Camper Standards

The following are general rules that apply to campers at all times and should be consistently enforced by staff members:

• One person talking at a time

• Keep hands to self

• Listen and follow directions the first time they're given

• Never leave the group without permission

• Be respectful and kind to yourself and to others

• Do your best and have fun!

Bullying and Fighting

1. Bullying and fighting are never allowed at camp.

2. If someone does or says something mean to you, do not retaliate. Tell a staff member.

3. If someone does something that makes you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation and tell a staff member immediately.

4. Keep all speech clean and kind.

5. Keep your hands to yourself. Even during activities or camp games, there should be no inappropriate or forceful touching.

Caring for Camp

1. Campers are not allowed to deface camp property in any way.

2. Littering is prohibited - pick up all trash and place it in the appropriate bin.

3. Never throw rocks or anything that isn't meant to be thrown (i.e., dodgeballs).

4. Leave nature alone - don't carve into or climb trees, don't dig into the dirt, don't move rocks to different locations, etc.

5. Wear shoes at all times.

Contraband

Campers are prohibited from bringing the following items to camp:

1. Tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and e-cigarettes

2. Books or magazines with questionable material

3. Pets

4. Electronic devices for entertainment

5. Blades, guns, and other weapons

6. Music devices and instruments

7. Phones

8. All other valuables should be left at home or turned into the main office for safekeeping

Equipment

1. All sports equipment should be put away when finished. 

   1. • When leaving the playground, equipment should be returned to the ball bag.

      • When playing gym games or outdoor activities, equipment should be returned as directed by the activity leader.

2. Do not hang from basketball nets or attempt to climb the pole.

3. Do not use equipment in any way it is not intended to be used.

4. If a piece of equipment is broken or damaged in any way, bring it to a counselor.

First Aid

1. All camper medical needs should be listed on their forms.

2. Campers are required to turn in all medications at the beginning of the week. If a camper has an emergency medication (Inhaler or Epi-Pen) they may keep it with them ONLY by expressed permission from the Director.

3. If a camper is in need of first aid, they should tell their counselor immediately.

4. If a camper sees someone else in need of first aid who is unable to find help for themselves, they should tell the nearest staff member.

5. Drink LOTS of water!!

Lost and Found

1. Lost and found for each huddle room will be at a table in the back of the room. 

2. A general, all-camp lost and found table will be in the back of the Gym near the door. 

3. If you find something that is not yours, put it on the Lost and Found table nearest you.

4. Every camper should check these tables before going home.

5. On Friday, campers must check the Lost and Found at the back of the room before leaving.

Vehicles

1. Campers are not allowed to:

   1. • Touch any vehicles in the parking lot that don't belong to their parent/guardian.

      • Ask for a ride in a staff member's vehicle. 

      • Run alongside a moving vehicle.

      • Run in front of a moving vehicle.

      • Chase after a moving vehicle.

Archery

1. 3rd-4th grade and 5th-6th grade huddles participate in Archery once per week. 

2. This activity is safe but can present some inherent risks. Staff attentiveness and supervision is imperative to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our campers.

3. All rules must be explained thoroughly before the activity begins. Each camper must demonstrate the ability to understand and follow the rules in order to participate.

4. Campers may practice without arrows first in order to get acquainted with the equipment.

Rules:

1. NEVER shoot or load your arrow while someone is in front of you.

2. If it is not your turn, you are BEHIND the person in your group who has the bow.

3. NEVER retrieve an arrow until a counselor says so and ALL other groups have shot their arrows. (Even if another group is slow, NEVER let someone in front of the shooters).

4. When retrieving arrows, walk with the tips DOWN. It can be dangerous if you are running, and the tips are up.

5. When loading your bow, the arrow tips need to be DOWN and facing your target. (Campers may hold their bows toward their group by accident if it isn't specified).

6. Every shooter must have an arm guard on their opposite forearm to protect them from the string.

7. When shooting, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and squared parallel to the target.

8. The arm holding the bow goes straight out and is locked at the elbow; set the arrow with the feather facing up.

9. Pull your arm up, pull the bow back, try not to touch the arrow, and let it fly.

10. Everyone must hear and understand what to do before anyone shoots. 

11. There are absolutely NO exceptions for people not following the rules.

Assembly

General

• This is one of the only events where the entire camp is all together to celebrate or participate in a group activity.

• It's okay to be loud and excited when appropriate but your huddle should not be distracting to others. 

• If a camper is dropped off or called to go home during an assembly, utilize the help of a Leadership staff or your huddle staff to walk the camper to the appropriate location.

Morning Assembly

• Counselor challenges will be completed during morning assembly. 

• Campers are encouraged to cheer on their counselor but should not be disruptive to the groups around them in any way.

Afternoon Assembly

• During the afternoon assembly, campers will play the theme game. Each huddle will send two campers up to play the game as instructed. 

