FAQs
CAMP PHOENIX FAQs
What will I do at Camp Phoenix?
Most of all, you will HAVE FUN! Camp Phoenix offers all of the activities that a traditional summer camp might, including: horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, hiking, archery, field games, arts & crafts, creek hikes / nature walks, challenge course, and more! As an Episcopal summer camp, we also have spiritual time in the morning (activities range from playing games to learning about Jesus) and time for prayer each day. In the evenings, we play all-camp games and have campfires, where we sing songs and do skits.
What is a typical day like at Camp Phoenix?
Most days, campers wake up around 7:00 am; breakfast begins at 8:00am. Between 9:30 and noon, each group participates in two activity periods (for example, Arts & Crafts and Canoeing). Lunch is from noon until 12:45; Rest Period is from 12:45 until 1:30. The entire camp swims after rest period every day, and then in the afternoon, each group participates in two more activities (for example, Horses and Creek Hike). Dinner is at 6pm, and then every evening after dinner we have some kind of evening all-camp game, often followed by a campfire. Snack is given out during campfire, and by 10pm most groups are back in their cabins. Lights out is at 10:30pm.
What is camp food like?
Breakfast each day includes a cereal bar, fresh fruit, and a hot breakfast option (for example, pancakes or waffles). Lunch is often a variation on the theme of sandwich, fruit, chips and dessert; while dinners range from Italian Night (pasta, red and white sauce, garlic bread and salad) to fried chicken with mashed potatoes. Beverages include juice, milk and water (no soda). Snack each night changes, ranging from trail mix to popsicles. We welcome and make every effort to accommodate campers with allergies, dietary needs or other restrictions.
What are the cabins like?
Girls stay in three double cabins: Lakeside, Woodside and Coveside. Each cabin features two wings and a common room, and can accommodate two groups and their counselors. Each wing is outfitted with eight bunk beds and a private bathroom with showers and restrooms. All three cabins have wraparound porches, water views and fans.
The four oldest boys groups stay in Fisherman’s Village, a slightly more rustic campsite on the opposite edge of the lake. Each group is assigned a cabin with bunk beds and large screen windows; the bathhouse is a short walk from these cabins. Every morning, the boys make the trip over to the dining hall in a chauffeured pontoon boat across the lake. The two youngest boys groups stay in the Roadside Cabin, a double-cabin (similar to the girls’ cabins) with is near the dining hall.
How are the cabin groups made?
Each year, the camp directors take into consideration the number of campers (usually ranging from 72 to 90), their ages, and the number of counselors and assistant counselors, in addition to available housing. In general, we attempt to form groups based on age, and we limit group size to an absolute maximum of eight (though groups generally contain six or seven campers).
Can I request to be in the same group as a friend or a sibling?
You may request to be in the same group as a friend or sibling; however, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the same group, as cabin assignments may change at the last minute. In general, it is difficult (as well as discouraged) to place siblings or friends of widely-varying ages in the same group.
If I am a boy, do I only hang out with boys at Camp Phoenix? If I’m a girl, do I only hang out with girls?
No! Boys and girls groups are matched into ‘family groups’ based on age – oldest boys are matched with oldest girls, etc. Each activity will be done together as a family group. While you will not share cabins or tables at meals, you will spend a lot of time with your family group. Finally, each all-camp activity (for example, swimming, night games and campfire) will be done, of course, all together.
Is Camp Phoenix a church camp?
Yes and no. Camp Phoenix is the official summer camp of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, which means that we are a traditional summer camp with Episcopal values that seeks to bring campers into contact with God and into closer community with each other. We do not seek to convert campers, and we do not lecture or test campers on faith matters. We do seek to create situations in which campers might feel close to God: for example, during cabin prayer each night, or during campfire, or perhaps during spiritual time each morning. In 2010, our spiritual time will be spent exploring Creation, God’s role as our Creator, and our responsibility as caretakers of God’s creation.
Do I have to be Episcopalian to come to Camp Phoenix?
No. While the majority of our campers come from an Episcopal background, we have many campers who are not Episcopalian. We welcome all campers, no matter what your faith experience may be; however, we ask that you be willing to participate fully in the life of Camp Phoenix, which includes attending worship and spiritual time.
When can I be a counselor-in-training?
As soon as possible! Which means that you can be a counselor-in-training as soon as you have taken one year off from camp, and are at least 16 years old. We know that you love camp and want to come back every single summer, but sometimes it’s difficult to make the transition between being a camper and being a counselor. If you have never been a camper at Camp Phoenix before, then you are welcome to apply to be a CIT / assistant counselor as soon you turn 16.
Are there a lot of bugs and wild animals at camp?
Not exactly. In the evenings around sunset, the bug population comes out for dinner; we encourage our campers to wear bug spray in late afternoon and evening. During the rest of the day, however, there aren’t too many bugs. We occasionally see deer and / or deer tracks, in addition to raccoons and / or raccoon tracks; other than that, wildlife tends to keep its distance. On nature hikes and night hikes, you can usually hear all kinds of animals; owls are especially active at night.
