Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight Youth Camp FAQs
We don’t have an online schedule for you to see, as different camps (and even different days) have a tendency to vary a bit. But here’s an idea of the flow of a typical day at youth camp: Flag and quiet time before breakfast, followed by Bible study and a few activities. Then it’s time for lunch, FOB (rest time), and more activities! After some free time, it’s dinner, that evening’s theme night, a snack, Club, and then bedtime. We make sure campers get about 7-8 hours of sleep each night so they’re ready for another full day of camp in the morning!
But what about family camp? After breakfast and family devos, it’s time for speaker sessions and kid programs, followed by parent free time and more kids programs. Then it’s family free time, dinner, and theme night activities!
We don’t have an online schedule for you to see, as different camps (and even different days) have a tendency to vary a bit. But here’s an idea of the flow of a typical day at youth camp: Flag and quiet time before breakfast, followed by Bible study and a few activities. Then it’s time for lunch, FOB (rest time), and more activities! After some free time, it’s dinner, that evening’s theme night, a snack, Club, and then bedtime. We make sure campers get about 7-8 hours of sleep each night so they’re ready for another full day of camp in the morning!
Pine Cove offers overnight youth camp for rising 2nd – 12 graders, so we think anyone in that age range would thrive at camp! The exact age to start is up to you, but you can check out this resource to read about signs your child is ready for camp!
For overnight camp, campers as young as rising 2nd graders can attend. For City, our day camp, campers as young as rising 1st grade can attend.
Pine Cove is a non-denominational, Gospel-based Christian ministry.
This is going to vary a little bit based on when you come. Check out our Price, Dates, and Locations page for the particulars!
Pine Cove was founded in 1967!
Pine Cove’s Tax ID is 751254353.
We know leaving things behind is frustrating! We’ll do our best to reconnect you with anything you might be missing. Just get in touch with our registration staff and they will point you in the right direction!
Yes! Because camper safety is a top priority, each camper will sign a “Camper Agreement” when they arrive at camp that outlines the behaviors and expectations we have of them at Pine Cove to ensure a great experience for everyone. It’s pretty straightforward and addresses things like our dress code, rules about not sneaking around camp at night, expectations for campers to be respectful to others, and the items campers aren’t allowed to have on property, but if you’d like to see the full agreement, you can log into your account and view it there!
That is so kind of you to ask! Pine Cove does not utilize volunteers, as we are fully staffed with trained employees. But you are welcome to apply for a summer job or a resident staff position!
Such a great—and tough—question! As you know, kids grow and mature at different rates, hitting various milestones at different times. With that in mind, we put together a guide to help you navigate this question! From whether your child can handle large groups and loud noises to their ability to follow instructions, there are a lot of markers to look for as you determine if your child is ready for camp. Check out 7 Signs Your Child is Ready to Thrive at Camp for more information.
The biggest difference is the gift of extra time with their counselor and cabin mates to create a deeper community and friendship. Additionally, two-week campers get to attend exclusive speakers and worship sessions. Plus, with unique theme nights and bible studies, campers will get a new experience each day! Learn more about two-week programs here.
Pine Cove does not currently offer a sibling discount, but if you’re looking for financial assistance, we encourage you to apply for a scholarship.
Summer camp is the perfect opportunity for kids to take a break from technology! With this in mind, we ask that campers not bring their devices to Pine Cove. This gives them a chance to focus on building relationships with their counselors and fellow campers, enjoy time spent outside doing seriously fun activities, and experience a totally phone-free week!
But don’t worry, parents! You’ll still feel connected to your camper while they’re at Pine Cove through the CampLife app, which provides an awesome window into camp! Download the app and you’ll be able to see photos, send and receive letters, add money to your camper’s store account, and more! Check out more info about our app here.
Check out our registration policies for information about all of those topics.
We have a few different ways for you to do this. The first that we recommend is sending digital mail through our CampLife App! Interested in physical mail? Check out our guide to care packages and letters at camp.
Campers at the Shores, Bluffs, and Woods will have the opportunity to ride wave runners on Lake Palestine if they were born prior to 1993. Those born on or after September 1, 1993 must be at least 16 years of age and have completed a Boater Education Certification Course and bring their boater’s license to camp. Campers must have their Boater Education Card with them while they are operating the wave runners. For more information about Boater Education Certification Course, visit
https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/boater-education/.
