Overnight Camp FAQs
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A: St. Joseph’s Youth Camp is nestled at the base of Mormon Lake Mountain in Northern Arizona. Mormon Lake is approximately 25 south of Flagstaff. We are at 7,100 feet of elevation amongst the biggest Ponderosa Pine forest in the world in the Coconino National Forest.
The camp facility is rustic and well-loved. The camp has a dining hall and activity areas. There are 12 cabins that can sleep 10 people each. The cabins are rustic and equipped with electricity. Near the cabins, there are several outhouses for use as needed at night. There is a Bathhouse with separate male and female sections.
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A: St. Joseph’s Youth Camp is located in Mormon Lake, AZ (23 miles southeast of Flagstaff). Campers and counselors sleep in comfortable and rustic cabins with a bunk bed-style layout.
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Yes, transportation from the Valley (Phoenix area) to the camp and back is provided to all campers and counselors. Campers and counselors also have the option of being dropped off at the camp, though most ride the bus.
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Our summer highs are usually in the mid-to upper-80ºFs, and nights can be as cool as the low-60ºFs. There are an average of 264 days of sunshine a year in Mormon Lake. Our cabins do not have air conditioning, but they are equipped with fans. Cabin windows also open, and the screens provide a comforting air flow. The cabins stay at a warm temperature that is comfortable with a simple bedroll or sleeping bag.
We do get monsoons usually in the late summer, usually after the 4th of July through the end of September. As surprising as it might seem, rain jackets are a must-pack item for camp, regardless of what session you attend!
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Yes, we offer an annual Open House to allow families to come to explore our summer camp opportunities and campsite. This year’s Open House will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. To learn more and to register, please CLICK HERE.
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Mail can be sent directly to the camp at 4860 Mormon Lake Rd., Mormon Lake, AZ 86038. However, there is no certainty that your mail will be delivered during that week. Alternatively, you can bring letters to check-in to be distributed on any certain day of the week.
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We are deeply committed to providing a safe camp experience. This page covers our extensive safety measures.
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We are committed to making camp a safe place for all. Please CLICK HERE to learn more about our current COVID-19 policies.
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Yes! Thanks to the generosity of our community partners and donors, St. Joseph’s Youth Camp is able to offer a limited number of camperships for campers and counselors. To apply for a scholarship, please click here.
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If the session you would like to register for no longer has openings, you can join the waitlist. Should a spot become available, we will contact you!
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No. Campers and CITs can not stay at camp in between camp session. Our staff has time off in between sessions and the camp is closed.
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SJYC is ESA-friendly. Please learn more about using ESA for camp here.
General Information
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St. Joseph’s Youth Camp has created a packing list to assist with what you need. You can access the Camper Packing List here and the Counselor Packing List here.
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No, campers and counselors must bring all bedding items with them to camp as they are not provided. This includes a twin bed sheet, a sleeping bag/bedroll, and a pillow.
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Campers and counselors bring a variety of bags to camp. Typically, the preference is a duffel bag, which is easier to transport to the cabin and when unpacking and re-packing.
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Counselors and campers are expected to dress in a manner that is appropriate for a rural camping environment. Bringing an assortment of clothing for rain, warm weather, and cooler weather is a good idea. Counselors are provided 5 SJYC counselor shirts at the beginning of CIT week that they must wear each day. Campers and counselors should plan what to wear by referencing the Camper Packing List or the Counselor Packing List and our Dress Code Policy.
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Yes, campers and counselors live out of their suitcases. There are no cubbies or drawers in the cabins.
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Baby wipes are helpful to quickly clean off when it is not a designated shower time. While not a necessity, they are encouraged!
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Dryer sheets act as great bug repellents! You can put them in luggage and sleeping bags/pillows to deter bugs. While not a necessity or foolproof, they are encouraged as they do help!
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The SJYC Camp Store sells a variety of drinks, candy, snacks, merchandise, and memorabilia. The average amount of money put into Camp Store account at the beginning of each week is $30. Please note that Camp Store monies are non-refundable.
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Yes! If you are dropping off your camper or counselor, you are welcome to help them get settled into their cabin before heading home.
