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Frequently Asked Questions
- * What are the dates for the summer, and how much does it cost?
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Free DVD Of Summer Included
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| Session 1 – COED |
Sunday, June 1 – Saturday, June 7 |
$1025 (1 week) |
| Session 2 – Girls |
Sunday, June 8 – Saturday, July 5 |
$2925 + $100 store acct. (4 weeks) |
| Session 3 – BOYS |
Sunday, July 6 - Saturday, Aug. 2 |
$2925 + $100 store acct. (4 weeks) |
| Session 4 – COED |
Sunday, Aug. 3 – Saturday, Aug 16: |
$1750 + $50 store acct. (2 weeks)
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*Counselors’ Aides (Girls):
(Boys): |
$1400 + $100 store deposit
same as camper |
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- * What are the cabins like?
- All buildings are made of original pine logs from the area, and sleeping cabins (13) can accommodate about 12 campers. Since sleeping cabins are right by the lake, bathrooms and showers are located near but not in each cabin.
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- * How is my camper placed in a cabin, and can my child be with friends?
- Cabin placement is done the week before camp starts by Margaret (owner). She places children based on grade and age. Cabin requests can be made, but we cannot guarantee any cabin request.
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- * What are Camp Fern’s credentials?
- * Member of C.A.M.P. - Camping Association for Mutual Progress
* Markel safety 1st Award 2005 add 2006
* Licensed by the State of Texas
* Over 70 years of experience; 3rd Generation Family Owner
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- * What is the food like?
- All meals in the Dining Hall are served family style, and Fern is routinely given high marks for its tasty, well balanced menu, especially the homemade breads. Salads and fruits are also served at lunch & supper. Every day after rest hour, the kids are given a daily treat (candy, fruit, ice cream, slushie, etc). Cokes are served only on Friday night and Sunday night.
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- * Is there a nurse on camp?
- A Registered Nurse is on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week for emergencies as well as distribution of daily medication. A Doctor is also available if additional care is needed. Camp Fern is approximately 10 miles from the Marshall Hospital.
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- * How does my child get to camp?
- We encourage parents to bring their child to camp on Opening Day and to pick them up on Closing Day. If parents or guardians choose to have their campers travel by air to camp we provide pick ups from Longview and Shreveport airports. For questions about this please call the office at
(903)935-5420. "See Map"
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- * How does Camp Fern choose counselors?
- The camper to counselor ratio at Fern is at least 4 campers to 1 counselor. The average age of a counselor is 20. Every year we certify counselors through the NRA for riflery; American Red Cross for water activities; and Adventure Experiences for ropes activities. Counselors are selected based on attitude with children, skill level in activities and submit to a reference and background check and personal or telephone interviews.
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- * What counselor training programs does Camp Fern offer?
- At 4 week camp, there are 3 years of counselor training required for a counselor younger than their first year in college:
* NOLA – 1st year of counselor training, last year as a camper.
* Nola is by invitation only: Acceptance of Fern’s invitation is a commitment signifying that the camper has decided to put participation in NOLA above other choices.
* At Girls’ Camp we have more people eligible for Nola than we have places. Therefore, ACCEPTANCE IS ON A FIRST COME/FIRST SERVE BASIS, based on the postmark date of the reply. The 18 openings for NOLA fill in SEVERAL DAYS.
* Nola is the first year of the COUNSELOR TRAINING PROGRAM. ONE MUST ATTEND THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE YEARS until college. At that time, you would again be eligible to return.
* To be eligible for Chief or Firemaker, one can miss no more than 72 hours of the entire session.
* Goals of the Program:
*To successfully be in charge of a cabin group during a limited, specific period of time (i.e. rest hours and evenings) and to make it fun while also adhering to cabin and camp rules.
* To increase the ability of Nola campers to live and work with their peers in a positive, effective manner.
*To develop their own leadership skills through:
* the planning and implementation of a Nola party one evening during camp
* assuming duties of senior counselors during the “Nola Day” period
* leading songs
* the example they set for all campers
* COUNSELOR AIDE – 2nd year of counselor training, ½ Camper & ½ Counselor
* C.A. year is by invitation only: Acceptance of Fern’s invitation is a commitment signifying that a person has decided to put participation in the C.A. Program above other summer choices.
