Dear Middler Camper Parents, 

In about two weeks, your child will be singing Wonderful, Wonderful Camp McDowell on the front porch of Eppes Hall to kick off Middler Camp! I hope your child is as excited about camp as I am. Our time together will be filled with lots of fun, food, friends, sunshine (start praying now), and prayer.  

The program theme for this year’s camp is called “Spirit Games.” The theme focuses on the Day of Pentecost, which will be celebrated on the Sunday when Middler Camp is in session. We will explore and experience this major feast day by playing games that speak to the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

The Camp and Session Staff look forward to welcoming you to camp on Thursday, June 5^th.  Plan to arrive for camp registration between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Camp pick up is Tuesday, June 10^th. 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 will not be able to accommodate early arrivals or late pickups, so please make plans to arrive and pickup during the designated times. In addition, we strongly discourage campers from coming and going during the session as this will disrupt the camp community.    

Registration runs more smoothly if you make all your payments before arriving at camp so, please check out the registration portal online to pay a remaining balance or to add money to the canteen account.  Please remember that drugs, alcohol, weapons, or tobacco will not be tolerated.  Also, please leave behind other items that will distract you from fully participating in camp such as video games, cell phones, etc.  For more information about what to pack, camp’s policies and procedures, and camp-life, please visit the camp website.   

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

Faithfully, 

The Rev. Jack Alvey 

Middler Camp is a summer camp session designed for rising 5th, 6th, and 7th 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 Middler Camp is $455 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 Monday, May 26th, 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 CampBrain 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 Camper Check-in at Welcome Center

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

10:30 Morning pool or rec hall time

11:30 Cabin Time

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
• 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 themes (optional)
• A Red Shirt!
• June 6th: Monochrome (wear the same color from head to toe)
• June 7th: Hero’s vs. Villains : Wear your favorite fighting crime costume, super hero t-shirt or anything Marvel/DC.
• June 9th: 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.

Please only pack the exact amount of medication in the original prescription bottle that your child will need for their stay at Camp. Any extra controlled medications will be sent home at check-in.

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.