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1. How old do you have to be to attend this camp? Are there any age limitations?
This camp is designed for campers aged 14-18. Campers should not have attended college yet, but they are eligible if they have just graduated from high school.
2. Is this camp best suited for beginning, intermediate or advanced players?
We are lucky to have campers each session who have a wide variety of ultimate experience. In the past, we have had players who were brand-new to the sport, as well as campers from some of the top high school programs in the country.
Our staff is dedicated to providing challenging instruction for all individuals; each player will be matched up with someone of her/his ability and speed as much as possible. Since our counselor-to-camper ratio is 1:8, there will be plenty of time for individualized instruction.
3. How difficult is the training portion of this camp? What kind of shape should I be in?
In order to get the maximum from this camp, we suggest arriving at camp in VERY GOOD aerobic shape. This means that each camper should have been running and sprinting during the weeks leading up to camp. Do not expect this camp to get you into shape. Expect us to build on the foundation that you have already established. If you do not arrive at camp ready to play hard, you most likely will sustain some type of minor injury which will force you to sit out some of the sessions.
Each day features double sessions of ultimate, which culminates in an all-camp tournament at the end of the session. You’ll have a lot more fun if you can participate fully in everything we do.
4. What do we do when we are not playing ultimate?
After camp each day, we offer a late afternoon recreational hour with a variety of activities to choose from, such as swimming, disc golf, Goaltimate etc. Evening activities include Movie Night, Trade Night, and the ever-popular Talent Show. And, no, not everyone has to participate in the Talent Show, but remember that "talent" is very loosely defined at NUTC.
5. How are the dorms and food?
The most important item to bring in order to ensure a good night's sleep is A FAN!! The dorms are hot and not
air-conditioned.
All campers and counselors are housed in the Gould Dorm on the Northfield campus. Most campers will share a double room, and sheets and pillows are NOT provided. Do not forget your bed linen, including a pillow.
The cafeteria is located within the dorm and can accommodate any camper’s special dietary needs. There is always a wide variety to choose from for all meals. However, there is no place to buy snacks anywhere near the dorm and we cannot shuttle campers to supermarkets. If you are the type of person who wants a snack a few hours after dinner, you should bring that with you.
6. Where do the campers come from?
We are truly a NATIONAL training camp and attract campers from throughout the U.S. In 2005, we had campers from Alaska, California, Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia AND South Africa! In 2007, we were joined by players from Colombia, South America. We obviously have a strong representation from the Northeast, although fewer than 25% of our total campers are from the Amherst area.
Part of what makes the camp so much fun is the friendships that develop among ultimate players from all over the country! It will probably be impossible to attend an ultimate tournament after leaving camp and NOT run into someone from NUTC!
7. Who are your counselors?
We are lucky to have some of the finest players and coaches in the country as part of our counselor staff. While the names change slightly every year, we expect to have many of the '07 counselors returning. Their names are listed on the staff page.
8. What kind of supervision is provided?
Our camp director Tiina Booth is on site at all times and she closely oversees the staff and campers. Our assistant directors in 2008 will be George Cooke and Micah Flynn. They, along with all of our counselors, work very hard to ensure that players are kept safe and happy throughout the week. We have a nurse on site during the day at camp and throughout the night in the dormitory. At night, we have a 10:30 curfew (it used to be 11 p.m., but the campers asked for an earlier curfew a few years ago, because they were so tired and didn't want to feel obligated to stay awake). Players are monitored throughout their stay for unhealthy or unsafe behavior and everyone is expected to adhere to the behavior contract which they must sign in order to come to camp. Anyone who breaks the contract will leave camp immediately. In short, we do our best to make this the safest possible experience for everyone.
1. What do I need in order to register?
In order to register, just go to the LSSE site at www.lsse.org Please note that we need medical information and immunization records that are valid within the last two years of the date of the session you will attend. If you registered last year, email Erika at cumpse@amherstma.gov and she will check if your information is still up-to-date.
Once you are registered, you will receive another set of forms that needs to be filled out and sent back. This may seem like a lot of paperwork, but all of this is necessary to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.
2. I am planning on coming to two consecutive sessions. What should I do between sessions?
NUTC is unable to provide room, board or supervision for those two days between sessions. The dorms have to be cleaned and the staff needs a few days off to prepare for the next session. Other campers in this situation have made arrangements to travel to Boston or Cape Cod, tour New England colleges, or visit with friends or relatives. That is completely up to you. Our supervision of all campers starts at 2 p.m every Saturday and ends at 12:30 p.m. every Thursday.
3. When should I arrive and depart if I am traveling by car?
Each session starts on Saturday afternoon. You should plan on arriving between 2 and 4 p.m. at the Gould Dormitory on the Northfield campus of the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA. DO NOT go to the Mt. Hermon campus in Gill. There will be plenty of signs to direct you when you arrive on campus.
Each session ends the following Thursday at noon. No lunch will be served that day and the dorm and lounges must be left clean. You should make arrangements to be picked up no later than 12:30.
4. When should I arrive and depart if I am traveling by plane?
If you are flying, you should fly into Bradley Airport in Hartford, Connecticut. We will provide one free shuttle to Bradley to pick up campers who arrive between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The bus will leave Bradley at 2 p.m to return to the Northfield campus.
If you are flying in later than 1 p.m., or if your flight is delayed, you must make your own arrangements to get to Northfield. Our recommended service is Thomas Transportation, which you can call toll-free at 1-800-526-8143. Their website is www.thomastransportaion.com Valley Transporter also provides shuttle service and they can be reached at 413-253-1350
You should schedule your departing flight on Thursday for 3 p.m. or later. We will provide one free bus shuttle which will leave at noon from campus. Again, if you are flying out much later in the day, you can call one of the transportation service.
Is there a key deposit? How much? Can the deposit be in cash?
There is a $50 key deposit that will be returned to your child when we receive her/his key at the end of the session. NO cash will be accepted. Please make the check out to Town of Amherst and put your child’s name in the memo section.
5. If I am a day camper, when and where should I arrive and depart camp every day?
Day campers enjoy full meal plans, so you should be dropped off at the dining hall between 7:30 and 8 a.m.
At night you should be picked up around 10 p.m. by parking lot near the Gould Dormitory.
6. Will any of the sessions sell out?
In 2007, we had 278 campers spread out over all three sessions. Our maximum is 100 campers per week, or 300 campers total. We are almost positive that all weeks will sell out in 2008, so make sure you register as soon as possible, particularly if you want to attend with a friend.
7. How do I avoid paying the late fee?
This is simple. Make sure all of your registration materials are received by LSSE by the deadline, which is June 6, 2008. After that, you can still register for camp, provided it is not sold out, but you will have to pay $50 more. We need this early deadline in order to make arrangements for staffing.
8. How do I apply to be a counselor?
Currently we are not hiring any new staff. However, since we anticipate increased growth in the next few years, please send a brief email to Tiina at tiina@nutc.net if you are interested.
Please include a description of your ultimate, camp, coaching, or teaching experience.