hope in the valley Alta mons summer camp 2019
Who Will Care for My Child? Your child will be cared for and supervised by our hand-picked and highly qualified camp counselors. Unlike other camps, our program is small and we want to get to know your child personally. Our family-like atmosphere is what makes Alta Mons different and special. Alta Mons typically has about 50-60 campers per week with 25 college-aged staff members. Campers are never left alone and are always under supervision. Our counselors and staff participate in a two week, intensive staff training covering topics such as camper behavior, emergency preparedness, and risk management and are all CPR and First Aid certified. We perform thorough background checks and drug tests on ALL employees and volunteers. It is our number one goal to make sure that your child has a safe AND fun week with us at Alta Mons! Questions? Call us at 540-268-2409. what is alta mons? Alta Mons is the outdoor ministry of the Roanoke District of the United Methodist Church and encompasses over 850 acres of beautiful land in Shawsville, VA. Every year we have summer camp, which offers week, half-week, or day-long camping experiences for children and youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. Throughout the week our chaplain speaks to the campers about Christian topics like prayer, the church, and the love of Jesus. At night campers worship together around a campfire. Campers experience small group bonding with their units during arts and crafts, field games, and sessions at the Nature Hut. Events like Staff Hunt and Thursday Skit Night bring the whole camp together to bond and laugh no matter what their age. Each Wednesday all resident campers participate in Home in the Woods, where campers and staff set up campsites, cook their dinner over a fire, and sleep under the stars. Every camper receives a camp t-shirt (included with the cost of registration) that they will tie dye during their time at camp. Don t miss out on the experience of a lifetime register today! Hope in the Valley May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him Romans 15:13 We often feel hope when we re on the mountain, but sometimes it can be harder to find when we re in the valley. This summer we will explore what it looks like to have hope in Christ when life seems hopeless. When times are challenging, when we re struggling, and when our days just aren t exciting, how do we know that God cares? Over the course of the week, campers and staff will be led by our camp chaplain to explore what hope in the valley looks like and how we as Christians can find it. what is a unit? A unit is your camp family! Each unit has 2 counselors and 7-14 campers. Units are usually coed and consist of similar aged campers. Units participate in activities (low ropes, hike to the falls, craft hut) together during the day as a community and then sleep in gender separate cabins/hogans at night. Alta Mons operates on the principle of small group Christian camping because we believe that smaller groups work better for everyone. Elementary campers frequently have 1-2 high school-aged counselors in training (CITs) assisting with their unit and providing extra help. Units have a designated table in the Dining Hall and sit together for all meals. We eat family style at Alta Mons because we believe in the value of conversation and learning how to say please pass the mashed potatoes. Units are a staple of summer camp at Alta Mons, so you will probably see us use the word frequently! sample resident camper schedule 7:30 Wake Up! 8:00 Breakfast 8:45 Morning Watch 9:00 Chores 9:30 Unit Activities (archery, Nature Hut, tie-dye) 12:00 Lunch 1:15 Rest Time (only Day, Mini & Elementary Campers) 2:00 Unit Activities (Junior/Senior High begins at 1:15) (hike to the falls, creek exploring, pool time) 5:30 Dinner 7:00 All Camp Activities 8:00 Elementary Worship & Junior/Senior High Activities 9:00 Junior/Senior High Worship 9:45 Lights Out for Elementary Campers 10:30 Lights Out for Junior/Senior High Campers
Camp descriptions Day Camp Rising Kindergarten-5th Grade June 24-28 July 1-5 July 8-12 Day Camp is a great way to introduce kids to summer camp without having them spend the night. They will have fun going on a wagon ride, fishing, making crafts, and much more with us throughout the week! They will also have Morning Watch and Chaplain time. Day Camp starts at 9 AM (drop off from 8:30 to 9:00) and ends at 4 PM (pick up from 4:00 to 4:30), with lunch and snack provided at camp. This is a great camp for younger and/or hesitant campers. Day Camp promises to hit all of the highlights of week-long resident camp without the overnight portion. Mini Camp Rising 1st 5th Grade June 23-25 Mini Camp is the perfect introductory and overnight camping experience for elementary aged campers! Come to a half week of Camp Alta Mons from Sunday through Tuesday and participate in just as much fun! Experience the best camp has to offer by going to the Nature Hut, playing games, sleeping in a cabin, and making new friends. The Alta Mons adventure starts