The Great Adventure!

“But what about you? Who do you say I am?” When Jesus posed this question to Peter in Matthew 16:15-16, he responds with, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Imagine the awe and wonder that must have filled Peter’s heart in that moment.

In the vast expanse of nature, within the embrace of God’s creation, we too find ourselves enveloped in that same awe and wonder. Picture standing next to a tree towering 300 feet about you, sitting on the edge of an 18-mile-wide and 277-mile-long canyon, or witnessing the mesmerizing cascade of a firefall into a valley of glory. These encounters with nature prompt great reflection: Who is Jesus? What does His life and death mean for my own journey? What characteristics of the Lord do I witness in the grandeur of creation?

As we embark on a journey through the national parks, these moments ground us, humble us, and remind us of our smallness in connection with God and his creation. The majesty of the mountains, expansive wilderness, and breathtaking views beckon us to contemplate our place in the vast tapestry of creation. Just like Peter’s profound realization, these encounters call us to sit at the feet of Jesus, approaching Him with hearts surrendered in total adoration.

Surrounded by the wonder of the world He crafted, we find ourselves invited to embrace a deeper connection with our Creator. The Great Adventure is an invitation to explore not only the outer landscapes but also the inner landscapes of our hearts and lives.

The Essentials:  

• Bible, Journal, Pen (make sure your name is in your Bible)
• Flashlight or Headlamp (with new batteries)
• Reusable Water Bottle (labeled with your name)
• Beach Towel for Pool and Lake Activities
  • Every week we will have a special day at Mears Lake. Please bring a modest, one-piece swimsuit, beach towels/blankets, beach chairs, and an umbrella or E-Z Up for shade.
  • Please note that t-shirts or cover-ups must be worn outside the pool and lake areas.
• Linens/Towels (Standard rooms only)
  • Bed and bath linens are provided in Preferred Housing, Cedar Ridge, The Pines, Grace House, and Engle House only. Guests in standard housing should bring their own or rent these items from Forest Home at a minimal cost ($20 per set). Linens can be rented from the Roundhouse upon arrival, or contact Ginger to add them to your reservation, and they will be delivered to your room/cabin.
• General Toiletries: 
  • Toothbrush & Toothpaste 
  • Shampoo & Conditioner 
  • Soap / Body Wash 
  • Deodorant
  • Sunscreen / Bug Repellent 
  • Bath Towel & Washcloth (Standard Housing Only)
• Clothing: 
  • Socks & Underwear
  • Swimsuit (gentlemen – trunks; ladies – one-pieces)
  • T-Shirts 
  • Shorts 
  • Pajamas
  • Pants / Sweatshirt (for if it gets chilly at camp) 
  • Sandals AND closed-toed shoes (all ages)
  • Raincoat / Poncho (rain is not uncommon at camp)

Optional / Encouraged:

• Hat for Sun Protection
• Small Backpack for carrying personal items

Please Leave the Following Items at Home: 

• Weapons – including firearms, knives, airsoft guns, bb guns, etc.
• Drug / Alcohol / Tobacco Paraphernalia – including juuls, vapes, dab pens, and wax pens.
• Anything that is irreplicable, such as a treasured stuffed animal or blanket, or a $1,000 camera. These items are easily lost or damaged at
  camp and we cannot guarantee their safe return.

Check-In / Arrival

Will be at the Welcome Center near the Forest Center Parking Lot between 3:00-5:00PM. Dinner will be served 5:00-6:30PM at the Forest Center Dining Hall.

Check-Out / Departure

Check-out is 10am. Please make sure to remove all personal items from cabins before our closing gathering.

Keys can be returned in the Dining Room, Round House, or Hormel.

• Medical forms are online in your account and must be completed prior to campers arriving. Campers who do not have a completed medical form will not be able to check-in. Please complete prior to departure from your home.
• How to complete Medical Form
  • Log in HERE
  • Use your email address and password you created to log in.

Please ensure that all dietary requests are indicated on your online medical form. 

Our chefs are trained and able to accommodate the following common dietary allergies: 

• gluten free diets
• dairy intolerances
• egg allergies
• vegetarian diets
• vegan diets,
• nut allergies (all our kitchens are nut free facilities). 

If you have a dietary need or allergy that our kitchen is unable to accommodate for (like Celiac Disease), we require that you bring your own food to meet your dining needs during your stay. 

• If you are bringing your own food to camp, pack your pre-cooked meals in pre-portioned microwave-safe containers. 
• There are refrigerators for storage and microwaves for heating in all dining facilities for guests to use. (Please note there is no prep area)
• If you are bringing your own food, please send it in appropriate containers for travel and ensure that it is labeled with your name.
• We understand many allergies can be very severe, and we cannot fully guarantee that every item served is 100% free from airborne particles or other means of food allergy cross-contamination. The process of bringing your own precooked and pre-portioned food will limit the chance of any allergy cross-contamination.
• There are other areas in camp that may cause allergic reactions that are out of our control, such as in retail food locations, vending machines, or other campers that may bring snacks. 

If you have any additional questions, please contact our Director of Guest Dining, Matt Stryffeler at matt.stryffeler@foresthome.org and he will respond within 2-3 business days.

All your main activities while at Forest Home are covered by your camp registration fees. 

There will be opportunities during the week where campers can choose to purchase items. This includes:

• Roundhouse/The Hub (t-shirts, stickers, hats, etc.)

