winter camp
Winter Camp is one of the two camps we do each year and Camps are one of the most important things we do each year. It is a ton of fun away from home, up in the snow. They have high energy games and plenty of chances for students to simply enjoy a relaxing weekend away with their friends.
Camp is not only full of different fun activities that create memories, it is also a place where students are challenged to consider who God is and how that changes the way we live. Over the years we have seen students experience God in new and fresh ways, all while building solid relationships with other students. You'd be amazed how students get on the bus skiddish and tentative and come home with new friends and a new excitement about the things of God.
Now there is some bad news....WE HAVE LIMITED SPACE! What we are saying is....SIGN UP TODAY!
We hope to see your student at Camp!
CLICK HERE to Register!
PARENT FAQ's:
When is camp?
Friday March 4th to Sunday March 6th
How much is Camp?
$169 Before 02/23/11 ($185 After 2/23)
$60 non-refundable deposit saves your spot.
When do they leave for camp?
The Bus Leaves the Parking Lot at 2:30 pm Friday.
Please arrive a few minutes early, so that you can have your student checked in and ready to go at 2:30. The bus will leave promptly and students that are more than 30 minutes late will have to provide their own transportation to camp.
Will my student have to miss school?
To make it up to camp in time, we know that student will have to miss at least one period of school. While this is a sacrifice, we only ask you to do this once a year for your student to miss and believe that camp is worth it. With enough notice in advance to the teacher and attendance office, this shouldn't be a problem.
If their bag is packed and in the car, and you can head straight over to church, this will save time.
When are they back from camp?
The Bus is Scheduled to arrive at 3:00 pm Sunday.
If we are running more than 15 minutes late, we will have your students call you from our phones.
When do they get their T-shirt?
They will get a brand new shirt from the appropriate ministry (Middle School or High School) when they check in. Please be sure they have the right size on their form, keeping in mind that cotton t-shirts do shrink slightly.
Who are the supervising adults?
Ponderosa Pines has a great staff up at camp. They're trained for anything that might come up while in camp and do this every weekend. We bring various adult leaders as the counselors who have been through our General Staff and Camp Training.
My student takes prescription medication, what should I do?
When you check your student in, please have them in a separate large ziploc bag and ready to turn in. Please include a simple instruction sheet including how often and what its for. PLEASE make sure they are in the original bottles.
If your camper carries an inhaler for asthma please have them carry it with them. If they have additional inhaler for acute asthma attacks please turn that in with medications.
The camp can provide basic over the counter meds as needed.
What should they pack?
• sleeping bag
• pillow
• towel
• washcloth
• soap
• comb
• toothbrush & toothpaste
• various other toiletries
• flashlight
• casual clothing
• a winter jacket, gloves, and snow boots (if possible)
• spending cash
• Bible, notebook, and pen
Additional Packing Notes
• NO Electronic Music/Games (i.e. iPods & Nintendo DS): These are a distraction in camp and could get lost.
• NO Weapons- Anything they can't bring to school (i.e. pocket knife)
• Careful with Precious Items: We encourage families not to send them to camp with something so valuable. If you'd be heartbroken if it came home damaged or didn't come home at all, keep it at home.
• DON'T OVERPACK- They're gone for 3 days, they shouldn't have more stuff than they can carry.
• Put your name on all your belongings. (sharpie marker on the tag)
• Students are required to bring money to buy lunch on Sunday. Enough for a fast food meal. (You may want to pack this in a separate bag or in an envelope. Often students spend all their money as soon as possible.)
• The Pondo Snack Shop and Gift Shop will be open throughout the weekend - for all their candy and souvenir "needs". $20 is PLENTY of spending money for the weekend.
• Note on Cell Phones: Students can bring their phones with them to call home on the way to camp and on the way home. The camp has a no phone policy so if the phone is a distraction in camp, it will be confiscated.
How do they get to Camp?
The church owns Buses and we have a driver with special training and state license that drives the bus.
Who is the speaker?
Jeff Myers the speaker this year. He is on staff at Creekside Christian Fellowship in Irvine, California.
How do I contact my student?
Email:
You can email messages to your student at mycamper@pondo.org. Please make sure your student’s full name is on the email in the subject line. They will be delivered at the next meal.
US Mail:
Ponderosa Pines
PO Box 1247
Running Springs, CA 92382-1247
FedEx, UPS, etc.:
Ponderosa Pines
31324 Green Valley Lake Road
Running Springs, CA 92382-1247
Note: If you don't send it a few days before the student leaves. Because we're there over a weekend mail must be sent early.
If there is an emergency, contact the camp office by telephone 909-867-7037.
What activities are there?
• Tubing
• Indoor Games
• Outdoor Games
• Snow Games (weather permitting)
• Crafts
• Movie
• Board games
• Meetings include a live band, videos, and teaching.
• Saturday Afternoon there is an option to Ski or Snowboard for an additional Cost.
• And More...
What are the details for the Ski/Snowboard option?
Plan on an awesome Saturday afternoon option of snowboarding or skiing at beautiful Snow Valley. Located only 10 minutes from Pondo, Snow Valley is one of the premier snowboard and ski resorts in Southern California. Charter bus transportation and a great sack lunch will be provided by Ponderosa Pines. And if your not an avid snowboarder or skier, you can still go along for the ride and enjoy the scenery at Snow Valley. Better yet, why not give it a try – lessons for all levels of experience are available. Either way, it will be an unforgettable experience! Check out Snow Valley online at www.snow-valley.com.
Rates:
Lift Ticket -$30
Snowboard and Boot Rental -$25
Ski and Boot Rental -$15
Lessons -$20
Why would I spend extra for my student to Ski/Snowboard?
This is your discretion as a parent. If your family can afford to send the student, and they're interested, It's a great experience. They can come home saying that they've tried something new! If you know lift ticket prices, this is an incredibly discounted rate too.
How are cabin assignments made?
We generally try and keep student in their Wednesday Night Small Groups for cabin assignments. Sometimes the number of beds in a room require us to make changes, but we keep pairs together so everyone is with someone they know.
If a student is new, and knows one or two people, we are always sure that they are in a cabin with the person they came with. It is impossible to be sure that everyone is in their perfect cabin, but we do our best. Simply put the name on the Camper Registration form.
Ponderosa Pines website is www.pondo.org and has additional information.
More Questions? Email us (aatkinson@fbcol.org) and we can answer you directly.