Registration is in the dining hall. Please leave your luggage in vehicles until your camper is assigned a dorm. Bring in the camper’s meds (if any), sack lunch and money for the bank. Both the camper and the parent (or whoever brought the camper) need to go through the registration line together. Be ready to indicate who (and their telephone number) will be picking up the camper at time of dismissal. There will be a form to record this information. Camp t-shirts will be sold during check-in.
Teen campers driving vehicles to camp may take cell phones
along for the drive to and from camp. To
maximize camper involvement and reduce distractions the camper will be required
to turn in their working cell phone during check-in in the dining hall. Their phone will be securely kept and
returned at checkout. Violation of this
policy may result in the camper being sent home. Campers
driving vehicles to camp must turn in their vehicle keys after moving in.
Those picking up campers will be required to come to the
dining hall to check out the camper. We
will not release a camper to anyone other than the person designated at
check-in, unless other arrangements have been made with the director. Cell phones, unused money, vehicles keys, etc. will be
returned at check-out.
MONEY PROCEDURES:
How does the “camp bank” work?
All camper spending money is to be turned in at registration
and will be held safely in the camp bank during the week. This includes their offering money as well. No cash is to be kept in the cabins. The offering, canteen, and camp store
spending will be taken out of that credit.
Any unused balance will be returned in an envelope at check-out.
How much money should my camper bring?
$10-$20 is the average amount of money a camper brings. If they want to buy a T-shirt, they will need $10 more. 2 offerings will be taken at teen and 2 at
junior camp. Campers are limited on how much
they can spend at the canteen each day. There is no spending limit at the camp store, which sells Christian gift items, Bibles, small toys and jewelry.
HOMESICKNESS POLICY:
We take
homesickness very seriously. We
recognize that for some campers, this is their first experience away from home
without family. Some campers will
struggle with homesickness, but almost always, the camper will overcome these
feelings and go on to enjoy a great week at camp. If a camper becomes homesick, we do our best
to help that camper get excited about what is happening next. We want them to know that we don’t want them
to miss out. We try to be as nurturing
as possible because we understand it can be a big step to come to a week of
camp; especially for the young ones. Please do not promise your camper they can
call home if they become homesick. We know that once a camper talks to mom/dad,
that often causes them to fall deeper into homesickness. Calling home is
usually the last option. However, at
some point it can become a distraction for the other campers and then we
contact the parents/guardian and send the camper home to allow the best
experience for all.
Over the
years we have learned that you as parents play a very large role in its
prevention. Here are some tips for what
you can do before camper check-in day.
1. Ask your camper about any worries or concerns they have plenty ahead
of time so that you can talk and pray through this as their week of camp
approaches. 2. Don’t promise them that you’ll pick them up if they get
homesick. Be certain that your camper knows that you can’t talk or text via
phone the week they are at camp. 3.
Check out the pictures on this blogspot and emphasize how much fun it looks
like everyone is having. 4. Send along a
favorite stuffed animal, family pictures or other familiar item. Even better,
consider having a friend or family member attend the same week and request them
as a dorm mate. 5. Try not to make too
big of a deal about how you are going to miss them. Assure them that you will
be fine while they are away and that you can’t wait to hear about all of the
adventures they are sure to have. 6.
Letters! Drop off some prepared letters
at camper check-in that can be delivered to your camper during the week. Keep your letters focused on their camp
experience and not on things going on at home.
7. PRAY with your camper! This is a great opportunity to minister to
your child about the feelings that accompany going to a “new place”. Ask God to help them and remind them that
Jesus is always with them. 8. Don’t
linger too long when dropping them off at camp. Remain positive and excited for
them. Reinforce how excited you are for them and that it’ll be Friday/Wednesday
before they even know it!