* At Girls’ Camp we have more people eligible for C.A. than we have places. Therefore, ACCEPTANCE IS ON A FIRST COME/FIRST SERVE BASIS, based on the postmark date of your reply. The 12 openings for C.A. fill in SEVERAL DAYS so DON’T DELAY. (The deposit is what holds a place.)
* Goals of the Program:
* To successfully transition from being a camper, where others are there to meet their needs, to a beginning counselor, where they begin to assume responsibilities for meeting camper needs.
* To successfully transition from being a tribe member to an objective, fair-minded counselor.
* To successfully be in charge of a cabin group or groups during a limited specified period (i.e. rest hours or evenings) and to make it fun while also adhering to camp and cabin rules.
* To increase teaching skills in a given activity or activities. (Implicit in this is the beginning of finding an area of preference.)
* To demonstrate respect for camp life and rules. CA’s will adhere to all rules. It is understood that compliance here will directly influence whether or not they will be invited to return in the future.
* To continue to increase the ability to live and work with their peers in a successful, positive manner.
* APPRENTICE – 3rd year of counselor training, 1st Year as a Cabin Counselor
* Apprentice Counselors are invited to apply, and are accepted based on previous performance and camp needs. There are only 8 positions for the four week sessions available for this level of counselor training.
* Goals of the Program:
* To nurture our campers.
* To successfully be in charge of a cabin group or groups for a specified camp session and to make it fun while also adhering to camp and cabin rules.
* To increase teaching skills in a given activity or activities and work toward the goal of finding an area of preference.
* To take the initiative to ask for clarification or instruction in any area of camp life in which one does not feel confident, especially in teaching activities.- Back to top
- * What is an Early Bird?
- This is a special group of campers that signs up before the end of the summer for the next camping season. They receive a unique gift at the time of the sign up, and they are acknowledged during the session with a special party.
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- * What activities does Camp Fern offer?
- We feel it is important for all campers to take swimming every year because we live on a lake. Nature and canoeing are also important for first year campers.
Other activities usually include:
* Archery
* Basketball
* Boxing
* Canoeing/War Canoe
* Crafts
* Counselor Training
* Dance
* Drama
* English Horseback Riding
* Fencing
* Fishing
* Frisbee Golf
* Golf
* Guitar
* Nature & Camp craft
* Ping Pong
* Riflery
* Ropes
* Sailing
* Skiing
* Sports
* Soccer
* Swimming
* Tennis
* Trampoline
* Volleyball
* Weight Lifting
Refer to “A Typical Day” for a breakdown of the day.
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- * What do we do when we get to Camp Fern for the summer?
- Opening Day goes much more smoothly for families who have turned in all paperwork ahead of time.
* 11:30a.m. We want to provide the safest environment for your camper, so we ask that all campers have a head check before entering into the main camp gates. Checks begin at 11:30 at Fern Retreat and run throughout opening day. If you arrive after 2:00 PM please go to the infirmary for the head check. Your child will receive a green wristband after he/she has been checked. We thank you ahead of time for your cooperation and patience. Counselors, games, music, and refreshments are waiting your arrival at Fern Retreat.
* 1:00 – 1:30p.m. Families are greeted by the Camp Fern Counselors along the Ferny road. Your camper will receive his/her nametag and, if we have received all paperwork, you will get a packet that includes your camper’s cabin assignment, a map of how to get to that cabin and a brief history that tells you all about your camper’s cabin counselors. Parents who have not fully completed the health certificate will need to check in with the nurse at the Recreation Hall before moving into the cabin.
* 2:00p.m. THE GATES OPEN!!!
* Go to your cabin and get settled – if you HAVE been given your camper’s packet. At the cabin, you will be greeted again by your camper’s counselors, draw for a numbered bunk, select a cubbyhole for toiletries and a shelf for sheets and towels and you’ll probably unpack a few items. All counselors are wearing green staff shirts. They look forward to helping you in any way.
OR
* Go to the Recreation Hall and Check In First – if you HAVE NOT turned in all paperwork already. It is very important that we have all the necessary paperwork before you leave. Please remember to bring your health form, permission form, application and payment if you haven’t already mailed them in.
* 2:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
* Open House on Campgrounds - Feel free to walk around camp on your own or with a guide, take a boat ride around the lake and enjoy refreshments in the Dining Hall. Old scrapbooks are there as well for you to browse.
