WE CARE A LOT ABOUT CAMP We know you made a careful choice when you selected Covenant Harbor. We work hard to make you glad you picked us. Our top priorities are the safety and happiness of our campers, clear communication of the gospel, and offering adventures, lessons, and experiences you won't find anywhere else. This manual is intended to give you the information you need to be as ready as possible for those experiences.
Our Mission Covenant Harbor draws people from their routines into opportunities to enjoy creation, recreation and relationships, so that all will experience God through Jesus Christ.
Our Vision Covenant Harbor, a sanctuary where people are transformed by God, will be known for innovation, unexpected service and God-honoring stewardship as the destination of choice.
DAY CAMP PROGRAMMING We care a LOT about offering the best possible experience for our Day Campers. We want to provide plenty of opportunities for kids to be at camp with excellent, unique, and age appropriate programming. This year, we’re doing that by offering K-6 Day Camps every week of the summer, and adding 7th and 8th grade options too! All of our day campers will continue to share the Lodge Dining Hall, waterfront and some large group activities/sessions. This allows campers to spend some time with a friend or family member in a different age group. It also allows our program to efficiently share time and space with other programs. We also know that every kid is different. We believe building unique elements into the schedule for K-2, 3-6 and 7-8 is the best way for kids to learn and grow. Each age group will have its own goals, counselors and program director. Younger campers will receive specific attention from staff as they’re introduced to the Day Camp experience, Bible lessons, and activities. Older campers will get to know staff as they work together on gospel growth, new challenges, and more choices. You can visit our website for more specifics, or simply come and let the campers see for themselves!
CAMPER EXPECTATIONS Our hope is that every camper has a life-changing experience at Covenant Harbor. We want campers to have fun, grow in self-confidence and learn more about Jesus. The first day of each week of Day Camp, we’ll go over some rules and expectations with every camper to best accomplish that. We want to set them up to succeed, and hope you’ll join us in that goal. We’ll give a more specific list to the campers, but here’s a brief summary of what we expect of campers at Covenant Harbor. 1. Respect Each Other--Make friends at camp by saying/doing kind things and by standing up for each other. There is no hitting/kicking at camp, no bullying, no threats, no bad words, etc. Also, respect each other’s privacy. 2. Respect Camp--Keep camp clean and leave things the way you found it. 3. Respect the Staff--We’re here because we care about you. Make sure to listen to the staff and stick by your counselor. Any camper who feels unsafe or threatened should talk to their counselor or another staff member immediately, so that the situation can be dealt with in a timely manner. While we appreciate many benefits of technology, camp is a unique opportunity to disconnect and focus on relationships. Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed. Campers will have one opportunity to turn in their cell phones on the first day of camp. Any cell phones discovered after that point may result in immediate dismissal from the camp program.
WE’RE REALLY GLAD YOU'RE COMING TO CAMP Here are a few basics that will be helpful to know before and during your camper's experience. Expect Emails From Us They will be filled with all of the latest information and the most important details. To be fully prepared for the camp experience, please completely read each email we send.
Don’t Forget Your Medical Form If you haven't already completed this form, log back into your online registration account by clicking the "Register" button on our website to complete and submit the "Medical Form Summer 2017" for your camper(s). If you don't have internet access, call to request a paper form. *You should know, Covenant Harbor provides only secondary insurance to our campers. You are responsible to provide primary insurance.
Special Concerns If your camper has any special needs, activity, or dietary restrictions, please report these on your Medical Form and/or inform our registrar at least three weeks before your camper's experience so we can accommodate them to the best of our ability.
Thursday Overnight Day Campers in 3rd-6th grade get two unique chances (June 29-30 or July 20-21) this summer to get a taste of our overnight camps! For an additional fee of $39, campers will enjoy special evening activities and join a “Prime Time” session with our overnight program. Participating campers should come on Thursday morning with a sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, and a change of clothes. All campers who choose to stay for the overnight will eat dinner and breakfast at camp and will sleep “camp-out style” in one of our air conditioned multi-purpose rooms, separated by gender. Day Camp Overnight is a great way for campers to “try out” the overnight camp experience! Campers wishing to participate in Overnight must register by Tuesday of the camp week. Cost is an additional $39 and space is limited.