here! Elementary Resident Camp Rising 3rd-6th grade $309 June 23-28 June 30 July 5 July 7-12 July 14-19 Elementary Resident Camp is the classic Alta Mons experience, where many of our campers begin their bonds of friendship, foster their appreciation for nature, and grow their roots of faith. Elementary campers stay in our cabins with electricity and a bathhouse close by and will eat all of their meals in the Dining Hall. Campers will hike to Stiles Falls, have fun at the Nature Hut, canoe, fish, shoot archery, play games and much more! We start each day with Morning Watch end each night with worship around a campfire. Elementary Resident Camp is the best way to experience a week of fun, outdoor adventure and Christian community at Alta Mons! Junior High Bridge Camp Rising 6th - 9th Grade $339 June 23-28 July 14-19 This resident camp option is for rising 6th to 9th grade campers who are new to Alta Mons or are transitioning from elementary to junior high camp. They will stay in cabins with electricity and a bath house close by and will eat all of their meals in the Dining Hall. What makes Bridge Camp special is that they will also have junior high privileges (hiking Christmas Tree Mountain, participating in the high ropes course, attending junior high worship) while still getting the perks of elementary camp it s the best of both worlds. For younger or hesitant junior high campers, this a great way to ease into camp! Come be a part of the Alta Mons junior high camper experience without life at the hogans. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Visit us online at www.altamons.org or give us a call at 540-268-2409. Feel free to e-mail us at office@altamons.org as well! Junior High Resident Camp Rising 6th - 9th Grade $369 June 23-28 June 30 July 5 July 7-12 Move up to junior high camp at Alta Mons and experience even more fun! Wake up each morning with breakfast delivered to your hogan site and enjoy a meal under a picnic shelter with your unit. Junior high campers will reach a new level of Alta Mons thrill with access to our high ropes course and the Christmas Tree Mountain hike. Junior high campers attend a different worship service than elementary campers, allowing them to dig deeper in their faith and grow in their relationship with Christ in an age-appropriate way. Sign up today to experience the next level of outdoor living, community, and adventure that Alta Mons has to offer! Junior High Night Owl Camp Rising 6th - 9th Grade $369 June 30 July 5 July 7-12 July 14-19 Stay up late with the owls and stargaze, play glow in the dark field games, and cook out over a fire. This camp is for those who enjoy staying up late and experiencing camp at night. Night Owl campers will get to enjoy the beauty of Christmas Tree Mountain as it lights up with lightning bugs and will get to join the few who can say they have zip-lined at night! This unit will get to take a dip in the pool at dusk and will have a special night nature session at the Nature Hut. Sign up today to make sure you get your spot! Junior High Backpacking Camp Rising 6th - 9th Grade $390 July 7-12 Experience the next level of outdoor fun by signing up for this 3 day / 2 night backpacking trip! The unit will hike 10 to 15 total miles, will cook all of their trail meals on backpacking stoves, and will practice Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles. They ll hike through the valleys and mountains of Grayson Highlands State Park as they practice small group Christian camping. Return to Alta Mons in time for skit night to tell the rest of camp the tales of your adventure! Backpacking campers will also participate in traditional junior high resident activities. *Important Note: The backpacking trip is moderately strenuous and is only recommended for campers capable of hiking several miles a day, and willing to try new activities (including carrying their own backpack)* Junior High Tri-Challenge Camp Rising 6th - 9th Grade $390 June 23-28 June 30 July 5 July 14-19 Be a part of the tri-challenge unit and be one of the only junior high units to experience camp outside of Alta Mons! You ll go on an adventurous trip full of rock climbing, canoeing, and caving as well as participate in traditional junior high resident activities (see Junior High Resident Camp description). Don t miss this high paced adventure! *Important Note: The tri-challenge trip is moderately strenuous and is only recommended for campers capable of hiking several miles a day and willing to try new activities* Senior High Resident Camp Rising 9th-12th $375 July 14-19 Senior High Resident Camp is perfect for lifelong campers and first time campers! They ll be participating in activities similar to Junior High Resident Camp (see description above) and going on a special offsite day trip to Bozoo, WV where they will go outdoor rock climbing and eat ice cream! From night hiking to sleeping in the pirate ship to naming a watermelon the senior high unit is always full of adventure, fun, and community! Register today to be a part of the unit that only happens once a summer Senior High.
