Dear Elementary Camp I Parents,

I am so glad your child will be joining us for Elementary I at Camp McDowell this year! While we will only be together for a few short days, I anticipate having a big time in God’s Backyard. I am looking forward to a time filled with the sounds of laughter, the joy of learning about God’s love, and the grace found in Christian community. 

The program theme for this year’s camp is called “Called by Name.” The theme focuses on the story of David. David was a young shepherd whom God chose and used in ways no one expected. We will explore David’s story together and learn that God sees us, knows us by name, and uses what’s ordinary to do extraordinary things.

The Camp and Session Staff look forward to welcoming you to camp on Thursday, May 28th. Plan to arrive for camp registration between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Camp pick up is Sunday, May 31st. Parents, family members, and friends are invited to join us at 9 a.m. at St. Francis Chapel for the closing Eucharist. Otherwise, camper pick up is no later than 10 a.m. in their cabin.

We strongly discourage early arrivals or late pickups. We also discourage campers from coming and going during the session, as it disrupts the camp community.

Before arriving, please use the online registration portal to pay any remaining balance. For everything else — packing lists, policies, what to leave at home, and more — please visit the FAQ on the summer camp webpage.

Thank you for entrusting your child to us. We take their well-being seriously and will do our very best to provide a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment. 

Additionally, my own son John will be a camper this year, and my wife Jamie and teenage daughter MK will be helping me as well. That said, I understand all the feelings that go with dropping your child off at overnight camp. While no one can love and care for your child in the way you do, we are committed to treating them as our own.  

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any comments, questions, concerns or if you need extra assurance. As we anticipate camp together, know that the staff is holding you and your camper in prayer and ask that you hold the camp and staff in your prayers as well.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Jack Alvey

Rector

Church of the Ascension

Birmingham 

Elementary I is a summer camp session designed for rising 3rd & 4th grade campers. This session is designed to gather children together for classic camp fun and christian fellowship. The campers stay engaged all session long with exciting activities while our enthusiastic staff and volunteers take care of the details. 

All campers stay together in lower camp cabins (Camp on Clear Creek). We cannot predict the weather for the session, so please prepare your camper with clothing for wet or dry summer weather! A college-aged cabin counselor (Camp McDowell Summer Staff) will be taking care of all your camper’s needs throughout the session and runs your camper’s cabin. Summer camp is a wonderful and rare opportunity for children to spend time unplugged, connect with new friends, and experience the joy of fellowship in a camp community. Come join us in “God’s backyard,” You will be glad you did!

Each morning, campers begin their day with worship after breakfast, singing songs, and having small group discussion about the program presented by the Session Director and Program Staff. After the morning program, your camper has four opportunities throughout the day to participate in a variety of activities that camp offers. Classic afternoon activities include canoeing, hiking, arts & crafts, farm time, field sports, and more. Each night, we participate in a unique camp-wide activity or game. A camp favorite night activity is the Pasture Party: for dinner we grill hamburgers and hot dogs, play field games, do face-painting, and even go on an old-school hayride! Each night comes to a close with group worship in the Chapel down the hill. Many campers find this peaceful end to a fun-filled day to be among their most cherished memories of Camp McDowell. 

On closing day, we will have Holy Eucharist (church with communion) in St. Francis Chapel just past the Welcome Center. If your camper is not a part of the Episcopal Church or familiar with Episcopal tradition, please do not feel intimidated by this service! All campers are welcome to the service and table for communion, and the chaplain will explain how to receive communion for anyone who may be unfamiliar. Campers may be picked up by their parents or guardian after this service.

The registration fee for Elementary 1 is $300 per camper. You may submit payments in your online account, over the phone, or by post mail 10 days prior to opening day. Scholarships are given on an as-needed basis and are available upon request; simply email Clear Creek Coordinator, Eva Byrum, at clearcreek@campmcdowell.org.

Online payments may be made in your Camp McDowell camper account.

NOTE: If you have misplaced your password, you may request a new one on the login page.

We try very hard to be “the way the world could be". Part of this goal is getting totally unplugged for a short time and being present with the community during this session. We ask that you not send a phone with your camper. If your camper does bring their cell phone, it will be collected for safekeeping until closing day. 

