FAQ & INFO

REGISTRATION FAQ

  • How do I register and pay for camp?

    • Registration opens February 1st! Registration will be accessible via the “summer camp” tab.

  • What happens if camps fill up?

    • If the camp you are hoping your child can attend is showing “waitlisted,” we encourage you to join the waitlist. To do this you’ll select the camp session and complete registration as normal. On the final page of registration, you’ll be directed to input payment information, but it won’t charge you. If you do not receive a confirmation message, your camper has not been added to the waitlist. When/if camper spots open up due to other camper cancellations, we will contact waitlisted campers chronologically. Please contact the office for any questions/issues!

  • I registered my child for camp, but they can no longer attend. Can I cancel my registration and get a refund?

    • We totally understand things come up and plans have to change! Because of that, as long as you cancel your campers registration by 10am the day of their arrival, you are able to be refunded everything you paid, excluding your $30 deposit. To cancel your registration, send us an e-mail at info@christiancamp.net or login to your account to submit a cancellation.

  • Can I register my camper for a camp that is listed as too young/old for their grade? What if they are hoping to attend with a sibling?

    • Unfortunately, campers can only attend camps that they fall within the appropriate grade range of. The only exception being Middler Camps for rising 6th graders. If a rising 6th grader would prefer to attend a Middler Camp over a Teener Camp, they may. Exceptions are not able to be made even with siblings in attendance.

DEANS, CAMP “COUNSELORS”/CABIN-MOMS, CABIN-DADS, AND STAFF (WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?)

Every camp has different language to describe the people who are entrusted with supervising your campers. As such, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with our language for the awesome men and women who make camp possible. One of the things that makes NGCC so special is the deep connection we have with our Member churches — these “local” churches are non-denominational independent churches who have been approved by NGCC’s board to serve and host camp sessions at NGCC. These churches contribute financially, allowing the camp to maintain affordability while striving to improve our facilities and programming. The mission of the camp has always been “to be an extension of the local church, offering opportunities for people of all ages to learn, grow in their faith in the Lord, and be challenged to serve Him.” It’s our desire that NGCC is both a place where campers connect with God and their peers, and that their experiences foster excitement and growth in the students’ churches as well.

  • Deans are volunteers from NGCC’s supporting churches, usually senior minsters, youth pastors, or children’s pastors/directors, who are responsible for all of the planning and implementing programming for their camp session. These men and women are selected by the camp director and are typically paired with people from other supporting churches, and together they make sure the camp experience is safe, fun, and that kids are challenged to grow spiritually. Deans are responsible for “staffing” their weeks of camp with known and trusted “camp counselors” (aka cabin-moms/cabin-dads). Deans are prepared with NGCC’s policies in the months leading up to their camp session and answer to the camp director.

  • Camp “Counselors” (aka Cabin-Moms/Cabin-Dads) are the volunteers that are entrusted with the direct supervision of your campers while attending NGCC. They stay in cabins with the campers, they lead campers in group discussions, they participate in games and activities with campers, and they serve as an example of how to live a Christ-centered life. We understand the title of "camp counselor” can be a little misleading, as these volunteers are not licensed or professional counselors in the way that our society has become accustomed to assuming when using that word. However, these people are hand-picked by the deans due to their character, exemplary love for Christ, and their close affiliation with the deans (most serve in the ministries of the deans’ churches). All 18+ volunteers are background-checked prior to their approval as a cabin-mom or cabin-dad. In addition to the 2+ “adult” (18+) camp counselors per cabin required by NGCC, deans may also choose to use “junior counselors” to help serve at their weeks of camp (only for middle school and younger-aged camp sessions). These teenagers also most-often serve alongside the deans in their church settings, and are provided with an opportunity to serve students while being supervised by the deans and the adult counselors. Character references are required of all camp counselors, and these volunteers must adhere to a strict code of conduct, answering directly to the deans and camp director.

