What do I need to pack for Camp?

Bedding

• Sleeping bag (or sheets and blankets)
• Pillow
• Bath Towels
• Toiletries
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Soap
• Comb/Brush
• Personal Items (Deodorant, etc.)

Clothing

• Shorts
• Jeans
• T-Shirts
• Pajamas
• Underwear
• Socks
• Hat, cap or visor
• Rain coat or poncho
• Closed-toed shoes (2 pairs)
• Watershoes
• Sweatshirt/Jacket
• Bathing Suit+
• Beach Towel
• Shower shoes/flip flops
• Nice outfit for dance part (optional)
• Theme days: TBD for #2024

[It is a great idea to mark your camper’s clothing, bedding, and swimwear with their name.]

[Pack enough clothing for every day plus one extra that your child will be at camp. Please pack clothing that is appropriate for outdoors, knowing that it will get dirty

+Girls swim suits need to be either one piece or a tankini]

 Miscellaneous

• Insect repellent (non-aerosol)
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle (Refillable)
• Disposable camera
• Flashlight with batteries (red lights for night activities)
• Money for the Camp Store
• Trash bag (for dirty clothes)
• Props for talent show (if applicable)
• Letter writing supplies
• Snacks (enough to share with your camper’s entire cabin – about 12)
• Musical instrument if you’d like to join the music team for the week.

 [Please do not bring electronics or valuables. Camp All Saints is not responsible for any broken, lost, or stolen items.]

Can campers bring snacks to camp?

Campers are allowed to bring snacks to camp with the stipulation they bring enough to share with their entire cabin – 8-14 persons. All snacks will be stored in the cabin’s “common” space and counselors will determine snack times. Camp All Saints is a nut free area so we ask that snacks not contain nuts or nut oils.

We ask for the same principal to be applied when sending campers snacks during the week – please send enough to share.

How do I get to Camp All Saints?

Directions to CAMP ALL SAINTS

• From HWY 75 (also known as Central Expressway)
• take the Hwy 82 Exit and go West Head west toward Pottsboro
• Take the 289 Exit and turn right or North onto Hwy 289
• Follow Hwy 289 to the blinking light and 4 way STOP
• coming from East and West directions and turn left or West onto Hwy 120W
• Remain on HWY 120W for 5.5 miles, this road turns into Cooks Corner Road.
• Turn left at on to Locust Road and continue 2.2 miles
• (there is an All Saints WHITE and BLUE sign at this turn)
• At the only STOP SIGN, turn right on Mill Creek Road
• (Note the small grocery/gas station in front of you)
• All Saints gate is 1/2 mile on right, look for the giant orange colored “A’s

Camp fees, scholarships, refund policy, and homesickness

When do I pay the balance of camp fees?

The balance of camp fees is due 14 days prior to arrival at camp. We are unable to guarantee a place for your child if the balance is not paid when due. Families and parent(s)/guardian(s) may also request financial assistance. Scholarships are granted on a "first come first serve basis" and are available only so long as the funds last.

To request financial assistance contact Summer Camp Director, Deacon Katie Gerber at Camp All Saints at: and she will respond to your request.

What is the camp policy on refunds?

A camp registration deposit of $50.00 is non-refundable. All deposits are applied to the total session fee. There is no deduction for late arrival or early departure and no refund for campers who do not complete a registered session. The balance of camp fees may be refunded or credited only under very exceptional circumstances, usually involving illness, with written verification from a physician. It should be clearly understood that homesickness, or a change in plans are not sufficient grounds to warrant a refund.

Dealing with homesickness

Parents who are worried about their camper having a successful week at camp may wish to consider several strategies to help their camper succeed. These might include strategies such as pre-packing some self-addressed, stamped letters for home. Sending your camper to camp with a favorite book. Plan several “short” overnight experiences with friends before coming to camp. See if there is a friend that can come to camp with them. These are just a few ideas to help your camper succeed. Please do not promise your camper they can come home early if they are still homesick later in the week. Often this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

When should I arrive for camp?

Youth sessions open on Sunday with check in from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. All campers should plan to arrive by 2:00 p.m. and allow some time to go through registration. When campers arrive staff will guide vehicles to parking areas & help campers move to Beck Center where we will check campers in. At registration, we confirm: balance of fees paid in full, Health History Form, Parent Disclaimer, receipt of medications (all prescriptions and over the counter medications must be in their original container) and conduct a brief Health Care Screening (including lice check) prior to admitting a camper to camp.

When does camp begin?

