Communication |
| Q: | How do I contact Camp? |
| A: | Email is the fastest way to reach us. Please send questions to: clmteam@ymcaeastbay.org
If you need to call, you may leave a message at 650-879-0223. We will return your call as soon as we are able.
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| Q: | Can I send mail to camp? |
| A: | Campers and parents are encouraged to write letters during the session. Campers love receiving mail - it's a highlight of the week - and parents enjoy hearing about their child's camp adventures.
Mailing Address:
YMCA Camp Loma Mar
Attn: Camper Name, Week
9900 Pescadero Creek Rd.
Loma Mar CA 94021
Please note that even overnight or priority mail typically takes 3-4 days to reach camp, and regular mail can take 5+ days.
Hot Tip: Because mail delivery can take a few days, you may also choose to drop off envelopes at the check-in table on Sunday. Camp staff will deliver mail at meal times during the week.
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| Q: | Can I call my child at Camp? |
| A: | In the event of an emergency, you may call the camp office at 650-879-0223. If you reach our voicemail, please leave a message and include your child’s first and last name, their session number, and which camp program they are attending. We will return your call as soon as we are able.
Please be assured: if there is ever an emergency or a concern involving your camper, camp staff will contact you directly.
At camp, no news is good news!
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| Q: | Can I send a care package? |
| A: | We know families like to send a little love from home — and care packages can be a fun surprise! However, we do not allow food items.
Campers are not allowed to keep food in their cabins. If food is sent, access to it is limited to once per day. We provide healthy meals, fruit is available at all times, and snacks can be purchased at the Camp Store.
You are welcome to send fun, non-food items such as comic books, playing cards, small games, toys, photos, or stuffed animals.
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| Q: | How do I send messages to my child? |
| A: | You have the option to send a short message to your camper. Messages will be limited to one per day. Messages are delivered to campers at mealtime Monday through Thursday.
Separate instructions will be provided on how to register for this service in our pre-camp email that is sent in May.
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Cabin/Lodging |
| Q: | Can I request my child's friend to be in the same cabin? |
| A: | Please know that cabin mate requests must be mutual (other parent must request your child) with campers in the same program within one year of age of one another. We will do our best to honor these requests based on overall camp enrollment and provided they are made at least two weeks prior to start of camp. Our online registration asks for cabin mate requests; do not email the Camp Office with cabin mate requests.
Note: Making new friends is a big part of the camp experience!
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| Q: | How are campers placed in cabins? |
| A: | Campers are placed in cabins based on their assigned village (Cubs, Bobcats, Mountain Lions) and by age. We aim to keep no more than a two-year age difference within each cabin group. Actual cabin assignments may vary slightly depending on the ages of campers registered for each session.
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| Q: | What is the all-gender cabin? |
| A: | Camp Loma Mar offers an All-Gender cabin option during each traditional camp age group week. This cabin is open to any camper who feels most comfortable in a gender-inclusive space.
Campers should select the cabin option that best aligns with their gender identity (Male cabin, Female cabin, or All-Gender cabin). The All-Gender cabin is a welcoming space designed to support campers who are transgender, nonbinary, gender-fluid, or who simply prefer that environment.
If you have specific questions about privacy, medications, or other needs related to gender inclusion, please reach out to Mary Sullivan at msullivan@ymcaeastbay.org
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| Q: | What are the "villages" at camp (Cubs, Bobcats, Mountain Lions? |
| A: | Campers at Loma Mar are grouped into “Villages” based on age. This helps campers build friendships with peers in similar developmental stages and ensures age-appropriate programming.
• Cubs – rising 2nd–3rd graders
Cubs are our youngest traditional campers. Cabin groups focus on building friendships, discovering the outdoors, and trying new activities together. This village is all about exploring, growing, and feeling at home at camp.
• Bobcats – typically rising 4th–5th graders
Bobcats build skills, confidence, and responsibility through hands-on experiences and age-appropriate challenges. Counselors guide campers to make choices, work together, and be part of a supportive camp community.
