Ascension School Camp & Conference Center
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Summer Camp

Discovery Camp (Preschool – 2nd grade w/ Adult)

Discovery Camp
June 26th – 28th
Discovery Camp is the perfect opportunity for parents or guardians to give their young children an introduction into the camping world. Discovery Camp allows one or two parents/guardians to join their child for three days of fun! Many former campers come to Discovery camp to reconnect with old friends in a new stage of life and start a whole new generation of life-long Ascension School campers.
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Beginners Camp (Grade 3-4)

Beginner’s Camp
July 31st – August 4th
Beginner’s Camp is for young campers who are ready for their first solo overnight camp experience. With days filled to the brim with engaging and fun activities, even the most nervous camper will return home hoping to come back next year. The occasional homesick camper is inevitable with children this age, but our skilled counseling staff will help empathetically direct campers into a growth mindset. Campers often return home with a newfound sense of self-empowerment and confidence.
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Combined Camp (Grades 4-6)

Combined Camp
July 10th – 15th
Combined Camp is for those preteen campers who are growing quickly, but not quite ready for the social dynamics of junior high. All of our camps are dedicated to strengthening camper mental well-being, especially confidence, but combined camp is a precious time to help solidify strong integrity, self-worth, and self-esteem in fast-growing campers.
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Junior High Camp (Grade 7-9)

Junior High Camp
July 24th – 29th
Junior High Camp is often our highest attended camp. These young teens are growing up quickly and are facing all kinds of challenges and peer pressures in their everyday life. Our sacred space is a wonderful relief from all of these stressors. Junior High Camp is a place where these young teens are welcomed and encouraged to be themselves and to grow in their character. There are very few places that embody the acceptance and safety that is cultivated at Junior High Camp.
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Senior High Camp (Grade 10 – Graduated Senior)

Senior High Camp
July 3rd – 9th
Whether your camper has been coming to camp for years, or they are a first-timer, Senior High is a magical, love-filled, and welcoming camp experience. At this age, campers are encouraged to share and build on their wisdoms during a judgment-free week of fun and learning. Friendly competition, well-balanced age-appropriate activities, and exploratory spiritual formation make Senior High the perfect experience for any teenager.
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Giant Slip and Slide

Spanning over 10 feet wide and 50 feet long, our giant slip and slide is an all-time favorite for campers of all ages. Perfect for the hot summer days, this amazing slip and slide is something your camper is sure to rave about when they return home.

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What People Are Saying

“Thanks for the food. It was the best food ever!!!”

– Jesse, Junior High Camper

“Thank you for letting me go to the camp. It was a blast. My favorite part was making friends!”

– Kati, Beginner’s Camper

“My favorite part was hiking and bunkbeds.”

– Ace, Combined Camper

“Thank you for the food. All the treats I had were good. Thank you for the pool. I had lots and lots of fun!”

– Kyden, Beginner’s Camper

“Six years of Camp at Cove. Life giving, affirming times.”

– Linda, Former Camper

“Where I met my husband in 1983.”

– Christine, Parent and Former Camper

“A place to let people see behind the mask.”

– Laurie, Parent and Former Camper

“Life changing. Home.”

– Susan, Retreat Guest and Former Camper

“The best week of the summer!!”

– Jani, Support Staff Volunteer

“I think what Ascension School provides is a safe and welcoming space, a place to just be without judgment.”

– Simon, Chaplain Volunteer and Parent

“As a volunteer, visitor, and presenter in Cove over the years, I have been blessed with all of the glorious comfort, grace, enlightenment, connection, peace, and love that is the sacred space of Ascension School!”

– Delana, Volunteer, Retreat Guest, and Parent

“The Ascension School Camp is the highlight of our kids’ summer. The staff is so welcoming and supportive of the kids, the activities diverse and fun. We have two returning campers (one for their 4th year and one for their 2nd) who are really looking forward to creating more memories at camp this summer.

Highly recommend the Ascension School Camp.”
Jan & Lori

“As a parent their camp provides a safe enriching environment for our kids. Our first-year camper last year was pretty sure he didn’t want to go. The camp staff knew this, and a counselor grabbed him up on our arrival and took him to unpack his bag. We left unsure when we would get a call to come get him. An hour later we got a text and looked to see that staff was sending us a photo of our son having a blast playing with fellow campers.”

and looked to see that staff was sending us a photo of our son having a blast playing with fellow campers.

