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How SAFE is this camp?
We homeschool parents are protective of not only our children's physical safety but their mental and spiritual safety as well and we of the camp staff take this very seriously.
As Conservative Christian Creationist Homeschooling parents in the early '90's, the Hungerfords had heard about homeschool science camp and wanted our children to attend but... we did not know who these people were and we were not about to turn our children over to strangers for a week. So Dad (thats John) went with our oldest son to camp that first year. That was in 1993 and John has been attending ever since as a counselor and teacher known as Cecil T Seaserpent.
Cabin counselors are homeschool parents and most cabins also have older teen junior counselors who are homeschooled themselves and have attended the camp for years. These adults and teens are required to provide personal information including names and phone numbers of their pastors, church elders and other references. ALL THESE ARE CHECKED OVER CAREFULLY and all references are called for comments on Christian character, any potential issues with children, maturity level and history. Even staff who have been at Science Camp before have calls placed to pastors and elders for current information.
Our regular teachers are Creationist Christians and many are homeschool parents themselves with expertise in the science areas they cover. Sometimes we will bring in teachers from outside but only in special circumstances. In 2005 for example, Clackamas County provided a teacher and equipment for a paper making class. As director I made sure nothing contrary to our beliefs would come up during these classes through pre-camp meetings with the county supplied teacher but we also had 2 of our experienced and trusted adults with him at all times. We take the spiritual, moral and physical safety of our campers very seriously and go way out of our way to see that the children are protected in ALL ways. Our goal is 24 hour supervision by godly men and women who will build on and reinforce your teachings from the home
Can I bring young children under age 9?
We strongly discourage this as it changes the atmosphere at camp as everyone tends to "slow down" for the young ones. The only time we allow younger children is when an older child from the same family is attending as a camper and one or both parents attend as well. The younger child must stay with a parent at all times. This eliminates that parent from a teaching position but this adult may act as a daytime chaperon or a night time counselor if the child is the same sex so they can "sleep in". Again, we strongly discourage this.
Is there a place for family members who are NOT campers?
Sometimes we have dads who love to teach at science camp but only have a few weeks off work each year so don't want to miss out on family time by going to camp. In situations like this we have room in unoccupied cabins for family or you may bring a motor home/trailer if desired. We can put mom and young children in a separate cabin where they can enjoy a relaxed day or week hiking around the area or exploring nearby. Dad can teach for 4 or 5 hours each day and spend the rest of the time with family. Short stay fees: Lodging only- $__ per person per night with 5 and under free. Meals are $__ each meal per person with 5 and under free. 4 nights + 12 meals (thats the full camp time)= $___ per adult and $__ for 6, 7 & 8 year olds. We only allow this option when one or both parents are teachers. Having small children about really does change the tone of the camp and family members who come with a teaching parent are expected to NOT join us for camp activities.
We would like to come and stay as a family. Dad and mom and children in the same cabin. Is this allowed?
No. We are not designed as a "family camp" in this sense. Cabins are set up for 8 boys, a junior counselor boy and one dad OR 8 girls, a mom and a junior counselor girl. Staying in family groups takes up far more cabin space and changes the camp experience. The camp directors and staff are all family people who strongly believe in doing things as family groups but ... just not at Creation Science Camp.
If I come late or leave early what happens?
The camp charges us the same if the camper is there for 5 days or for 4 so the fee is the same. Just let the director know so it is not a surprise.
How did this camp begin?
In the late '80's a homeschooled son said to his mother "I want to go to Public School next year". Rather shocked, she asked "why?" and our camp was born. You see, his friends had told him about Outdoor School- how much fun it was- and he wanted to go. "No way" said Mom but it planted the idea in her head. The next fall Jan Manselle, an ordinary homeschool mom with a vision, led her first outdoor school with a dozen homeschooled students from her local area. Since then, the group has grown to a steady count of 100 campers each year from around the Northwest with one memorable year with 200 in attendance. Jan Manselle, "Orca" to the children, led the camp for 15 years then turned it over to longtime homeschool parents and science camp teachers who still run it today.
Insurance?
We are covered by a liability policy and a $25,000 accidental medical policy. However, each family is expected to cover their own medical expenses as shown on the medical form you sign for each child. Do not rely on camp coverage for medical issues. Example- In 2005 we had a midnight run to an emergency room for a severe asthma attack. All the medical costs were born by the parents, not the homeschool science camp or the insurance carrier.