Once campers have moved through the registration process in the Beck center, campers move to their cabin and meet 1 of their 2 counselors. The expectation is that cabin groups will be assembled no later than 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Once all cabin members have arrived, that cabin will go to the waterfront for their swimming tests. After swimming tests are completed, cabins meet in the chapel for a meeting to go over protocols, safety, and under what circumstances campers will be sent home. Parents are welcome to stay and attend these meetings.

After this meeting, counselors begin moving their cabin group to different parts of the camp with their campers as part of camper orientation. To have a successful week it is important for campers to become familiar with the camp and learn what opportunities there are for the week. Because cabins move as a group and must visit a variety of areas prior to dinner, the cabin group will begin on time. Late arrivals will be connected to their cabin group & we will do our best to help a camper catch up on what they have missed. For this reason, we recommend planning on arriving early (much like you would for the airport) to insure a smooth check in.

Health care screening

Our Camp Health Care Officer is responsible to check campers’ health prior to check in. It is important to us that campers arrive healthy and do not pose a risk to themselves or others while they are at camp. Campers who arrive with any medical issue deemed by the camp nurse as a health issue placing the camper or others in the camp community at risk, will not be checked into camp.

Parents and guardians should plan to stay with their child(ren) until they connect with their counselor. Emergency contacts needs to be verified and available.

Medical care and insurance for your child

Camp will have a Health Care Officer for the duration of our youth programs. This person oversees all aspects of the care given to campers while they are at camp. Our counseling staff are all certified in First Aid and CPR and work hard to make sure campers are safe at all times. In addition, the full time Program Staff (Texas Elks Camp on Texoma) are all certified high ropes/low ropes/archery facilitators. Should any major or minor accident or illness occur at camp, the parents or guardians will be notified immediately by the Camp Health Care Officer or Camp Director and camp health care procedures will be followed. Camp reserves the right to send a child home if needed. If you plan to be away from home for a few days, please notify camp of a temporary address and telephone number, where you can be reached.

How are cabin assignments made?

The camp management takes responsibility for the assignment of campers to their cabins. We will try to honor up to one request for a bunkmate of the same age and grade range (i.e. elementary, junior high, senior high) when indicated on the registration form.

When does camp end? Can campers spend the night between sessions?

Camp closes on Saturdays after Eucharist. (around 11:30 a.m.)

All families are invited to this special service that begins at 10 a.m. All campers should be picked up no later than 11:30 a.m. The Camp Director must approve of any deviation from the checkout schedule well in advance. When the program is concluded, campers will need to check out with their respective counselor(s) prior to departure. Specifically, the camp needs a record of when the camper has left and who has picked them up. We ask for this information when campers are dropped off and we need to verify who we are releasing a camper to prior to our letting them go. Campers who have medications will need to check out with the Camp Health Care Officer. Remaining campers will be able to check out with their counselors who will have a sign out clip board for each camper group.

Adherence to this schedule enables the camp staff to plan an orderly conclusion to your child’s session.

Can campers stay overnight between sessions?

No, between camps we receive new staff and prepare for the next session.

What are the main activities at camp?

Exploring and experiencing the Christian faith has been the central theme at Camp All Saints since 2004. Each program week, clergy work with the camp theme, tying the program to the central event of Holy Eucharist at our beautiful chapel. Campers enjoy an assortment of outdoor recreation activities including swimming, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, archery, and hiking our 660+ acres along the shores of Lake Texoma. Many of the games teach life skills and teamwork. Arts, crafts, songs, the Digital Discipleship Ministry (multimedia program), low and high ropes course (age appropriate), music, and skits allow for creative expression. All of our programs are age appropriate and led by qualified staff.

Can campers bring their cell phone or other electronics?

A note to parents about cell phones: Cell phones are not permitted at camp.

Camp is a time for our children and youth to “unplug” and “disconnect” from the surrounding culture that drags them down. Camp is where our campers learn to connect with God and each other in real relationships which can only happen face-to-face. Camp is a gift from God to learn how to reconnect with others without using “screens.”

When is it OK to have a cell phone:

It is not OK for campers to have cell phones. All parents will have access to the Summer Camp Director, Asst. Director, and camp nurse at all times. Should parents need to communicate with their campers, they will go through these channels.

ALL ELECTRONICS ARE PROHIBITED AT SUMMER CAMP this includes smart watches that are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

Setting your camper up to fail:

If you permit your camper to keep their phone you are setting up your camper to be in conflict with the camp. Specifically, the cabin counselor, other campers (who do not have their cell phones) and the directors of the camp. Since cell phones are very expensive the camp will NOT take any responsibility for broken, damaged, lost or stolen phones even if our office is holding them for you.

