Snowball FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Some of the questions that we get asked the most are here. If there’s something we’re not answering, please contact Ian at NCO at ian@ncoyouth.org or 630-961-2992 x231.

1. The program costs $125. Isn’t that a lot of money? What do I get for $125?
2. How do I sign up?
3. How do I get there / get home?
4. What time do I have to get where Friday morning?
5. What should I pack?
6. No cell phones? Why is that?
7. My son or daughter has special needs. Can you accommodate them?
8. I have to cancel. What is the latest I can get a refund?
9. What if I have to get there late / leave early?
10. Nurses and Meds, oh my!
11. Why should parents be there for Family Day?

1. The program costs $125. Isn’t that a lot of money? What do I get for $125?

Every participant receives: Two nights stay at the camp, 6 meals and 2 snacks, 1 t-shirt, 1 warm fuzzy, a photo of your small group, a group photo of everyone from your school, and a group photo of everyone on the weekend, in addition to the priceless experience of a Snowball weekend.

2. How do I sign up? Back to Top

You can download the sign-up form from here which you have to turn into your school contact –
Neuqua Valley HS – Spike Grosshuesch (Class of 2007 House)
Neuqua Valley Gold Campus – Shawna Stanley (guidance office)
Waubonsie Valley HS – Kristen Smith (special education office)
Waubonsie Valley Gold Campus – Marty Bierne (guidance office)
Naperville Central – Traci Fertel (guidance office)
Naperville North – Steve Mazzarella (health office)

3. How do I get there / get home? Back to Top

We leave for camp via school bus from our check in location in Naperville. The check in location and a map to that location is in your participant packet. Please note, there is no bus service home. Participants are responsible for their own transportation home. If a parent or family member can’t join you for family day, please make arrangements to get a ride home from another participant or their family. Your school contact should be able to let you know who else from your school is attending.

4. What time do I have to get where Friday morning? Back to Top

You must arrive to the check-in location in your participant packet between 7:30 am and 8:00 am on Friday MORNING. Your school contact will arrange for you to be excused from school for the day (although all homework and tests remain your responsibility).

5. What should I pack? Back to Top

Information about what to pack is in the participant pack, which also should have gone home to everyone who turned in a form to their school contact. But just in case, here is that list again:

_____  Sleeping bag and pillow

_____  Extra blanket for the floor

_____  Comfortable, warm clothing (i.e. jeans, sweats)

_____  Lots of socks

_____  Extra pair of shoes (just in case of bad weather)

_____  Toiletries

_____  Towels

_____  Poncho or rain gear for outdoor activities

_____  Any prescription medication that you will need - to be given to the nurse
           on Friday morning   

_____  Bottled water - optional but suggested        
           
_____  Bag lunch for Friday - pop will be provided

_____  Flashlight

_____ An open mind, respect for others, a positive attitude

REMINDER: DO NOT BRING CELLPHONES, WALKMANS, ETC. THIS IS WEEKEND WHERE YOU WILL GET AWAY FROM ALL OF THE DISTRACTIONS!!!!!

6. No cell phones? Why is that? Back to Top

We want you to get away from Naperville. Your experience will be more powerful if you take the risk to experience it more fully. When we let participants bring cell phones in the past, they were calling friends, texting back and forth, going off in large groups, getting lost, and distracting from everyone’s experience, but most of all, from the experience of the people using the cell phone! In an emergency, the camp can be called at (847)740-5010 and our adult staff typically have their cell phones. Additionally, there is a pay phone in the dining hall participants can use during free time. Finally, an emergency number can be obtained from NCO Youth & Family Services for use during the weekend by dialing (630) 961-2992 x231.

7. My son or daughter has special needs. Can you accommodate them? Back to Top

As a school sponsored program, we make every reasonable effort to accommodate all students who wish to attend the weekend. However, one aspect of the weekend is essential to everyone’s experience: the small group. Small group sessions require the ability to interact with 7-9 other people in discussions lasting an hour or more at a time. If this is not possible, the student will not have a meaningful experience and the other students in the group may also have a diminished experience. Please keep this in mind when considering whether or not this program is a good fit for your son or daughter.

Also, please bear in mind that as this is a three-day weekend, making arrangements for assistance may require substantial advanced planning. Please discuss your child’s needs with your school contact or Ian Shaw at NCO Youth & Family Services at (630) 961-2992 x231 as far ahead of time as possible.

8. I have to cancel. What is the latest I can get a refund? Back to Top

Your school contact must be notified by noon on the Friday prior to the weekend. Noon on the Friday prior to the weekend is the latest a refund will be made for any cancellations not related to illness or emergency. We have a limited number of slots for participants on a Snowball weekend, and have to make many arrangements for small groups and camp reservations. If we have not received a cancellation by noon on the Friday, someone who would like to be a participant on the weekend will not have been able to do so.

9. What if I have to get there late / leave early? Back to Top

Late arrivals and early departures are not allowed. We have a limited number of slots for participants on a Snowball weekend, which often disappear quickly. If for any reason you cannot join us for the entire Snowball weekend, please allow someone who can join us to have the slot.

10. Nurses and Meds, oh my! Back to Top

We do have a registered nurse on our staff. ALL MEDICATIONS must be listed on your health form (part of the participant packet.) that is returned to your school contact, and must be turned in to the nurse at check in. Our nurse is available throughout the weekend, and brings meds to all meals, as well as the evening snack time.

11. Why should parents be there for Family Day? Back to Top

For a detailed explanation of Family Day and what happens, click here, but the short answer is Family Day is a great way to learn what your son or daughter experienced on their Snowball Weekend!