How to pack for camp

Please mark all luggage with your camper’s name. Also label all belongings with your child's first and last name. These simple measures will help prevent items from getting lost or misplaced.

Campers do not need dress clothes, but should have a wide range of casual attire (jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) for warm days and cool nights. Please note that new clothing is not usually the best camp attire.

Clothing should be modest and not tight or revealing. Campers wearing tight or revealing clothing will be asked to change. If they do not have a suitable change of clothing, his or her parents will be called to bring different clothes. If your child is packing for himself or herself, please make him or her aware of this policy.

What to bring . . .

  • Pajamas, underwear and extra socks
  • Warm jacket, hat and raincoat
  • Modest one-piece swimsuit, beach towel & sunscreen
  • Two pairs of shoes  
  • Towel, washcloth, toiletries & comb or brush
  • Sleeping bag, or bedding for standard twin size bed, and a pillow
  • Flashlight
  • Small backpack
  • Laundry bag
  • Bible, notebook & pen

FOR CLASSES:

  • Creative: Bring your own digital camera and memory card. Be sure that the camera and memory card both have the camper’s name on them. Campers are not allowed to have phones, so please do not send them with a camera phone.
  • Worship: Bring any instrument you might play
  • Nature: Bring a fishing pole, if you have one you’d like to bring. We’ll have poles to borrow, to

Please do not bring . . .

  • Food or candy (any food or candy will be taken and held until the end of the week) 
  • Valuables
  • Drugs, including over-the-counter medications (bring prescription medication with you to registration) 
  • Spending money (all money should be turned in to the Trading Post during registration) 
  • Electronics, including gaming devices, ipods, or cellphones. If a camper brings any of these, we will store them in a safe place until his or her departure. Campers are not permitted to keep phones with them in the cabins, under any circumstances. Cameras will be allowed, but camera phones cannot be used.

Trading post

Campers in overnight camps will have accounts for the money deposited in their accounts when they registered. You may add money to your camper’s account during the registration process.

Snack items are available at camp, as well as shirts, hats, sweatshirts, stamps, and many new souvenir items. Do not bring an excessive amount of money to camp! Shirt and hat prices begin at $10 - $15.


At the end of camp any unspent money will be rounded to the nearest $.25 and returned to the camper.  

First day of camp

Campers can check-in between 5 and 6 PM on the opening day. You can come to the Field House between those times. Follow the signs once you arrive. There is no advantage or disadvantage to arriving earlier or later. Please eat dinner prior to arrival at camp. We will not have the cookout this year.


Registration will be in the Field House. Please note that only one parent or adult will be allowed to accompany each camper into registration. Please bring all forms, medication and luggage into the Field House with you.

last day of camp

Camper pick-up is at 7 PM on the closing day of camp. Check out will be in the FIELD HOUSE. Please only send one adult per camper into the Field House for check out. Click here to see the dates of your child's camp.


Early check-out is discouraged and should only be considered when necessary. Arrangements for early departure should be discussed with a registrar at opening day check-in, or by calling the office at 517-688-3783.

Please note that only those individuals listed on the Authorization for Release Form will be permitted to pick up your child. A photo ID may be required to pick up your camper.

Communicating with your camper

IN WRITING

Mail is a highlight of a camper's week and is distributed daily. If you would like to bring mail on opening day, we will distribute it on the day or days you designate. You can send mail to the camp’s address, but due to frequent postal service delays, we do not recommend it. Please do not bring candy or food on opening day or send it through the mail, as campers are not allowed to have food in their cabins.

if you prefer to send mail, please include the following information in the mailing address:

Please do not bring candy or food on opening day or send it through the mail, as campers are not allowed to have food in their cabins.


BY E-MAIL

You will be able to e-mail your camper only while they are at camp. E-mails may be sent to campermail@somersetbeach.org. Emails MUST include the camper's name, as well as the counselor's name, in the subject line. E-mails without the proper information in the subject line may get lost.

BY PHONE

Often parents instruct their child to call home during the week. To comply with child protection laws we have a policy that no unsupervised phone calls are to be made by campers. Campers may not call home or receive phone calls, so please encourage your child to send post cards instead. In most cases, letters from home are appreciated by your child more than a phone call.

If you need to contact the camp, you may call our office at 517-688-3783 between 9:30 AM and 5 PM. If you call during meal time, you may reach our voice mail. Leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. Emergence calls can be directed to 517-206-0999


VISITS

Visits by family and friends are discouraged and may not be permitted because of child protection laws as well as the many scheduling problems it creates.