Parent Information
"Life is Better in the Outdoors!"
This page will hopefully answer some of the questions that you may have concerning your campers stay here with us.
As always you may call the office (352-625-2804) to talk to someone in person if you have other questions.
| Camp Accommodations | To Bring or Not to Bring to Camp |
| Meals | A day in the life of a camper |
| Medical | Note to Parents |
| Staff | Frequently Asked Questions |
The camp is a residential facility. We house up to 110 campers per session with up to 40 summer camp staff and volunteers.
The Boys cabins sleep 16 campers, 2 counselors and 1 counselor in training CIT.
The Girls cabins sleep 6 to 8 campers, 1 counselor and a counselor in training CIT.
All the cabins are air-conditioned and are bunk style beds.
Cabins are assigned according to age and program. We will try to honor any special bunking request.
Campers are supervised at all times.
Meals are served cafeteria style in our air-conditioned dining hall.
Campers sit with their assigned cabins and counselors.
The meals are nutritionally balanced and appeal to everyone. An evening snack is included.
Assorted fruit is available during the day.
Medical attention is provided 24 hours a day by the resident Medical Director, who is also responsible for dispensing all daily medications.
Medications are kept in a secure medical cabin.
* see "Note to Parents" below
We hire and train approximately 35 summer camp staff, along with the resident camp director and other full time FWC employees.
All staff must under go personal interviews, reference checks, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) criminal history
background checks, and local criminal history checks. All staff are certified in CPR and First Aid.
The average summer camp staff age from 18 to 25 years old.
All summer camp staff are residential.
Many of our staff have been campers themselves.
What to bring and not to bring to camp
Items to bring to camp:
Canteen or 1-liter reusable water bottle (a must)
Sturdy suitcase or footlocker (footlocker preferred)
Bed linens or sleeping bag and pillow
Towels, washcloths and laundry bag
Toiletry items (bath soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc.)
Clothes (appropriate for outdoor activities and hot weather)
Shoes (more than one pair) closed toe
Shower shoes (sandals or flip-flops)
Rain Gear (it rains every day)
Hat or Cap
Swimsuit
Sunscreen
Bug repellent (no aerosol cans)
Flashlight (with new/extra batteries)
Self-addresses stamped envelopes with stationary (optional- for campers to write home)
Items NOT to bring to camp:
Prescription drug or over-the-counter medications that are not in the original containers
Firearms, ammunition, archery equipment or knives
Matches, lighters or other fire starting equipment
Fishing gear (equipment will be provided)
Cellular phones, stereos, radios, compact disc players, MP3 players or any electronic games, toys or devices
Food, beverages, candy or gum
Fireworks of any kind, balloons or items for pranks or practical jokes
ANY type of tobacco products
No MONEY
These items will be confiscated from camper with no guarantee of return.
THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDE IN CONFIRMATION PACKET
Listed below is
a shortened and modified version of the campers’ weekly activity schedule.
The schedule doesn’t reflect the breaks and down time given to the
campers between classes as well as before and after meals. This
example schedule represents activities planned for Monday through Thursday.
The Sunday and Friday schedules are different due to the campers arriving
and leaving camp for the week.
During the camper registration on Sunday, be sure to look for the actual camper schedules that are posted in the dinning hall and at the campers’ cabins. The posted schedules are broken down to specific programs and activities.
Camper Weekly Activity Schedule (Example)
| 6:30 am | Morning
Wake-up |
5:30 pm | Dinner |
| 7:15 | Breakfast | 6:15 | Evening Program #1 |
| 8:15 | 1st Class/Activity | 7:00 | Snack |
| 10:00 | 2nd Class/Activity | 7:15 | Evening Program #2 |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch | 8:00 | Shower / Cabin Time |
| 1:30 | 3rd Class/Activity | 9:30 | Study Time / Cabin Time |
| 3:15 | 4th Class/Activity | 10:00 pm | Lights Out |
As you can see
the campers have a very busy and exciting week.
