FAQ

Packing List

  • Pajamas (1 or 2 sets)
  • 8 Pair underwear
  • 6 pair of socks
  • 6 short sleeve shirts – (No Spaghetti Straps and Tank Tops must be 2 fingers wide)
  • 6 pair shorts
  • 1 or 2 one-piece swimsuit(s)
  • 1 Laundry bag with name clearly marked on the outside
  • 2 pair of jeans
  • 1 long sleeve shirt
  • 1 nice outfit (girls)
  • 1 brimmed hat (baseball or tennis cap)
  • Camouflage Items (for Mission Impossible!)
  • 2 pair of tennis shoes (one for daily use & one grubby pair that can get dirty and wet)
  • Sport Sandals (with back strap) or water booties for water front activities
  • Flip Flops – for showering in cabin only
  • 1 Set twin sheets. (If your child is a bed wetter, send an extra set of similar sheets)
  • Blanket
  • Pillow
  • 2 Bath Towels
  • 2 Washcloths
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Soap & Shampoo
  • 1 or 2 Beach towels
  • Sun block – Write camper’s name on bottle; look for a brand designed for children
  • Hairbrush
  • Bible (Old and New Testament) 
  • Water bottle

These items are not always needed but nice to have when the weather gets nasty:

  • 1 sweat shirt or jacket
  • Poncho or umbrella
  • Extra set(s) of clothes

Don’t forget your camper’s medication. All meds, prescription and over-the-counter, MUST be in the original container.

Optional Items:

  • Stationary and pens, pencils, stamps
  • Goggles
  • Sunglasses
  • Small Fan
  • Bug spray
  • Flashlight – Send a cheap one if possible
  • Backpack 

What to Leave Behind:

Cell phones, iPods & mp3 players, Game Boys or other electronic devices! THIS APPLIES TO ALL AGES. Please do not bring any valuable jewelry. Also, NO NEED FOR CASH AT CAMP. No tobacco or alcohol products, guns, knives, or anything expensive! Please leave snacks at home.

Notes to Parents

Pack all camper items in ONE large duffle, plastic tub, footlocker, or trunk. Please mark all clothing items with your child’s full first and last name and counsel them about being careful not to lose his/her clothing during their week at camp. Usually problems of this nature arise when the child is getting ready to leave camp. Camp Peniel does not take responsibility for recovering lost or misplaced items of clothing. Your child’s clothing items are his/her responsibility. We will place a lost and found articles table near the office. Please check it before leaving on Saturday.

New clothing or camping items are greatly discouraged. Only pack items that will not cause undue stress if torn, stained, broken or misplaced!

CANCELLATION POLICY: Effective September 2018

CANCELLATIONS ARE REQUIRED IN WRITING – NO PHONE CALLS TO CANCEL CAMPER TUITION

Deposit is Non-Refundable

Paid term fees are partially refundable according to the following cancellation policy:

85% refundable if canceled on or before 60 days prior to term start date.

50% refundable if canceled between 59-30 days prior to term start date.

25% refundable if canceled between 29-15 days prior to term start date.

No refund for cancellation 14 or less day’s prior term start date.

Day Camp Packing List

  • Closed toed-shoes
  • Flip-flops
  • Swimsuit (one-piece)
  • Beach towel
  • Bug spray
  • Sunscreen 
  • Backpack to pack everything into
  • Lunch 
  • Water bottle

Notes to Parents: 

New clothing or camping items are greatly discouraged. Only pack items that will not cause undue stress if torn, stained, broken or misplaced. Please write your child’s name on their items. Water/Gatorade will be provided by camp. Sometimes it also nice to have a extra set of clothes packed in case the weather gets nasty. 