Please take your campers phone home with you. Campers found with cell phones will have their phones taken away and the Director will notify the parent of this action and then keep the phone until the camper is picked up at the end of camp. If you have any questions about cell phones, I would be happy to visit with you and your camper(s) prior to your leaving.

Thank you for your time and support of the camps position on cell phones and other electronics.

Can campers be reached quickly by telephone?

The phone number at camp is (469) 446-3536.

If you call this number we will be able to take a message and route it to your camper(s). You may reach the Summer Camp Director at this number or e-mail her at .

What is the best way to keep in touch with my camper?

Many of our younger campers experience receiving mail for the first time at camp. It can be a special memory and a great affirmation to get a letter from home. There are two ways to send correspondence/items to your camper. You may send them an e-mail at with their full name as the subject line. These will be printed and distributed daily. You can mail letters or packages to them via the postal service as well. Please send a cheerful note to your camper(s) but avoid mentioning “how sorely he or she is missed.”

PLEASE ADDRESS MAIL AS FOLLOWS:

Camper’s Name

C/O Camp All Saints

418 Stanton Way

Pottsboro, TX 75076

A very effective way to ensure your camper receives intended correspondence is to have it all prepared when you bring them to camp. Previously prepared correspondence needs to be addressed accordingly and the date for delivery clearly noted. Those items are stored with the camp asst director and delivered on the designated days.

Your camper can bring stamped, self-addressed cards or envelopes with them so that they may send out mail as well.

What about packages from home including food/candy?

Packages of food from home, we know, are a symbol of love and intended to please the camper. If you do send a package we ask it not be loaded with sugar, contain nuts and have enough to share.

For counselors, snacks loaded with sugar present a challenges if campers load up on sugar when they (their campers) get a chance to slow down for rest or bed time.

Please look for healthy options, (low sugar & little or no caffeine) and no gum (as it often gets stuck to tables and chairs). Focus on cards, notes from home and healthy items or items that may be helpful for the program week like a flashlight.

Who are the staff at camp?

The Summer Camp Director is Rev Deacon Katie Gerber. Each week we have a group of clergy/lay ministers who love children and will be responsible for their spiritual journey while at camp. They will lead daily worship and an afternoon bible teaching. They will also interact with campers all week showing them the love of Christ we want all campers to experience during their time at summer camp.

 

Week 1:

• The Very Rev Robert (Rob) P. Price
• Eva Barazza, Children and Youth Minister, Ascension Episcopal Church, Dallas

 

Week 2:

• Rev Audrey Sutton
• Rev Roy Thomas
• Rev Miguel Carmona

 

Week 3

• Rev Craig Reed
• Rev Ethel Chanon
• Rev Paul Klitze

 

____________ is our music director for the summer. Stuart has many years experience as a camper and counselor at Summer Camp and also has previous experience as music director. Campers will enjoy singing and dancing to worship music all week.

Megan Cook is our photographer for camp.

Chelsey Anderson is our arts and crafts director.

We have a staff of camp counselors who are eager and ready to receive and lead your camper on an amazing week at summer camp. These counselors know how impactful this time is for campers and are ready and eager to help them grow in their faith, make life-long friends, and have tons of fun.

Is there need for spending money?

Yes, there is a camp store. It has basic toiletries, souvenir items and a few games/toys that may interest your camper. The store will be open occasionally during the week. Any spending money brought to camp remains the responsibility of the camper. Camp All Saints is not responsible for any cash a camper may have.

A note to parents about luggage coming home

*A note about bed bugs

To finish a great week of camp we are working to raise awareness of taking safety all the way home. Orkin has ranked the Dallas area in the top six cities in the nation with bed bugs. With that understanding part of any travel experience in today’s fast pace world is the possibility of encountering bed bugs.

While we don’t anticipate there is any reason to have concern, we advise all visitors/guests follow the best practices listed below regarding your luggage. While we work hard to keep our cabins free of bed bugs we can’t avoid the reality of new groups of people arriving with luggage/sleeping bags coming on and off the property every week.

As a precautionary measure, whenever you return from a trip….

• Place all clothing and bedding items directly into the dryer as soon as your student arrives home. Any item that can be placed into the dryer needs to be included—backpacks, duffel bags, jackets, hats, gloves, etc.
• Dry all items on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 45 minutes.
• After you have dried the clothing, wash with hot water and dry as usual.
• If you have items that cannot be placed into the dryer, leave them outside your home in a garbage bag until it can be treated. On large items like a suitcase you may use a hair dryer to force bed bugs out of hiding places. The “high” heat from a blow dryer will kill bed bugs and eggs after 30 seconds of continuous contact.

The Rev. Katie Gerber,

Summer Camp Director

Camp All Saints