2017 CAMP HIDDEN LAKE INFORMATION PACKET #BESTCAMPEVER

IMPORTANT DATES APRIL 1 FINAL BALANCE DUE Final payments are due by April 1, 2017. You can either pay online with a credit card using your confirmation number found in your original confirmation email or send a check made out to to ‘Life Teen’ at 6105 Blue Stone Rd., Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30328. Please note this a new address and different from your deposit. As always- please include a copy of your invoice with the check. There is a $15 late fee, per spot, per month, the balance remains unpaid.

MAY 15 PAPERWORK DUE

The group’s paperwork must be completed and submitted online by May 15. Due to the unfair burden it places on our staff, this year we will charge a $250 late fee per group for all paperwork that is not in by this date. For each participant (teens and adults) we need: - Participant agreement form This is the main liability release form that each participant (adults and teens) need to fill out. - PDF Copy of a Health Insurance Card This is required for all participants (adults and teens). If someone does not have health insurance, please send a simple letter indicating who will be responsible for any medical expenses. This will be uploaded as a pdf for each participant. The following paperwork will be filed on paper as we only need 1 copy per group, but you can find these blank forms online. Please send paper copies to the mail address or fax address on left with your parish name and Week # by May 15. - Safe Environment Compliance Form A signed form from your pastor indicating youth protection training for all adults coming with your group. - Statement of Ordinary Provincial (only necessary for priests coming with your parish)

We will send out written and video instructions but if you have any questions about the new paperwork process, please let us know!

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT: LIFETEEN.COM/CAMPS/REGISTRATION-DETAILS �1

Summer Camp preparations are in full swing! We are so excited to welcome you and your teens to Life Teen Camp Hidden Lake. Our staff is here to serve you! We will be in touch from now until summer working with you to make this the best summer yet. In this packet, you will find essential details about camp including important dates, helpful information for teens and parents, and frequently asked questions. Please take time to read through this and pass it on to your teens, parents, core members, and priests!

CONTACT US

Contact Person at Hidden Lake: Christie Ross Office Number: 706-867-0592 Emergency Cell: 706-867-5913 Fax Number: 706-864-5158 Email: hiddenlake@lifeteen.com Mail Address: Life Teen Camp Hidden Lake 830 Hidden Lake Road Dahlonega, Georgia 30533

QUESTIONS ABOUT SUMMER CAMP?

Feel free to call or email Lizzie Gormley, Life Teen Summer Camps Director or Katrina and DJ, Summer Camps Interns. Office Number: 480-427-4392 Email: lgormley@lifeteen.com

CAMP HIDDEN LAKE 2017 IMPORTANT DATES | STAFF | INFORMATION FOR PARENTS | PACKING LIST | COMMON QUESTIONS

2017 CAMP HIDDEN LAKE INFORMATION PACKET #BESTCAMPEVER

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT: LIFETEEN.COM/CAMPS/REGISTRATION-DETAILS �2

ROLES AT CAMP

GROUP LEADER- This is the person organizing the trip and the main group contact throughout the registration process. The group leader must be an adult, age 21 or older, and must attend camp with the group.

CORE MEMBER- This is an adult chaperone. You must be at least 21 years old and be able to sleep in the same accommodations as a teen. While at camp, the core members are to participate as any camper would. They will be role models for openness to God in every camp adventure. Along with having fun, core members are responsible for the actions and participation of your youth. Throughout the day, they will need to keep the youth engaged and at night, they will enforce curfew and lights out times. Core members will be present and attentive during sessions and act as small group leaders. Please keep these guidelines in mind while selecting the adults who will serve as your group’s chaperones. We will provide some training on site and some training before camp (coming soon!).

**ADULT TO TEEN RATIO- We require a 1:8, gender-specific, adult to teen ratio. One adult female for every 8 female campers, one adult male for every 8 male campers. A priest or religious who is not sleeping with the teens does not count towards this number. If you have male and female campers, we require at least one male and one female core member even if your total number is less than 8.

