HELPING YOUR FAMILY GET READY FOR CAMP (3 OF 4) | Hello again! This is the third of four emails designed to share the key info needed to "Blaze the Trail" for a safe, smooth, and successful camp experience. Previous emails covered "Between Now & Camp" and "Check-In Day". This email’s focus is on the time "During Camp". | | |
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To provide daily pictures from around camp and one-way emails to your camper, we use a service called Bunk1. This online tool offers a secure gateway for parents to view camp photos as well as an efficient way for us to process around 300 camper emails per day. Family members will be able to login via Bunk1's website and/or the Bunk1 mobile app. You'll receive Bunk1 login info in the email we send on your camper's check-in day. Viewing photos is free. The fees for purchasing photos and/or sending emails are set by Bunk1. Please know we offer these services as a convenience to you and without any expectation that you'll make purchases. Every camper receives a photo of their living group as a keepsake at the end of each session; and we offer standard mail service or drop-off mail service for letters (no packages please) if you'd rather not pay to send one-way emails (see "Check-In Day").
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PHOTOS: Our staff's primary goal is to create safe and fun faith-forming experiences for your camper. Knowing the value of getting to see a glimpse of camp life each day (chapel, living group activities, etc), we have a system in place for sharing daily visuals of that faith-forming fun in action. We also understand that many parents regularly check Bunk1 hoping to see their child's smiling face and that it can be disappointing when that face is absent from the daily batch of photos. Though our two photographers aim to photograph as many campers as possible each day, with 300+ campers per week in small groups spread across 367 acres (and offsite Outpost trips) we cannot guarantee pictures of your camper. Even providing 3-4 daily images of each camper would require taking, organizing, and uploading 1,000-plus photos per day. Besides the logistical challenge, that level of camera presence would be a distraction for campers and detract from the many important moments it takes to build and maintain Christian community within a small group environment. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us provide your child with an experience full of meaningful connection and minimal distraction. (Outpost Parents: Due to the nature of the program, Outpost uploads are less frequent than Village and Sparrowwood.)
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EMAILS: Emails have a base price of 1 credit ($1) each. Borders, graphics, games, and other add-ons can be added by purchasing additional credits. Please note that we do not print emails in color - save your money! When you add up the cost of postage and the trouble of finding time to write and mail a letter (along with the possibility that the mail service will deliver after camp) you may find the convenience of the email service to be well worth the cost. Write cheerfully to your camper affirming the great experiences they must be having and that you're looking forward to hearing all about their camp experience.
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SUMMER THEME: "IN THE WILDERNESS" | |
We put 100 years of experience into creating an environment where every moment -- whether in a worship service or out on the water, around the table or 30 feet off the ground -- is about practicing faith in Christian community. The framework for this faith formation each year is our summer theme, which is based on a professionally developed camp ministry curriculum that's age-appropriate, based on scripture, and respectful of God's creation. Counselors plan their living group's schedule with the theme of the day and week in mind. This summer's theme is "In The Wilderness", which will help campers practice looking for God’s presence and guidance in their everyday lives, and especially in times that can feel unfamiliar or uncertain.
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MON: “Wilderness Is” | The wilderness is a time and place for challenge and growth, and to remember we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God who will always be with us; campers will practice seeking God’s presence in their living group and will help to build a safe community to grow and explore with while at camp. | Psalm 139:7-14
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TUE: “Wilderness Awes” | We can grow closer to God through the wilderness by taking the time to listen carefully and care for our surroundings; campers will practice being fully present in God’s creation in ways that spark wonder and awe. | Job 12:7-10
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WED: “Wilderness Challenges” | Journeying through the wilderness involves a wide range of experiences and emotions – from being in awe or filled with joy to facing challenges that help us grow closer to God and to one another; campers will explore embracing challenges while looking to God for direction and their group for support. | Matthew 14:22-33
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THU: “Wilderness Leads” | When the path through the wilderness is uncertain, we can trust that God will be ahead of us to guide us and alongside us to support us; campers will explore what it means to look for God’s guidance in their everyday life. | Exodus 13:17-22
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FRI: “Wilderness Awaits” | As we leave camp, we continue to journey through the wilderness, knowing that we can rely on God to be with us and to faithfully guide us along our way; campers will reflect on their week spent journeying through the wilderness together as they depart to keep going and growing. | Isaiah 42:16
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It's natural to wonder how your camper is doing at camp. Below is some helpful info in case you find yourself with a case of the mid-week worries:
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HOMESICKNESS: Even at Glisson we have a few campers each summer who feel homesick. We're adept at helping them successfully deal with their homesickness to succeed at camp. Parents may worry about these campers however, especially if they receive a "Monday Letter" or see a "Sad Face" in the daily online photos (see below).
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MONDAY LETTER: A "Monday Letter" is mail sent home (often written early in the camp week) when the camper has yet to fully adjust to being away from home. Sometimes the camper will pull out all the stops in writing these letters, leaving the parent receiving this letter on Wednesday frantic about their child's week at camp. Please know that it's just a "Monday Letter" and that we'll have already called you if your child is struggling with homesickness past Monday.
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SAD FACE: "Sad Face" is a photo of a camper on Bunk1 looking less than happy. While it's likely the camper was deep in thought or preoccupied at the exact moment the photo was snapped, parents sometimes interpret the lack of a smile as indication of their camper not having a good time. Know again that we want every single camper to enjoy Glisson and, if necessary, will call for parents' advice to create the best possible experience.
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CHILD-SICKNESS: If you're a parent immobilized by the anxiety of being away from your camper for a week, please let us help. We're glad to check on your camper and give you a call with feedback from your camper's counselor and from our observations of your camper in their living group. We want you to have a great Glisson experience too!
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HEALTHCARE TEAM: The health and well-being of our campers is our top priority. In addition to coordinating routine medications for campers that registered and checked-in medications (see: “Check-In Day”), members of our Healthcare Team will be on-site 24/7 ready to address any healthcare needs that may arise throughout the camp week.
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WEATHER: It’s only natural to wonder about the weather at camp and how it might impact your camper’s experience – especially if you check your weather app and see storms in Dahlonega’s forecast. Please know that multiple year-round team members check weather reports multiple times every day to monitor for conditions that could impact activity scheduling and/or safety, and that, as an ACA-accredited camp, we train extensively and have protocols and plans in place for every imaginable weather scenario for Glisson’s geographical context. If you find yourself curious or concerned about the weather, we’ve shared an overview of our weather context and protocols on our FAQs Page (“What is your approach to unfavorable weather?”) with the aim of helping parents feel confident their camper will be safe and well at Glisson whatever the weather – because, again, we want you to have a great Glisson experience, too!
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Thanks for reading! We hope it was helpful. In case you missed it, the previous two emails were "Between Now & Camp" and "Check-In Day". Our final email next week will cover "Checkout Day". If you have any questions, check our FAQs or contact our team by replying to this email or by calling (706) 864-6181. Our 2026 Summer Support Team and Outpost counselors arrived for staff training last week; Village and Sparrowwood counselors arrived earlier this week; and in just 9 days we'll kick off 9 weeks of faith-forming adventures in God's creation. We can't wait!
Grace and Peace,
The Glisson Team
We know how to have fun - our passion is forming faith in the process.
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