How do I know which camp is for my child?  Do I give you the grade they are completing this year or the grade they will enter in the Fall?
How do I prepare my child for camp?
Can we tour the camp ahead of time?
What should my child pack?
What should my child leave at home?
What if my child becomes homesick?
Is your staff trained to handle homesickness?
Can we telephone our child?
Can my child call me?
What is the Canteen?
What is the Camp Store?
Can I purchase a copy of the pictures you take at camp?
What is the ratio of staff to campers in a cabin?
Will my child fit in socially?
How are your campers placed in a cabin?
What are the activities they will be participating in?
What does the camp look for in hiring camp counselors?
Will my child be able to receive special meals?
What if my child has medications he needs to bring to camp?
Will I be notified if my child gets sick at camp?
Is your camp certified?
Do you have to be Methodist to come to your camp?
Are campers covered under camp insurance policy?
What is Camp Istrouma's Tax ID Number?
Will my camper's cabinmate be honored?
How do I log into eCamp and email my camper?

How do I know which camp is for my child?  Do I give you the grade they are completing this year or the grade they will enter in the Fall?
We base all of our camp age requirements upon the grade a child will enter in the fall.  We appreciate your cooperation with this guideline.  It is important for the campers to have fair, age appropriate activities.

How do I prepare my child for camp?
The best preparation for camp is a positive family attitude.  Clearly discuss: what your child should expect at camp, your expectations of their behavior, and the opportunity for having fun and being with friends.  Please visit our website and view all of the pictures of camp activities.  Review our schedule with your child so they know what to expect.  Discuss the excitement of meeting new friends and getting to know their awesome counselors!  If this is your child’s first time to camp encourage them to bring a friend with them for a sense of security and home.  Let your child know that you will miss him/her, but resist the urge to be too sentimental.  Your confidence and optimism will rub off onto your camper!

Can we tour the camp ahead of time?
Yes, please email or contact the program director to set up an appointment to tour the camp.

What should my child pack?
Please be sure to pack comfortable clothes for each day of camp.  We have lots of activities and we want your child to be comfortable.  They will need night clothes, toiletries, bed roll/sleeping bag OR sheets, a pillow and an extra pair of shoes.  We will be running and playing so be sure your child has well fitting tennis shoes.  Please see What to Pack.

What should my child leave at home?
Please do not send your child with valuables, jewelry, cell phones, video games or other electronic devices.  Camp days will be filled with fun and learning and worship!

What if my child becomes homesick?
If this is your child’s first summer away from home, you both may have some reservations. Sometimes the first day or two at camp will be difficult for both child and parents. Actually, we usually see very little real homesickness. Most feelings of uneasiness stem from being in a new environment and being unsure of what will happen. This is a temporary situation, and clears up as soon as the child discovers the excitement of the camp activities and falls into the routine. Please help your child and the camp by understanding this early adjustment period and any unfavorable remarks they may make in the letters sent home. Give them time to adjust.
If you receive a letter from your child with homesickness signals, remember that letter writing usually takes place during rest hour and the camper's thoughts naturally return to you and home during those quiet times. Try to bring your own separation feelings into proper perspective and use E-camp to email your child an encouraging response. Rather than using phrases like "we miss you" or giving detailed accounts of what the family is doing in his absence, ask about camp activities, counselors, etc. Set a positive, encouraging tone. Express your confidence in their ability to cope and remind them that camp staff is there to assist. Let them know how excited you are to see them on the last day of camp to meet their new friends and hear all of their great camp stories.  The camp administration is always ready to help you if you have concerns. The camp phone number is (225) 261-2089, and the Director will be available for consultations.
The best preparation for homesickness is a positive family attitude about camp.  Have regular discussions about what to expect at camp and gentle encouragement that missing home is "ok". This preparation beforehand will usually equip your child with the tools needed to make the camp a valuable growth experience.

Is your staff trained to handle homesickness?
Yes, we have two weeks of training before our campers arrive, where numerous topics are covered, including encouraging and comforting campers with homesickness.

Can we telephone our child?
We would ask that you only telephone the camp if it is an emergency.  Our staff is very limited and is busy taking care of campers. You may send your child a package, write them a letter, or email them.  If your child has special medical needs, you may call the camp and speak with a staff member to check on him.

Can my child call me?
Campers may not use the telephone except in an emergency situation. If the director thinks it is necessary for the camper to call a parent then the director will call the parent first. Together the parent and director will decide if it would be better for the camper to call home or not.  Phone calls to home can sometimes make the situation worse by increasing the level of anxiety and homesickness.  We want to be sure that all campers have fun and are able to finish the week of camp.  We will do our best to encourage a camper to stay at camp but sometimes campers are just not ready for camp.  If you do receive a call from your child, talk positively about camp and encourage them to finish the week.  It is a great milestone for a child to complete the week and know that they "can do all things through Christ." (Philippians 4:13)

What is the Canteen?
The canteen is a concession stand providing snacks in the afternoon in between lunch and dinner.  Campers will have an oportunity each afternoon to purchase various items such as: cold drinks, chips, candy, pickles, and ice cream bars etc.  At registration we will collect each camper’s money*.  During the week we keep track of their spending.  We ask that no camper have money with them.    Canteen is optional and the amount you send is entirely up to you.  We suggest $10-$20 per camper. 

