Camp F.A.Q's: Frequently Asked Questions

After you have read through the FAQs below, read An Award Winning Perspective on Packing, submitted by the Pergola family after their first-ever Camp Suigetsu, for a humorous look at what to pack (or not pack) for camp.

Q: Do I have to sign up for any classes at camp?
A: All classes have open enrollment. The only sign-up required will be for massages and acupuncture treatments. These require sign-up and an extra charge. Sign-up sheets will be available at the registration area when you arrive at camp. No early sign-up is available. All appointments are on a first-come basis.

Q: Will the massage or acupuncture sell-out?
A: Probably not. Be sure to sign up as soon as you arrive to get a spot.

Q: How's the food?
A. It's camp food! All meals (from dinner Friday through lunch on Sunday) are served buffet style and will have hot and cold food, be nutritious and freshly prepared by the Camp staff. Choices include vegetarian and milk-free options, clearly labeled. The camp kitchen is Kosher and all meals will be prepared following Kosher rules.

Q: I am allergic to nuts. Will the camp food contain nuts?
A: All prepared food served at the camp is nut-free and we ask that people not bring peanuts or other nut-containing food into the dining hall or to the Social area or bonfire (it's fine to keep it in your cabin).

Q: Are alcoholic beverages allowed at camp?
A: No alcoholic beverages will be served at camp. You may bring them with you and keep them in your cabins or bring to the Social area (the Porch). No drinking is permitted anywhere else.

Q: Is smoking permitted anywhere?
A: Smoking inside any buildings is prohibited. You may smoke outside, but please clean up after yourself.

Q: What happens if it rains?
A: All outdoor activities have indoor alternatives in case of rain.

Q: Is there a swimming pool?
A: Yes, but will will not be using it. Swimming is permitted in the Lake, during posted hours when a lifeguard is present.

Q: Are there any laundry facilities?
A: No.

Q: Do I need money?
A: The only extra charges are for massage and acupuncture treatment. Please bring cash or checks for those. No credit cards will be accepted.

Q: Is it safe?
A: Yes. We have exclusive use of the camp. It is in a rural area on the side of a mountain. No other folks will be around.

Q: Should we bring a cooler?
A: Only if you are bringing something that requires refrigeration. There is no refrigeration available.

Q: Should we bring extra food?
A: The dining hall is serving complete, all-you-can-eat meals and we'll have extra snacks as well.

Q: What kind of weather should I expect?
A: The weather is typically 60's-70's daytime and 50's at night. The area is wooded with lots of shade. Camp Suigetsu has a history of rainy weekends, so we say prepare for rain! If you plan to swim and have fair skin, you may wish to bring sunscreen. For rainy weather be prepared with raincoats, boots, and plenty of extra socks. We have had camps where it rained throughout the weekend, camps that have been brilliantly warm and sunny, camps with both rain and sun. Be prepared!


Q: What clothing should we pack?
A: Bring one or two extra pairs of shoes and PLENTY of extra socks! Dressing in layers allows you to be prepared for temperature changes. Jackets and sweatshirts for the evenings; shorts for sunny afternoons. Bring extra towels in case of wet weather- towels can take a long time to dry.
Lots of people bring a small rug or towel and place it just inside the cabin door and require everyone to remove their shoes upon entering. It really cuts down on the mud and dirt in your cabin.

Q: Do I need bed linens, pillows, or towels?
A: All cabins have bunk beds with standard twin-size mattresses. Hotel-style rooms have twin or double beds (you will be told which when you register). Many people prefer to bring a sleeping bag to lay on top of the mattress. Others bring regular linens and blankets. No pillows or towels are provided. Bathrooms are stocked with soap and toilet paper.

Q: Do I need uniforms, sparring gear, or weapons?
A: Martial artists should pack one or two full uniforms. Remember that white uniforms get dirty fast in outdoor/camp classrooms. You may wish to bring tabi socks to wear during classes. Bring sparring gear for any sparring classes you plan to take. We will have mouthpieces available to purchase, but no other gear for sale. If you plan to take a weapons class, bring your own weapons. Some extra will  be available to borrow for those who do not own weapons. Some instructors may bring weapons for sale. If you do not own a uniform, wear loose clothing with no belts, buckles or buttons. Jewelry: please do not wear jewelry to any class. If you have something that cannot be removed, e.g. medical bracelets or new piercings, cover with a wrist band or tape.

Q: Is there a store nearby for emergency purchases?
A: Yes, there is a Walmart less than 10 minutes away.

Camp Suigetsu: – An Award Winning Perspective on Packing
by Carl W. Pergola (edited by Antonella, Anthony and Ariana)

When we set out for Camp Suigetsu on a beautiful Friday afternoon in late May, the last thing we had on our mind was the possibility of winning an award.

