Our goal is to provide a healthy and happy atmosphere where each camper can discover new skills, make new friends, experience new adventures through camp life, and learn to make key decision-making skills for their future.

By doing so, every camper’s sound spiritual, physical, mental, emotional and social development becomes the top priority. Our endeavor is to help each camper gain self confidence while learning to live with others. Finally, we know that our role in preparing young people for their future can only be enhanced by living in a positive Christian atmosphere.

We believe summer camp can have a profound impact on each and every camper present, therefore, we hire only those individuals who will be positive role models for all. Camp Hope hires young men and women who are strong Christians with excellent references and experience. Every counselor is interviewed by the Directors personally. Each applicant is vetted thoroughly through a national background investigation company to assure a clean record.

We feel it is of utmost importance to meet each individual and get first-hand feedback before hiring. Our staff is selected on the premise of expertise in a specific field, compassion and enthusiasm, attractive personalities, sound judgment, strong Christian faith and a genuine love of children.

Many of our staff have grown up here as campers and want to give back to the new campers the gift that they received from their counselors. The gift of love, patience, respect…the list is endless. Any child will tell you that a counselor is one of the most important influences on their lives. It is so important! We truly feel that we have the best staff on earth!

Camp is a wonderful gift to your child. The rewards he or she will gain are immeasurable. In this section we will cover how you can make the most out of your child’s overnight camp experience and what to expect.

Every child takes away something different from their camp experience. Almost all children leave camp with great memories, new friendships, the rekindling of old friendships, or special “Moments" in program activities. Whatever their experiences, children can develop their self confidence and enjoy a new sense of independence in the Camp Hope community.

It is always a good idea to share “the excitement” about going to boys’ camp or girls’ camp. We have found that parents who discuss activities and help the child set simple goals seem to make an easy transition to the camp community. Listen to what your child hopes to accomplish and express what you hope he or she achieves. This gives the camp experience a greater purpose.

Your child may be a little nervous about leaving home and staying overnight at camp. There are a couple of ways you can alleviate this stress.

Review all camp info and photos here. Allow your child to review the website and email any questions he or she may have directly to camp staff. We love to hear from campers. Talk about what your child will be taking to camp by reviewing the packing list with him or her. Even have your child write their own list and tape into their suit case, back pack or trunk. This begins the idea of “keeping up with their things.”

Schedule a pre-visit to camp. By actually seeing the camp, a child becomes familiar with the camp grounds and has met vital camp staff.

Ask a friend to attend with your child. Many parents ask us if a friend should be encouraged to come to camp with their child. We have found this is a good idea in many cases, but it is not necessary. Camp Hope is a small camp compared to many other camps. New campers quickly make friends while old campers are excited to make new ones. Our staff welcomes new campers from the very start and helps each make the transition to camp.

If you find that your child has some questions or concerns about attending camp, please talk to him or her about these BEFORE arrival. The last thing you want to do is send your child to camp with misgivings. Prepare your child by telling them that they will have plenty of fun and new adventures, but that they may also have some moments of frustration due to not being in the “comforts of home.” This is a very healthy conversation for the moment and preparing them for life.

Please, please, please do not rescue your child and tell them that you will pick them up if they are not “happy.” This is setting your child up for trouble. Children who are bribed in this manner usually come to camp half-heartedly and are not ready to become involved in the camp community. Write letters asking questions about specific programs and activities. Encourage your child to try new things. Please do not write letters telling your child about all the things he or she is missing at home.

Our counselors are trained from the very start to look for those children that might be having a problem making an adjustment to camp. We meet on a regular basis with counselors to try and suggest ways to help a camper. We will meet with the camper to help see the bigger picture of camp and help set short term goals. Often a child appears to be homesick one day and makes a quick turnaround the next. If a child has misgivings about camp for more than two days we will call home to talk with you. We will discuss ways to help your child and possibly set up a time for him or her to call home. Almost all campers that are homesick get over it quickly and truly enjoy their camp experience.

Let us assure you—Camp Hope is so much fun and full of great adventures that campers usually do not have problems!

From the very start every child attending camp should understand that it is their responsibility to keep up with their own things. One of the challenges of living in an overnight camp community can be lost articles of clothing. Parents should encourage their child to write their packing list down and tape it inside their suit case, back pack or trunk. Parents should also speak very directly with their child about learning to keep their things organized.

Our counselors help campers keep their things orderly and to place their dirty laundry in their laundry bag, but ultimately the responsibility is on the camper’s shoulders. Camp does have a designated area for lost and found articles. On a regular basis counselors ‘show and tell’ campers these items so they can be claimed. (Parents are also asked to walk through the lost and found articles that remain on the last day of camp.) Camp Hope cannot be responsible for lost and found items so please be sure to mark all clothing with both first and last names. We cannot mail left items back to you. Please do a final walk through of lost and found to help us get your things back to you at pick up!