Student Life Camp FAQ's

What is Camp?

What is Student Life Camp like?
Why do we do Student Life Camp the way we do it?
Why do you not hire staff to teach the Bible study?
Can we leave the site to do things with our group during free time?
What is the Church Connect option?
What does the program-only option include?
What is the difference between traditional Youth Camp and Mission Camp?
Can half of my group do Mission Camp and the other half do traditional Youth Camp?
What is the difference between Youth Camp and Student Life @ The Beach?
What is the difference between a 4-day camp and a 5-day camp?
What is your dress code?
What about sixth graders?
Are they invited?
What is the difference between a graduating 6th grader and a student going into the 6th grade?
Can parents get in touch with their student at camp?
When will I get promotional material? Do we get a t-shirt?

Camp Details (Family Groups, Housing, etc.)

What is a Family Group?
What is the adult to student ratio?
What will adult leaders do at camp?
What will Youth Ministers do at camp?
How will my group be housed?
Can spouses room together?
What about children or preschoolers?
What are the accommodations for bus drivers who need to stay with us for the entire week of camp?

Student Life Philosophy

What are Student Life’s theological views?
With which denomination is Student Life affiliated?
What are the goals of Student Life events?

Financial Information

Why is Student Life Mission Camp more expensive than traditional Youth Camp?
When are deposits and my final balance due?
Can I add or drop my numbers?

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What is Camp?

Q: What is Student Life Camp like?
A: Student Life Camp is a Christ-centered camp for 7th-12th graders. It includes engaging worship from experienced worship leaders, learning through sound biblical teaching and Bible study, community in Family Groups, and fun in recreation! It’s a week of focused learning, heartfelt praise, games, dramas, community building, teamwork, and most importantly, God’s Word on center stage. We have different options for camp: traditional, Mission, Church Connect, Beach, or Ski.

Q: Why do we do Student Life Camp the way we do it?
A: We designed Student Life Camp to support the men and women who are called to lead teenagers every week. Camp is just one week of the spiritual journey. We believe in the relationships built in the local church, and we strive to partner with the local church.

Q: Why do you not hire staff to teach the Bible studies?
A: That's a good question. It goes back to the philosophy of supporting the local church. We believe it's important for adults from the local church to be involved in what happens at camp. After all, they go home with the students. Their involved leadership during camp allows friendships, accountability and connection to get on the bus ride home with the kids. We also believe that in order for a small group to work it needs to be small. We believe the ideal size for a Bible study group is 9-12. This size facilitates good discussion and allows students to feel comfortable.

Q: Can we leave the site to do things with our group during free time?
A: At Student Life Camp you will need to stay on campus during free time throughout the week unless you have the Church Group Connect option. Most campuses have free time options that include a pool, basketball courts, volleyball courts and a snack bar as well as other location specific options. Check with the individual location for available free time options.

Q: What is the Church Connect option?
A: It’s a chance to spend each afternoon with your church doing whatever you decide. After Celebration, Family Group Bible study, and lunch, you’ll have the rest of the day (from about 12:30-5:00 pm) to do what you want with your group. This could include heading into town, white-water rafting, going to the area attractions, catching a ball game, putt-putt, playing paint ball or enjoying water activities. Options vary by location, and this option is available only at select locations. See a list of Church Connect locations.

Q: What does the program-only option include?
A: If your group has off campus housing, you can attend Student Life Camp at a program-only fee, which includes all aspects of a daily camp schedule except for meals. If you would like for meal arrangements to be made, you can contact us. We will work with you to get that package together based on the location.

Q: What is the difference between traditional Youth Camp and Mission Camp?
A: The main difference is how groups spend their late morning and early afternoon time. In Mission Camp, we’ll assign your church to a work site for the day. Possible assignments could include working with the elderly or serving food. After Celebration, Student Life sends sack lunches with your group as your leave for your work site. Mission groups also have Family Group time at the work site. In traditional Youth Camp, during the time between Celebration and free time, students go to Recreation, eat lunch on campus, and have Bible Study with their Family Groups.

Another difference between the two camps is the set up for Family Groups. Students that do Youth Camp can either be mixed in with students from different churches (Mixed) or stay with their own church (Independent). Students that do Mission Camp must be in a Family Group with just their church (Independent) because they have Family Group at the work site.

Q: Can half of my group do Mission Camp and the other half do traditional camp?
A: We encourage the whole group to participate in the mission track when a group chooses that option. However, if you feel that your group needs two different experiences we will work with you to accomplish that. Each group would need a main contact person and we would have them listed under two different records.

Q: What is the difference between Youth Camp and Student Life @ The Beach?
A: Student Life @ The Beach offers more of a conference experience.

• You still have a morning service, an evening service and Late Nite.
  For free time between the morning service and the evening service, activities such as the beach and local attractions/activities are under your leadership. The beach provides many fun activities for you and your group.
• Student Life handles the housing and you will be staying in condos or hotels.
• There is no meal plan so mealtimes are under your leadership.
• Youth Camp has Family Groups that are in Bible Study together and recreation during the day that is coordinated by Student Life staff. These camps are held on college campuses and conference centers where the meals are provided.

Q: What is the difference between a 4-day camp and a 5-day camp?
A: In a 4-day camp you have two full days of camp programming rather than the three days with a 5-day option. A full day of camp consists of Celebration, Recreation, Family Group Bible Study, a Corporate Evening Worship, Late Nite and Church Group time. Many leaders enjoy a 4-day camp that falls on a weekend so adult leaders have to take off less vacation time.

