Health and Medical Care at Camp
Michigan State Law requires that all campers provide the camp with their health history and parent/guardian signed release statements for any health care. Campers will not be accepted at Check-In without a completed health form. Michigan law also requires that all medication (prescription & non-prescription) be stored in the camp’s Health Facilities and dispensed by the Camp Health Officer. Your camper's health history and other medical requirements are collected during the online registration process. All information is due by June 1st.
Camp Health Officer
The camp Health Officer provides first-aid care for campers, distributes medications, and deals with any emergencies which may occur. The camp Health Officer is available 24 hours a day to assist campers with medical needs. Ambulance and hospital care are available 15 minutes from the camp. Transportation is provided by the Assistant Camp Director and the Health Officer, as appropriate.
Medications
All medications must be submitted to the Health Officer at Check-In in their original packaging (prescription bottles with name of prescribing physician and medication dosing). Medication will be distributed to campers at meals and before bed time by the Health Officer. Please be sure to give specific directions for when your child is supposed to receive their medication on the Health History form. The Health Officer will be present at Registration to collect any and all medications.
Special Accommodations or Health Concerns
Arrangements for enrolling children with physical limitations, medical concerns, or cognitive/social disabilities must be made prior to submitting the camp application. Examples include but are not limited to diabetes, life-threatening allergies, inject-able medications, mobility concerns, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, etc. To help MASTA Camp staff properly prepare for your camper, submit detailed information regarding your child's needs with your application. MASTA Camp is a learning environment and any accommodations that your child needs in order to learn successfully should be communicated to the Camp Director. If your child has an IEP or a 504 Plan at their school this is information that would be extremely valuable to the counselors and instructional staff at camp. Please email for further information prior to registering, and submit detailed information when you register.
Food Accommodations
The Howell Nature Center provides the food and kitchen staff for all of our meals at camp. The menu at camp is planned in advance and meals are restricted to the menu provided. Whatever is served for the meal is all that is available unless arrangements have been made in advance due to individual dietary restrictions. There are vegetarian options available at each meal, however the Camp Director must be notified if your child is a vegetarian so the Howell Nature Center kitchen staff knows how much of the vegetarian option to prepare. The Howell Nature Center is able to provide gluten free options, however arrangements must be made in advance and options are limited. If your child is not able to consume menu items due to a significant health restriction such as a life threatening allergy or a serious gastrointestinal disease, you may supplement our menu with personal food or beverage. Supplemental food and/or beverages for health issues must be submitted at Check-In and will be distributed at meal times. Some limitations apply. Call or email for further details and arrangements after enrolling.
Camp Health Officer
The camp Health Officer provides first-aid care for campers, distributes medications, and deals with any emergencies which may occur. The camp Health Officer is available 24 hours a day to assist campers with medical needs. Ambulance and hospital care are available 15 minutes from the camp. Transportation is provided by the Assistant Camp Director and the Health Officer, as appropriate.
Medications
All medications must be submitted to the Health Officer at Check-In in their original packaging (prescription bottles with name of prescribing physician and medication dosing). Medication will be distributed to campers at meals and before bed time by the Health Officer. Please be sure to give specific directions for when your child is supposed to receive their medication on the Health History form. The Health Officer will be present at Registration to collect any and all medications.
Special Accommodations or Health Concerns
Arrangements for enrolling children with physical limitations, medical concerns, or cognitive/social disabilities must be made prior to submitting the camp application. Examples include but are not limited to diabetes, life-threatening allergies, inject-able medications, mobility concerns, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, etc. To help MASTA Camp staff properly prepare for your camper, submit detailed information regarding your child's needs with your application. MASTA Camp is a learning environment and any accommodations that your child needs in order to learn successfully should be communicated to the Camp Director. If your child has an IEP or a 504 Plan at their school this is information that would be extremely valuable to the counselors and instructional staff at camp. Please email for further information prior to registering, and submit detailed information when you register.
Food Accommodations
The Howell Nature Center provides the food and kitchen staff for all of our meals at camp. The menu at camp is planned in advance and meals are restricted to the menu provided. Whatever is served for the meal is all that is available unless arrangements have been made in advance due to individual dietary restrictions. There are vegetarian options available at each meal, however the Camp Director must be notified if your child is a vegetarian so the Howell Nature Center kitchen staff knows how much of the vegetarian option to prepare. The Howell Nature Center is able to provide gluten free options, however arrangements must be made in advance and options are limited. If your child is not able to consume menu items due to a significant health restriction such as a life threatening allergy or a serious gastrointestinal disease, you may supplement our menu with personal food or beverage. Supplemental food and/or beverages for health issues must be submitted at Check-In and will be distributed at meal times. Some limitations apply. Call or email for further details and arrangements after enrolling.
Check-In
Check-In will take place at the main lodge during the times listed below. We do not accommodate early check-ins.
