Summer Camp 2021 Registration is OPEN!  -PLEASE READ!

Camp will be different this year.  Due to Covid-19 we are relocating to a new location (We do plan to be back at WAPO next year) and have had to make several changes to our program.  Our camp program has moved many times in our 65 year history and every time we move to a new location it brings with it a certain number of changes but also many new and wonderful opportunities and we feel this camp location will be a great option for us.  Here is some information that you will need to know.

Registration Dates for Camp Tuesday May 4th at 10am -Tuesday May 25th at 8pm.

 Camp Week is July 3- 10th   Please see below for how we will split the groups.

o   Session 1: Younger Camper Session July 3-6th

o   Session 2: Older Camper Session July 7-10th

 Price this year is $310 per camper and camp registration is done on our Camp Website

What will be the same?

Our program will continue to enjoy many of the same programming and activities that our campers and generations before them have grown to love. One thing we have proven over the years is that it is our shared community of faith in Christ that makes our camp so extraordinary- not the location so we invite you to come join in the fun this year.

–          Great dedicated counselors, clergy and staff

–          Activities including boating, archery, swimming, campfire, gaga ball, ethnic dancing and more

–          Living in community as Orthodox Christians

–          Registration process

–          Worship, religion, and confession

What will be different?

St Mary’s Camp will be at Camp Courage this year located in Maple Lake, MN approx 1 hour NW from Minneapolis.  It is a beautiful and spacious facility with many upgrades compared to previous camp locations.  We looked at many different options before selecting Camp Courage and are confident this facility will best support our program and goals.  For those who have participated in our Family Camp program in recent years, you will already be familiar with the site.

Camp will be split into two  4 day/3 night sessions.  Due to COVID capacity limitations at Camp Courage we will not be able to attend as one large group  (there are state mandated numbers for not only how many campers we can have at one time but also within each cabin building).  We thank all of our families for their patience and understanding as our committee works hard to produce a camping program for as many young people as possible.  We will have one program for younger campers and one for older campers. Fun Fact:  This is not the first time we have run both a Jr and Sr Program but it is the first time we have had to do one with shorter sessions like this.  In order to maximize our capacity at Camp Courage we are going to ask everyone to sign up and then we will determine exactly the split between the grades.  Younger campers will be the first session Saturday afternoon- Tuesday afternoon and the older campers will be Wednesday afternoon – Saturday  afternoon (Tuesday night- Wednesday am will be a deep sanitation of the camp facilities between groups).   If your campers are younger (grades 3-6) or older (grades 10-12) it is safe to assume they will be in their respective sessions.  It is the campers who are entering grades 7-9 that will require extra consideration regarding their session assignments, following the close of registration.   We plan to determine the exact split of campers in each session within a week of our shortened registration closing and will email everyone to confirm the session for which your campers are registered. 

There are less physical cabins at Camp Courage and therefore our cabin groups by grade may be merged or split and you are more likely to be sharing cabin space with campers a year older or younger than yours.  This is a great opportunity to get to know some of the other campers in our program. 

Our hope is always that we won’t have to turn anyone away from camp. However, If there are more campers who sign up than we can physically accommodate, it will be based on first come, first served within each cabin group.  This is not a new policy, but it may be more likely this year due to capacity limitations.  If we are unable to fit your camper into the program we will let you know as soon as possible and process a refund. Our goal is to include as many campers as allowed while honoring the various capacity limits.  

-New activities such as air rifle, slingshot, gymnasium and mini golf

-An all- ages ropes course and zip line

– Bigger and nicer spaces such as arts & crafts, basketball courts & sports field

-Indoor swimming pool in addition to beautiful waterfront beach

-Nice spacious cabins each with its own bathrooms/shower facilities

-New Theme of the Day fun

There will NOT be a bus for transporting campers this year– parents will need to drop off and pick up directly at camp.  Arrival and departure times will occur in the afternoons of July 3rd and 6th for the first session and July 7th and 10th for session two.  They will be staggered both for safety and parking constraints. We will have a camper check-in point at camp and will provide more information about this process once registration is complete.  

COVID-19–  We are working closely with the staff at Camp Courage to make this as safe and as enjoyable of a year as we can.  Protocols are being taken to keep everyone safe and within evolving MN and ACA guidelines.  We will be asking campers to bring and wear masks to camp this year for indoor and outdoor activities where appropriate physical distancing cannot be maintained. 

Refunds, Pricing and Registration–  We have made multiple adjustments this year in order to best serve our program, families, campers and parish communities.  This includes a shortened registration period as well just one price- $310 per camper.  There will not be refunds for Camp 2021 with the exception of those campers who register but are not able to be accommodated due to capacity limitations. This year we will also not be accepting any payments other than credit cards.  As always, you are not considered registered until you have completed online registration and processed your payment in the check-out section of the website.  For those of you who are in need of financial assistance, we ask that you follow the normal process by first speaking with your parish priest about assistance.  For those who are getting either a full or partial scholarship, you will need a coupon code from St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church  in order to checkout and complete your registration. 

 We look forward to welcoming you back and having a great camp program together.