Q: What is your dress code?
A: At camp we are all a part of an environment where we are trying to remove distractions so that we can concentrate on what God has brought us there to do. Here are some things that we ask you not to bring to camp: spaghetti strap tops or small tank tops, tight clothes, “short” shorts or skirts (Stand with your arms by your side. If your fingertips are touching your skin, your shorts or skirt should be longer.), bikinis or two-piece bathing suits (unless covered with a dark T-shirt), Speedos, or clothing with questionable sayings, slogans, etc.

Q: What about sixth graders? Are they invited?
A: It is up to each church. If they are normally a part of your group, they are welcome at Student Life Camp. Just be aware that they will be classified as 7th graders at camp.

Q: What is the difference between a graduating 6th grader and a student going into the 6th grade?
A: Student Life Camp is designed for students entering 7th grade up until entering college. Programming is not designed to accommodate students younger than this. If your group is younger you may want to check out Student Life For Kids Camp.

Q: Can parents get in touch with their student at camp?
A: All parents and friends can check out what’s happening at camp through our camp experience websites. They can also send emails to their student at this site.

Q: When will I get promotional material?
A: Promotional posters and a DVD with camp commercials should be available by December before camp. These items will be sent to every registered church. You can also download graphics, logos and other promotional material from our website.

Q: Do we get a t-shirt?
A: All students and adults will receive an official camp T-shirt and a copy of Student Life: The Magazine.

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Camp Details (Family Groups, Housing, etc.)

Q: What is a Family Group?
A: A Family Group is about 9 to 12 students coming together under the leadership of an adult leader (from your church) and a student leader (from your church). A Family Group’s purpose is to learn about God through recreation/missions, Bible study and times of prayer. Students are grouped according to their ages. A Junior Family Group has students from 7th to 9th grade. A Senior Family Group has students from 10th to 12th grade and recent graduates.

You have the option of placing your students in either a Mixed or an Independent Family Group. In a Mixed Group, your students will be with students from other churches. (Roommates will always be together in a group.) In an Independent group, students are with students from your church. Youth Ministers/Leaders assign students in Independent Groups. All Mission Camp participants are in Independent Family Groups.

Q: What is the adult to student ratio?
A: We request one adult for every seven students.

Q: What will adult leaders do at camp?
A: Many adult leaders will be asked to serve as Adult Family Group Leaders. Bible Study materials will be mailed 5-6 weeks before camp to allow adequate time to prepare. Adult Family Group Leaders serve as a motivator and encourager during Recreation and lead the Bible Study for their Family Group. There is a Family Group Leadership Meeting each morning for Family Group Leaders and Student Leaders to pray and focus on the theme for each day.

Q: What will Youth Ministers do at camp?
A: Camp is designed for Youth Ministers to be free of a lot of responsibility. This is so that Youth Ministers can be available to spend time building relationships with their students. Each evening there will be a prayer and share time for Youth Ministers one hour before the worship service. This meeting takes place while the students are in their evening Prayer Gatherings with their Family Groups. For this reason, it is best for Youth Ministers not to serve as Family Group Leaders. We think that this is an extremely important aspect of Student Life Camp.

Q: How will my group be housed?
A: Housing Priority is based on the date we receive your deposit. We strive to put each group in the best accommodations available. However, accommodations do vary by location. Check the specific location information to learn more about specific accommodations. Groups will not be housed in the same room as groups from other churches.

Q: Can spouses room together?
A: Depending on the location. We can accommodate this for Youth Ministers only if there is space available with private bathrooms.

Q: What about children or preschoolers?
A: There will not be any programming or childcare available at camp. However, because many Youth Ministers would like to bring their families to camp, we will do our best to accommodate these situations for Youth Ministers only. Accommodations vary based on camp locations. Give us a call and check on your location or to inquire about price breaks for your non-camp-aged children.

Q: What are the accommodations for bus drivers who need to stay with us for the entire week of camp?
A: The best option for your bus driver is to have your local church arrange accommodations in a local hotel. If you request a bus driver to stay on campus Student Life cannot guarantee that the driver will have a single room. In most cases the driver would have to count as one of your adults and be housed within the assigned lodging of your group.

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Student Life Philosophy

Q: What are Student Life’s theological views?
A: See “What We Believe”.

Q: With which denomination is Student Life affiliated?
A: Student Life is an inter-denominational ministry serving the local church. We are not affiliated with one particular denomination. Feel free to contact us if you would like a list of church references.

Q: What are the goals of Student Life events?
A: We have numerous goals for our events, but ultimately, our goals involve life change happening in students, adults and us. In Scripture, every time someone spent time with Jesus, he or she went away changed. We hope each person leaves this experience changed. Not because of technical effects, entertaining dramas, challenging recreation or even meeting new people, but because we have been with Jesus.

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Financial Information

Q: Why is Student Life Mission Camp more expensive than the traditional camp?
A: The price difference covers numerous expenses including the cost of the materials and equipment used on sites, trailers, vehicles and all the expenses related to the Student Life staff on the road and in the home office that facilitate these projects.

Q: When are deposits and my final balance due?
A: Check out all of the financial information under “Financial Guidelines”