Dear Primary I campers and parents, 

We hope you’re as ready for the start of summer camp as we are. We hope to start the first camp of the summer off with a bang on the banks of Clear Creek at Wonderful, Wonderful Camp McDowell. Our camp theme for the session is focused on “Shining Your Light.” We hope to teach you about how God gives each of us a light to shine and gives us courage to share our light with others! We have a wonderful and talented group coming to help you have an amazing experience at camp. I know for some of you this may be your first time at camp and for others you may have been coming to camp for a long time. Whichever you may be, together we are going to learn what it means to be a summer camper at Camp McDowell so that soon you will be ready to come to camp on your own! We will follow the schedule of a normal camp session with the only difference being that your parents will get to experience summer camp alongside you. We look forward to having the chance to be with you and your family as you begin this wonderful, wonderful journey as a summer camper! 

I’m sure that you, or your parents, have lots of questions so the camp staff has attached information that will hopefully answer any questions you might have. You are certainly welcome to contact camp if you have further questions. It’s very important that you feel comfortable and have everything you need to make this camp an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Please pack, along with everything else, a spirit of adventure and a willingness to try new things and make some new friends! 

We do need to give you and your parents some important details. Primary I will begin on Friday, May 23. Please arrive between 3pm and 5pm. I would ask that you honor the arrival times because the staff will be taking care of last-minute details to get ready to welcome you to camp. Our session will end on Sunday, May 25 after lunch. 

We’re so excited that you and your parents have decided to participate in this very special and important camp. We look forward to spending time with you and your parents as you begin your camper journey.   

Can’t wait to see you at Camp! 

Rev Paul G Pradat

Session Director

Kathleen Lynch Franklin

Program Leader

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 that 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. For little campers and big campers of opposite genders (such as a son attending with his mother), the cabin counselor will serve as the little camper’s parent while 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 $180 per person ($360 total for two people, etc.). 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 Tuesday, May 13th, 2025. 

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 Clear Creek Coordinator, A.G. Passey, 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 Eppes 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.
• 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:
• Lunch- Crazy socks
• Dinner- Pasture Party (overalls, bandannas, plaid, etc.)
• Breakfast- Gone Camping: wear your favorite Camp McDowell merch or any camping clothes
• 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 (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 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.