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Camper Parent Questions
Thank you for considering Camp Conquest for your child. Our hope is that it is a life-changing experience for them and for you, and that everyone will have the best week and want to come back year after year!
We know sending your child to camp can be an intimidating process for any family as it requires a great deal of trust in the program, the staff, and the overall organization. There are some specific questions we recommend you ask when assessing a camp’s ability to meet your child’s specialized needs. In this FAQ section, we will try to answer all of your questions about Camp Conquest.
If after reading the following information, you still have questions, please don't hesitate to click the button below to send your questions to our Founder & CEO, Mark Price.ions
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 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 medical emergencies 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.
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. Outside of Camp Conquest scholarships, you are always welcome to reach out to your insurance or other third parties who may pay up to a certain percentage.
What can we expect when we arrive?
Camper arrival for all campers is Monday evening, and departure at Saturday morning. (specific times will be given in your welcome packet after registration). We will meet you and your camper when you arrive with cheers and hugs. Our staff and missionaries are super excited to see the campers when they arrive and are ready 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, 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 of them 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! info@campconquest.com
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.
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.
Despite the family’s need for respite and the camp’s ideal of campers staying a complete session, it is important that both family 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 their camper with whatever tasks they may need assistance on, without taking away the camper's independence.
8:00 Morning songs
8:30 Breakfast
9:15 Cabin cleanup & Devotional time
10:00 First Activity
11:15 Second Activity
12:30 Lunch
1:15 Rest time for campers
3:15 Snow Cones
3:30 Activity
5:00 Shower and dress for the nightly theme party
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Party Time
8:00 Wrap Up
9:00 Campers get ready for bed
What if my camper needs help with daily hygiene and/or meals?
If your camper wears a brief or needs help cutting food, eating, showering, brushing teeth, or if they have an accident in bed - No problem! We are blessed every year with an amazing team of missionaries who come from all over the country and internationally. They pay a fee to attend camp each week to help us offset the cost to be able to run camp.
What are the different roles of volunteers and staff that will be interacting with and caring for my camper?
Jr. Missionaries (ages 13 & 14) set up activities and parties, help in the kitchen, and anywhere else they might be needed. In their downtime, they are assisting the missionaries with their campers.
Missionaries (ages 15+) assist the campers with getting dressed, showers, etc. and 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 Staff (ages 18+) are in charge of 5 campers and 5 missionaries and carrying out the daily schedule. Creating a fun and safe environment for our campers to fully experience all that camp has to offer.
Camp Parents (ages 30+) 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, assist in the kitchen and wherever else needed.
Media Team (18+) are taking photos and videos of everyone having fun at camp and uploading on all of our social media platforms 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, handling any medical issue that occurs, 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 to the best of our ability 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 8+ 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
Swimming area at the beach – there are 2 lifeguards on duty
Archery – we use S.A.F.E Archery at Camp Conquest, which uses colored Velcro tips
Arts & Crafts – we have fun and accessible crafts for everyone
Nightly Theme Parties – paint party, dance party, carnival party, talent shows, glow-in-the-dark party, smores by the campfire, and many more.
What do I pack for my camper?
A welcome packet 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 mail.
When do I get to pick up my camper at camp?
The closing ceremony time and pick-up will be specified in the camper welcome 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, please 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 camper to stay the entire session. If you need to leave a day early, please notify Tony at tony@campconquest.com or (901) 545-2267 (CAMP).
How many weeks of camp do we offer?
We currently offer 4 weeks of camp in the summer, running each week in June.
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. tony@campconquest.com
What is your camp’s staff-to-camper ratio?
Campers are paired 1:1 with missionaries. 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 everyone 18 years or older.
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.
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.
With any other questions, please feel free to reach out to our camp director Tony Stigler at tony@campconquest.com