Parents Handbook

Dear Parent,

Texas Youth Camp is excited to welcome your son or daughter to this year’s Christian Summer Youth Camp experience.

Your son or daughter is coming to camp to learn biblical virtues in a fun, fast-paced setting while making life-long friendships. They’ll accomplish this by participating in bible lessons, devotionals, skits, team building and sports activities. Texas Youth Camp will give your child the opportunity to grow in a safe, Christian environment where everyone can find success.

This parent handbook is designed to help your and your family prepare for camp. Please read it carefully, discuss it with your children, and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Dave Hooper

Executive Director

Texas Youth Camp

CAMPER RESPONSIBILITIES AND SUPERVISION

Upon arrival, campers will be assigned to cabins under the supervision of adult counselors. They are
expected to help maintain cleanliness in their living spaces and shared areas, fostering a sense of
responsibility and community.

Your camper is always supervised by a team of volunteers prescreened and approved by the camp session director. Venue camp staff is only supervising the special events in which your child may participate. (i.e. lake activities, ropes exercise, swimming, etc.)

The following is a sample schedule. Please be aware this schedule may be modified to meet the needs of each individual camp session.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

7:00 am

Wake up

7:45 am

Breakfast

8:15 am

Cabin clean up and quiet times

9:30-10:45 am

Bible lesson and discussion groups

11:00 am

Sports by assigned sports teams

12:45 pm

Lunch

1:30-2:45 pm

Girls swim/Boys scheduled activities

2:30 - 3:15 pm

Canteen Open

3:00-4:15 pm

Boys swim/Girls scheduled activities

4:30 pm

Free Time with cabin

5:30 pm

Dinner

7:00 pm

Evening Session

9:15 pm

Late Night Activities and Fellowship (Elem to cabins)

10:30 pm

To Cabins (for Middle School and High School)

FACILITIES

Forest Glen is a modern retreat facility located in the Sam Houston National Forest, 30 minutes east of Huntsville, Texas. Feel free to visit the website for more details. North Shore (HS Camp) Lakeside (Elem and MS Camps)

MEALS

Three balanced meals a day and snacks are prepared and served cafeteria-style. Forest Glen offers a wide variety of options on their menu. No nuts are served, a salad bar and/or fresh fruit are offered at each meal. Special Diet accommodations can be made by filling out the Forest Glen special diets form when you register your camper. This must be done prior to the closing of registration on May 4th. Be sure you let the Camp Health Officer know about any allergies your child may have; however, it is up to your child to monitor his/her food choices.

DRESS CODE

Our camp seeks to honor God, which includes his biblical call to dress ourselves with
modesty. We understand that the word “modest” can mean different things to different
spiritually-minded people, so campers and counselors attending camp will likely have
different opinions on what clothing is or is not considered modest. Therefore, we articulate
this dress code for two reasons.

First, we want to avoid miscommunications and clearly express expectations for clothing before you come to camp. Secondly, our goal is to create an environment that allows all participants to enjoy a comfortable camp experience. Prayerfully this dress code allows you to feel confident and express yourself through your apparel while still respecting the boundaries set in place by the participating churches.” Above all, let us all remember God’s call to “consider others better than yourselves” and “look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

To ensure a comfortable and respectful environment, campers and counselors must follow
these guidelines:

Swimwear

 Boys: Swim shorts that are at least fingertip length. (per Forest Glen policies)
 Girls: A one-piece swimsuit or a two piece with a non-white, non-see-through shirt over it. (per

Forest Glen policies).

 T-shirts or other “coverups” must be worn over swimwear when traveling to and from the pool

area.

General Attire

 Shoes (including sandals, crocks, etc.) must be worn at all times outside the cabin and outside

the pool area.

 Some activities may require closed-toe shoes that protect the feet and provide support for the

activity.

 No clothing should express language and sentiments that would not be allowed to be expressed

under camp rules.

 If any camper wears skin-tight, form-fitting pants or shorts (such as biker shorts, soccer pants or

tights, spandex shorts, leggings, etc.), the camper must also wear long shirts that hang below
the person’s buttocks.

See the image for clothing details. All shaded areas must be covered by clothing that is not see-through and

does not expose the torso, chest or cleavage. Shorts and skirts must reach at least mid-thigh.

CAMP STORE

We offer a camp store for all MS and HS campers (NOT Elementary):

 High School Campers: Access to The Broken Paddle store, which sells:

o Forest Glen-branded apparel and souvenirs
o Snacks and treats, including ice cream, coffee, and sweets
o Prices range from $1 to $25

 Middle School Campers: A store inside the dining facility offers merchandise, coffee, ice cream and other treats.

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

The health and safety of our campers and staff is a top priority. We follow CDC guidelines, Texas
Department of State Health Services policies, and collaborate with Forest Glen to ensure a safe camp
environment.

All medications, including over-the-counter drugs, must be kept in the infirmary and administered by
trained staff. Standard medications like Benadryl, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Neosporin will be provided as

needed unless you opted out on your camper’s application. We are not responsible for medication
dispensers or equipment failures.