• Campers do have the option to bring up a counselor to help them. This will most likely be utilized by the younger huddles who may not understand all the rules but the option is available to everyone.

• Campers caught cheating will be dismissed from the game immediately and the huddle will forfeit any points gained during that round.

• The game is meant to be fun - competition is wonderful but at the end of the day, campers shouldn't base their perception of the entire week on a game.

Capture the Flag

Rules:

1. The group will be split into two even teams.

2. Campers will be told what they are you trying to capture and how their team can win (One flag, one ball, multiple flags, multiple dodgeballs, etc.). There will also be a specific number of how may flags or balls can be stolen at once.

3. Campers will be told where the boundaries are. (Out of bounds, midline, safe zone, jail).

4. When someone comes to YOUR side you may tag them out.

5. If you make it to the safe zone on the other team’s side, you can’t be tagged.

6. When campers are tagged, they will have a penalty (Jail, sitting down, exercise, etc.).

7. If you get tagged with the flag or ball you automatically give it back to the other team and then go to jail or sit down.

8. You ALWAYS become free if a teammate comes to get you from jail (or from where you got tagged). You also get a FREE walk back to your side and get to continue to play.

9. Every few minutes, JAILBREAK will be called and anyone out can be set free.

Devotion

1. Devotion is one of the most special times of our camp week. This is where campers will be engaged with the Gospel and challenged to grow in their walk with Christ.

2. It is important that you do what is asked of you to assist the Leadership staff in implementing the curriculum.

3. Devotion will require constant supervision and attention. You need to ensure that your huddle is silent, paying attention, and participating when asked.

4. You also need to be silent, paying attention, and participating when asked. Campers will look to you to influence their own behavior. You also need to be aware of what they're learning to reinforce the lessons later and to answer questions should they arise.

Devotion Craft

1. Only the Kindergarteners and 1st-2nd grade huddles complete a devotion craft. They will do this once each day. The craft is meant to reinforce what they learned in devotion through a hands-on activity.

2. All crafts are planned ahead of time by the Leadership staff.

   1. • Program Staff will set up, facilitate, and clean up the craft materials.

      • Counselors should be assisting their campers in the craft and helping them follow the directions of the Program Staff.

      • Campers are not allowed to leave a giant mess for the Program Staff. They should help neaten the area before they leave.

3. At the end of craft time, make sure that all camper crafts are stored in the appropriate area as to not get lost. This may be on a table to dry (i.e., Paint or Glue) or in the camper's brown bag.

4. You may play music during the craft.

Fishing

1. Fishing is conducted at Regent Pond. Campers must carefully walk through the parking lot to the fishing area and must stay out of the main roadway.

2. There may be staff members working over the summer inside Regent House - campers should maintain an appropriate volume while fishing.

3. Campers should make their best effort to use the restrooms BEFORE walking to fishing.

4. All rules should be explained before walking to the fishing area and reinforced throughout the activity. Inability to understand and follow instructions will result in a camper having to sit out of the activity.

5. Campers should not be playing in the trees or hanging on railway ties; they need to be aware of the rods, fish, and hooks around them.

6. If a camper does not want to fish OR if they are waiting their turn, they may hang out with the staff member who is not running fishing.

7. Every camper gets 5 minutes to fish before rotating.

Rules:

1. Safety first! Make sure you never cast your line with someone right next to you or behind you.

2. ALWAYS stand a few feet behind the water in case you slip and fall. We don’t want anyone in the water.

3. Make sure your pole has a bobber, fishhook, and a worm before casting.

4. If you see your bobber go down, reel in quickly!

5. If you don’t have a fish, check your hook to see if you still have your bait. If you do, cast again following the same rules. If your bait is gone, get another worm and have a counselor help put it on the hook.

6. If you catch a fish, ask a counselor to help get the hook out of the fish!

7. NEVER keep the fish. ALWAYS THROW THE FISH BACK.

8. Catching frogs is discouraged and frogs must be let go if they are caught.

9. MAKE SURE THE POND AND SURROUNDING AREAs ARE CLEAN BEFORE YOU LEAVE!!

Free Build

1. Free build is a very unstructured time for campers to be creative, out of the heat, and to get downtime to make connections with the people in their huddle.

2. There will be a variety of supplies for camper use. Campers should use materials appropriately - supplies are meant to be used by all huddles throughout the entire week. 

3. Campers should not throw the materials or build anything that could be construed as inappropriate.

4. If you abuse it you lose it - purposefully damaging or breaking building materials will result in a loss of that material and possibly a loss of free build time for the camper.

Free Craft

1. Free craft is a very unstructured time for campers to be creative, out of the heat, and to get downtime to make connections with the people in their huddle.

2. There will be a variety of supplies for camper use. Campers should use materials sparingly and appropriately - supplies are meant to be used by all huddles throughout the entire week. Boxes will be restocked at the end of each week.

