What is the purpose of ECC Summer camp?
ECC Summer Camp is a place where children can discover the truth of the gospel and the love of God through an engaging, friendly and fun environment. ECC offers every camper a chance to build relationships in a Christ-centered environment, to learn more about God, and to learn to treasure His Word.
What time do I drop my child off?
Drop off time for all campers is during the registration on the first Sunday of each camp week from 10-2 pm.
What can I expect the registration process to look like?
Registration at the start of each week takes place in the Administration Building (Brick Building), located to the left when you first enter the ECC grounds. Follow signs to proceed to the bottom floor of the building where our staff will be ready to process your registration. Please remember to have all registration documents as well as your child present with you during registration. This includes your child’s registration form if you have not completed registration online, health questionnaire and consent form, field trip permission slip, an updated physical dated no more than three years prior to the end of camp, as well as current immunizations. As per the state of Connecticut, we cannot accept any campers without the appropriate documentation listed above. Once you’ve checked your child in and your documentation has been confirmed, you will be asked to pay any remaining balance if you had not done so prior to the start of camp. A member of our staff will perform a lice check on your child before guiding you to your child’s cabin where you can help your child unpack. We try to expedite and keep registration moving as quickly as possible while still maintaining the safety of all campers. That being said, there may be times you will be asked to wait for a staff member to be available to register and welcome your child. Please be patient with us as we register 90+ children in this short span of time.
What does the pickup process look like?
All campers must be picked up by a parent or guardian or a previously designated adult between 10am and 2pm on the last day of camp that they are registered for. This will always be on either Sunday (Week 1) or Saturday (Week 2). In the case of an emergency making you unable to pick up your child prior to 2pm on these days, please call our camp director at (978) 578-3967. There may be an additional fee at the camp director’s discretion if your child is not picked up in the designated time frame.
What does a day at ECC include?
Every day at ECC includes the building of friendships and relationships with fellow campers and counselors. Most importantly, we offer the opportunity to grow each camper’s relationship with God. Campers begin the day eating breakfast, attending morning worship service, a little bit of cabin cleanup, and then on to our class time. Our classes include Bible, Arts & Crafts, and a free block which is often used to prepare skits or songs. After lunch, campers participate in canteen, camp-wide games, swimming, and boating on the lake. There is never a dull moment down at the Rec Center playing dodgeball, capture the flag and more! We end the day with dinner, evening worship, and cabin devotions.
Where will my child sleep?
Campers sleep with their assigned cabin group by age and gender. Your child’s counselor will also be bunking in the same cabin. We currently accept campers ages 6-16 which are then divided into three age brackets and then by gender. Primaries include campers ages 6-9, juniors include campers ages 10-12, and the teens are all campers ages 13-16. While some activities such as cabin devotions and bible classes are spent with only your cabin group, the shared campus and schedule allow ample opportunities for siblings or friends to socialize while at camp despite being in different cabins.
Is there a uniform at ECC Summer Camp?
No, there is no uniform required for camp. However, there is a dress code we abide by. It can be found here.
What do I need to help my child pack?
Please refer to our Camper Packing checklist. Please review the dress code policy with your child to make sure the clothing they are packing is appropriate. Remember, there is no laundry available. Please help your child pack enough clothes to last the entire time they are at camp.
What standard discounts do you offer?
The cost of summer camp is currently $275 per child per week, and this amount is already subsidized for our camp to be able to stay at the beautiful ECC facility. We currently offer an early registration discount of $15 off per week when you register online prior to May 1st. We also offer a sibling discount of $50 off per week for a family registering a second child and $100 off per week for a family registering a third child or any additional child following the third. Discounts are applied during the payment portion of your registration on your Active account. Click here to register or to access your existing registration.
Can I volunteer?
Our ECC Summer Camp is run completely by volunteers. If you would like to serve as a counselor during the course of camp please apply by following this link to our staff registration. If you are interested in volunteering in other capacities please contact our staff at summercamp.ecc@gmail.com. Some areas where we need additional volunteers are arts & crafts, music and sports.
When can I visit?
We do not encourage parents to visit because we are working to maintain an environment free from distractions as well as trying to give your child the full camp experience. However, we understand that two weeks may be a long time away from a parent for some of our younger campers. If you are interested in visiting your child, we allow parents to visit on Sunday from 10am - 2pm between the two weeks of camp. Please understand that your child will still be expected to remain with their cabin group and under their counselors’ oversight while you are visiting. We do not allow campers to leave ECC grounds during this day or any other day during their stay at camp unless there are unusual circumstances and with prior approval from the Camp Director.
CAN I CALL MY CHILD DURING CAMP?
Phone calls to and from summer camp are only allowed for emergencies. Phone calls home often become a tether to one’s parents and friends and may serve as an impediment for a child to learn how to solve problems on their own in what might otherwise be a structured and supportive environment for growth and independence. We encourage children to learn independence and encourage them to problem solve and mature while they are here.
Even campers who tend to get home-sick often do best with a break from home/parents as they learn to make friends and connections with fellow campers and counselors. We understand this can be difficult for parents, especially when it’s your first time sending a camper to camp. We understand that leaving your child requires a significant amount of trust and we want to make sure that you are comfortable with your decision to entrust your children into our care. If you want to check in on your child’s progress you can call/text the camp director and confirm all is well.
If you have an urgent message for your child, please call the camp at 978-578-3967 and leave a voicemail or send a text message. We will relay any urgent information to your child immediately. You can also email the camp email address summercamp.ecc@gmail.com, one of our camp leaders will respond to your message/email within the day. Parents will be contacted if any problems arise, in case of emergency or illness, or if their child is experiencing a challenge in adjusting to camp life. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the camp director at 978-578-3967.
Who do I contact in an emergency?
In the event of an emergency, you can reach our Camp Director, Dennis Vertiyev, at (978) 578-3967 by call or text. If he is unavailable to take your call, please leave a message stating your name and child’s name clearly and a short message; he will call you back as soon as possible. For general questions or concerns, please email ECC staff at summercamp.ecc@gmail.com.
Should I pack medication for my child?
No, please do not pack any medication for your child. As per the state of CT, campers are not allowed to have or administer any medication in their possession. Our onsite Registered Nurse will have any pain, allergy, cold, topical, or stomach medication your child may require during their stay at camp. If your child has a prescription medication they are required to take during their stay at camp, you must check in the medication during registration with our staff nurse as well as complete an “Administration of Medication Form” for each specific medication signed by your child’s physician. This can be found on your Active account. Medication needed for immediate use for life-threatening conditions (i.e. rescue inhalers and EpiPens) must be checked in with our staff nurse unless the camper’s doctor requires him/her to keep it on his/her person at all times. The camper must have a written statement of medical necessity from the prescribing doctor for the camper to carry it. The camper is responsible for his/her own medication and may only give it to his/her counselor to hold - not a fellow camper. All prescription medication must be in the original container with the prescription label.
How can I donate or sponsor a child?
Donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated! Although we do have some funding on a yearly basis to maintain camp operations, we fundraise and ask for donations to allow us to provide new and exciting activities and experiences for the campers. You can donate via Paypal (at the bottom of this page) or in-person by cash or check during camp registration. Every year we have campers who are unable to come or unable to stay for the full two weeks due to their family’s financial situation. If you would like to help sponsor a child who may not have been able to camp otherwise please contact our staff via email at summercamp.ECC@gmail.com.