CAMP COUNTDOWN

Camps help me focus my students both on their commitment to Christ AND on our purpose as a youth group…to glorify Christ by reaching our unsaved friends at school. It is my best time for my group to regain focus before school begins again and we are back into the heavy school-year schedule with plays, sports, clubs, etc. It is my favorite time to ask, “Okay gang, where are we going this year? What do we want Christ to do among us?”

Camps provide a unique 5-day “window” in which unsaved young people can be exposed to the claims of Christ! Think of it! Where else can I get that amount of time in that kind of spiritual environment to “show” an unsaved student what it is like to be part of the eternal family of Christ? They are surrounded by His love, His people, His Word! Hey, they come for the friends, the girls and the sports and recreation, but they could leave with the best friend of all, Jesus Christ!

Camps provide the best opportunity to deepen the spiritual walk of my “core students.” Teens are so distracted today with so many things tugging at their busy schedule…my kids have palm pilots now, for crying out loud! Camp is my best shot at getting their undistracted attention for at least a week! During camp, I spend time with my campers re-enforcing their love for Christ.

Camps do wonders for the unity of my student group!  Only mission trips exceed the bonding effect of camp, and it is usually more costly to get ALL my students to participate in a mission trip (plus the focus is on others’ needs, not our needs) so that leaves camp as my best opportunity to spend a week building the loyalty, togetherness, and focus of my ENTIRE youth group!

Since teens are very relationship-oriented, they will feel a lot more secure about going to some event if they know that other students are going. So, I always sit down with certain key leaders and ask them to pre-register, because—as I explain to them—they could be indirectly responsible for some other student (s) attending the camp whose lives will be forever change for the Kingdom! Only God knows how they can use their influence for Christ to impact the Kingdom. This is a “stewardship of influence” issue which I bring to their attention. If they know they are going to camp anyway, then why not use their influence for Christ by pre-registering, and thus encouraging others to do the same?

In my days at FBC/Orlando, this was a Herculean task! Thank goodness I had already seen the value of it in smaller churches! I went through the Sunday School rolls and compiled a “calling list” of nearly 600 names of students who had not yet signed up for camp. At first, I called them all myself. Why? Because I knew some of these students—many who were marginal attenders or absentees—would never come to Jesus without someone’s intervention in their behalf! Since I was unsure whether any other adults in their lives would be either as aggressive or desperate as the situation required to get these students to attend camp, that job was left to me alone! (Later, some adults began to invest in this phoning effort with me as they saw the importance of it!) Some summers I didn’t make it through my list, but I will never begrudge the effort, even though I got a lot of very discouraging excuses, and often felt personal rejection from some of those phone conversations!

You know what I did? I called my marginal students on my “phone list” at night. I spent about an hour or so on the phone each night until the job was done. And I said to each precious student, “Hey, this is your youth pastor calling. Did you know that you were going to youth camp this summer?” Usually there was stunned silence or even sputtering protests on the other end of the phone. But I never let their excuses stop me from being insistent and persistent about their presence at camp. I knew that if I gave up easily, it would only communicate to them that I didn’t really feel as passionate about their presence as I first had implied! I kept painting them a picture of how great it was going to be to give up EVERYTHING else to come to camp (YES, even that trip to Paris with mom and dad)! After all, if I don’t believe in the importance of this event in their lives, why should they?

I chose to make student’s eternal destiny—not human deadlines—my foremost priority! Therefore I have never told a student he could not come to camp if I could humanly make it possible for him or her to attend, even if he missed every deadline. However, I also instituted a series of “graduated” payment deadlines that made camp less expensive for those who paid on time. I reward “responsible students” without eliminating “tardy” students!

I could tell you many stories of “last minute campers” whose lives were forever changed…and who went on to become “life changers” in God’s Kingdom. I wouldn’t trade one of those kids for even one story about how I taught some student a lesson by not letting him come to camp because of a missed deadline! Can you imagine a student saying to Jesus, “I might have been in heaven had I not missed a camp deadline.” Yikes!

We re-form the youth group into special summer-only “teams” to experience all the activities of the summer together in a new and fresh way that is different from the school year. One of the ways in which teams compete with each other is to bring their friends to summer activities, especially youth rallies. We have even held a camp presidential campaign in which the students selected one of their older peers to be our camp “Pres.” These student “candidates” conducted a summer “camp-aign” (get it?) with silly skits, etc., about coming to camp. Of course the objective was to encourage guest students to come along with us to camp. It works!  No one can motivate students to come to camp like their own excited and motivated peers!

