FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

* What are the dates for the summer, and how much does it cost?
* What are the cabins like?
* How is my camper placed in a cabin, and can my child be with friends?
* What are Camp Fern's credentials?
* What is the food like?
* Is there a nurse on camp?
* How does my child get to camp?
* How does Camp Fern choose counselors?
* What is an Early Bird?
* What activities does Camp Fern offer?
* What do we do when we get to Camp Fern for the summer?
* What do we do when I come to pick up my camper the last day?
* How do you handle homesickness?
* Do you offer off-season activities?
* How do I sign up?
* Can I talk to a Camp Fern parent?
* What should I bring to camp (for campers and counselors)?
* Can I come for a tour before I sign my child up?
* How can I contact my camper while they are at camp?

What are the dates for the summer, and how much does it cost?

Free DVD Of Summer Included!

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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 campers based on grade and age. We do our best to honor cabin requests, but we cannot guarantee any cabin request. You will not find out which cabin your camper is in until we have received all of your completed forms.
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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, 2007, 2008
- Licensed by the State of Texas
- Over 75 years of experience
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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. Food allergies and dietary restrictions are taken into consideration. Simply add this information to your application, and we will do our best to accommodate.
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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. Medication is distributed by the RN four times a day: before all meals and after chocolate milk. We ask that you bring written instructions for your campers medication.
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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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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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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 (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 Lee, owner, at 903.935.5420.
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How do I sign up?
To sign up, you must complete and send in an application and deposit of $200 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 youpromptly when we receive your camper's application.

Camper Application

We DO NOT accept credit cards.
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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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What should I bring to camp? - For campers

TWO WEEK AND FOUR WEEK CAMP NECESSITIES

NECESSARY EQUIPMENT
2 sets single sheets *
2 pillow cases
1 pillow
1 blanket
2 laundry bags
6 bath towels & (opt) washcloths
1 drinking cup
flashlight                                                               
shampoo, soap, toothbrush & toothpaste
1 footlocker, maximum height 15”

*Campers subject to enuresis (bedwetting) should bring 4 sets of single sheets.

NECESSARY CLOTHING
2 bathing suits
3 sleepwear (girls)
socks and underwear
4 pair long pants for riding or hiking
2 sets-white or khaki shorts, white shirts for Sundays
    (1 set for two week camp)
1 raincoat or poncho
sweater or jacket
shoes:      1 pr. flip flops or Aqua Socks
                1 pr. tennis shoes, broken in
1 pr. hard sole shoes or boots for riding
shorts & shirts – no more than 10 changes for  2 week coed term; 14 for 4 week terms; excluding jeans and whites.

ONE WEEK CAMP NECESSITIES

NECESSARY EQUIPMENT
1 set of single sheets *
1 pillow case
1 pillow
1 blanket
1 laundry bags
3 bath towels & (opt) washcloths
1 drinking cup
flashlight                                                               
shampoo, soap, toothbrush & paste
1 footlocker, maximum height 15”-NOT OVERSIZED, please

*Campers subject to enuresis (bedwetting) should bring 3 sets of single sheets.

NECESSARY CLOTHING
2 bathing suits
3 sleepwear (girls)
socks and underwear
2 pair long pants for riding or hiking
1 raincoat or poncho
sweater or jacket
shoes:      1 pr. flip flops or Aqua Socks
                1 pr. tennis shoes, broken in
1 pr. hard sole shoes or boots for riding
shorts & shirts – no more than 10 changes

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR ALL SESSIONS: clip-on or box fan (1 per person), stamps, extension cord, mattress pad, hair dryer, tennis racket, musical instrument, hard hat for riding, costumes, sleeping bag, film camera, film, fishing equipment, radio and See Below.