Please bring the following to registration:
Check-In Times:
Session 1: 9:00-10:00 AM
Session 2: 1:30-3:00 PM
Session 3: 2:00-4:00 PM
Please bring the following to registration:
- Negative COVID test, for unvaccinated campers only
- Prescription Medicines (in original bottles)
Check-In Times:
Session 1: 9:00-10:00 AM
Session 2: 1:30-3:00 PM
Session 3: 2:00-4:00 PM
Final Concert
On the final day of camp parents are invited to attend the Camp Concert to see and hear the end result of their child's experience at camp. Check-Out Immediately follows the end of the concert presentation.
We have frequently received requests for a DVD of the final camp concert but, because of copyright laws, we are not able to provide that service. You are welcome to bring your own cameras and record for your home videos.
Final Concert Start Times:
Session 1: 7:30 PM
Session 2: 2:30 PM
Session 3: 10:30 AM
We have frequently received requests for a DVD of the final camp concert but, because of copyright laws, we are not able to provide that service. You are welcome to bring your own cameras and record for your home videos.
Final Concert Start Times:
Session 1: 7:30 PM
Session 2: 2:30 PM
Session 3: 10:30 AM
Check-Out
Campers will have all of their belongings packed prior to parents arriving at camp. After the final performance parents must go to the Check-Out location WITH their camper. Parents/Guardians, or other authorized adult, must have a legal photo ID with them in order to check their child out of camp. Upon Check-Out you will receive any and all remaining medications and/or personal food items that were presented at Check-In. Once you have checked out you will be presented with a card that you must give to the camp staff member upon exiting camp grounds. You cannot exit the grounds without presenting the card to the staff member.
Directions to CampCamp is held at the Howell Nature Center in Howell, MI.
Located 6 miles south of I-96, between Howell and Pinckney. 1005 Triangle Lake Road, Howell, MI 48843 When you arrive there will be signs with the MASTA Camp logo directing you to check-in, as well as MASTA Camp Staff directing you to parking. |
What to Bring to Camp
Linens - bedding (sheets and blankets or sleeping bag), pillow, bath towels, beach towel, wash cloth. The cabins are air conditioned and it can get chilly at night. Please make sure to have adequate bedding and towels as we do not supply these for campers.
Clothing - sport clothes for warm and cool weather, 1 pair of closed-toe comfortable/athletic shoes for recreation, flip-flops or rubber shoes are nice for wearing into the shower, swimsuit, rain gear, concert outfit (casual slacks, top and shoes are fine; girls may wear a
dress if they like.)
Instrument - Be sure you have your bow! If possible, a set of extra strings, rosin, your soft cleaning towel, a folding
music stand with your name on each part. Please clearly put your name on your instrument case and music stand...many others
will look exactly like yours!!
Miscellaneous:
- a water bottle
- insect repellent
- sunscreen
- toiletries (soap, toothbrush, shampoo, etc.)
- a dirty clothes bag (a pillow case works great!)
- a good book and/or a quiet activity to do alone during "Rest Hour"
- Cameras: campers are encouraged to bring either a disposable camera or digital camera to camp
- Food (candy, cookies, etc.): They attract animals - food is always available.
- Cell phones: They can be broken, stolen, and cause distractions we have a camp phone that parents may call in case of emergency.
- Expensive electronics: we have very full days at camp and the need for expensive electronics like hand-held gaming systems, iPads, etc., are not necessary. Additionally, loss, theft, or damage are possible and not the camp's responsibility. It is best to leave these devices at home. iPods or other music devices can be used during rest time.
- Spending Money: There is no need, please do not provide the opportunity for it to be lost.
cannot be responsible for the loss or damage of items.
Cell phones are not permitted at camp. If a camper is found to have a cell phone a staff member will confiscate it and it will be returned to the parents at Check-Out.
Keeping in Touch with Your Camper
In our 30+ years of experience, the best way to keep in touch with your camper is through the mail. You are welcome to send letters and/or care packages to your child while they are at camp. If your child wishes to send a letter home they must bring addressed and stamped envelopes. We do not provide envelopes or stamps to campers.
Please address all mail and packages to:
Camper's Name and Cabin
MASTA String Camp c/o Howell Nature Center
1005 Triangle Lake Rd.
Howell, Michigan 48843
Our staff is trained to handle home-sick campers and phone calls home are only permitted in case of emergency or if camp staff deems it necessary. Because part of the camp experience is learning independence, we try to discourage phone calls home and phone calls to campers. If parents need to deliver a message to a camper our staff will be happy to assist. Please feel free to send an email or call the camp phone number.
Please address all mail and packages to:
Camper's Name and Cabin
MASTA String Camp c/o Howell Nature Center
1005 Triangle Lake Rd.
Howell, Michigan 48843
Our staff is trained to handle home-sick campers and phone calls home are only permitted in case of emergency or if camp staff deems it necessary. Because part of the camp experience is learning independence, we try to discourage phone calls home and phone calls to campers. If parents need to deliver a message to a camper our staff will be happy to assist. Please feel free to send an email or call the camp phone number.