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Top Ten Questions Asked By Parents
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For a printable version of this information,
click here.
 1. Does my child really need to bring all the stuff on the Packing List?
The Packing List has been developed over the years to help families prepare their children for camp. Each child should have a Packing List with his/her name on it. The cabin counselors help each camper unpack and use the Packing List to verify what was brought to camp. The counselors also help each child pack for the trip home, and use the Packing List to be sure nothing is left behind. Please do not feel that you need to buy lots of new clothes or equipment for camp. Old clothes make the best camp clothes. Campers need enough clothes to wear for at least one week because the laundry goes out once a week (extra socks, underwear and T-shirts are recommended). Campers should bring clothes suitable for warm summer days and cool mountain evenings. Rain gear is essential and several pairs of athletic shoes are also useful. We do our best to send home items left behind on packing day. Making sure all items are clearly labeled will help us do this. Parents are responsible for reimbursing postage costs on items mailed home.
2. My child can't imagine going anywhere without a CD player, cell phone or other electronic devices. What if these things are brought to camp?
Campers are not permitted to use CD/MP3 players, radios, cell phones or video games at camp. Counselors will ask parents to take such items home with them on opening day or the counselor will bring these items to the camp office for safekeeping.
3. How can I stay in contact with my child and how will I know what's happening at camp?
Campers are required to write letters home twice each week. Campers love getting mail and we strongly encourage you to write to your child at least twice a week. Letters should be mailed to:
[Camper's Name]
Crystal Lake Camps
1676 Crystal Lake Road
Hughesville, PA 17737
You may email your camper and view photos and updates by clicking on the blue graphic on the front page of our website and following the instructions. This email is checked daily. Your message will be printed and delivered to your child after lunch. Except under special circumstances, campers do not have access to email
 Please do not tell your child that he/she can call home whenever he/she wants. If a child wants to call home for any reason, he or she will need the permission of the Camp Director. We will discuss the reason for the call with the child and determine if and when a call should be made. If you need to talk with your child while he/she is at camp, you can call the office and leave a message. In most cases, we will have to arrange for the child to call you back. The Camp Director is always happy to talk to you on the phone and give you a report on how your child is doing.
4. I want to send my child a "care package" while he or she is at camp. What should I send?
The best thing to send your child is lots of cards and letters. Most campers do not receive care packages, so your child will not feel left out if you don't send one. If you would really like to send something, then please keep it small and inexpensive. A good choice would be a reading, coloring or puzzle book, or some other quiet- time activity your child could do during rest hour. Campers are provided with plenty to eat. Sweets in the cabins only attract unwanted critters.
5. Where will my child be staying?
The girls and boys live in separate camps. Within each camp, your child will be staying in a cabin with other children in his/her age group. There are two to three counselors living in each cabin who are responsible for maintaining an orderly and harmonious living situation for their campers and for making sure the personal needs of each camper are being met. At least one counselor is in the cabin whenever the children are there. The Head Counselor is always nearby and visits each cabin numerous times throughout the day and evening. The Head Counselor is there to support the staff and to spend time with the children.
6. My child is interested in all of the activities being offered. How many activities will he or she actually be able to take?
Your child will sign up for four activities in which he/she will participate on a daily basis. In addition, your child will be able to choose one other activity each day. For example, a child might take swimming, horseback riding, archery and pottery every day. One day for the fifth free choice period, the child might also make a tie-dye T-shirt in arts and crafts. The next day for free choice period, the child could choose to play soccer. If your child chooses to do something different each day, he/she could participate in as many as 12 different activities. There are also evening and special activities such as cookouts, council fires, etc. We strongly recommend that beginner level swimmers take swimming as one of their four daily activities.
7. My child is a vegetarian/picky eater. Will he or she get enough to eat at camp?
 Many children learn to try new foods at camp. We strongly encourage each camper to try a taste of everything being served. Campers who are vegetarians will be provided with a vegetarian alternative. We make sure that no child leaves a meal hungry. Our menu is kid-tested and features many camper favorites including pizza, tacos, grilled cheese sandwiches and much more. We also have a salad bar which offers many different healthy options for campers. We've asked campers to tell us about their favorite foods so we can include them on our menu.
8. What if my child gets homesick or doesn't feel well?
Each camp has a Quiet Room where the children are lovingly cared for by a Camp Mother (or Camp Father) until they can resume their regular activities. The Camp Mother is a class taught student of Christian Science, who is a parent or has experience with children. Also at camp there is a Journal-listed Christian Science Practitioner, who is available to give specific prayerful treatment, and a Journal-listed Christian Science Nurse, who is also available to campers. Of course if they prefer, campers always have the option to speak with a family practitioner and we are happy to arrange a phone call for this purpose whenever needed. You will be promptly notified by the Camp Director whenever a Practitioner has been engaged or if there is any significant interruption in your child's regular schedule. Please see the back page of the camper application for details on our Health Care Policy.
9. Who can my child turn to when he or she needs help or doesn't know what to do?
Every staff member watches out for the children and is expected to see to it that a child who needs help gets help promptly. Your child will be introduced to the staff on the first day of camp and will spend the first evening getting to know his/her cabin mates and cabin counselors. In almost all cases, the campers come to view their counselors as friends upon whom they can depend for guidance, help and encouragement. Other staff to whom campers can turn include: the Head Counselor from their camp (who supports the cabin counselors), the Program Director (who coordinates all the activities), the Camp Mother/Father, Camp Practitioner and Camp Nurse. The Camp Director also takes an interest in each child and is always happy to talk to individual campers about their needs, concerns and progress.
10. What can I do to support my child while he or she is at camp?
Help your child prepare for camp (see the Countdown to Camp list). If your child has any special needs or interests, be sure to speak with the Camp Director as far in advance as possible. Write to your child regularly with the focus on what is happening at camp, more than what is happening at home. Pray daily for your child just as you would if he/she were at home. The staff prays daily for guidance and harmony in their various areas of camp, but they do not pray for individual campers. Mrs. Eddy writes: "The natural fruits of Christian Science Mind-healing are harmony, brotherly love, spiritual growth and activity"(My. 213:1-3). This is our hope and expectation for camp, for both our campers and staff.
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