FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

In addition to emails sent to volunteers, the dates for all in-person orientations are shared in the Volunteer Information Packet.

Because there are always other camps occurring at the same time as Camp Encourage, Heartland Retreat Center has given us a strict list of days and times that we have access to the pool. These times include: Monday and Wednesday-Saturday from 9:30am-11:30am and 6:30pm-8:30pm. We do not have access to the pool outside of those times.

We have access to Horses from 1:00pm-3:30pm and 6:30pm-8:00pm, Zip line from 1:00pm-4:00pm and 6:30pm-8:30pm and Target Sports from 1:00pm-4:00pm and 6:30pm-8:30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Heartland does not facilitate activities on Tuesday or Sunday.

The Camper Support Specialists and Program Director receive no less than 200 messages each throughout the week.  Sending all messages through one app would be a breach of confidentiality for campers in other groups and cause everyone’s phones to become bogged down with messages. No one wants to be trapped in a group chat! For important general updates and to share all photos, we utilize myCAMPapp.

Unfortunately, we do not.  We can offer input, but are given a limited number of choices from Heartland, as they are also planning meals for their day campers. We do try to cater a couple of meals during each session to offer a variety of choices.

While structured ice breakers don’t always have to be the go-to, continuous group bonding is a key component of Camp Encourage. Your cabin is a family for the week and building relationships is essential. We provide a variety of activities in the cabin tubs so that you can offer a new activity each time, but it can truly be as simple as sitting on the grass and asking thought provoking questions to encourage conversation between the campers. Downtime activities are provided because we can’t possibly schedule every minute of the day and have everything line up perfectly.  Group Leaders are required to prepare for and carry downtime activities for the 10 or 15 minute time blocks, such as when you are waiting for a shuttle or the next activity to begin. 

Due to the strict times Heartland has given us for zipline, horses and target sports, rest time cannot occur earlier. Doing so would prevent each group from participating in these activities. 

Camper Support Reports have always been used strictly for data purposes and future planning. We refer to these from prior years to assess best fit, room assignments and counselors assignments. They are not to be used in place of a Code Blue, or to report items not shared with the Camper Support Specialists in real time.

Camp Encourage works diligently to have a variety of extra supplies in stock such as personal care, towels, pillows and sheets. We bring several tubs of these items to every camp session and will make Walmart runs when needed for campers comfort. Due to the variance in needs at every camp, we do have times where we do not have needed supplies. All campers and volunteers are given a detailed list of supplies prior to camp and families are encouraged to reach out prior to camp if their camper may need specific items.

We currently have 2 Camper Support Specialists and 1 Program Director that will respond to the needs of campers 24/7. They do their best to respond to calls as soon as they come in. There are times when they will need to prioritize support response based on level of need so response time may vary.

While we understand that many of our volunteers come year after year, we know it is best practice to review crucial information yearly. We do update the orientation every year with changes and it is a great opportunity to ask questions and go over scenarios.