Tetenus shots?
Some families do not vaccinate and have strong objections to tetenus shots. Because tetenus is limited to one person at a time and is not "catching" to other campers, we allow those with strong objections to send in a signed waver stating that they will take all financial and legal responsibility for their children not having tetenus shots should that child develop tetenus while at science camp. Oregon state law says concerning childrens camps- "Individuals whose sincerely held religious beliefs preclude physical examination, immunization or medical treatment may complete those portions of the health history that do not compromise their religious beliefs".
Why is the camp at different locations?
We like variety! We have stayed at Camp Magruder (Oregon Coast), Camp Adams (Mt Hood foothills), Camp Davidson (Central Oregon in volcano country), Drift Creek Camp (Oregon Coast), Cispus Learning Center (Mt St Helens) and more.
What age group are the campers- Will my child fit in?
Out of 100 campers a typical year will see:
9 and 10 year olds- about 25 campers both boys and girls. [green study group]
11 year olds- about 30 campers [green ]
12 to 14 year olds- about 30 boys and girls [red w/some green]
15 and 16 year olds- about 15 campers [blue study groups]
Study group assigned colors are adjusted to make the groups equal in size for teaching so 2 children of the same age may not be in the same study group. If 2 friends must be together just note this on your application form and we will TRY to keep them together. We try to keep cabins close to the same age but sometimes a 9 year old wants to be in the same cabin as a 12 year old cousin or a counselor has a cabin of 14 year olds + their own child aged 10.
Last year I sent my daughter to a camp[not this one]. I was very upset when she got back because they had lots of discussions about sex, drugs and all sorts of things that I feel strongly that it is the parents job to discuss with the child. They didn’t even tell us they would be having those kinds of discussions. They also showed videos that I object to. My daughter had a boy flirting with her the whole time at camp. Will any of this be a concern at your camp or is it a different atmosphere?
I am assuming you mean that the discussions about sex were started by the adults and not among the children. We do not cover those topics at all. As far as the children are concerned I cannot guarantee that a private conversation will not have those topics included. But I can say there is a high adult to child ratio and the opportunity for these kinds of discussions is quite limited. Not only that, the general population of kids that we see are from homes like yours and know that this is not acceptable conversation material. Campers are not allowed to flirt or "couple up" in any way.
My child is not very competitive and gets discouraged if others are bad sports. Do you make sure things stay kind and fair?
My heart is with your young one. I was embarrassingly awkward at sports as a child. P.E. was torture for me back in classroom schools. Not only that, I am a second born and we hate injustice and inequity. We play sports at camp for fun and to teach group activity and I have not observed poor sportsmanship. Instead we see year after year a wonderful sense of cooperation among the campers.
I have a son who still wets the bed sometimes at night because he is such a deep sleeper .... Is there a way he can go and enjoy camp? I thought of sending him with pull ups for nighttime but I know he would not want anyone to know he has it. At the same time I want him to be in a loving environment where he won't be picked on if someone does find out.
We have a number of children each year at camp with this issue including many of the staffs own so we know it well. Its really fairly common and often extends well into the teen years. First of all, please note this concern on the medical form. A staff person goes through the cabins in the morning and inspects the sleeping bags and pulls out and washes the wet ones and returns them before the kids are back. No one has to know but the counselor and a few staff. We encourage parents who have children with potential bed wetting issues to tell the child to place a pull up in their sleeping bag sometime in the day and put it on after they are inside. Parents can put 4 of them in the foot of the bag if desired so they are already there. Perhaps a few plastic bags too? With a note on the forms, the counselor will look for those wet pull ups in the sleeping bag each morning and dispose of them privately. I have never heard of anyone getting taunted for this.
I see the kids need their Bibles. This is great..but do you study & talk about things that Christians differ about? ..like when my daughter went to camp they told her that she had to be Baptized or she wasn’t saved.
We stay away from distinctive doctrine issues such as baptism We do use the Bible for references to Gods creation and for devotional lessons but they do not touch on controversial topics.
Is there swimming? If so, do you require modest swimwear and do you have lifeguards?
