Hancock Information for Students and Families

Students are expected to attend Hancock, though we understand if some unavoidable commitments make doing so impossible. If students cannot attend, they (or their parents/guardians) should reach out to Ms. Borman. Students should also complete the Hancock RSVP Form to confirm their participation and transportation. Note, there will not be a separate RSVP form for parents/guardians to complete.

• Camp Fuller Landline: 401-783-5359
• Jackson Elliott: 617-888-2518, jelliott@commschool.org
• Jennifer Borman: jborman@commschool.org
• Rebecca Jackman: 617-680-8682, rjackman@commschool.org
• Stephanie Poynter: 617-266-7525, spoynter@commschool.org

We encourage students to limit use of smartphones over the weekend, so please resist the temptation to text or call your child unless absolutely necessary.

Address: YMCA Camp Fuller, Camp Fuller Road, South Kingstown, RI 02879

Though late May should bring pleasant weather, we will still be next to the ocean—and our sleeping cabins are not insulated. It remains critical that students pack a warm sleeping bag and warm layers. Please contact Jackson Elliott if you need to borrow a sleeping bag.

Students should also label belongings, particularly duffle bags, sleeping bags, tents, and other nondescript bags! 

Essential Gear

• Bagged lunch for Wednesday 
• A warm sleeping bag (Please contact Jackson Elliott if you need to borrow a sleeping bag.)
• Tent—only needed if sleeping outside
• Extra tarp—only needed if sleeping outside
• Insect repellant (preferably one effective against ticks, mosquitoes, and blackflies; also see “Health and Safety” below)
• Sunscreen
• Raincoat
• Warm jacket
• Toilet articles
• Flashlight
• Towel
• Two pairs of solid shoes
• Several changes of warm clothes
• Pillow and pillow case
• High-quality mask

Optional Gear 

• Reusable water bottle and/or mug 
• Camera
• Compass
• Binoculars
• Musical instruments
• Books
• Games
• Sports equipment
• Plastic bags (for field clothes; also see “Health and Safety” below)
• Bathing suit (swimming will be weather and lifeguard dependent)

Gear Check/Inspection 

For those camping, we strongly recommend conducting a thorough gear check as you pack: Do you have all of your tent stakes? Are there any holes in the outer tent/rain fly? Etc.

Electronic Devices

We aim to maximize social interactions at Hancock and discourage students from bringing electronic devices, other than a phone. Some students and faculty elect to go device-free. 

Weather Forecast

Please check the weather forecast for South Kingstown, Rhode Island, as you pack. Remember we will be next to the ocean! If rain is likely, make sure that sleeping bags and suitcases are in labeled plastic bags so they don't get wet.

All students will be given the option of sleeping in a cabin or tent. The school can provide some tents, if needed. Students will be given the opportunity to request cabin/tent groups. They will then be assigned to sleeping spaces, confirmed the week of Hancock, with their preferences taken into consideration. After arriving at Hancock, students cannot change their sleeping arrangements unless they have special permission from our “Night Owl” (evening/overnight chaperone), Mr. Letarte.

With the exception of the bagged lunch on Wednesday, which students need to supply themselves, all meals will be provided by student kitchen crews. They will prepare each meal with faculty or staff supervision in a commercial kitchen. Snacks will be provided as well.

Please note: 

• Students with severe allergies and food restrictions should coordinate their needs with Ms. Dale and Mr. Hodgkins before departure and Ms. Sundberg, Mr. Gold, and Mr. Korta while at Hancock.
• Students are welcome to bring their own food if they wish, including food that meets special dietary needs. They can store perishables in the camp kitchen refrigerator. 
• Beverages, including water and hot coffee, tea, and cocoa, will be available. We recommend packing a water bottle as well as a canteen or mug for hot beverages. 

Coach buses will transport students, along with faculty and staff chaperones. Buses will leave the school promptly at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21. Please contact the front office (617-266-7525) if you are sick or running late. Also see our pickup protocol for Friday under “Schedule.”

Alternatively, students may arrange their own transportation to and from Hancock if needed. Please note that students cannot drive themselves or other students. Students will indicate whether they will take the bus or arrange alternate transportation to and from Camp Fuller in the Hancock RSVP Form.

Note: If a student tests positive for COVID while at Camp Fuller, their emergency contact will be called to come pick them up. If you think you may be unable to pick up your child at Hancock, please arrange for a designated alternate. The student will wait in a quarantined area until their ride arrives.

Student jobs/crew assignments and daily schedules of activities will be shared in advance of the trip and posted at camp. Students may reach out to Mr. MacDonnell or Mr. Elliott with questions in the meantime. 

In addition to morning activities, unstructured time in the afternoons, and the traditional talent show and dance, students might join faculty and staff for:

• Hiking
• Soccer
• Gab
• Card games
• Archery (with trained Camp Fuller staff)
• Climbing (with trained Camp Fuller staff)
• Playing music (bring your instruments!)

Weather and lifeguard availability permitting, boating and swimming may also be available.

Medical Care and Illness

An EMT will be at the camp during the day. Students, faculty, and staff should contact the EMT or the nearest faculty or staff member IMMEDIATELY if they begin to feel unwell at any point.

We will call 911 in the case of a medical emergency. The nearest emergency medical facility is South County Hospital’s Wakefield Branch in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

Students, faculty, and staff must stay home if they feel sick the morning of our departure, as they would for any other school day.

If an individual tests positive for COVID while at Camp Fuller, that person will be taken to a designated isolation area, and a student's emergency contact will be called to pick them up. Our expectation is that students will be picked up as soon as possible. If you think you may be unable to pick up your child at Hancock should the need arise, please arrange for a designated alternate driver. 

Tick Prevention and Checks

We remind students and families to take precautions to limit tick exposure, including the following: 

• Pants should be tucked into socks or boots to prevent tick-to-skin contact.
• Students should pack extra pairs of long pants and socks, insect repellent for ticks, and permethrin for treating the outside of their tent if they are going to field tent.
• Students who have been out in the fields or woods should do self tick-checks as soon as they come in, then shower and put on clean clothes. Worn field clothes should get tied up in plastic bags and kept separate from their clean clothes. 
• Students should conduct a thorough tick check upon returning home, as ticks can remain attached for up to thirty-six hours.

Lifeguard

Swimming will only be offered if the camp’s lifeguard is available. Boating may be available with faculty-staff supervision as well. All water-related activities are weather permitting.