Frequently Asked Questions!
Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions and their answers about camp. If you have a question that was not addressed, please call us at 800-683-9133 or email the camp registrar at sharon@missionsprings.com.
- What weeks are full?
- When is my balance due and can I pay by credit card?
- What information will we receive after we register?
- What happens when a camp session fills? Do I get my money back if the only session I have requested is full?
- What time does camp begin?
- What time does camp end and can I pick them up early if I need to?
- What if someone else is picking up my son or daughter?
- What is a typical day like? (Tentative schedule)
- What is the weather like?
- How and when are cabin groups arranged?
- Can my child request to be in a cabin with a friend?
- What is the food like?
- Do all campers participate in all activities?
- Can we send care packages to our camper?
- How are staff members selected? What is the ratio of campers to staff?
- What happens if a camper gets homesick?
- How does Mission Springs handle behavioral problems with campers?
- What if my child needs to take vitamins or medication while at camp?
- Are there bathrooms in the cabin?
- What discounts apply to me?
- Do you have financial assistance available?
- Do you provide transportation to and from camp?
- If the camper is staying for two weeks in a row, do I still have to pick them up on Saturday?
- In case of an emergency, who do I call?
- Can I visit camp?
To view Camp availability click here for the Sign-up Page.
When is my balance due and can I pay by credit card?
In order to give as many campers as possible an opportunity to come to camp, we will be adhering strictly to our policy that states: Your camper’s balance must be PAID IN FULL TWO WEEKS PRIOR to your scheduled camp week. If you are not able to meet this requirement for any reason, please call the camp registrar immediately, otherwise, your registration will be subject to cancellation. This policy provides a way for campers on our waiting list to have the best possible chance to register for camp. Credit card payment via the phone or in writing is now being accepted.
What information will we receive after we register?
A confirmation letter along with an information page will be sent upon the completion of your campers registration. The information page includes camp arrival times, pick-up time, packing list and other general information.
What happens when a camp session fills? Do I get my money back if the only session I have requested is full?
We register our campers on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we do keep a waiting list in case of cancellations. If your camper is put on the waiting list we will call you to let you know where your camper is on the list. We will also call immediately if the camper gets into camp and off the waiting list. If your camper does not make it into camp, you will receive a full refund. Click here for space available in other weeks.
Camp opens at 3:00pm on Sunday afternoon with registration (no early arrivals please). At 4:30pm all parents and campers will gather for a brief orientation and introduction of our staff.
What time does camp end and can I pick them up early if I need to?
Frontier Ranch pick-up is at 9:00am on Saturday.
Wild Oak pick-up is at 10:00am on Saturday.
If for any reason you must pick-up your camper early, these arrangements must be made with the registrar on opening day, accompanied by a written letter. See next paragraph for additional information regarding camper pick-up.
What if someone else is picking up my son or daughter?
For the safety and well-being of our campers we request that if you, the parent or guardian, cannot pick up your child that you leave a handwritten note with the camp registrar on check-in day. Please leave us the first and last name of the person picking up your child, how they are related to the camper (ie. aunt, grandparent, neighbor, good friend of the family), and a contact phone number for them. This way we can ensure that the camper is going home with the contact person.
What is a typical day like? (Tentative schedule)
- Breakfast
- Morning Chapel Program
- Bible Study
- Off-Site Activity
- Lunch
- Activities continue
- Pool Time
- Dinner
- All Camp Recreation
- Camp Fire Program
Summers at Frontier Ranch/Wild Oak are warm to hot during the day and cool in the mornings and evenings. See “what to bring” on the bottom of the Sign-up page.
How and when are cabin groups arranged?
Cabins are arranged by gender, grade, and cabin mate request. These assignments are made no earlier than the Friday before camp begins.
Can my child request to be in a cabin with a friend?