WHAT TO BRING

To ensure your camper is prepared, please pack:

Clothing: Multiple sets per day (especially socks) as activities will get campers dirty. A laundry

bag is recommended to separate clean and dirty clothes.

Swimwear: As outlined in the dress code.
Footwear: Comfortable shoes for daily activities; some activities require closed-toe shoes.
Bedding: Sleeping bag or bed linens and a pillow.
Toiletries: Personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste).
Towels: One shower towel and one pool towel.
Other Essentials: Bible, pencils/pens, flashlight, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, insect

repellent, money for the camp store (send with your camper and NOT centralized on the bus),
and any necessary medications (to be submitted to the camp nurse upon arrival).

BEHAVIOR & EXPECTATIONS

CAMPERS ARE EXPECTED TO:

✔ Show respect to counselors and fellow campers.
✔ Follow the "Golden Rule"—treat others with kindness.
✔ Stay with a buddy at all times.
✔ Wear shoes and use designated paths.
✔ Keep food out of cabins and respect wildlife.
✔ Expect to get dirty—bring multiple sets of clothes per day!

Disruptive behavior that affects others will not be tolerated. The Camp Director reserves the right to
dismiss any camper without a refund if their conduct is deemed harmful to the camp community.
Camp utilizes the 3-strike system. Please see below for more information.

LOST & FOUND

Lost items will be available at pick-up. Any unclaimed items will be donated after camp ends.

COMMUNICATION & MAIL

MAIL (Elementary Camp Only)

o Letters should be cheerful and positive.
o No food is allowed in care packages.
o Mail early or drop off pre-labeled packages at check-in.

Mailing Address:

Camper’s Name

Forest Glen Camp

34 Forest Glen

Huntsville, TX 77340

Session Name (TYC Elementary-Lakeside)

Phone number: 936-295-7641

TIME CAPSULE (Middle and High School Campers)

o Parents may send a pre-packed "time capsule" with their camper, containing small gifts

(books, games, notes, etc.).

o No Food is allowed

o Packages sent during the session will NOT be distributed.

PHONES

o Campers are not allowed to use or keep phones

o Any phones brought will be stored until check-out, but TYC is not responsible for lost or damaged phones

HOMESICKNESS

Homesickness is a natural but usually temporary feeling for some campers. Staff are trained to support campers. Phone calls home often worsen the feeling but if concerns persist, the Camp Director will contact the parents.

EMERGENCIES

For urgent matters, parents may leave a message for the Camp Director with the venue office, who will return your call as soon as possible.

CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT

Check-In: Sunday, June 1st at 3:00 PM

NO EARLY DROP-OFFS

Drive-through check-in for Middle & High School campers; Elementary parents may walk their campers to cabins
Bring ALL Medications and Vitamins in original labeled containers in a Ziplock bag with camper's name on it
No head lice or health screenings- please check your camper before arrival

Check-Out: Friday, June 6th at 10:00 AM

NO LATE PICK-UPS ALLOWED

If an emergency arises, please let us know immediately and make alternate pick-up arrangements.

Gulf Plains Church Association Policies

The Texas Youth Camp is hosted by the Gulf Plains Church Association (GPCA) To learn more about GPCA, visit About Us. For a complete list of policies governing both GPCA and the Texas Youth Camp, see GPCA Policies .

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE

Revised: March 27, 2025

1. The camp director is responsible for the discipline of campers and counselors.
While counselors are responsible for maintaining order with campers during the daily routine, if a
camper is not responding to the instructions of the counselors or is presenting behavior or safety
concerns, the camp director and any person designated by the camp director shall have the
authority to issue discipline “strikes.”

a) The first strike is a warning to the camper that his or her behavior must change.
b) The second strike requires a call to the camper’s parent or guardian regarding the camper’s
behavior and a warning of the consequences of a third strike.
c) A third strike requires that the parent or guardian be informed that the camper has continued the
misbehavior and the parent or guardian must immediately come to take the camper from camp.
There will be no refund for campers who leave camp early for disciplinary reasons.

2. Behavior or actions that are significantly egregious may result in expulsion from camp without
following the three-strike system. Examples of behavior that could result in immediate expulsion
include but are not limited to possession of drugs, malicious physical attacks on others, etc.

3. The following is a list of behavior expectations of campers. Strikes or expulsion may be delivered
when behavior expectations are not met.
a) Follow the rules of camp.
b) Stay with a buddy at all times.
c) Listen to and obey instructions from camp staff which includes the staff of Texas Youth Camp as
well as Forest Glen staff.
d) Treat others in a kind and respectful manner.
e) Respect the property of others.
f) Respect and cooperate with the overall purpose of camp in creating a safe and fun environment in
which campers build friendships, create pleasant memories, learn about God, and grow as healthy
individuals.
g) Build relationships in an encouraging and pure manner at camp.
h) Refrain from the use or possession of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, vapes and any other illegal
substance.

4. Corporal punishment is strictly prohibited at camp.