Summer Camp FAQs

  • It’s my first time camping at Seneca Hills. What do I need to know?

    Thanks for joining us at camp this year! Check out our First Time Camper page for all the details you’ll need to know for attending our camp for the first time.

  • What should I pack?

    Please reference the packing list attached for all camps.

  • What time is check-in?

    Check-in is from 5 PM to 5:30 PM in the Recreation Center

  • What if I am unable to drop off my child between 5 PM and 5:30 PM for check-in?

    You must let the office know at least 24 hrs in advance. You can email us at office@senecahills.org or call 814-432-3026 and leave a message.

  • How much money should I add to my child’s camper account?

    We normally recommend about $50. This camper account covers two snacks a day, craft projects, and store purchases.

  • How do I email my camper while they are at camp?

    You can email your camper using the online Camper Mailing Form. Please limit messages to one per family, per day.

  • What time do I pick up my camper from camp?

    Camper pick up is at 9 AM the last day of their camp session.

  • What if I am unable to pick up my camper but a family member or friend is picking up my child instead?

    At check-in, you will need to complete an Alternate Pickup form giving Seneca Hills permission to release your child to whoever is picking them up at the end of their camp.

  • Will my child be safe at camp?

    As an ACA-accredited camp, Seneca Hills works within the standards the American Camp Association set to make health and safety practices the best they can be. Our staff undergoes two weeks of training to prepare for certain situations that may occur in our outdoor setting.

  • What happens if my child gets sick or injured at camp?

    We hope that every camper will remain healthy and fully able to participate in all aspects of camp life. Just in case, though, Seneca Hills’ Nurse Station is staffed by medical professionals 24 hours a day all summer long. We supervise the provision of medication at each meal and before bed. In the case of sickness or injury, parents/guardians are always made aware by our medical personnel and/or an Executive staff member work.

  • Can I contact my child while they are at camp?

    Yes! You can write emails or letters to your camper while they are here with us at Seneca Hills! We have an online Camper Mailing Form and ask that you please limit messages to one per family, per day.
    Phone calls are strictly prohibited as they tend to discourage already homesick campers.

  • What if my child has medication they need to take?

    Medications in original containers with the camper’s name attached. Medications other than inhalers and epi-pens must be given to the camp nurse at check-in to be administered by the nurse. Medications will be returned during departure.

  • What can I expect from a day at camp?

    Campers stay busy at camp! From Chapel, cabin time, activities, and evening programs to cabin debriefs at bedtime, our day is packed with fun! Check out our Daily Schedule!

  • What if my child has allergies?

    As the safety of your children is a priority of ours, we need to know about any allergies your child may have. Please provide these details on your Health History form and be as specific as possible with the information to allow us to be prepared to accommodate your camper’s allergy.

  • Can I pack snacks for my child to eat during the week?

    Only under special circumstances will we allow parents to pack snacks for their children. Since there is a ‘no food in the cabin rule,’ all snacks are given in our dining hall or snackery. Campers are given two daily opportunities to purchase snacks from our Snackery on top of their 3 meals a day.

  • Can Seneca accommodate a child if they have special needs?

    While we are not equipped to handle campers requiring one-on-one attention, we can accommodate some special needs campers. Please give us a call in the office to discuss your camper’s specific needs.

  • What if my child has to use the bathroom in the middle of the night?

    Your child has 24-hour access to the bathroom. Our staff is instructed to assist campers if necessary. All of our cabins are located close to our bathhouses.

  • Does Seneca offer financial assistance?

    Yes! It is our heart at Seneca Hills that finances never prevent a child from experiencing Camp! Check out how to apply or how to give.

  • I want my kids to camp together but they are at different camp ages.

    Our different camp sections are structured in a manner that allows for growth at a level that is tailored to each age group specifically. For further information on this and to discuss specifics, call our office at (814) 432-3026.

  • What happens if there is inclement weather while my child is at camp?

    Our full-time staff monitor the weather at all times and check to make sure lightning and heavy rain are outside of the set range around camp. If lightning does happen to come within the designated range, then we will make sure all the campers and staff are safe inside a building. We will then proceed with pre-planned activities that are in place on the occasion of needing to be indoors.

  • My child wants to come with a group of friends, can they all request to be in the same cabin?

    Absolutely! Campers may submit up to two names for their cabin mate request. While we do our best to honor cabin mate requests, we cannot guarantee that your request will be granted.

  • Can I check my camper’s account during the week? How much money should I put into it?

    You may certainly check and add money if necessary to your camper’s account during the week. We recommend you add $40 to your camper’s account to allow them to purchase two snacks at every snackery and a novelty item in our camp store.

  • What is the selection process for staff?

    We take a great deal of pride in the selection of our staff. The prospective staff goes through a comprehensive application process which includes a reference check, an intensive application, and a personal interview with one of the Executive Staff members. An extensive training program is provided at the start of the summer season. Staff members are trained on topics such as child development, how to recognize, prevent, and take action against bullying, behavior management, risk management, emergency procedures, Bible Study, and much more. During the summer, staff are supervised and evaluated by members of our camp leadership team and full-time staff.

  • Can my camper bring a camera to take pictures?

    Yes! Campers are encouraged to bring a film or digital camera to capture pictures of their experiences. We only ask that the cameras are unable to connect to the internet.

  • Is my child ready for camp?

    It is never black and white when deciphering whether a child is ready for camp or not, but there are a few questions you can ask yourself when trying to make that decision.

    • Is my child dependent in the bathroom setting?
    • Are they relatively comfortable being away from me for a period of time?
    • Do they get along well with others?

    Our staff is more than happy to have a conversation with you about this topic.

  • Does my child have to attend church to go to Seneca?

    No! Here at Seneca Hills we hope to share the gospel with all children, reached and unreached. We do our best to cultivate a welcoming environment for all children regardless of their church background or denomination. Throughout the week your camper will be familiarized with the basics of faith such as prayer and worship and why they are essential. Those foundations will also be built and expanded upon through chapel, Bible Study, and missions.

  • I think my camper left something behind at camp. Do you have a lost and found?

    Yes! Throughout the week and after camper departure, our staff collects lost and found items and places them in bins organized by the week of camp so belongings can be easily found.

  • What does ACA accreditation mean and why is it important?

    “ACA is the only national accrediting body for camps of all types. ACA’s accreditation standards focus on health, safety, and risk management, and are used as benchmarks by government entities. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp’s commitment to the well-being of campers and staff.”

  • What if my child needs to be picked up in the middle of the week for a doctor’s appointment or something? What if I can’t pick my camper up at the end of the week?

    If your child needs to be picked up in the middle of the week or if you are unable to pick up your camper at the end of the week, you will need to fill out a mid-week camper pick-up form/alternate pick-up form during camper registration at the beginning of the session.

  • Is there dinner the night that my child is dropped off? Is there breakfast the morning they are picked up?

    Yes! We feed our campers on Sunday night and Saturday morning.

  • My child is scared of heights. Do they have to climb or go off the zipline?

    All of our campers are never forced to do something they are uncomfortable doing. Our staff is taught “Challenge by Choice” where they are instructed to encourage campers to get out of their comfort zone gently but are never allowed to force a camper to do anything.

  • Do I have to pay all at once or can I set up a payment plan?

    Families may pay out their camp fees over a period of time. All fees must be paid in full no later than the beginning of your session. Contact the Seneca Hills office at (814) 432-3026, for questions regarding payments and balances due.