have an hour rest period every afternoon after lunch.
How many campers are in my child’s cabin?
Campers will have 5-8 campers in them and they will be grouped by age. Girls and boys have separate cabins.
What happens if my child loses something at camp?
With more than 100 young people at camp it is most important to put a camper’s name on all of his or her belongings. A lost and found box is located at the front of the dining hall and campers are strongly encouraged to look through the box for missing items. Found items (with the exception of socks, towels, and underwear) that are not claimed at camp are brought back to the Hemophilia of Georgia office.
How can Camp Wannaklot ensure my child’s safety at camp?
Camp Wannaklot is housed at Camp Twin Lakes, a facility designed for children with special needs. Camp Twin Lakes has a security gate and cameras to control entry into the camp.

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Who are the counselors at camp? How do they find out about camp? How are the applicants screened?
Camp counselors must be at least 18 years old. We recruit counselors from universities and by speaking to professional organizations and faith communities. We also recruit counselors by placing ads in university and community organization newspapers. Prospective applicants are interviewed and references are checked. A criminal background check is also conducted on each applicant. A counselor is not allowed to be alone with campers at any time.
Can campers and counselors contact each other after camp?
HoG does not support or encourage any contact between counselors and campers outside of HoG activities. Please be aware of this policy and ask your child NOT to exchange any contact information (e.g. phone number, email address) with his or her counselors.
We also suggest talking with your child about ways to protect their identity, appropriate material to post on internet profiles, and who it is okay to be “friends” with on social networking sites such as Facebook.

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How is Camp Wannaklot medically staffed?
Camp Wannaklot’s medical team consists of a hematologist who is the medical director, Hemophilia of Georgia’s outreach nurses, as well as a hematologists and nurses from the Hemophilia Treatment Centers. This unique team of medical professionals has a history with our campers from seeing them in the clinic and in the home.
How are campers given factor?
The medical team works together to set up a treatment plan for each camper. Cabin counselors work with the medical team to ensure that campers get their medications at the scheduled time.
What happens if my child has a bleed at camp?
A child who has a bleed at camp will go to the medical lodge accompanied by a counselor. There are doctors and nurses available at all times in the medical lodge.
Medications
Factor
Campers must bring an adequate supply of factor for the week. We will be able to provide all other supplies for infusions. Please do not pack infusion supplies to send to camp with your child. Please contact your child’s physician for advice on how much factor you should arrange to send with your child to camp. Your child’s physician will determine the treatment plan for your child. If you order factor from the HoG pharmacy, please call the HoG pharmacy no later than June 16, 2023 to have your child’s factor ordered and shipped to camp. The physician will order the infusion and/or prophylaxis treatment schedule for your child while he/she is at camp.

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Please Do Not Pack Factor In Your Child’s Luggage!
Factor should be packed separately in the original box or bag in which it was shipped. HoG staff will inventory the factor at camper check in.
You will receive documentation showing the factor used during the camp week. Any factor that is not used at camp will be returned to you when camp is over. Any factor from the HoG or Beacon pharmacy used for your child while at camp will be charged to your insurance or other payment source.
Other Medications
Please leave all medications in the original containers. These containers should have the child’s name and all information regarding the medication, including directions, name of medication, etc. Medications will not be accepted if they are not in the original containers.
All medications will be checked in and stored separately from factor. Please be sure to send a week’s supply of medications to camp with your child. HoG nurses will give medications according to the directions on medication bottles.
Medications, including factor, must be brought to check-in according to this process. Your child may be UNABLE to attend camp if he/she does not bring medications (including factor) to camp at the time of check-in.

