The Prepared Parent
Getting ready for camp
Sometimes it is hard to know how you can be involved in your child’s
summer camp experience since you aren’t with him/her at camp. Of course,
you help with the obvious things like packing and taking them to camp,
but you may not be sure what else you can do. To help you out, listed
below are a few other things you can do to help your child get the most
from his/her camp experience. Doing these things will help you get your
camper prepared for camp and keep you involved in the process. If there
is anything that the camp can do to assist you, please don’t hesitate to
let us know! We are looking forward to having your child with us for
this exciting time in his/her life. See you soon!
"My child is nervous
about coming to camp..."
If your child has never been to camp before, have him/her ask a friend
to come along to make them feel more secure. Also, feel free to contact
the camp for a tour so your child can see the camp and become familiar
with where he/she will be staying. If you have any questions about the
sessions of camp, please do not hesitate to contact the camp.
Talk About Money
To include your child in paying for camp, you can give him/her extra
jobs to do around the house to earn money. Talk to your child about the
money that he/she will be given to take to camp for canteen time and
missionary offering. There are two canteen times per day, with the
maximum amount a camper can spend being $1.20 per canteen on snacks.
Remember, food is not allowed in the sleeping areas, so don’t allow your
child to take snacks to camp. This will keep bugs out! The Camp Store
also sells T-Shirts, hats, etc. They can be purchased at check in, check
out, or if you send money with them, at any Camp Store time.
Your child will also have
an opportunity to give to the missionary offering on a daily basis, but
many campers choose to contribute their entire designated amount on the
first day so they don’t have to worry about losing it or spending it at
the Camp Store. Preparing for the missionary offering is a great time to
talk with your child about giving money to God for His Kingdom.
Pack Together
We recommend involving your child in the packing so they know what is in
the suitcase. We do not recommend buying new clothes for camp since your
child may get them dirty or lose some things. Put a plastic bag in your
child’s suitcase and ask him/her to put dirty clothes in it. General
packing lists are included at the end of this newsletter. If the Dean of
your child’s week of camp wants him/her to bring anything additional,
they will let you know.
Taking Medicine to Camp
If you send medicines with your child to camp, do not place them in
his/her suitcase. All medicines (prescription or over-the-counter)
must be given to the nurse in their original containers with
instructions at registration time. If your child has an inhaler, they
can keep it with them. Make sure you pick up your child’s medicine at
check-out time to take home with you.
Talk to Your Child About Pictures
Your camper will be given a group picture at no cost. You may want to
send a camera with your camper so he/she can capture memories on film
and bring them home. Disposable cameras are an inexpensive way to equip
your child with picture-power. Place your child’s name on his/her camera
to ensure it doesn’t get mixed up with anyone else’s.
Bring Your Child to Camp
After one last check, load up the suitcase, bedding if they will spend
the night, your camper, and head to the camp! You can find directions to
the camp in the brochure or on our web site, www.littlegalilee.com.
Registration times are given at the end of this link. Registration won’t
start early, but you are welcome to come early and walk around the
grounds.
Homesickness
The camp’s policy is that campers are not allowed to use the phone,
except in an emergency. Please do not suggest to your child that he/she
can call home if homesick. In fact, it is usually better to not focus on
homesickness in your discussions before camp. If a child becomes
homesick, the camp staff will work with the child to help them work
through their homesickness. If you have a
special situation that would require your child to call home during the
week, please speak with the camp management and/or dean at registration.
Cell phones are not to be brought to camp.
Write to Your Camper
Campers love to get mail! Ask family and friends to write to your child
while they are at camp. There are 2 ways to get mail to your camper.
Send a letter through the mail (include the camper’s name and session of
camp), or leave a note on registration day.
Pray
There is something very powerful that you can do for your child while
he/she is at camp: pray! Pray for your child’s spiritual development and
health while they are away. Also, pray for the camp staff and faculty.
Pick Your Child Up from Camp
Be prompt for pick up time. The times that each session of camp are
listed at the end of this link. For those people attending a full week
of camp, if any campers made decisions to be baptized at camp, your
child may want to attend the baptism at the pool, which will happen
around 6:00 Friday night at the swimming pool. While you will be eager
to get your child home and talk with him/her, we encourage you to allow
your child the extra time to support his/her fellow camper in this
important decision by being present at the baptism. Remember to check
the tables in the front of the Dining Hall for lost and found items and
any medicine that you brought before you leave.
Welcome Your Camper Home
Be prepared for your child to be tired and a little grumpy when you pick
him/her up. Going home is a sudden change of pace. They are leaving
behind new friends. Don’t be offended if your child isn’t as happy to
see you as you are him/her. Your child will appreciate extra time to
rest and be excused from chores during the first day or two at home.