Frankly, I’m not a big fan of “full scholarships” unless the need is dire. Most kids have access to some funds somewhere, even if only a nominal amount. When students invest nothing into an effort, they go into it expecting little. Or they drop out before the event even happens! Some investment on their part is good for them, for the budget, for everyone! But I also want to eliminate money as the excuse for non-participation!

The winning team members ride in style to camp in the best vehicle. The party bus riders are provided with a free lunch, along with party favors, special individually-packed “party paks” for each winning team member, etc. Over the years, the Camp Party Bus became a big deal!

7:15am Camp Wide Quiet Times (by church)
7:45am Breakfast
8:30am Roll Call/Team REC
9:00am Adult Sponsor Track
10:10am Rally/Worship

12:00pm Lunch

12:50pm Roll Call/Track Time/Family Leader Track
2:15pm Tourneys/Facility REC
3:30pm Free Time

5:15pm Dinner
6:30pm Evening Rally
7:50pm Roll Call
8:00pm Worship
10:00pm Church Time
11:00pm In Rooms
11:30pm Lights Out

Here is what we request to confirm your stay with Global:

1. Early Bird Pre-Registration postmarked through January 15th– $50
2. Regular Pre-Registration postmarked after January 15th through March 15th– $60
3. Late Pre-Registration after March 15th– $70

• Once you call and reserve space, your pre-registration contribution is due within 15 business days and is non-refundable.
• Your contribution for camp not only covers the expenses involved with your church registration, but also helps to carry out Global’s mission to inspire and educate young people.  These funds are used to confirm camp facilities, provide promotional and program materials, pay staff during the pre-camp months to prepare for camps, etc.
• Our goal is to provide you with the best experience possible.  We know that coming to camp is a big deal for your ministry.  By receiving your pre-registration contribution in advance, we can determine how much space is available and then begin planning for the right amount of people.
• Your pre-registration contribution is non-refundable.  Our locations require us to guarantee the number of students that will attend each week.  When you send pre-registration funds to us, we reserve space at the facility on your behalf for that number of students. Once we pass the deadline date we are then locked in to that number, and facility contracts must often be secured as early as 1 year in advance and a final number guaranteed many months in advance.
• However, we will allow your non-refundable pre-registration contribution to be rolled over until January 15, allowing you to apply dropped individual registrations toward your final bill.  After January 15, pre-registration contributions are both non-refundable and non-transferable to another camper.  Dropped pre-registration amounts will be forfeited.

For all additions, the camp registration contribution will be determined by the date the pre-registration contribution is postmarked.  If some spots are reserved at the Early Bird Registration Contribution, then we will calculate your total accordingly.

• Last Minute Add-Ons: We know how it is; some teen wants to go to camp at the last minute… the very one you have been praying for. What do you do? Call us! Arrangements can be made for last minute attendance if accommodations are available. An extra $10 per person will be added. The $100 processing contribution amount does not apply if you have sent in your final registration contribution and paperwork by the deadline.

• The number of people registered may be reduced at any time through January 15th and you will receive a full credit of your pre-registration contribution toward the final amount.
• For camps through June 30th, all drops and cancellations after April 15th will be subject to an additional $50 registration contribution for each cancelled registered attendee.
• For camps from July 1st through July 31st, all drops and cancellations after May 15th will be subject to an additional $50 registration contribution for each cancelled registered attendee.
• Any cancellations within 15 business days of your camp start date are forfeited and will be used toward the ministry.

Lodging for each night of camp, meals, t-shirt, camp materials, and a full program, inspiration, and education of ministry with your campers.

• Final amount is due postmarked 15 business days prior to your camp start date.
• We request a $100 processing contribution amount for any contributions received after the 15 day deadline.
• After the 15 business day deadline, the entire amount will be due for all registered spots; no reductions after the 15 business day limit even if you do not bring all of the spots registered.
• Contribution checks may be made payable to: Global Youth Ministry – 40 Blackhawk Trail, Chatsworth, GA 30705
• Please call 877-251-1800 to pay by credit card. There will be a small finance fee for use of credit cards.

1. Final amount
2. Rooming List sent via email to davidc@globalyouthministry.org

1. Through January 15, you may roll a pre-registration contribution over and apply it to your final amount.
2. After January 15, all pre-registration contributions are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you drop people after January 15, you only lose the amount of their individual pre-registration contribution.
3. We request an additional $50 cancellation contribution for each cancelled registered attendee for all camps through June 30th.
4. After May 15th, we request an additional $50 cancellation contribution for each cancelled registered attendee for all camps July 1st through July 31st.
5. Remember: We request that you assume full responsibility for the entire camp amount.  Please, no exceptions except approved add-ons within the 15 day limit before camp, which may be finalized at camp.