TEENS- Participants at summer camp! These teens can be anyone from an incoming 6th grader (Class of 2024) to a graduated 8th grader (Class of 2021) for Edge Camp at Hidden Lake. Teens need not be Catholic to attend camp.

PRIESTS/RELIGIOUS- We would LOVE for your parish priest or religious to join us at camp. They come FREE and do not count in your total number, but please let us know they will be joining your group to ensure we have guest housing for them.

CAMP HIDDEN LAKE STAFF

SEAN DELANEY- Sean is the Camp Director at Camp Hidden Lake. You’ll see him at meals, Masses, and the morning coffee talk meetings with youth ministers. Sean served with Life Teen Missions in Haiti for three years before joining Camp Hidden Lake staff in May 2015.

RAY BOSCH- Ray is the Facilities Manager. He is your man if your toilet is clogged, you need extra trash bags or a light goes out in your room.

CHRISTIE ROSS- Christie is the Guest Relations Coordinator. She will be smiling in the office and is ready to help with #radicalhospitality. She is your contact person on property before camp.

ABBEY STAUB- Abbey is the Food Services Coordinator. She cooks all of our delicious and nutritious meals. She is happy to cook for any special dietary needs as well.

ROSE RAPP AND PJ VEIGA- Rose and PJ are both full-time missionaries and will serve as your Camp Coordinators, depending on when you come to camp. They will help you work with your summer staff, answer any questions about the schedule and explain the next activity coming up.

CAMP PRIESTS, HOSTS, AND MUSICIANS- Each week we are blessed with an amazing host who leads our evening sessions, a musician who leads worship for Mass and sessions, and two priests who lead us in the sacraments. Our dynamic camp leadership is VIRTUS trained and ready to lead your teens closer to Christ.

LIFE TEEN SUMMER MISSIONARIES Life Teen Summer missionaries are college-aged students who give up their summers to pray, live in community, and lead teens closer to Christ. They fundraise for their time serving with Life Teen and gain invaluable experience in youth ministry as they journey alongside youth ministers and Core members. Check out more about our summer missions program including their rule of life online here. SUMMER STAFF- We have 25 summer missionaries who will help you lead your small groups, facilitate our ropes courses, serve your meals and be great role models for your teens. Depending on the number of teens you bring to camp, you will be assigned one or more summer staff. SERVICE CREW - The other 25 summer missionaries will work in our kitchen, on our maintenance crew, on the hospitality team, as photographer, videographer, A/V support and in our office.

2017 CAMP HIDDEN LAKE INFORMATION PACKET #BESTCAMPEVER

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT: LIFETEEN.COM/CAMPS/REGISTRATION-DETAILS �3

WHAT TO BRING Two pairs of clothes to get muddy and throw away Clothing that is comfortable and appropriate for climbing (longer shorts necessary) 6 days worth of athletic/casual clothes for daily outdoor activities and games (t-shirts, shorts, etc.) Sweatshirt/light jacket for cool mornings/evenings One piece bathing suit/swimming trunks (Ladies will need to bring shorts to wear over swim suit) Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) Towels (2 recommended- 1 for shower, 1 for lake) Twin-size sheets/blanket/pillow or sleeping bag/pillow Money for snacks/t-shirts at the Outpost and crafts in the Art Barn (suggested amount $20-$30) Bug repellant Sunscreen Flashlight Water bottle Sunglasses and/or hat Rain jacket/poncho Bible (We will be using a Bible during sessions and morning prayer) Journal and pen One pair closed-toe tennis shoes One pair closed-toe MUD shoes (shoes you can throw away- ideally old tennis shoes)

Parents- please check your teen’s bag before they leave. Make sure the above is packed and that you and your teen understand the modesty guidelines.

