HELPING YOUR FAMILY GET READY FOR CAMP (2 OF 4)
Hello again! This is the second of four emails designed to share the key info needed to "Blaze the Trail" for a safe, smooth, and successful camp experience. This week's focus is on Check-In Day. Whether you’re a first-time camper family or returning, please read each section carefully as multiple aspects of our check-in process have changed for Summer 2022.
CHECK-IN DAY
PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
We strive to make your check-in process as smooth as possible. This section covers items to take care of prior to arrival. To start, here are 3 quick tips for saving time in line:

  • 1) PAY BALANCE: Pay any balance due using My Account.

  • 2) STORE ACCOUNT: Load your camper's store account by logging in to your account finding the registration listing for your camper → and clicking "Store Card".


  • CHECK-IN FORM & PRE-SCREENING: All campers must have a completed Check-In Form prior to arrival. We ask that campers and family members who feel sick on check-in day or 24-hours prior not to come, whether the symptoms are consistent with Covid-19 or with any other communicable illness. We will continue our practice of employing written screening for illness and temperature checks during check-in. Instructions for this pre-screening are included on our 2022 Check-In Form. Two weeks before your camper’s session, we’ll send the email associated with your camper’s registration an email that will include a link to download the form. Please be sure to print, fill out, and sign this Check-In Form before you arrive. A completed form is required for check-in. If another adult is bringing your camper to Glisson, complete the form beforehand and send it with your camper. 
CHECK-IN PROCESS
On check-in day, arrival times will be staggered to make the process as efficient as possible. Our check-in process will look different from previous years, with the first step being located inside camp’s gates.

*Please do not arrive earlier than your scheduled check-in time.*

*If you have campers in multiple age groups, please arrive at the end of your first time slot.*

  • STEP 1: As you approach Glisson on Camp Glisson Road, depending on the time and flow of check-in traffic, our staff may direct you to turn into the parking lot of Lumpkin County High School to queue in line so that we don’t block our neighbors’ driveways. Our staff will direct you back on to Camp Glisson Road and into camp as soon as possible.

  • STEP 2: The majority of the check-in process will be completed from your car once you arrive in camp. Our staff will direct your vehicle through the gates and down the road outside the Bob Cagle Program Center where our check-in teams will greet you, receive your completed Check-In Form, take your camper’s temperature, receive any medications, and share cabin assignment information.

  • STEP 3: Next, our staff will direct you to park in the closest zone to your camper’s cabin or check-in location. After parking, Village and Sparrowwood campers will complete check-in with their counselors at their assigned cabin. Outpost families will complete check-in with their counselors at the Holland Building.
CHECK-IN ARRIVAL TIMES
Your camper's check-in arrival time is specific to the program and session they are registered for. Please click or tap the included Check-In Arrival Times chart to view a larger version and find your camper’s arrival time, which is also accessible on our Arrival & Departure page. For reference, here’s a link to the 2022 Schedule. As a reminder, please do not arrive earlier than your scheduled check-in time.
CAMPER HEALTH
The health and well-being of your camper is incredibly important to us. Knowing about your camper's health needs in advance is key to our preparing for the summer. Please know the following procedures to make check-in as smooth as possible:

  • COVID-19:  If you haven’t already, please review our Summer 2022 Covid-19 Mitigation Plan. We strongly suggest that campers be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 prior to coming to camp. Further, campers whose medical conditions put them at-risk for severe complications with Covid-19 infection should seek the advice of their medical professional before attending camp this summer. We ask that campers and family members who feel sick on check-in day or 24-hours prior not come, whether the symptoms are consistent with Covid-19 or with any other communicable illness. We will continue our practice of employing written screening for illness and temperature checks during check-in. If your camper is symptomatic, or if they have been exposed to somebody who is confirmed Covid-19 positive, you will be required to bring proof of a negative test administered within 72 hours of arrival. Camp fees in these cases will be refundable per our refund policies for illness.

  • TEMPERATURES: We check the temperature of each camper as you enter camp. This will be done in your car and takes only a minute. Campers with elevated temperatures will be re-checked to verify. Just as in past summers, any camper registering a high temperature will not be permitted to enter camp on check-in day.

  • MEDICATIONS: All medications must be given to a member of our Healthcare Team during check-in inside its original container. This includes all topical ointments, vitamins, etc (over-the-counter medications are supplied by the camp in the Health Center). Exceptions such as emergency inhalers, epipens, etc must be approved by our Healthcare Team. Medications must be checked in with a completed Medication Administration Form. To save time, upon arrival, be sure to keep your camper's Medication Administration Form and any medications handy in the car rather than packed away in luggage. These will be collected by our Healthcare Team prior to parking.

