Summer 2012 Info
This year's summer camp is going to be our best yet! We have strong staff members returning to camp, new staff members who have shown initiative and potential, and a Christ-centered theme to focus us on what really matters!
Below is some information that we hope will be helpful to you as you consider Camp Highroad for your child this summer. If you need more information, check out the tabs under the "Summer Camp" section above, or shoot us an e-mail at programs@camphighroad.org!
Brochure:
If you would like a digital copy of our summer camp brochure, download it here!
What's New for 2012:
-"High Adventure" (Trip) camp for high schoolers.
-Wranglers will now be staying in air-conditioned Willow Lodge!
-Mission Camp for graduated high school seniors.
-New High-Ropes Challenge Course for high schoolers.
Theme:
This year's theme is "Out of This World" and is based on John 15:19. The campers will learn about how God's love for them is beyond the limits of our understanding and that God has called us to live for Him in a way that is truly "Out of This World!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my camper call me? Can I call my camper?
Does the health Form have to be signed by a doctor?
How do you select counselors?
How much money should I leave my camper for the Camp Store?
If I forget to mail a letter to my camper, is there any other way I can contact him/her?
My camper has food allergies, who do I need to tell and when should I notify them?
My Camper is a picky eater, what if he/she doesn't like the food?
What address do I send mail to?
What can be purchased at the Camp Store?
What if my child becomes homesick?
What time should I pick up my camper?
What time should I bring my camper to camp?
Where do I get a copy of the Health Form?
What will my camper being doing while at camp?
Where can I find a list of what to pack?
Why does my camper need long pants? extra shoes? layers? rain gear?
Can my camper call me? Can I call my camper?
Campers do not have access to a phone and should not bring cell phones to camp. We don't allow camper access to phones because contact with home during the camp week tends to encourage homesickness and jealousy, and distracts children from the experience that we are trying to give them. Cell phones that are sent with campers will be confiscated and returned to them on Friday. If there is an emergency please call our clinic at 540-687-6274 and leave a message.
Does the health Form have to be signed by a doctor?
The second section (Form #2) of the Highroad Health Form does not have to be signed by a doctor, if a health form, such as a school or sports physical form, is submitted that has been signed by a doctor within the 24 months prior to your child's week at camp. The first section of the Highroad Health Form (Form #1) must be completed regardless. If your child does not have a signed physical examination form from within the two years prior to camp, then he or she must go to the doctor and have the Highroad Form completed and signed there. Again, the personal history and parent permission forms (Form #1) must be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian regardless.
What time should I bring my camper to camp?
Check-in time is 6:00 pm on Sunday, and usually lasts about an hour. If you are going to be late please call 540-687-6274 and leave a message.
What time should I pick up my camper?
Pick up is Friday at 3:00 pm. Closing worship is over at 2:55 and the campers walk from worship to the parking area to be picked up. Please plan to be on time so that our summer camp staff can leave camp for a night of rest. Pick up and drop off of all campers is at the main camp parking lot unless directed otherwise.
Where do I get a copy of the Health Form?
Does the health Form have to be signed by a doctor?
The second section (Form #2) of the Highroad Health Form does not have to be signed by a doctor, if a health form, such as a school or sports physical form, is submitted that has been signed by a doctor within the 24 months prior to your child's week at camp. The first section of the Highroad Health Form (Form #1) must be completed regardless. If your child does not have a signed physical examination form from within the two years prior to camp, then he or she must go to the doctor and have the Highroad Form completed and signed there. Again, the personal history and parent permission forms (Form #1) must be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian regardless.
What address do I send mail to?
Send mail to: Campers Name, Unit, Camp Highroad, 21164 Steptoe Hill Road, Middleburg, VA 20117 For example: Bobby Sue, Explorers 2, Camp Highroad, 21164 Steptoe Hill Road, Middleburg, VA 20117
If I forget to mail a letter to my camper, is there any other way I can contact him/her?
Sure! Just use our online contact form in the "Contact" section, and put the campers name in the Subject field. We will print your message and hand it out with the rest of the mail.
My camper has food allergies, who do I need to tell and when should I notify them?
We are happy to help facilitate the needs of your child! You can help us to do this by letting the office know about food allergies as soon as possible. The sooner that we know that a child has allergies, the better prepared our caterer can be to work with his or her needs. If your child has food allergies. please call the registrar at 540-687-6262, use our online contact form, or send the camper's Health Form in early.