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* Margaret Thompson, Owner, would love to greet you personally and learn more about your expectations for your camper this summer. She’ll be standing in front of the Recreation Hall. Don’t forget to check out the new Camp Fern T-shirt and other Camp Fern goodies.
* 4:00p.m. CAMP SESSION OFFICAILLY BEGINS All campers and counselors will meet at the Council Ring (near the waterfront) for our opening Pow Wow. Parents will have left by this time. During this pow wow the counselors introduce themselves to the campers and get them pumped up about the activities we have to offer. After the skit the kids are dismissed to their cabin for scheduling and the raft swim. We have Sunday night Cookout for dinner, and then an evening activity.- Back to top
- * What do we do when I come to pick up my camper the last day?
- * 9:30a.m. GATES OPEN!
CHECK OUT in the Recreation Hall
*To receive store balances or handle overages
*To purchase Color Cabin Pictures or Camp Fern T-shirts
*To order the CF DVD YEARBOOK
*TO SIGN UP EARLY BIRD
$150 deposit required, refundable until MARCH of the following year.
*OPEN HOUSE – This is a time for you to visit with counselors, campers, friends, and families you might have met on opening day or when you were a camper/counselor. Margaret is also available to visit, and looks forward to visiting with you.
*Pick up crafts projects in Crafts House. Watch your camper ride a horse or climb the Pamper Pole.
* 10:30a.m. 1st WAR CANOE RACE for next season (4 week sessions only)
* 12:00 noon Camp Fern session officially closes.
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- * How do you handle homesickness?
- When you leave on opening day, you or your camper may feel a bit homesick. That’s OK; it’s a natural feeling. We encourage you to talk with your camper prior to their arrival about these feelings they might have and come up with suggestions to deal with them.
* As for your camper, encourage him/her positively, letting your camper know that it’s a feeling that will pass and that his/her counselor is there to help. Once you decide it’s time to leave, leave promptly. Leave your camper with a loving counselor whose job it is to involve your camper. Homesickness is something we take very seriously. Camp Fern was founded to help the owners’ daughter (Margaret’s mother) Peggy overcome homesickness. Our staff is trained in handling homesickness, and Margaret is available at any time to help your little one feel more at home.
* As for you, you’re welcome to call Camp Fern (903) 935-5420 to visit with the cabin counselor to find out details of your camper’s day. Another alternative is our daily news. Camp Fern’s website www.campfern.com has a link on the main page to Bunk One where our daily news, pictures, etc. are located. We update you about life at Fern and you can order printed pictures from the company, BunkOne.com. Parents can e-mail campers, but it will be set up through BunkOne.com. Campers do not have the same option! In our opinion the worst thing you can do for your camper is to offer to pick them up before camp is over. This sets them up for failure and think of the feeling of accomplishment they will have when they have made it through the session on their own.
* Dr. Christopher Thurber has a DVD/CD set called The Secret Ingredient of Summer Camp Success which can be purchased through ACAcamps.org which deals with homesickness.
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- * Do you offer off-season activities?
- Primarily a summer camp for children, Camp Fern is open in May, September and October to off-season groups. Each group has the exclusive use of Fern’s facilities.
Facilities include a Dining Hall which can feed 150 – 200 people, a Recreation Hall complete with ping pong tables, piano, TV/VCR, large stone fireplace and rockers on the front porch, a waterfront with canoes and Blob, a covered arena (concrete floor), volleyball court, tennis courts, soccer field, horseshoe pit and many nature trails. The weather in May, September and October is usually ideal; cabins are not air conditioned.
Fern typically accommodates father/child campouts, family reunions, specialty clinics desiring an outdoor feel, company picnics and team building experiences either with or without the use of our ropes or challenge course. Outside of challenge course experiences, rental groups provide their own staff.
Fees include the exclusive use of our facilities. Therefore, a minimum of 50 participants is required. We tailor each experience to the needs of the individual group so prices may vary slightly. Please call for fees.
For further information, contact Margaret Thompson, owner, at 903.935.5420.- Back to top
- * How do I sign up?
- To sign up, you must complete and send in an application and deposit of $150 to hold your place. Please attach the requested photo of your camper because it will help us to recognize your camper on Opening Day. We will contact you promptly when we receive your camper’s application. "Forms and Applications"
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- * Can I talk to a Camp Fern parent?
- Camp parents offer to represent us in different towns throughout the United States and Mexico. If you are interested in speaking with a Camp Fern parent please call the office for more information at (903)935-5420
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