Dear Parents,

I am so looking forward to being with your children at Elementary II camp session at Wonderful, Wonderful Camp McDowell. They are going to have a great time. This is such a wonderful age as it allows us to instill a base for the love of camp at an early age. The vast majority of children who fall in love with camp at this age will return over and over to glory in God’s creation, care for that creation, and spend time getting to know God through the Camp Staff and program staff(me).

In my own children’s lives camp has been the main ingredient or the glue for holding our kids in balance with both nature and God and they return again and again. My 28-year-old still comes to help with sessions to this day. And both my high schoolers schedule their year around camp and not the other way around.

I will be leading the program and overseeing their worship experiences and I’ll see you at the closing Eucharist when you pick them up. For this session I’ll be spending my program time with them talking about what is important in their life. It is right about this time that children their age become conscience of name brands, with noticing what their friends “have” verses what they have. And with the advent of the Information Age we all start out behind. They’ll be wanting Social Media before you know it and then we’re off to the races. For those of you that don’t know me, my teaching is biblically based and rooted in the certainty that God’s Love for us through the grace of Jesus Christ not only can overcome all of the advertising and all the media that surrounds them, but God is also the one who can give them life in such an abundant way that they don’t need what the world offers.

Sound like a lot? It is. But they are always equal to the task and their brains are sponges – they retain so much more at this age. So thank you for letting me have them for a couple of days. I cannot wait to be with them. My wife and I have led this age 8 times of the 17 years of my ministry and it is my favorite. Often times they teach me so much more than I could imagine. To be sure they always bless me and that is all the difference. Camp has what I believe to be one of the best staffs in the world. These counselors and other staff want the best for your children, and they are so eager to be with them as well. We are all boundless with enthusiasm and can’t wait to be with your children.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Jamie McAdams

Rector – Saint Francis of Assisi Episcopal

Elementary II is a summer camp session designed for rising 4th, 5th, and 6th 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 session director 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 2 is $355 per camper. You may submit payments in your online account, over the phone, or by post mail 10 days prior to opening day. All balances are due Sunday, May 18th, 2025. Scholarships are given on an as-needed basis and are available upon request; simply email Clear Creek Coordinator, A.G. Passey, at clearcreek@campmcdowell.org.

Online payments may be made in your Camp McDowell camper account. Access your camper account here. CampBrain will not accept AmericanExpress cards at this time. 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. 102 for Catherine Poellnitz, Summer Camp Director, and Ext. 112 for A.G. Passey, 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

7:15 Evening group activity

8:45 Worship

9:15 Cabins

9:45 Lights Out

Regular Full Day

7:30 Wake up

8:00 Breakfast

8:30 Return to cabins

9:00 Program

10:15 Lemonade break

10:30 Pool or rec hall time

11:30 Return to cabins before lunch, change out of swimsuits

12:00 Lunch

12:45 Rest Time

2:00 Afternoon activity

3:30 Canteen

4:00 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
• Fan (preferably one with a clip) and extension cord if needed. 
• 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.
• Outfits for dress-up themed meals (optional)
• May 29th: Disney
• May 30th: Pajama Day
• May 31st: Pasture Party (overalls, plaid, bandana, etc)
• 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, 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.
• 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. 

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 A.G. Passey at clearcreek@campmcdowell.org.

The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama welcomes and affirms all because God welcomes and affirms all, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, ability, financial means, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For us, welcome means ensuring that each person’s dignity is honored and affirmation means safeguarding all persons as unconditional and equal members of the body of Christ.