Campers are the reason L.Y.F.E. Camp exists!
Counselors are working year-round for you, developing programming and recruit a solid team of effective staff members to help campers get the most out of their camp experience. We encourage campers to attend with a friend, and also be willing to step out of their comfort zone and meet new people because what makes camp successful is an open-door attitude toward all people. In a busy world with more options for teens than ever, we hope you'll join us for a week this summer to explore who you are and have some fun along the way.
Download the Dean's Letter here!
You'll find major portions of the Dean's Letter below. Otherwise, you can download the file right here as an MS Word document. Please look over this important information before leaving for camp.
| deans_letter_2008.doc |
Important things to know before arriving at camp...
Registration is from 3:30pm-5:00pm on Sunday, June 13 / 20. Please be on time! Early or late arrivals are an extra burden on our staff. We recommend carpooling or traveling as a church. We also encourage parents, if they are able, to make the drive out to Decision Hills to pick-up/drop-off their camper. After camp, parents may feel a little “out-of-the-loop” when campers get home with their new experiences and stories. Traveling to the camp can give parents some frame of reference. Also, we as counselors enjoy the chance to meet parents and say ‘hi!’ Please note: campers must be picked up at 11:30am on Saturday, June 19 or June 26. If you have not paid in-full by the time you arrive at camp, please bring your remaining balance with you (checks payable to “Decision Hills”). Remember: pay in-full by March 15 and save $10! Scholarship money is available from the UMC Conference and your church. Enclosed with this letter is a Health Form. The law says that we MUST have a Health Form on the first day of camp, so please bring it with you to registration all ready to go! If you have prescription medications, please bring them in their original containers with proper dosage markings; our Health Aid cannot administer medications without a prescription from a licensed physician. When your youth arrives, they’ll receive a Decision Hills T-shirt. Snacks are provided every afternoon and evening, and there is a camp store where youth can buy snacks, DHC apparel, songbooks ($15), and more. You may consider packing some pocket money for your youth for these sorts of items.
Our camp address is:
(Camper Name Here) Decision Hills Camp 12729
51 Street NE Spicer, MN
56288
We encourage family and friends to send lots of letters, postcards, and packages to youth while they’re at camp. If your youth receives a package or three letters in one day, they will also receive a special surprise!
LYFE Camp has special programs, traditions, and events you should know about before you arrive:
Secret Friends: Everyone is assigned the name of another camper/counselor. You will be a special friend to that person throughout the week by writing notes, sharing little surprises, and offering words of kindness or encouragement. Your identity remains a mystery until the final campfire, when “secret friends” are revealed. Be prepared to be a good secret friend by bringing notepaper, special sayings or poems, and/or small gifts (i.e. candy, trinkets, small toys, etc.) Don’t spend over $10.
Dress-Up Dinner: We have a dress-up night dinner on Wednesday. Usually, “dress up” means a nice shirt and tie and dresses though some people bring out the wacky outfit they have in the back of their closet!
Variety Show: Show off your talents at this annual tradition. In the past, we’ve had vocal & instrumental performances, dancing, cabin comedy sketches, martial arts exhibitions, dramatic monologues, “Stupid Human Tricks,” and more! Be sure to pack whatever you might need (costumes, wigs, hats, etc.)! You may find yourself in a cabin or small group comedy sketch that will be so much more with a few costumes!
What you SHOULD bring...
□ Sleeping bag (an extra sheet is nice on warm evenings)
□ Pillow
□ Clothing for both warm and cool days
□ Rain gear
□ Swimsuit and towel
□ A “dress up” outfit
□ A Bible (and maybe a journal to write about camp)
□ Labeled CDs of your favorite church-appropriate dance music
□ Towel(s), washcloth, shampoo, wash cloth, deodorant, and other toiletries and health needs
□ A good pair of walking shoes (maybe even bring an extra pair, for good measure) – you need more than flip-flops! □ Mosquito repellent
□ Sunscreen
□ Flashlight
□ Fan
□ Camera, film, batteries
□ Wacky Hat (Wednesday Lunch)
□ Items for your Secret Friend (see below)
□ Stationary to write home, stamps, envelopes
□ Items for the Friday Night Variety Show (optional)
□ Fishing equipment (optional)
□ If you wear glasses or contacts, bringing an extra pair might be nice
□ Prescription medications must be in original containers with proper dosage markings; our Health Aid cannot administer medications without a prescription from a licensed physician.
□ Your completed Health Form
□ Any remaining camp fees, and pocket money
□ An open mind!
And what you should NOT bring...
Any personal electronic devices including cell phones, pagers, radios or boomboxes, electronic games, and CD or MP3 players including Discmans and yes, iPods. These items don’t have a place at camp! Our time together is for personal and spiritual growth with new and old friends, not distraction and isolation. Tobacco, alcohol, or drug, as well as firearms, fireworks, and other weapons. Our camp maintains a zero tolerance substance and weapons policy. Expensive anything (i.e. clothes, jewelry, watches, shoes). If you spent a lot of money on it and don’t want it damaged, dirty, or lost, then don’t bring it!
Leave any negative attitude at the door - we're all about the positive possibilities at camp!