SnowCamp
SnowCamp FAQ
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REGISTERING FOR CAMP:“How Old do You Have to be to Attend SnowCamp?”Teen Quest has winter
camp programs available for children and youth grades 6-12. SnowCamps are
organized by current grade level.
“How old
do You Have to be to work at a Teen Quest Teen Quest has several
volunteer worker programs for students grades 7-12. If you are out of high
school you may be qualified to come and serve as a counselor. Visit our Join
the TQ Staff page to get more information and download staff
applications.
Camp registration normally
begins in June of each
year once we mail out our camp brochures. There are four ways to sign up:
register over the phone 1-800-288-TEEN, register online, mail in the
registration form that comes with your brochure or download online, or
download an application and fax it to the registration office. A $39
registration fee is required at the time of registration for each weekend
in order
to reserve your space. The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to
your camp date. Weekends
are filled on a first come, first served basis, so it is important to
call, register online, or send in your registration and deposit as soon as
possible. Visit our snowcamp registration page
for more detailed registration information.
“May I
Use My Credit Card to Pay for Camp?”
You may use your Visa,
MasterCard, American Express or Discover card.
“If I
Cancel, Do I Get a Refund?”
If you cancel at least 14
days prior to the beginning of the camping week, all but the
non-refundable $39 registration fee will be refunded. If the cancellation
is due to illness, Teen Quest must receive a written notice from a
qualified physician verifying the camper’s illness or injury in order to
qualify for a refund. Children or students sent home because of disruptive
behavior are not eligible for a refund, nor will they be allowed to attend
additional week Each life-changing
day at Teen Quest SnowCamp includes morning devotional time, large and
small group games and activities, free time to enjoy the recreational
activities at the ranch, exciting evening programs featuring dynamic
speakers, & evening snack time. Meals are usually served at around
8am, 12pm and 5:30pm.
“What
Does the Price of Camp Include?”
The prices listed next to
each camp include: food, lodging, and all activities Our campers will stay
in We've been dishing up
delicious and nourishing meals since we started our camping program
If you have any other
questions, please read the Limitations to the Food Menu following this
question.
Sample Menu #1: Sample Menu #2
LunchHere are a few samples of a typical lunch: Sample Menu #1
Sample Menu #2
Sample Menu #3
DinnerHere are a few samples of a typical dinner: Sample Menu #1
Sample Menu #2
Sample Menu #3
"What are the Limitations of the Food Menu?" While we do our best to serve meals that the majority of people will enjoy, we understand that you may not enjoy everything. As stated above, we do try to offer menu options that vary from the next (i.e. not serving beef at 3 consecutive meals, etc). However, because of the nature of how we are set up, as well as Health Department guidelines, we simply cannot accommodate every need. The following is a list of limitations to our meal plans:
Paintball is an exciting team-building game that has become very popular in recent years. It is designed in a Speed-Ball and Capture-the-Flag format where participants tag each other with paint in order to eliminate players from the game. The way in which players tag each other is by using a paintball marker which shoots a small ball filled with biodegradable paint that bursts upon impact. Since the paintballs are potentially dangerous to the eyes, players are required to wear protective masks while playing. The games are monitored by referees who closely supervise the game to ensure no player removes his/her mask while playing. Campers may bring their own markers but not their own paint. Paintball is included in your camp fee along with your first 100 balls. The only additional charge will be if you want to buy more paint which is $5 for 100 paintballs. A Note About
Safety: We recognize that while
the risks of injury in paintball is very low, there is still a risk
involved in playing, particularly to the eyes. However, if your camper
follows the basic rules and safety guidelines we give them (i.e. “At NO
time should you remove your mask”, etc), the chance of an injury
resulting from the paintball itself is almost zero. If a player is seen
violating those rules even once, they will be taken out of the game and
not allowed to participate again. You as a parent can help us by
encouraging your campers to follow all the rules. Please note that
paintballs can sting when you are hit and can sometimes leave small welts
on areas of your body that are not padded. “I Noticed You are a Christian Camp. Will You Push Your Religion on My Camper?” We are a Christian camp, and therefore teach Christian values from the Bible in our camping programs and activities. We also hire mature Christian staff who we expect will model a Godly lifestyle that we hope campers will want to emulate. In each camp, we will give campers the opportunity to make a decision to follow Jesus Christ and his example. However, we recognize that it is a personal choice to become a Christian and fully respect each individual's decision. We do not force nor use scare tactics to try and make someone do something they don't want to do. Since Teen Quest is a non-denominational inter-denominational Christian youth mission, we do not promote a particular denomination or church. This means it is our practice to present the simple message of the Gospel as found in the Bible and teach Christian values without promoting nor condemning any denomination or church. If you have further questions please see our About Teen Quest page. "What is the Camper to Counselor Ratio?" Our Camper to Counselor ratio is 7:1
"How Do You Go About Hiring Your Counselors?" We are very concerned about the type of counselors we have serving at Teen Quest Camps. During the school year we visit college campuses to meet potential staff. Our full-time staff interviews a number of applicants in person and narrows the search from there. Counselors are then required to fill out an extensive application that includes references. As a final precautionary measure, all staff we hire are required to undergo extensive background checks by the Police Department. After they are hired, we have a period of training. Every year our counselors model positive godly lifestyles for the campers.