For the Expedition Campers (older day-campers):

In addition to the above items, for their one-night sleepover your camper needs a sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, PJ’s, and Friday’s lunch

Camp Peniel

COVID-19 Protocols

 

The health and safety of our campers is our top priority. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we think it is important that you understand our efforts to manage your camper’s health and safety so that you can make an informed choice. We continue to be focused on taking all reasonable measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at Camp Peniel this summer and are encouraged by the many improvements we consistently see among young people and adults. In lieu of these continuing significant improvements, camp will not be requiring campers to wear masks while they are at camp unless they present with symptoms. A camper is welcome to wear a mask anytime if they would prefer.

 

Our strengthened cleaning procedures remain in place.  These procedures include: Adding increased frequency measures for things such as wiping down common touch points, dining hall areas, and activity equipment. Additionally, we have taken measures to monitor and address symptomatic campers by introducing a pre-camp health screener, daily temperature checks, and protocols to isolate, confirm, respond, and remove any camper or staff with suspected COVID-19. You can view the complete list of measures we’re taking by scrolling down this page.

 

Camp Peniel will adapt & adjust our protocols & procedures as we follow the guidance provided by the CDC and local health department, in our efforts to help keep our campers, staff, and families safe.  Information in these protocols may be added to, retracted from, or revised if/when new information is shared.

 

Ultimately, the choice for your child to attend summer camp at Camp Peniel is a personal one. If you are uncomfortable with the risks of COVID-19 in a summer camp setting or having your child interact with our staff and other campers, please contact us at camp as we may have other options available to you.  If you have questions re: the health of your camper and/or the protocols listed below please feel free to contact our Health Services Manager.

 

In response, we’ve identified several commitments for the health and safety of your child we’ll make this summer at Camp Peniel.

 

1. Prayer

Camp Peniel employs numerous layers of systems and protocols to ensure that our facilities, staff, and campers stay safe, clean, and healthy. However, the most important thing we do as a ministry is spend countless hours praying in advance for every camper and staff who crosses our cattle guard. Our prayer is that they experience an unforgettable summer of friendships, fun, and growing in their relationship with the Lord in a healthy and safe environment.

 

  1. It’s a Team Effort!

Camp Peniel is blessed to partner with an incredible medical team. This team works tirelessly to monitor and support camper health in our 24/7 Health Center. Additionally, our Camp Physician, Health Services Manager, and Medical Advisory Team informs and reviews our health protocols to help ensure we’re providing the best possible care for our campers and staff. 

 

3. Consistent Hand Sanitation

At Camp Peniel, we make high-percentage alcohol-based hand sanitizer available in every camper cabin and throughout camp. Additionally, our staff are trained to encourage every camper to use hand sanitizer each time they enter and exit a building. This simple system keeps campers and staff hands sanitized throughout the day.  ALL campers and staff will wash their hands prior to meals as well as use hand sanitizer.

 

4. Keeping Separate

Camp’s health center has isolation facilities for use in the unfortunate event that one or more campers contract an illness that might spread. Our health center team employs specific quarantine protocols at each of our overnight camps to ensure that illnesses are caught and contained quickly.

5. Let’s Keep it Clean

Every cabin at Camp Peniel is rigorously cleaned daily by campers and staff according to our disinfectant protocol. This process is something we intentionally train our staff on, and one we oversee with daily checklists and accountability. Bathrooms are sanitized, floors are mopped, and surfaces disinfected. Additionally, each term change means we take the opportunity to perform a deep and intensive cabin sanitizing protocol.

 

6. Staff & Camper Training

While camp will not require campers to wear masks, every camper and staff member at Peniel is trained to keep their hands clean. For campers, we specifically cover good hygiene – including proper handwashing – during camper orientation on the first day of their term. Additionally, our staff is trained on Peniel’s policies and standards for ensuring campers are taking advantage of the handwashing stations and hand sanitizer.

 

8. Health Center

Our 24/7 health center is staffed by tremendous Registered Nurses & Health Center helpers.  These medical teams are consistently monitoring the health of our campers and act quickly to identify, contain, and treat any issues or illnesses that may appear.  