• The Clubhouse and Stagecoach Coffee Shop (snacks/drinks) 

• Craft Cabin crafts/activities
• Laser Tag

   

All of Forest Home’s retail transactions are cashless; all retail purchases must be made by credit card, debit card, apple pay, google pay, Forest Home giftcard, or eGiftcard. 

• eGiftcard
  • This link allows you to load money on to your account at any time before or during camp. 
  • You have the option of adding a telephone number to the account, making it easier for you to memorize the number required for making a purchase (for efficiency and ease of use, we strongly recommend using this method).

• • To reload money, please click here

• • To check balance on your egiftcard, please click here

• • For more instructions or troubleshooting on eGiftcards, click here 

• • At the end of camp, if you do not spend all the money on your eGiftcard, it will remain open so that you can use it the next time you are at camp. In the event you are not returning to camp within a 12-month period, you can also email refunds@foresthome.org to request a refund for the extra funds on you eGiftcard. We are only able to process refunds that are requested within 12 months of date of purchase.

• 0-35 Months – Chipmunks will be meeting in Chipmunk Corner in the mornings. Their time is guided by a team of folks who are eager to love and serve your children for the week. During their time in Chipmunk Corner, they will enjoy play, a Bible story, singing, and crafts.
• 3-4 Year-Olds – Squirrels will be meeting in Blinco Lounge in the mornings. Their group time will be filled with play, singing, crafts, and Bible lessons. Each morning will have outdoor activities such as time at the splash pad, field games, and a scavenger hunt, so be sure to bring close-toed shoes, a water bottle, and a modest swimsuit!
• 5-10 Year-Olds – Cottontails, Bobcats, and Bears will be checked in at Blinco Lounge following Family Gatherings most mornings. Their group time with consist of Bible lessons, singing, crafts, and outdoor activities, such as time at the pool, the creek, Squirrel Run, and field games. Please be sure to bring close-toed shoes, a water bottle, and a modest swimsuit!
• 11-18 Year-Olds – Basecamp will be checked in at Roundhouse Square following Family Gatherings most mornings. Their group time will consist of connection and outdoor activities, such as trips to Canyon Park and Laser Tag, as well as the thrilling Color Comp games! Please be sure to bring close-toed shoes, a water bottle, and a modest swimsuit. We also recommend bringing additional clothing that can get muddy should these campers have the opportunity to play in the Mudbowl!

• The Child Care Assistant (CCA) Program is designed to enrich your family’s week at camp. We select a group of volunteer female teenagers who love Jesus and love kids to serve families by assisting in Trail Adventures each morning and babysitting each evening for children ages 0-10. When CCAs are not with your children, they participate in dynamic camp programs of their own designed to support and encourage them in their spiritual growth.
• General Information about the CCA Program
  • Families with children ages 10 and younger are automatically assigned a Child Care Assistant. If you decide you do not need a CCA, please let us know as soon as possible.
  • Our desire is that each family has a personal CCA for the entirety of the week, however, there are times when this is not possible due to unforeseen circumstances. We will make sure to communicate with you should any changes occur. Our CCAs have submitted an application and personal references in order to participate in this program and they are eager to serve your family! Each CCA must be comfortable working with children, have a strong relationship with the Lord, and be at least 13 years old.
  • Each CCA participates in an orientation meeting to discuss the following: safety and emergency procedures, Biblical view of service, philosophy of Family Camp and the role of CCAs, child care best practices and reminders, as well as expectations for behavior and community living.
  • We have many evening activities available for your children. Please advise your CCA on what options you have approved as well as routines and bedtime schedules.
  • All CCAs and children (unless they are in the Basecamp evening program) must be back in your cabin for “Critter Curfew” at 8:30PM. Our CCA Staff stop at each cabin around that time to check on all kids and CCAs and assist CCAs with any needs, including bedtime. If you would like your child and CCA to stay out past 8:30PM, please communicate this with your CCA.
  • CCAs are at your service until you release them at the end of each night. Their curfew to return to their own cabin is 10:00PM. Please make sure to return to your cabin no later than 10:00PM to relieve your CCA.
  • When you are in for the evening, please have a female adult family member walk the CCA back to Chipmunk Corner so she may sign herself in. If an adult female is not available, please come to Chipmunk Corner first and one of our CCA Staff members will accompany you to your cabin to walk your CCA back to Chipmunk Corner.

QR codes for your week of camp will be provided in your check-in packet when
you arrive.

All of these free time options will be available at various times throughout the week, weather permitting: 

• Canyon Park – Zipline, Giant Swing, Sky Trail (high ropes course), Boulder Junction (natural playground and tree house)
• Swimming Pool
• Splash Pad
• Tire Swing

• Lake Activities – Waterslides, Swimming, Kayaks, Stand-Up Paddleboards, The Blob

• Hatchet Throwing, Horseshoes 

• Archery Tag 

• Laser Tag ($5 – paid through credit / debit card, Forest Home Giftcard or eGiftcard)

• Table Games – Ping Pong, Foosball, Air Hockey, Billiards, Carpet Ball, Ricochet Ball, etc.

• Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Dodgeball, GaGa Ball, Mini Golf, Disc Golf, Spikeball, Corn Hole, and much mor

We have a closed campus.

For the safety of all of our guests, do not instruct anyone to come up to camp (for ANY length of time) who is not a registered guest. 

Day passes are not available unless pre-arranged with the Camp Director.

For more information on our Child Protection Policies, please contact Evan Liewer, Senior Director of Programs, at evanl@foresthome.org.

If there is a serious family emergency and a parent needs to contact their child while at camp, they may contact the Forest Home Roundhouse at 909-389-2300 and they can put them in contact with the Camp Director.