CAMPERS' PROCEDURES Spiritual Program
The Soul Food summer camp is a Christian camp. It is "A camp where soul-winning and the arts come together." At this camp, we teach young people to evangelize in their city and surrounding areas. We provide a safe, FUN-FILLED, high energy camp that combines the empowering messages of sharing your faith AND your testimony with the performing arts. This camp was created to teach children and youth to evangelize and share their testimony consistently. That's what the core of SOUL FOOD 2K9 is all about-teaching this generation simple steps for sharing their faith DAILY.
 
  Mail
Sending mail and "care packages" is highly recommended. However, please DO NOT put food, gum, snacks or beverages within the packages. Instead of mailing the packages directly to the camp site, we require that parents pre-write their letters/love notes ahead of time, for each day the camper will be at camp, and give it to the registrar upon the camper’s arrival. This is done so that campers will be able to have mail during our mail call, every night by the bonfire, for "Reflection Time." Exceptions will be made for birthdays and other special occasions (must be pre-approved). To keep it as a surprise to the campers, please do not share this information with your child/child(ren).
 
  e-Mail
All email must be sent through Soul Food at soulfood@daretodance.org. Campers will not have access to their own email accounts. Please do not use this service as a means to mail your child for the mail call during "Reflection Time."
 
  Telephone Use & Visitors
The purpose of an over-night summer camp is to encourage campers to get away from the things they are most familiar and comfortable with, such as their home and family, so they may experience growth and development. It is for this very reason that we do not allow campers to use the telephone or receive any visitors during their stay at camp unless an emergency were to arise. Parents, however, are encouraged to daily view their child’s stay at camp via photos that will be provided through the Bucketlist.com and myspace Please assume that no word from camp means that "all is well."
 
  Cell Phone
As a general camp rule, cell phones and cell phone use is prohibited. Campers will not be allowed to receive incoming calls nor send outgoing calls from their cell phones at any time during camp. In case of an emergency, all calls will be received and sent through the camp’s office. If a camper is found using a cell phone, it will be confiscated and returned to the child’s parent/guardian upon pick-up time during last day of camp.
 
  Insurance
Accident insurance is included in the camp fee. This is not a deductible policy. Any doctor or druggist bills incurred as a result of illness will be mailed or handled directly to the parent(s)/)guardian(s) or deducted from the camper’s spending money account.
 
  Camp Picture
A cabin and personal photo set will be taken for each child and will be available for purchase for an additional price:
nbsp;

Counselors, Instructors & Staff
At Soul Food 2k9 Summer Camp, good counselors with integrity, fun personality, and a strong sense of personal relationship with Christ are selected for your child’s benefit. We provide the right environment, the best leadership, the inspiration, fun, and, most importantly, a superior reason for camping with us. Counselors ensure that the campers are cared for and supervised at all times. There are two counselors per cabin and separate cabin areas for boys and girls. Moreover, boys and girls cabins are located at opposite areas on the camp site. Counselors take time to get to know each camper, help to initiate the building of friendships, and work to develop team spirit.
 
  Laundry Services
Laundry services will be provided to over-night campers only, unless there is an emergency situation. There is no additional charge for the laundry services and it is entirely optional (See registrar for more details).
 
  Airport Transportation Transportation to and from the Tampa International Airport is available at an additional cost of $50 each way per child. Please mail or e-mail airline, flight numbers, and time and date two weeks in advance.
 
  Birthdays at Camp
Birthdays are special days for the campers as well as the staff. Therefore, we will provide a birthday cake, ice cream, and a party for a camper and their cabin mates on his/her birthday. Please notify the registrar weeks prior to arrival so that we can recognize and prepare for this special day.
 
  Medical Care and Medication
All campers must be examined by a doctor within the year before entering camp. No camper will be permitted to enter camp unless his/her health form is on file with our camp nurse. The nursing station houses children too ill to stay in their cabin or those requiring close medical attention due to injury. A doctor will be available if needed.
The nursing station addresses minor needs such as headaches, cuts, scrapes, insect bites, etc for which an on-site nurse will attend to. All other needs other than a minor illness or injury will be considered emergencies, and parents, as well as the local hospital will immediately be notified. Medication will be dispensed from the nursing station by the nurse only. Campers may not have medication of any type on their person at any time during camp. Medication is to be checked in on the first day of camp and must be in its original container along with written instructions for the administration of the medication. All campers are to carry medical insurance, if at all possible, and a copy of their insurance card is to be sent along with the Registration Form. The cost of medical services, if any, is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. A qualified and experienced doctor will supervise the preparation of three well-balanced, nourishing meals in those cases of campers with food allergies.
 
