Frequently Asked Questions |
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From "Who supervises my camper?" to "What's the food like?", we've got answers to the most frequently asked questions from parents and campers. Scroll through, or download this list. Did we miss something? Contact the office:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or (760) 765-0028.
Questions for Parents: Where is Camp Stevens? Camp Stevens is located on 256 acres just outside of Julian, California. Julian is a mountain town in the eastern part of San Diego County, 1-2 hours from most San Diego, Riverside and Imperial County locations, and 2-3 hours from Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Here is a link to our location on Google Maps. Is there any financial help available to send my kids? Yes. At Camp Stevens, we aim to give every child the experience of summer camp. Find out more about camperships here. Can I register my child, or pay online? Yes, online registration is available here. I’ve registered my child. What now? There are a few things you can do next:
Where does the bus pick-up? Van/bus transportation is available to and from Camp Stevens. The stops are as follows: Burbank, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Corona, San Diego and La Mesa. Pick-up and drop-off locations and times are included in your confirmation packet (emailed or mailed upon registration). Read Bus & Van Procedures, or get pick-up and drop-off details for an Adventure Session or International Odyssey . Can I drive my kids there, and have them take the bus back? Absolutely. The bus may be taken to camp, from camp, or both; just indicate on your registration form. When does my camper need to be there? Registration begins at Camp Stevens at 3PM on the first day of your camper’s session. When does camp end? If you are picking up your camper at Camp Stevens, please arrive between 12:30 and 1PM on the last day of the session, unless it's International Odyssey, which ends at 9AM. Information about what time to pick-up at each bus stop is available here, and is sent in your confirmation packet. How is the staff trained? Our resident staff members are interviewed and thoroughly screened before hiring. We look for young people who are passionate about working with children in the outdoors, and living in an intentional community. Each staff member participates in a week-long staff training program focuses on developing skills for leadership in groups, conflict resolution, and giving and receiving feedback. As this dynamic group of young people not only work, but also live, together all summer long, staff training is also focused on developing a close-knit community, a tenet of our leadership model. Counselors apply, give references and are interviewed before being admitted to Counselor Training, an intensive 10-day leadership training course. This course focuses on developing skills around group development, including positive interaction in groups, conflict resolution, effective listening, and techniques for dealing with disruptive or homesick children. At the end of Counselor Training, the participants who have shown the most skill, maturity and excitement are invited to become a counselor at Camp Stevens. Who will be supervising my child? Your child will be placed in an Adventure Group, with leadership provided by a triad of two cabin counselors and a resident staff member. All Adventure Group time is supervised by this triad, and the cabin counselors live in the cabin with the campers, including overnight. The cabin counselors and resident staff members are supported by three resident directors with over 50 years of combined experience, as well as a chaplain and nurse. What are your emergency medical procedures/where is the nearest hospital? All of our resident staff members are First Aid and CPR Certified by the American Red Cross, and always equipped with a hand-held radio that can be used in case of emergency to contact the on-site nurse. Paramedics are based a 2-minute drive from Camp Stevens, and the nearest hospital is Pomerado in Poway, a 40-minute drive.What do I send my child with? Clothes that can get dirty and plenty of sunscreen! A complete suggested packing list is available here. Does my camper need money? No. There is no camp store, and snacks are sent home on the bus with the campers. All activities and souvenirs are included in the registration fee, so please do not send any money with your camper. I have to work. Why does the session end on Friday? Summer time is precious for families – we end on a Friday so your family can have the weekend together. Plus, by shortening each session one day (really, it’s only two fewer meals) three years ago, we’ve been able to not increase our registration price. But we know pick-up can be tricky: Consider carpooling, or having your camper take the bus or van home, which will get them home a bit later in the day.Can I call the camp to check in on my camper? So our staff can focus on providing a fun and safe experience, please phone the camp in emergencies only. Mail from home is welcome and can be sent to Your Child, c/o Camp Stevens, P.O. Box 2320, Julian, CA 92036. Consider sending a letter or two before they leave for camp so they’ll have letters at the beginning of the week, and remember to send pre-addressed, stamped envelopes with your younger campers so they can write letters home. Who owns Camp Stevens? Camp Stevens is owned by the Episcopal Dioceses of Los Angeles and San Diego, where all are welcome. Questions for Campers: Where do I sleep? In an open-air cabin, with 5-6 other campers of your same gender, and a counselor. Girls sleep on Girls’ Hill and boys sleep on Boys’ Hill. Once or twice during the week, your Adventure Group will go on an overnight, when you’ll sleep out under the stars at one of our overnight spots. I’m sleeping outside?! What about animals? Summer camp is a great chance to get up-close-and-personal with nature. But don’t worry–not too close! The types of animals we have here (raccoons, turkey, deer, bobcats) aren’t interested in humans – especially big groups of humans – and will definitely stay away. Remember to leave all food (even gum!) at home, so critters don’t try to rummage through your bag. What will I be doing? Every day looks different at summer camp. Most of each day you’ll spend with your Adventure Group, playing games, hiking, doing teambuilding challenges, and having fun. See a sample schedule here, and