  • ALLERGIES: Our program, kitchen, and medical staff are experienced at handling all types of allergies. Prior to the start of camp, our Healthcare Team reviews all camper health forms. Upon review, if an allergy is indicated that our team deems in need of further clarification, our Healthcare Team will call the camper's guardian/parent prior to arrival for more information.

  • CHANGES TO HEALTH INFO: We understand that some health information for your camper may have changed between the time of registration and now. To make sure our Healthcare Team has the most up-to-date info for your camper, please take a moment to verify that the health information on-file is accurate and up-to-date with any changes that may have occurred: log in to your account → find the registration listing for your camper → click "Medical History" to review and update.
CAMPER LETTERS
Mail is an important part of the camp experience. Letters can help campers feel connected to those they love while encouraging them to try new things, make new friends, and be the best version of themselves while away at camp. Mail also takes significant time and staff to sort, review, and deliver. Below are some helpful tips for a positive mail experience for you and your camper (and for efficient delivery and frustration-avoidance).

  • LETTER DROP-OFF: To make letter delivery as smooth as possible for all involved, we highly recommend dropping off letters to your camper on check-in day. As you exit, you'll pass a drive-thru collection station for you to deposit your camper's clearly labelled letters without leaving your vehicle. While "snail mail" can be fun, it can also be unpredictable and may miss campers during the week. If you choose traditional mail, please only send letters.

  • ADDRESSING: Address all letters with 1) your camper's first/last name; 2) desired delivery day; 3) cabin assignment or trip. Please note that you will learn your camper's cabin assignment during check-in and that letter delivery occurs Mon-Thu. Letters are not delivered on Fridays. Due to the nature of the program, Outpost campers are out-and-about more often and will receive letters when they are on-site but not while they are away on trips.

  • NO PACKAGE DELIVERY: Please note that there will be no from-home package delivery again this summer. While we know many campers have looked forward to receiving a mid-week care package from home in previous summers, we appreciate your understanding as the shift to preset add-on care packages from our camp store in 2021 drastically reduced the staffing hours spent sorting and delivering packages each day in previous summers. See the following bullet for how to add a care package to your camper's session.

  • CARE PACKAGE ADD-ON: If desired, you can add preset care packages from our camp store that will be delivered to living groups at the same time as camper mail. Care package orders must be made in your account no later than 1 day prior to arrival in order to be guaranteed. This year we are offering 3 package types: 1) Snack Care Package = $3; 2) Activity Book Care Package = $7; 3) Keepsake Care Package = $10. Visit our Camper Communication page for instructions.

  • NO OUTSIDE FOOD: Please do not pack any snacks in your camper’s luggage. Glisson is a nut-free facility and the safety of all campers is our top priority. If campers pack items that have been processed in a plant with nuts, it puts other campers at-risk. Please follow this rule to prevent items from being taken from your camper.  
WHAT TO BRING & NOT BRING
  • LEAVE CAMPER PHONES AT HOME: Campers are not permitted to have cell phones/mobile devices at Glisson. One of the unique strengths of camp is the opportunity for campers to collect experiences and memories that belong only to them. It's a key element of healthy developmental growth for our children, but one that's difficult for us as parents. Please honor our efforts to offer opportunities for your camper to grow and honor the restraint shown by your fellow parents who send their campers without cell phones – leave those cell phones at home.

  • PACKING LIST: Take time today to review your camper's Packing List (updated 5/4/22) and check for any items you'll need to find before camp. Remember that camp, by nature, isn't friendly to clothes. Any clothes that can't get dirty should be left at home. Glisson cannot be responsible for lost or broken personal items. Be sure to bring two pairs of shoes including one closed-toe pair appropriate for creek hiking (not Crocs). Other key items to bring include water bottle, flashlight, and rain gear. You can pack for camp in a duffel bag, a trunk, or a large suitcase. Village campers should also bring a day pack or book bag for taking a few items to camp out. "What NOT to Bring" items are listed at the bottom of each list and are not intended to be exhaustive.
CLOSING
Thanks for reading! We hope it was helpful. In case you missed it, last week's email was "Between Now & Camp". Upcoming emails will focus on "During Camp" and "Checkout Day". If you have any Questions, contact our team at summer@glisson.org or 706-864-6181. We're praying for your camper while preparing for the upcoming summer of ministry. Summer Team members began arriving last Wednesday for staff training. We simply cannot wait for summer camp – we hope you and your camper are getting excited too!

Grace and Peace,

The North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries Team


We know how to have fun - our passion is forming faith in the process.