  Homesickness
Feeling homesick is a natural, healthy and common part of the Over-Night Camp experience. Some campers never experience it while for a few it is a real challenge.
 
  Counselors help campers to overcome homesickness by aiding them to become a part of the community, keeping them active in programs and assuring them that they are able and ready to enjoy time away from home with their new camp friends at Soul Food Summer Camp. While it may seem that a phone call home would help to “cure” homesickness, years of summer camp experience has taught us that contact with parents makes homesickness much worse. Should a child make no progress in dealing with homesickness after a few days, a staff member will contact the parents. We strongly discourage removing a child from camp due to homesickness as it also removes this unique opportunity for personal growth and development. In the event of dismissal or withdrawal because of homesickness, there will be no refund of the camp fee.
 
  Spending Money
Campers DO NOT NEED spending money while at camp. However, there will be a snack bar available at camp at which campers may use their personal monies for additional snacks and beverages. Our Camp Store is open each afternoon and evening campers may enjoy a snack and drink for an additional cost.
 
  Refund Policy
ANY AND ALL DEPOSITS, FEES AND/OR TUITION PAID IS NON-REFUNDABLE in the event of dismissal or withdrawal because of homesickness, misconduct, or any other cause. In the event of withdrawal because of illness requiring the attention of a physician, one-half of the unused camp fees for the unexpired portion of the term will be refunded.
 
 
 
  Arrival & Pick-Up Information
Parents are completely responsible for transporting their child to and from Soul Food 2K9 Summer Camp held at the Lakewood Retreat camp site. Please plan to arrive Monday between 7am - 12pm on opening day of the camp and to depart Saturday afternoon after the farewell concert. Day campers may arrive between 7.30am - 6.30pm, with EARLY drop-off beginning as early as 6.30am. You may sign up for early drop-off and late pick up (before 7.30am and after 6.30pm) for an additional $5.00 per day per child (This is due along with full tuition balance).
 
  Activity Choices
Campers may choose activities upon registration. They participate in the activities every day for the entire camp session unless on a camp field trip. Please discuss activity choices with your child.
 
  Sanitary Water
Pool water is filtered and tested according to state regulations.
 
  Conduct Code
Campers must maintain a level of respect for themselves and others during camp. Profanity is prohibited. THE USE OF WEAPONS, ALCOHOL, NON –PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OR TOBACCO IN ANY FORM IS NOT PERMITTED AT SOUL FOOD 2K9. The director may dismiss any person who violates this rule. In fact, they have “made the choice to go home” if they violate this policy. The director reserves the right to dismiss any person or reject any application at any time if she feels it is in the best interest of the camp to do so. Good attitude and sportsmanship helps your child fit into our life at Soul Food 2K9. What your child takes away will depend on his/her attitude toward the camp, the counselors, and the other campers.
 
  Facilities
The Lakewood Retreat campground is located on 114 acres of rolling, Florida woodland with frontage on a 500 acre lake and offers a classic camp experience. It has a wonderful campground with two pavilions, a bathhouse and a playground. Our recreational area includes hay rides, open-fire popcorns, ice cream socials, the low-ropes course, volleyball, tennis and basketball courts, pool, human foosball, mini golf, nature trail, game room, canoes, horseshoes, ping pong, carpet ball, softball fields, large open field areas for a wide variety of recreational options like football, soccer, or ultimate Frisbee, and much more.
 
 

IMPORTANT - PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED NOT TO CONTACT CAMPERS; NEITHER WILL CAMPERS BE ALLOWED TO CONTACT PARENTS. IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, HOWEVER, PARENTS MAY CALL THE CAMP OFFICE AT (352) 796-4097.

Campers Enrollment Procedures

Next Camp highlights and Photo & Video Journaling




SoulFood 2K9 Summer Camp introduction
Campers Enrollment Procedures
Camp highlights and Photo & Video Journaling
Camp Fun & Sports
Camp Scholarships
Instructors, Staff & Volunteers
Workshops
Camp Schedule
Meals
Packing List
Lodging & Accomodation
Camp Address & Directions page
Day Camper's Parents Guideline
Registration Form