We do not do swimming at most of the camps we stay at. If we did at another facility we would be required to have a certified lifeguard and we would require modest swim wear.
I'm not familiar with the area..how is the weather at that time of the year and do you have mosquitos?
Here in the rainy northwest the weather is... wet and cool. It all depends on the year. We can have mild sunny days and we can have rain. We continue on in any case. Come prepared for rain. It is not usually very cold though. The last day of camp one year, while it was raining, we taught the kids how to build a fire in the forest without paper and with only material found in the forest. It was fun! We sometimes resort to showing "creation" videos if it is really bad weather. There is a gym there too, so we have some options. And yes, there can be mosquitos depending on the weather conditions that year. We always bring some spray or stick on stuff and we usually have extra if people forget.
Do you teach a literal 7 day creation?
Yes we do and we spend most of our creation time studying the scientific backing for this rather than the Bible itself. We assume that parents have already covered the Bible material.
Do you take pictures of the campers doing stuff at camp...or do the kids need to take their own camera?The staff and anyone else who brings a digital camera compiles pictures on Friday and a link from our web site will have them all available after camp. Children are welcome to bring their own cameras but each year we have a few disposables left at camp with no names so label yours.
Do you have showers?
Each cabin has two multi person bathrooms with curtained off single shower stalls.
Do all the groups do all the same activities and just rotate?
Usually they do but the oldest group often will take much longer hikes or have special classes such as digital photography or deeper discussions with our main creationist speakers. Every age enjoys archery but vollyball is too much for a 9 year old.
Are you allowed to get seconds at meals and what are the kinds of food you might serve as the main dish ?
You can eat till you burst! Well, maybe not quite that much but there is no lack of food and campers may have all they want. See our meals page for the menu. Staff will stop things like milk drinking contests but as long as the child is doing OK we have no limit on food.
Is the white t-shirt to make INTO a craft or just to wear while doing a craft?
The T will be painted, stamped, tie dyed and who knows what else by the camper. Autographing each others T shirts is a long standing camp tradition.
My daughter has a problem "spending the night". She had previously gone to a 3 day overnight camp when she was 7 years old and did fine. When she spent the night at a friends house last week she got scared and the other mom had to drive her home at midnight. Now she fears that she is going to "get scared" when at Science Camp.
This is not common but we have had it happen before so we are familiar with what to do. The key is forming a bond with the adult mom who will be the cabin counselor. When the trust is built the mom counselor can "mother" her and with the right mom, this will solve the problem. Knowing that this may be an issue we will carefully assign her to a cabin with a mom we know can handle this well and she can communicate with this mom before camp to make the transition easier. As camp director I have often sat up with children the first night or 2 as they adjust to being away from home and our camp nurse does well too.
Of the counselors at the camp, do they tend to come from the same theological persuasion? or are they from across the spectrum? I guess I'm asking if one or more particular churches are represented at the camp.
As far as I know, we have everything from Catholic to Lutheran to Baptist to Pentecostal to home church to... any one. Its not a question that has ever come up and we don't track it. I suspect that anyone who is a Christian homeschooler is going to have strong beliefs but because we don't deal with theology it never comes up. Knowing we are so diverse we purposfully stay away from issues like infant or adult Baptism that Christians may disagree on.
My daughter is failing science year after year; does not "get it" and does not like it. What do you think of me registering her for your science camp?
She would be welcome at camp. I do need you to understand that though this is a "Science Camp", we cannot "teach" a lot of science in just a week. The children get an introduction to various areas hopefuly to whet their interest for more and to help them see that science can indeed be interesting. We are a strongly Christian group and strongly support the Biblical view of 7 day literal creation in opposition to evolution and this is included in most classes and is the focus of the evening lectures.
What does a non teacher adult volunteer do?
Adults who sign up will help with chaperoning a cabin. Usually there are about 8 campers with one adult counselor and one teen (17-20 year old) Junior Counselor. All of our junior counselors are returning campers and "know the ropes" pretty well. So you will not be flying blind. Then during the day you will chaperone learning and recreation groups. There are usually about 12 in a group and there is usually one other chaperone. You are responsible to take roll at each class and help keep class order so the teacher can teach. Basically, you will be chaperoning some group or other both day and night. We try to double up the help so that if you need a break during the day you can arrange with someone to do that. |