Planning for Camp

So you’ve registered you camper! Great! Now what . . . Below you can learn everything you’ll want to know to prepare for your child’s session, what to expect while they are with us, how to pick them up, and other logistics information.

Preparing your Camper

We want your camper to have the BEST WEEK EVER! That starts at home, in how you prepare them to join us at Camp Winnataska. Being apprehensive is normal - for campers and parents. They may be concerned about making friends or fitting in. They might be worried about being homesick. You can help by telling them how confident you are that they will do well at camp.

Parents do well to remind themselves of why you feel that camp is important for your children. It encourages a healthy sense of independence. It teaches children peer relationship building skills. If you have any questions, please reach out. We want nothing more than your child to succeed and thrive at Camp Winnataska. If there is something that you think we need to know, contact us!

Before Check-In Day

Before your camp session starts, you will receive email communications with the following information:

  • Your child's cabin assignment

  • Your assigned arrival time

  • Parent log-in information to view daily pictures

  • Information on how to send mail

  • Reminders to complete or update all medical forms online

Open House

SUNDAY, APRIL 14 AND SUNDAY, MAY 5

Camp invites prospective campers and their families to tour camp facilities, ask questions, and meet staff members at Open House events each year. These are scheduled in the spring for campers who are already registered for the coming summer.

Open Houses are from 2 PM - 4 PM, rain or shine. Please wear clothing and shoes appropriate for a short hike. To ensure that we are able to personalize your tour with enough staff members, please let us know that you are coming for a tour by emailing the registrar. 

For directions to camp, please visit here. 

Check-In Day

  • Arrival times are staggered, according to last name, from 2:00-3:30. We kindly ask that you respect our instructions not to arrive more than 15 minutes before your scheduled check-in time. You will spend less time waiting in the hot parking lot if you adhere to your assigned time. We are also able to spend more time with each camper if arrival times are staggered. We are not prepared to receive campers prior to 2:00. Check-in for Super Chico may begin at a later time; this time will be communicated in the email sent out prior to opening day.

  • The parking lot at camp will be on your left. Turn in by the Hamilton Welcome Center. Traffic in the parking lot is one way. On registration and pick up days, overflow vehicles will be directed to the overflow lot.

    Please be advised that parking lots are grass/dirt/gravel.

    Do not turn right into the camp gates. Only camp vehicles are allowed on camp roads.

  • When you arrive, your luggage will be pulled from your car and transported to your child's cabin.

    Please do not pack in foot lockers or trunks. Duffle bags are best.

  • All campers must have a health check and turn in medications to the camp nurses.

    All medications (keep separate from your luggage) in a gallon-size plastic bag, labeled with your child's name

  • Parents will meet counselors at their child's cabin, and can help their camper get settled in the cabin.

    Campers randomly choose a bed in the cabin. This is the quickest and most fair way to get all campers settled in a bed. Saving beds is not allowed.

  • Parents can visit the Camp Store in Strickland Lodge to purchase specialty items for their camper.

    Parents can drop off mail already addressed to their camper if they wish to do so. Any mail that you wish to drop off for your camper (traditional or manila envelopes only, please; we do not deliver boxes to campers)

    Camp staff members are available to answer questions or assist parents.

Detailed information about photos and emails will be emailed to registered families the week before your session.

Medications and Food Allergies

  • Our Health Hut is staffed with two nurses or licensed medical professionals 24 hours a day. If your child needs routine medication or medical attention their leader will take them to the Health Hut. The Health Hut staff records all visits to the Health Hut.

    Parents will be notified if the camper requires medical attention off campus. If a camper has a common complaint (headache, stomachache, scraped knee, etc) that responds to treatment, the nurses will not notify parents. If a camper has a tick removed during the week, parents will receive a letter notifying them during checkout.

  • Parents must fill out a camper health form online, including names and numbers of family doctors, current chronic health conditions and medications, any activities to be restricted at camp, scans of official immunization records, several emergency phone numbers of adults that can be reached during camp, permission to seek emergency medical treatment, and health insurance information. Completed health forms are reviewed by our Healthcare Coordinator prior to our summer camping season. You will be contacted if our healthcare team does not feel that a health need can be accommodated while at camp.

  • If your camper will need to take medication at camp, please send the medication in the original container. Medications and directions for taking must be in a gallon sized Ziploc bag with camper’s name and hut in Sharpie. Send only enough medication for the week. Our health care staff members will not administer non-labeled medications or vitamins.

    Campers may keep their asthma inhalers, Epipens, or other emergency medications with them if appropriate. A leader can carry these medications for younger campers. All other medications must be left with the camp nurses.

  • If your camper is currently taking medications we recommend that they continue this medication at camp. Changes in medication can produce changes in health and behavior.

  • We can accommodate children with food allergies, but parents should remember that campers should be independent and able to handle meal time without close adult supervision. Parents with younger children who have severe food allergies should consider the child's age and level of maturity. Parents can supplement with food that is brought, but counselors can not spend a great deal of time preparing food and then have time to eat themselves. It is important that campers be able to verbalize what they need and recognize foods that might cause them a problem. Campers with severe food allergies need to complete a Supplemental Food Form prior to arriving at Winnataska.

    Camp Winnataska's regular menu does not include any peanut products, and no peanut oil is used to prepare food. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are available to campers if they do not like the main entree', but the materials are kept in the kitchen, away from campers. Despite these efforts, please note that we cannot guarantee a peanut-free environment.

While my camper is at Camp

We know you will miss your camper while they are away. Just remember, they are growing and gaining new life skills! Feel free to write them letters. You can mail them to the address below. If you chose to send a package, please send it in a regular or manila sized envelope. Campers cannot receive boxes.

Camper Name
Hut Name
260 Winnataska Drive
Pell City, AL 35128

You can view our photo galleries to see what is going on at camp, the password for each session will be emailed to registered families the week before the session begins. Now, take a deep breath, and try to imagine your child having the time of their life!

Closing Day

Check the weather before leaving for camp! Showers are always a possibility, and the vast majority of check-out takes place outside.

All campers will be dismissed at 9:30 AM on Saturday. Parents and/or guardians will not be permitted to enter camp until this time. Please do not arrive before 9:00 AM, as we are still eating breakfast, bringing luggage to the parking lot, and enjoying our last bit of fun with the campers.

NO PETS are allowed at camp!

  • When you arrive, our staff will direct you to a parking spot. Please do NOT stop in front of the luggage pavilion!

  • Feel free to locate your camper's luggage after you park. Campers often end up putting items in garbage bags, etc., so be sure to look carefully for anything that is labeled with your child's name.

  • Your next step is to report to the table at the gate that leads into camp. DON'T FORGET YOUR PHOTO ID!!!

    The person picking up your child MUST have been confirmed on Sunday during check-in. If your plans have changed and you need us to release your child to someone else, please email winnataska.office@gmail.com.

    You will receive a wristband after your identification has been checked.

  • Proceed to the Gyvilion (Mainside campers) / Chico Dining Hall (Chico campers; located next to the Gyvilion). Campers will be organized by cabin. You must have your child's Senior Leader mark your wristband before heading back to your car. If your child brought medication to camp, it will be returned to you at this time.

  • Check the stage in the Gyvilion for lost and found! Lost and found items are kept through Tuesday following the session, and then donated. Camp cannot mail lost and found items to campers.