Preparing for Camp Information Pack
We’re glad that you have chosen to be a part of the action at Camp Akita this summer. The fact that you are reading this packet indicates that you have already registered your family for a week of fun, learning, and excitement at Camp Akita. It is our hope that many of your lingering questions will be answered by reading the following information. This Information packet addresses most of how to prepare for camp and what is “going on” at camp and should give you a good idea of what to expect. If you have any other questions, we do invite you to call our Camp Akita Summer office at 309-876-2060.
Our Mission:

To build a positive camp environment that intentionally supports the spiritual, relational and physical needs of our campers and staff.
Our Goals + Outcomes:
Spiritual: To demonstrate that faith in action is fun. God is invited to be a part of all we do at Camp Akita. Through daily worship times and an awareness of God’s presence throughout the day a friendship with Jesus Christ is encouraged.
Relational: To help campers develop personal confidence in their ability to learn new skills. To encourage and invite campers to make positive choices about their lifestyle and future, by presenting them with character-building lessons and mentoring them in making positive choices. To encourage healthy relationships and be accepting of others.
Physical: To provide, through intentional programming, fun-filled and challenging recreational opportunities for children and youth where skills are learned in a systematic and uplifting manner. To strive for a safe environment, where risk is minimized.
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Mental: To provide campers with a camp experience that protects and encourages their mental well-being, through spaces that help them feel loved, safe, and secure.
About Camp Akita:

Camp Akita is a Christian camp, owned and operated by the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Applications are accepted from boys and girls ages 7-17 without regard to race, religion or political view. Camp Akita strives to operate in a professional way and is held accountable in this goal through its memberships in the AACP (Association of Adventist Camping Professionals), and through its accreditation by the ACA (American Camp Association).
Outstanding Value:
Most camps that compare to Camp Akita charge up to three times as much, yet do not offer a staff/camper ratio of 1 to 4. This is possible because we are not-for-profit and our program is sponsored and subsidized by the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Adventists believe that providing positive Christian experiences for kids is a high priority. Here at Akita, the rights and dignity of all our staff and campers is one of our top priorities. How do we ensure that? By engaging in respectful communications, through the way in which our staff and campers interact, and through our lived examples as Christ-followers.
Registration:
Please plan to arrive at camp no earlier than 1:30 pm on Sunday. Our registration process begins at 2:00 pm. We expect that full payment be made for each camper prior to their arrival at Camp.
Pick-up times:
Check-out time for families is between the hours of 9:00 and 10:00 am on Sunday.
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Visiting Camp:
We have a closed campus at Camp Akita. What that means, is that we do not allow visitors on the premises unless previously arranged and agreed with the Summer Camp Director. We appreciate your support to Camp Akita.
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Health Insurance Card:
Please be sure to bring your Family's insurance card for any medical needs.
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Camp Store: 

Campers always enjoy shopping at the camp store. With the help of the friendly staff in the Camp Akita General Store, your camper will have the opportunity to buy things that can accompany the memories they make through the week, as well as basic snacks.
Electronic Devices:

This week is an opportunity for your family to have a spiritual and emotional retreat as you enjoy the beauty of nature and refreshing spiritual moments. We hope as a family you will decide to limit time with electronics to make the best out of your time here.
Dress Code:

As a Christian camp, Camp Akita’s dress code falls strongly on the side of modesty and appropriateness. We realize that there can be a great deal of debate over how modesty and appropriateness are defined. Because of this, it is difficult to state exactly what is and isn’t appropriate and we ask for your help in selecting appropriate clothing while you are here. Thanks for packing selectively, including one-piece swimsuits for women and board shorts for men. Thank you so much for your help.


What to Bring Packing List:
Sleeping Bag
Pillow
Everyday Clothes
Underwear
Long Pants/Jeans
Sweater/Jacket
Pajamas
Shoes & Socks
Flip Flops for shower
Modest Swimsuit (no two-piece suits for girls or speedos for boys)
Beach Towel
Towel & Washcloth
Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Laundry Bag
Bible
Flashlight
Store Money
Camera & Film

Please make sure all personal items have the camper’s name on it.
Camp Akita is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

What Not to Pack:
Limit Laptops, netbooks, small or portable stereos, MP3 players, iPods, cell phones, and the like. We like our families to focus on building relationships with each other rather than isolating themselves with music or cell phone conversations.
Jewelry and any other valuable items: due to safety and security issues we request that jewelry is not worn during any activity
Fireworks, matches, lighters: flames of all kinds are banned during summer months.
Drugs, cigarettes, alcohol.

Lost & Found:
Lost and found items are going to be kept for up to one week upon the conclusion of camp. At that time, any unclaimed articles of clothing will be donated to charity. Even though Camp Akita is a Christian camp and we expect our guests to respect each other and each other’s personal things, Camp Akita is not responsible for lost or stolen items. To help us minimize the possibility of a lost or stolen personal item, please identify it with your last name.
Health:
Please do not come to camp if you have a contagious condition, i.e. pink eye, an infestation of lice, chicken pox, etc. A health professional is on duty 24 hours a day to provide first aid, and to assess, and possibly refer a camper to more advanced medical care if needed. Personal medications will be kept in your family's cabin.


Mail:

Camper mail is delivered to and picked up from Camp Akita daily; UPS, FedEx, and other carriers also service the camp. Address any letters and packages to:

(Family Name)

Camp Akita

1684 Knox Rd 1200 N

Gilson, IL 61436-9430


Medical Expense Coverage:

Each camper is covered under a conference-sponsored camp accident medical insurance through AIG Life. The plan has coverage for covered medical expenses incurred as a result of bodily injury sustained by a camper while participating in a scheduled activity sponsored by Camp Akita up to $5,000. There is also AD&D up to $7,500 and catastrophic loss up to $50,000. There is a $25 deductible per occurrence. Anything above that amount will be covered by parents’ insurance. The plan document, which lists the provisions and exclusions, is available from the Illinois Conference Risk Management Department. If a camper becomes ill on their own and needs to see a physician, the parents’ health insurance will cover the charges.
Campfire:
Every evening your child will participate in the campfire worship with their cabin mates. Campers will sit back and relax as energetic staff put on a memorable program that creatively presents a character-building lesson. This is often their favorite part of camp. Campfire begins with the singing of Camp Akita favorites, old and new songs that campers take home with them when the week is over. The night is capped off with a character building play that displays the grand talents of the Camp Akita staff. Campfire is a fun-filled, positive worship experience for all campers and will provide great memories of their week of camp.
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Meals:

Your family will enjoy three healthy meals each day during his/her stay at Camp Akita. Meals served are vegetarian, but do include eggs, cheese, and dairy products. Nutritional balance is always considered and special requests for allergies can be accommodated. If your child is allergic to any food substance, please indicate that on his/her health form.
Refund Policy:

A “no show” is defined as by someone who simply does not come to camp and gives no notice. Refunds for a “no show” will be granted only in case of medical emergency, otherwise, a $250 of the tuition will not be reimbursed. For cancelations within 1 week period or less, $175 will not be refunded. If by any means you need to cancel your reservation, please contact us!
Campership Fund:
Because “kids come first” at Camp Akita, we believe that no child should be turned away because of finances. Our Campership Fund, for our youth camps, is made possible through the generosity of friends of Camp Akita, and is available to any camper with financial need. Thank you for investing in young people. Donations to this fund are greatly appreciated all year long.

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Thank you so much for your cooperation with this information. May God bless you and thank you for choosing Camp Akita for your family vacation and spiritual retreat!
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