Summer Camp

A letter from Camp & Outdoor Programs Director, Eric Meier, regarding 2020 Summer Camp

May 22, 2020

It is with an incredibly sad and heavy heart that I write to you to let you know that we have made the decision to postpone Summer Camp this year to summer 2021. For over 70 years, summer camp has been a special and safe place for youth to make new friends, connect with nature, learn about themselves, and have fun. It is important to Camp Fire to ensure we are able to give youth incredible summer camp experiences while keeping the health and safety of everyone our top priority.

There is no doubt you and your child are disappointed in this news and we share this feeling with you. In making this difficult decision we considered the safety of campers and staff and whether we could still provide the unique experience and all the activities your campers love. Can you imagine Ga-Ga Ball with only one person in the pit at a time? Or Capture the Flag where everyone has to stay six feet from each other? High fives, campfires, and pool time would just not be the same while social distancing. That being said, we are starting to plan now to ensure summer 2021 is the best summer ever. We want to see you all there!

As we learn more about COVID-19, we are confident that experts will be able to provide recommendations to ensure the safety of our campers while allowing for a genuine camp experience in the future. Until then, we are exploring ways to engage our campers this summer and in the fall so they know how important they are and that they are missed at Camp Fire!

If you have additional questions, ideas, or concerns, please email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued, support, loyalty, and understanding. We look forward to the day we can all be back together at Camp Waluhili!

All the best,

Eric Meier, MPA
(He/Him/His)
Camp and Outdoor Programs Director

Camp Sessions How to Register Camperships FAQs Camp Jobs

Summer Adventure (Ages 10-17)

Take classic camp activities to the next level! Summer Adventure is filled with the classic camp experience, and offers a broad range of activities from active to creative every day. This session is for all campers, or anyone who loves to try it all! Campers will get to know camp life, meet new friends and explore all Camp Waluhili has to offer as they choose each day from several different activities. Summer Adventure helps campers identify their camp SPARKS so they can focus on a specific skill set in the future.

$385

Counselor In Training Program

(Going into junior year of High School for CIT 1 and senior year for CIT 2)

The two-year, Counselor in Training (CIT) leadership program prepares older youth to apply for staff positions in the future. CITs join a long tradition of dedicated high school youth who love Camp Waluhili. They create unforgettable memories and lifelong friendships as they learn leadership and youth development skills.

As a CIT 1 you will strengthen your leadership skills and learn about camp operations, health and safety, and implementing quality programs. Each CIT receives a handbook filled with activities and information to help them become mentors to younger youth. CIT 1 campers visit other camps to learn leadership methods.

As a CIT 2 you will apply knowledge learned in CIT 1 while completing apprenticeships around camp. CIT 2 campers assist program areas and live in a cabin with younger campers to experience first-hand how camp staff makes a difference in the lives of children. This experience serves as a great résumé builder for future leadership opportunities, including application for camp staff positions.

*All CIT participants must attend two separate, consecutive weeks, returning home over the weekend break. CIT 1 attend Sessions 2 & 3. CIT 2 attend Sessions 1 & 2.

$725

Campership

Thanks to our many donors, Camp Fire offers a limited number of Camperships, camp scholarships, each year to youth who want to attend camp and need financial assistance. Due to the high request rate, full Camperships are not awarded. To apply for a Campership, click the "I am interested in receiving a Campership" button on the camp registration and answer the questions. The $35 deposit is also due at the time of registration. After Camperships are awarded (beginning in the late Spring), the remaining balance must be paid 10 business days before the camp session begins. If the Campership amount is not awarded, and your child cannot attend camp, the deposit is fully-refundable if you notify us 10 days prior to your child's session.

Pay Campers Balance

If you need to make a payment follow the link to our Pay Pal.

FAQ'S

What should my camper bring to camp?

-Our camper packing list is a great resource when packing! We have found that when you and your camper pack together it increases their responsibility for their own belongings and helps them know exactly what they have at camp. It also prevents campers from bringing inappropriate or prohibited items to camp.

What will my camper be doing all day?

-A typical day at camp begins around 7:30 AM. Campers and staff will eat breakfast together and then join their groups for the morning activities. Lunch is around 12. After lunch they will have rest hour and swim time followed by dinner and an all camp activity. Detailed schedule varies based on specialty session chosen.

Can my camper have their cell phone?

-No. To support our staff member’s efforts to build a camp community, we request parents and campers to leave cell phones and other electronic devices at home. If seen, camp staff collect them, turn them off, secure them in the camp office, and return the items to parents at check out. See the full explanation here.

How will I communicate with my camper throughout the week?

-Campers can receive mail and emails throughout the week. In case of emergency, parents and guardians are provided with appropriate phone numbers and contact information. See our parent info sheet for more details.

What are Kapers?

-Camp Waluhili emphasizes community responsibility to all campers and staff. Kapers, or chores, are done as a group to keep the cabin and community spaces clean. To learn about Kapers see our parent info sheet.

What is your staff training?

Camp staff are background checked and trained in first aid, CPR, life guarding and across Camp Fire's youth development methodology. Additionally, all staff leading activities, such as pool time, rappelling, water front, archery, and shooting sports are trained and skill checked in their program areas. Camp Fire is accredited by the American Camp Association to meet national standards for health, safety, and program quality.

What is the Trading post?

Campers will visit the Trading Post, or camp general store, everyday and are able to purchase one can of soda/snow cone and one package of candy/snack each day. The Trading Post also sells items such as t-shirts, sunglasses, water bottles and stuffed animals ranging in price from $2-$10. Our parent info sheet has more information.

Make New Friends

Campers participate in special sessions each morning and spend the afternoons and evenings with their cabin. Meals, pool time, and "all camp activities" provide your camper the opportunity to interact with other youth who are different ages, genders, and have different interests and backgrounds. There are endless opportunities to build new friendships with others while doing new things your camper loves. They are sure to create meaningful, lasting friendships while at camp!

Work at Camp

Camp Fire Green Country is looking for fun and energetic people who are excited about working to provide a life changing summer for the leaders of the future. Camp Waluhili is a residential camp located in Eastern Oklahoma on 220 acres on Ft Gibson Lake. We focus our campers’ experiences on building friendships and leadership skills, self-confidence, an appreciation for the outdoors, and an awareness of community responsibility – all in an inclusive environment. Camp staff achieve this by promoting active learning within small groups while progressively challenging campers as they grow older and gain experience.

Jobs