Everything You Need to Know Before Camp

For day camp programs check in will begin at 8:30am on Monday only, unless you have signed up for extended day which begins at 7:30am. Check in from Tuesday-Friday will begin at 8:45am. Check in will be a drive thru style (thanks to our new road this will work). Campers will be checked in at their cars.

Day campers will be offered two prepackaged snacks each day and lunch will be served buffet style by our staff on the dining hall deck. We may also incorporate bagged lunch or a meal over  campfire for the older day campers as part of a program experience.

We do not permit campers to bring cell phones to camp for several reasons. Cell phones can distract from the intentional community-building that is central to the summer camp experience. They can also interfere with campers getting the rest they need at night to support their active engagement in camp life the following day.

In addition, we recognize that families have different preferences regarding photo and video sharing on social media, which can be challenging to manage in a communal setting.

For these reasons, we maintain a clear no-cell-phone policy to ensure a safe, consistent, and fully immersive experience for all campers. This policy is included in our Parent/Camper Covenant during the registration process. If a camper feels the need to call home, they may ask their counselor to visit the Wellness Center to speak with camp leadership or a member of the healthcare team.

A designated camp leader will assess the situation and may contact the parent/guardian first to discuss the concern before the camper speaks with you. If you believe it is essential for your child to have access to a phone during their camp session, please contact us before the week begins to make arrangements.

Campers may not keep a phone on their person during the week, but we can discuss options for providing appropriate access to our camp phone when necessary. Our goal is to partner with you so your child can enjoy a safe, healthy, and joy-filled experience at camp.

No, campers do not receive phone calls while at camp. If communications from the camp to the parent/guardian is needed the leadership team at camp will call the primary phone number(s), and coordinate the needs of the camper.

Campers can visit the camp store with their parent/guardian at the end of the day. Parent/Guardians will park in the parking lot for pick up at the welcome pavilion where the camp store is located.

Once a child is dropped off at day camp they need to stay for the remainder of the day unless an emergency arises. If a day camper needs to leave for an appointment mid day they should not return until the following day.

Day campers can choose whether they want to swim in the pool. Alternatives are the water slide, water games, and the sandbox. All campers do listen to the pool rules on the first day. Life-jackets are provided when needed at the pool. The shallow part of the pool is 3 feet deep.

We do!  Each day we will gather up lost and found and have it at a table near check out. After the camp week is over we store it until the end of summer when it is then donated to a local ministry.

All people participating in summer camp at Gretna Glen are expected to dress in a manner consistent with our natural setting and community well-being. Gretna Glen supports campers feeling comfortable and confident. We encourage everyone to pack clothing that is functional for the camp setting.

For example, choose swimwear that is comfortable but also functional- keep in mind that campers will be participating in water activities such as swimming, boating, slip n' slide, water games, and creek stomping. Another example, bring closed-toed/ closed healed footwear designed for outdoor terrain.

For care of the whole community, campers, staff and volunteers are not permitted to wear overly revealing clothing or clothing with offensive language or artwork.

Upon registering for camp, you can request one 'bunk mate' to be in your small group. Typically we place the campers in the age group of the youngest camper.

For example: If a 1st grader and 3rd grader request to be 'bunk mates' the 3rd grader would move down to the 1st & 2nd grade group.  Every week is a different group of campers.

We adjust the number of groups we have weekly, based off of our number of registered campers. Some weeks we have 22 day campers in two groups and some weeks we have 60 day campers in four groups. If we have an abundance of kids in one grade for example, that whole group may be all first graders.

While campers are in these small groups for specific times/activities during the day it is good to know that the larger will see each other throughout the day.

Gretna Glen desires for all children to experience summer camp. For children and youth with special needs, we ask that you contact our office by phone or email to discuss the needs of your campers before enrollment.

Campers special health needs such as: chronic physical conditions such as epilepsy or insulin-dependent diabetes, illnesses such as cancer, or physically disabling conditions such as spina bifida should contact us so that we can learn the best program for your child’s needs.

For campers with diagnosed mental conditions, we also ask parents/guardians to share this information prior to enrollment so that we can supply specially trained counselors when possible.

Gretna Glen provides a great camper friendly lunch, however we do recognize for some campers a packed lunch is what they want. Please be sure to label the lunch bag and turn it in at check in when you arrive. We will be sure they get it at lunch time.

Please apply sunscreen prior to bringing your child to camp. Summer staff will encourage campers to reapply and help them if needed.

This summer day campers will have the opportunity to swim in the pool Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Mondays, camp staff will be providing awesome water activities that do not include the pool.