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CAMPS & RETREAT MINISTRIES

Parents

Aldersgate, Asbury and Wanake are ACA Accredited.  What does that mean?

Fun And Safety — ACA Camps Set the Standard
ACA Accreditation means that the camp you are considering for your child cares enough to undergo a thorough (up to 290 standards) review of its operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association® collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.

The Value of ACA Accreditation

• ACA accreditation verifies that a camp has complied with up to 290 standards for health, safety, and program quality, which are recognized by courts of law and government regulators.
• ACA-accreditation standards cover all aspects of camp operation from site/food service and health care to management and staffing.
• The American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at ACA-Accredited® camps reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation.
• Accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to health and safety.
• ACA accreditation assures parents that the camp has had a regular, independent peer review that goes beyond regulations in most states.

Forms

• Campership Form
• Medical Form
• Paper Registration Form
• Aldersgate Parents Page
• Asbury Parents Page
• Wanake Parents Page

Frequently Asked Questions

We are grateful you are considering sending your child to one of our summer camp opportunities, or you are considering one of the family events for an outing. As you make your choices, following are some of the questions you may be pondering.

Why should I send my child or teen to camp?
Children have the opportunity to develop positive social skills and a sound sense of Christian values, while experiencing growth in personality, character, and a broader outlook on life, all in a fun but relaxed atmosphere.

Why Christian camp?
Children and youth can find their voice and perhaps answers to some of their more difficult questions about God because they are encouraged to listen for God's voice and read the Bible. At East Ohio Camps, our hope is that each camper will understand that God has called them to be in relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, they will make a decision about their relationship with God through Jesus Christ, they will decide how they will live as a Christian after they leave camp, and they will develop the ability to integrate the wonders of God’s creation and the experience of God’s grace in their daily lives.

I didn't go to camp when I was a child. What is camp really like?
Activities like swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, campfires, sports, singing, nature study, or hiking are only a part of what makes camp what it is. East Ohio Camps provide an environment to explore God's creation, the freedom to discover one's self, a community of fun and faith in which to develop relationships with others, and the opportunity to cultivate a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

What are the health and safety or medical arrangements at the camp?
Health and safety are prime concerns with an emphasis placed on prevention of accidents and illnesses. The Camp Nurse or Health Director dispenses all medications and is available to deal with illnesses and emergencies. In the rare event that additional treatment is required, a local physician and emergency room facilities are accessible.

In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are working closely with the requirements and guidance from the Ohio Department of Health and with our local public health departments to mitigate, effectively identify, and appropriately respond to any illnesses that may occur at camp next summer. We are committed to offering a summer camp program with health and safety guidelines in place for all involved.

Is a health form required?
Yes. If you register online, you will complete the form as you register. We will then have it available to us through our registration software.

If you register my mail and provide an email address, you will be invited to create an online account and complete the form in our registration software.

If you register by mail and don’t provide an email address, a health form will be sent to you after we process your registration. Campers cannot be accepted at camp without the form completed according to the furnished directions. The health history on the form (with signed permissions) is required of all campers. These health forms are not to be mailed to camp, but to be brought with the camper on the day of registration at camp.

What happens if I don’t take my health form to camp with me?
If you registered online, there is no need to worry. You have already completed the form online and we have it. If you registered through the mail and don’t bring the form to camp, it creates problems! If a parent accompanies the camper, the parent will be asked to complete another form. If a parent is not with the camper, it is necessary to phone the parent, complete the form with at least two persons listening and the parent verbally authorizing someone to sign on behalf of the parent.

Should I mail my health form?
Please don’t. If mailed, it goes to the Camping Office and won’t be at the camp on the day you register.

How is a camper’s medicine cared for?
At registration, medicine and pertinent information is taken from campers by the camp health supervisor and stored in a safe place to be administered as needed by camp staff.

What happens if a camper is ill or injured at camp?
Immediate first aid is given by trained staff. For illness needing professional medical care, parents are notified and asked for directions about treatment. For an accident needing professional medical care, the camper is transported to an appropriate facility and the parents are notified. If the camper cannot continue as an active member of the camp group, the camper returns home. Attempts are then made to reschedule the camper into another event later in the summer.

What kind of camper accident/illness insurance is provided?
Accident: If medical expenses are incurred on behalf of a camper injured at camp, the camp insurance pays (up to policy limits) all medical expenses that are NOT covered by the camper’s family insurance.

Illness: There is no coverage for medical expenses incurred because of illness. In these cases, parents are notified and asked if they prefer to have the camper cared for by a family physician or to have the camper treated by the camp physician with the bill being sent to them.

How are special needs cared for?
A serious attempt is made to meet all special needs.  If your child has special medical, emotional, physical or developmental needs that you believe would affect their experience of camp or require extra care while at camp, please contact the Camp Director to discuss your child’s needs.

Will my child be safe?
There is no place that is absolutely free of accidents. However, statistics demonstrate that camp is far safer than the school or even the home environment. All East Ohio Camps are operated by the standards and best risk management principles of the American Camp Association (ACA). The standards provide for levels of training for staff, supervision ratios, waterfront guidelines, etc. For more information about the American Camping Association, see their web site at www.acacamps.org.

