What is on the packing list?
Listed below is a sample packing list for the World Cup overnight camp. A final packing list will be sent approximately one month prior to your child's session.
RECOMMENDED ITEMS -
- 2 Water bottles
- 2 pair Running shoes (should be supportive athletic footwear, no "flats"!)
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen / Bug Spray
- Swimwear
- Footwear for swimming (water shoes, tevas, keens, chacos, etc)
- Towels x2
- Sheets (reg. twin), blanket & pillow or Sleeping Bag (most opt for sheets/blankets) Stuffed animals welcome!
- Athletic gear- running pants/ sweats, workout shorts & t-shirts
- Shorts/Pants
- T-shirts
- Fleece or Sweatshirt
- Socks (lots... 2-3/day)
- Pajamas
- Laundry bag for storing dirty clothes (laundry services not available- although we can help if there is a "clothing emergency" during the week)
- Plastic bags for packing wet clothing/ towels at end of camp
- Rain coat
- Light wind jacket
- Baseball hat or sun hat
- Costume... 2025 theme will be announced in June
- Inline Skates- We'll be inline skating at camp this summer. If you have skates and pads, please bring them. If not, don't worry. We'll have some on-hand courtesy of Rollerblade.
- Mountain Bike
- Bike Helmet- Everyone needs a bike helmet!!! Bike helmets will be used for mountain biking and inline skating.
- Backpack
- We will be doing a long "Adventure Hike". All campers must have their own backpack for hiking that is big enough to carry two water bottles, a bag lunch and an extra layer of clothing (ex. sweatshirt, wind jacket or long sleeve shirt.) Be sure this is a "proper" backpack for hiking, meaning no cinch sacks with string straps!)
- Alarm clock
- Watch- we emphasize being on time
- Pen/pencil
OPTIONAL ITEMS -
- Fan (recommended if it looks like hot weather for the week)
- Books/magazines/etc (may help if your child has trouble falling asleep)
- Eliteam provides all meals and snacks, but parents may send campers with additional healthy snacks. Please do not send candy or junk food. It will be confiscated.
- We'll play some soccer, but it's casual, so shin guards and cleats are not necessary. However, your child is welcome to bring those items along if you prefer.
- We highly recommend that you LABEL all of your child's gear and clothing!!!
ITEMS NOT PERMITTED:
- NO personal computers/electronics (ex. no iPods, iPod-Touchs, shuffles, DVD players, etc) A digital alarm clock is fine, although we prefer that it does not have a radio
- Cell phones are NOT permitted. Please be respectful of this rule. If you need to leave a cell phone with your child, please give it to your child's dorm parent to hold for the duration of camp. Make sure your child's name is clearly marked on the phone
- Spending money is not needed
- Do not bring valuables to camp
MEDICATION & INHALERS:
Don't forget personal medications, inhalers and epi-pens, etc. (Medication should be in its original packaging.) Medications to be administered by the nurse and/or dorm parent should be left with the nurse upon arrival, along with any special notes for administering.
EPI-PENS:
If your child has an allergy that requires an epi-pen, please bring 2-3 epi-pens to camp, along with a fanny pack designated for one of them. (A fanny pack is strongly preferred over a backpack.) It is important to bring at least two epi-pens, so we have a back-up/second dose available in the event of an emergency. It depends on the allergy, but we normally keep one with the nurse or dorm parent, and one in the fanny pack that "travels" with us (around school and off-campus). Please bring all epi-pens to check-in when you arrive on the first day of camp. Make sure the fanny pack and epi-pens are clearly labeled with your child's name. Please also double check that your child has re-packed them all when heading home after camp.
CELL PHONES / ELITEAM'S COMMUNICATION POLICY:
Cell phones are not permitted at camp.* ELITEAM does not allow campers to make or receive phone calls and/or texts while at camp, as we have found cell phones to be a major distraction to campers and/or a source to trigger homesickness. We like to use this time at camp as an opportunity for the athletes to "unplug" and instead become immersed in the ELITEAM world of working hard, pushing limits, having fun and reaching their goals. Should you have an urgent message for your child during the week, or would simply like to check in with us for reassurance, you are welcome to call Alex Voutas (Camp Director's assistant). If you are uncomfortable with this rule, please discuss your concerns with us in advance so we can work something out. Please be respectful of this rule, as we take it very seriously. If a camper is caught with a cell phone, parents will be notified and required to take their child home.
*(In the case that your child needs to have a cell phone with them due to travel/logistical complications before or after camp, the cell phone must be left with Alexis Voutas upon arrival. It will be turned off for the week and returned to your child on the last morning of camp.)
What is Gould Academy’s Campus Address?
GOULD ACADEMY
39 Church Street
Bethel, ME 04217
When is drop-off / pick-up?
DROP-OFF
World Cup 1 @ GOULD:
Monday, July 14, 2025 @ 1:30-2:30pm
World Cup 2 @ GOULD:
Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 1:30-2:30pm
PICK-UP
World Cup 1 Camp @ GOULD:
Saturday, July 19, 2025 @ 3:00pm
World Cup 2 Camp @ GOULD:
Saturday, July 26, 2025 @ 3:00pm
GOULD ACADEMY
39 Church Street
Bethel, Maine 04217
My child will be arriving with another family, is there anything I need to do? (Overnight Camps)
GOULD ACADEMY OVERNIGHT CAMPS-
Yes, please notify us in advance if you will not be dropping off your child. We can tie up any loose ends and complete the registration process prior to camp.
Contact Katie Keough:
keoughk@gouldacademy.org
Can I drop off my child early?
