What do we need to pack?

Download our PDF packing list for what to pack and refrain from packing.

HoW MUCH SPENDING MONEY SHOULD I SEND WITH MY CAMPER?

We recommend between $50.00 - $75.00 for your daughter's camper account.

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At minimum - $20.00 for arts and crafts and an additional $10 for one candy bar ($1.50) and one soda ($1.50) each day.

The following items may be subtracted from your camper's account during her stay: craft items, store items, stay-over day purchases, charges for loss or damage of camp equipment, and laundry service charges.

Money left in your camper's account at the end of the session will be refunded.

what does camp do about allergies?​​

We need to receive your completed camper health form by May 1. Please note that among other items, the health form requires a doctor's signature. We cannot check-in your camper without a fully completed health form. 

If your camper has a known allergic reaction, she MUST bring her prescribed Epi-pen. Please call your doctor for details. PRN inhalers are the only medication allowed in the cabin with the camper.

How can i contact my camper while she is there?

You can write to your camper at:

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Tapawingo

Camper's Name & Cabin

P.O. Box 250

Speculator, NY 12164. ​

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Some items can not be included in packages:​anything containing nuts/peanut butter products, cash , home-made food (all food/snacks in camper packages must be pre-packaged), gum, and everything in the  "Do Not Pack" section of the packing list

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You may also email your camper a letter at:

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tapawingocampermail@cotw.org

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Please include your camper’s name and cabin in subject line!

Each email is $0.50 and will be delivered during rest hour each day, if sent in by 11am.

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Mail and packages are delivered to campers each day after lunch and prior to rest period. 

How can she contact me?

Encourage your daughter to write home! Especially for younger campers, we encourage parents to stamp and address some envelopes for her to write home, to grandma, etc. If letters are not addressed correctly, it is difficult for us to get them to you.

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Outgoing mail leaves the island after breakfast each day.

what happens each day at tap?

Following is a schedule of a "typical" day at camp:

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6:00 a.m. - Staff rise, devotions and/or exercise

6:40 a.m. - Staff showers

7:00 a.m. - Camper Personal Devotions (optional)

7:30 a.m. - Campers Up - Get Ready

7:45 a.m. - Cabin Clean up

8:00 a.m. - Waitress bell/Flag Raising/Exercises

8:15 a.m. - Breakfast

8:45 a.m. - Power Hour (all camp Bible study)

9:30 a.m. - Boat leaves for off island activities

9:40 a.m. - Activity 1 begins

10:30 a.m. - Bell rung for Activity 2

11:30 a.m. - Activity 2 ends/Free time begins

11:50 p.m. - Waitress bell/Wash up for lunch

12:00 p.m. - Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Rest hour

2:00 p.m. – Canteen/Store/Free Time

2:50 p.m. – Warning bell for activities

3:00 p.m. – Activity 3 begins

3:50 p.m. - Bell rung for Activity 4

4:00 p.m. - Activity 4 begins

4:50 p.m. – Bell rung for Capers

5:00 p.m. - Capers

5:20 p.m. - Flag Lowering/Waitress Bell

5:30 p.m. - Supper

6:15 p.m. - Event Hour

7:00 p.m. - Cabin Prayer Time

7:15 p.m. - Evening Worship

8:30 p.m. - Cabin Devotions

9:30 p.m. - Lights Out/Taps

what activities do you offer?

Click here to see all of our activities! Please note that overnight (off-site) camping trips, Ropes Course, and Zipline are for 12-year-olds and older. 

what is the swim test like?

The swim test will include swimming using various strokes, treading water, floating, bobbing, and climbing into a rowboat from the water.

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The test is 15-20 minutes in length and is intended to determine what water activities your camper can safely participate in. 

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Campers will be given a bracelet that corresponds to their swim level. Some campers will be "non-swimmers" which will mean they will not be able to participate in our water sports except swimming. 

what if a camper has to fly in?

Flights must be into Albany International Airport; arrival times must not be earlier than 9:00 a.m. and no later than noon (if possible) on Sunday.

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Departure flights on Saturdays should be no earlier than 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays.

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The airport transportation fee is $150 each way, per camper (plus $20.00 for each additional passenger).

If you desire to schedule an airport pick-up or drop-off, you must discuss this at least a week in advance with the Tapawingo Staff (tapawingo@cotw.org), AND call us 24 hours prior to the scheduled pick-up and/or drop-off to confirm times. Call direct at (518) 548-5091. Do not assume your airport pick-up/drop-off is confirmed unless you have received confirmation from us.

how do you make cabin assignments?

We do our best to honor one cabin request per camper! However, there are various reasons that we are unable to honor requests, including age and space.

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Please email tapawingo@cotw.org if you have any questions.

when is check-in time?

Registration is between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons, located at the CAMP-of-the-WOODS pavilion.

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Parents driving long distances are welcome to make reservations to stay at CAMP-of-the-WOODS. Please call the CAMP-of-the-WOODS registrar at (518) 548-4311 ext. 0 to make these arrangements.

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If you are staying at CAMP-of-the-WOODS the week that your camper is at Tapawingo, she will be included in your CAMP-of-the-WOODS registration for Saturday night at no additional charge.

Can my camper do laundry if she is staying for more than one week and she runs out of clean clothing?

Any camper staying for more than one session may choose to have her laundry done. Please make sure your camper comes with a laundry bag and clothing (clearly labeled) if you wish to utilize our laundry service. Laundry service takes place at the end of the week and costs $10, a sum that is deducted from her camper account.

who owns tapawingo?

Our parent organization is CAMP-of-the-WOODS, which has been in operation since 1900. The CAMP-of-the-WOODS campus is just one mile away from us (by boat). We utilize their grounds for tennis, the challenge course, and the climbing wall. The history of CAMP-of-the-WOODS is extensive, amazing, and well worth looking into! There are books written about it, as well as an onsite museum. CAMP-of-the-WOODS is owned and operated by Gospel Volunteers, Inc.

can we visit tapawingo?

First-time camper parents are allowed to visit the island on Sundays when dropping off their daughter. There are no appropriate times to visit Tapawingo campers during a session.