Campers may request anywhere from 1 to 8 cabin mates. Some age restrictions do apply. See section titled “Age” for more information. If you are requesting 1 to 2 cabin mates, please write their names in the provided space on the registration form. If you are requesting more than 2 cabin mates you MUST attach a sheet with all names requested. In both cases, it is the responsibility of all parents involved to arrange with all other parents involved so as to have matching request lists. If lists do not match or if camp has filled before lists are received, cabin mates’ requests will be much harder to accommodate and may not work out. Priority will always be given to those registrations received first. Please make sure all cabin mate requests accompany your camp registration form. Requests made after the initial registration may not be honored. Even though we will make every effort to honor requests, Mission Springs makes no guarantees with respect to cabin mate requests.
Age - Due to social and developmental differences of children, we group similar ages in the same cabin.
Siblings - We recommend that siblings stay in separate cabins, allowing their experience to be more individualized. Exceptions are occasionally made for special circumstances. Please call and let us know if you have a special circumstance, otherwise we will automatically separate your children.
Camp Offers high-quality, kid-friendly food. For any special dietary needs, please email the camp registrar, sharon@missionsprings.com, to address these special needs.
Do all campers participate in all activities?
All campers have the opportunity to try all activities they are interested in. In addition, High Schoolers have an offsite camp out opportunity that makes Wild Oak unique from their former experience as a junior high camper.
Can we send care packages to our camper?
Yes. We recommend preparing your care-package ahead of time and drop them off on registration day, designating which day you want your camper to receive the package/letter.
How are staff members selected? What is the ratio of campers to staff?
All staff are interviewed either in person or by phone and are required to submit reference forms that are reviewed by our staff. Staff are selected based on their commitment to Christ, life experience, and job related qualifications. Not only will your child be cared for by their own counselor, but our 3-to-1 camper-to-staff ratio allows campers the opportunity to get to know many other members of our amazing staff as well!
What happens if a camper gets homesick?
We attempt to encourage homesick campers to continue with each day’s activities, trying to focus them on the fun and excitement of camp. If homesickness persists, a camp staff person will call the parents and inform them of the situation in order to determine the next course of action. We generally discourage verbal communication between parents and campers until we’ve had a chance to work through the situation with the child.
How does MS handle behavioral problems with campers?
Our desire is that camp will be an environment of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional safety for both campers and staff. In order to ensure that this occurs, we sometimes need to take steps in disciplining campers. We have a consequence system that staff can use to correct inappropriate behavior. The system begins with the camper losing free-time and if behavior continues, a parent/guardian will be notified.
What if my child needs to take vitamins or medication while at camp?
All medicines and vitamins must be registered with the camp nurse on opening day. The nurse is responsible to administer all medicines at the appropriate time.
Are there bathrooms in the cabin?
No, bathrooms for each gender are centrally located in each cabin area.
BRING-A-FRIEND who has never been to any Mission Springs summer camp and both you and your friend save $40 each! Both campers must come the same week of camp. Both registration forms and deposits must be sent in the same envelope. Bring-A-Friend does not apply to siblings.
FAMILY PACK discounts save your 2nd, 3rd & 4th child attending camp $25 each. 1st child must pay full price and not be using any other promotion.
Both promotions apply to Frontier Ranch & Wild Oak and are subject to camp availability. Only one promo per camper.
Do you have financial assistance available?
Don't miss out on camp because of financial need. We have an established campership fund which helps many families each year. Call the camp registrar at (800) 683-9133 to request an application or you may download the application by clicking here.
Do you provide transportation to and from camp?
No.
If the camper is staying for two weeks in a row, do I still have to pick them up on Saturday?
Yes. You must make arrangements for your campers’ overnight stay, since there is no staff available to watch your camper between camp sessions.
In case of an emergency, who do I call?
Feel free to call us in the event of an emergency or special need. Campers may only use the phone in cases of emergency, sickness or by previous arrangement with the Camp Director. You may leave emergency messages at the main office at 831-335-9133.
Frontier Ranch/Wild Oak are closed camps for reasons of safety and security. During the camp week, no visitors are permitted unless special arrangements have been made in advance with the Camp Director through the main office.
Mission Springs is a ministry of the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
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Wild Oak is located at:
Mission Springs Christian Camps & Conference Center
1050 Lockhart Gulch Rd., Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Phone 800-683-9133
© 2008 Wild Oak and Mission Springs