 

9. Partnering with Parents

We know that you want the best for your child, and we want them to have the best experience possible at Peniel. We encourage parents to help us by having their camper(s) do their best to quarantine for 7 days prior to their arrival at camp. Additionally, parents will be asked to answer a screening questionnaire and inform us of any exposure that might be relevant. That’s why any parent whose child has had a fever or illness within 72 hours of their term, is asked to contact our Health Services Manager to evaluate the best options for everyone’s health and safety. If your camper is unable to attend camp due to COVID, please contact us regarding our cancelation options.

10. Lowering Health Risk

ALL participants – campers and staff – will monitor their health prior to their arrival at Camp Peniel. We’ll be partnering with families and staff to identify anyone who has had relevant exposure, symptoms, or elevated temperature. We will not be allowing anyone into camp who is identified as posing a health risk to our campers and staff.

 

11. Limiting Exposure

We will be severely limiting access of non-program participants onto our properties such as our families, visitors, and vendors.

 

12. Daily Checks

Staff will keep campers safe by adhering to many protocols including enhanced sanitation.  Our summer staff will consistently monitor campers and frequently ask the question “How are you feeling?”  Of course, this is Camp Peniel, so we will make it fun and friendly, but focused on health and safety!

 

13. No “Shared” Items

Procedures are in place to encourage campers from handling shared items. Our staff will distribute mealtime items so that campers are encouraged not handle each other’s plates, utensils, etc.  Each camper and staff member will use their own water bottle each day.

 

14. Spread It Out

Throughout our program, including mealtimes, activities, and events, we are encouraging our campers and staff to ‘Spread it Out’ and follow good social distancing guidelines.

 

15. Be Outside

Fresh air, sunshine, humidity, and heat are all things that we have plenty of here in the Hill Country. We believe that kids in the outdoors can stay healthier and happier.

 

16. Testing

While strongly encouraging our staff to receive one of the COVID vaccines, camp has secured COVID-19 testing supplies. We will be testing any staff, regardless of their vaccination status, that show suspected symptoms of COVID-19.  We will be communicating with parents prior to testing any campers who present with suspected COVID-19 symptoms.

 

17. Rapid Response

In the event that an illness – including COVID-19 – presents at Camp Peniel, our protocol is structured to Isolate, Confirm, Respond, and Remove the impacted camper. Isolate campers who present possible symptoms and/or test negative per protocols and test a 2nd time prior to returning to their cabin. If a camper tests positive for COVID-19 he/she will be sent home for quarantine. Of course, we will be communicating closely with the camper’s family from the beginning and handle any case with Peniel love and care.

18. Security

Camp Peniel has a closed, coded front gate which limits any outside visitors throughout the summer. 

19.  Modified Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures

Check-in & drop-off times will be staggered by last names.  A counselor(s) will meet the parent(s)/camper in the cabin parking lot. Closing ceremonies will occur for campers/staff only, prior to parents arriving. We will be sending these detailed procedures 2 weeks prior to your camper(s) week of camp.   

 

20. Activity Enhancements

Each activity will be subject to additional sanitation and hygiene protocols.

 

21. Resting Well and Healthy

Rested campers are healthy campers, so we’re revising our programs to spread out activities and allow campers and staff to rest and recharge. While they are resting, campers and staff bunks are being configured for Head to Toe arrangements to provide additional distancing.

 

22. Partnering with our Summer Staff

We are strongly encouraging our summer staff to receive one of the COVID vaccines.  Our summer staff will also be provided additional guidelines and expectations to help them reduce their COVID-19 exposure.

 

 

 

The primary guidance of the CDC continues to revolve around following best practices:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Stay home when you are sick.
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Clean & disinfect frequently touched objects & surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. 

Planned Giving

Innovative Charitable Options

When you take stock of your financial assets you may be surprised at how much you’ve accumulated.   Once you add your home equity, retirement, bank and investment accounts together, it may be a number that pleasantly surprises you.  Deciding to make a gift to Camp Peniel at your passing will allow you to leave an Eternal legacy and even reduce your taxes!  Gifts may be made directly to Camp Peniel or though our Charles Schwab account, details at the end of this section.

