Camper Parent Questions

History of Camp Conquest

Camp Conquest started as a nonprofit in 2013 by Mark and Amanda Price. Mark was a commercial insurance broker for 24 years and applies a lot of Risk Management and safety into the day-to-day operations to keep everyone safe.

 

Amanda is a Family Nurse Practitioner and has a practice in Arlington called Faith Family Medical. Amanda is the Medical Director at Camp Conquest and heads up the Medical Station at Camp Conquest. There will be 2 to 3 medical providers in the Medical Station during each week of camp. If anyone gets sick, has a splinter, blister, stomach ache, needs medication, or talk about the cute boy in cabin 4, they are there to help and listen, day and night.

 

How do I register my camper for Camp Conquest?

Go to our camper registration page and follow the steps to create a profile and complete the application.

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How much does it cost for summer camp?

Summer camp costs $1075, an initial deposit of $100 is required at registration. The balance of $975 is due no later than May 15th. We are now offering payment plan options as well as E-check capabilities. Exceptions can be made in certain circumstances.

 

Do you offer scholarships?

We aim to have multiple scholarships available each year. Information can be found at campconquest.com/scholarships.

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What can we expect when we arrive?

Camper arrival for all campers is 5 PM on Monday, and departure at 10:30 AM on Saturday. We will meet you and your camper when you arrive with cheers and hugs. Our staff and volunteers are super excited to see the campers when they arrive and they are excited to show it.

 

How long can we stay?

We have lots of fun planned starting the first night! With this in mind, we ask that parents stay no longer than 30 minutes. This gives you time to meet your camper's counselors, make your camper's bed, check in with the nurses, if needed, and grab any last-minute items from the camp store. 

 

What if my camper gets homesick?

We do get some campers who are homesick the first night and some even the second night, but it is to be expected since, for many campers, this is their first time to spend the night away from home. Surprisingly, most are happy to be at camp with their new friends. We do encourage family and friends to send cards or letters to camp. We even have an email option to deliver mail to your camper daily!

 

How does your camp handle homesickness and other adjustment issues?

Campers, especially first-time campers, may initially go through a short period of homesickness. For most, this sets in the first night of camp. We understand that for many people with disabilities, camp is often their first experience away from home, their family, and their own bed. Typically, once campers engage in activities, the homesickness subsides, and they settle in.

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If homesickness is an expected concern, please contact us ahead of time so we can discuss what the process is if your camper doesn't seem to be settling in. Will they call you? When or at what point? It is important that the camper’s first stay at camp be a successful one so that they want to continue going to camp in the future.

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Despite the family’s need for respite and the camp’s ideal of campers staying a complete session, it is important that both families and camp staff be open to being flexible to meet the individual needs of the camper and help ensure the camp experience remains an exciting and positive one for later years. Camp Conquest very rarely, if ever, has to send a camper home.

 

 

What do the sleeping quarters look like?

We have an 8,000-square-foot lodge with 2 separate wings for sleeping quarters, one for guys and one for girls, and large bathrooms.

 

 

What does a day look like at Camp Conquest?

Campers are awake at 7:15 am. The counselor helps the camper with getting dressed, going to the bathroom, and brushing their teeth.

8:00 Morning songs and devotional

8:30 Breakfast in the Dining Hall

9:15 Cabin cleanup

10:30 First Morning activity

11:30 Second Morning activity

12:30 Lunch

1:15 Nap Time for campers

2:45 Snow Cones

3:00 Activity

5:15 Shower and dress for the nightly theme party

6:30 Dinner

7:15 Party Time

8:45 Songs and Wrap Up

9:15 Campers get ready for bed

9:45 Lights out

 

What if my camper needs help with daily hygiene and/or meals?

If your camper wears a diaper/pull-up or needs help cutting up the food, being fed, showering, brushing teeth, or if they have an accident in bed - No problem! We are blessed every year with an amazing team of volunteers who come from all over the country and even internationally. And they pay a fee to attend camp each week to help us offset the cost for meals and lodging that we pay the campground.

 

The volunteers range in age from 13 – 65+.

Conquerors (ages 13 & 14) set up and break down activities and parties. In their downtime, they are assisting the counselors with their campers.

Counselors (ages 15 – 35) help the campers get dressed, bathe, brush and do all of the activities. If a camper needs to go to the bathroom or the Medical Station at 2 am, the counselor and a cabin leader (third person) will take the camper to the medical station.