  • NGCC Staff is the title we use to denote the men and women who are paid by NGCC to do the behind-the-scenes work that makes camp possible. This includes the camp’s full-time staff in addition to the 10-20 “summer staff” hired by the camp to cook, clean, lifeguard, and run specialized activities like the zip-line, giant swing, rock wall, and ropes course — all of which require special training to operate. NGCC Staff is background-checked, rigorously interviewed prior to being hired, adhere to a strict code of conduct, and answer directly to the camp director.

SUMMER CAMP FAQ

  • Are your camps overnight camps or day camps?

    • The majority of our camps are overnight camps, with the exception of Day Camp.

  • Do campers stay in cabins at camp?

    • Campers do stay in cabins during camp! Our girls' cabin area has 5 cabins that sleep 14 each, and each cabin has its own bathroom area. Our boy's cabin area has 5 cabins that are connected and sleep 12 each, and each cabin has its own bathroom. There are always at least 2 cabin moms or cabin dads staying in each cabin with the campers!

  • Do you provide Gluten-free/Dairy-Free/Nut-Free/etc. meals?

    • We are happy to accommodate campers with Gluten, Dairy, Soy, and nut allergies. Please specify this on your camper’s health form. NGCC’s menu is tree nut and peanut free always. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate for any other food allergies or preferences than those previously mentioned. If campers have other allergies or preferences, you may send along supplementary meals for our kitchen to prepare! Please e-mail us at info@christiancamp.net for a copy of our menu and for more information.

  • I am a mother. Can I bring my son to Buddy Camp?

    • Yes! We have separate cabins for mothers with sons, mothers with daughters, fathers with sons, and fathers with daughters.

SUMMER CAMP GENERAL INFORMATION

We're so excited to have you at summer camp! On this page, you will find our camp policies and (hopefully) all you need to know about attending summer camp here at NGCC! Upon registering, you will have access to a camp-specific information packet. If you have any further questions, please contact the camp office at info@christiancamp.net. 

REVIEW THIS INFORMATION

It is important that you and your child review all of the information given to you on this page.

ARRIVAL TIMES & PROCEDURES

  • Arrival Time for all Overnight camps: 5:00PM - 6:00PM (Note: No one will be checked in prior to 5PM)

  • Arrival Time for TREK: 10:30AM

  • Check-in Location and Procedure for Buddy, Beginner, Middler, Teener, Senior, Sports, Cooking: Main NGCC Campus (Follow signs, you will stay in your car) Once checked in, you will drive up to your campers cabin where our staff will help your camper unload and get settled in.

  • Musical Theater Camp: Musical Theater Camp will have two check-in locations. The location for your camper’s check-in will be emailed to you a week prior to their arrival. For campers not checking in at the main NGCC campus, they will be checking in at the Gym behind Harvest Christian Church (231 Harvest Church Rd, Clarkesville, GA 30523 — right before the camp road).

  • Adventure and Adventure JR., TREK, and Art & Photography Camp: These campers will be checking in at our NGCC gym located behind Harvest Christian Church (231 Harvest Church Rd. Clarkesville, GA) right before the camp road. You may park in the parking lot and walk your camper inside!

  • Day Camp: Check-in will be at the NGCC Gym each day at 8am.

For camps checking in at the main campus, you will follow signs and drive up to the camp to be stopped and be greeted at your car for check-in and camper temperature check. You and your camper will remain in your car for this! For camps checking in at the gym, you will park your car in the church parking lot and enter the lobby of the gym to check-in. Any camper with a temperature above 99.5 F will need to stay home until 24 hours of being fever free. All medicine and necessary instructions will be collected at this point. Please note that we do not have medical personnel on NGCC staff. A designated, volunteer camp nurse will be responsible to dispense medicine as necessary.

DEPARTURE TIMES & PROCEDURES

Please make sure your child is aware of their transportation arrangements for leaving camp at the end of their session.