Our desire is for you to discover the joy of giving to those who need your help now but also far into the future!

Retirement Accounts, Life Insurance & Annuities

Do you know who you’ve named as your primary beneficiary on your IRA or 401k?

How about your contingent (secondary) beneficiary? It may be good to double check!

 

Retirement accounts are tax-deferred; you don’t pay the taxes until you withdraw the money.

Annuities work in a similar fashion.

Life Insurance is income tax free.

All of these may also be subject to estate taxes if your estate is large enough at your death.

None of these assets flow through your Will or Living Trust, they go directly to your beneficiary.

Please prayerfully consider naming Camp Peniel, as your primary or contingent (secondary) beneficiary on your retirement accounts, life insurance (even the group life insurance you get at work) and any annuities you may have. By naming Camp Peniel, as your beneficiary, you control and spend it through your lifetime. You can even name several beneficiaries by stating a percentage amount. Because these accounts each have separate beneficiary forms, you will need to use the form provided by that institution, many of which allow you to make these adjustments on-line, or through your HR Department.

When you pass away, camp will receive the amount you’ve specified completely TAX FREE!

Here’s how:

Primary Beneficiary: CAMP PENIEL, INC. (__%) 

Or

Contingent Beneficiary: CAMP PENIEL, INC. (__%)

 

Life-Time Gifts from IRAs

If you are 70.5 or older and not employed, you MUST take IRA distributions.  And you can give up to $100,000 per year to camp. It is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD.  Contact your broker and he/she will set it up for you.

 

 

Wills and Living Trusts

Whether you use an attorney or a computer-generated service like Legal Zoom to prepare your Will or Living Trust, by choosing to place Camp Peniel into these, your gift of any amount or percentage helps support our mission to bring campers to a face to face relationship with God through Christ-centered adventures for generations to come!

Charitable gifts must be made from your estate or living trust with specific language. Here is the suggested bequest language:

“I give and bequeath to CAMP PENIEL, INC. ($ ____ or ___ %).”

 

Gifts of Stock

You can also give Camp Peniel stock directly. Your financial advisor can help you this, and you can avoid paying unnecessary taxes too.  Our brokerage account information is at the end of this section.

 

Bank and Investment Accounts

You can also transfer your bank, credit union and regular (Non-IRA) accounts to us.  You can do this by putting a POD (Payable on Death) or TOD (Transfer on Death) designation on those accounts to CAMP PENIEL, INC. Ask your financial institution for the assistance with this.  They will be happy to help, and we’ll be happy for the help!

Gift of Real Estate

With a gift of real estate to Camp Peniel, you can further our mission and lower taxes too!

You can even donate your house to us now, live there the rest of your life and receive a large income tax deduction.

Before you begin the process of donating real estate, please contact us to make sure we will be able to accept your generous gift.

Gift Annuities and Charitable Trusts

A Charitable Gift Annuity is a way to donate to Camp Peniel at your death, receive a lifetime of income and get an income tax deduction.

There is also an option of a special trust called a Charitable Remainder Trust which works much like a Gift Annuity but is more suitable for larger gifts.

There are other creative options available.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

CAMP PENIEL, INC. Information

Our Tax ID Number is: 74-1949630

Our account at Charles Schwab for transfer of stock is: 3636-4681, use codes DTC#0164 CODE40

Thank you so much for prayerfully considering joining us in how God is changing lives at Camp Peniel!

 

This information is not intended to be used as legal or tax advice. Contact your own appropriate advisors to discuss the benefits and effects of any particular charitable & tax strategy. 

Camp Peniel does not want to turn away any person due to lack of money. Therefore, we maintain a Campership Fund to provide limited assistance to those families unable to pay the entire camp fee. As the Campership Fund is limited and we wish to assist as many people as possible, we do ask that you consider carefully and prayerfully the amount of your campership request.

Email our office manager to recieve you Campership Application: savannah@camppeniel.org