SUMMER CAMP HANDBOOK

MISSION/VISION:

At the Joshua House, our mission is to help youth find purpose.  Our vision is to see generations of young people living out all that God created them to be and do.  Summer Camp embodies this by:

  • fostering an environment that promotes CREATIVITY and tapping into their God given gifts and talents

  • CULTIVATING a healthy and active lifestyle

  • diminishing the learning gap by keeping them CONNECTED educationally throughout the summer

STAFF:

The key to a successful camp is the staff.  We are honored to work with an amazing group of people that are excited to bring the love of God to your camper.  It is their hope that each camper experiences His love this summer in a meaningful way!  Our campers are…

  • Carefully interviewed, screened, and selected for our camp. They possess current State Police, Child Abuse, FBI, and NSOR clearances. 

  • Every staff member is also required to be First Aid/CPR certified.  In addition, some are lifeguard certified.

  • Staff will also be trained in the areas of child safety, water safety, classroom management, conflict resolution, and character education. 

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS/POLICY:

  1. Space is Limited

  2. Registration Options:

    Parents have 4 options for camp.  Looking to spend the whole summer then select the full summer option.  Maybe you only want to select a few weeks of camp, then you would choose the individual weeks and select which weeks your camper wants to attend.  We also have a half-day option for those that may want to take advantage of the morning portion of our day at camp.  Finally, we have the Field Trip Friday only option, where your camper comes along on field trips only.

  • Full Summer (11 weeks)

    • June 3 - August 16

  • Individual Weeks

    • Select which weeks you want your camper to participate in.  

    • No Limit to how many weeks are chosen

  • Half Days (Mon - Thur)

    • AM Half Day 8:00 -12:00 (Educationally Fit)

  • Field Trip Fridays

    • Join us ONLY on our Field Trips

3. Registration Procedure:

  • Step 1: Read through the FAQs and CAMP HANDBOOK 

  • Step 2: Go to the Camp Registration Page 

  • Step 3: Click on the Summer Camp Icon 

  • Step 4: Click Add to cart and fill out the Registration Form 

  • Step 5: Pay a $100 non-refundable registration ($30) and camp deposit ($70) that is applied to each camper. Camp Deposit is applied toward balance.

  • Step 6: Within 24 hours, a member of our team will reach out, confirm registration, and set up a payment plan. 

4. Payment Procedure:

  • A $100 non-refundable registration ($30) and camp deposit ($70) is applied to each camper.

  • Camp Deposit is applied toward balance.

  • Parents will then have two options for the remaining balance.

    • Pay in full before June 1st

    • 3 Monthly Installments on the remaining balance

      • Due on or before June 1st, July 1st, August 1st 

    • Cash/Checks are our preferred method of payment. Checks can be made payable to Joshua House, Inc. 

    • We can also send you an invoice to pay with debit/credit card.

5. Multiple siblings discount:

  • Yes, each additional sibling would receive a 10% discount per child. 

  • Do I have to pay the registration and camp deposits for every child?

    • Yes, each camper will need to register and pay the $100 non-refundable registration ($30) and camp deposit ($70) for each camper.

    • You can register each child in 1 transaction.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

Each camper's experience, as well as, their health and safety are our most important priorities at camp.  That importance is shared between both camp staff and you as the parents.  This partnership will ensure that campers get the most out of each day in a safe way.  The more aware our staff is of what each camper needs the better we can serve them.  Below are some critical areas that we can partner with parents to make camp the most memorable experience for your camper.

  1. Medical Conditions, Allergies, and Medications

  • It is vital for staff to be aware of any conditions that your camper may have.  Even minor irritations, bee stings, allergies, or sensitives should be noted.

  • Any child with an inhaler or Epipen must have proper medicine on site.

  • We cannot care for any camper who has a contagious illness.  If a camper becomes ill, parents will be notified to pick their camper up immediately. Your camper will sit out of activities until picked up.  

  • Medical records of campers are kept confidential.

2. Educational and Behavioral Needs

  • Our camp is designed to provide educational enrichment during the summer months.  Our educational resources are provided by trained teachers, but not all individual educational needs can be met.  It is our goal for grade-based enrichment in the subjects of reading, writing, and math.

