Author: Owner

Camper/Parent
Handbook

Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center
2870 County Road 13
Fremont, NE 68025
Phone: 402-628-6455
Fax: 402-628-8255
Email: calvincrest@calvincrest.org

Welcome to Calvin Crest!
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Calvin Crest! We are excited to have you and your family at camp! Calvin Crest has been serving Camper Families for over 65 years. We are a year-round camp, conference and retreat center located on 250 scenic acres of woods, fields and rolling hills overlooking the Platte River in Fremont, Nebraska.
Calvin Crest is a place where your child can grow in mind, body, and spirit in an area of scenic beauty. Part of the Calvin Crest tradition is familiarizing campers with the outdoors, and helping them understand the natural beauty that surrounds them. Studies over the last 20 years show that over half of the youth and adults who participate at camps, conferences and retreats at places like Calvin Crest have a singular spiritual growth experience they remember for the rest of their lives.
This guide will give you an inside look into life at camp, how to go about preparing for camp, what your child will do during camp, as well as what happens after camp has ended. We thank you for your support, and look forward to seeing you soon!
Camp Check-In
Check in time is 3:30-4:00 PM on Sunday. Exceptions to this are Family Camp (10:00 AM on Saturday) and Explorers (7:00 PM on Friday).
Camp Check-Out
Camps are finished by 5:00 PM on the last day. Exceptions include Sr. High Camps (10:00 AM), Family Camp (1:00 PM) and Explorers (1:00 PM).
Transportation
Each camper is responsible for getting to Calvin Crest and returning home. It there are several campers from one church, you may wish to carpool.

Health Form
A completed health form is required to complete the registration process. This form allows you to communicate with our health staff about your child’s health. Please provide accurate information and update it as needed during check-in.
Camp Health Care
There will be a health care supervisor to see that campers receive proper medical attention if needed. The health care staff will also see that campers take their medication on schedule. All medications should be clearly marked with the campers name, dosage, etc. and given to the Health Care Supervisor when checking in.
Medication can only be administered to the person who is named on the prescription. In case of emergency, or an illness lasting more than 12 hours, parents will be notified.
Changing Events
All changes must be confirmed with the Registrar. There is a $10 fee for each change.
Cabin Mates
Up to three friends may request to bunk together. Please indicate your bunkmates on your registration form. Due to space limitations, not all bunkmate requests can be honored. Cabin Mates may not always be placed in the same activity group.

ALL MEDICATION, PRESCRIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER, MUST COME IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING/BOTTLE THAT IDENTIFIES THE PRESCRIBING PHYSICIAN (IF A PRESCRIPTION), THE NAME OF THE MEDICATION, THE DOSAGE AND THE FREQUENCY OF ADMINISTRATION. PLEASE ENSURE THIS INFORMATIN IS CORRECT.

Cost
The camp fee includes lodging, meals, snacks, crafts, activities, one camp photo and a Camp T-Shirt. Note: T-Shirt sizes will not be guaranteed on registrations received after April 30. Campers can bring spending money for the camp store at the parent’s discretion ($10-$20 is plenty). The Store has stamps, postcards, shirts, and other small items. There are no snacks sold in the camp store.
Financial Aid
Many churches provide financial help to children and youth who wish to attend camp. Calvin Crest has limited financial aid funds. If you need assistance, contact your church or the Calvin Crest office (calvincrest@calvincrest.org or 1-877-795-7635). With this, we ask those who are able, to consider making a tax deductible donation to the scholarship fund along with your payment.
Refunds and Other Fees
A $50.00 non-refundable deposit per camp secures the registration. This deposit MUST accompany the registration. Churches paying the deposit must include the deposit with the registration form. Fifty percent of the camper fee is due 14 days prior to the start of the event. The remaining balance is due at registration. Upon cancellation within 10 days of camp, fees will be refunded only if the camper slot can be filled. Camper “no shows” will be billed 100% of camper fees. There is a $25.00 fee charged for returned checks.
Homesickness
Preparing campers for the week: Prepare campers ahead of camp for the best possible experience. Let them know your expectations for them and focus on positive aspects of camp such as making new friends, doing fun activities and growing closer to God. Have your child help pack their bags. This will give them a chance to know what they’ve packed and where to find things. If your child is nervous about the camp experience schedule a tour of Calvin Crest beforehand by calling the office. Do not promise that you will pick them up if they are homesick. Instead, focus on how proud of them you will be when they come home.