Yes, each camper is required to have a physical exam by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant within 24 months (two years) of attending camp. You will indicate that your camper has had a physical when you fill out their health form, but no extra forms or doctor signatures are required. You will fill out required health forms in your online account.
You will drop off any medication your camper will need during their week of camp with our camp nurse. Read our guide to medicine at camp here.
A big tradition for many campers is to celebrate their arrival in some way, usually with things like car paint and confetti. We love that seriously fun energy! We just ask that you please leave any non-biodegradable silly string or confetti cannons at home. At the end of the day, all that confetti and silly string gets left behind on our grounds, and it takes our amazing team of summer staffers a long time to clean up. Instead, we suggest you celebrate with small water blasters, automatic bubble blowers, colored powder poppers, or anything else celebratory! Thank you so much for helping us keep camp clean and beautiful.
Some of our camps have different times for you to arrive for opening and closing day, so head here to check out the correct times for your camp. Need more information? We’ve got an awesome guide to drop-off, so check out our blog to read about turning in medication, completing swim check, and more. Not sure exactly where you’re going? Find directions and addresses here.
We totally understand! If you’d like to go straight to your camp’s packing list, just click here and then select your camp from the pull-down menu. If you’d like a little more help, check out our blog about how to pack for youth camp.
You can either add money to your camper’s store account in your online account or from the CampLife App. For more information about the camp store, including how much you might want to put in your camper’s account, check out our camp store blog.
It’s possible, since we do have a few cancellations during the spring, but we encourage you to also find an available week so you make sure you have a spot. You can be registered for a session and on a waitlist at the same time, and if you get off the waitlist, you have the option to switch over!
At pick-up you can get your meds from the meds pick-up table before or after picking up your camper. Please don’t forget! It is illegal for us to mail prescription medication, which is why we encourage parents to only pack the doses needed while their camper is at camp.
We legally cannot administer anything that is not FDA approved and without dosing guidelines. In order to administer vitamins, essential oils, CBD oil, or allergy drops, we must have a doctors note that includes dosing instructions. Do not pack these items in your camper’s luggage, as they will be taken up.
Medication is given out at meals from Sunday dinner to Friday dinner and bedtimes beginning Sunday night. Note that we do not give out meds at breakfast on Saturday (unless it’s a critical medicine like a cardiac med or insulin), so make sure to give your camper any needed meds on Saturday after you pick them up.
Please communicate with your camper what meds (if any) they should expect to be taking at mealtime, so they’re aware. It’s important that they know if they are supposed to go to the meds station at meals before they arrive.
Some parents use time at camp to “take a vacation” from routine prescription medication, especially ADHD medication. We want to set your camper up for a successful, seriously fun, Christ-centered week, and keeping them on their regular prescription medication is an important factor for success. The camp environment is highly stimulating and most campers find they need the help their regular medication provides.
Sorry, but state law mandates that we follow all dosing guidelines and prescription guidelines. Work with your physician to update your dosing instructions for any prescription meds. If your camper needs to take a higher than recommended dose of an over-the-counter (OTC) med, please bring a physician’s note to the nurse’s table at drop-off.
The most common issue for parents is with melatonin. Check your melatonin packaging and see what the recommended dosage is. If you need need them to take more, we’ll need a physician’s note. They also will be pretty worn out by the end of the day and likely will not need melatonin at all.
Because of state regulations, we cannot administer prescription meds that are:
Regulations require us to follow the directions on all prescription medicine bottles and all blister packs, whether prescription or over-the-counter.
Make sure to keep only the doses of prescription medication your camper needs in the original prescription container with current dosage instructions.
That’s a long sentence so let’s break it down. Any prescription medication should:
We cannot mail prescription medication (it’s actually a felony by law!) so only packing the dosages your camper needs helps you not to waste (potentially expensive) medication by forgetting to pick it up after camp.
It’s easy to want to consolidate when you are packing and put all their meds for the week into a baggie—we get it! However, state regulations require all medication to be in containers processed by a pharmacist or manufacturer. We cannot make exceptions.
We still need a prescription label with dosage instructions for boxed medications, like inhalers, epi-pens and prescription creams. So either pack the box, or ask your pharmacy to print you an additional label that you can stick to the inhaler, packet or tube.
We stock many over-the-counter (OTC) medications in our health center for occasional as needed use. There is no need to pack any common OTC meds for your camper – we’re fully stocked with them!
