Dear Parents,
As we begin 2018, it is time to begin thinking about summer camp! We are excited to be going back to Pineywoods Camp for Over The Edge Preteen Camp. Although our preteen ministry is for 5th and 6th graders, camp is open to all boys and girls who will have completed grades 3-6 during the 2017-18 school year. Students are welcome to invite friends who have completed these grades.
Saturday, July 28— Wednesday, August 1 $285.00 ($305 for registrations after July 1) STUDENTS $265.00 ($275 for registrations after July 1) SPONSORS Student cost includes a $20 transportation fee for charter buses, lunch and snack bag on the way home. There will be an additional charge for t-shirts, max $35. An optional cost at camp: Giant Swing, Climbing Tower and High Ropes Adventure Park.
$50 (non-refundable) due by Thursday, February 1 to reserve your spot and to be eligible for fundraising funds. We will accept reservations after this date, but cannot guarantee spots (see FAQ’s). The camp filled to capacity in past years, and is expected to this year. To register, come to the Check-in Desk in Building B by February 1st and give us your information and $50 deposit to be eligible to participate in the Bake Sale Fundraiser. If you miss the deadline you will not receive funds from the fundraiser. We are thankful to our church for supporting camp by participating in fundraisers...be sure to sign up and take advantage of this opportunity for your child. A limited number of scholarships will be available by application only. Applications can be picked up in the Children’s Ministry Office.
Camp is a blast for adults too! Parents who wish to attend as sponsors need to be actively involved at FBCF to be eligible to attend. All sponsors will be required to submit to a background check and take a test that is required by the State of Texas for those adults who volunteer at a children’s camp. Parents wishing to attend as a sponsor will also need to make a deposit. Sponsor cost is $265.00 plus a maximum of $35 for t-shirts. Looking forward to seeing you at camp! In His Service,
Stephanie Moses, Minister to Children •
Please note that current 6th graders will not be promoted to the student ministry until AFTER Preteen Camp. Want more info. on Pineywoods? Visit www.pineywoodscamp.com
We will have a bake sale again this year to help offset the cost of Preteen Camp. All campers REGISTERED with a PAID DEPOSIT by Thursday, February 1, are eligible to receive fund from our fundraiser. Those students not registered with a paid deposit by the February 1 deadline will NOT receive a portion of the fundraiser. If you do sign-up by February 1, please plan on participating in the bake sale. If you do not plan on participating in the fundraiser to receive a portion of the bake sale proceeds, please indicate when you register.
February 4 Sale will be after both services We are asking ALL registered campers to participate to make the sale a success by providing 3 homemade baked items or party foods ( chips & dips, spicy crackers, appetizers - EXTREMELY LIMITED FRIDGE SPACE) PER CHILD attending camp (maximum of 6 per family) and provide a parent to volunteer to help during the bake sale. Parent volunteers are a must. The following items would equal one homemade baked good: whole pies, whole cakes, brownies, 2 dozen cookies, 1 dozen cupcakes, 1 appetizer plate or 2 dozen individually wrapped items. Whole items in a disposable pan seem to sell best! Football themed items will be a good seller for Super Bowl. Eye appealing items sell quickly, i.e., curly ribbon. Homemade items only, NO STORE BOUGHT.
Bring your baked goods by 9:30 a.m.
Preteen Camp FAQ
1. Why are 3rd and 4th graders included in “preteen” camp when our Preteen Ministry is for 5th and 6th graders? Each church labels “preteen” ministry differently and we think it is a great opportunity for 3rd and 4th graders to be included. FBCF does “preteen” ministry based on many factors including student ministry structure, local school district structure, etc. 2. Why do we have to register and pay a deposit NOW for camp in July? Over The Edge Camp has requested that we send forms and deposits beginning February 1. 3. Do sponsors need to pay? Yes. Pineywoods requires sponsors to pay the same fees as a student, but we have discounted it for our sponsors. 4. Why were we asked to commit by February 1? We want every family to have the opportunity to participate in fundraising efforts to help deter the cost of camp. Our bake sale fundraiser is on February 5. 5. Do I have to participate in fundraisers? All fundraising is optional. Only those who turn in a $50 non-refundable deposit and fill out the registration spreadsheet by February 1 will receive a portion of the money raised. If you sign-up before February 1, please plan to participate in the Bake Sale. Please be sure to read all fundraising information carefully as it is emailed because it will remind you of what you need to bring and what is required for parents to do during the fundraising event. 6. Why do parents work instead of students? This is simply because these are young kids and parents are needed to make the fundraiser a success. Don’t worry, your child will get a chance to be more “hands on” with fundraising once they reach the Student Ministry. 7. Can we add after February 1? Yes, but you must contact us for availability. We CAN NOT guarantee a spot until we have confirmed the availability with the camp director. The camp filled to capacity in previous years. 8. Can we bring friends? ABSOLUTELY! A friend is always welcome as long as they fall in the grades included in the camp. ALL campers must submit forms and deposit to secure a spot. 9. How will my child get to camp? We take charter buses to camp. 10. Why do I have to purchase t-shirts for camp? We ask each person to wear a specific shirt each day at camp so we can easily identify them in a crowd. Camp is a large place with many boys and girls that all “look alike” in a group. Sponsors, who also wear the shirts to be identified by your students, work very hard to make sure your child is cared for while away from home and this is a tool that has proven to be helpful time and time again. 11. When will I find out what I owe for shirts? Shirts will be picked up at the parent meeting. Some of you may already have some of the shirts. We will again be wearing the red “Got Jesus” shirt, the navy blue “I Pray” shirt, and the light blue “Fearless” shirt. We will be getting a new VBS shirt and we will get the “Over The Edge” Camp shirt once we are at Pineywoods. The maximum expense for shirts will be $35 if a child has NONE of the shirts already.
12. What other money do I need? Your child may want money to purchase snacks and souvenirs. Snacks can be sent with your child as well. There is an optional swing ride and climbing tower that cost $5.00 per ride last year. We will give you an EASY envelope system at the parent meeting for money. 13. What if my child takes medication? We will review medication procedures at the parent meeting. 14. What if my 5th or 6th grader wants to ride and/or room with a 3rd or 4th grade friend or sibling? We make bus and room assignments based on grade levels giving priority to 6th, then 5th, etc. It is important that kids bond with those that are similar in age, so we will ask that if this is a “deal breaker” for your family that you prepare your older child that they will have to “move down” with younger kids because we will not allow one or two younger children to be in a room with older children. Room assignments will be done before camp and based on the ages and numbers of kids. Because of late registrations, this information will not be ready for our parent meeting. 15. What if I have more questions? Feel free to call Stephanie or Emily in the Children’s Ministry Office. Important Dates – Sunday, February 4 – Super Bowl Sunday Bake Sale March 2018 - Statements of balance due will be emailed the first week of March. Thursday, May 31- Half of the remaining balance is due June 1st with final balance due at parent meeting. To help with your family budget you can make monthly payments online or in person if you like. Saturday, July 28- Leave for Camp in the AM Wednesday, August 1 - Return from Camp – Arrive home around 2:30 or 3:00