Be sure to bring enough to last the entire camp.

• Clothing: shorts (not too short or revealing), T-shirts (avoid ones with crude or rude imprinting please), swimwear (modest; for girls, a two piece swimsuits must be accompanied by a T-shirt), shoes (comfy and quick dry).

• Bible

• Towels

• Bedding for twin-sized bunk bed (sleeping bag or sheets) & pillow

• Flashlight

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.

• Insect repellent

• Electronic equipment; including tablets, phones, laptops, music players, gaming systems, etc…

• Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, illegal drugs, etc.

• Fireworks, rifles, bow and arrows, knives, or weapons of any kind.

• Jewelry or other expensive items.

Campers must pass a swimming test at the pool before tubing.

Shoes that are secured to the foot are required to participate in any or all Ropes Course activities (no crocs, or flip flops or loose sandals are allowed).

Do not bring electronic equipment or game systems.

Cell-Phone Policy: Cell phones can be a distraction and a danger, therefore we do not allow campers to have them at camp. Campers are not allowed to make phone calls without the director’s approval. Adult leaders may bring cell phones for personal use only - not for campers to borrow.

Please wear modest clothing. No short shorts, short skirts, halter tops or revealing swim wear. Guys must wear a shirt at all times unless in your cabin, swimming, or tubing.

All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be in original packaging/bottle that identifies the prescribing physician, name of medication, dosage, and frequency of administration. No exceptions. All meds will be given to the camp nurse for distribution.

Cabin assignments may be requested ahead of time, but will be limited as space is available. Cabins may also be assigned upon arrival at camp. You may choose up to TWO friends that can room with your child in the same age range.

Email may be sent to campers during their camp week. Parents are able to log into their account within our database and email from the “one way email” button. Campers will not be able to send email while at camp.

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We encourage letters and packages for your children. Parents are encouraged to mail cards, letters and packages early. Every summer we have letters and packages that arrive after campers have returned home.

The Snack Shop and Camp Store are open each day except departure day. They are open each afternoon and some evenings.

Money should be loaded by the parent/guardian on the camper’s account in Campwise. This money will be deducted throughout the camp as the camper makes purchases. Money can be added at anytime during the camp.

We will do all that we can to help your camper return home with everything they bring to camp. In spite of our best efforts some of them will leave something behind. If you realize your child has left behind something important let us know and we will try to find it and return it to you.

Parents will be asked to reimburse LFR for all postage or shipping cost for any returned items.

Anything that is not called for and is not easily identified will be donated to a local charity at the end of the summer.

Campers may not call home except in the event of an emergency. Parents who need to contact their children for emergencies may call (662) 726-5052. An answering machine will give a cell number to call if no one answers the camp line.

Campers will be allowed to fish with their own equipment and tackle. Rules and regulations will either be posted around camp or mentioned in orientation. Catch and release only during summer camp. No license is required.

There’s room for 1 adult per 7 campers. This means that if you bring 8 campers you will be allowed 2 adult leaders. It is not required that you bring any adults to stay during the week with campers, but it is a great benefit if adult leaders who are a part of the ongoing ministry to your children/students are present for the camp.

We want to bless those who work with the children or students in your church. We feel that our ministry to your campers is exponentially greater if we can encourage those in your church who are ministering to them. We often say that WE are partnering with YOU in your ministry to kids.

Adult leaders pay the same rate as campers with the exception of the main adult leader who is in charge of organizing your group’s registration. This adult leader comes to camp for half price. This discount is given as the main adult leader helps to stay in communication with us prior to camp to adjust numbers, and stays in contact with parents to ensure they’re registering their children and submitting the required paperwork.

Camp counselors and adult leaders meet on Welcome Day to talk about the needs of the campers that they have brought. Leaders can share about the campers’ life, needs, and spiritual con­cerns to help the counselor get off to a great start ministering to the kids in their cabins.

Leaders also have an oppor­tunity each evening to reconnect with their group for fun and to check in to see how everybody is doing.

We sometimes ask that leaders assist with some of the many recreation options each afternoon.

Children who are younger than camper age who stay in the cabin with their parent(s), will be charged only ½ the camper price. While there is not a charge for children under the age of 4, please bring these little ones along only as a last resort since that will limit the adult leader’s freedom to take advantage of all of the opportunities available during the week. Also, space is limited.

We cannot guarantee that couples get to room together in a cabin. We do our best to make it happen, if requested, but there are many factors that come into consideration when it comes to housing all adult leaders.

The only time that child care will be available is during Bible study each morning.

Talk to your child about camp and what it’s all about. While you can’t prepare your child for everything, you can give him/her some idea of what to expect. Fear of the unknown is usually the biggest concern for children attending camp. Practicing a typical day at camp may provide some reassurance and self-confidence; try walking outside in the dark with a flashlight, making the bed, brushing teeth, placing laundry in a laundry bag, going to the bathroom with the toiletries kit, and showering independently. Make sure they know that recreation activities are optional as some are nervous about high ropes, swimming, etc….

As parents we often make little promises to our children in order to alleviate their fears. It can be devastating to a camper if those promises aren’t met. Some examples:

• Don’t tell your child you will talk to him or her on the phone.

• Don’t tell them it won’t rain and that there are no bugs.

• Don’t tell your children you’ll come pick them up if they don’t like camp.

Instead of making promises, encourage them to be confident in the Lord while at camp.

We highly encourage you and your child to pack together. If you pack your child’s things, please take 10 minutes to go over everything in their bag with, locating things and making sure they feel prepared. If your child packs their own bag make sure they have everything they needs and that they have not packed things they should not bring.

Pack linens, sleeping bags, pillows and outerwear in a duffle bag together. When packing your child‘s bag, place larger items on the bottom, folded or rolled and smaller items on top.

Like the rest of life, camp will probably have its high and low points. Remind them that the main purpose of camp is to make friends and have fun while learning more about God. Set up a “thinking about you” time: you and your child will think about each other every day at breakfast, when you see the first star of the night, or when you brush your teeth. Let your children know they are going to have the time of their life.

Start camp off on a smooth note by arriving on time and on the right day. Use a wall calendar in the months prior to Welcome Day to make an exciting count-down to the big day.

As your child prepares for their first camp experience, be sure to talk with them about any uneasiness. Do not assume you know how they feel. Instead, ask questions that will help them explore what they are feeling as the time for camp approaches. Ask open ended questions, “What are you looking forward to? Is there anything you are unsure about?”. Answer questions with confidence in their ability to handle being away from home. Assure them that they will be well cared for while at camp.

We highly recommend this for new campers who are going away to camp for the first time. Have your child do an overnight at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house or another close friend’s house without you. This will give your camper some experience in being away from home before heading off to camp.

Set aside some time at meals or before bed to pray with your child about camp. Pray for your children’s cabin mates, counselors, the Bible studies they will participate in, the activities they will do, and for safety while at camp. All of our counselors at Lake Forest Ranch make sure to set aside some time to meet with each child one-on-one. Pray that the time your child spends with their counselor is meaningful.

It’s easy to lose things at camp, but if you want it back, it’s got to have your name on it. Label everything from your t-shirts to your tennis racket to your toothbrush. Leave really expensive gear at home. Most children lose something at camp, so remind yours to check the lost-and-found on closing day.

Include plastic bags or a laundry bag for wet or dirty clothing. “Containerize” smaller items when packing.

Put similar things together in see-through travel bags, zip-locks or plastic units so that they are easy to find and keep organized. Put stationery/ stamps/mail in large plastic envelopes or in a clipboard with a storage compartment.