If you believe your camper must have their own over-the-counter (OTC) medication, like a daily allergy pill, please add it to their medical form, then bring it with you to drop-off and check it in with the camp nurse. Any vitamins must have a doctors note and be checked in with the nurse.
Pack your any meds needed in a separate bag from the rest of your camper’s luggage ready to check in at the nurse’s station at drop-off.
Put any needed prescription medication on the medical form and bring it with you. We’ll take care of making sure they get what they need! State law requires us to store all medication in the health center so do not pack any meds in your camper’s luggage.
Please leave all non-prescription medications and vitamins at home for the week. Standing in line for meds during mealtime is not most camper’s favorite thing to do, so if it’s not essential, your camper will thank you too!
If you believe your camper must have their own over-the-counter (OTC) medication, like a daily allergy pill, please add it to their medical form, then bring it with you to drop-off and check it in with the camp nurse. Any vitamins must have a doctors note and be checked in with the nurse.
We are well stocked with most OTC medications for as-needed, occasional use!
State law requires us to store all medications at the health centers. This applies not just to campers, but also to our staff, so there’s no possibility of a camper getting into a staffer’s luggage and accessing medication.
Our policy of all medication is stored at the health center this includes over-the-counter medications and vitamins. Please do not store any over-the-counter (OTC) meds or vitamins in your camper’s luggage. Exceptions are made for rescue inhalers, diabetic supplies, and epi-pens.
If your camper is going to self-carry any of those items, please mention your camper will be carrying these things with them on the medical form and check in with the nurse upon arrival. We encourage you to send a second item to keep at the health center for easy accessibility in case a camper forgets an item in their cabin.
Your camper will have access to the camp clinic if they are need of occasional medication. We stock a variety of commonly used medications.
It is critical to communicate about your camper’s medical needs on the camper’s medical form. These forms become available in your account to fill out one month before your camper’s camp session. It’s important to have ALL medications (including daily over-the-counter allergy meds you intend to send) on the medical form before we can accept them at check-in. Make sure that if you make any last minute changes to your child’s medication before arrival at camp, that you also update the medical form.
All medications must be entered into our system through your medical form. We can’t handwrite in new medications at check-in, so save yourself time from having to log-in and add medications at check-in, and do it beforehand!
If this is your first overnight camp experience, you also completed a required health information form as part of your registration. This is the form where you will make sure to let us know about any bigger picture concerns, like diabetes or individual care needs your camper may have. It’s important to let us know about these needs as soon as possible before their camp session so we can make sure both our camp teams and medical teams are prepared to serve them safely.
At overnight youth camp, each cabin houses 7-8 campers along with one counselor. These cabins are equipped with four sets of bunk beds and access to an indoor bathroom with private shower and toilet stalls.
Our online registration system makes it very simple to pay with a debit or credit card. We offer several different automatic payment plans, from monthly to more spread out. Find out more about automatic payment plans in your online account.
Yes! All new-to-overnight youth campers can get $250 off a week of camp by using the code on our discounts page. There are other ways to save on camp listed on that page as well!
Yes, campers can bring their own snacks! However, no food is allowed in the cabins (to help keep the ants at bay!), but they are welcome to enjoy snacks on the porch or picnic tables.
Yes, we offer financial assistance! You are welcome to apply for a scholarship on our website.
Pine Cove’s phone number is 877-474-6326. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm CT.
In 1967, Bill McKenzie faithfully followed God’s direction and started a camp called Pine Cove. Now, decades later, the Lord has grown Pine Cove to 12 different physical camps in three regions. To date, more than one million people have experienced the ministry of Pine Cove.
Pine Cove is Christ-centered, others-focused, and seriously fun! Read more about our core values here.
Pine Cove is a 501(c) not-for-profit organization and a member in good standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Reed “S.I.” Livesay is CEO of Pine Cove. Craig “Dutch” Langemeier is the President.
Leftover funds of $5 or more will be automatically refunded the Wednesday after your camper’s week unless you chose to donate your funds to our scholarship program.
On average, campers tend to have $40 – $70 in their camp store account at the start of the week. The amount added is completely up to the parent or guardian, and there is no required amount. You are able to monitor the amount spent each day through your CampLife App and can add more if you’d like. Read more about the camp store here.