Can I trust the supervision my child will receive?
Carefully screened counselors spend 10 days to two weeks in staff training before campers arrive. They experience in-service training between sessions of camp training. The emphasis is on health, safety and child development, as well as community-building and group dynamics. Ratios of campers to counselors are determined by age. They vary from 4:1 with the youngest to 8:1 with the oldest campers.

Camp professionals supervise counselors. Each paid staff member undergoes a fingerprint background check through the state of Ohio and by the FBI if they have had residence outside the state of Ohio in the past 5 years. Volunteer staff also undergo training prior to the session of camp they are helping with, and have references checked before being welcomed as staff. All volunteers are under the leadership of our paid staff while they volunteer at camp.

How soon should I register?
The sooner the better for many events fill early. All registrations are processed on a first-come basis. For information about openings contact the Conference Camping Office.

How do I know if I got into the camp I wanted?
If you register online, you will receive confirmation as you complete your registration. If you register by mail, you will receive a confirmation packet to let you know if you got into the camp you requested, within two weeks after you send in the registration forms. This packet will have important information about your camp, like when to arrive and when you need to be picked up.

How much spending money will I need?
Each site has a camp store to purchase souvenirs. Money will be collected from the campers and kept secure until the time scheduled for the campers to go to the store.

May I ask to be in the same small group with other campers?
Yes, a request may be made and in most cases it is honored. To make a request, indicate the name of one buddy during the registration process.

What happens if I register for camp but can’t come?
Arrangements are made according to the refund and cancellation policies.

If I’m registered in an event, may I change to another one?
Usually, if there is an opening in the event you want to change to. Call the Conference Camping office to request a change.

May I register for an event in an age level other than the one that I should?
Usually not. Program content is designed to be appropriate for a specific age group. An attempt is made to stay faithful to the age level so that campers don’t have an unhappy time dealing with activities that are not designed for their developmental level.

May I attend more than one event?
Yes, there are spaces to register for second events on the registration form.

How do I know what to bring to camp?
A complete list is sent with the confirmation packet and will be available on the web site.

May I fax a camp registration?
Yes, if payment is made by credit card. The fax number is (330) 499-8336. Be sure to include all credit card information on the faxed form. If you fax a registration form, do not mail a duplicate.

May I use a credit card to pay the camp fees?
Yes, you may register online using your VISA or MasterCard. Also, the registration form has a place to provide the necessary information.

Can I drop my child off early?
No. Each camp has a starting time that must be followed. Prior to the arrival of campers, the director and counselors are busy preparing for a successful and faithful camping experience.

Can I call my camper?
Your camper will be busy throughout the week with the activities of the camp and rarely near a phone. The camp phone is for business use and should only be used to contact your camper in the event of an emergency. If there is an emergency, you should call the camp and ask the director to get a message to your camper.

Can I send mail to my camper?
Yes! When addressing the letter, put your camper's name above the camp address. Keep the letter encouraging and newsy. Share the excitement of the week they are experiencing. Try to avoid triggers that could cause or worsen missing home. Do not send "care packages" of food or snacks. If you send stamped, addressed envelopes with your camper, they can write to you, too.

What happens if my child gets “homesick”?
After years of experience, the camp staff is trained on how to handle homesickness. In most cases, the feelings are mild and short-lived. The counselors, supervisors, along with the camp director and camp nurse, work to ensure that each camper has a great camp experience. In the rare instance that a phone-call home is necessary, the camp staff will initiate such action.

How much Bible study occurs at camp?
There is a theme for each day with a daily scripture. This theme and scripture are a part of all that happens that day at camp. Specific time is spent each day in Bible study, worship and discussion around theme-centered topics.

Are funds available for persons needing financial assistance?
In many cases, yes!

• Payment Plans: set-up a payment plan that works for your family by calling the East Ohio Camps office at (330) 499-3972 ext. 139 or ext. 120.
• Sibling Discount: if more than one child from your family is attending, contact the East Ohio Camps office at (330) 499-3972 ext. 139 or ext. 120 or via e-mail to take advantage of the sibling discount.
• Financial aid is available to those with need. Request Campership Funds, find directions, and complete an application.
• Church Assistance: ask your church for support by checking with your camp contact person or your pastor.

The Treatment of Consumers/Privacy Policy for East Ohio Camps

With respect to interactions with guests or campers or those applying to be guests or campers we shall not cause or allow conditions, procedures, or decisions that are unsafe, undignified, inhospitable, unnecessarily intrusive, or that fail to provide appropriate confidentiality or privacy.

As such, we stand behind the following policies:

1. East Ohio Camps will only collect the personal information that is necessary to conduct our business.
2. East Ohio Camps will protect the personal information that is collected. We will maintain strong security controls to ensure that guest and camper information in our files and computers is protected. 
3. As a guest or camper (or parent/guardian) you will always have access to your information. Using the online registration process, campers and their parents/guardians will have the opportunity to review their information and make necessary changes to ensure that our sources are complete and accurate. Our guest group leaders can contact our main office at any time to request a copy of any information recorded about their group.  
4. East Ohio Camps will maintain facilities and procedures that provide a reasonable level of privacy for all our guests and campers.
5. East Ohio Camps will provide a clear understanding of what may be expected and what may not be expected from us while we serve you as a guest or camper. 

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the above mentioned policies, please feel free to contact Rev. Gary Jones, Director of Spiritual Formation, Camps & Retreat Ministries at (330) 499-3972 ext. 120 or via e-mail.