How do you present the Gospel to your campers?

Our counselors are trained to get to know their campers as individuals, and this forms the foundation for our evangelical technique. Each week, we present biblically themed lessons during daily chapel that culminate in a Thursday night presentation of the Gospel. This is paralleled by a week-long skit at town-time that presents the same message dramatically. On Thursday night, after the climax of the skit and the Gospel message at chapel, the counselors meet with their campers and go more in depth, sharing their own experiences with Christ. Our counselors understand that each person comes to Christ according to God’s timing, and will never force a camper to make a decision or judge a camper for not choosing to accept Christ.

What items should be left at home?

Cell phones, music players, radios, gaming devices.

**Drugs (other than personal prescriptions), tobacco, vapes, fireworks, alcohol, firearms, knives, other weapons: None of these are allowed on the grounds and if brought will be taken away and NOT returned! Campers should understand that violation of these rules may result in the contact of parents/guardians with the possibility of being sent home.

Does Camp Yavapines provide camper insurance?

Yes, the accident insurance we provide acts as secondary coverage. Campers are responsible for their own insurance coverage. Personal insurance information will be collected with the camper’s registrations, and will be kept on file, to be used if the camper needs medical treatment.

Can the campers use a cell phone to call home? 

Camp Yavapines is a cell-phone free zone. Camp is an opportunity for campers to put away distractions and enjoy time with friends and Jesus. Additionally, we want to preserve the safety of our campers at all times while at Camp Yavapines and cell phone usage can complicate or hinder this. Therefore, due to our safety rules and regulations there will be no camper cell phones allowed at camp.

How can I communicate with my camper?

If you wish to keep in touch with your camper during the week, sending them mail is a great option! Campers always love to receive mail. We also have available to you an email option to communicate with your camper. You can e-mail your child through your Ultra Camp account you created to register. Here are the simple steps: Open your account and select 'additional options' along the top of the page. This will drop down a list of options. Two-thirds of the way down the list is the 'e-mail a camper' option. Here you can choose the camper in your account you would like to email. Create your message and then send. All emails are printed each morning and delivered once a day.

What happens to the Lost and Found items?

We understand that sometimes things get misplaced during the week and we do our best to put all the lost items in the three Lost and Found boxes around camp. These boxes can be found in the boys and girls villages and in front of the cafeteria.  We move all contents to the chapel on Camper Pickup Days. Please DO NOT FORGET to check the lost and found boxes as you are checking out your camper. ALL items in these boxes that have not been claimed by the first week of August will be donated to a local charity.

How do I contact my camper in case of an emergency? 

In case of extreme emergency you may contact our main office and we will get you in contact with your camper via the Parent Liaison. Please reserve this ONLY for TRUE emergencies. If there is ever anything involving your camper that you must know about, we will contact you immediately. If you do not hear from us during the week, this means your camper is safe and having a great time!

Do you have a camp gift and/or snack shop?

Yes, the Yavapines Trading Post is open everyday except Saturdays for our campers.  Our camp store has many useful items for your camper’s stay. We offer a variety of snacks and bottled drinks. There is also a selection of souvenirs, t-shirts, gifts and toys to choose from. We will provide many opportunities throughout the week for the campers to visit the store.

What kind of security does the camp have in place during kids camps?

All visitors are required to check in at the main office. All authorized visitors will be given a visitor’s tag and lanyard that is to be worn while on Camp Yavapines grounds.  Any unauthorized visitor will be asked to leave the property.

Camp Yavapines is surrounded by National Forest and by private property owners. There is a fence surrounding the property and the main entrance is clearly marked.  We also have installed a new electronic gate at our main entrance that is closed when summer camps are in session.  It has a keypad in which you will be able to reach the office if you need unscheduled entry.

Please do not bring valuables or expensive items to Camp Yavapines. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. The safest place to keep these items is at your home.

Our biggest security concern here is the animals. Squirrels, skunks, and other creatures live fat and happy lives here at camp and are not afraid to walk through open doors day or night.  They also have not figured out how zippers work and tend to just chew their way through a bag to get to the food. Please help us out by keeping doors closed, even when you are in the room. We also have Javelinas that roam freely at night time.  They have poor eyesight and can come rather close to you.  We recommend backing away from a Javelina if you encounter one on our property.

What training does your summer camp staff receive?

Our staff begin their training before they even arrive at Camp Yavapines.  We require 8-16 hours of online training designed by nationally recognized camp professionals, in addition to our own online training that is specific to our facility.  In several of our higher risk activities, our staff that instruct in that area are trained and certified by an outside agency that is nationally accredited.  All staff are required to obtain basic First Aid and CPR certification.  Our staff attend a 6 day in-depth training prior to campers arrival that covers everything from team building to how to handle personal tragedies. The following are just a few of the areas in which our staff are trained:  

• How to give evening devotional talks to your campers

• How to give a basic Bible study and lead someone to Jesus

• Cabin Team Building

• Behavior Management

• Working with the varied personality types of campers 

• Safety and Emergency Procedures

• How to deal with Homesickness

• CPR & First Aid

Our training methods prepare our counselors for just about any situation they may encounter and pave the way for our counselors to give your child the best, most exciting week of their summer!