Good To Know


Parents


Q: What should I do if my email or address changes?
A: Please remember to notify us or go to your account online to make any address or email changes. We will be communicating by email prior to and during your camper's time at camp and if we don't have your email address listed correctly you will miss out on any special announcements. Likewise with your mailing address. Sometimes we need to communicate with you by "snail mail" and can only do so if we have a correct address for you.

Q: What’s the deal with Adventure Camp Schedule?
A: Adventure Camp goes from Sunday-Friday, and the "at camp" pick-up times and bus drop-off times are different for Friday. At camp - pick-up time is 2 pm. The Portland bus - 5:45pm. The Salem bus - 3:45 pm. Roseburg bus - 5 pm. The Springfield bus - 3:45 pm. The Portland bus often arrives late due to Friday afternoon traffic. We will do our best to keep on schedule. You can find addresses and links to maps under "general information," "documents and publications."

Q: Where do I find a bus schedule?
A: A complete bus schedule is posted at our document center. 

Q: My child is attending camp with a friend and they want to be cabinmates.  Is that possible?    
A: Cabins are assigned according to the attraction chosen. Friends signing up for the same session and attraction may request to be cabinmates. Every effort is made to accommodate those requests, though it cannot be guaranteed. Be assured though, we do try our best to meet every request.

Q: I’m worried that my child might get homesick.  What do you in this kind of situation?
A: It is our goal for each camper to have a good time at camp.  Homesickness is possible though usually does not become a significant hindrance to a campers experience.  Out of almost 2000 campers each summer, we average about 6 that need to return home early due to homesickness.  It is our policy to try to work through homesickness by keeping campers involved and busy.  Usually in this way campers begin to have so much fun that the homesickness fades.  If the homesickness persists our village directors may decide to call you to consult about what course of action you would like us to pursue.  In most circumstances phoning home to talk with mom or dad does not help.  It actually intensifies the feelings.  This is one of the reasons we do not allow cell phones. Your camper’s growth toward independence and happiness are of the utmost important to us, and we always do our best to balance the two.

Q: If my camper is injured or becomes sick, when will I be notified? 
A: Parents and guardians are notified of their child's illness or injury at the discretion of the medical team with the following guidelines:  any influenza-like illness symptoms that develop will require immediate notification of parents/guardians.  Any illness requiring transport to a more advanced medical facility will require immediate notification of parents/guardians.  Minor issues that arise at camp that require minimal follow-up will not be phoned into parents.  Issues that might be more moderate requiring procedures i.e. suturing or repeated evaluation by the camp physician will be documented on an extended note and notification made to parents in a timely manner. 

Q: What is your policy on age exceptions?
A: To make the Big Lake experience the best we can we have grouped our camp sessions by age because of the differing physical and emotional levels of each age group. Exceptions for campers who are very near the required age are granted on occasion. Any exception requests must be made by email or letter to the Portland office and will be reviewed by the director. (Jillany@biglake.org).

Q: Camper Mail
A: Please address camper mail as follows:  Camper Name c/o Big Lake Youth Camp 13100 Highway 20 Sisters, OR 97759.
We suggest using USPS or UPS.

Q: Can I add more store money to my child’s store account?
A: Deposits made to the store account for each camper are given to the store on Sunday evening at the beginning of the camp week. If you wish to make additional deposits please call the Portland office, (503) 850-3583 and make arrangements. The Portland office will let the camp store know how much has been added to the camper account.

Q: How do we get a DVD of my child’s week at camp?
A: You may pre-order a "week in review" DVD online when you register. The pre-order cost is $10. If you order the DVD after camp the price is $12 and the DVD will be sent to you after the money is received at the Portland office.

Q: How do I email my camper?
A: One-way camper email is available for purchase on the UltraCamp website. $5 for five emails. The emails will be delivered daily, Monday-Friday, to your camper.

Q: Why do sending emails cost money?
A: Big Lake has chosen to follow industry standard by charging $5 for 5 emails.  With an average of over 200 campers a week - the daily volume of emails we receive can be any where from 300-500 – thus it is a costly and time consuming process to compensate for the man hours, ink, and paper used to offer this service.  Thanks for your understanding!

Q: Do you have scholarships available?  
A: There are limited "campership" funds available. Please call the Big Lake office for more information. (503) 850-3583.

Q: What’s camp food like?  
A: Your camper will enjoy three healthy meals each day during camp. Meals served are vegetarian, but do include eggs, cheese and milk. Common meals may include macaroni and cheese, pizza, spaghetti, bean and cheese burritos and the like. Nutritional balance is always considered and special requests for allergies can be accommodated. Please note these needs on your health history form.

Q: My child has special dietary needs.  Who do I contact to discuss this with?
A: We understand many kids have food allergies or may require a special diet. We’re more than happy do our best to accommodate these needs.  Please contact Jillany at the Portland office at jillany@biglake.org and she will put you in touch with the camp cook.  

Q: Do my Friend Accounts stay the same every year?
A: If you use the same acocunt each year for your camper regisrations you will not have to re-enter your "friend accounts." If you do not remember your account number/username & password give our Portland office a call (503) 850-3583 and someone will assist you.

Q: Can friends on my Friend Accounts email my camper?
A: Yes, your friends can email your camper, however, they cannot purchase emails. The emails they send will be deducted from the emails that have been purchased by the primary contact.  