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Helping your child adjust to camp
Quite often we have first time campers ask, “Can my mom come with me?” As a parent you might hear, “If I do not like it, do I have to stay?” It is very common for children to have some anxiety when leaving home for an extended period of time. For many, this will be the first time away from home. Upon arrival, the newness of the camp environment, making new friends, and the natural longing for the “old and familiar,” can cause homesickness.
Experience has taught us to expect the symptoms of homesickness to occur over the first two days of camp—often during rest period and at bedtime. Most often after a few reassuring conversations with counselors and with the security of new friends and activities, the homesickness goes away. Here are some tips to help prepare your child for camp and the possibility of homesickness:
Prior to Camp
Practice short overnights prior to camp. A night away at grandma’s house is an easier stepping stone than a week away at camp. We don’t recommend camp as your child’s first overnight experience.
Have a positive family attitude about camp. Avoid phrases such as “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” “I’m going to count the seconds until you return,” or “I’m worried that you’re going to get eaten by a bear.” These are just some of the things that parents can say that increase a camper’s anxiety about going away from home for a week.
Discuss expected camp activities. There are a lot of fun activities that are offered at camp. There are the climbing tower, zip line, archery, paddle boats, swimming, and biking just to name a few.
Give gentle encouragement that missing home is okay. Studies show that 95% of campers have at least one moment of feeling “homesick.” These feelings are completely normal and it helps for the child to know that those feelings are “okay.”
Avoid phrases such as, “If you stay until Wednesday, then we will come and pick you up.” Children are more likely to get homesick if they have low expectations of camp, felt forced to come to camp, or if their parents express doubt or anxiety about their going to camp.
During Camp
When writing letters to your child, avoid phrases such as “we miss you,” “wish you were here,” or detailed accounts of what siblings and the family are doing. Ask about camp activities, counselors, and special programs. Set a positive and encouraging tone in your letter.
Express your confidence in his/her ability to be away from home. Explain that the counselors are there to assist him or her.
If you feel the need to call and check on your child, you may call Camp Twin Lakes at 706-557-9070 or you may call the camp director’s cell phone at 404-218-0361 and leave a message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

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How do I contact my child at camp?
The camp address is:
(Camper Name)
Camp Wannaklot
c/o Camp Twin Lakes– Rutledge East
1391 Keencheefoonee Rd.
Rutledge, GA 30663
Camp Director’s Cell Phone: 404-218-0361
Cell phone reception is not guaranteed throughout the camp site, so you may not get the camp director immediately when you call. If you leave a message in the voice mailbox, we will return your call. Please see the “helping your child adjust to camp” section on the following pages. One of the strategies to prevent homesickness is that campers not speak to their parents over the phone during the week. If you need to contact your child, please leave a message and we can work out arrangements based on the situation. If for some reason you are having difficulty getting through to camp, contact the HoG office in Atlanta at 770-518-8272 or 1-800-866-4366. We will be checking in with the office daily.
Please remember cellphones are not permitted at camp for campers! We ask that you not try to sneak a phone in the socks or other methods. Please reach out to the Camp Director Kristi to assist you with checking in with your camper(s).

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Camper Mail
Letters at camp are ALWAYS welcome!
You can get mail to your camper 2 ways:
1. Mail them to camp: It takes a couple of days for mail to get to camp so please send letters early. We recommend sending packages and letters at least 1 week prior to camp to ensure their arrival.
Please put your child's name, Camp Wannaklot, and the address noted below when sending mail. PLEASE do not send any food or any of the items listed on page 18 of this booklet.
2. Drop off letter/package (s) for your camper at check in. If doing this you must follow the following guidelines in order to take this option.
A. Limit to 5 pieces of mail for the week
B. Each piece of mail must have the campers name and day you would like them to receive the mail on the it.
C. These packages should not contain any food!
Note: If you choose this method, you will drop off all the mail in the bin at check in and it will be sorted before mail time on Monday.
The camp address is:
Camp Wannaklot
c/o Camp Twin Lakes—Rutledge East
1391 Keencheefoonee Rd.
Rutledge, GA 30663

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Camper Check In and Check Out
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be offering bus transportation to or from Camp Wannaklot this year.
If you need assistance with transportation, please contact your HoG Social Worker.
Every camper will be given an assigned time to check in and check out of camp. Check in/check out will be done by assigned camper groups.
It is vitally important that you are ON TIME to drop off and pick up your camper.
Please do not arrive early at Camp Twin Lakes, as we will not be prepared to check your camper in to or out of camp.
You will not be allowed to walk around camp at this time. Please remember neither smoking nor pets are allowed at Camp Twin Lakes.
Camper Check In on Sunday, July 2
-Please have a copy of your camper’s negative COVID PCR test results. If you are unable to get a test prior to arrival ,you will be directed to a different line for a rapid test to be preformed on site.
-Remember to bring all your camper’s medications and pack them separately from camper’s luggage.
Pick Up Your Child on Friday, July 7
-At least one adult in the car must have a photo ID and be on the list of Authorized Adults.

