Parent GUIDE 1 Parent Guide
PASSPORTchoices Daily Schedule Each day at youth camp begins with a personal devotion, and afterward a Morning Celebration. Campers will enjoy hanging out with new friends in Bible study groups then jump into an afternoon with others who share their same interests. Then they may grab a nap, take a shower, or play some frisbee golf before dinner with friends followed by worship designed with youth in mind then top the day off with a crazy-fun nightly-party. Church groups gather for relaxing conversation and a devotion before falling into bed excited to try it all over again the next day! Morning Devotion 8:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Morning Celebration 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Morning Celebration is a high-energy time of songs, laughter, announcements and awards! After an exciting start to their day, campers are awake and ready to head off to Bible study. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Choice Course Time 11:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. See Choice Course descriptions on page 4. (Lunch included) Free Time 2:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Church Group Devotions 10:00 11:00 p.m. 12th Night 11:00 p.m. Graduated Seniors gather after curfew for food. You ve made it! You are a Senior and you deserve a little treat! So, on the third night of camp, after all other campers have headed to bed, graduated Seniors gather after curfew for FOOD and FUN with the Camp Staff. 12th Night is offered at the end of Day 3. View camp photos after the session: passportcamps.org/photos Worship 7:00 8:00 p.m. Nightly Party 9:00 10:00 p.m. An outdoor Rec Party, a Costume Dance, and The Variety Show all have one goal: FUN! Learn more about camp parties on page 3. * New Group Tip: Experienced campers will come ready with a costume and act for the variety show and a costume for the themed dance. 2 Parent Guide
Camp Parties The parties are an outdoor recreation party, a theme dance, and a variety show. The goal is FUN. Experienced campers come ready with a csostume and act for the variety show and a costume for the dance. Night 1: Opening Celebration Opening Celebration is an energetic way to welcome everyone to camp! From silly songs and activities to specific information about the camp experience, it s the only welcome groups need. Night 2: Revved Up Rec Party This summer we are cranking up the power of the outdoor party. This Revved Up Rec Party will accelerate the fun of forgotten childhood games, taking them to a new level and leaving campers screaming for more! Come prepared for a high energy, full-throttled time of excitement and fun. The Rec Party is held outdoors (weather permitting) so campers will want to bring comfortable shorts and T-shirts that can match the color of their Bible Study Group black, red, or blue. We suggest clothing and shoes that can get dirty. All campers should wear closed-toe shoes. Night 3: Electric Avenue Dance Bring out the jelly shoes, leg warmers, acid washed jeans, Members Only jackets and hair crimpers. Tease out your hair, tight roll your jeans, and put on a lot of neon as we rock on to Electric Avenue for an 80 s inspired neon party. Youth groups are encouraged to come prepared with lots of glow bracelets, sticks, and necklaces to join in the fun. Youth groups are strongly encouraged to plan their costumes prior to camp. A good way to prepare for costumes would be a trip to the local thrift store, searching Pinterest, and Google together. Creative costumes make for a successful dance! Staff judges will present a prize to the most 80 s inspired group. Note: There will be glow necklaces and neon PASSPORT sunglasses available for purchase at the dance. Night 4: Church Group Free Time Throughout much of the week, campers are divided into different groups for Bible Study and Choices groups, and while this is done with intentionality to build a broader community, it is also important for groups to build community internally as well. On the third full day of camp, groups will be given time off from 2:30 to 9:00 p.m. to participate in an activity of their choosing. Night 5: PASSPORT Golden Globe Awards Variety Show The globes have been polished, the lights have been dimmed, and the votes have been cast. The night will be filled with awards, talent, and fun. Campers should come in their best evening wear prepared to walk on the red carpet. Youth will bring skits, songs, and any other act to our very first PASSPORT Golden Globe Awards! 3 Parent Guide