A Christian Camp? Tell Me More! When asked why she sends her daughter to camp, a camper mom told us For her to grow spiritually on her own and without my direct influence. This is exactly what our goal is here at Alta Mons; for each and every camper to grow in their faith in an age appropriate way. Our community is supportive and inclusive; we accept all kids no matter their background. We show them the love of Christ throughout the week by caring for them, listening to what they have to say, and creating an environment where they feel safe and welcome. We never pressure campers to accept Christ or to make a profession of faith. We support them as they learn and are always open to questions. An ordained minister will be serving as the Chaplain to guide campers and staff alike on their faith journeys throughout the week. Campers will learn that God created us in His image, that God loves us deeply, and that God wants to have a relationship with us through Jesus Christ. Each day will begin with a bible study that we call morning watch and end with evening worship around a campfire. We focus on the big picture that God loves us and emphasize the basics of the Christian faith. We proclaim the Gospel and celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Questions about this? Feel free to call us at 540-268-2409 to discuss! Check out our mission and vision statements below too! Our Vision A welcoming place apart; nurturing and transforming lives. Our Mission To provide each person space to experience God through our Christian hospitality, facilities, and programs. Come Visit Camp! If you d like to schedule a visit to walk around Alta Mons, feel free! Just give us a call at 540-268-2409. Or come walk around camp on your own! Alta Mons is open to the public daily, from dawn to dusk. Come for a family picnic or hike to the waterfall! Driving Directions to Alta Mons From US 220 or South of Roanoke Follow US 220 North into Roanoke. US 220 will become I-581 in Roanoke. Follow I-581 to I-81 South. Then follow directions from the North on I-81. From North of Alta Mons on I-81 Take Exit 132 at Dixie Caverns onto Route 11/460 towards Shawsville. After approximately 8 miles, turn left onto Alleghany Spring Road (Route 637). Alta Mons is approximately 6 miles on the right. From South of Alta Mons on I-81 Take Exit 118 C for Shawsville/Elliston onto Route 11/460. After approximately 8 miles, turn right onto Alleghany Spring Road (Route 637). Alta Mons is approximately 6 miles on the right. The United Methodist Church and Alta Mons Alta Mons is the outdoor ministry of the Roanoke District of the United Methodist Church and has been since 1957. We believe in providing space for people to experience God and showing His love to others, just as Jesus Christ showed love to us. The Roanoke District is part of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, which is a global organization that seeks to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Methodists are a mainstream Protestant faith that believe Jesus Christ was sent to be our Lord and Savior. You can read more about the Roanoke District and the United Methodist church by checking out the links below. Roanoke District www.roanokeumc.org United Methodist Church www.umc.org
Home in the Woods Night All campers, with the exception of day and mini campers, will be sleeping outside at least one night of their adventures with us in something that we call Home in the Woods night. This is a favorite night of camp for many campers and is structured so that campers can have an introductory camping experience while still close by to bathrooms and the rest of main camp. If you feel that this is something your child is not ready for, please indicate that on your registration form and we will provide an indoor sleeping location for your child on this night with staff supervision. Counselor-in-Training Program Rising 10th-12th graders Become a Counselor-in-Training at Alta Mons! Each summer the Alta Mons CIT Program accepts high school students who want to develop their leadership skills and spend the summer at camp for FREE! More information at www.altamons.org/counselor-in-training-cit Campers with Special Needs and Differing Abilities We are able to include campers with special needs in any of our camps on a case by case basis. If your child has severe allergies, extraordinary dietary needs or other specific needs, or to check accommodations for your child, please contact the Alta Mons Office. We would be more than happy to answer your questions! Homesickness Policy and Prevention Parents/Guardians