  • Based on the above statement, if your camper has any educational or behavioral needs that staff would benefit from knowing please share this information on the registration sheet.

  • This information can be valuable to equip staff which will provide the absolute best experience for your camper.  

3. Parental Notification:

    • Please keep all contact info up to date!

    • For minor injuries, such as scrapes, small scratches, cuts, or minor bruises, first aid will be applied and parents will be notified at camp pickup.  

    • Parents will be notified immediately of any head injury, serious accident, injury, or allergic reaction during camp.

    •  If the injury is above first aid and in need of immediate medical attention, parents and emergency contacts will be notified, and then in a worst-case scenario, an ambulance will be called.  Parent and emergency contact is very important, please keep it updated.  

DAY AT CAMP:

A day at camp is where all the memories are made.  Each camper's AM will start with our Morning Meeting, followed by our Educationally Fit session, where campers will participate in academic learning centers followed by our Fitness session and snack.  Campers will have lunch and a needed break to ramp up for our Afternoon Adventure.  We debrief in our final camp meeting and away they go, back to you!  Below are very important camp notes for our daily routine to go smoothly!

  1. Drop Off/Pick Up Location and Times:  

  • Drop off begins at 7:45 and ends at 8:15

    • Arrows Christian Academy at Center City Church. Drop off in the alley between 12th ave and 13th ave.

  • Pick-up begins at 4:00 and ends at 4:30.

    • Pick up is in the same location as drop off

    • For early pickup call our office at (814) 201-2454.

2. Sign in and Sign Out:

  • Campers will need to be signed in and out by a parent or designated guardian.  

  • Must be at least 18 years or older.

  • Campers will not be released to anyone who has not been designated prior

  • Identification must be presented at the time of release.  As staff becomes familiar, an ID may not need to be required.  

3. General Camp Rules:

  • Show Honor:

    • Highly respect all staff and campers.  A daily choice and action, not based on how you feel

  • Have Courage:

    • Lead with a servant’s heart, obey those in authority, and be bold in asking questions

  • Play Fair:

    • Have integrity and character.  Don’t cheat or cut corners.  Do the right thing (even when no one is looking).

  • Take Care:

    • Everything belongs to God.  It is our job to steward all He has entrusted to us.  Take care of your stuff, other campers, and every location you attend.  

4. To Bring or Not to Bring

  • What To Wear…

    • Comfortable clothes to be active indoors and outdoors

      • Clothes will likely get dirty, please prepare accordingly.

    •  Sneakers

      • NO OPEN TOES OR BACKLESS SHOES

  • What To Bring…

    • Clothes in a labeled ziplock bag (you could get wet)

    • Hat

    • Water Bottle

    • Bagged Snacks and Lunch

    • Sunscreen

      • Please provide sunscreen for your camper

      • We will do our best to monitor sun exposure.

    • Please label all items brought to camp.

    • We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

    • Cell phones would be permitted for emergency use only.  

  • What Not to Bring…

    • Electronics or video games

    • Toys

    • Personal items from home

    • Valuables

    • No weapons, drugs, alcohol, or any items deemed extremely unsafe or negligent.  

Field Trips and Other locations:

We are excited about our field trips and other locations we will visit throughout the summer.  Our goal is to provide your camper with a variety of recreational and educational trips to enhance their camp experience.  Below is a list of things we need to know for our trips.

Transportation:

  • Camp is equipped with 2- 15 passenger vans along with a school bus.  

  • Some locations will be within walking distance.  Staff will walk in small groups to those locations.  

    Fees:

  • Fees for all Field Trips are included in camp fees.

  • Extra spending money is not included.

Dress:

  • Every Camper will get a camp t-shirt and that shirt must be worn on all field trips.

Lunches:

  • Please bring bagged lunches and snacks like normal.

Swimming:

  • We will have a certified lifeguard with us on all trips where swimming will take place, in addition to any on-site.

  • Flotation devices will be required for campers who do not pass the swim test.

    • Parents must provide their own flotation devices.