get a real peek into a day at camp at www.youtube.com/campstevens. Can I bring my cell phone and iPod? An essential part of the camp experience is living simply, in harmony with the natural surroundings, so please leave all electronics – including MP3 players, hair dryers and cell phones – at home. Digital cameras are allowed. Can I bring a camera? Yes. Cameras are allowed, as long as they are used properly, and are not a distraction during group or meal times. What if I get homesick? We can practically guarantee you’ll have a great time at Camp Stevens, but that doesn’t mean you might not feel a little homesick at first (even if you’ve been away from home before!). The best thing to do is talk to your counselor or staff person – they might suggest writing a letter home, or throwing yourself into the activities so you don’t think about it too much. Before you know it, you’ll be having so much fun, you won’t have time to be homesick! Will my friend be in my group? You may request one friend – of the same gender and approximate age – as a cabin-mate. The request must be made by the friend as well, and submitted in writing by a parent/guardian to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or PO Box 2320, Julian, CA 92036, at least 3 weeks prior to the start date of your session. Where is Cow Pond? There are 256 acres at Camp Stevens, so there’s always something new to see! Your counselors will lead you, so try not to worry too much about what is where. Cow Pond is one of campers’ favorite destinations, but you’ll probably discover a few of your own favorite places. When’s snack? Every day after free time (at 3PM), except on Thursday, when – just to keep you on your toes! – it’s between the two hours of free time (at 2PM). What if I don’t like the food? Our chefs work really hard to serve food that will give you the energy you need for a full day of summer camp, and that is really, truly delicious. It’s hard to argue with pancakes, grilled cheese, or pizza! But even if you’re not crazy about the main food being offered at a meal, there are options: Cereal is available every breakfast, and fruit, bread and peanut butter & jelly are available every meal. And summer camp is a great time to try something new – maybe you’ll find a new favorite food! Take a look at the summer menu. What’s for dinner? Everyone’s favorite question! It might be spaghetti, or burgers, or roasted chicken. Check out the summer menu here. What if I’m allergic to peanuts, or a vegetarian? If you have a food allergy, make sure your parent/guardian notes it on your medical form, including how severe it is (For example: Can you be around peanuts, but not eat them?). With severe nut allergies, no nuts will be served all week. For more mild allergies, if a dish includes that ingredient, your counselor will bring you a bowl of the same dish without that ingredient. If you are a vegetarian, or gluten-free, or have another dietary need, just indicate it on the medical form. On the first day of camp, your counselor will show you where to find the “alternate” food. For example, if you’re gluten-free, and we’re having pancakes for breakfast, there will be gluten-free pancakes available on a table at the front of the Dining Hall. This goes for vegetarian options when it’s a meat-based meal too. You will always have plenty to eat! Where do I go to take my medicine? When you arrive on the first day of summer camp, you’ll meet the nurse and give him/her your medicine. The nurse will make sure you know when and where to go to take your medicine. The nurse is always in the Health Center after each meal, and after Community Gathering for bedtime medicine. If you’re going on an overnight, the nurse will package up your medicine and give it to your counselor. Can I keep my inhaler with me? If you need to your inhaler nearby at all times (and not just two puffs twice a day, or similar, when it will stay in the Health Center), your counselor will always have it in his or her backpack for you. Can I go to the treehouse? Yes, as long as you’re with your Adventure Group, or a counselor leading a treehouse-based free time activity. While we’re at it, tree climbing is not allowed at Camp Stevens unless it's part of a supervised Adventure Group activity. What do I do after a meal? After breakfast and dinner, you can hang out on the lawn until Adventure Group time begins. After lunch, you can head up to your cabin to get ready for free time. My family isn’t Christian – will I fit in? Being Episcopal means providing an inclusive and loving community for all, regardless of religion, gender, race or age. The most we ask is that you are respectful of others’ beliefs and traditions. No one – Episcopalians, Catholics, Hindus, etc. – is obligated to participate in any song or prayer that they’re not comfortable with. Can I jump off the diving board? The pool is open for both hours of free time every day during summer camp. Before you venture into the deep end or onto the diving board, the lifeguard will ask you to take a simple swim test. If you’re not a strong swimmer – don’t worry! Stick to the shallow end, and the lifeguard will keep a close eye on you. When’s archery? A free time schedule for the whole week will be posted outside of the Dining Hall, telling you what activity is being offered when. Archery is offered both hours of free time every day during summer camp. It’s limited to the first 12 campers each hour. But I want to do tie dye AND archery! That’s not really a question, but we see where you’re going with this. If on the first day of camp, you want to do all the free time activities being offered, just refer to the free time schedule posted outside the Dining Hall: That will show you what’s being offered ALL WEEK during free time. Once you know that - for example - archery is offered every day, but tie dye is only being offered once, your decision might be a little easier! Can my parents and friends send me letters? Definitely! Have them address them to: Your Name c/o Camp Stevens, P.O. Box 2320, Julian, CA 92036. They will be delivered each day during snack time. Can I send my parents and friends letters? Great idea! Consider addressing and stamping the envelopes before you leave home, then you can write and mail the letters from camp. There’s a purple mailbox in the Dining Hall to drop your letters in – they’ll get mailed every day. Did we miss something? Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call our office at 760.765.0028. |
