Sometimes it is hard to know how you can be involved in your child’s summer camp experience since you aren’t with him/her at camp. Of course, you help with the obvious things like packing and taking them to camp, but you may not be sure what else you can do. To help you out, listed below are a few other things you can do to help your child get the most from his/her camp experience. Doing these things will help you get your camper prepared for camp and keep you involved in the process. If there is anything that the camp can do to assist you, please don’t hesitate to let us know! We are looking forward to having your child with us for this exciting time in his/her life. See you soon!

“My child is nervous about coming to camp…”

If your child has never been to camp before, have him/her ask a friend to come along to make them feel more secure. Also, feel free to contact the camp for a tour so your child can see the camp and become familiar with where he/she will be staying. If you have any questions about the sessions of camp, please do not hesitate to contact the camp.

Talk About Money

To include your child in paying for camp, you can give him/her extra jobs to do around the house to earn money. Talk to your child about the money that he/she will be given to take to camp for the ComPost ("Comeca Trading Post"). There are two ComPost times per day, with the maximum amount a camper can spend being $1.50 per canteen on snacks. Remember, food is not allowed in the sleeping areas, so don’t allow your child to take snacks to camp. This will keep bugs out! The ComPost also sells T-Shirts, hats, etc. They can be purchased at check in, check out, or if you send money with them, at any ComPost time.

Pack Together

We recommend involving your child in the packing so they know what is in the suitcase. We do not recommend buying new clothes for camp since your child may get them dirty or lose some things. Put a plastic bag in your child’s suitcase and ask him/her to put dirty clothes in it. General packing lists are included with the registration confirmation that you will receive prior to camp. If the Dean of your child’s week of camp wants him/her to bring anything additional, we will let you know.

Taking Medicine to Camp

If you send medicines with your child to camp, do not place them in his/her suitcase. All medicines (prescription or over-the-counter) must be turned in at check-in in their original containers with instructions at registration time. If your child has an inhaler, they can keep it with them. Make sure you pick up your child’s medicine at check-out time to take home with you.

Talk to Your Child About Pictures

You may want to send a camera with your camper so he/she can capture memories on film and bring them home. Disposable cameras are an inexpensive way to equip your child with picture-power. Place your child’s name on his/her camera to ensure it doesn’t get mixed up with anyone else’s. Disposable cameras are available for sale in the Camp Store. We discourage campers to bring expensive digital camera or video equipment, as it runs the risk of being damaged or misplaced.  Pictures and video will be available on the website shortly after the camp as well as on picture CDs and the summer DVD available after the summer session.

Bring Your Child to Camp

After one last check, load up the suitcase, bedding if they will spend the night, your camper, and head to the camp! You can find directions to the camp here. Registration times are given on your registration form, next to each camp session information online, and in your camp confirmation form.  Registration won't start early, but you are welcome to come early and walk around the grounds.

HOMESICKNESS

The camp’s policy is that campers are not allowed to use the phone, except in an emergency. Please do not suggest to your child that he/she can call home if homesick. In fact, it is usually better to not focus on homesickness in your discussions before camp. If a child becomes homesick, the camp staff will work with the child to help them work through their homesickness. If you have a special situation that would require your child to call home during the week, please speak with the camp management at registration. CELL PHONES ARE NOT TO BE BROUGHT TO CAMP. THEY WILL BE CONFISCATED UNTIL CAMP ENDS AND THEN RETURNED.

WRITE TO YOUR CAMPER

Campers love to get mail! Ask family and friends to write to your child while they are at camp. There are 3 ways to get mail to your camper. Send a letter through the mail (include the camper’s name and session of camp), leave a note on registration day, or send an email from this website!

Pray
 

There is something very powerful that you can do for your child while he/she is at camp: pray! Pray for your child’s spiritual development and health while they are away. Also, pray for the camp staff and faculty.

Pick Your Child Up from Camp

Be prompt for pick up time. The times are given on your registration form, next to each camp session information online, and in your camp confirmation form. While you will be eager to get your child home and talk with him/her, we encourage you to allow your child the extra time to say goodbye to all of their friends and counselors. Remember to pick up any medicine that you brought before you leave.

Welcome Your Camper Home
 

Be prepared for your child to be tired and a little grumpy when you pick him/her up. Going home is a sudden change of pace. They are leaving behind new friends. Don’t be offended if your child isn’t as happy to see you as you are him/her. Your child will appreciate extra time to rest and be excused from chores during the first day or two at home. When your child is ready to talk about the camp experience, listen closely and don’t probe too much. Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to share (e.g. Tell us about your favorite activity at camp, Who was your favorite person at camp, etc).

What should I do when my child comes home?
 

We encourage you to pray for and with your child. Help them find devotional material and teach them how to study the Bible so they can have a daily quiet time with God. You could take them to the Bible book store and let them pick out a devotional book and/or Bible appropriate for his/her age group. If your child isn’t already connected with a local church, take this opportunity to find a church the whole family can attend. If there is any way that the camp can help you, please let us know.

Guidelines at COMECA
 

We do not wish to burden you with excessive rules, but it is necessary that there is a common understanding of a few principles that guide Comeca.

Please observe the following:

* Everyone is expected to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner.
* Clothing: Comeca is different from camps not planned as Christian gatherings. Please attempt to be modest in your dress. The Camp Staff reserves the right to ask any camper to change an article of clothing that they deem inappropriate. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times except in the pool area.
* Campers are not permitted to ride in or on any camp vehicle with the exception of the shuttle to and from the property only.
* No one is permitted to leave the camp grounds without permission from the office.
* The use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs is strictly prohibited.
* No snacks are allowed in the sleeping areas. Chewing gum is not allowed.
* Cell phones, ipods, walkmans, video games, DVD players, etc. need to be left home.
* Sickness or injury must be reported to the dean or staff. All medications must be be turned in in their original container at the time of the check in procedure.
* Defacing camp property is not allowed. Campers or their parents will be held financially responsible.
* The Director or Dean reserves the right to dismiss any camper for conduct or attitude that is undesirable.

Visitor Policy

Outside visitors, including parents, and/or phone calls are discouraged during camp. If a camper must be contacted, please phone the office. The office number is 308-784-2808. An answering machine is always on. All visitors are asked to check in at the Camp Office.

GENERAL PACKING LIST

* Bible
* Pen/Pencil
* Notebook
* Pillow
* Sleeping Bag/Sheets & Blanket
* Camera
* Towels/Washcloths
* Swimsuit
* Soap/Shampoo
* Flashlight
* Bug Spray
* Toothbrush/Paste
* Comb/Brush
* Sun Screen
* Clothing For Play And For All Types Of Weather
* Jacket/Sweatshirt/Raincoat
* Comfortable Shoes
 

Camp Store Items

Along with a wide variety of pop, water, candy bars, cotton candy, sno cones, and ice cream, we also have a great selection of Comeca t-shirts, hoodies, necklaces, and other fun items for campers and parents to purchase. They are very stylish and they make a wonderful souvenir of your experience at Comeca. These items can be purchased at either check-in or check-out time when the parents pick up the campers, or the campers can buy them at any scheduled ComPost times.

*Note: Campers are allowed to spend a maximum of $3.00 a day at the Camp Store for snacks. 

If you have any additional questions, please contact us and we'd be happy to answer them.