Frequently Asked Questions

Boys entering grades 4 through 12 in the fall of 2011 are eligible to participate in the 3-Day Skills Academy. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned veteran, you will be ready for the toughest competition! However, we strongly suggest that you check with your coach or athletic director if there are any questions about eligibility in your state or area.

High School athletes who are entering grades 9 through 12 in the fall of 2011 are eligible to participate in the 7on7 Okoboji Shootout. We anticipate the competition to be intense, yet enjoyable. However, we strongly suggest that you check with your coach or athletic director if there are any questions about eligibility in your state or area.

In an effort to offer athletes even more in specialized training, LeVar Woods Football Academy has partnered with Midwest Kicking Camps—the longest-running instructional program for special teams players in the country. They offer THE BEST individualized instruction for Kickers, Punters, Snappers & Holders.

In conjunction with LWFA, MKC will hold a 2-day specialists camp at the Bedell Family YMCA on Mon & Tue, June 27 & 28. At MKC, athletes will work with some of the world’s best specialists, including San Diego Chargers All-Pro Kicker, Nate Kaeding and University of Nebraska All-American, Alex Henery.

For more info, visit www.midwestkicking.com

No, resident refers to your status while you are attending camp, not your home address.

A resident stays overnight at Camp Foster YMCA and a commuter leaves after the final session each day to sleep at home or has made other arrangements.

The LeVar Woods Football Academy is open to boys entering grades 4 through 12. If your son is an experienced player or just starting football, LeVar Woods Football Academy is an experience that he will never forget! For beginning players, learning proper technique & fundamentals is very important to our staff, and we will carefully group campers by age and ability.

For campers that have more experience, coaches will work with players on more advanced technique training on both offense and defense.

No, LeVar Woods Football Academy is a non-padded, skills instruction academy. We do suggest that our campers wear mouth guards when participating in instruction and drills.

Campers who attend LWFA will work with instructors that have been recruited and played for major universities. They will also have the opportunity to work with some of college football’s best coaches, including those that are heavily involved in recruiting. HS campers will receive instruction on the “Dos & Don’ts” of the recruiting process, including: what coaches look for in the players they recruit, how to select a college that is right for you, things to do that will make you more desirable to colleges, and how to make a good highlight tape.

We do offer a shuttle to and from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD), in Sioux Falls, SD. There is a $35.00 round trip fee per camper. If you choose to use our shuttle, we will need a copy of your flight information two weeks in advance. You can email your flight itinerary to: info@levarwoodsfootball.com

The only airport we offer our shuttle service for is the Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD), in Sioux Falls, SD. Other airports in the surrounding areas include: Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX) in Sioux City, IA (119 mi) and Minneapolis-St Paul Intl Airport (MSP) in Minneapolis, MN (197 mi).

The Bus Transportation option is offered on a limited, first come, first served basis, and there must be a minimum of ten (10) campers per session is necessary to run the bus. The deadline to turn in Bus Transformation forms is June 1, and should be turned in as soon as possible to ensure your seat on the bus.

A full refund will be given if the minimum amount is not reached. You will be notified no later than three (3) days before the session begins if there will not be bus transportation. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL BUSES DUE TO LOW NUMBERS. Please inform Camp Foster office seven (7) days in advance if you will be canceling your child’s bus trip.

Completed forms and the appropriate fee (if you haven’t registered online) can be sent to:

Camp Foster YMCA
PO Box 296
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
or
info@campfosterymca.com

Camp Foster Health History forms are due by June 18. You will be notified via email no later than 14 days before if we have not received your form.

Completed forms (if you haven’t registered online) can be sent to:

Camp Foster YMCA
PO Box 296
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
or
info@campfosterymca.com

No. Registrations will not be accepted without a deposit, and your deposit only holds your spot in the camp. Registrations are accepted in the order they are received, but campers will not be allowed to participate without making a FULL payment.

When you apply online an email is sent back to you immediately with a link you can use when you are ready to make your final payment. If you misplace this email and have a balance due, we send out a reminder email two weeks before the camp start date, providing you with a link to make your final payment.

You are welcome to come and watch any session your child is participating in. If you need to remove your child for any reason, make sure that someone on the Administrative Staff is notified. We will only allow one of the main contacts listed on the registration form to remove their child from camp.

In case of emergency, call the Bedell Family YMCA at (712) 336-9622, Monday – Friday, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM and notify them of the emergency and they will notify someone on the Administrative Staff. If there is an emergency after those hours and your child is staying at Camp Foster, please call (712) 336-3272.

If your child is injured during camp, they will be taken to our athletic trainer immediately, and the athletic trainer will determine if the camper needs further medical attention. If necessary, the athletic trainer will contact the parent/guardian and discuss care options. Cost for treatment of injuries and/or hospitalization is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. We require your insurance information along with your medical release.

