Summer Camp FAQs
Questions About the Application Process
To fully complete the application, you will need a physical (within the last 12 months; on our form), immunization records, and a notarized transportation release form (available to download).
Yes, applications that are incomplete will not be accepted. All pages must be completed and signed in the appropriate places, by the appropriate people.
If your child does not want to go to camp, please reconsider completing this application and sending your child to camp! There are plenty of children who want to attend and we want them to have this opportunity.
On the page where it asks questions about the child, please be honest. We want to know as much as we can about the child to determine if they would be successful at camp and if we are equipped to help their time be fun and engaging.
Please try to get the physical filled out on our form. Talk to your doctor’s office/health department and see if they can transfer the information to our form from the child’s most recent physical. As long as the physical was completed within a year from the start of the camp session, it will be accepted.
Please mail the completed paper copy application to one of our three residential summer camps. Online applications are submitted digitally upon “checkout”.
Questions About Camp
Caruth Camp is located at 14770 SE Highway 19 in Inglis, Florida, which is about 20 minutes north of Crystal River, in Levy County. Youth Camp is located at 1170 Youth Camp Lane in Pierson, Florida, which is about 30 minutes west of Ormond Beach, in Volusia County. Camp Sorensen is located at 1017 Retreat Acres Rd in Hilliard, Florida, which is about 40 minutes northwest of Jacksonville in Nassau County.
When your child is accepted to attend camp, you will receive information about transportation options. If you live locally, you may need to provide your own transportation to and from camp.
Campers sleep in cabins with 11 other children of the same gender and similar age. There are also two or three staff members (group leaders) who stay in the cabin with the campers. Campers are responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of their cabins and other camp common areas throughout the camp experience.
Each meal has kid friendly options and is approved by a dietitian. There are many options including: cereal bar, salad bar and peanut butter and jelly.
Homesickness is our camp nurse’s specialty. We will try convincing the camper to stay, but if they are truly homesick, then we will call the parents to have them pick up the camper. Please make sure that your camper is ready to commit to coming to camp for the whole session.
Unfortunately, no. With over 70 campers on campus at a time and the amount of activities we have planned for a day, there simply is not time for everyone to call home. HOWEVER, IF A PARENT NEEDS TO CONTACT THEIR CHILD AT CAMP, PLEASE CALL THE CAMP OFFICE.
Once the application is received and reviewed for eligibility, a letter of acceptance/denial/waiting list will be sent as soon as possible.
Questions About Staff and Other Campers
The staff is recruited from all over the United States. They are typically college age and are working toward a degree in a field working with youth. They are energetic, compassionate about working with youth, and lots of fun! All of our camp staff receive training in CPR, First Aid, Trauma Informed Care, and other important child-care topics.
Living in a cabin with 11 other campers, your child is likely to make new friends. There are other campers with similar interests who are just as nervous as your child about meeting new friends.
Each week 36 boys and 36 girls, ages 10-15, come to camp. There are both female and male staff members and of course, our Deputy Sheriffs.