When a cancellation occurs, the first camper on the waiting list will be notified that a spot is available. The spot will be offered through an email, text (if you are opted in), and later followed up with a phone call. A deadline will be given and the camper will need to be registered by the deadline or we will move on to the next camper on the waiting list. If you would like to receive a text message when the spot is available, please go to the primary account holder’s profile and sign up to receive text messages.
It all depends on what payment plan you are on. Our pay in full plan is charged at the time of registration.
Our monthly payment plan is charged at the beginning of the month each month between registering and May 1st.
For our minimum payment plan, the deposit is due at time of registration. The rest of the cost of camp is spread out over two other deadlines: October 1 and March 1.
After March 1st only pay in full or monthly payment plan options are available.
We use camper accounts rather than cash so campers don’t need to keep track of cash during their week.On average, campers tend to have $40 – $70 in their camp store account at the start of the week. You can add money at any point during the week, so if you’re concerned about putting too much in at first, you can always start out with a smaller amount initially, see if it gets used, then add more. To learn more about the camp store, check out our blog.
Optional items are very popular and we sell out every year. Starting in late August, optional items are available for purchase online through your account by clicking on your campers registration and then selecting Optional Purchases. All packs, kits, and bags are sold on a first come, first served basis, so do it early and lock it in! Online purchases close the Friday before your camp session but if you still want one after that give us a call at 877-474-6326 and we’ll see if we can still get you one.
These special two week sessions take place at the Ranch, Timbers, Shores, Outback and Ridge camps. They begin on Sunday and run 13 days until the following Saturday.
All required forms are available one month before the start of your camp session and are due one week before camp starts.
The most helpful thing is giving them an accurate picture of your camper through the profile form. Each counselor will read all the information on the profile form before their campers arrive.
We would love that! We want to have the most accurate and up-to-date information to best care for your camper. You can make updates at any point before your camp session start date.
We want the most accurate health information about your camper so health forms must be completed each year.
To ensure your camper is on the correct waitlist, you will need to check out of your registration cart and you will receive a confirmation email. Your waitlist number will then show up on your Pine Cove account under “My Waitlists”.
If you’re waiting for a buddy or sibling to get off the waitlist, you can decline your current waitlist offer but stay on the waitlist. Just make a note for us saying who you are waiting for so we know that for the next round of offers.
One of the ways we make this week one of the best weeks of the year for your camper is by preparing for them. We will pray specific prayers over your campers with this information and use it to guide our conversations. We take privacy seriously and the information you give us will only be shared with staff who will be working with your camper.
For those not on monthly payment plans and who did not pay in full, a second payment is required on October 1. If you register after October 1 your payment is the non-refundable deposit plus the second payment. The remaining balance is due March 1.
There are a couple possibilities. Different weeks of camp are not all the same price, so you might need to pay the difference for a different week. The other possibility is that we require you to be current in your payments to switch.
Yes. If you register for a session and later switch to a different session, we will apply your original deposit to the new session.
Pre-registered youth and family campers may switch their registration to a different session based on availability beginning in August – check out your specific day to start switching here.
Youth campers can switch online by clicking into the current registration and selecting a different session. For family camp switches, please call our Registration department at 877-474-6326 and a registrar would be happy to help with this process. There is no fee to switch, but if you are switching to a higher-priced session we will need to make the appropriate adjustments to your payment plan at that time.
We allow campers to have an active registration and be on the waitlist for up to two additional sessions.
Youth camp registrations require a $200 non-refundable deposit for one week sessions and a $400 non-refundable deposit for two-week sessions.
Any cancellation before the end of day May 1 will be refunded everything but the non-refundable deposit. For cancellations after May 1, Pine Cove will consider refunds on a case by case basis depending on the likelihood of an empty camp spot, the circumstances of the camper, and availability.
You can find more information at the bottom of your registration portal under Terms.
Not interested in reserving your child’s spot for next summer? No problem! We’ll email you about your pre-registration after the camp week ends and you’ll have the option to opt out then.
For youth camp, pre-registration is now automatic! Instead of signing back up for another seriously fun summer, your camper will be automatically registered for the same week of camp the following summer. You’ll enjoy a monthly payment plan that spreads out the cost, and know another summer at camp is guaranteed before spots fill up!
Please call our registration office at 877-474-6326 and one of our registrars would be happy to walk you through the process
The earlier the better! Open registration typically begins in August – click here for this year’s open registration date.