Q: My child lost something at camp.  What do I do?
A: Lost and found items are returned to our business office at 19800 Oatfield Road, Gladstone, OR 97027-2546. (503) 850-3583. Please check to make sure you have picked up ALL of your camper's belongings when you pick him/her up, either at camp or at one of the bus stops. All unclaimed items are only kept for two weeks following each week of camp. BIG LAKE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST ITEMS.

Q: Mail (after camper is home)
A: Mail that arrives after a camper has left camp is forwarded to the home address on file.

Q: Do you have a doctor or nurse onsite at camp?
A: Big Lake has an RN on site and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all medical needs. A physician is also present each week of camp. Our nurse cares for the distribution of medications at each meal. It is very important that the medical release form is filled out and handed in during registration at camp or at the bus. This ensures that our trained medical staff are able to administer any needed medicine or care to your camper. Some examples of common medicines that parents grant permission to use are Tylenol, decongestants and vitamin C.

Q: Multiple family registrations
A: Signing up multiple family members from the same household on one account works great. However, multiple campers from different households on your account increases the challenge to keep all the mail and/or email going to the correct address. If you sign up three children from three families you will be the person receiving all the mail.

Q: Can my child stay for multiple weeks of camp?
A: As long as it is age appropriate for your child, we do accept requests for campers to stay multiple weeks. Big Lake's program is not designed for multiple weeks however, because our program repeats each week.  Teen campers are able to select off-site RAD camps and a REG camp which works well.  Free laundry service is provided for campers staying more than one week.

Q: What SHOULDN’t my child pack?
A: 1. Boom boxes, walkmans, cell phones, Ipods, MP3 players, etc. We like our campers to focus on building relationships with new friends rather than isolating themselves with headphones in the corner.
2. Jewelry: due to safety and security issues we request that jewelry be left at home.
3. Fireworks, matches, lighters: flames of all kinds are banned during the summer months.
4. Drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.
5. Knives, Utility tools, or weapons of any kind.

Q: What SHOULD my child pack?
A: Sleeping bag, pillow, everyday clothes, underwear, long pants/jeans, sweater/jacket, pajamas, closed toe shoes & socks, flip flops for the shower, modest swimsuit (no 2 pieces), beach towel, towel & washcloth, soap, shampoo/conditioner, comb/brush, toothbrush & toothpaste, sunscreen, water bottle, insect repellent, laundry bag, Bible, flashlight, store money (suggest $25-$80), camera (if disposable, please write name on camera) & film.

Q: Tell me about the photo gallery.  
A: Yes, we have a photo gallery. While the primary function of the staff is to create a great Big Lake experience for your camper we do try and post photos several times during each session. Our location in the wilderness requires us to use satellite internet connections and we experience frequent uploading and service interuptions.  We appreciate your understanding that camp communication is a higher priority than our photo gallery.  Please don't expect any pictures until at least Monday evening, and maybe as late as Tuesday afternoon. We will try to include a wide variety of photos to show you what camp is like. 

At some point (and it may even be the week following your camper's time at Big Lake) we will upload photos to the website in high resolution, for you to purchase and download.  If our uploading difficulties continue for very long we will post a message on the photo gallery page. To view photos you must know your username and password. If you do not remember your username and password please DO NOT set up a new account. You are only able to view Big Lake photos for the session your child is registered for. If you experience difficulties please call our Portland office and someone there will help you.

Q: What’s your refund policy?
A: Refunds, less a $75 processing fee, will be given until midnight 14 days prior to camp. Within 14 days prior to camp a 50% refund will be issued on camp and rental fees.

Q: Tell me about registration/pick-up AT Big Lake:
A: Registration time for campers being dropped off AT Big Lake is from 2 - 4:30 pm. Please allow the staff to prepare for each new group of arriving campers by not arriving early. Check out time for campers not riding the bus is 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Campers may be picked up at the baseball field located to the left of the parking lot as you enter camp after 10:00 am. Because your child's safety is our priority, our policy is for campers to leave by the same means they arrived, unless other arrangements are previously made. Whoever picks up your camper will be asked to sign them out. You may put approved alternate ride home names on the registration form online or send short note, with your signature, to camp.

Q: What does the Big Lake Mall sell?
A: Kids always enjoy picking out items from the store. With the help of the friendly staff at the "Big Lake Mall."  Your campers have the opportunity to buy items that help them remember their fun-filled week at camp. They will find a wide variety of items from water bottles, t-shirts and key chains to books and stuffed animals. Many items have the Big Lake logo printed on them! There are also snack items available for purchase.

Q: If my child doesn’t spend all of their money at the Big Lake Mall, do they get a refund?
A: Any money left in the camper's store account (less the loose change which is given to the "campership fund") will be returned to the camper on Sunday morning before they leave camp. Big Lake is not responsible if the camper looses his/her refund after it has been returned to them. If a camper must leave early and the staff has advance notice the refund will be available when the camper leaves. Otherwise the Portland office will be notified to make the refund during the week following your camper's session at camp.

Q: Can I visit camp?  
A: We appreciate your interest in Big Lake. We invite you to visit on opening and closing days of camp. Should you desire or need to take a camper from camp early, arrangements must be made with the camp office. Advance notice will enable us to have your camper ready for your arrival. Feel free to join us on Saturdays for a spectacular presentation of the Bible Lands Tour. You can view our Saturday schedule here. 

Q: What’s the weather like?
A: Summer days are warm and nights are delightfully cool. Trees provide shade for our camp, nestled right on the shore of Big Lake.