Family Night Families are invited to join us after check-out (4:30-6:00 pm) on the Tuesday of your week of camp! Come meet your child's counselor, take a tour, try out some Day Camp classics and enjoy a potluck style dinner. Let us know at check-in on the Monday of your week of camp if you'll be joining us! A-M last names plan to bring a side to share and N-Z last names plan to bring a dessert (no peanuts, please!). Family Night is only scheduled for our 5-day Day Camps.
CHECK-IN Day Camp Check-in will take place each day between 8:30 am and 9:00 am. Our drive-through style Check-in process allows our staff to quickly sign your child in to camp without you having to leave your car. Leave a little extra time for the first Check-in of your week of camp, as campers will have the opportunity to put spending money in the camp bank and drop off all medications with the nurse (more information below). You'll also have the option to purchase a t-shirt and/or camp photo; or save time and money by purchasing items in advance through the online registration. At Check-In You’ll Need ● All medications ● Any spending money for your camper ● Payment for t-shirts, photos, etc.(unless submitted in advance) Camper Medications and Inhalers ● All medications will be administered by our on-site nurse throughout the week. ● All prescription drugs must be given to the nurse at Check-in and must be in original containers with instructions. Medication must be current, expired medications cannot be accepted. ● Campers may not keep any medications on their person or in their belongings (including over the counter medications). ● Please do not bring nonprescription medications (vitamins, fluoride pills, etc.) that are not essential for maintaining your child’s health while at camp. ● If your child uses an inhaler, please send two inhalers to camp, if possible. One will be kept at the health center and one will be carried with the counselor throughout the week.
Team Requests
Keep in mind as you Check-in: -We will only grant up to 2 teammate requests per camper. A group of more than 3 will be split based on first choice teammate requests. -We will assign campers in teams of K-2nd grade, 3rd-6th and 7th-8th grade. 3rd grade campers may occasionally choose to join a K-2 team if a 3rd grade camper requests a friend in the younger group. *Please be honest about your child’s age and grade. Please contact us if you have any questions about programming or team requests for your child. If you misrepresent your age and/or grade level, we reserve the right to remove your child from a program.
CHECK-OUT Check-out is also a drive through process and will be in the same location as Check-in (except in case of bad weather, when staff will direct you) from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm each afternoon. Staff members will sign children out only to people listed on their registration or at check-in. Arrival or departure at any other time causes disturbances to the camp program and is strongly discouraged. Administrative fees may apply for disruptions. Campers may come and go only once per day.
Encore There is a late pick-up option available for K-6th grade campers if you are unable to pick your camper up by 4:30. Your camper can stay for an extra activity and eat dinner with our overnight campers. Late pick-up will be from 6:00 to 6:15. You can register online for $10 per day or $40 for the week (5 days). If space allows 24 hours in advance, you can also register at Check-in.
PACKING LIST To Bring ❏ Swimsuits (modest 1 piece for girls, trunks for boys) ❏ Beach Towel ❏ Close Toed Shoes ❏ Raincoat/poncho (if necessary) ❏ Sunscreen and Bug Spray ❏ Jacket/sweatshirt ❏ Water bottle
Optional ❏ Camera ❏ Water shoes ❏ Bible (or use one of ours)
What not to bring Cell phones Electronic devices Music players Pets Weapons of any kind Fireworks Tobacco Alcohol Drugs Nut products of any kind Personal sports equipment
Packing Tips -Label your items. Please write your camper’s first and last name where possible. -We recommend that you send your camper’s items in a bag/backpack and include a separate plastic bag for wet items. -We play hard at camp. Only bring things to camp that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty, stained or possibly lost. -We desire for all campers to feel comfortable while at camp. For that reason, we ask that campers and our staff dress modestly. If an outfit is too revealing, we will ask the camper to change. -Our adventure activities (such as climbing tower, zip line, giant swing, indoor wall, etc) require closed toe shoes and longer shorts or pants. -Day Campers are served a light breakfast during check in and lunch each day. Campers also have access to the Canteen (aka Snack Shop) each afternoon. We discourage campers from bringing other snacks.
Lost and Found Covenant Harbor is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. At Check-out, lost and found items are brought to a designated area. If one of your items is missing please talk to a staff member while you are here, or call the office. Items can be mailed, but we may ask for shipping reimbursement. At the end of the summer season, unclaimed items are donated to charity. For health reasons, socks, underwear, toothbrushes, used soap, etc. will be thrown out.
We can’t wait to see you at Day Camp! Questions? Call us: 262-248-3600 Email: camp@covenantharbor.org www.covenantharbor.org