“Highly recommend the Ascension School Camp.”

– Jan & Lori

“Where I met my husband in 1983.”

– Christine, Parent and Former Camper

“A place to let people see behind the mask.”

– Laurie, Parent and Former Camper

“As a volunteer, visitor, and presenter in Cove over the years, I have been blessed with all of the glorious comfort, grace, enlightenment, connection, peace, and love that is the sacred space of Ascension School!”

– Delana, Volunteer, Retreat Guest, and Parent

“As a volunteer, visitor, and presenter in Cove over the years, I have been blessed with all of the glorious comfort, grace, enlightenment, connection, peace, and love that is the sacred space of Ascension School!”

– Delana, Volunteer, Retreat Guest, and Parent

Nature Field Trips

All campers, with the exception of Discovery Camp, will enjoy a beautiful field trip to one of our local natural wonders during their time at camp. Beginner’s and Combined campers will take a day trip to Catherine Creek to play in the creek and along the creek bank. Junior High and Senior High campers will take a trip to the beautiful Anthony Lakes to swim in the chilled waters and hike around the mountain resort.

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Sample Day Schedule

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:15 AM – Cabin Cleanup

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM – Chapel

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM – Family Groups

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Giant Slip and Slide

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM – Lunch

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM – Cabin Time

1:45 PM – 3:15 PM – Pool

3:45 PM – 5:45 PM – Pick and Choose Interest Blocks

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Dinner

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Counselor Clue

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Campfire

9:00 PM – 9:30 PM – Bed Prep and Lights Out

Swimming

The Cove community pool is well renowned and adorned by many generations of campers. Filled with natural spring water, the pool includes a shallow end with lots of play space and a basketball hoop, as well as a deep end with a three-tier high dive. This variety allows for campers of all swimming abilities and water comfort levels to enjoy themselves!

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Capture the Chicken

Capture the Chicken is widely considered our signature activity. A unique version of capture the flag with two affectionately named rubber chickens, this classic game has been a camper favorite for decades.

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Camp Form Links

Parent-Guardian Manual (Spanish)

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Parent-Guardian Manual (English)

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Packing List

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Transportation Schedule

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Ready To Join Our Camp?

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Counselors

Counselors

What do Residential Counselors do at Ascension School?

Residential Counselors are Ascension School’s “boots on the ground” during the camp season. Counselors stay in the cabins with the campers, lead activities, administer basic first aid, and help prepare for and clean up after each camp session.

How long are resident counselors expected to work?

This year, Residential Counselors are expected to arrive at Ascension School on June 18th or 19th and will finish the summer on August 5th, leaving on August 6th. There will be a brief 6-day break in the middle of July.

How will being a Residential Counselor affect my future career or school endeavors?

Because you will work with a wide range of people over the summer, being a Residential Counselor is an amazing professional opportunity. Counselors interact with campers aging anywhere from 4-years-old to 18. In addition, counselors work closely with dedicated office, kitchen, and maintenance staff as well as a variety of volunteers. Counselors also have the opportunity to mentor teenage Junior Counselors. This combination of mentoring and working with children, teens, adults, and volunteers is an amazing experience to put on any resume, job/college application, or LinkedIn profile.

What do Residential Counselors get paid?

Our pay scale works on a tier-based system depending on counseling experience. First-year counselors will receive $2000, second-year $2250, and third-year $2600. Being a counselor for a few years will open up opportunities to serve as the camp director, a higher-paying and extremely professional summer position.

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Junior Counselors

What do Junior Counselors do at Ascension School?

The Junior Counselor position is the first step for many campers who will become Residential Counselors. Junior Counselors stay in the cabins with the campers, help lead activities, and help prepare for and clean up at the beginning and end of their assigned session. Junior Counselors get their first peek “behind the curtain” of the amazing and highly coordinated camp season.

How long are Junior Counselors expected to work?

Junior Counselors are expected to arrive at Ascension School the day of the camp session they have been assigned and are expected to leave on the last day of that same session. These sessions are usually about 5-6 days long, but some exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis as discerned with the Program Director. Junior Counselors are always welcome to ride the Shuttle to and from camp if they are unable to arrange travels otherwise.

