Lottery Information

2025 Lottery Registration Update

After utilizing a lottery system for registration for 2024 and collecting feedback, we have decided to use a similar system for registering for sessions for the 2025 summer. A lottery system will allow everyone to have a longer window of time to log on and enter the lottery for your desired sessions. There will be no need to try to prioritize one camper if registering multiple, adjust your schedule to be logged on right at a certain time, or stress about factors outside of your control like our software system. A lottery will give all campers a fair chance at attending more popular sessions. 

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This summer we have added the option to include cabinmate requests and then specify if your priority is your top preferred session or your cabinmate requests. If possible we will work to honor both, however as sessions fill, it will be helpful to know if you are flexible on attending a different session in order to be together. 

 

Lottery Dates

There will be four options when entering the lottery: Family Camp Lottery, Main and Mini Session Lottery, Sailing Camp Lottery and Teen Week Lottery. Based on feedback, we will be opening lottery entries earlier than in past years. This change will give everyone more time to plan and prepare for the 2025 summer. All lotteries will open on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon) and close on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon). At any time during that window, you can log onto your account with our software system and enter whichever lottery fits your camper or campers. 

 

After the lottery window closes on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon) we will take all entries in a lottery and randomize them. We will then work our way down the list trying our best to offer a spot to every camper in their top preferred session. There is a chance that a session fills before all top preferences for that session have been reached on the list. If a camper’s top preferred session is full, we will add them to the waitlist for that session and offer them a spot in their second preferred session. If the top two sessions are full, we will add them to both waitlists and offer them a spot in their third preference. We will continue this until all campers entered in the lottery are offered a session.

 

On Tuesday, January 2, 2025 emails will be sent out with session registration offers for every camper. This registration spot will be held until Wednesday, January 10, 2025. At any point during that time frame you will have to log into your account and register your camper for the offered session. This will be a similar process to past registrations. We will send out reminder emails and phone calls during that time to make sure that everyone has the chance to register for the initial spot offered. Once the initial registration period (January 2-10, 2025) has ended, any offered spots that were not registered for will be offered to those on the waitlist. 

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Entering the Lottery

• On the homepage of your account, click the Reservations Tab, New Reservations, and then follow the instructions. 

• Information you will be asked about your camper while entering the lottery will include: biographic information, ranking of session preferences, cabin mate requests and interest in a gender expansive cabin option. 

• Once all information is complete you can submit the entry. You will not be asked to supply any payment information at this time.

• Once you submit the entry you should receive a confirmation email. If you don't receive a confirmation email within a couple hours of registering, please contact us to confirm your entry.

• Entering the lottery does not guarantee that your camper will be offered a spot in the top preferred session.

• Providing cabinmate requests and your preference of session or cabinmate will be referenced as sessions start to fill. Providing this information does not guarantee that they will all be met. 

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Tips for Large Groups of Cabinmate Requests 

Cabin sizes are typically 8-12 campers depending on cabinmate requests, age, and other dynamics. We consider a large group of cabinmate requests to be groups of 4 or more campers. Please keep in mind that groups that exceed 12 are extremely difficult to keep together due to cabin capacities. Below are a few tips and information to consider when trying to keep large groups together.

• All campers who are hoping to be together should list the same cabinmate requests

• When ranking session preferences, all campers in group should rank sessions in the same order

• Being available for more sessions will increase the likelihood of having a session that everyone can get into

• Being flexible to prioritize cabinmate requests over top preferred session

• Consider splitting large groups into two smaller groups

 

We do our best to accommodate session preferences and cabinmate requests, and while high demand and session capacities can sometimes make it challenging to fulfill both, we’re committed to creating a wonderful camp experience for everyone!

 

After the Lottery Window Closes

After the lottery window closes on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon), we will take all entries in a lottery and randomize them. We will then work our way down the list trying our best to offer a spot to every camper in their top preferred session. There is a chance that a session fills before all top preferences for that session have been reached on the list. If a camper’s top preferred session is full, we will add them to the waitlist for that session and offer them a spot in their second preferred session. If the top two sessions are full, we will add them to both waitlists and offer them a spot in their third preference. We will continue this until all campers entered in the lottery are offered a session. On Tuesday, January 2, 2025 emails will be sent out with session registration offers for every camper. This registration spot will be held until Wednesday, January 10, 2025. At any point during that time frame you will have to log into your account and register your camper for the offered session. We will send out reminder emails during that time to make sure that everyone has the chance to register for the initial spot offered. Once the initial registration period (January 2-10, 2025) has ended, any offered spots that were not registered for will be offered to those on the waitlist. ​

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Questions and Comments​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We understand that one of the key concerns is the likelihood of being selected. We want to assure you that the chance of being selected in the new system is comparable to what you've experienced in past years. The implementation of the lottery system is not intended to alter the overall odds of session selection dramatically. Instead, its primary focus is on enhancing transparency, fairness, and equal opportunities for all campers.

 

In last year's lottery, 90% of campers were offered their top preferred session and all campers who entered the lottery had the opportunity to register for a session at some point during the summer. Although we cannot guarantee the same results every year, we hope that this information gives you an insight into last year and reassures you for the upcoming summer. 

 

Please feel free to contact us at camp@ymca-cv.org or 715-839-4607 with any questions or comments.