• Mountain Lions – typically rising 6th–8th graders
Mountain Lions lean into leadership, teamwork, and more advanced camp activities. They often have more choice-based scheduling, and a bit more freedom to build ownership in their camp experience.
Each Village has multiple cabins and each cabin has a consistent counselor team assigned all week.
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Camp Store |
| Q: | Is there a camp store? Should I send money? |
| A: | Yes! Our Camp Store carries items such as water bottles, stuffed animals, bandanas, and other souvenirs. A limited number of snacks and drinks are also available for purchase. Snacks are $1-3.
We suggest $20–$25 per week as a good amount of store money. You can add funds directly to your camper’s store account through the registration portal.
Please note: any unused Camp Store funds will be donated to the camp scholarship fund.
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| Q: | How do I add money to my child's camp store account? |
| A: | Instructions for Adding Money to the Camp Store Account:
Log into Your UltraCamp Account: Visit the UltraCamp login page and enter your credentials.
Navigate to the Store Deposit Section: Once logged in, look for the section labeled Store Deposits or similar, depending on your camp's setup.
Add Money to the Account: Enter the desired amount you wish to add to the camp store account.
Follow the prompts to complete the payment process.
Confirm the Transaction: After completing the payment, you should receive a confirmation that the funds have been added to the account.
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Payment |
| Q: | How do I make a payment? |
| A: | Log into yourUltraCamp account: You will use your email and password.
Access the payment section:
Click on the menu in the upper left corner (three lines).
Expand My Account.
Select Finances.
Make a payment:
Look for the option to make a payment or view your balance. Follow the prompts to enter payment details and complete the transaction.
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| Q: | How do I check my payment plan? |
| A: | Log into your UltraCamp account: Use your registered email and password.
Access the payment section:
Click on the menu in the upper left corner (three lines).
Expand My Account.
Select Finances.
To see your payment plan, expand the Scheduled Payments section under Finances. If this option is not visible, it means there are no scheduled payments on your account.
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| Q: | Do You Charge Payment Processing Fees? |
| A: | ACH payments can be made at no charge.
Credit card payments include a 3% processing fee, which helps us offset bank/merchant costs and keep overall camp fees as low as possible for families.
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Cancellation/Refunds |
| Q: | What is your Cancellation & Refund Policy? |
| A: | All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. In cases of homesickness, dismissal, or voluntary withdrawal, there is no refund of fees.
Session cancellations must be received no later than May 1, 2026 to be eligible for a refund, minus the deposit.
Session cancellations received after May 1, 2026, but more than two weeks prior to the start of the session, will result in a refund of 50% of camp fees, less the deposit.
**Cancellations received less than two weeks prior to the session start date are not eligible for a refund.
If a camper does not show for the session, there is no refund.
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| Q: | Can I cancel my camp reservation? |
| A: | All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Session cancellations must be received no later than May 1, 2026.
Cancellations received prior to May 1, 2026, will be eligible for a refund, minus the deposit.
Session cancellations received after May 1, 2026, but more than two weeks prior to the start of the session, will result in a refund of 50% of camp fees, less the deposit.
Cancellations received less than two weeks prior to the session start date are not eligible for a refund.
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Cell Phone/Electronics |
| Q: | Why Don’t You Allow Cell Phones or Electronics at Camp? |
| A: | Camp is intentionally screen-free so campers can unplug, explore, and build confidence outside of their comfort zone. When campers are not anchored to a device, they are more likely to take healthy risks, try new activities, make eye contact, and form real friendships.
Research in youth development consistently shows that time in nature increases attention, lowers stress, and improves social connection — and that excessive screen time competes with those benefits. Being device-free gives campers the opportunity to be fully present in the moment and more engaged with their group, their counselors, and the outdoors.
Camp is one of the few places left where kids can disconnect from screens, reconnect with each other, and rediscover who they are — without notifications getting in the way.
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Parent Portal |
| Q: | What is a friend account? |
| A: | A friend account in UltraCamp allows other users to send one-way emails to campers registered for a specific account and/or view photos from the account's session. These accounts are initiated by the Primary Contact. The Primary Contact creates a code, determines the permission level, and sends an invitation to create a Friend Account.
