FAQ

Our events are led by volunteer directors from our local churches. These directors recruit counselors from within their church. All counselors go through a comprehensive background check. Standardized counselor-to-camper ratios are maintained at all of our camps. To learn more about staff and volunteer standards, check out our Safety page.

We prioritize whole-person safety for all campers. We thoroughly vet and train staff and volunteers, closely monitor activities, and foster a healthy emotional and spiritual environment where kids are valued and protected. Learn more about our safety approach and protocols.

​​We try our best to honor all roommate requests. However, we cannot always accommodate every request. The volunteer leadership team makes cabin assignments (with the exception of That Thing, which has a different lodging process). When a camper wishes to room with another camper(s), all campers must list each other as a roommate request on the registration form.

Sleeping bag/bedding, pillow, modest & weather-appropriate clothing, water bottle, clothes for being outside at night (i.e., jeans and long-sleeve shirt), rain gear, tennis shoes, flip flops for showers, toiletries, towels (shower and beach), one-piece swimsuit, sunscreen, bug repellant, flashlight, Bible, pen & paper, money for merchandise, etc.

Do not bring alcohol, tobacco, drugs, weapons of any kind, fireworks, explosives of any kind, pets, or food/snacks/beverages (see special dietary needs section below). Please also check your information packet to see other restricted items for your specific camp.

It is camp policy that no cell phones, tablets, or communication devices are to be with campers or counselors.

We want campers to experience sanctuary from constant contact and distractions. When we remove the noise that is crowding our minds and attention, it allows campers to focus on the transforming message of the gospel. Time away from devices encourages social conversations and relational engagement. Communication devices with photo and video also add the potential for increased safety risks that are difficult to monitor effectively.

Connect with your camper by sending USPS letters, camper emails, and notes in their luggage. Should any situation arise needing your attention, you will be immediately contacted by the camp staff. If you need us, all contact numbers can be found here and are monitored 24/7.

There are no part-time registrations. The Spiritual Director must approve any instances of late arrival or early departure. The whole camp experience is intentionally designed from beginning to end, and success is dependent upon full-time participation. We do not provide fee refunds or pro-rating for late arrival or early departure. Once a camper has left an event, they may not return.

We monitor the weather 24 hours a day. Camp staff will alert leaders of possible severe weather approaching. All camp leaders are trained on where to take campers in the event of severe storms. During times of high heat, we often expand swim times and provide many additional hydration stops. During rainy days we modify the schedule to keep campers in buildings more.

The safety and well-being of our campers are our highest priority. If there is any situation you need to know about, we will contact you immediately. Please rest assured that your child is in safe hands, and we will always alert you of any problems.

To protect your children and minimize homesickness, we have a tight policy on visitors. Parents or guardians are discouraged from visiting, calling, or texting a camper during their week of camp. We understand how hard this can be. However, personal contact with parents can interfere with community-building time and often triggers more homesickness. If there is a problem with your child, we will always contact you. Pastors and local church youth/children ministers are encouraged to visit campers during their week of camp. They should contact the site in advance to schedule their visit. No other visitors are allowed at camp for any other reason.

Homesickness can happen even among experienced campers. We encourage homesick campers to stay until the end of the event so they can truly experience camp. Our staff and volunteers are trained to help children through homesickness so that they have a fun and positive camp experience. If a camper becomes severely homesick, the Spiritual Director or Camp Manager will call the parents so they can make the best decision for their child.

Our camp staff will assist your child in keeping current on all medications.

• All medication must be brought in its original, labeled container and given to the Camp Medic at check-in on the first day of camp.
• Herbal remedies, vitamins, and oils cannot be administered by the camp or counselors without a doctor’s note. No medication will be given in conflict with its label without a doctor’s note.
• All camper medication is stored and administered by the Camp Medic.
• Rescue inhalers, bee-sting kits, and EpiPens are exceptions and are carried by the camper’s counselor to be administered as needed.
• Camp Adventure, Camp Indicoso, Camp Lakewood, Pine Creek Camp, and Camp Rivervale distribute first-aid supply bags to each counselor to keep at ALL times throughout the week. This bag contains supplies for treating minor injuries.
• At Epworth Forest, all supplies are stored and administered by the Camp Medic. During That Thing, campers should report to the First Aid Station for cuts, bruises, scrapes, or to receive any medical treatment. Medication is handled by the local church or can be administered by the Camp Medic.

We offer a standard menu. We do not offer celiac or vegetarian menus at this time. If your camper has doctor-directed dietary meal concerns, please contact the Camp Manager at your camp location to make arrangements for sending food to supplement our menu. Any meals sent to the camp for your camper will require a doctor’s note explaining the needs and allergy. We do not prepare raw foods from home—only ready-to-warm meals.

Menu selection and allergy information are available in the spring. Please be aware that much of what we prepare in the kitchen contains some of the most common top eight allergens: milk (dairy), eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy.

Our facilities are not yet designed for many with limited mobility and high medical needs. However, that should not rule out a camp experience for your child. Call us (888.628.2818) to explain the unique situations surrounding your camper so that we can discuss care situations (that may include caregiver attendance) for possible participation.