Urgent: Should you need to reach anyone while at Camp, please call 205.387.1806, (Ext. 122 for Michael Gravlee, Summer Camp Director, and Ext. 112 for Eva Byrum, Clear Creek Coordinator)

Opening Day

3:00 Camper Check-in at Camp Store

5:00 End check-in

5:30 Cabin Meeting

6:15 Porch Songs at Eppes

6:30 Dinner

7:00 Evening group activity

8:15 Worship

8:45 Cabins

9:15 Lights Out

Regular Full Day

7:30 Wake up

8:00 Breakfast

8:30 Return to cabins

9:30 Program

10:15 Lemonade

10:30 Morning pool or rec hall time

11:30 Return to cabins before lunch

12:00 Lunch

12:45 Rest Time

2:00 Afternoon activity

3:30 Canteen

4:00 Afternoon pool or rec hall time

5:30 Cabin Time

6:00 Dinner

7:00 Evening group activity

8:30 Worship

9:00 Cabins

9:30 Lights Out

Closing Day

7:30 Wake up

8:00 Breakfast

8:30 Return to cabins

9:00 Closing Eucharist church service at St. Francis Chapel

10:00 Conclude Eucharist and the session

Campers will be housed in dorm-style cabins. Beds are twin sized. Suggested containers for clothes include a large suitcase, trunk, or plastic container that can go at the end of the bed. Also suggested is a basket or bag for dirty laundry and a toiletry bag or shower caddy. All cabins have heat and air conditioning with ionizer air filtration systems. PLEASE LABEL IMPORTANT BELONGINGS WITH CAMPER NAME. Lost and found items IF FOUND may be mailed back to campers for a fee with possible delays.

• Comfortable, casual clothes that can get dirty ( t-shirts, shorts, jeans). Lightweight, loose-fitting clothes are best.
• Socks and sturdy, closed-toe shoes for working, playing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Flip flops are only allowed in cabins. If bringing sandals, please bring sandals with a heel strap.
• Light rain jacket or coat
• Comfortable, appropriate swimwear (tankinis, one-pieces, or a bikini with shirt over top, swim trunks)
• Clothing appropriate for the weather
• Bedding and pillow for a twin bed
• Picnic blanket for pasture party 
• Towels for bathing
• Towels for swimming
• Sunscreen
• Bug Repellent
• Toiletries: Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, brush/comb
• Underwear
• Socks
• Sleepwear
• Flashlight
• Reusable water bottle – to be filled during hydration breaks at the various activity sites each day. NOTE: Our Camp Store has sturdy, 32 oz water bottles available for purchase.
• Options for suggested quiet time each day: Bible, book to read, journal, writing supplies, pre-addressed and stamped envelopes for writing home, art supplies
• Musical instruments for free time and assisting with worship
• Any prescriptions and over-the-counter meds should be ready to turn in to the nurse upon check-in. See below for more information. 

Things NOT to bring:

• Alcohol, illegal drugs, or weapons of any kind; Fireworks or any explosive devices
• Youth may not bring tobacco, tobacco products, nicotine products, or electronic cigarettes (including JUULS)
• Snacks ARE allowed, but MUST BE IN AIRTIGHT CONTAINERS and they CANNOT CONTAIN ANY NUTS or NUT PRODUCTS. Many of our campers have nut allergies. Crumbs will attract insects in our cabins. Thank you in advance for keeping our campers with allergies safe and the cabins as bug-free as possible!

Additional Money (Optional): 

• The fee for the session includes canteen costs. There is no need to submit extra money for canteen. Campers get two snacks each at canteen Saturday
• We will collect an offering at our closing worship service for the Camper Scholarship Fund. Please consider making a contribution. 
• The Camp Store will be open during check-out if you would like to purchase any camp gear including shirts, water bottles, toiletries, candy and more. To create care packages for your camper please order ahead of your session via the website and follow these instructions at checkout: 

If you are ordering a Care Package for a summer camp session, choose "In-store Pickup."

Specify in the COMMENTS on the following page this information:

1. First and last name of camper
2. Session the care package is for (i.e. Middler, Junior High 2, etc.)
3. Day you want the care package delivered (note that care packages are NOT delivered on opening or closing days of sessions)
4. How should the package be signed? (i.e. Love, Nana)

**MEDICATIONS NOTE: For safety and per Camp’s liability, all medications must be kept in the Health Hut. Camp’s liability does not allow medications to be stored where children are housed. Thank you in advance for understanding. 

For safety and per Camp’s liability, all medications must be kept in the Health Hut. (This includes vitamins and melatonin.) Camp’s liability does not allow medications to be stored where children are housed. Thank you in advance for understanding. 

Please pack all prescription medications (including epipens and inhalers) in their original containers with a prescription label and over the counter medications in the original container. Please include the exact amount of prescription medication in the bottle that your child will need for their stay at Camp. Any extra controlled medications will be sent home at check-in.

At this time, our kitchens can only accommodate the following food allergies and dietary restrictions: vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut allergy, and dairy free. Our kitchens cannot accommodate celiacs at this time due to the risk of cross contamination. 

If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction that cannot be accommodated, you may bring your own food from home. There will be a small refrigerator and a microwave on the back porch of Eppes Dining Hall for any meals to be stored and heated by your camper's cabin counselor. Please send meals that can be easily prepared (nothing that requires an oven). To arrange to bring your own food for your camper, or ask any questions about this policy, please contact Eva Byrum at clearcreek@campmcdowell.org.