This is an attempt to inform and prepare you as a parent and also your child for their camping experience at Little Galilee this summer. For you first time parents and campers, this should be very beneficial. For those of you that have sent children to Little Galilee before, I believe there are some good tips in here that will benefit you too.
Credit for this format should go to Rainbow Christian Camp who originated the very first, “The Prepared Parent”. Let me know if there are other things that would help you be more prepared!
Ken Rutledge, Little Galilee Christian Camp Manager
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 them 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 they 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 them extra jobs to do around the house to earn money. Talk to your child about the money that they 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 $1.50 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, cameras 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 them to bring anything additional, they will let you know.
Taking Medicine to Camp
If you send medicine with your child to camp, do not place them in their 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. Disposable cameras are also for sale at the Camp Store for $5. Place your child’s name on their camera to ensure it doesn’t get mixed up with anyone else’s. Since having a cell phone is against camp rules they will need to have another way to take pictures than with their phone.
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 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. Pick up times for weeks that end on Friday is 6:00 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. for the camps that end on Saturday. 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 baptisms at the pool, which will happen around 6:00 Friday night at the swimming pool. While you will be eager to get your child and talk with them, we encourage you to allow your child the extra time to support their 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 them 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 they 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 their 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.
Guidelines At Little Galilee Christian Camp
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 Little Galilee.
Please observe the following:
1. Everyone is expected to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner.
2. CLOTHING: Little Galilee 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.
3. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times except in the pool area.
4. Campers are not permitted to ride in or on any camp vehicle.
5. No one is permitted to leave the camp grounds without permission of the Dean or Manager.
6. The use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs is strictly prohibited.
7. No snacks are allowed in the dorms. Chewing gum is not allowed.
8. Cell phones, computers, ipods, walkmans, discmans, video games, TV’s etc. need to be left home.
9. 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.
10. Defacing camp property is not allowed. Campers or their parents will be held financially responsible.
11. 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 8:15-8:45 a.m. on Saturday. Camp ends at 3:45.
Main, Wilderness And Outpost Overnighter Camp
Register in the Activity Center Foyer from 6:15 - 6:45 p.m. Friday. Eat supper before you come to camp. Camp ends at 3:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
First Chance Camp
Register in the Activity Center Foyer from 3:00 - 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 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Camp ends at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
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 hats and t-shirts, for purchase. They are very stylish and they make a wonderful souvenir of your experience at Little Galilee. The clothing can be purchased at the Registration time, when the parents pick up the campers, or the campers can buy them at any scheduled Camp Store time.
QUESTIONS?
Call the Camp Office at 217-935-3809.
We look forward to hosting your child!
God Bless!
Ken Rutledge - Manager