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 for updated info.
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 2 quick tips to save time in-line:

  • 1) STORE: Load your camper’s store account. Log in to your account → Find the registration listing for your camper → Click “Store Card”. While in your account, double-check that your balance is paid in-full.


  • CHECK-IN FORM & 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 come. As in previous years, we will continue our standard practice of employing written screening for illness and temperature checks during check-in. Instructions for this screening are included on our 2023 Check-In Form. One week 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 and fill out 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 and sign 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 very similar to the process utilized in Summer 2022, 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: Once you pull into camp, the majority of the check-in process will be completed from your vehicle. First, our staff will greet you and check your camper’s temperature. Next, campers that have medications or need a conversation with our Healthcare Team will be directed to pull into our drive-thru Health Checkpoint. The final stop of this initial check-in process will be outside of the Bob Cagle Program Center where our staff will receive your completed Check-In Form, share cabin assignment info, and provide your parking pass.

  • STEP 3: From there, our staff will direct you to park in the closest zone to your camper’s cabin or check-in location based upon your parking pass. 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 2023 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:

  • ILLNESS PREVENTION: Offering safe, faith-forming experiences will always be our top priority. As shared during registration, for Summer 2023, we are confident in our ability to operate camp safely by relying on our standard and long-standing best practices for limiting the spread of communicable illnesses at camp – and to quickly recognize symptoms and contain spread when they do. Those standard practices include: camper health screening; spending the majority of our time outdoors and/or in well-ventilated areas; operating our programs with a small group camping model; sanitizing common touchpoints; and having an on-site Healthcare Team to address camper health needs, including assessing symptoms of communicable illnesses. Please note that campers with any communicable illness will not be allowed to remain at camp, and that our Cancellation Policy does not allow refunds for any reason after the start of the camp session. Please also note that we ask that campers and family members who feel sick on check-in day or 24-hours prior not come, and that we will continue our practice of employing written screening for illness and temperature checks during check-in. For more about our approach to mitigating communicable illness, check the “Key Updates For 2023” section of our FAQs page.

  • 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: Any and all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements must be turned in to the Healthcare Team in their original container(s). During check-in, campers who have medication will be greeted by a member of our Healthcare Team to turn in medications along with a completed Medication Administration Form. As indicated on this form, medications will be administered at meal times and/or one hour before bedtime. No medications, vitamins, or supplements are to be kept in luggage or with the camper with the exception of epipens and rescue inhalers, which must be cleared by our Healthcare Team and checked in with the counselor at drop-off. Please ensure medications are in the original containers. Do not bring over-the-counter medications unless they are taken routinely. For example, do not send aspirin in case your camper gets a headache; we stock basic over-the-counter medications for minor ailments in our Healthcare Center. However, if your camper takes allergy medicine every morning, please do send it. Finally, to save time during check-in, keep your camper’s Medication Administration Form and any medications handy in the car rather than packed away in luggage.

  • 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 INFORMATION: 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 information 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: Login to your account → Find the registration listing for your camper → click "Medical History" to review and update this information).
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 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 camper letters on check-in day. As you exit, you'll pass a drive-thru collection station for you to deposit your camper's clearly labeled 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 mail delivery occurs Mon-Thu. Mail is 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 we no longer offer from-home package delivery. 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 has drastically reduced the staffing hours spent sorting, checking, and delivering packages each day in previous summers. 

  • CAMP STORE 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 & Snack Care Package = $7; 3) Souvenir & Snack Care Package = $10. Visit our Camper Communication page for instructions.

  • NO OUTSIDE FOOD: Please do not pack any snacks in your camper’s luggage. We are 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 May 9th) 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 a 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 campout. "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 begin arriving as early as this 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.