Setup Process: The Primary Contact creates a code and sets permissions. An invitation is sent to the friend via email. The recipient logs in or creates an account and uses the link in the email to connect the accounts.
Permissions: The permissions and connection passphrase can be modified later by editing the Friend Account settings.
Cost: There is no cost to set up a Friend Account, but downloading photos may incur a cost depending on camp's settings.
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Log-In Issues |
| Q: | How do I reset my log-in information? |
| A: | Access the Login Page: Navigate to the UltraCamp login page.
Click on "Forgot Your Password?": On the login screen, locate and click the "Forgot Your Password?" link.
Enter Your Email Address: Provide the email address associated with your UltraCamp account.
Check Your Email: UltraCamp will send a password reset link to the email address you entered. Open your email inbox and look for the message.
Follow the Reset Link: Click the link in the email to access the password reset page.
Create a New Password: Enter a new password and confirm it. Make sure it meets any specified password requirements.
Log In with the New Password: Return to the login page and use your email and the newly created password to log in.
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| Q: | I reset my password and I still am having issues logging in to UltraCamp. |
| A: | Tips for Success: If you do not receive the reset email, check your spam or junk folder. Ensure you are using the correct email address associated with your account.
Important: It can take up to 15 minutes for the reset link to appear in your inbox! The reset link is only valid for 12 hours and can only be used once.
For further assistance, email clmteam@ymcaeastbay.org to have your password manually reset or to confirm your email address on the account.
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Lost and Found |
| Q: | What Happens to Lost and Found? |
| A: | We manage lost and found items throughout each camp session. On Friday check-out, please take a moment to look through our display of unclaimed items.
If you discover something is missing once you return home, call the camp office as soon as possible. Items not claimed within two weeks after the session will be donated to a local charity.
To help prevent items from ending up in lost and found, please be sure to label your camper’s name on all personal belongings before camp.
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Photos |
| Q: | How do I see photos of my child at camp? |
| A: | Log into Your UltraCamp Account: Use your registered email and password to access your account.
Access the Photo Gallery: Click on the menu in the upper left corner (three lines).
Select Photo Gallery from the menu options.
Browse Photos:
Choose the session and category (if applicable) to view the photos.
Download Photos (if allowed):
If downloading is enabled, you can select and download photos. There may be a fee for downloading, depending on the camp's settings.
Please note - Photos may not be available immediately. Rest assured photos are being taken daily and will be uploaded when time allows.
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Transportation |
| Q: | How do I add transportation? Can I add just one-way? |
| A: | We have limited spots available to purchase bus transportation with options to select one-way or roundtrip.
During Registration: When registering your camper, you will see transportation options (e.g., Parent driven, bus from Oakland YMCA, bus from EM Downer YMCA). Select the desired transportation option from the list provided.
After Registration: If transportation needs to be added/changed after the initial registration, you can log into your UltraCamp account. Navigate to the camper's reservation details.
Look for the section where additional options or services can be added and select the transportation option.
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Weekend Holdovers |
| Q: | Can Campers Stay at Camp Over the Weekend if They Are Signed Up for Two Weeks? |
| A: | Due to camp cleaning needs and staff time off, we are not able to offer weekend holdovers. Campers may not remain on site between sessions.
If your camper is enrolled for two consecutive weeks, they may ride the bus home on Friday and/or return on Sunday for the second week at no charge. Please email clmteam@ymcaeastbay.org to request bus transportation for the between-weekend dates.
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Behavior at Camp |
| Q: | What is your behavior policy at camp? |
| A: | At camp, we foster an environment based on friendship, respect, and character development. Campers are expected to follow camp rules, treat others with care, and contribute positively to their cabin community.
If a camper is unable to follow the rules of camp, or if their behavior negatively impacts the experience or safety of others, they may be dismissed from camp. If this occurs, parents/guardians will be contacted and must come to camp to pick up their child.
No refunds are issued if a camper is sent home due to behavior.
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