Cabin Moms & Cabin Dads (ages 35 – 65) are support for the cabins. They act as a third person when needed. If campers have accidents at night, they wash the laundry for the cabins.

Media Team (15 – 65): they are taking photos and videos of everyone having fun at camp and then uploading them on all of our social media sites throughout the day, every day. This way, family and friends can see how much fun we are having at camp.

Medical Team (must be a licensed nurse) The medical providers are assigned a cabin for the week, and they are responsible for dispensing medications and caring for everyone at camp. Even the medical providers are volunteers and pay the same fee each week of camp.

 

 

What if my camper has a feeding tube, trach, or is on insulin?

From Day 1, the leadership team at Camp Conquest made the decision that we would try to accommodate every camper who applied for Camp Conquest regardless of their medical or physical condition.  We also decided that we would take campers from 6 - 60+ years of age and not age them out. Our oldest camper, Jenny, is in her 60's and has more energy, and loves camp more than most.

 

Our Medical Team consists of nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and doctors.

 

What if we live out of state?

25% of our campers come from out of state.

 

What if my camper can’t do an activity?

From Day 1, the leadership team at Camp Conquest made the decision that we would not introduce an activity or program unless every camper could participate. Our activities include:

Horseback riding - every camper wears a helmet and gait belt

Canoeing – every camper wears a life preserver

Zip Line – we have specialty harness chairs to accommodate all campers

Rock climbing wall – every camper wears a helmet

Swimming Pool – there are 2 lifeguards on duty, and every one must pass the swim test to swim in the deep end.

Giant Swing – every camper wears a helmet

Archery – we use S.A.F.E Archery at Camp Conquest, which uses colored Velcro tips.

Arts & Crafts – we have a Special Ed teacher who oversees our arts & crafts

Nightly Theme Parties – paint party, dance party, carnival party, talent shows, glow-in-the-dark party, snores by the campfire, and many more.

 

What do I pack for my camper?

A Camper Guide will be emailed to all parents around May 1st that will include a packing list, party list, dates/times for arrival and departure, links to our social media, and a list of things not to pack. One of the items not to pack is cell phones. Due to liability reasons, we do not allow cell phones at camp. Even volunteers and staff are not allowed to have cell phones during camp. Letters and cards are always welcome at camp. Campers love to get cards and letters.

 

When do I get to pick up my camper at camp?

The closing ceremony time and pick-up will be specified in the camper packet after registration. A $50 fine will be exacted for every 45 minutes past the pickup or drop-off time. We have a lot going on at camp, and we need our campers to be there on time. If you run into an issue, call the office immediately.

 

What if my camper needs to leave a day early?

We want every camper and volunteer to get the best experience at camp, and it is best if they stay for the entire session. We ask that you make every effort to allow your son or daughter to stay the entire session. If you need to leave a day early, please notify Mark at mark@campconquest.com or (901) 545-CAMP (2267).

 

How many weeks of camp do we offer?

We currently offer 4 weeks of camp in the summer, running each week in June.

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What is the long-term vision for Camp Conquest?

The long-term plan is to offer spring break camps, fall break camps, 9 weeks of summer camp, and Christmas break camp. The other 40 weeks will be open for disabled veterans and special/Paralympic training.

 

What if my camper has a special diet?

We can accommodate most dietary needs; however, if you have special requests, please contact us to discuss them. 

 

What is your camp’s staff-to-camper ratio?

Campers are paired 1:1 with counselors. This sometimes becomes 2:1 due to the current nationwide staffing shortage in camps.

 

Do you perform background checks?

We run background checks and Nationwide Sexual Offender searches on anyone, volunteers, and staff 18 years or older.

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Am I allowed to visit or call my child while at camp?

It is not encouraged unless, of course, it is for a specialized program or event arranged in advance. The reason for this is that kids tend to adapt to camp very well within the first day or two, especially once they get more comfortable and begin making friends and engaging in camp activities.

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When parents/guardians call, they are often “kid-sick” (missing their child). The child who was well adjusted to the experience will interact with you (via phone or in person) and will typically be thrust back into homesickness themselves. One thing you can do to help prepare yourself and your child for an overnight camp stay is to “practice” beforehand with short trips to other family and friends. This can really help with the transition for everyone.

 

 

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