Parents Information

Trusting anyone with your child for a week of camp is not an easy decision. Tens of thousands of parents have trusted us to care for their children over our 70+ years of continual summer camp ministry. Our site has earned accreditation from the American Camp Association because of our dedication to quality and devotion to safety.

God can do amazing things in the life of a young person when they escape the day-to-day. A week of camp is proven to instill the powerful traits of self-confidence, independence, and communication. Our prayer is that your child will find their week of camp to be a time they look forward to all year round.

Keep in Touch

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You can send your camper mail and packages to the following addresses:

**Do not send food, snacks or candy.**
In the summer we are a peanut-free/tree nut-free facility.
No food in the cabins.

Send One-Way Emails:

You can send one-way email messages to your camper for a small fee (this fee covers the cost of hosting the website, ink, paper and staff time needed for printing/distributing these emails and maintaining the website). To access your one- way email you will need to log in to your online registration account. This is the same place you registered your camper. Look for the One-Way Email box for more directions.

Daily Camp Photos:

Follow this link to the Waldo website where we will safely post all candid pictures of our campers each week.
You can view the photo gallery online and will need a passcode that was emailed to all registered campers the week before they arrive.

Live Streaming of Worship at Camp:

Families are invited to worship along with their campers on Tuesday and Friday nights! Follow the link below to view worship live at the scheduled times.

Elementary School Camp – 6:00pm Watch Live
Middle School Camp – 7:45pm Watch Live
High School Camp – 9:15pm Watch Live

Frequently Asked Questions

What precautions will be taken this year in response to COVID-19?

Please visit our COVID-19 Blog and our Summer Safety Standards page.

What is the best way to register my camper?

We highly recommend online registration as it instantly places your camper in their choice of available camp sessions.

How will I know if my camper is successfully registered for camp?

Upon completion of our online registration and submission of the deposit, you will receive a payment receipt that confirms your registration.

If I register my camper online, is the church contact person notified?

The Parent/Guardian will receive the confirmation email; however, your church contact person will have access to view the status of all campers from their church in a secure location on our summer camp website.

What if my camper is attending with a friend?

Here are some things that you can tell them that will make their registration process easier and will help ensure that you and your friend are in the same cabin together!

1. Have your friend register for the same week of camp as you (for example Week 1, High School Girls)
2. Make sure both of you list the other under roommate request when registering.
3. If you are coming with a church, make sure your friend lists that church as well.

Camp Tuition

Does a week at Overnight Summer Camp qualify as a “dependent child care” expense?

No. The Florida United Methodist Conference overnight camping program fees do not qualify as “dependent child care” or as “section 125 cafeteria plan” expenses for IRS purposes. The IRS excludes expenses incurred for a child to stay overnight at a camp outside of home.

If the church has agreed to help with the cost of camp for a camper, what are the possible payment options?

Your church can help pay for your summer camp tuition. They will need to mail a check and payment spreadsheet. Final balances for June camps are due June 1st, and July camps are due June 15th. Please speak with someone from your local church about coordinating this payment.

What are my payment options?

Your camp fee can be made either by check or by credit card.

Summer Camp Discounts & Scholarships

How do we apply for a Warren Willis Camp Scholarship?

The camp has changed its Summer Camp Scholarship Program to include an elective discount. Families who need a discounted rate can select Tier 1-Subsidized Tuition as they register for camp. This discount does not require confirmation-of-need like our previous scholarship application. Click here to learn more about our Tiered Pricing system.

Even with the discounted rate of Tier 1 and assistance from their local church, the cost of camp could be prohibitive to families in financial crisis. Click here to learn more about our Camp Scholarship.

Paperwork

How do I update medical forms?

Medical forms are now located in the online registration system, they will be available to fill out mid-May. We recommend registering early to secure a reserved spot in the program and week that are important to your camper. As camp gets closer, the Medical Forms will become active within the online registration system. Families will be notified by email when the forms are active. Medical Forms include Permission to Treat, Allergy information, Dietary Needs and Medication Information.

Arrival and Departure

What will drop off/registration be like on Monday afternoon?

Registration begins at 2 PM each Monday. Leave all luggage and sleeping bags in vehicles during registration. Each camper should have any medication they need for the week bagged and inside the original prescription or over-the-counter bottles. They may also bring cash or check to use at the camp store or to purchase a weekly camp photo. Campers will also receive their name tags and cabin assignments at this time. It is important that all campers complete the entire registration process. After completion of registration, parents are welcomed to assist their child to their assigned cabin to unpack and settle in for the week. The first scheduled activity for all campers is at 4:15 PM. We suggest that all campers try to arrive no later than 3:15 PM.

What time should I pick up my child on Saturday?

Parents are invited to join us for our closing Praise Time at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, in the Fellowship Hall of Barnett Lodge. If you choose not to attend this closing Praise Time you should arrive to pick up at 9:00 a.m. and go straight to your campers’ cabins for check out. Please bring an ID. For campers attending Creative Spirit Camp, The Big Show! will begin at 8:45 in the chapel. Check out will begin after the show.

Your Child’s Time at Camp

What will my child do at camp?

Every day at camp is new and exciting. Each day campers will take part in a small group where they dive into the curriculum and theme for the week to learn about the ways God wants to know them, love them and transform them. They will also get to choose four camp activities to participate in throughout the week. In addition to meals, rest time, morning devotions, evening worship and our famous PRAISE TIME, your child will swim, play large crazy outdoor games, meet new friends, and have an encounter with the living God!

What should they pack?

You can print a packing list here. It is good to help your camper pack, making sure they bring everything they need as well as leaving home any items we do not allow.

What is the right amount of spending money for my camper?

Each camper will be provided snacks/drinks each day as a part of their camp tuition. They do not need to bring extra money for snacks. Our camp store will be open daily, items range from $.50 to $30.

Is it a good idea to send my camper mail?

Campers love to get mail from home! We ask that you do not send food or toys. A nice postcard or letter is great. Remember to account for post office delivery time (2-3 days). You can also send your camper email through our One-Way Email Service. Go to the online registration system and enter your username and password. Once you have logged into your account, look for the “One Way Email” button on your dashboard. (This function is only turned on during the summer time. It will be available once your camper is at camp.)

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 and camp nurse, along with the camp directors, 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.

Can I call my camper or can my camper call me?

Phones are not available for use by campers. If you need to reach your child immediately because of a situation at home, please call the camp office at 352-787-4345. For after-hour emergencies, please call 352-978-9014.

This is why we don’t allow cell phones.

We believe that there is a very real value in your camper spending a week unplugged and disconnected from their digital lives. We believe that taking time off from our phones, computers, social media, video games, etc. can open up space in our minds and hearts to hear and feel God at work. If any situations occur while they are at camp that warrant your attention (medical issues, severe homesickness, etc.) we will call you. If you need to reach your child immediately because of a situation at home, please call the camp office at 352-787-4345. For after-hour emergencies, please call 352-978-9014. Thank you for trusting us with your camper.

Can I send any of the following items to camp to remind my child of home: TV, fan, water gun, pets, food, candy, comic books, video games, phone, iPad, etc?

No, none of these items are necessary for a fun-filled week at camp. Please be aware that if a camper brings any of the above to camp, the items will be removed from the cabins and stored until the end of the week.