In fact, as we backed our Volvo XC90 SUV out of our driveway, we couldn’t think about much of anything with the incessant beeping sound made from the vehicle’s reverse warning system rattling in our ears. You see, the warning system was shrieking non-stop because we had our bike rack attached to the back of the SUV and we had failed to turn the darn thing off. Attempting to look out the rear view mirror (to actually see if there might be something behind us) was futile, as the Volvo was packed to the roof with sleeping bags, blankets, space heaters, board games, a Bose radio/CD player, roller blades, rolls of paper towels, boxes of cereal, cases of bottled water, hockey sticks, and many other items that we regrettably failed to leave behind, in the house or garage, where they actually belonged. What I was able to do was almost damage the cornea of my eye as I instinctively turned at the sound of the reverse warning system to look back and narrowly escaped being jabbed in the eye by the tip of my fishing pole.

Getting back to winning an award (which wasn’t on our minds), we were, of course, shocked to learn that an award even existed for the family who graced Camp Suigetsu with the greatest volume of stuff. (We think the award has an official name like “The Insane Family Award” or “The Infrequent Traveler Award” or “The What Were You Thinking Award,” but we are not really sure.) What we do know is, -- we won it! And while winning may not be everything, bringing everything you own to Camp Suigetsu certainly makes you a winner.
[Ed. Note:  The staff of Camp Suigetsu informally assigns an award to the family requiring the most number of golf-cart trips to unload their car upon arrival at camp.]

As we left for home Sunday afternoon and thanked Shihan Masi and Shihan Fine for a spectacular weekend, Shihan Masi gleefully suggested we write an article for the newsletter – an article on, well, packing. Shihan Fine seemed to take great delight in this idea and, in that instant, our fate was sealed. As we now reflect back on that moment, it kinda had that “homework assignment” feel to it. You know, for that kid who just didn’t listen to the teacher’s instructions and now has to write a 500 word essay on how to pack for camp. Well, we’ll do our best.

So how do you get to the point of winning a dubious award for overpacking? First you start with the perspective that if you might need something, then bring it with you, or otherwise you might not have a great time. We call this the: “If We Might Need It or If Anyone Else Might Need It or If We Simply Thought About It Before We Pulled Away from the Curb It is Coming With Us Because We Really Want to Have a Great Time” perspective (you see, we even have trouble keeping the name short). Second, look at every possible thing there is (or might be) to do at the camp, take into consideration every possible weather condition and completely disregard the fact that you are only going to be there for 2 and half days and then start packing.

As an example, once we knew that Camp Suigetsu had an outdoor roller hockey rink, using our approach just noted above, we packed roller blades, hockey sticks, hockey balls and pucks, and helmets (we couldn’t fit the hockey goal net in the SUV). Since we’re a “hockey family,” we have enough equipment at this point in our lives to field several teams and we assumed others might want to play also so we threw 6 more sticks and extra balls and pucks in our SUV for good measure. Now, if you use our approach and think about everything Camp Suigetsu has to offer (basketball, baseball, tennis, fishing, hiking, boating , swimming, etc., etc.), think about various weather options (hot and sunny during the day, cool at night, the possibility of rain, and so on.) and assume you are going away for an unlimited duration, then you are shoe-in for next year’s award.

But, if you want to avoid being the honorary recipient of next year’s award, we suggest a few things: (1) talk to others who have previously gone to the camp and get good insight into their past experience; (2) think ahead to the things you are most likely going to do rather than packing for every possible event; and (3) recognize that there is a lot to do and a limited time to do it (you probably won’t be able to take a few hours to fish, play a few sets of tennis, do the “ropes course,” take a leisurely walk and participate in the various martial arts and health and healing programs that are offered all in the same day), so be realistic about the waking hours available during your stay. Regarding the weather, the best advice is to layer with comfortable clothing that will take you from the heat of the day through the cool of the night (we, of course, brought a space heater, which actually came in pretty handy, but is not really necessary).

There are two absolutes about Camp Suigetsu: (1) go (this was our first year participating and won’t be our last); and (2) plan on attending some of the martial arts classes and health and healing programs. Regarding going, it is great way to spend time with your family and other families with a common thread that forms a community and yet be able to freely chose from a broad variety of activities that might interest you. We were also impressed with how Shihan Masi and Shihan Fine brought together such a variety of martial arts styles and health and healing approaches. Our daughter, Ariana, participated in two “grappling” classes which brought new skills to her martial arts training, which she greatly enjoyed and which we enjoyed watching.

Anyway, with our first Camp Suigetsu behind us (and many more to come), packing less is probably the better way to go. It means less work for you and less work for the wonderful volunteers who graciously slug your belongings from your car to your cabin and back again when you leave.

But whether you pack heavy or you pack light, the important thing is that you pack. Because, if you pack, it means you are on your way to Camp Suigetsu and everyone who comes to Camp Suigetsu goes home a winner.

P.S. Just don’t forget to bring your ………