Choice Course Descriptions Your child can customize his/her camp experience by choosing from multiple afternoon activities designed to cultivate his/her unique identity as a follower of Jesus Christ. With Choice courses ranging from environmentalism, to health and fitness, to music and ministry, campers will have the opportunity to explore their interests and discover how to live out their callings. NOTE: The curriculum of individual tracks does not change so encourage your camper to try something new this year! Course availability is subject to change. Echo Explore what the Bible says about call, and spend time living out practical examples of ministry. Is God calling you? Do you have to be a minister to minister to people? What does the Bible say about it? color palette Color Palette Express your faith through images. Come paint, draw, sculpt, and work in mixed media. You ll investigate how visual arts can impact a worship setting and as you are inspired, share it with others in worship at camp. 5 Things (for Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors only) Prepare yourself for the responsibilities life throws at you as you forge your way into adulthood balancing a budget, doing laundry, finding a church, being a good neighbor, and time management. Make space for hearing the voice of God in the midst of life s transitions. Huddle Up Participate in recreation as an expression of faith! Discover team dynamics, creative play, and leadership development while playing alongside your friends. Team discussions will help you consider how recreation can promote rest and relaxation and also be a strong part of spiritual discipline. Grace Notes Engage your creative senses through lyrics, music, and authentic worship experiences. Mentored by worship leaders, you ll have the opportunity to lead in worship. Missions Put feet to your faith by investing in the lives of others, especially in your community. You ll choose a mission project that allows you to minister to senior adults, care for children, or make someone s home safe again. Sharing Jesus love through actions is a strong statement ever heard the phrase actions speak louder than words? Skin Deep Take a journey of self-discovery through spiritual giftedness, sexuality, health, and fitness. In a world full of mixed messages, we ll dive deeper into the image of self. When you look in the mirror, what do you see? How do you embrace your whole being mind, body, and spirit? The world is a beautiful place, and each of us is a part of that beauty. WORLD play World Play Do you dream of far off adventures? Come visit far corners of the globe by learning how to play games from around the world. Master the basics skills of Oshikura Manju, Kabadi or Las Cebollitas while discovering something new about the people and the place you might one day explore in person. 4 Parent Guide
R volution Inspire. Magnetic. Thriving. Radical. Change. Transform. We ll journey toward being people who are living a life that brings about a revolution in this world. A revolution is a life that is lived to its fullest drawing others to God and living a life of love so that all are included in the Kingdom of God. A revolution is a life that is lived that causes others to think and transform. A revolution is a life that is lived boldly and without fear putting faith into active practice. So do you want a Revolution? Our theme verse for 2015 is: I ll show you my faith by putting it into practice in faithful action. James 2:18b (CEB) How to Engage Your Camper After Camp 1. Who do you find to be inspirational in your daily life? Why? 2. What do you think God s Revolution look like? 3. How do you want to participate in God s Revolution? 4. Who was your Bible Study Leader? Tell me about the students in your group. 5. There were three camp parties, Revved Up Rec Party, Electric Ave. Dance and a Night at The Golden Globes Variety Show - which one was your favorite and why? 6. Tell me about the mission site or choice group in which you participated. What was the most interesting part? 7. Can you show me how to do The Lord s Prayer with movements? 8. Who was your Camp Pastor? How did they challenge you to join in God s Revolution? 5 Parent Guide
Dress Guidelines Campers and adults should dress modestly and appropriately, according to their size and developmental stage, the entire week of camp. While at camp, please take into consideration the following guidelines: Modest shorts, shirts, and swimsuits Properly fitting clothes Please avoid low-riding, short and/or revealing clothes No clothing with inappropriate language/advertising Shirts with sleeves & closed-toe tennis shoes required for Missions Choice Course Note: Be sure that students bring clothes and shoes that can get dirty on site. Many sites call for paint and cleaning materials that could soil or damage clothing and shoes. No cross-dressing PASSPORTchoices requests that all leaders monitor their group s clothing. Adults and campers are asked to dress for the culture of camp. Everyone