If you have decided to go to camp with a friend, you can request that they be placed in the same room. We have developed several policies to enable your camper to share a room with a friend. Here's how it works:
"How Does the Camp Bank Work?" Teen Quest camps have a variety of stores and shops that your camper can use to purchase gifts, crafts and snack food items. They may do so with the money you have deposited into their account prior to the week they attend. We use a banking system that will allow your campers to purchase items in our snack shop and camp store without having to use cash. In the past we have had some problem with campers losing money. Each camper is asked to open an account at the Camp Store. The money is deposited and works just like a real bank. They can write checks, use a "debit card," or withdraw money.
"How Do I Deposit Money in the Bank?" The easiest and fastest way to deposit money in your child's bank account is to do so before you get to camp. Simply mail a Check: Simply mail a check to: FOR "CAMPER
NAME" "How much do I Put in Their Account?" Most parents put between $35 and $100 in spending money for their campers.
"What Happens to My Child's Bank Money at the End of the Week?" You may request that the bank money be returned to you at the end of the week when you pick up your child. You may also donate the balance in your child's camp bank account to the ministry of Teen Quest.
ATTENDING CAMP:"What Should Campers Bring with Them?" All clothing worn by campers should be modest and in good taste. In some cases, we may ask campers who are wearing questionably immodest clothing (i.e. very short shorts, tight or see-through clothing, cropped shirts, excessively low-riding jeans, etc.) to change. Please be sure campers pack appropriately. What To Bring: Think warm and pack cold. Pack: toiletries, personal items, indoor clothing, bathing suit, layers of clothes like sweaters, hats, gloves, scarf, waterproof snow boots, laundry bag, indoor slippers, towels, pillow, sleeping bag, extra blanket, heavy winter coat, moisturizing cream, lip balm, sunglasses, bible (if you have one), and notebook. Equipment for Specialty Activities: If you would like to use the skateboard park make sure to bring your board. You may also bring your own ice skates, skis, snowboard, or sleds. What Not to Bring: No personal valuables should be brought to camp. This would include CD players/radios, Gameboy’s or electronic games, cell phones, valuable jewelry, video cameras, good clothes. In the atmosphere of a camp, campers tend to forget, lose track of, or misplace things. Also, do not bring knives, alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco products to camp. Be sure your children take home all that they brought with them to camp. We suggest you mark all of their items ahead of time. All items unclaimed at the end of each summer are donated to local charities. SnowCamp is held at the Teen Quest Ranch which is nestled in a plateau between two mountain ridges at an altitude of 2700 feet. We are in the Pennsylvania snow belt and temperatures can reach as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The average temperature for January and February is around 25 degrees Fahrenheit and there is almost always snow on the ground. “How does the camp handle prescription medications?” Our Health Services staff will collect and dispense the medications your child brings to camp as directed. It is very important that
you follow these basic healthcare guidelines:
Please see our TQ locations page for directions to camp.
Check-in for camp begins Friday at 7:00 pm and SnowCamp ends at 2:30 pm on Sunday. All balances should be paid two weeks before camp date. Be sure to bring your completed Camp Health Form and release form and other documents with you as your child cannot attend camp without them. If you've lost your camp forms, visit our forms and info page.
We understand that for many parents, leaving your camper is a difficult thing (some parents get more homesick than the camper!). We encourage you to write your camper while they are at camp. Please send camper mail to: Camper Name Please be sure your return address is included on the envelope should your mail arrive late. It is advised that you send snail mail no later than Wednesday of the week prior to your child's weekend. Otherwise, they may not receive it. "Can I Call My Child At Camp?" We do not allow campers to call home under normal camping circumstances. It is our experience after almost 30 years that talking with a parent can often times distract the camper from the experience they are having. Many children are doing fine and enjoying themselves only to become severely homesick after talking with a parent. CALLING YOUR CHILD AT SNOWCAMP: To contact your child directly at SnowCamp in an NON-emergency, you can call the Teen Quest Office at 814-444-9500, during meal times (8:00, 12:00, and 5:30). Messages left on the machine will be checked each night. Please do not call other than meal times unless it is an emergency.
"In What Circumstances Will Teen Quest Contact Me?" 1. Severe Homesickness - If your child becomes homesick, we will do our best to try and keep them at camp. Most cases of homesickness pass within a day or two. However, if they become unduly homesick, we will contact you. We encourage you to remain enthusiastic about your child being at camp, even if we have to call you. Most children can remain at camp and have a great time with proper support from their parents. 2. Health Reasons - If your child becomes injured or has an extended time of illness you will be contacted as soon as possible. 3. Inappropriate Behavior - If your child becomes disruptive beyond the normal limits we will call you and ask to have them taken home. Please inform your child that even though they are going on vacation this does not mean they are taking a vacation from appropriate behavior. IMPORTANT-
If your child is sent home early for Inappropriate Behavior, they will not
be allowed to attend SnowCamp again. In addition, if they are signed up
for another weekend later in the winter, you will lose the non-refundable
deposit for that weekend as well. Please inform them of this before they
come.
"When Do I Pick Up my Camper?" SnowCamp officially ends at 2:30 pm on Sunday. All campers must be picked up by no later than 3:00 pm on Sunday.
"Oh, No, My Child Left Some Stuff at SnowCamp!" If your child left some
things behind, call us at 814-444-9500 and let us know what you have lost.
We will do our best to find the item, at which time you may come and pick
it up from the Ranch. We cannot mail items and will hold the items for
approximately two weeks.
"Will I have time to spend with my youth group?
During sessions?"
Have a question you don't see listed here? Send us an email: quest@teenquest.org and we'll do our best to answer your question. |
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