When registering your child on our website, please make this note in the appropriate box. When bringing your child to check in for camp, please bring the medication that is needed and our staff will make sure to administer the medication to your child.

Recommended Packing List

To download a PDF version of this list, click here.

Please pack clothes that can get dirty.  It is recommended that all personal items be marked.  LeVar Woods Football Academy, Bedell Family YMCA, and Camp Foster are not responsible for damaged or lost clothing items.

• Grass Football Shoes
• Tennis shoes (In case we go inside due to inclement weather)
• Gym Shorts
• T-Shirt (Each camper will receive 2 Nike Dri-FITs that can be worn at camp)
• Mouthpiece
• Water Bottle (Only if desired. Fluids will be provided for all campers during the day portion of the camp)
• Sunscreen
• Spending Money for Camp Store (Parents will have the opportunity to preload their camper’s account with spending money for camper to purchase gear or snacks from the Camp Store)
• A STRONG DESIRE TO LEARN!
  

To download a PDF version of this list, click here.

The first day of camp (Monday, June 27th), registration will take place at the Bedell Family YMCA from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The first day of camp will conclude at 4:00 PM.

The second day of camp (Tuesday, June 28th) will begin at 9:00 AM and will end at 4:00 PM. Please allow 10 to 15 minutes for kids to get their grass football shoes on and ready to go when dropping them off in the morning.

The third and final day of camp (Wednesday, June 29th) will begin at 9:00 AM and the camp will conclude at 1:00 PM following the autograph session.

Yes, whether the camper is a resident camper or a commuter camper, lunch will be provided Monday through Wednesday.

Recommended Packing List

For a PDF download of this list, click here.

Please pack clothes that can get dirty. It is recommended that all personal items be marked. LeVar Woods Football Academy, Bedell Family YMCA & Camp Foster are not responsible for damaged or lost clothing items.

LWFA

• Grass Football Shoes
• Tennis shoes (In case we go inside due to inclement weather)
• Gym Shorts
• T-Shirt (Each camper will receive 2 Nike Dri-FITs that can be worn at camp)
• Mouthpiece
• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Spending Money for Camp Store (Parents will have the opportunity to preload their camper’s account with spending money if camper may purchase gear or snacks from the Camp Store)
• A STRONG DESIRE TO LEARN!

Camp Foster

• Daily change of underwear
• 3 pairs of jeans or sweats
• 4 pairs of shorts
• 6 shirts/t-shirts
• 6 pairs of socks
• Pajamas
• 2 long sleeve t-shirts or sweatshirts
• 1 jacket
• 2 swimsuits
• 2 pairs of shoes (1 pair with ties for running games)
• Baseball cap
• Raincoat / poncho
• Sleeping bag or bedding
• Extra sheet or lightweight covering
• Pillow and pillow case
• 4 bath towels and washcloths
• Laundry bag
• Flashlight
• Soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal toiletry items (deodorant, contacts, etc.)
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Shower sandals

Camp Foster DOES NOT allow CELL PHONES at camp.

For your child’s security and safety of other campers, please DO NOT bring these items to Camp Foster YMCA: Junk food, soda pop, Electronic games, Squirt guns, Firearms, Tobacco products, Radios/CDs/MP3s/I-Pods, Expensive jewelry, Cell Phones, Fireworks, Knives, Animals, Non-prescription drugs, Personal sporting equipment, Laser pointers, Alcohol, Sexually explicit clothes, Expensive clothes, Inappropriate clothing.

For a PDF download of this list, click here.

• One of our strongest assets is our trained and experienced staff.

• Safety is always our top priority at camp. We offer an excellent staff to camper ratio of 1 staff to every 5 campers, so you can rest assured that your child will receive the best care and attention.

• The health and safety of all campers is of supreme importance

• A Health Director is on duty 24 hours a day

• Lakes Regional Hospital is ten minutes away

• All water activities are supervised by CPR certified lifeguards

• All staff receive training in our program areas

• All bus drivers possess a Commercial Drivers License, which includes passing a Federally Mandated Drug Test

• Camp Foster meets or exceeds the standards of the American Camp Association

• Camp Foster recruits the finest college age staff available

• All staff receive extensive training before the camp season begins and are supervised by professional staff on a daily basis

• All counselors have a minimum of one year in college

• Criminal background checks are completed on all staff

• Nestled along East Lake Okoboji, Camp Foster features comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and excellent programming.

• Comfortable, Air-Conditioned Cabins

• Dining Hall

• Meeting Rooms

• Outdoor Amphitheater

• Recreation Lodge

• Campfire Sites

• 214 Wooded Acres

• 2,100 feet of East Lake Okoboji Shoreline

Yes, the cabins are air-conditioned for the campers’ comfort.