Dear Campers & Parents,

We are thrilled you will be joining us for Camp McDowell’s Junior High I Session July 18-24th, and we cannot wait to welcome you to camp! This letter is to introduce you to your Sessions Staff, to give you a bit of information about the program for the week, and to give you a brief rundown of some logistics.

I am Sarah DiCarlo-Watts, and I am the Associate Rector at St. John’s in Decatur, Alabama. Joining me this summer will be The Rev. Chase Ackerman (Rector at St. John’s, Decatur), The Rev. Sam Burcham (Deacon and Director of Outreach and Family Ministries at St. John’s Decatur), Madi Bell-Colpack (Youth Minister at Nativity, Huntsville), Sarah Coleman Hornsby & Olivia O’Halloran (former Camp McDowell Counselors), and Jen DiCarlo-Watts (my wife and Youth Ministry Volunteer at St. John’s, Decatur).

This week at camp, your child will take part in a playful, slightly cheesy, but hopefully meaningful mystery. While we might spend the week solving the mystery of who stole a pair of taco-themed socks that say “Wanna taco 'bout Jesus? Lettuce pray,” we hope it will give campers the chance to not only work together but to ponder big questions about what matters: our emotions, our faith, and how we live in community. Each day brings a new clue, a new conversation, and a bit more of the story—leading us through themes of belonging, identity, forgiveness, and grace.

As I said, we are so excited about welcoming your campers to camp for what is sure to be a holy and exciting session! Below, you’ll find the arrival and departure schedule for your session. Please note, we do discourage late arrivals/early pick-ups from camp as it can disrupt the flow of the session. Early departures are reserved for cases of illness or another arising issue which would be decided upon by the Session Director, Head Nurse, and Clear Creek Coordinator.

Junior High I Schedule:

Opening Date: July 18, 2025

Arrival Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm

Closing Date: July 24, 2025

Closing Eucharist: 9:00am in the Rec Hall

Camper Pickup: No later than 10:00am in their cabin

In addition to this schedule, please find attached:

- Camp Policies and Practices

- Packing List

- Letter from the Camp Nurse

Again, we are so very excited about our session and cannot wait to meet all of you. Please know that you will remain in our prayers as you prepare to come to camp, and we look forward to seeing you at Wonderful, Wonderful Camp McDowell.

Sincerely,

Sarah DiCarlo-Watts

Session Director

Junior High I is a summer camp session designed for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th 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. 

We will also have a few optional dress-up days this year! You will find these located in the packing list. Feel free to bring something wacky to dress up in, and if you don’t have anything on hand you can always borrow something from our costumes closet at camp. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

On closing day, we will have Holy Eucharist (church with communion) in the Rec Hall down the hill. 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 Junior High 1 Camp is $525 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, A.G. Passey, at clearcreek@campmcdowell.org.

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

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. 102 for Catherine Poellnitz, Summer Camp Director, and Ext. 112 for A.G. Passey, Clear Creek Coordinator)

Opening Day 

3:00 Campers arrive

5:30 Cabin meetings

6:30 Supper 

7:00 Night Activity

8:30 Night Canteen

9:00 Worship

9:30 Cabins

10:00 Lights Out

Daily Schedule 

7:30 Wake up Bell

8:00 Breakfast

8:30 Cabin Time (clean cabins, teeth, personal space)

9:00 Program

10:30 Lemonade break

10:45 Pool/Rec

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Rest Time

2:00 Afternoon Activities

3:30 Canteen

4:00 Pool/Rec 

6:00 Supper

7:00 Evening Activity

8:30 Canteen

9:00 Worship 

9:30 Cabins   

10:00 Lights Out

Closing Day       

8:00 Breakfast 

9:00 Closing Eucharist 

10:00 Campers depart

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
• Towel 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.
• Outfits for dress-up themed meals (optional)
• July 20th: Holiday Day: Dress up as your favorite holiday!
• July 21st: Star Wars Night: Wear your favorite star wars/ galaxy clothes
• July 22nd: Monochrome
• July 23rd: Pasture Party (overalls, bandannas, plaid, 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 nicotine products, 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. 

This is a copy of the community covenant all campers signed when registering.

As a camper, I agree to live by the standards set for the event. 

I understand there is no use or possession of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes including JUULs, nicotine products, illegal drugs, firearms, lighters, explosives, or weapons of any kind. 

I understand that inappropriate sexual behavior is not tolerated. In order to respect all participants' privacy, at no time may a male enter a female housing area or a female enter a male housing area. Common areas for males and females to gather in the same spaces will be stated during the schedule. 

If I choose to violate the above standards or am knowingly in the presence of others violating these standards, I will be sent home immediately at my own expense.

I will respect camp, respect myself, and respect others while at Camp McDowell. I respect the policy of zero tolerance of physical, verbal, or emotional bullying. 

In addition, I understand that camp is one of the rare places where I can get "unplugged" and have a true "camp" experience; in order to make this kind of experience a reality for me and the other participants, cell phones, other communication devices and other electronics are not allowed in my possession during the event. 

I understand that I will be able to use the camp phone in case of an emergency. I agree to honor the "no cell phone" policy and my own experience by either leaving my cell phone (or other electronic device) at home or give it to a staff member at check-in for safekeeping during the event. I plan to participate fully in the program, worship, and activities offered during this event.

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 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.