Camp Terms & Conditions
Please note: Our summer 2025 Teen Leadership Village (TLV) Costa Rica Adventure has its own terms & conditions, which may be viewed here.
I, as the parent or guardian and on behalf of my camper, understand, acknowledge, and agree as follows:
Live applications: FRESH AIR SOCIETY OF DETROIT, a Michigan nonprofit corporation and private/religious organization, having an assumed name of Tamarack Camps (“Tamarack Camps”) will begin accepting applications on September 16, 2024 at 9 a.m. EST.
Deposit: Applications require a deposit per camper to be considered submitted:
Camp Maas and Outpost Camps: A $500 deposit is required to reserve a space by December 31, 2024. The deposit will be reduced to $250 for anyone applying for financial assistance. Beginning on January 1, 2025, the deposit will increase to $1,000 and the deposit is nonrefundable.
Western and Alaska Travel Trips: A $1,000 deposit is required to reserve a space by December 31, 2024. The deposit will be reduced to $500 for anyone applying for financial assistance. Beginning on January 1, 2025, the deposit will increase to $2,000 and the deposit is non-refundable.
Israel Trip: We are continuing to monitor the situation in Israel as we make our plans for summer 2025; additional information will be forthcoming.
Payment deadline: ALL CAMP FEES ARE DUE IN FULL BY April 4, 2025. Failure to pay in full by this date will result in a $100 late fee per camper or result in the loss of any priority registration discounts received and/or cancellation of your child’s participation in a program. Credit card payments are subject to a 3% processing fee. There is no fee for check or debit card payments.
Cancellations and refunds: Cancellations made by December 31, 2024, will receive a full refund. Starting January 1, 2025, withdrawing from a program will result in the forfeiture of the program deposit. Withdrawals made on or before January 31, 2025, will be eligible for a full refund, excluding the deposit. After this date, withdrawals will be managed on a rolling basis.
- February 1–28: 50% of rate (after deposit) will be refunded
- March 1–31: 25% of rate (after deposit) will be refunded
- On or after April 1: No refund
The only exception to this policy is for families applying for a scholarship who do not receive the amount required for participation. These families may request, in writing, a refund within ten days of their scholarship notification. No other refund requests will be honored.
Priority application: Beginning at 9 a.m. on September 16, 2024, through September 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST, PRIORITY APPLICATIONS (for any past Tamarack Camps camper) begin for all eligible campers. A camper is eligible if they have ever attended a Tamarack Camps program, which includes the following: Camp Maas, Outpost, Teen Travel or Teen Mission to Israel/Teen Leadership Village (TLV).
Priority Applications received through September 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST are accepted within the following parameters:
Group A: 7 years or more
Group B: 6 years
Group C: 5 years
Group D: 4 years
Group E: 3 years
Group F: 2 years
Group G: 1 year
Group H: new camper/late application
If more applications are received during the priority window than spaces are available for a specific program, a random drawing will be held to include all complete applications beginning with Group A. Campers not randomly selected will be notified and provided with other camp options, if available. Otherwise, campers will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tamarack Camps will begin reviewing new campers on October 1, 2024, at 12 a.m. EST for programs that are not filled during Priority Applications. Campers will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. If more applications are received than spaces are available for a specific program that are not filled by eligible campers, a random drawing will be held to include all complete applications. Campers not randomly selected will be notified and provided with other camp options, if available.
To ensure appropriate housing and the overall balance of the group, Tamarack Camps reserves the right to consider gender as criteria within this policy. Waitlist will follow the same procedures. As a matter of policy, Tamarack Camps does not provide or share a camper’s placement on a waitlist.
Applications and deposits do not guarantee a camper is registered for the program applied for. If we are unable to register a camper, a full refund will be provided.
Scholarship: Scholarship questionnaires will be required with your application. Lack of completion may result in a cancellation of your child’s registration.
Family disputes: Tamarack Camps will not participate or mediate family disputes that involve the submission of this application, registration, financial obligation, or the like. If a parent/guardian cannot arrive at a mutual decision, then Tamarack Camps may cancel the camper(s) registration. All legal guardians are responsible for terms and conditions regardless of the individual submitting the application.
Potential cancellations: Tamarack Camps reserves the right to cancel a program due to insufficient registration or as otherwise determined in its sole and absolute discretion. A full refund will be provided in the event of a program cancellation.
Late arrival or early departure: If a camper leaves camp early for non-medical or personal reasons, they are not permitted to return unless agreed to in writing by the Camp Director, or their designee, prior to the start of camp. Camper fees are not reduced or prorated when a camper arrives late or leaves early.
