Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

1. When does my child’s camp start?

Please click here for a list of camp dates and starting times.  This sheet also includes camp rates.

2. Why are my child’s camp dates different this year? 
We make every effort to schedule our camp dates so that as many children and youth are able to participate.  In order to cause the fewest possible conflicts with school/band/sports schedules and other groups using Shrine Mont facilities, we have made some changes in the 2010 Shrine Mont Camp schedule.  These decisions have been made after much deliberation, and in consultation with Shrine Mont and camp directors. 

3. Why is there only one session of Art Camp? 
We believe that offering a camp that is open for children of a wider age-range will allow the campers to create community with children of different ages while still having an experience that is tailored to their own developmental stages.  We wanted to have a place where siblings could attend camp together, where churches could bring all of their youth to camp for the same week, and where older campers were given opportunities to act as leaders and mentors to younger campers.   While this is a new model camp at Shrine Mont, it has been done successfully in many other dioceses.  Campers would share their cabin with other young people their own age, and some of the daily schedule would be spent only with their own age group.

There is only one session for 2010 due to time and facility constraints.  We hope that in time we will offer two sessions of Art Camp - both for young people aged 9-15 years old. 

For more information about the Art Camp change, click here.

4. Why is St. George’s IV camp first?
St. George's IV is for the oldest age group, and has typically occured at the end of the summer.  However, this is the part of the summer where high school aged students are generally getting ready for school to start: sports and band practices have begun, among other pre-school activities.  Many campers were having to choose between coming to camp or participating in school activities.  It is our hope that moving this session to the beginning of the summer will eliminate these conflicts, and allow as many campers as possible to attend their final years of St. George's Camp. 

5. My child is too young for camp. Is there a camp that that we can attend together?
Yes! You can attend Family Conference from July 11 through July 17. Family Conference is summer camp for everyone, whether you are single, married, or with or without children. Please click here for more information regarding Family Conference 2010.

6. It's my child's first year away at camp. Can we see the camp before the summer sessions start?

Yes! Please bring your family to a Camp Open House where you will be greeted by a knowledgeable staff member and get a tour of the facilities. We are sure that all of your questions will be answered prior to your child leaving for camp.
Available dates: March 27, April 10, May 2, May 23

To sign up, please contact Kathlyn Jones at 800-DIOCESE x31 or kjones@thediocese.net. . If your family would like to eat lunch beforehand at the Shrine Mont dining hall, please indicate when registering.

7. Is my child allowed to share a cabin with their friend?

One of the goals of the Shrine Mont camping program is to foster a loving and accepting community.  We encourage youth to make new friends and generally do not honor cabin requests.

8. What will my youth be doing all day at camp?

           Daily Schedule:*
7:15- Wake up Bell
8:00- Breakfast
9:00- Clean Cabins
9:30- Scheduled activities (Sports, Swimming, Art, etc.)
10:30- Chaplain’s Time
11:30- Camper Free Time
12:30- Lunch
1:15- Rest Period
2:30- Scheduled Activities
3:30- Cabin Free Time
4:30- Camp Free Time
5:30- Dinner
6:15- Worship
7:00- Evening Games
8:00- Evening Program (Dance, Skit Night, etc.)
9:30- Good Night Song and head to cabins
*Please note this is a typical schedule for a day at camp.  The schedule may change for each camp.

9. What should my child bring to camp?

• a sleeping bag and/or sheets and a blanket
• sneakers for every day use, boots for hiking – Please note – for safety reasons, we do not allow campers to wear shoes that don’t have a back (such as flipflops).
• enough tough, casual clothes to make it through the session without doing laundry
• rain gear
• at least one pair of long pants, and a sweatshirt or jacket for cool evenings
• a swimsuit (or two) and a towel
• a flashlight
• TWO durable water bottles or canteens
• paper, envelopes, and stamps
• books to read during rest period
• supplies for a creative activity you enjoy (e.g., a musical instrument, sketchbook, journal, knitting supplies…)
• a Bible and a Book of Common Prayer, if you have them
• shampoo, toothpaste, etc., and a bath towel
• *This is a basic supply list.  Different camps may require some extra items, and a packing list will be sent to each camper after their registration is filed.

10. Where can I get a health form and do I have to use the one provided by the Diocese of Virginia?

Please click here to download a health form.  We will accept school and sport physicals as long as they are within two years of camp.  

11. What if my child gets homesick? 

Missing home can be a normal emotion a youth can feel at camp, especially if it is his or her first time away from home.  Our counselors foster a nurturing environment which will help alleviate any homesick tendencies, and homesickness is a topic of particular concern that we focus on during staff training sessions.  We encourage parents to write letters to their youth frequently. 

12. How do I send mail to my camper?

Campers love mail!  Please write often:
Mail: Camper's Name/Name of Camp/Orkney Springs, VA 22845

Fedex: Camper's Name/Name of Camp/221 Shrine Mont Circle/Orkney Springs, VA 22845

13. Can my child bring a cell phone to camp, so that we can stay in touch while s/he is there?

It is the strong belief that time spent at Shrine Mont is time spent in “a place apart.”  One of the wonderful benefits that campers get from attending a Shrine Mont camp is the community that is built with other campers and counselors, and the opportunity to truly spend time in God’s creation.  Because being able to provide a true “place apart” for campers and staff alike is so important to the mission of the Summer Camp program, cell phones are strictly prohibited.  We ask that communication between campers and those at home be limited to letters and postcards, unless there is an emergency.  There is a phone number where parents are able to call if there is an emergency, but we do not provide opportunities for phone calls or emails while camp is in session.  In a time of great technological advances, there are fewer and fewer times when children are called to be fully present in one place and time alone.  Summer camp at Shrine Mont is an environment that is strongly committed to these beliefs, and we thank you for respecting the restrictions on any cell phones, PDAs, or other communication devices at Shrine Mont.

14. What is the emergency number for Shrine Mont?

If you have questions about your camper while he or she is away please contact the director of the camp:
Shrine Mont Hotel: 540-856-2141 – use in case of Emergency
Woodward Camp: 540.856.2973
Woodward Infirmary: 540.856.3498
St. George’s Camp: 540.856.2546
Upper Infirmary: 540.856.3129
Vienna House: 540-856-3113 – This is the number that you can use to contact Paris Ball, Director of Shrine Mont camps, anytime from mid-June through mid-August.

15. Is scholarship money available for my youth?

Shrine Mont camps firmly believe that every youth should have the opportunity to attend our program and that money should not be an issue.  To qualify for a scholarship please complete the form found here.  Scholarships will be awarded in May 2010.  The earlier this form is turned in the better.

16. What is your refund policy and may I pay with a credit card?

At this time the diocese is not able to accept credit card payment.  Please make checks payable to Shrine Mont Camps and make sure to include the name of your youth and the name of the camp they will attend.  Send checks to:
Shrine Mont Camps
110 W. Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Shrine Mont Camps cannot refund your deposit after you are accepted unless the event is cancelled.  For cancellations which occur within two weeks of the beginning of the camp session, a 50% penalty will be assessed.

17. How do I get to Shrine Mont?

DIRECTIONS FROM  - NORTHERN VA / WASHINGTON, DC
Shrine Mont is located 1 hour South of Winchester and approximately 2-1/2 hours from the Washington, DC metro areas. To reach Shrine Mont, follow Route 66 West to I-81 South to Mt. Jackson (Exit #273). Turn left onto Rt. 703 (East), then right (South) on US 11, follow through town, turn right on Rt. #263 and follow approximately 15 miles to Orkney Springs.

DIRECTIONS FROM – RICHMOND, VA
Shrine Mont is located 1 hour North of Harrisonburg, and approximately 3 hours from the Richmond metro area. To reach Shrine Mont, follow I-81 to Mt. Jackson (Exit #273). Turn right onto Rt. 703 (East), then right (South) on US 11, follow through town, turn right on Rt. #263 and follow approximately 15 miles to Orkney Springs.

If you would like to stay at Shrine Mont for a night or two please contact Shrine Mont directly at 540-856-2141.

18. What is Shrine Mont?

Shrine Mont is a conference and retreat center of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.  In the Shenandoah Valley, Shrine Mont provides “a place apart” for its guests, complete with home-cooked Southern Dining, rustic accommodations, and all the beautiful scenery one can take in.  For more information, please see the Shrine Mont Web site – click here