  • Departure Time for all Overnight Camps (excluding those listed below): 10AM

  • Departure Time for TREK: 4PM at the NGCC Gym (231 Harvest Church Rd. Clarkesville, GA)

  • Departure Time for Buddy Camp: 12:00 PM

  • Departure Time for Musical Theater Camp: 5:00 PM (This is when doors open for the performance your Musical Theater Camper has worked so hard on!)

  • Departure Time for Day Camp: 3:00PM at the NGCC Gym each day.

10 AM Pick-up for Beginner, Middler, Teener, Senior, Sports, and Cooking camps will all be carpool style. You will wait in line on the camp road until check-out begins, prompted by NGCC staff. You will provide your ID and then drive up to camp where your camper (and their belongings) will be awaiting you! Campers will only be released to “Parent 1” or “Parent 2,” or to the authorized pickup persons listed in your camper’s registration. Please be on time to pick up your camper(s). We will have staff directing traffic and will get the campers to you as quickly as possible to keep the flow of traffic running smoothly. The camp nurse will give the camper’s medicine to the person picking the camper up during check-out.

  • Adventure Camp will be picked up at the NGCC gym

  • Adventure Jr. Camp will be picked up at the NGCC gym

  • Art & Photography Camp will be picked up at the NGCC gym

  • Day Camp will be picked up at the NGCC Gym

BAPTISM

There is no pressure for your child to be baptized at camp. However, should your child express a desire to be baptized, the deans will contact the listed parents/legal guardians for further discussion. If you have received a call that your camper would like to get baptized and approved of it, please plan arriving no later than 9:00am, drive past the check out line (if there is one), and drive up to camp and park. Baptisms will take place at the camp pool at 9:15am. No camper will be baptized without their parents consent.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Bible, pen, journal

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Bedding (twin-size) and pillow

  • Toiletries (including sunscreen and bug spray if needed)

  • Towels

  • Casual clothing/sportswear, shoes (a pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals would be great!), swimming suit (girls: swimsuit must cover stomach)

  • Optional: Money for Camp Store, Flashlight

Helpful Note: Involve your child in selecting clothes. Do the packing together so that your child will be aware of what is in his/her suitcase. At the end of every week, we are always left with a large number of unclaimed towels and clothing, so it is sometimes helpful to mark beach towels, jackets, or other important items with a laundry marker. It is also a good idea to send a plastic bag so that your child can separate their clean and dirty clothes. 

Medicine: If campers have any medication (prescription or OTC) they need to be brought to camp in their original container and given to the camp nurse at check-in. Our nurse will be sure that they have the all correct information to administer your campers medication throughout the week. Record is kept each time medicine is administered.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

NGCC reserves the right to search and remove any camper's belongings and/or person if it is suspected that they have brought something inappropriate to camp. These items will be returned to parent/guardian on the last day of camp or disposed of if warranted at the Camp Director and or deans’ discretion. Failure by your camper to follow this list may result in their dismissal from camp. As the parent/guardian, please use discretion when going over this list with your camper.

  • Phones or Other Electronic/Smart Devices (Including Smart Watches).

  • Medications not reported/given to the camp nurse upon check-in 

  • Drugs: including alcohol, tobacco products, nicotine products, vapes, marijuana/CBD products, or any other mind/body-altering substances 

  • No food or drinks shall be brought or mailed to any camper (unless brought due to camper-allergies/dietary restrictions)

  • Pornographic material 

  • Knives, guns, or weapons of any kind 

  • Inappropriate clothing (Please ensure modest attire is packed, both that fully covers parts of the body expected to be covered, and attire that isn't vulgar, offensive, suggestive, explicit, or demeaning in subject/nature.) 