Things to do during the week of camp: Write letters to your child emphasizing the fun they are having at Camp. Let them know that everything is going well at home. This provides a sense of continuity for the child.
What Calvin Crest does for homesick campers: The Calvin Crest staff receive substantial training in how to assist homesick campers deal with their feelings. Each child is unique so there is no set procedure, but the following things are often employed. Camp staff are vigilant for campers that might be showing signs of homesickness. Staff will spend extra time with these campers and make every effort to get them involved in the fun activities happening at camp. If these efforts are not successful, the program director becomes involved. Occasionally a phone call home allows the parent to reassure their child that they can have a great experience at camp. Due to camp policy regarding electronics, campers may not have cell phones. If the program director deems a call home is prudent, the camper will use a camp phone to make the call. Our hope is that each camper remains at camp to experience the full benefit. However, the reality is that an occasional child is not ready to be here. We work with parents on how to resolve the situation well.
Typical Schedule
Sample Activities
Swimming, Arts and Crafts, Archery, Nature Studies, GaGa Ball, Sand Volleyball, Human Foosball, Low Ropes Initiatives, Board Games, Theatre and more.
Contacting your camper
To send mail to your camper use the following address:
Camper Name
Calvin Crest Camp
2870 County Road 13
Fremont, NE 68025

8 AM Breakfast
9 AM Cabin Clean-Up
9:45 JAM (Jesus and Me) Time
10:00 Morning Worship
10:45 BLAST (Bible Study)
11:30 Morning Activity
12 PM Lunch
1 PM Rest Time
2 PM Recreation/Swimming
5 PM Free Time
6 PM Supper
7 PM Evening Activity
8:30 Campfire

Shirts
Shorts
Long Pants/Jeans
Socks/Underwear (a few extra pair are good)
Sweatshirt or Jacket
Sleepwear
Closed toed shoes*
Water Shoes
Swimwear (see dress policy)
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Towels (pool and bath)
Soap
Comb/brush
Pillow
Sleeping bag or blankets/sheets
Pens/Pencils
Notebook
Sunscreen
Insect Repellant
Hat
Water Bottle
Bible

Things to Bring
*Some campers bring rain boots or water-proof shoes to walk through the wet grass in the morning
Things to Leave at Home
Dress Code
Dress is casual but modest at camp. Please bring clothing and swim suits that are appropriate in our Christian community. This includes swim suits for girls and guys that fit well and will stay in place during activity. Tank tops should have straps that are at least two fingers wide. All shirts should cover the top of the pants when arms are raised. Campers wearing T-shirts with slogans deemed inappropriate may be asked to wear the t-shirt inside out or change into an appropriate shirt. All campers must wear closed toed shoes at all times, except in the pool. Sandals are appropriate for pool areas, but NOT for daily wear. Bring tennis shoes or hiking boots. Ranch campers are REQUIRED to have boots or shoes with a heel and long pants or they will not be permitted to ride the horses. If you are in doubt about what is appropriate, please contact the Calvin Crest Office. You may want to bring two pairs of enclosed shoes like tennis shoes or hiking boots (in case one gets wet). For safety reasons, campers will not be allowed to go barefoot at any time. In addition, slippers, sandals or open-toed shoes are only to be used to go to the pool or the shower.

Cell Phones
Electronic Devices
Expensive jewelry/watches
Weapons of any kind
Curling irons/Straighteners
Tobacco, alcohol or drugs
Fireworks
Silly String

Cell Phones
Please do not send cell phones, or tell your campers to call you from camp. This interrupts the camping program and can increase homesickness. Please partner with us as we encourage campers to connect with each other in real and tangible ways.
Sr. High Campers may bring their cell phones and can have limited access to them during downtime. If they become disruptive, we may store an individual’s phone during their time at camp.
Social Media Policy
Social networking sites, such as Facebook or SnapChat, are a large part of today’s society, and are a part of self-expression. However, some of the content that goes on to such sites is not necessarily appropriate. In order to have a positive image for both your child and for the camp, Calvin Crest abides by this policy. Permission is given by the parent or guardian as part of the registration form in order to use any pictures or videos from camp in future promotion of Calvin Crest. Employees are contractually obligated to keep all communication and camp pictures clean in accordance with a Christian lifestyle, as well as camp rules. If you have any questions or concerns about the media usage of the camp, please contact the office at (402) 628-6455.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Calvin Crest is an equal opportunity Camp and Conference Center. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability or other legally protected status. Any person who believes he/she has been discriminated against should write to: Administrator, Food and Consumer Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
FAQ’s
For more information, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions at www.calvincrest.camp/faq

Getting to Camp
For point-to-point directions, please use your favorite map app or website.
When you arrive at camp there is a limited parking in front of the office. The majority of the parking is in the large gravel lot as you arrive. Please note that there is another camp (Camp Rivercrest) that is before the entrance to Calvin Crest. Typically, they also are conducting check-in during the same time.