The campers have two classes or activities during the morning and two in
the afternoon. They also have two
evening programs after dinner every night.
Some
of the activities the campers will participate in during the week are; Fishing,
Canoeing, Swimming, Hiking, Outdoor and Survival Skills, Gun Safety, Archery,
Hunter Safety, Shooting Sports (Range Activities), Wildlife Identification, and
Game Management Skills,
Camp Crafts and more. These activities will vary depending on the program each
camper is registered for.
Example:
Some
activities
will
be
shared
with
all
and
some
are
program
specific,
such
as
the
"Safari"
group will go primitive camping in the Ocala National Forest and
canoe down the Ocklawaha River.
The
"Pathfinder"
group will participate in Hunter Safety classes, and the
"Pioneer"
group will hike to the sink hole.
The campers
participate in two programs each evening.
The evening programs consist of traditional fun camp games and
environmental education. For example:
FWC Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist as well as U.S. Forest Service
employees come out and give presentations on their role in wildlife
conservation. Conservation clubs
such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and United Waterfowlers of Florida
visit and share their skills with the campers.
Several of the fun and traditional camp games and activities are;
Counselor Hunt, Critter Crawl, Scavenger Hunt, Mud Hike, Camp Olympics and more.
Please feel
free to contact the camp director if you have any questions about the programs.
PLEASE, if your child is running a fever or has been exposed to a contagious illness (such as the flu or any virus) do not bring them to camp. Call the camp office and make arrangements for your child to attend another session. If your child comes to camp and becomes ill or runs a fever, they will be quarantined immediately and the parent will be called to pick the camper up. This is for the safety and welfare of the other campers and staff.
There are no laundry facilities for campers.
All personal items should be labeled with your camper's name.
Vitamins, over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs must be in original containers. These will be collected by the camp medical director (upon arrival at camp) and will be administered by the medical director as prescribed. Over-the-counter medications are available based upon the signed consent form.
Only an emergency telephone is available. Please discuss this with your camper.
Send only clothes you don't mind getting very dirty and wet.
How much is registration?
Cost is $295.00 (all inclusive) per week per camper.
Are there any additional fees?
No
Can I pay by Credit Card?
Yes, you can pay with a credit card by calling the office at 352-625-2804. There will be a 7% fee assessed for credit card users.
Can my child attend more than 1 week?
Yes, as long as there is space available.
Does my child need to bring any money to camp?
No. Parents may buy t-shirts or photo CDs at check-in or pick-up day.
All proceeds made through the sale of t-shirts and CD's will go directly back to the camp to benefit the summer youth camp program.
Are the cabins air-conditioned?
Yes, the cabins and dining hall are all air-conditioned.
How many campers per cabin?
Boy's cabins hold 16 campers plus staff. Girl's cabins hold 6 to 8 campers plus staff.
Can I make a down payment to reserve a spot for my child?
No, the full registration fee must be received with registration form.
The camp is filled on a first-come first-serve basis. There are no exceptions.
If I live out of town and my child flies into an airport can they be picked up at the airport by someone from your staff?
No, we do not provide transportation to and from camp.
Can friends be in the same cabin?
Friends can be in the same cabin if they are of the same sex, age group and in the same program.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is Sunday 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Check-out is Friday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Can my child call home or can I call them?
Phones are for emergencies only. If there is a problem with your child the camp director or office staff will contact you.
If I have more than one child attending camp, do I get a discount?
Discounts are not available.
Are background checks done on the counselors?
All staff are required to have a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) criminal history
background check, and local criminal history check. We meet and exceed all Department of Children and Family regulations.
Can I volunteer at camp during my child's week at camp?
We do not allow parents to stay during camp. We simply don't have the room.
Our volunteers are employees of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or associated with FWC programs.
All volunteers are screened through a FDLE criminal background check.