Camp FAQ’s

Campers should do their best to keep track of the things they bring to camp, especially as they are leaving. All items from lost and found will be in the foyer of the Dining Hall. Be sure to check there before you leave camp so that you can pick up any items that belong to your family. We keep lost and found items until August 1st before donating them to a local charity. If you realize your child left something at Rhodes Grove, give us a call and we will check lost and found for you. If we have the item, it will be mailed to you and appropriate packaging and postage costs will be charged.

It’s always fun getting mail when you are at camp! When you write to your camper, encourage them to have fun, make new friends, and be open to what God is teaching them. Be positive! Mail is passed out at dinner each evening. Don’t worry if you don’t hear from your camper while they are here. They are likely busy with fun camp activities. No news is good news! You can write to your campers in three ways:

1. Letters – Please be sure to include your camper’s name and cabin # on the envelope:

2. Email – There are two methods for you to send an email to your camper.

Regular Camp Packing List

• Bible, Journal & Pen
• Prescription Medication(s) in original containers
• Water Bottle
• Sleeping Bag/Linens and pillow
• Letter writing supplies (don’t forget your stamps) – Optional
• Toiletries (soap, toothbrush, etc.)
• Flashlight and disposable camera – Optional
• T-shirts and shorts
• Hat and Sun Screen
• Rain Gear
• Modest One Piece Swimming Suit
• Insect Repellent
• Towel and Washcloth
• TWO pairs of shoes (one pair will get dirty)
• Pajamas, underwear, socks
• Sturdy shoes and long pants for riding horses (for horse camps & horsemanship only)
• Spending money for the camp store (if not store credit)
• Long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt and long pants (for cooler evenings and bug protection)

Download the Equestrian Camp Packing List

• Two piece bathing suits or speedos, tank tops or spaghetti straps, clothing that reveals mid-drift or short shorts (shorts must reach the end of your hands when fully extended), clothes with questionable content.
• Electronic media and communication devices such as cell phones, iPods, etc.
• Alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs.
• Expensive clothing and jewelry or items that you do not wish to lose or ruin.
• Knives, lighters, matches, fireworks or any type of weapons.

*Rhodes Grove is not responsible for lost or damaged property.

Please refer to your camper’s confirmation letter to plan your arrival at camp.

At registration, you will have the opportunity to:

• Meet your child’s counselor
• Add money to your child’s store account
• Finalize any missing paperwork/payment
• Turn in any medications (including over-the-counter) your child may need while at camp

Rhodes Grove Camp team can be recognized by the camp shirt and nametag they are wearing – Please stop any team member and ask any questions you may have

If you need to take your child away from camp during the week, pick them up early, or have someone besides the legal guardian pick them up, please notify us at registration. All early departures will take place at the Lobby. Campers who depart early will miss a portion of the camp program and will not be able to make up missed activities. Should you schedule an early release for your child in the middle of an activity, they may need to miss the entire activity.

Feel free to stop by the camp store while you are at camp for pick up on Friday/Saturday. We have Rhodes Grove t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, water bottles, and other souvenir items. The camp store will be open each full day during free time for campers to purchase camp-related items. Please deposit funds into your camper’s online account in CampWise so they can purchase items at the Camp Store.

The snack shop has items for campers to enjoy during their free time. Items such as drinks (soda or water) and snacks (chips and candy) are available for purchase. Please deposit funds into your camper’s online account in CampWise so they can purchase items at the Snack Shop.

Since we are developing a community atmosphere among campers and staff at Rhodes Grove, there are no visiting times for family and friends until pick-up at the end of the week. Exceptions may be made for emergencies or major unforeseen circumstances but must be cleared through our main office. All visitors must check in at the main office to maintain security on the grounds.

Please be sure that ALL medications, including herbs, vitamins, and minerals, are brought to camp in original pharmacy-labeled containers. Please be prepared at registration to share updated health information with our camp nurse. Do not send medication labeled for another person. Medication is NOT to be sent in plastic bags or pill containers. Medications must be turned in to our camp nurse during registration in the original pharmacy-labeled containers. The camp nurse will administer medication as needed during the week. Medications must be picked by the end of the week.

Thank you for allowing your child to attend Rhodes Grove camp. We are confident that your child is going to have an incredible experience, and we want to give you all the information you need to help make that happen. We get to spend one action-packed week with your child, but we want you to know that you have a role before, during, and after that week of camp.

Leading up to the week of camp, start getting your child ready for their experience. Tell them how excited you are for them and what a great time you know they are going to have. When you are confident, your child will be confident and excited to spend a week away. On the day of check-in, make sure to arrive on time. Go through the necessary check-in procedures and meet your child’s counselor. Once you have completed the check-in process, don’t linger! Say goodbye to your child and head out. This will help all the campers dive right into their small groups for the week without dwelling on the fact that they just said goodbye to whomever just dropped them off.

During the week of camp, your number one priority should be to pray for your camper. Pray that God would do big things in their life through camp and that they would continue to have a great time. You can also send letters and e-mails to your camper, which will be delivered daily. An encouraging letter or e-mail can be a great boost to your child’s experience. We suggest mailing letters the week before camp so they will be sure to receive them. If you want to hear back from your child, be sure to include addressed and stamped envelopes for easy mailing. Your camper will not be able to send e-mails or phone home, so snail mail is the way to go.

Make sure to arrive on time to pick your child up from camp. Let them lead the way in greeting you and make sure they get to say goodbye to friends and counselors. The ride home is a great time for you to ask more questions about camp. You will have seen a video highlighting the experience at the closing ceremony, so this is a great place for you to begin. Remember, your child will probably not volunteer information about camp – you have to ask for it. Ask what they learned, what they had the most fun doing, and who they met. You are the key to a great transition home, so spend time talking and you will be amazed at all they experienced.

A little homesickness is to be expected of most campers. Often it stems from being in a new environment and being unsure of what will happen. Most of the time, as they become fully involved in the camp experience, the homesickness subsides. Occasionally, homesickness may continue, and counselors are trained to help campers at times when they are particularly missing home. For campers who experience extreme homesickness and all our best methods of providing comfort and distraction have not worked, the Program Coordinator will call you and let you know what is happening. Together you can work out a plan that is best for your child.

There are also steps you can take to minimize homesickness your child may feel.

• Assure your child that they are going to have a wonderful time at camp and that you’ll be praying for them to have a great week.
• Don’t tell them over and over that you’ll miss them, because that may make them feel responsible for being at home for you.
• Send them regular emails through our email system. Be sure not to tell them about all the things they’re missing at home as this can make them more homesick. Instead, ask them about their week and all the things they are doing or learning at camp.
• Maybe send a little care package in their suitcase that has a small note or a note for them to open each day they are at camp.
• You can also get friends and family to send postcards or letters while they are there.
• Most of all pray for your camper