Get Unplugged:  In an effort to help our campers get the most from the camp experience, we feel it important to provide an atmosphere where people at camp communicate face to face and where they do not communicate directly with others not at camp, where they respect the privacy of others (no digital picture-taking devices or videos with recording capabilities), where music they listen to does not have a Parental Advisory rating and where gaming devices are not a part of their experience.  Rather than list all the electronic DEVICES they cannot bring, we prefer to say what they can bring.  They are welcome to bring the following:
     1.  An IPod or MP3 player in which the only functions available are to listen to music or play videos provided all
videos have been erased and provided the music does not carry a Parental Advisory rating. 

(CELL PHONES are not on the list of acceptable devices!!)  We realize this may be asking a lot of some families, but we live in community with others, and many parents wish to limit the exposure their child receives to inappropriate music and music videos, as do we. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Eagles’ Nest; we’d enjoy visiting with you.

ITEMS NOT TO BRING:  Shaving cream, Silly String, Food, Beverages, Gum or Candy, Money, Fireworks, Anything Expensive.

THANK YOU, PARENTS, FOR ENSURING THAT YOUR CAMPER COMPLIES.

What should I bring to camp? - For counselors

FOR PRE-CAMP (if you are NOT staying for the one week co-ed): 1 Set of Twin Sheets (or sleeping bag), 1 Pillow Case, 1 Blanket, 1 Laundry Bag, 3 Towels, Flashlight, Toiletries, Bathing Suit, 7 sets of clothing (shirt, shorts, underwear, socks, etc.), Long Pants for Riding, Flip Flops, Tennis Shoes, Hard soled shoes, see optional equipment, EXCITEMENT, ENTHUSIASM, JOY!

NEW COUNSELORS DON'T FORGET TO BRING THE FOLLOWING:
UNITED STATES PASSPORT OR STATE DRIVER's LICENSE
AND YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD (copy or actual card)

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT: Tennis Racket, Musical Instrument, Radio, Costumes, Bug Spray, Sunscreen, Sleeping Bag, Camera, Small Fan, Stationery, Stamps, Spending Money (you are paid at the end of pre-camp and cannot draw on your check until after the first week of the session), Pencils, Pens, cell phones.

NECESSARY EQUIPMENT NECESSARY CLOTHING & SHOES

2 Sets of Twin Bed Sheets Bathing Suits
2 Pillow Cases Pajamas (or T-shirts)
1 Pillow Socks & Underwear
2 Blankets 2 Pair Long Pants for Riding or Hiking
2 Laundry Bags 2 Sets of White Shorts/Shirts for Sun.
6 Bath Towels 1 Raincoat or Poncho
Wash Cloths (optional) 1 Sweater or Jacket
1 Footlocker, max height 15" 10-12 Shorts & shirts
Flashlight (excluding jeans & whites)
Shampoo, Soap 1 Pair Flip Flops
Toothbrush & Paste 1 Pair Tennis Shoes
Deodorant 1 Pair Hard Sole Shoes or Boots for Personal Hygiene items Riding (NOT tennis shoes)
1 Pair Hiking Boots (optional)
Camouflage or dark clothing for Mission Impossible

Television Sets are NOT allowed, regardless of size.

COUNSELORS RECEIVE MAIL AT:
Camp Fern 1046 Camp Rd.
Marshall, TX 75672-1411

COUNSELORS RECEIVE EMAIL AT: Their own email address Which they can access on Computer in Counselors' Cabin
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*Can I come for a tour before I sign my child up?
Often times we are asked if prospective campers can tour camp before they decide to sign up for the summer. We are happy to show you around during our business hours, Monday Friday 8:30 5:00. Please call 903-935-5420 to schedule a tour.
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*How can I contact my camper while they are at camp?
On opening day you will receive a note from Bunk1.com. They provide you with a password protected online email and photo service. 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!

You are welcome to send packages to your camper. Just remember, cell phones, IPODS w/ video capabil., GAME BOYS W/ VIDEO/EMAIL CAPABIL. are NOT allowed. Please do not send such items through the mail; they will not be delivered to campers.

Parents can call the office at any time and speak with the directors, cabin counselors, or Margaret. Missed calls are returned as soon as possible.
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