  • Exorbitant sums of money

OTHER INFO AND POLICY

LICE

To keep things as simple as possible, NGCC has adopted a no nit policy. Children with any evidence of lice, including nits (egg casings), will not be able to participate in the camp program. We recognize this policy may be more severe than schools and other organizations, but given that children have more contact at camp than these other places, we believe this is the best policy to prevent unwanted spread. With our sympathies to those children and families who will inevitably be inconvenienced, we have concluded that the no nit approach is wisest for the camp environment. With this in mind, camp is implementing the following policies and procedures to reduce the likelihood of a lice outbreak at camp.

  1. If your child, or someone in your child’s immediate household, has had lice or been exposed to lice in the months leading up to camp, we ask that you have your child checked for lice by your pediatrician or a certified lice specialist; if lice or nits are found, please do not allow your child to attend camp.

  2. If your child is still taking medications or using lice-related products, they should not attend camp.

  3. If your child has been cleared of lice by a certified lice specialist, please provide proof before arrival on the first day of camp.

  4. If lice or nits are found, you are responsible for having your child picked up from camp immediately.

BED BUGS

Throughout the year, the entire camp is regularly treated by a professional pest control company. All of our mattresses have bed bug proof, anti-bacterial vinyl mattress covers that are cleaned after every camp session. Should we find bed bugs on your camper’s belongings while at camp, we will have your camper shower and give them temporary clothes and bedding, bag up all of their belongings, wash and dry them, and clean the cabin while doing so. We will notify you if this is the case so you are aware. If you wish to pick your child up from camp, you may do so, but will not be refunded for their tuition costs..

SPENDING MONEY & CANTEEN/CAMP STORE

1 snack and 1 drink are included in every campers registration costs for each canteen time (twice a day). Students may choose to bring additional spending money should they want to buy additional snacks/drinks, merch from the camp store, or to donate towards missions. The camp store offers camp-branded items such as water bottles, stickers, and t-shirts for sale (ranging in price from $1 to $45). The Camp Store will be open during canteen throughout the week, as well as during arrival and departure times.

  • “Tabs/Camp Store Credits” are available for purchase when/after registering your child in your registration portal. This will allow your camper to purchase items from the camp store without having to keep track of physical money.

CELL PHONES & DEVICES

No cellphones or smart devices are to be brought to camp by a camper. We understand that sometimes students have special needs that give cause for having a device (i.e., medical reasons like diabetes), but we ask that you will make us aware ahead of time if this is the case. (Note: “Needing to listen to music or watch Netflix” to fall asleep are not valid reasons to bring a cellphone or smart device to camp.) Our camp has always existed as a safe place for people of all ages to “get away” or “unplug” from the distractions of everyday, normal life, but the connectivity that accompanies the constant use of cellphones, internet, and smart devices does not allow for that separation to happen…

We are so excited to see what God does at our camp when we truly allow ourselves to separate from the distractions caused by constant connectivity. Parents are welcome to call the camp or the head cabin-mom/cabin-dad at any time to check in on their campers. Contact phone numbers will be sent to each parent after registering their child and before the camp session begins. The camp will provide phones to a designated head cabin-mom/cabin-dad in advance who will ensure parents’ ability to connect at any time with their camper. We will be posting updates, pictures, and videos of each camp session throughout so you can see all the action online. And or course, feel free to send mail to your camper to encourage them and tell them how much you love and miss them!

Please understand that by signing the registration, you are agreeing to these terms and that if you choose to make your camper bring a cellphone or smart device, or if your camper brings a cellphone or smart device on his/her own volition, that upon its discovery it will immediately be confiscated, locked in the camp office, and will not be returned until check-out on the last day of camp. We will not be responsible for lost or damaged cellphones.