For Overnight Camp & Pine Cove City: After all contacts have been added to your account, click on “Add Registration” and select the camp type, camper, and week/location.
Yes! Click on the friend group you would like to leave and at the bottom click on “Leave Group”. Once you have left the group you can then start a new group or join an existing group from a friend group invite.
This is going to vary a little bit based on when you come. Check out our Price, Dates, and Locations page for the particulars!
You can find a complete list of theme nights here. Just select your camp from the pull-down menu and you’ll see a list of theme nights and descriptions just below the packing list. For more details about theme night costumes, check out our handy guide!
Our youth camp cabins accommodate 7-8 campers and one counselor.
Absolutely! We offer the option to request that your camper be in the same group as another specific friend or up to three friends (for a group total of four). We do not allow more than four campers to request to be together in a group so that we can make sure everyone in the cabin is included, and no one feels left out. You can manage friend groups in your registration account. Read more on our blog about overnight youth camp friend requests and day camp friend requests.
Our youth camps are broken up by age and region. In East Texas, we have the Towers (2nd-5th grades), Ranch (6th-7th grades), Timbers (8th-9th grades), and Shores (10th-12th grades). In Central Texas, we have Silverado (2nd – 5th grades), Outback (6th-8th grades), and Ridge (9th-12th grades). And in Georgia, we have the Springs (3rd-10th grades). Pine Cove City, our traveling day camp, is for campers entering 1st-6th grades. During the summer, campers are considered to be in the grade they are advancing to in the fall. So if a child has just finished 3rd grade, we’ll consider them a 4th grader at summer camp!
We have loved hosting campers for Winterfest over the years. But scheduling an event in the holiday season—not only for our campers, but also for our college staff—has made it increasingly difficult for us to plan and execute Winterfest with the excellence we are committed to. Our initial solution was moving this event to occur after Christmas, but ultimately, and through much prayer, we have decided that it’s in the best interest of everyone to no longer continue to offer this event. For more information click here.
Please call our registration office at 877-474-6326 and one of our registrars would be happy to get your family registered!
First of all, we are so excited you will be joining us for the first time this summer. Here is a link to our Coming to Camp pages which will include all of the helpful information you need to know when getting ready for camp for the first time!
Balancing the needs of all our campers is important and a responsibility we take seriously. To help balance these needs, and create cabin unity, we have several factors we consider when placing campers in a cabin together. Click here to learn more about Pine Cove’s Rooming Policy.
Siblings are not automatically placed in the same cabin. In order for them to be together, they will need to be added to the same friend group. Just a reminder, all friend group policies apply, so they will need to be at the same camp and within one grade apart from each other.
If you do not want your campers to be together please email registration@pinecove.com with your request.
There’s a few things to double check on why this could be happening!
If you are still having issues accepting your friend group invitation, please call (877) 474-6326 and one of our registrars would be happy to help.
Check out our blog post with 7 Signs Your Child is Ready to Thrive at Camp!
It depends on if you are the owner of that friend group request. Only the owner of the friend group is able to invite a new camper and send the email invite.
Not at all! Around half of our campers come to camp without knowing someone ahead of time.
Call your friend and ask them! To protect the privacy of our campers, Pine Cove does not give out information about what week someone is coming to camp or other account information.
You may request up to 3 friends for a group total of 4. All friends in the group must be within one grade of each other and registered for the same camp and week. We do not allow more than four campers to be together in a group to make sure all campers are included in the entire cabin group.
We would love to help make that happen! If you and your friend register for the same camp session and are within one grade of each other and at the same camp you can complete a friend group request in your account. Check out this blog to learn more about friend groups!
Household credit is money in your Pine Cove Registration account that can be applied to other registrations, put into a camp store account, or used to purchase optional items.
Pine Cove offers partial Financial Assistance through our scholarship program to prospective campers with financial, spiritual and emotional needs for Youth Camp and Family Camp. Please visit our Scholarships page to learn how to apply for a Pine Cove scholarship.
Yes, we don’t share this information with anyone.
A credit card or debit card must be on your account to register campers, add camp store money, or purchase optional items. You can add new payment methods, change the expiration date on a credit card, and manage your current payment methods by logging into your account and clicking the payments button.
Sure thing. Log into your account online to update your payment plan or give us a call at 1–877–474–6326 anytime before March 1. Keep in mind, the earlier you start the monthly payment plan the lower your monthly payment.