GUIDELINES FOR MODESTY At Life Teen Summer Camps we encourage all campers to respect their own bodies and those of others. We require all campers and adults to adhere to our modesty guidelines. Below are the rules for the sake of comfort, safety and modesty. •No short shorts- All shorts must cover your thighs. Many activities during camp involve bending, running, and sitting. If you place your hands at your sides, your shorts should be at least as long as your fingertips. •No thin-strapped tank tops- Shirts must cover your chest and undergarments. “Bro tanks” with thicker straps are allowed as long as the chest cannot be seen through the open arm holes and undergarments are covered. •No crop-tops- Please make sure your shirt covers your entire stomach and back while sitting and with your arms raised above your head. •No tight pants- Please do not wear tights, leggings or any style of form-fitting work-out pants. •Appropriate swim wear- Ladies swim attire is a one-piece bathing suit and shorts. If you wear a two-piece bathing suit you will be asked to wear a T-shirt as well. Mens swim attire is swim trunks- speedos are not allowed. If you place your hands at your sides, your swim trunks should be at least as long as your fingertips. These guidelines are for teens and adults and also apply for all messy clothes. Our staff will ask you to change if you are wearing something that violates the above guidelines.

WHAT NOT TO BRING • Cell phones, I-Pad/I-Pod/tablets, and computers • Tobacco products, illegal drugs and alcohol • Weapons of any kind, including knives • Lighters • Portable Gaming Devices

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Thank you for sending your child to Life Teen Summer Camps. We are excited to journey closer to Christ with your teen this week. Below is some information that may be helpful for you and your teen as you prepare for camp. • Please see the packing list below and ensure your teen is packed and their clothes are in line with our modesty and ‘what not

to bring’ guidelines. • If there is an emergency, please call the office (706-867-0592) or the emergency cell (706-867-5913) and ask to speak to our

Camp Director, Sean. We promise to contact you as soon as possible in the rare event of a medical emergency at camp. • If you are trying to get in touch with your child at camp, please do not call the office line. You can arrange calling times and

the best phone number to use with your child’s youth minister or group leader. You can also send mail to camp (830 Hidden Lake Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533) with your child’s name and parish. If mail is received after Friday afternoon we will return to sender.

• You can find pictures of the teens at camp posted daily by following Life Teen International on Facebook, @LT_HiddenLake on Twitter and @LT_hiddenlake on Instagram. On Tuesday of your teen’s week of camp, you will receive an email with a link to daily blogs from our camp host. We want you to be able to see the work God is doing and experience the week of camp with your teen even if you can’t be here.

• If you have questions or concerns about your parish’s travel information, camp costs, or additional information not included below, please contact your youth minister or group leader.

It is an honor to help lead your teens closer to Christ. If there is anything we can do to better serve you and your family in this mission, please let us know. We are praying for you!

2017 CAMP HIDDEN LAKE INFORMATION PACKET #BESTCAMPEVER

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT: LIFETEEN.COM/CAMPS/REGISTRATION-DETAILS �4

COMMON QUESTIONS 1. WHEN DOES CAMP BEGIN? Check-in is 1— 3 PM on the first day of camp, Monday. Please do not arrive later than 3:30

PM. The group leader and Core members will have a mandatory meeting with our camp staff at 4 PM and the introduction session for teens will begin at 5 PM. Please give our office a call when you are an hour away (706-782-5961).

2. WHAT IF WE ARE COMING A NIGHT EARLY? Great! Please arrive between 7 PM and 9 PM so your teens and our staff can all get a good night of sleep before the first day of camp! The early night costs $40/person and includes lodging and two meals (B and L). If you’d like to add this to registration please call Lizzie at 480-427-4392.

3. HOW DO WE GET TO CAMP? From the Atlanta airport, take I-85 N, to exit 87 to merge onto GA-400N toward Buckhead/Cumming. Continue on GA-400N/US-19N. Turn left on Co Rd 19/249/GA-60N/US-19N, S Chestatee (there is a Waffle House on the left). At the town square, take a slight right onto Morrison Moore Pkwy E and continue onto E. Main Street. In 500 feet, turn left onto S Groove Street. In 2 miles, turn left onto Camp Wahsega Road. In 6.8 miles, you will see the Camp Hidden Lake entrance sign on the right and make an almost degree turn onto Hidden Lake Road. Welcome Home!