How will being a Junior Counselor affect my future career or school endeavors?

Being a Junior Counselor at Ascension School is an amazing opportunity because of the wide range of people you will be working with. Junior Counselors may interact with campers aging anywhere from 4-years-old to 18. In addition, Junior Counselors work closely with dedicated Residential Counselor, kitchen, and maintenance staff as well as a variety of volunteers. This paid experience is an amazing opportunity to list on any college or job application.

What do Junior Counselors get paid?

Junior Counselors are paid a flat rate of $175 per camp session. Most Junior Counselors will only serve at one session, but exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis as communicated with the Program Director. Being a Junior Counselor for a few years will open up opportunities to serve as a Residential Counselor, a longer-lasting, higher-paying, professional summer position.

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Junior Counselors

Support Staff

Support Staff

What do Support Staff do at Ascension School?

Support Staff are responsible for exactly what it sounds like, lots of support for the staff at Ascension School. Support Staff includes volunteer Nurses, Chaplains, and General Support Staff. General Support Staff will help lead a small group throughout the week, will supervise the cabin for a small time each day, and will help lead their small group during some large group activities. In the case of an emergency, Support Staff may be expected to stay in the cabins with the campers overnight. Nurses administer medications and help with daily first-aid needs and Chaplains help with chapel planning and implementation as well as spiritual formation.

How long are Support Staff expected to volunteer?

Support Staff are expected to arrive at Ascension School the day of the camp session they have been assigned and are expected to leave on the last day of that same session. These sessions are usually about 5-6 days long, but some exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis as discerned with the Program Director. Support Staff are also expected to attend a short live online training and complete a series of online Safeguarding trainings. Support Staff are welcome to come a day early and/or leave a day late if as discerned with the Program Director.

What are the benefits of serving as Support Staff?

People who have volunteered in many ways know better than anyone that volunteering is a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. People who have served as Support Staff at Ascension School can attest that these feelings of servitude, fulfillment, and reward are amplified exponentially at camp. Ascension School holds dearly a safe and magical space that contributing to is a gift and blessing in itself.

Do Support Staff get paid?

Support Staff are not paid, but they will be given access to a beautiful hotel-style room in our Kimsey Commons, three amazing meals a day, and daily access to the community pool as well as a free field trip to a nearby natural space such as Catherine Creek or Anthony Lakes. This is all in addition, of course, to the reward of helping make the camp season happen.

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FAQ

I am worried my camper will get homesick. How do you manage homesickness?

We acknowledge homesickness as a valid emotion and will never diminish these feelings. Part of managing homesickness happens at home before camp. We encourage parents to read this short article about some dos and don’ts for preparing your camper for their time at Ascension School. Even with proactive preparation, many campers will experience homesickness. In all reality, the best “cure” for homesickness is busy and steady fun. We are dedicated to a full schedule that will keep even the most homesick camper distracted and having fun. If homesickness is persistent, the camp director or program director may call the parent/guardian and discuss the best options for parent-camper communication during the week.

Can my camper bring their phone?

All campers will turn in any electronics to camp staff at the beginning of the session. This includes smart phones, smart watches, gaming systems, laptops, etc. There is a short time before dinner that campers are given access to their phones, but many of our campers will choose not to use their phone during this time, as camp is a place to disconnect with technology and reconnect with self. The pressure of constantly being available is significant in all of our lives. We are confident that this practice is beneficial to the camp experience.

How can I check in to make sure my camper is doing ok?

Trust is a huge part of the camp experience. Trust in your camper, trust in our staff, and trust in your own judgement. It’s completely normal to want to check in on your camper or talk to staff about how your camper is doing. Our staff are managing a large group of kids and a busy schedule packed with fun and unfortunately, do not have the time or resources to talk to the parent/guardian of each and every camper. If you have specific concerns about your camper that will require regular communication, please outline these concerns in the camper registration form and our Program Director will be in contact about the best plan for your specific camper.

I am hopeful to send my child to camp, but I want to know more. What is my best resource?

Your best resource will be the Parent/Guardian & Camper Handbook. If you have read though the handbook and still have questions or concerns, please call or email our Program Director, Roman Heidrich at 541-568-4514 Ext. 4 or roman@coveascensionschool.com