should wear clothing that is modest and respectful to the overall camp environment. What NOT to Bring Firecrackers, bad attitudes, shaving cream for a purpose other than its intended use, balloons that can be filled with water, tobacco products, illegal drugs, firearms, alcohol... all the usual no-no s. Campers will be held responsible for property damage and/or clean-up costs incurred. We ask that all electronics be switched off and put away while at camp. This is a rule designed to allow youth to focus on God, camp, relationships and themselves - not games or music. Taking up the Biblical idea of rest from work as an important part of life s cycle, we are inviting our campers to join us for a week of Digital Sabbath. This means we will not permit our campers to have cell phones/electronic devices during camp. Our staff will monitor this during the week. If they see a camper with a cell phone/electronic device they will collect it and give to the group leader. Students will hand over these devices on opening night of camp, and they will be returned prior to the Variety Show. Please help us in enforcing this rule, as it will enrich the camp experience. 6 Parent Guide
Checklist of Things to Bring Medical Release Form: 2 copies signed by a Notary Public so a hospital can treat your child in the unlikely event they have an accident Clothes: plenty of T-shirts plenty of shorts some dressier clothes for worship (including a pair of pants, skirt or dress) T-shirts with sleeves (required) shoes at least one closed-toe pair of shoes dance/variety show costumes Towels and Linens: twin-size XL sheets pillow Sleeping bags are a good alternative to sheets. towels (hand & bath) washcloth for the week Toiletries: soap (for the sink and shower) shampoo deodorant toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Other items: Bible pen/pencil work gloves bug repellant, water bottle sunscreen hat some money for the mission offering* and camp store *Mission Offering There are many references in the Bible that teach us to offer hospitality to the stranger. This summer, PASSPORT campers will learn about ministries across the United States whose job is to offer welcome and kindness to newcomers. Specifically, campers will hear the stories of women and children fleeing violence in Central America who seek refuge and safety. We will learn about the cooperation between local ministries in McAllen, TX, and support work among Internationals in Fredericksburg, VA, and Miami, FL.The camp offering will help provide these existing ministries with resources such as new language learning tools and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, as well as food and clothes needed to help people restart their lives. 7 Parent Guide
New to PASSPORTchoices? PASSPORTchoices is a 6-day, 5-night creative discipleship youth camp that allows your students the freedom to customize their camp experience, explore their passions, and live out their calling. At PASSPORTchoices, your students choose from multiple afternoon activities designed to help them cultivate their unique identity as a follower of Jesus Christ. Creative Discipleship Programming Designed To Foster Students Passions & Interests : Students have the ability to customize their camp experience by choosing from several afternoon activities, designed to ignite their passions and help them cultivate their unique Christian identity. With Choice topics ranging from environmentalism to health and fitness to music and ministry, your students are sure to find a topic they are passionate about. Low-Pressure Worship Experience Aimed At Equipping Students For A Lifetime Of Faith: Your students will find PASSPORT is an intimate, grace-filled, low-pressure environment where they can explore and grow their relationship with Jesus. Mentorship and Pastoring By Young Christian Men & Women: PASSPORT employs committed Christian women and men for our summer teams. Encountering a relatable Christian role model can change a student s life, encourage them as followers of Christ, and help them understand what faith lived looks like. Fresh Camp Programming: With a new theme every year, PASSPORT offers your students an exciting and totally fresh experience every summer. 8 Parent Guide
Camp Mailing Addresses Camper Name, Church/Group Name PASSPORT at Greensboro College 815 West Market Street Greensboro, NC 27401 Camp Phone: (205) 588-6904 Founded in 1993, Passport, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry that produces creative, high quality Christian summer camps and mission trips for youth groups and children s groups across the country. We invite you to consider becoming a donor to Passport, and join us in making a transformational difference in the lives of those we serve. www.passportcamps.org 9 Parent Guide