When your child is ready to talk about the camp experience, listen
closely and don’t probe too much. Ask open-ended questions to encourage
your child to share (e.g. Tell us about your favorite activity at camp,
Who was your favorite person at camp, etc).
Decision Making
If your child expresses a desire to be baptized while at camp, a faculty
member will call you to discuss the decision. Some children may decide
they want to be baptized, but wait until they get home to talk with
someone about it. Don’t push your child about any decision he/she might
have made. You can ask questions like, “What did you think about the
speakers and messages?" It is not uncommon for parents to find out about
their child’s decision from someone other than their child.
What should I do when my child comes home?
Whether your child made a decision at camp or not, your child needs to
continue a growing process once he/she comes home. We encourage you to
pray for and with your child. Help them find devotional material and
teach them how to study the Bible so they can have a daily quiet time
with God. You could take them to the Bible book store and let them pick
out a devotional book and/or Bible appropriate for his/her age group. If
your child isn’t already connected with a local church, take this
opportunity to find a church the whole family can attend. If there is
any way that the camp can help you, please let us know.
Guuidelines at Little Galilee
We do not wish to burden you with excessive rules, but it is necessary
that there is a
common understanding of a few principles that guide L.G.C.A.
Please observe the following:
- Everyone is
expected to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner.
- CLOTHING: L.G.C.A.
is different from camps not planned as Christian gatherings. Please
attempt to be modest in your dress. Hip hugger jeans and shorts
should be left home. Concerning the
wearing of swim suits: If girls wear a two piece and/or a french cut
swim suit, a dark T-Shirt must be worn over the suit. No Speedo swim
suits for the guys please. The Camp Staff reserves the right to ask
any camper to change an article of clothing that they deem
inappropriate.
- Shirts and shoes
must be worn at all times except in the pool area.
- Campers are not
permitted to ride in or on any camp vehicle.
- No one is
permitted to leave the camp grounds without permission of the Dean
or Manager.
- The use of
tobacco, alcohol, or drugs is strictly prohibited.
- No snacks are
allowed in the dorms. Chewing gum is not allowed.
- Cell phones,
beepers, ipods, walkmans, discmans, video games, TV’s etc. need to
be left home.
- Sickness or injury
must be reported to the Camp Nurse. All medications must be be
turned in to the Nurse in their original container at the time of
the Registration procedure.
- Defacing camp
property is not allowed. Campers or their parents will be held
financially
responsible.
- The Manager or
Dean reserves the right to dismiss any camper for conduct or
attitude that is
undesirable.
VISITOR POLICY
Outside visitors, including parents, and/or phone calls are discouraged
during camp. If a camper must be contacted, please phone the Manager.
The office number is 217-935-3809. An answering machine is always on.
All visitors are asked to check in at the Camp Office.
REGISTRATION AND
CLOSING TIMES
Day Camp
Register in the Activity Center Foyer from 8:15-9:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Camp ends at 3:45.
Main, Wilderness and
Outpost Overnighter Camps
Register in the Activity Center Foyer from 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. Friday. Eat
supper before you come to camp. Camp ends at 3:45 p.m. Saturday.
First Chance Camp
Register in the Activity Center Foyer from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Camp ends at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. No supper will be served on Tuesday
night.
Junior 3 Main Camp
Register in the Activity Center Foyer from 6:15-6:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Eat supper before you come to camp. Camp ends at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
All Full Weeks of
Camp
Register in the Activity Center Foyer from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Camp ends at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
PACKING LIST
- Bible Pen/Pencil
Notebook Pillow Sleeping
- Bag/Sheets &
Blanket Camera Towels/Washcloths
- Swimsuit
Soap/Shampoo Flashlight
- Bug Spray
Toothbrush/Paste Comb/Brush Sun Screen
- Clothing For Play
And For All Types Of Weather
-
Jacket/Sweatshirt/Raincoat Comfortable Shoes *
- Mission and Camp
Store Money
*Note: Campers are allowed to spend a maximum of $2.40 a
Day at the Camp Store for snacks. There will also be a Missionary at
this session of camp. They will be presenting their work to the
campers. You are encouraged to send your child with a generous gift
to assist the Missionary in their work.
CAMP STORE ITEMS
Along with a wide variety of pop, water, candy bars, chips, and ice
cream we also have a great selection of Little Galilee floppy hats,
t-shirts, dog tags, shorts, bandanas, for you to purchase. They are very
stylish and they make a wonderful souvenir of your experience at Little
Galilee. The clothing can be purchased at either the Registration time,
when the parents pick up the campers, or the campers can buy them at any
scheduled Camp Store times.
QUESTIONS?
Call Genevieve Farnsworth at 217-935-6264 or the Camp Office at
217-935-3809.
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