play a crucial role in preventing homesickness in campers. Prepare early at home by talking to your child about what to expect at camp, what their goals are for camp, your expectations, and how exciting camp will be! This will help instill confidence in your camper so they can have an enjoyable week at camp. Should your camper become homesick, we will communicate with you early and often to determine the best way to address it with your child. Please know that Alta Mons will never force a homesick camper to stay. If you have questions or concerns, please give our office a call! Summer Staff at ALta Mons Apply to be a paid counselor or coordinator! Alta Mons seeks responsible, mature, outdoor loving, kid oriented 18+ year olds seeking to serve a summer in ministry for our staff. Individuals must be available for Staff Training (June 10-21) and Summer Camp (June 23 July 20). More information available at www.altamons.org/summer-staff
Summer 2019 Schedule Week One: June 23-28, 2019 6/24-28 6/23-25 6/23-28 Day Camp Mini Camp Elementary Resident Camp K-5 1-5 3-6 $309 6/23-28 6/23-28 Junior High Bridge Camp Junior High Resident Camp $339 $369 6/23-28 Junior High Tri-Challenge Camp $390 Week Two: June 30 - July 5, 2019 Registration REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.ALTAMONS.ORG/SUMMER-CAMP Please include a non-refundable deposit of $60.00. This fee will be deducted from the total camp fee. The balance must be paid in full by or at camper check-in (this includes agency/church sponsorships). Registrations are processed in the order they are received. Please be careful to fill out the registration form accurately and completely. Incomplete forms or incorrect information will delay processing and could result in a loss of camp availability. Forms will only be processed with fully paid deposits ($60). A confirmation letter will be sent indicating camp session, a packing list, policies, any release forms, and your balance. Packing lists, policies and release forms can also be found online at: www.altamons.org/packing-lists. Please carefully review packing lists and policies with your camper. All campers are accepted at Alta Mons without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Alta Mons provides limited secondary accident coverage. Accident and illness insurance are the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Alta Mons will notify campers 14 days prior to the start of a camp session if the session should have to be cancelled for any reason. 7/1-5 6/30-7/5 6/30-7/5 Day Camp Elementary Resident Camp Junior High Resident Camp K-5 3-6 $309 $369 6/30-7/5 Junior High Night Owl Camp $369 6/30-7/5 Junior High Tri-Challenge Camp $390 Week Three: July 7-12, 2019 7/8-12 7/7-12 7/7-12 Day Camp Elementary Resident Camp Junior High Resident Camp K-5 3-6 $309 $369 7/7-12 Junior High Night Owl Camp $369 7/7-12 Junior High Backpacking Camp $390 Week Four: July 14-19, 2019 7/14-19 Elementary Resident Camp 3-6 $309 7/14-19 Junior High Bridge Camp $339 7/14-19 Junior High Night Owl Camp $369 7/14-19 Junior High Tri-Challenge Camp $390 7/14-19 Senior High Resident Camp 9-12 $375 Financial Help In need of some financial help? Our campership fund is able to cover the cost of 2/3 of the price of camp. If this is something that you need, please simply indicate that on the bottom of your camper s registration form or call the office if registering online. We do not want finances to prevent your child from experiencing an amazing week at camp. If you d like to ensure that all campers can continue to receive financial assistance, consider donating to the Alta Mons Campership Fund today. Cancellations Cancellations made 14 days prior to the start of the camp session will be refunded the full amount minus the deposit made. No shows and campers cancelling with fewer than 14 days of notice will not receive a refund of any amount. A full refund may be granted for a documented medical or personal emergency past this date-- agreed upon by parent/ guardian and the full time staff of Alta Mons. No shows and campers leaving early do not receive a refund or pro-rate.
2842 Crockett Springs Road Shawsville, VA 24162 Office: 540-268-2409 Fax: 540-268-9503 www.altamons.org office@altamons.org Return Service Requested Connect with us! Facebook: Alta Mons Twitter: @AltaMons Instagram: @williejack1957 Pinterest: @williejack1957 YouTube: Alta Mons Office Upcoming Events Paul Bunyan Day: March 16th Alta Mons Supporters Luncheon: April 6th (please RSVP by March 22nd) 7th Annual District Cookout: August 24th Winter Camp: December 20th 22nd