Packing Tips!

Welcoming Advance Campers, 2013We don't know about you, but for us the countdown is on for Intro & Advance Camp, as well as Service Team! If you've been to HoneyRock, do you remember that first drive down Highway X and into camp? This Monday, campers (many for the first time!) will drive past the Rock, under the HoneyRock sign, and straight to the playing field where their counselors can hardly wait to meet them.

For those of you who have a first-time camper, we've put together a quick list of tips you!

• Pack in layers - Sweatshirt in the morning, t-shirt by noon, and back to a light jacket in the evening is the routine many days this time of year. Make sure to bring those layers!
• Dryer Sheets - Don't want to open up a suitcase and be greeted by some of those campy smells? A couple dryer sheets tucked away in the bottom of the suitcase can go a long way.
• Headlamp - So you may look a little silly wearing a light on your forehead, but for those walks from the campfire pit to the cabin or in a dark tent, they're pretty handy!
• Sheets! - Our mattresses are great, but having bedsheet on it makes it even better.
• Pack small - Packing at the end of camp is so much easier if you don't have too much to pack in the first place.
• Mark it up - Put your name on everything. See that sock? Mark it up. Beach towel? Yes. The toothbrush? Yep. Cool headlamp? Definitely. We like seeing the gear our campers bring, but we want to see it go home, too!
• Send Mail - Whether it's snail mail or our email option, campers love getting mail. If you're going the snail mail route, start writing. It takes a couple days to get to the northwoods. Need our address? 
  Camper Name, Program / 8660 HoneyRock Road / Three Lakes, WI 54562 
• Pre-Stamped Mail - Letters from camp are awesome. Prep your kids by handing them a couple envelopes pre-addressed & pre-stamped. We've even heard of some parents pre-writing letters. For example:
  
  Dear ____________, 
  Today, we went _______________. Then, we did ______________. For lunch, we ate ______________. My favorite part about camp is ________________ and I can't wait to tell you more about _________________________________! 

Want to see the full packing list? Click here.

While these tips may help, we believe the most important part of preparing for camp are the dicussions you and your camper have before (and after!) camp. Packing can allow great time for talking through fears or worries as well as what they're excited about. 

We're praying for you and your campers as the countdown continues!

Welcome Back!

It's been a busy start to the summer here at HoneyRock! Last night, our Assistant Counselors arrived - all excited to be back up at camp for the next eight weeks. Our Assistant Counselor program is the final step of the camper progression - the ACs are ready to cap their HoneyRock camper experience with an incredible summer of service. We'll keep you posted with their stories!

While our oldest campers just arrived, in one week we will welcome our youngest: Intro Campers. We thought you parents might want some information that may help the packing experience and transition to camp. If you're wondering what to pack, check out our packing list. Since it gets chilly at night, make sure to bring all your layers, and don't forget the bugspray!

While packing with your camper is one way to prepare them for camp, check out our other tips to help ease the transition away from home.

Have you figured out how your child is getting to camp? If questions arise, all of our transportation information can be found here. Instead of having your child ride back down to Wisconsin or Illinois on a bus after camp, come and visit us on Family Day! We love meeting our campers' loved ones and they love showing you around their new digs - just be sure to register!

Remember: It takes a few days for mail to get to HoneyRock. If you want to send a letter to your camper in Intro Camp, start writing! We love getting those letters a little early so they're ready for your little one. Those handwritten words are so comforting during their time here! We also provide the opportunity for parents to email their campers throughout their session - here's a step by step process of how to send your messages.

Also, to our Intro Camp parents: watch your inbox for a special video from the media team up here at camp! We've made an extra-special video this summer to introduce you to a few of the programs. Intro Campers, make sure to watch the Res Camp section - those are your counselors...they can't wait to meet you and share their favorite things at camp!

Packing Up!

Yesterday we talked a lot about preparing your child for the transition to camp - setting goals and expectations, what to talk about, watching a video or two of camp, etc...Today we wanted to set aside some time to review the ins and outs of packing for HoneyRock.

It can be tricky trying to pack for Northwoods weather, but our packing lists cover everything your camper will need. Here are a few points we would like to highlight:

Don't Forget: 

• Sunscreen / Bug Repellant
• One piece swim suit (girls) / Trunks (boys)
• Bandana(s)
• Bible & Journal
• Clothes to be layered

Don’t Pack:

• Gum or junk food
• Electronics (games, MP3's, iAnythings...)
• Magazines
• Fireworks / Firearms
• Knives
• Drugs, Alchol, Cigarettes

Make sure to label everything with your camper’s full name!

For more information, take a look at the links below:
Pre Summer Camp Preparations
Getting to and from Camp

Information Packets
(includes a full packing list)
 Intro Camp
12-Day Residential Camp
Advance Camp
2:22
Service Team