4. WHERE WILL OUR GROUP SLEEP? Due to the different ratios of male to female campers each week, we cannot provide exact housing information until the week before you arrive. You and your teens will sleep in a dormitory style lodge. We will give you a housing assignment ( room numbers within dorm A, B or C) when you arrive but leave the assignment of specific campers to beds within these designated rooms up to you.

5. CAN I BRING NON-CAMPER CHILDREN? We are unable to accommodate non-camper children, including a group leader or core members younger children. The only exception is for breast-feeding infants under 1-year old. If you are bringing a breast-feeding infant in your group, we cannot provide additional housing separate from your teens so please take this into consideration before bringing a baby to camp. We value families and support core members with younger children. Let us know if you need help finding housing for families in the surrounding area.

6. SO WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS AT CAMP? The Life Teen Summer Camps staff plans, prepares, and facilitates the programming, liturgies and activities for each day. Below you’ll see daily Mass, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and other powerful prayer experiences. Our evening sessions, led by a dynamic speaker, will break open scriptural topics to lead your teens into a more authentic encounter with Christ. All of this alongside our low and high ropes courses, the beautiful Hidden Lake, an obstacle course, messy games and plenty of free time. Each day campers will enjoy three delicious meals and a night-time snack with their parish. While we don’t post exact schedules before camp starts, here is a bit of what you can expect each day:

Monday: check-in, intro session for adults, intro session for teens, dinner, session, team-building obstacle course (messy!) Tuesday: breakfast, hike, Mass, small group, lunch, organized free time, family dinner, evening session Wednesday: breakfast, guys on ropes/ladies at session, lunch, guys on ropes/ladies at lake, Mass, dinner, evening session Thursday: breakfast, ladies on ropes/guys at session, lunch, ladies on ropes/guys at lake, Mass, dinner, evening session Friday: breakfast, messy games, lunch, organized free time, Mass, family dinner, evening session Saturday: breakfast, clean up and pack, session, Mass, lunch, check-out **In addition to the above, every morning before breakfast will also have an hour of mercy and a morning prayer opportunity. Each evening after session will be time for parish pow-wows and another hour of mercy. Please keep in mind: we encourage teens to participate in God’s grace and not anticipate the next activity. This schedule is meant to give you as the group leader an idea of what to expect and help you plan. Please do not distribute this information. 7. WHAT’S ALL THIS CAMP LINGO? We may use some language at camp that you or your Core team is unfamiliar with.

Here are some definitions: A. Parish Pow Wow- A large group gathering at the end of each night. We’ll give you a meeting space, a snack and some

questions to guide a large group discussion for all the teens from your parish. B. Hour of Mercy- Each morning and each evening, we will offer one hour of confession for all camp participants. It’s an

optional time that allows teens to choose when to experience Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. C. Organized Free Time- FREEDOM! We will offer plenty of options for your teens- from, gaga and Flickerball, the “future of

sports,” to arts and crafts in the Art Barn, to swimming canoeing and the BLOB in the lake- there are great options to recreate and relax.

D. Messy Games- Our activities coordinators develop and create a rotation of games including mud, water, paint and YUCK! that will both gross you out and bring you together. We end by jumping in the lake to clean off!

8. WHEN DOES CAMP END? Unfortunately, camp does end. Camp will end after Mass on Saturday morning with lunch at noon. If you have a long travel day ahead of you, we are happy to prepare lunch to-go, just let us know the week of. Please do not plan on leaving camp any later than 2 PM so our staff can begin preparing for the next week of campers.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? PLEASE LET US KNOW! 480-427-4392 or lgormley@lifeteen.com.