My Camper is a picky eater, what if he/she doesn't like the food?
Our menu is very camper-friendly! Meals include entrees like chicken nuggets, pizza, tacos, and hot dogs. Sides generally include items like french fries, macaroni and cheese, and garlic bread. Every breakfast includes the choice of cereal and yogurt, in addition to the hot breakfast items that are served.. Most lunches and dinners include salad and/or other vegetables. Campers are also free to ask for a peanut butter and jelly, or cheese, sandwich.
What will my camper being doing while at camp?
It's hard to describe a typical day at camp! Campers wake up, have breakfast, go to morning Bible study, do two activity blocks… let's say nature and pool time… and then have lunch. After lunch, campers have an hour of chill time with their counselors, and then they do another two activity blocks… maybe ropes course and zip wire… before dinner. After dinner, campers engage in evening programs ranging from night hikes to hayrides, campfires to late-swims. It all depends on the age of the groups, the interests of the campers, and the activities that their counselors pick to enhance your children's time at camp!
What if my child becomes homesick?
Homesickness is, unfortunately, a reality when children spending more time away from their family than they are used to. It's something that we recognize as an issue, try to prevent from occuring, and will respond caringly to if it arises. The best way to deal with homesickness is to prevent it, and you can help us with that: Talk to your child about what he or she will experience at camp, share positive stories about your own camping experiences and times away from home, don't overemphasize how much you'll miss your child when he/she is away, and tell your camper how proud you are that he/she is grown up enough to spend a week at camp. The more excited your child is when you pull up Steptoe Hill Road, the easier it will be for him or her to enjoy the Highroad experience! On our end, we train our counselors to recognize and to deal caringly with homesickness, we strive to create an experience that is so engaging and fast-paced that children don't have time to focus on being homesick, and we will call you and let you know if your child is exhibiting signs of unrelenting homesickness. At that point, we will discuss with you whether you would prefer that your child stay at camp or come home. Depending on the severity of the homesickness, you may be asked to come pick your camper up. However, that is very rarely necessary!
Where can I find a list of what to pack?
Why does my camper need long pants? extra shoes? layers? rain gear?
It never hurts to have a variety of clothes! All clothes that come to camp, however, are subject to dirt, rain, and the combination of those two elements that children love to play in. As you pack for your child, pack clothes that are nearing retirement. It's more productive to buy new clothes after camp, to replace clothes ruined at camp, then to buy clothes before camp for camp! (That all made sense, right?). Wranglers are required to wear long pants for riding because of the plants that they brush as they ride past them. Long pants are optional for all other camps, but they help prevent scratches and itchyness, so they are useful regardless of which camp your child is in. Extra shoes are a must-have! One of our most popular activities is the creek hike, and campers must wear a pair of shoes while in the creek. Since children will be walking more at camp than they are used to, it's very helpful for them to have plenty of shoes and socks to prevent hiking with wet feet. Campers still choose to do that sometimes, but it's nice to know that they had the option of a dry pair of shoes! The best way to stay comfortable is by dressing in layers. Sending a child to camp with only t-shirts and one large coat is like owning a house with only the coldest and hottest setting of the thermostat working. Either way, the child is uncomfortable. Sending an old long-sleeve shirt, a light jacket, and a sweat shirt, allows children to have the option of wearing more layers in the morning and then taking off layers and putting them in their day-packs as the morning turns into afternoon. Rain gear is helpful, especially during long walks from lodges to the dining hall. It is certainly not required, and a trashbag with holes cut in it can make good economical rain gear. What is more important than rain gear, are clothes for children to change into after they get wet… which they will do regardless of whether they have rain gear and regardless of whether or not it rains!
Camp Highroad's counselors are carefully selected from among a pool of new applicants and returning staff. When interviewing applicants, we look for genuine faith, compassion, and a desire to serve God by ministering to the children and youth who attend Camp Highroad. All counselors must have completed high school and undergo an intensive 10-day training before camp starts. Senior staff members spend time with counselors throughout the summer to ensure they continue to meet the high standards we require.
What can be purchased at the Camp Store?
How much money should I leave my camper for the Camp Store?
Parents generally contribute $20-$30, which is enough money for most things that campers want at the store. However, if your budget is tight then $5-$10 allows children enough money to buy something each time they're at the store.