| Q. |
How many years has Camp Crucis been operating? |
| A. |
In 1947, the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
purchased an old camp facility of 132 acres from the YMCA. This YMCA
camp became Camp Crucis. The first camping session was conducted in
the summer of 1947. In 1982, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth came
into existence as an offspring of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas.
Camp Crucis then became a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort
Worth. We are wholly owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of
Fort Worth. |
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| Q. |
We do not belong to an Episcopal Church. Can we attend
Camp Crucis? |
| A. |
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!! As a ministry of
the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, Camp Crucis offers an outstanding
summer program for children, youth, and young adults from all walks
of life. Camp Crucis is an opportunity to extend the mission of
the
church in a natural setting, where we build and experience a Christian
community of love and fellowship. Each conference becomes a loving,
growing Christian community. Within the framework of this Christian
family, each camper is encouraged to discover the reality of a loving
God and the special feeling that comes with the sharing of a Christian
camping experience. Rules for acceptance and participation to the
programs of Camp Crucis are the same for everyone without regard
to sex, disability, political belief, race, or religion. Camp Crucis
is licensed by the State of Texas. |
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| Q. |
How is the staff selected for the summer camping program? |
| A. |
The Senior Staff are of at least college
age. There is an application process that includes interviews
with a selection committee
and the Executive Director. References and a confidential background
check are a routine part of the process. The high-school-age volunteers
on our staff
also go through an application process. Although a background check
is not part of this process (because they are minors), recommendations
from their clergy, teachers, and adult family friends are required.
Because we set demanding standards for training, commitment, and
maturity, not
all high-school applicants are chosen to serve as volunteer counselors
(called VCC). This level of expectation continues during their service
at camp. The Leadership Team of three senior members of the Senior
Staff provides direct daily supervision and leadership for the Senior
Staff and VCC. |
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| Q. |
What kind of training is given to the Summer Camp Staff? |
| A. |
The Senior Staff members begin with a spiritual
retreat following their selection. There they begin to build
a team
and also to examine what it means to be called to serve in the ministry
at Camp Crucis. Prior to the beginning of the Summer Camp, there
are
two-and-a-half weeks of staff training. During this time the staff
will undergo an intense team-building regimen.
They will receive CPR/First Aid Training and certification through
the American Red Cross. Our lifeguards (between 6 and 8 lifeguards)
are trained and certified through the American Red Cross as well.
Standard training topics for camp Senior Staff include understanding
the ages and
stages of the campers; ways to lead campers effectively; and emergency
procedures. Also included in the training
is a program on the prevention of
sexual misconduct; training to recognize the symptoms and signs
of abuse
and neglect in children, and mandated reporting procedures. The
high-school-age VCC (Volunteer Cabin Counselors) receive minor
first aid training. Selection and training for the VCC begin during
a training weekend in the spring; those who are selected receive
another day of training just prior to the beginning of the session(s)
at which they are scheduled
to serve. VCC training includes understanding the ages and stages
of the campers; ways to lead campers effectively; emergency procedures;
boundaries for behaviors; and symptoms/signs
of abuse and neglect in children and the mandated reporting procedures. |
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| Q. |
What is the counselor-to-camper ratio? |
| A. |
Each cabin consists of no more than 12
campers and two counselors. In addition our programming
staff (lifeguards,
arts and crafts leader, music leader, sports leader), leadership
team of 3 supervisors, clergy, and the horsemanship staff are all
in residence during the session. Additionally there
is the clergy, the permanent support staff and the Executive Director. |
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| Q. |
How are the campers housed? Are these air-conditioned
accommodations? |
| A. |
The campers are housed in cabins in two
circles; a boys cabin circle and a girls cabin circle. Each circle
has a centrally located bathroom and shower building. The cabins
and the bath/shower houses are air conditioned and heated. There
are two
counselors in every cabin, either volunteers or a combination of
a Senior Staff member and a volunteer. These counselors are of the
same gender
as the campers assigned to the cabin. The counselors are teamed
to ensure that the campers have a positive experience and to ensure
good support
for
each of
the counselors as well. |
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| Q. |
What about medical care for the campers and staff? |
| A. |
We have a licensed RN on staff during each
session to care for the campers and to provide medical care and
supervision
for the staff and volunteers. Aside from the dispensing of medications
and hugs, the nurse treats the minor sprains, scrapes, and bruises,
which are normal for camp activities, as well as the occasional
sick camper or staff member. If further medical treatment is necessary,
the nurse will take the patient to the camp physician.
In case of emergency, we are served by the nearby Lake Granbury
Medical
Center. |
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| Q. |
Do you have emergency plans? |
| A. |
Yes. We are required by Texas Department
of Health as a licensed youth camp to have emergency plans established.