Medical form: A Tamarack Camps Medical Form (signed by a physician and parent or guardian) must be received by May 1, 2025. I am responsible for notifying Tamarack Camps of all physical, medical and/or emotional needs of my camper that may impact their ability to participate. Tamarack Camps is not responsible for the cost of any medications, including those not reimbursed by insurance. Failure to comply may result in additional fees.
Maintaining a positive environment: Tamarack Camps has the sole and absolute discretion, without providing advance notice, to (a) reject or dismiss a camper, without refund, for any or no reason including, but not limited to, unsatisfactory conduct or any situation which impairs a camper’s ability to participate or may expose other campers to risk; (b) alter/change a program or bunking arrangements, and; (c) search the personal belongings of a camper. The undersigned shall be responsible for any and all costs incurred to send a camper home including, without limitation, travel expenses. If a camper is dismissed by the Camp Director, or their designee, they are not permitted to return during the current summer.
Inspections: For a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, camper safety, food allergies and kashrut issues, Tamarack Camps reserves the right to inspect and confiscate unacceptable items brought to camp or delivered to a camper.
Assumption of risk: The camping experience involves activities that come with certain risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, horseback riding, our ropes course, rafting, biking, climbing, balancing, exercising, running, lifting, bending, the zipline, swimming, diving, land sports, boating, bus trips, weather conditions, plants, insects, team activities and rugged terrain. I assume these risks and agree to allow my camper to participate in all Tamarack Camps activities, including all activities and trips not on camp property. I hereby agree to release, indemnify, defend (including the payment of actual attorneys’ fees and costs of a judgment/settlement) and hold harmless Tamarack Camps, officers, directors, agents and employees, from any and all liability for damage, injury, death or illness to and/or caused by my camper or his/her property that directly or indirectly relate to Tamarack Camps, whether on or off camp property.
Travel: If the Tamarack Camps program requires international travel, I hereby authorize my camper’s participation.
Arbitration: The undersigned’s exclusive method for resolving disputes hereunder shall be by arbitration in accordance with the Rules of American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) before 1 arbitrator designated by the AAA. The determination of the arbitrator shall be binding and final upon all parties. The award of the arbitrator may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Oakland County, Michigan and judgment may be rendered by the court upon the arbitration award and execution may be issued upon the judgment. The exclusive venue and jurisdiction for any arbitration shall be in Oakland County, Michigan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the liability of Tamarack Camps shall be limited to the program fee. All claims by the undersigned will be extinguished if not brought within 180 days following the incident giving rise to such dispute. The prevailing party in any dispute between the parties will be entitled to its costs and expenses including attorney fees, arbitration costs and all other costs associated with such action. Any claim by the undersigned, including but not limited to any claim for damages, amounts due, or for any other cause shall be brought in the undersigned’s individual capacity as specified herein, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding.
Medical authority: In the event of an emergency, Tamarack Camps and/or medical staff has authority to act on my behalf according to its best judgment. I understand that I am responsible for all costs relating to medical treatment of my camper. I understand that my child(ren) must have health insurance in order to attend a Tamarack Camps summer program.
Potential cancellation or delay: In the event that Tamarack Camps is unable to open or is forced to begin late or close early due to circumstances beyond Camp’s control, including but not limited to weather, floods, utility failures, inaccessibility, communicable disease, civil unrest, governmental order or other such reason, or in the event Camp decides to close Camp for health and safety reasons, Tamarack Camps shall not be responsible for any costs, losses or other damages beyond a refund or credit applied to future years of tuition or a proportionate share thereof in the event of a partial shutdown, minus any non-recoverable expenses and administrative costs spent in performance of this agreement. Refunds may be paid in up to six monthly installments.
Authorization of camper information: My camper’s name, address, phone number, photograph, drawings, crafts, statements, video content, voice recordings, and/or image may be used by Tamarack Camps and partner agencies of the Jewish Federation of Detroit, including camper directories emailed at the end of the summer. A camper’s contact information is automatically included in the directory, unless otherwise requested, in writing, by camper’s parent/guardian.
Code of conduct: My camper agrees to the following “CODE OF CONDUCT” while at Tamarack Camps, which includes, but is not limited to the following: no drugs, alcohol or smoking; no food may be brought into Tamarack Camps; no cell phones, knives or weapons; no bullying, swearing or stealing (on or off camp property); no destruction of camp, staff or other camper’s property; no inappropriate or sexual behavior; no inappropriate clothing; and no negative influence toward others and/or within the camp environment. Before the commencement of your child’s summer program, the full code of conduct must be signed (available in CampBrain).
Please make sure you have read the above TERMS & CONDITIONS and acknowledge that it is your responsibility to be familiar with all registration materials, policies, guidelines, and details provided by Tamarack Camps. Please review and discuss the above TERMS & CONDITIONS, including “RULES OF BEHAVIOR,” with your Camper and voluntarily agree to be bound hereby.