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Camp Twin Lakes
From Atlanta
Take I-20 East (toward Augusta) to exit #105 (Newborn/Rutledge). Turn left off the exit and travel over I-20 approximately half a mile. Take your first right at the stop sign onto Davis Academy Road. Travel one mile to the stop sign at Centennial Road. Turn right. Travel one mile to Keencheefoonee Road. Turn left on Keencheefoonee Rd. Turn right on Camp Twin Lakes Road.
From Tifton / Macon
Take I-75 North to Exit #187 (Hwy 83). Travel Hwy. 83 into Monticello and continue until you reach I-20. Take I-20 West towards Atlanta. Exit #105 (Newborn / Rutledge) and turn right. Take your first right at the stop sign onto Davis Academy Road. Travel one mile to the stop sign at Centennial Road. Turn right. Travel one mile to Keencheefoonee Road. Turn left on Keencheefoonee Rd. Turn right on Camp Twin Lakes Road.
From Augusta
I-20 West towards Atlanta. Exit #105 (Newborn / Rutledge) and turn right. Take your first right at the stop sign onto Davis Academy Road. Travel one mile to the stop sign at Centennial Road. Turn right. Travel one mile to Keencheefoonee Road. Turn left on Keencheefoonee Rd. Turn right on Camp Twin Lakes Road.
At Camp
We will be doing drive thru check in. Please follow the signs and directions of CTL staff and HoG staff/volunteers on where to go. You will not get out of the car or park it in the parking lot during this process.

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What does my child need to bring to camp?
Please mark your camper’s name on each item that he or she brings to camp. For our youngest campers and those who are at camp for the first time, we suggest packing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts into a Ziploc bag and labeling the bag with the day it should be worn. This helps your child and the camp counselors get through the morning a little quicker.
Suggested Items to Ensure a Fun & Safe Camp Week
A smile
A mask for each day
8 Pairs of shorts and t-shirts (1 for each day, plus 2 extra)
1 Pair of long pants (some activities require this)
8 Pairs of socks and underwear
2 Swim suits
Pajamas
Rain jacket
Sweat shirt (the air-conditioned cabins can get cold)
Closed-toe shoes such as sneakers are required for most camp activities
Shower shoes (flip flops)
Set of twin sheets (top and bottom) and blanket or sleeping bag
Pillow and pillow case
2 Bath towels and a washcloth
1 Beach towel
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, comb, and brush
Medications, factor, and inhalers
Sun block and bug spray
Optional Items
Book
Stationary, pen, and stamps
Flashlight

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The following is a list of items that campers are not permitted to bring to camp.
Do Not Bring
Cell phones
Electronics of any kind: games, music players, radios, etc.
Tobacco, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes
Alcohol or non-prescription drugs
Food/candy/drinks– of any form– we will provide any food needs for all campers
Matches
Heelys shoes (the sneakers with wheels in the sole)
Knives (even pocket knives) or any kind of weapon
Scooters
Squirt guns
Shirts with objectionable messages
Jewelry or other valuables
Money - campers will not need any!
We would like to offer our campers the whole camp experience–the beauty of nature found at camp, the opportunity to make new friends, and the ability to escape their “everyday” routine for a week.
We ask parents to partner with us and keep your child’s electronics and cell phone at home for the week of camp. If any of these items are brought to camp, they will be taken away from the camper and returned to the camper’s parent at the end of the camp session.

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Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG) is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization and a premier provider of programs and services for people who have hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease, and other inherited bleeding disorders. HoG is devoted to enhancing the health and wellness of the bleeding disorders community by providing excellence in comprehensive healthcare, education, advocacy, and the support of research to transform lives. Since 1973, Hemophilia of Georgia has been providing blood clotting medications, home infusion training, educational programs, and clinical services. Dedicated to their mission, the people at Hemophilia of Georgia know it takes more than medicine to support the bleeding disorder community and look forward to the day when we live in a world where people live free from bleeding disorders.
The only agency of its kind in the state, Hemophilia of Georgia works to enhance clients’ care and quality of life while actively pursuing a cure through research funding. HoG’s nonprofit pharmacy provides convenient home delivery of clotting factor and other medications at competitive prices.
Contact Kristi Fulford, Camp Wannaklot’s Director, for more information about Camp Wannaklot and other volunteer opportunities at Hemophilia of Georgia.
Kristi Fulford
kffulford@hog.org
770-518-8272 X 330
Hemophilia of Georgia
8607 Roberts Drive, Suite 150
Sandy Springs, GA 30350-2237
www.hog.org
770.518.8272
800.866.4366