What is the Camp Store?
When we collect canteen money, we will also collect camp store money.*  Store money may be spent to buy fun items such as stuffed animals, disposable cameras, t-shirts, toys, bracelets, caps - ranging in price from $5-$20.  The Camp Store is open at the same time each day as the canteen.  If you would prefer to shop with your camper you may visit the store during registration.

Can I purchase a copy of the pictures you take at camp?
Absolutely! When you register for camp online or at check-in , you will have an opportunity to "Pre-Buy" a flashdrive of the camp photos we compile for that week's camp. The flashdrive can be picked up at the camp closing. The pre-buy price is just $20.  If you don't pre-buy a flashdrive you can still purchase one to be mailed to you for $22.

What is the ratio of staff to campers in a cabin?
We have two and sometimes three staff in each cabin. Our cabin can sleep up to 15 campers.  Our ratios are based on the age of the campers and the standards set by our policy Safe Sanctuary.   The ratio of counselors to campers is 1:7.

Will my child fit in socially?
Every effort is made to foster social unity both in the cabin and among all the campers. Counselors will be trained to be team leaders with no favoritism or cliques.  This begins the first day of camp as counselors and staff engage the group and introduce campers. The first night in the cabin is always a good time for campers to get to know their counselors and one another and learn about camp.

How are your campers placed in a cabin?
Once a camper's registration is received, the camper is placed in the proper grouping and cabin according to grade and age.  Each camper is allowed one (1) cabin request - the name of another camper who they would like to have in their cabin. These names should match, please no daisy chaning campers together.  Every effort is made to place campers according to their cabin preference, but final placement is left up to the Camp Director.

What are the activities they will be participating in?
Depending on what session they attend:
Highlights: Scavenger Hunt, Mud Pit, Talent Show, Capture the Flag, and Obstacle course.
The campers participate in Campfire, The Blob, the Zipline, Canvas Slide, Low ropes, Hiking, awesome Bible Study, Swimming, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Exciting Worship, Crafts, Movie Night, & Crafts.

What does the camp look for in hiring camp counselors?
We seek out the finest Christian role models from various colleges in the state of Louisiana focusing on Student outreach programs.  Each prospective counselor must provide several personal references - one being from their personal pastor.  We interview them carefully and pray over each decision.  Some staff are returning to Camp Istrouma after serving in previous summers.  The bottom line is we seek to hire staff with one purpose in mind, serving Christ through serving our campers.  See Summer Staff.

Will my child be able to receive special meals?
If your child is a vegetarian or has allergies or intolerances, we will work with them to find things they can eat. Please be sure to let us know well in advance of any allergies or intolerances so that we can prepare a menu for your child and alert the counselor.  Your child's health and safety are very important to us.  If your child is a picky eater, we will have peanut butter and jelly available to make a sandwich.  

What if my child has medications he needs to bring to camp?
If your child has prescription drugs that he/she needs to take while at camp, they will be given to the staff on opening day, and your child will receive his/her dose as prescribed.  Please bring your medication in its original bottles. If your child normally takes vitamins or herbal medicines during the year, please do not bring them to camp unless it is absolutely necessary. Vitamins and herbal medicines cannot be kept with the child in the cabin. Most children can do without non-prescription medications for three to five days.  This will give our staff the opportunity to concentrate on giving out prescription medication to our campers that need it. Also, we have the normal over-the-counter medications (aspirin, anti-histamines, Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, etc.)  that we can give you child if needed. Please do not send over-the counter medications with your child.

Will I be notified if my child gets sick at camp?
For minor cuts, bruises, and scrapes, we will not be contacting you.  In the event that your child becomes sick we will contact you because we do not have a nurse on staff.  If there is an emergency, we will contact and if necessary will take your child to the closest hospital, Lane Hospital in Zachary, 6300 Main Street, 225-658-4000.

Is your camp certified?
We are members of Christian Camping Association.  In addition, our staff are certified in first aid and CPR with some being certified lifeguards.

Do you have to be Methodist to come to your camp?
NO!  We are owned and operated by the Louisiana United Methodist Conference Center. We have campers coming from all denominations, and we do not get into any particular denominational doctrine. Our focus is building a personal relatinship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our curriculum is developed by the New Earth: Christian Resources for Outdoor Ministries.  Our campers will participate in morning watch, small group Bible study, and daily worship.  Our staff are from all denominations.

Are campers covered under camp insurance policy?
All campers are covered under camp insurance for any accident or injury that occurs while in our care, up to the limit of our policy. In the unlikely event that the total amount would be more than this, your insurance will be responsible for the remainder of the bill. Illnesses are not covered under camp insurance. Your own insurance should provide for this.

What is Camp Istrouma's Tax ID Number?
Our tax id is 72-1072805.

Will my camper's cabinmate request be honored?
Once a camper's registration is received, the camper is placed in the proper grouping and cabin according to school grade, and age.  Each camper is allowed one (1) cabin request and campers must select each other for the request to be honored. In the circumstances there are three campers requesting each other, then we will honor that request. First time campers request will be honored first (the camper that is being requested by the new camper does not have to have the new camper as their cabinmate).  Every effort is made to place all other campers according to their cabin preference, but final placement is left up to the Camp Director.

How do I log into eCamp and email my camper?
Follow this link to eCamp Services: http://campistrouma.ecamp.net/  Review this document to learn more about eCamp services and how to gain access to eCamp: eCamp 2009