Overnight Camps-
Due to pre-camp staff meetings, we are unable to accommodate early check-ins. However, if you have a conflict, please call us and we can discuss your options.
What meals will be provided on the first day? (Overnight Camps)
All Overnight Camps:
Check-in is from 1:30-2:30pm, so lunch will not be available on the first day. Please make sure your child eats lunch prior to drop-off. We'll provide a mid-afternoon snack before dinner.
What should I do if I am running late and will miss registration or the designated drop-off time?
OVERNIGHT CAMPS:
Please call or text to let us know that you are on your way and what time you expect to arrive. We will make arrangements for a coach to meet you at the main building.
Call Katie Keough at Gould Academy @ 207-824-7769
What is your Communications Policy?
ELITEAM'S COMMUNICATION POLICY:
Overnight Camps:
Cell phones (and all electronics) are not permitted at overnight camps. In addition, ELITEAM does not allow campers to make or receive phone calls during the week, as we have found the nightly phone calls to be a distraction to campers and a potential source to trigger homesickness. ELITEAM is a time for the kids to "unplug" and focus on athletics and FUN!
If your child has a cell phone with them upon arrival at camp, they should hand it in to their dorm parent for the duration of camp. If it is discovered that a child secretly brought a cell phone to camp and chose not to hand it in to staff, you will be asked to come and pick up your child. We are strict about this rule and appreciate your cooperation. If you have a concern about this policy, please contact us in advance to discuss it.
Should you have an urgent message for your child during the week, or would simply like to check in with us for reassurance, please don't hesitate to call.
How much mountain biking will they do?
2025 Mtn Biking:
We will be mountain biking on 1-2 days only (at each camp). Campers are responsible for bringing their own Mtn Bike with helmet and other accessories. The mountain biking is X-Country and there will be suitable trails for beginners all the way up to experts. All campers will ride in groups, led by a coach.
Mtn Bike Rental options:
Barker Mtn Bikes - https://www.barkermountainbikes.com/articles/bike-rentals-pg177.htm
If you have any difficulties renting a Mtn Bike for the week of camp, please contact: Katie Keough at keoughk@gouldacademy.org
How can I reach the staff during camp?
2025 Contact Info
- Doug Lewis (Camp Director): 802-793-3078
- Katie Keough (Gould Academy): keoughk@gouldacademy.org
As a reminder, campers are not permitted to have cell phones at the overnight camps.
Can my child call home during camp?
Overnight Camps:
Phone calls (and cell phones) are not permitted at ELITEAM, as we have found the nightly phone calls to be a distraction to campers and a source to trigger homesickness. If your child is not able to last the duration of camp without speaking to you, then he/she is not quite ready for ELITEAM. If you're "on the fence" about registering, we suggest waiting a year. Have your child "practice" their overnights, and then reevaluate for next Summer. When that time comes, think about sending them with a buddy. That can help their comfort level tremendously. Please consider this carefully. It is important to us that your child have a positive experience at ELITEAM.
What are the dorm rooms like? (Overnight Camps)
Overnight Camps @ Gould Academy
World Cup Camps-
All campers will be housed in the Gould campus dorms. Girls will be on one floor and boys on another. There will be 2-3 campers in each room. Roommates will be assigned. ELITEAM does not take roommate requests. Campers will be placed in "age appropriate" rooms.
What is your procedure for handling injuries & medical emergencies?
Overnight Camps @ Gould Academy
We have both a Nurse and Athletic Trainer on staff to monitor illnesses and evaluate injuries. In the event of a serious injury or medical emergency, every effort will be made to contact parents before seeking treatment.
How do you handle the situation if a child is homesick? (Overnight Camps)
Overnight Camps-
Kids who are homesick are often fine during the day, but have difficulty at night when they're tired and have a bit of down time. We will do our best to comfort your child, and provide him/her with a distraction. In general, we have found that a phone call home to parents only makes things worse, so we will strongly discourage this approach. However, should it become necessary, your child’s dorm parent will call you to discuss a strategy for handling the remainder of your child’s time at camp.
In order to manage your child's expectations prior to camp, please be clear with him/her about the "no phone calls" policy at camp.
What is a typical day at Eliteam?
ELITEAM offers a variety of Camps & Clinics. Depending on the program and location, the schedule will vary. Overall, however, we follow a very structured program each day. We feel the kids do best with a focused, busy (and fun!) schedule and limited free time.
World Cup Overnight Camps-
6:45am: Wake up
7:00am: Morning run & stretch
7:30am: Breakfast
8:15am: Morning activity/workout
11:30am: Lunch
12:30pm: Notebook meeting
1:30pm: Afternoon activity/workout
5:00pm: Free time
5:30pm: Dinner
6:30pm: Evening Activity
8:00pm: Dorm meeting & Journal
8:30pm: Get ready for bed
8:45pm: Campers in their own room — Quiet time.
9:00pm: Lights out
Why do you recommend that Eliteam not be a child’s first overnight camp experience?
Overnight Camps-
ELITEAM’s program is quite strenuous. The physical exhaustion combined with the stress of being away from home for the first time can be overwhelming for some campers. Although many can make it through the day, they often have a difficult time in the evenings. This is especially true for the youngest campers. On the other hand, if your child is on the older side and has not yet been to overnight camp, but is used to being away from family and the comforts of home for a week at a time, he/she should be ok. We suggest that you give us a call to discuss your child’s situation if you are unsure. It is important to us that your child has a positive experience their first time at camp.
What are my local lodging options during camp?
Camps in Bethel, ME
If parents plan on staying in the area during camp, we recommend these options:
