Camp Policies and Regulations

Dear Group Leader,

I sincerely hope your stay at Camp Istrouma Retreat Center will be an enjoyable and beneficial experience.  If I can assist you in your planning or help in some way to make your retreat better, please feel free to call.

I would like to suggest a few things that may help your retreat be successful.  These will help you take advantage of some aspects of the Retreat Center that are sometimes over looked.

First, please read this material!  It provides all the information you ever wanted to know about our facilities.  After you have read the guidelines, make sure all of your campers understand and follow them while at the Retreat Center.

While you are here, we wish to do what we can to make your retreat a success.

Thanks for using Camp Istrouma Retreat Center.

Garth Frenzel, Camp Director

Camp Istrouma Retreat Center

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CAMP ISTROUMA RETREAT CENTER RETREAT GUIDELINES

PRE-RETREAT PREPARATION

1. There shall be one adult man counselor for every nine (9) boys (or less) and one adult woman counselor for every nine (9) girls (or less).  All counselors must be 18 years of age or older.

2. The group leader is responsible for informing the campers of their responsibilities while at the Retreat Center and for making sure the guidelines are followed.  The counselors shall not leave the campers unattended.

3. The group leader should notify the Retreat Center Manager of desire to use the Water Park, Climbing Wall, Low Ropes, Pool and the need for a campfire prior to the reserved date.

GUIDELINES

1. Upon arrival at the Retreat Center, all vehicles must remained parked, unless special permission is obtained from the Retreat Center Manager.  If permission is granted, no person is allowed to ride on the outside of the vehicle.  Maximum speed limit is 15 mph.

2. No smoking is allowed in buildings and smoking is discouraged on the grounds.

3. All language and behavior should be consistent with the Christian atmosphere of the Retreat Center.

4. Dress shall be modest at all times, in keeping with Christian standards.

5. No drugs, alcoholic beverages, or anyone under the influence of either will be tolerated on the Retreat Center grounds.

6. No fireworks or firearms will be allowed anywhere on Retreat Center grounds.

7. Water balloon fights must be OUTSIDE the buildings and be supervised by the group leaders.

8. NO SHAVING CREAM fights anywhere on Retreat Center grounds.

9. Radios and tape players are prohibited.

10. No walking around the lake at night.

11. Do not drive cars across grounds and park on edge of road area.

12. Group leaders are financially responsible for damage to the Retreat Center.  A statement of damages will be sent to sponsoring church or institution.

13. The moving of beds is not allowed this will cause damage to the beds.

14. No swimming in the creek.

15. No swimming in the lake unless your group rents the water park area.

16. Do not allow kids to through rocks from the gravel road.

17. Do not allow kids to play on bunks beds.

18. Campers are not allowed to cross swinging bridge and go hiking without counselors.

CLEAN UP POLICIES

1. Cabins:

a. Check under all bunks and around mattresses for trash and forgotten items. 

b. Sweep the bathroom and cabin floors. A broom and dustpan are provided in every  cabin. Please sweep trash into dust pans/waste baskets.

c. Please rinse out sinks and showers and check for anything  left in the shower area.

2. Dining Hall:

a. Any chairs and tables used in the Dining Hall are to be stacked up against the sides of the hall.

b. Turn off lights and air-conditioning before leaving.

c. No candles in dining hall unless approved by Manager.

d. No taping of items on walls or windows unless approved by Manager.

e. Mop up any spills on the floor and clean up any food that has fallen on floor.

3. Kitchen in Old Dining Hall or Cabins:

a. Wash pots and dishes and pick up before leaving.

b. Wipe down all counter tops.

c. Empty refrigerator before leaving.

d.  Empty trash cans into dumpster.

e. When using our kitchen you need to bring your own soap, wash clothes, trash bags and disposable eating utensils. The camp has pots and pans available for your use.

4. Grounds:

a. Police grounds for paper and trash.

b. Pick up all recreation equipment.

5. Chapel:

a. No food or drink in chapel.

b. No playing of games in chapel.

c. No taping items on walls or windows.

d. No candles in chapel unless approved by Manager.

e. We ask for kids to remove shoes to help save carpet in chapel.

f. Do not move sound system equipment unless approved by Manager.

g. Pick up chairs after using them and stack up against wall.

6. Bath House:

a. Check for clothing and towels.

b. Rinse out all showers.

c. Please flush all toilets.

d. Empty all trash cans.

e. Pick up trash on floor.

f. Turn out lights.

 7. Your organization is responsible for leaving the camp in the same condition as you    found it.

FOOD SERVICE

1.  Meal times will be: Breakfast - 8 am; Lunch - 12 noon; Supper 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm Friday night supper.

These times are a guideline but will be followed unless other arrangements have been made with the retreat center office.

2.  To facilitate planning the meals, a guaranteed number must be given to the Retreat Center at least 72 hours prior to reservation date.  Group will be charged for that number for their meals.

3.  No food or drink is allowed in the cabins.

POOL RULES

1.  Must have registered life guard at pool which the camp will provide. 

2.  Swimming is allowed only in the pool and during designated times.

3.  All groups using the pool must be accompanied by adult leaders.

4.  Swimwear shall be worn while using the pool.  No unhemmed garments or cutoffs will be allowed in the pool because loose threads, frayed ends, etc. clog the filtering system.

5.  Girls must wear a T-shirt over two-pieced swim suits.

6.  Swimsuits are to be worn only for swimming activities.

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CURFEW

Buildings and grounds are considered closed after 12:00 midnight.  This has been established so that all guests at Camp Istrouma Retreat Center may enjoy a quiet and peaceful night's rest.  Directors, sponsors, participants, and counselors are expected to cooperate with its enforcement.

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SERVICES AND GENERAL INFORMATION

AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT    

TV and VCR - available in Dining Hall

TV and DVD - available in Chapel

Overhead Projector - Available in Chapel

Sound System in Chapel - available for rent

CAMP FIRES

Camp fires should be scheduled well in advance of your conference.

TELEPHONES

Telephone use is limited as the lines are for business use only. Emergency calls may be made from retreat center office phones with a three minute limit.  The phone is available during regular business hours.

INCOMING CALLS

The caller is notified that a call back is necessary.  Emergency messages will be delivered immediately.  All other calls will be given to the group leader.

RELEASE FORMS FOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

In order to participate in all adventure activities a release form must be signed by parent of camper. These activities include blob, zipline, water slide and climbing wall.

The release form can be downloaded from the blob zipline waterslide page and the climbing wall page.  

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EMERGENCY SERVICES

For all emergency numbers dial.......................................... 911

These include:  

1. East Baton Rouge Sheriff

2. Fire Department

3. Ambulance service

HOSPITALS

Lane Memorial Hospital  -  658-4335

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Please notify the Retreat Center Manager of all accidents.