Packing Information
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Once all the campers and counselors arrive at the camp, they are energized, welcomed to the St. Joe’s family, and then assigned a cabin. Once they have met their counselors and their cabin-mates, they retrieve their luggage and settle in before dinner.
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Our days at camp are BUSY! Below is a typical day at camp:
7:30 am: Wake Up
8:00 am: Raising the Flag
8:15 am: Breakfast
9:30 am: First activity block
11:00 am: Second Activity Block
12:30 pm: Lunch
1:30 pm: Cabin Rest
2:30 pm: Third Activity Block
3:30 pm: Fourth Activity Block
4:30 pm: Fifth Activity Block
5:30 pm: Dinner
6:30 pm: Camp Store and Organized Free Time
7:30 pm: Night Activity
9:00 pm: Prepare for Bed
9:30 pm: Lights Out!
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No, they do not! We do not offer swimming as an activity, but we do offer kayaking. Campers are welcome to park their kayak and get out for a swim. However, they are all required to wear life vests the entire time they are in the water (kayaking and swimming).
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The SJYC menu was designed to fit items youth typically enjoy. In any given week, campers will enjoy meals including scrambled eggs & bacon, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, orange chicken, pasta, pizza, tacos, and more! Fruit or side vegetables are offered with each meal. A sample menu (subject to change) can be viewed here.
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We will happily accommodate varying dietary restrictions, food allergies, and special diets. We are easily able to modify our menu for the following needs: lactose-free, dairy-free, most allergies, vegetarians, pescatarians, no pork, and no red meat.
We are a nut-free camp, so peanut and other nut allergy campers are encouraged to attend!
Please indicate any special diet or food allergy on your registration paperwork. If needed, you are welcome to send supplemental diet or allergy-specific food to camp with your camper/counselor.
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Showers are taken once every other day, after dinner or during cabin rest, within their cabin group. We recommend your child takes a shower before coming up to camp!
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The showers are located within our Bathhouse and are communal based on sex (male/female). Each shower has a curtain to provide privacy. Our staff monitors shower times.
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All of our staff is certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED. Additionally, we have an onsite Camp Nurse who is available 24/7 to respond to any medical needs. We are located 25 minutes from the nearest hospital and have an on-call Medical Director available.
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All medication must be listed on registration paperwork and be turned in at check-in in the original container. The Camp Nurse will distribute all medications at the necessary time. If your camper/counselor regularly takes prescribed medication, they must continue taking this medication for the duration of their stay at St. Joseph’s Youth Camp. A copy of our Medication Policy can be found here.
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It is completely normal to feel homesick! Our staff and counselors are trained to help campers push through homesickness to enjoy their week away. Typically, campers can send letters home to stay in touch and find new ways to lessen their worries.
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Chances are, your child is having a blast at camp! If you have not received a phone call from the camp about your child, then they are doing just fine. We will notify you if something significant arises.
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St. Joseph’s Youth Camp has a firm no-tolerance policy against bullying and violence. We work hard to create a camp culture of friendship, respect, and inclusion and expect our campers to engage with each other in this same way. As part of registration, parents/guardians and their camper(s)/counselor(s) pledge to act in accordance with our Disciplinary Policy & Procedure.
Camp Experience
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Every camp has its own method of making cabin assignments for the child’s living group, but in all cases, it should be based upon our goal of each child functioning at his/her best level. Our method considers chronological age, as well as the grade in school.
Our typical consideration order for cabin assignments is as follows:
Gender
Age
Grade
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SJYC’s leadership team is responsible for all cabin assignments, and ultimately, it is their final decision on the best placement of campers/counselors. We ask that you limit your camper's cabin mate requests to not more than one other camper/counselor. We must consider the experience of the campers/counselors in the cabin who are not part of this circle of friends. Please note that not all requests will be fulfilled. This policy exists to be considerate of the experience of the campers/counselors in the cabin who are not part of an existing circle of friends/family.
Be aware that the older camper is moved down to be in a cabin with the younger camper, not vice-versa. So, for example, if you have two campers that are friends, where one is 12 years old, and the other is 11 years old, the 12-year-old would be moved down to a cabin full of 11-year-olds. Sometimes “being together” is less important to the older child than being placed with their own age/grade level might be!