Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What does a camper do at a Sumatanga summer camp? A. Each week of camp is unique, but all have similar features. All camps provide a wide variety of activities such as swimming, athletics, Bible Study, worship, hikes, boating, nature study, and more. A paid summer staff works together with weekly volunteers to create an environment of faith and fellowship. Every program will take advantage of the natural surroundings, develop a community, and worship God in a Christian camping setting.
Q. Is financial assistance available? A. Yes! We do offer a limited number of full and partial camperships. As well, there are many other resources available. Check with your local church and district office for available camper funds. Also, the North Alabama Conference Office of Youth Ministry has an endowment for junior and senior high campers. But each of these options has their own deadlines and eligibility requirements. It is best to inquire as early as possible if you know of a camper who will need financial assistance to attend camp.
Q. May I phone in a registration? A. No, but there are two options for registration. First, you may register on-line at www.sumatanga.org with a credit card payment or e-check payment. Second, you may mail in a paper application with a check or money-order. Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis and once a camp is closed, it is closed. On-line registrations are processed instantly, while paper applications will be placed in the order they are received and will processed as we are able to do so, depending on the volume of paper applications and other camp responsibilities.
Q. How will I know my camper is registered for their requested session? A. When you apply for a camp session, it is very important that you include an e-mail address that works and that you check often. We will e-mail you at this address, once your camper has been registered for a session. You will not receive a phone call or a paper confirmation. Please print legibly the e-mail address to ensure that it is not entered incorrectly and so that the confirmation e-mail does not bounce back when we send it.
Q. How are campers grouped? A. Campers are grouped by grade entering in the upcoming fall school year. Our day camp serves rising 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. Our elementary camp serves rising 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Our junior high camps serve rising 7th and 8th graders. Our senior high camps serve rising 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders as well as recent high school graduates.
Q. May a camper request a roommate? A. In most cases, a camper can request a single roommate for their week. This decision is left up to the elementary or junior/senior high camp coordinator. Roommates or bunk-mates must be in the same age-level group and of the same gender. Roommate or bunk-mate requests are not guaranteed. Assignments are generally made the week before the campers arrive. Requests must be made on camper applications.
Q. How long is summer camp? A. Our camp provides several options in session length. Mom & Me is a one-night, overnight camp. Day Camp is a Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 week-long experience. Elementary, Junior High and Senior High Camps are Sunday-Friday, overnight camps. Family Camp is over a long weekend. Also, we have a Senior High Weekend Camp that can be combined with a week-long camp for a total week and a half stay.
Q. Should a camper bring money to camp? A. Crafts and snacks are included in the price for our Day Camp, Mom & Me Camp and Elementary Camp participants. Junior High and Senior High campers will need to bring money for crafts and snacks. Communion offerings are taken up at Elementary, Junior High and Senior High camps on Thursday night. This is completely voluntary. Every camper will go home with a free camp t-shirt. Our gift shop is open at the end of each week during check-out.
Q. Can a camper come late or leave early? A. We encourage campers to be present for their entire camp session. We understand that situations arise and allowances can be made to accommodate a camper who must arrive late or leave early. We must have notification on our Check-Out Form for any planned early check-outs so your camper will be ready when you arrive. If someone other than the parent or legal guardian is picking up a camper, we must have the consent of the parent or legal guardian. As always, a picture ID must be presented to check-out a camper. No partial refunds will be made for late check-ins or early check-outs.
Q. How are the fees for summer camp used? A. The fees charged for Summer Camp are used to cover the operating expenses of the camp. The fee covers expenses like: food, food service staff, life guards, trained resource staff, First Aid and CPR training for paid summer staff, Camper Accident insurance, program supplies, lodging, utilities, and routine maintenance. The Sumatanga summer camping program is, by and large, self-sustaining with some subsidy from the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Q. Why can’t campers receive or make phone calls? A. With several types of camps often operating at the same time, we can have a few hundred campers on-site. With activities planned from the time campers arrive to the time they leave, it would be highly disruptive to all campers to stop the group for a few to make or take phone calls. As well, if we allowed campers to call home or parents to check-in throughout the week, we’d be undermining their potential to grow over the course of the camp session. Parents are encouraged to write letters which the campers receive at afternoon snack time. Once a camper is registered, information will be sent on a system that allows parents to e-mail their camper. Campers are encouraged to write home and materials are provided to do so.
Q. What about homesickness? A. A very important goal of our camping program is a sense of community throughout the camp session. This leads to new friendships, self-expression, and self-confidence in our campers. Sometimes this doesn’t always happen on the first day or two. A big concern for parents is obviously homesickness. According to a groundbreaking study by psychologist and camping proponent Chris Thurber, 83% of the campers studied (ages 8-16) reported homesickness for at least one day of camp. The important thing for parents, campers, and staff to remember is that homesickness is a natural feeling and can be overcome in almost all instances. When a camper overcomes their homesickness and stays for the remainder of the camp session, they feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence that will positively influence their ability to overcome other obstacles in life. For more on how to plan for this possibility, visit www.campparents.org.
Q. What does it mean to be an ACA-accredited camp? A. Not all summer camps are accredited by the American Camp Association. Sumatanga is an ACA-accredited camp. That means the ACA has reviewed our camp by over 300 standards that relate to health, cleanliness, food service, programming, and staffing. For more on what it means to be ACA-accredited, visit www.campparents.org.
Q. As a parent, where can I find more resources to help me prepare for my child’s time at summer camp? A. The American Camp Association has a great on-line resource for parents choosing a summer camp and preparing their kids for this experience. Visit www.campparents.org or if this FAQ page has not answered all of your questions specific to Sumatanga summer camps, e-mail bart@sumatanga.org.