Arrival

Check-in is from 3:30-4:30pm

Upon arrival please follow the signs down to the main parking lot. Check-in takes place in the Oaks Chapel, near the main parking lot. Posted outside the Oaks Chapel will be cabin assignments. Your camper can immediately move into their cabin. We only need one parent to go into the Oaks Chapel to check-in.

If you have already made all payments (including canteen money), you can turn in any forms that you may have at the first table, and you are done.

If you still need to make a payment you will be given an invoice at the first table, then you can get into the payment line. This line is usually short. You can also pay your balance online using the link in the update emails you have been sent.

After you check-in, you must talk to the Health Supervisor in the Oaks Chapel if you need to turn in medications, vitamins, or have other health concerns for your camper.

Departure

Pick-up is Friday from 1:30-2:30pm. 

During departure, check out will include receiving canteen refunds, and getting leftover medication from the Nurse. Upon arrival, please proceed directly to the main parking area, and follow staff directions to guide you to the check-out area.

Horsemanship programs end on Friday at 1:30pm and the parent riding demonstration starts at 1:30. Upon arrival, horsemanship parents can proceed directly to the horse area parking lot at the first turn when entering the camp. Campers will be ready to demonstrate skills learned throughout the week through obstacle patterns. Parents will then check out camper and pick up luggage, receive canteen refunds and get leftover medication at the checkout station in the garden.

Registration Reminders

• Camp fees are due on the first day of the camper’s session.
• All prescription medications will be given to the Nurse. Over-the-counter medications will not be accepted by the Health Supervisor.
• Label everything your camper brings to camp.
• Please DON’T arrive earlier than 3:30 p.m. on the Sunday of the session. Our Welcome Staff won’t be ready! We want to give your camper a great Phantom Ranch welcome!

Homesickness

We have several proven methods for dealing with homesickness, especially among our younger campers. These include keeping the camper occupied, engaging them in activities, and encouraging them. When the camp directors feel it may be helpful we may call a parent to talk about other solutions. After this conversation we may have the camper talk to the parent, however, in our experience, this conversation can make the situation worse.

In fact, we have found that child-sick parents leads to homesickness among the campers. If parents come to visit or desire to speak to their camper on the phone during the week (especially younger campers) the camper usually gets more homesick and their camp experience is diminished.

Parents have every right to visit or talk to their children, and we would not do anything to hinder this right. On the other hand, we know that campers really enjoy going home after a week of experiencing everything that camp has to offer. This includes the cabin experience, being with their friends, and not focusing on distractions. Our staff are well qualified and trained to meet every campers needs.

Electronic Devices

There are a few guidelines regarding electronic devices, behavior, and visiting.

1. We do not allow campers to have their own cell phones or have unauthorized use of other telephones. We want your child to focus on camp and not on external distractions.
2. All guests (including parents) must check-in at the office during office hours, or with the program director during other hours. Non-parent visits are extremely discouraged.
3. We want the camp experience to be special. One of the ways we do this is through limiting access to music players and other portable devices. Therefore, please take any music or video devices that your child may have with them home with you, or turn them into the counselors.
4. Lastly, we have a very low tolerance of campers playing destructive practical jokes or of campers sneaking out at night. If your camper is caught engaged in a destructive activity or being out after curfew we will immediately call the parents and may have them come to camp to get their child with no refunds.

For any questions throughout the week, if you would like to check-in on your camper, or if you need to make contact with your child, please call Dan Mayer, our Program Director, on his cell phone: 312-320-1036.