3. Campers will be given a brown paper bag at the beginning of the week to put their crafts in. 

4. If you abuse it you lose it - purposefully damaging or breaking craft materials will result in a loss of that material and possibly a loss of free craft time for the camper.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

1. Only the three youngest groups will participate in this activity.

2. Campers will play in the Low Ropes area and are able to use the trail to find their items.

3. Campers MUST stay on the trail at all times - they are NOT allowed to go to the Low Ropes equipment.

4. Campers will be given a card that describes an item they can find in nature.

5. When they find the item that fits their card, they should return it to the counselor and get a new card.

Playground

1. Campers should always keep their hands to themselves.

2. There should be no sitting or standing on parts of the playground not intended for those activities (i.e., On top of the monkey bars, on top of the tunnels, etc.).

3. Mulch should not be picked up or thrown.

4. Soccer and basketball should stay in their designated areas (basketball on the court, soccer on the turf).

5. Campers are not allowed to exit the playground without express permission from a counselor.

6. Equipment should be returned to the appropriate bags and taken inside at the end of playground time.

Relay Races

1. Campers will get into even lines with their teams.

2. Only ONE person is allowed to go at a time.

3. The camper who is participating in the relay must go ALL THE WAY to the line before returning.

4. The next person in line cannot start their turn until they get a high five. If they leave early, they must come back.

5. The game ends when all team members finish and sit down.

Sensory

1. All supplies are shared among huddles - campers are responsible for caring for the supplies and ensuring they aren't wasting them.

2. If there are bins, all supplies for that sensory activity MUST stay within the bins.

3. Spaces MUST be left as neat and clean as possible to ensure the Program Staff are able to do their job when the huddle leaves.

4. Materials are NEVER to be thrown or put on another person. Campers will not be allowed to play with the sensory materials if they misuse them in this way.

5. Not all Sensory Activities are available each time. Groups will have an assigned medium from the following list:

   1. • Play Doh

      • Chalk

      • Sensory Bead Foam

      • Kinetic Sand

      • Painting

      • Bubbles

      • Scratch Off Papers

      • Slime

      • Modeling Clay

Table Games

1. Table Games will be played in the huddle rooms.

2. Campers should play with all table games as directed by the instructions.

   • Counselors have the final say on "house rules" if there is any disagreement amongst campers.

   • Cheating is not allowed - it ruins the experience for everyone.

3. Campers are not allowed to be exclusive - anyone is allowed to play.

4. Table game pieces should be used appropriately and with care.

5. If any table game pieces are broken or missing, campers should let their counselors know.

6. All table games should be completely cleaned up when time is up. They should be put back appropriately so the next group can use them.

Water Games

1. All games should be played as instructed.

2. You need to be ensuring that your huddle is following directions and using equipment appropriately.

3. Before and after you assigned water game time, campers should change into their bathing suits.

   • All campers will go to their huddle room and get their bathing suit, any water shoes, and their towel.

   • Towels should be placed on their hook or in the cubby OUTSIDE their bag.

   • Bathing suits and water shoes should be taken into the bathroom with them.

   • The hall bathrooms will be used for changing. 

     1. Building 1 for K-2nd

     2. Building 2 for 3rd-6th

   • Dismiss campers three at a time to change in the restrooms, with the rest waiting outside the door with a counselor.

   • As campers exit the bathroom, they should take their dry clothes and shoes and immediately put them in their bag. Then they will grab their towel and have a seat in the huddle room until everyone is finished.

   • Counselors with campers who have finished changing should do something to redeem the time (play a game that doesn’t require materials or moving).

   • Once all campers are completely changed, lead them out to the field for games.

   • ***Note: The Doves get to change OUT of water clothes first as their next activity is Devotion.

4. Water Games Dress Code

   • Girls must wear a one-piece swimsuit if choosing to change into swim wear. Swimsuits should not be overly revealing or ill-fitting. If choosing to wear other clothing instead of a swimsuit, shirts may not be white or light-colored.

   • Boys must wear a shirt regardless of their shorts preference. They may wear swim trunks but a shirt must remain on at all times. Shirts may not be white or light-colored.

   • All campers must wear a water-style shoe. This can be a flip flop, outdoor sandal, or traditional swim shoes. All campers are required to have a second pair of clothing for water games.

   • Counselors: The same rules apply as above.

5. After water games:

   • Ensure everyone in your huddle has dried off as much as possible before taking them back to your huddle room to change.

   • Everyone must change into dry clothes.

   • Complete the changing process as before with three people at a time in the bathroom. 

   • Every camper should put their wet items in a gallon bag and back into their bag immediately.

6. The main goals of camper changing is to be quick, efficient, and to lose as few items as possible. This will require additional supervision as well as strict adherence to the protocols to ensure campers get in and out of the bathroom quickly and that their items are stored appropriately.