We conduct a basic drill for the campers on the first day. Campers
are given basic information, but due to their varied ages, we focus
on training the staff and volunteers in the emergency procedures. |
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| Q. |
What are the activities for the campers? |
| A. |
A typical day in the life of a camper begins
with Morning Prayer followed by breakfast. Morning activities include
Arts and Crafts followed by Sports. Canteen time is a
welcome refresher, then it’s off to Swimming followed by
Music. Now it’s time for Noonday Prayers and lunch, followed
by a rest period. After an afternoon stop at the Canteen, campers
join the clergy staff for a Theme Session.
After
Theme Session, it’s swim time and Eucharist before dinner.
The Community activity for the evening is known as Cabin Olympics.
There's lots of fun,
lots of time for friends, and lots of opportunity for learning and
growing in relationship with Christ. |
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| Q. |
Are there field trips or offsite activities? |
| A. |
There are no field trips or offsite activities. |
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| Q. |
What are the water activities? |
| A. |
Water activities are limited to the Olympic-size
pool with water slide for swim times. The pool area is enclosed
within a 7-ft.
fence. We have lifeguards on duty during every swim time; the number
of lifeguards varies with the number of children in the pool. We
have
as many
as
8 members of Senior Staff who are certified lifeguards. |
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| Q. |
My child has never been around a horse and doesn’t
have riding boots. Can we still sign up for the Horsemanship Program? |
| A. |
Yes, you can sign up for the Horsemanship
program. Our riding program accommodates the new rider as well as
the experienced
rider. Riders are grouped into classes by their level of experience,
so a beginning rider would be in a class with other new riders.
We
are very safety conscious. Our goal is a positive experience for
both rider and horse. For safety reasons, we require riders to
wear riding boots for the classes, and we do have extra boots on
hand, mostly in small sizes. Donations of gently-used boots are welcome! |
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| Q. |
Is there a list of clothing and things to bring to Summer
Camp? |
| A. |
A list of what to bring to camp is included
on the Information Sheet. The Community Guidelines will
give you direction on what is appropriate to wear at Summer Camp.
The Information Sheet and the Community Guidelines are available
on the Registration Forms page of the Web site. |
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| Q. |
Is there a Parent Meeting prior to the beginning of
Summer Camp? |
| A. |
We do not conduct a parent meeting prior
to the beginning of Summer Camp. However, in the Diocese of Fort
Worth,
there are Camp Crucis Partners in our churches who can answer most
of your questions. Contact your church office for the name of the
Camp Crucis Partner. If you have further questions, write to summercamp@campcrucis.org. |
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| Q. |
Can a parent visit or call during a Summer Camp Session? |
| A. |
We are fully consious of our great responsibility
in the care of your child. In the case of any emergency, either
physical
or otherwise, you will be notified promptly. Consequently, we do
not allow personal phone calls, either incoming or outgoing, or
personal
visitation during the camp session due to the interruption to the
schedule and the effect on camper morale. If a serious concern arises,
you may contact the Camp Director to discuss the situation. The Camp
Crucis office number is 817-573-3343. You may also send e-mail
to summercamp@campcrucis.org We
invite all parents to come to the Friday Evening Closing Festivities
for our Jr. High, Elementary and Middle High sessions (sessions
3 through 8). We begin with Holy Eucharist (Mass) at 5:30 p.m., followed
by dinner and a Closing
Program and Presentation.
After that, campers and parents return to their cabins to gather
up their things. Departure time is 8 p.m. Our
Sr.
High
session
and Advanced
Horse
Camp
conclude
on Saturday Morning with our Closing Mass at 9 a.m. Parents and
family members are invited to attend this closing service. Departure
is immediately
following. |
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| Q. |
My child is coming with a friend. Can they room together? |
| A. |
Your camper can make one cabin mate request
on the registration form. If your camper and the friend are in the
same grade or within a year, we do our utmost to honor those requests
and are usually successful. Sometimes
because of significant age differences (example would be a second
grader and a fifth grader), it is not possible. Large age differences
in
the same cabin can be
a challenge just from the standpoint of different maturity levels.
We will often group 2nd and 3rd graders, 3rd and 4th graders and
so on. Although Cabins are grouped according to grades, Activity
groups
will contain a wider age/grade range. Our goal is for all campers
to have a successful summer camp experience where Christ is glorified
and Christian fellowship is emphasized. |
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| Q. |
We are considering the Multicultural Session. Does my child
have to speak Spanish to come to this session? |
| A. |
The Multicultural session is such fun! It is
an opportunity for Spanish-speaking and non-Spanish-speaking campers
to come together for a fun learning and growing experience assisted
by bilingual clergy and staff members. In 2007 we are emphasizing the life of our two Companion Dioceses: The Anglican Diocese of Northern Mexico and the Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi. Come learn about our brothers and sisters in Christ! |
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| Q. |
How do I register for Summer Camp at Camp Crucis? |
| A. |
You can register online if you like, or
you can obtain printed registration forms from our site, through
your church office, or from the camp office by calling 817-573-3343
or by sending an e-mail request to us at summercamp@campcrucis.org |