MAIL

Mail is a big part of camp during lunch times. When our mail is delivered, any mail you send will be given to your child. Often times if you send a package your camper will be asked to “ride the broom around the room” or “do the hula” to receive their package. This is all just a fun, camp tradition and we certainly won’t make any camper do anything nor will we hold their package hostage. Some weeks of camp have SO much mail that we simply don’t have time to pass it all out, in this case it will be delivered to their cabin. If you would like to guarantee your camper has to “earn” their package through camp tradition, write “ride the broom!” anywhere on the package before you mail it. Please send letters and packages to the following address:

North Georgia Christian Camp

Name of Camper, Camp Session Name (ex: Teener 2)

531 Christian Camp Lane

Clarkesville, GA 30523

Please also note that we are at the mercy of our local post office for timely delivery. If mail you send happens to arrive after your camper’s week of camp, we will forward it to your home address. If you would like to save some money on postage and ensure that your mail gets to your camper on time, you are welcome to drop off mail/packages at the Camp Store on the first day of camp. You can also purchase items at the Camp Store to be delivered to the camper during camp, if you wish!

VISITING

Visitors are strongly discouraged from coming to the camp because the program is usually disrupted. If you do need to visit, please check in at the camp office upon your arrival. The camp is not open to the public during summer camp programs. 

DEALING WITH A CHILD’S HOMESICKNESS

We ask that you do not suggest that your child can call home if he/she gets homesick. That statement is something your child will remember if feeling homesick at camp. Do not introduce a conversation about homesickness in getting ready for camp, as this may just set your child up for it. If this does happen, the camp staff is prepared to work with your child and make a phone call for your child if we need to involve a parent. 

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

The phone number for the camp office is (706) 754-4513. Please call or text this number if you need to reach the camp. If your child needs to talk to you, permission will be given to use the camp phone.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

Failure by your camper to follow these rules and expectations may result in their dismissal from camp.

  • Campers are expected to treat all other campers, volunteers, and camp staff with respect.

  • Campers are expected to dress with modesty.

  • Campers are expected to respect and participate in the camp’s programming; this includes: following the schedule, being where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there, and participating in all programming with a good attitude.

  • Campers are expected to respect the camp facilities and equipment by keeping their cabins clean, not littering, not intentionally vandalizing or breaking things, writing on walls or beds, or being destructive. Parents/guardians will be responsible for any damages caused deliberately by their camper.

  • Campers are not allowed to go to the cabins without supervision. Cabins will remain locked throughout the day with the exception of times where students will be allowed supervised access.

  • Profanity, vulgar speech, inappropriate jokes, name-calling, demeaning behaviors and/or comments, racist or sexist remarks, or any and all other divisive, rude, disrespectful behavior and/or language will not be tolerated.

  • Bullying, making fun of, hazing, or belittling others will not be tolerated.

  • Campers are prohibited from making other campers, volunteers, or NGCC staff uncomfortable by use of inappropriate or sensitive words and/or actions.

  • Fighting is prohibited.

  • Pranks are prohibited.

  • Campers are not allowed to go in the opposite sex's cabins.

  • Inappropriate behavior is prohibited.

  • Sexual misconduct is prohibited.

  • Campers who drive themselves to camp are expected to give their phone to NGCC upon checking in, and will give their keys to NGCC staff upon arrival and parking at cabins. They will not access their vehicle until departure on the last day (keys will be returned on the last day of camp).

  • Food and drinks in the cabins are prohibited.

ELOPING (RUNNING AWAY/HIDING) & REFUSAL TO WILLINGLY PARTICIPATE

  • Campers who elope/wander/“run away”/try to and/or to leave campus without approval for a pre-approved camp program will require immediate pickup.

  • Campers who are unwilling to participate in camp programming (as determined by the Camp Director and/or deans) will require immediate pickup. This does not mean that if your child doesn’t want to ride the zip-line, that they are required to ride the zip-line. Rather, this means that if your child displays an attitude of not wanting to be at camp, and as such, is refusing to follow the schedule, is negatively impacting the camp session, and/or is an unnecessary burden on other campers, volunteers, or NGCC staff, they will require immediate pickup.

SWIMMING

The NGCC pool will always have an appropriate amount of American Red Cross certified lifeguards on duty. Campers (middle school-aged and younger) are only allowed to swim in the deep end if they pass the swim test (without the use of any flotation device).