If a camp fills up, you have the option to be added to a waiting list for the camp you would like to attend.  We do not require pre-registration contributions until spots become available.  Once you accept the spots, pre-registration contributions are due within 15 business days.  If this is not received within 15 business days, the spots will be released to the next church on the waiting list.

• They are allowed at camp, however, when small children are at camp, it will be more difficult for that leader to be a chaperone at camp.  Children under 7 will have discounted registration rates and are not included in the total number or registrations.
• Infant to 2 years that require no bed space or meals – are complimentary.
• We request a contribution of $200 for any children under 7 requiring bed space and meals.
• Children 8 and over, we request a full camp registration contribution and these children are counted in the total number of registrations.
• We ask that no children participate in camp teams and remain with parents or chaperones while at camp.

The camp registration contribution for Global Youth Camp is the same for youth workers and students.  Youth workers and adult leaders do count toward your total number of registrations.  Your adults will receive valuable training at camp, so bring as many as you can!

We want to get your T-shirts right!  Please help us by sending in your t-shirt sizes with your final payment.  If you don’t know the t-shirt size, send us your best guess.  We have to order the shirts far in advance.  We cannot guarantee that every student will get the exact size they ordered.

• Be comfortable, but conservative.
• No short-shorts or miniskirts/dresses.
• Modest swim suits are for swimming only.  Cover-ups to and from the pool area.   Swim suits are to be modest one-piece.  Girls-no french-cut, guys-no speedo’s.
• Long pants (guys or girls) or dresses/skirts (for girls) for Worship (evenings).
• Guys wear a shirt at all times on campus when outside your room.

• Registration at camp is between 1:30 and 3:30 pm.  Please be aware that no keys will be released before 1:30pm.  We want your check-in to be as smooth as possible, so please time your arrival for no earlier than 1:30 p.m.
• It is very helpful to give our Registrar a cell phone number to call while you are enroute to camp in case of the need to be in contact.

• When you arrive at camp we will provide maintenance forms for each room.  Each room must be inspected by a youth leader/worker when you move in.  The forms must be completed and returned by the end of the 1st day of camp to ensure that you are not held responsible for prior damage.
• The last night of camp we will return these forms to you so that you can re-evaluate the rooms and record any new damage.  You will be responsible for taking care of any damages with the facility staff.

Most facilities charge for lost keys.  We ask on the last day of camp that your return each key or provide the required key replacement cost.

Most of the time this is possible, but due to the varied circumstances of each facility we are unable to make these arrangements for you.  We ask that you coordinate the rooming and meals for your driver with the facility management directly. An extra amount will be requested.

Absolutely!  In fact, you may download posters and camp promo video clips that you can use from our website.

At Global Youth Camp, selected older students have the opportunity to participate as Family Leader on their camp team. This role gives older students the opportunity to learn leadership skills under the supervision of one or more of our camp staff.  Their responsibilities include assisting with recreation, helping with team activities, and even leading team reflections! The Family Leader program at Global Youth Camp sends your older students home more confident and better prepared to take the lead in your youth group.  You may nominate the rising juniors, seniors, and grads in your group that you think would make good Family Leader candidates.

• Recreation is a blast at Global Youth Camps!  Your student will participate in recreation each day with their teams. Rec time is usually team-building oriented activities that center around the week’s camp theme.
• Also, each facility offers a variety of extra recreation options that are available during free time each day.  Depending on the activity and location, some locations may requre an additional amount to participate in these options.  You and your students will receive detailed information about what is offered at your camp location on the website and when you arrive at camp.  At Global Youth Camps, we try to book facilities that offer recreational options such as horse back riding, canoeing, the blob and other outdoor fun!

• Every camper at camp attends camp track times.  Students will have options most afternoons.  Students rotate through 3 different track times during their week at camp.
• Our Track Times have a biblical topical focus and allow your students to be poured into by our staff and college team leaders. There are a variety of tracks offered during our summer camps.

Global Youth Ministry has your group’s safety in mind as we host events. If an event is hosted as scheduled and your group cancels or decreases numbers due to weather conditions or a national disaster, all payments are non-refundable. If we are unable to host an event due to weather conditions or a national disaster, deposits cannot be refunded. Refunds of final balance payments will be made only if properties or locations refund Global Youth Ministry for these costs.