I am so excited about camp this summer! Lots of plans are already in the works for a wonderful session, and I hope you are ready to have some fun.

My name is Sarah DiCarlo-Watts, and I will be your Camp Session Director. I am the Priest-in-Charge at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Huntsville, Alabama, and I cannot wait to spend a great weekend with you all!

Joining me this summer will be The Rev. Chase Ackerman, Rector of St. John’s in Decatur, Alabama; my wife, Jen DiCarlo-Watts; as well as Olivia O’Halloran and Sarah Coleman Hornsby who have worked at Camp McDowell Summer Camp before and are just fantastic. 

Our theme for Primary Camp is “Splash & Supper.” We will spend some time learning about two of the sacraments: Baptism and Eucharist. We’ll wonder together about what they mean, how they help us know God’s love, and how they remind us that we belong to God and to one another.

Of course, in addition to our program time, there will be plenty of time for hikes, games, swimming, and much more!

Our camp session begins on Friday, July 17. I know you’ll be excited to get there, but please do not arrive before 3:00 p.m. Check-in will be from 3:00–5:00 p.m. Camp will conclude after lunch on Sunday.

You will receive more information from Camp McDowell about what to bring, camp policies, and camp practices. One important thing to remember is that you should leave at home anything that might distract you from fully participating in camp, such as cell phones, video games, and other electronics. And I know you already know this, but to be clear: drugs, alcohol, weapons, and tobacco are not allowed at camp.

I am so looking forward to spending time with you at Wonderful, Wonderful Camp McDowell, 

Sarah DiCarlo-Watts+

Hey Everybody!

As we were preparing for all of y’all to arrive, we noticed an issue on our registration site. Primary 1 Big Campers (Adults) were not charged the $200.00 on the registration site as they were supposed to be. This seems to be an issue with the registration site that we use. We apologize for any inconvenience this error might cause. We have corrected the issue, and you can pay by logging into the portal here. We never want cost to be a barrier for folks coming to any summer camp session at McDowell. Both full and partial scholarships are available for Primary 2. If you would like a scholarship, email me at Summercampdirector@campmcdowell.org, including how much of a scholarship you will require, the name of the camper (big or little), & that it is for the Primary 2 session. The Summer Staff & I look forward to having you in God's Backyard!!

We can't wait for all of you to be at Wonderful Wonderful!

Faithfully,

Michael Gravlee

Director of Summer Camps & Retreats

Primary I and Primary II are weekend Summer Camp sessions designed for rising 1st/2nd/3rd grade campers to attend with an adult. At Primary Camp, everyone is a camper! The children are the “little campers” and the adults are the “big campers”. Big and little campers experience and participate together as campers while our enthusiastic staff members take care of the details. 

Primary Camp activities include swimming, farming, canoeing, hiking and arts & crafts. Campers rotate through each activity with their ‘activity group’ and then choose their favorite activity to do again on Sunday morning! Primary Camp, like all Summer Camp sessions, also includes a spiritually-themed program which is age-appropriate for the little campers and entertaining for the big campers. During “rest time” after lunch on Saturday, the little campers are invited to stay in Eppes Hall with our staff. This gives our big campers a little free time to rest on their own, explore Camp, play basketball, try out the ropes course, etc. On Saturday night, all campers go to a cookout on the ball field (“Pasture Party”) complete with games, watermelon, and a hayride. Both nights come 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. 

After worship, it is bedtime for the little campers and any big campers who are ready for sleep! For those big campers who choose, their little camper may go back to the cabins with the cabin counselor (a college-aged Summer Staff member) while the big campers enjoy snacks and fellowship with other adults in the dining hall. 

The adult who attends with the child may be a mother, father, godparent or other relative or special friend. All campers stay together in Summer Camp cabins (down the hill) along with other big and little campers, dorm-style. As noted, a college-aged cabin counselor (Camp McDowell Summer Staff) also stays in the cabin. Primary Camp is a wonderful and rare opportunity to enjoy quality time with your ‘little’ camper, as well as a little time to yourself, in the setting of Christian Camp community. We look forward to you joining us in “God’s Backyard!”

Each camper (big campers and little campers) must register individually as campers. The registration fee for Primary Camp is $200 per person ($400 total for two people.). You may submit payments in your online account, over the phone, or by post mail 7 days prior to opening day. All balances are due Friday, July 10th, 2026. 

Online payments may be made in your Camp McDowell camper account. Access your camper account through https://mcdowellsummercamp.campbrainregistration.com Our system will not accept AmericanExpress cards at this time.

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 those around you during Primary Camp. We ask that you either do not bring your phone with you or that you be discreet and considerate if you need to use your phone at any time during the retreat. 

Urgent: Should you need to reach anyone while at Camp, please contact Summer Camps & Retreats Coordinator, Eva Byrum, at 205.387.1806 ext 112 or clearcreek@campmcdowell.org 

Friday

3:00  Registration at Camp Store

5:30  Cabin Meetings

6:30  Supper in Stough Dining Hall 

6:45  Community Time in Rec Hall: games, welcome, staff intros, review camp rules 

7:30  Chapel: Program Intro, Singing, Compline (night time worship)

8:00  Little campers go to cabins with cabin counselors to get ready for bed

Big campers stay in Chapel for Big Camper meeting

Snacks & fellowship for Big Campers following in Eppes Hall

Saturday

7:30  Wake up bell

8:00  Breakfast & Announcements

9:00  Program in Rec Hall - arrive dressed for your activity

9:15  1st Activity Period (Canoe/Pool/Hike/Arts & Crafts)

10:30 Lemonade & Water break

10:45 2nd Activity Period (Canoe/Pool/Hike/Arts & Crafts)

11:55  Porch Songs

12:00 Lunch & Announcements

12:45 Rest time for Little Campers in Eppes Hall; Free time/rest time for Big Campers (High Ropes will also be offered for Big Campers at this time)

2:30  3rd Activity Period (Canoe/Pool/Hike/Arts & Crafts)

3:45  Canteen in Rec Hall (Cost of Canteen is already covered in Registration Fees) 

4:15  4th Activity Period (Canoe/Pool/Hike/Arts & Crafts)

5:45  Walk to Pasture Party up the hill

6:00  Pasture Party & Hayride

7:30  Chapel

8:00  Little Campers go to cabins

Big Campers: optional snacks & fellowship in Eppes Hall

Sunday

7:30  Wake up bell

8:00 Breakfast & Announcements

9:00 Eucharist (worship service) in Ascension Chapel down the hill

10:00 Lemonade & water break

10:30 Activity of your choice (Canoe/Pool/Farm/Arts & Crafts/Hike)

11:45  Porch Songs

12:00 Lunch & Announcements 

12:30 Go In Peace! 

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. Pack a couple of extra outfits in case we get caught in the rain, and your camper needs to change mid-day.
• Socks and sturdy, closed-toe shoes for working, playing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Bring 2 pairs of closed-toe shoes if your camper does not have sandals with a heel strap to bring, for 1 pair to dry out if used for canoeing or getting caught in the rain.
• 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:
• July 18, 2026
• Lunch: Ships and Sailors-wear pirate, sailor, mermaid, or vacation clothes
• Dinner: Pasture Party-overalls, bandanas, plaid, “Texas Wear”
• July 19, 2026
• Camp Spirit-wear your favorite camp gear

• 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 or nicotine products, or electronic cigarettes/vapes
• 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 or locked in your car (all cars are parked up the hill). Camp’s liability does not allow medications to be stored where children are housed. Thank you in advance for understanding.