Parent Information

Christian Summer Camp - Week-Long Sessions for Ages 6-17

Parent Information & FAQs

 

 

 

 

Sending your child to camp can raise a lot of questions and concerns. We want to provide answers, as well as information, that will make your camping experience with IdRaHaJe as easy as possible. In addition to what we have outlined below, you can also view our Registration Information & Policies.

BEFORE CAMP

What paperwork or forms do I need to submit?

Please view our Required Paperwork Page for a detailed description of the forms required for summer campers. All campers must submit a current, IdRaHaJe-specific physical, and a complete immunization record (or approved exemption form). Campers bringing medications must also bring our medication form signed by a doctor.

All required paperwork is due one week prior to your check-in day. You can submit the forms through the online registration portal, email or snail mail. Please save a copy of all medical forms and bring them to check-in, even if previously submitted.

What should my camper pack?

Make sure to send kids with clothing you are okay with them possibly losing or getting dirty. Please label everything, and go through your child’s things with them so that they will recognize what belongs in their bag. For all camp programs except Narrow Way, please adhere to our Resident Camp Packing List.

      • If you have a Wilderness Ridge Camper, please bring all of their belongings in a sealable plastic tub!
      • Campers registered for Narrow Way trips have a unique packing list. Make sure to view our Narrow Way Page and find the specific Equipment List for your child’s trip!

What if my child has a food allergy?

IdRaHaJe kitchens and snack shops are NUT FREE. With advance notice and for an additional fee of $2/meal, our kitchens can accommodate gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. If you plan on IdRaHaJe providing these substitutions, please add the “Special Dietary Package” option on Step 2 of the online registration process in addition to explaining details of the special diet requested on your child’s medical form.

If your child has dietary restrictions that go beyond the scope of what our kitchens can provide, please contact our Food Service Supervisor at foodservice@idrahaje.org at least two weeks prior to your child’s arrival at IdRaHaJe. If we are not contacted beforehand, it may not be possible to accommodate any special requests.

What if my child takes medication?

According to STATE LAW, no camper may keep any prescription, Over the Counter (OTC) medication, or vitamins in his or her possession. Our nurses have common OTC medications on hand. All prescriptions, OTC medication, and vitamins must remain in the original containers with the box, accompanied by the IdRaHaJe Medication Form signed by your child’s doctor, with included dosage and frequency instructions.

Can a child with significant needs attend IdRaHaJe?

If your child has any significant needs (medical diagnosis, mental health, educational or behavioral needs, etc.), or is experiencing gender dysphoria, we require you to contact us each year PRIOR to completing your registration process, by emailing us at summer@idrahaje.org or calling us at 303-838-5668. A team of IdRaHaJe staff will evaluate each individual child’s situation on a case-by-case, year-by-year basis to determine if IdRaHaJe is the best fit for the child. While it is our desire that every child experiences our summer camp, IdRaHaJe is not set up to meet many exceptional needs.

How can I help my camper prepare?

One of the best ways to help your camper prepare is to go over the Camper Rules with your child before you arrive. These are IdRaHaJe’s expectations for every camper.

You can also go over other information on this page with them, such as the sample camp schedule. If your child is prone to homesickness, see our next question (below) for ideas on how to help them prepare.

Do you have helpful tips for first time parents and campers?

Many parents are concerned about their first-time campers getting homesick. Our staff is trained to help campers who may have a natural tendency to feel homesick. If a child is showing signs of homesickness for more than 24 hours, parents will be contacted to create an action plan which may include the child going home. Here are things you can do to help before they come:

  • Have your child spend a night or two away from home to prepare for his or her first camp experience.
  • Practice doing daily routines independently with younger campers like dressing, self-care, showering and applying sunscreen.
  • Send a special stuffed animal along.
  • Tell them how proud you are of them.
  • Make sure to have letters and a care package for them throughout the week (follow the instructions on this page).
  • Have your child sign-up and bunk with a close friend.

How does spending money work at Camp?

Parents have the option to put money in a camper spending account for their camper during the online registration process (Step 3). Your camper can use their spending account to purchase items at our stores, snack shops, or craft shops, or to donate to the camp missionary. This is a convenient way to prevent lost or stolen money. We require that the accounts are used for our three younger camps, Mountain Village, Wilderness Ridge, and Aspen View. Lodge & Narrow Way Campers can choose to put money into an account or keep it with them during the week. However, IdRaHaJe is not responsible for lost or stolen money. Campers will be given information on how to access their account when they arrive.

How much money should I add to my camper's spending account?

The amount to add is entirely up to the parent. Most parents add $30-$60, which campers can spend at one of our stores, snack shops and in craft areas. Campers are also given the opportunity to donate to the missionary for the week!

Can my camper be in a cabin with his/her friend(s)?

As a part of the initial online registration process, each camper can request one cabinmate. Cabinmates must be of the same birth gender as the camper and attending the same resident camp. We do our best to honor one request for each camper. To guarantee a request be fulfilled, the request must be mutual and only involve a pair of campers. If more than one name is listed under the cabinmate requests, we will choose the first request. If you decide you want to add or make changes to a cabinmate request after you have completed online registration, you may call or email no later than two weeks prior to check-in and we can enter the change. Do NOT request cabinmates at check-in. We are unable to accommodate requests at that time.

How do I make a payment on my account?

After you have submitted your online registration, payments can be made toward your remaining balance online up until one week prior to check-in. (Your balance is due one week prior to check-in.) Follow the steps below to make a payment:

  • Go to https://idrahaje.campbrainregistration.com/ and sign into your account.
  • Under “View My Registrations” click on the “View details” button under the season your camper is registered for.
  • Find the section titled “Financial”.
  • Here you can see the total charges, payments that have been made, as well as the amount due, which is your current balance.
  • You can also “Download Printable Season Account Statement” if you want a more detailed account statement.
  • To make a payment, click on the red button that says “Make a Payment” under this section.
  • Enter your payment amount and payment details, then click “Process Payment.”

Please note: we do NOT accept American Express.

How do I add options (such as a Horse Ride) after I've submitted the initial registration?

Additional options such as Horse Rides, Bike Rides, the Special Dietary Package, and Narrow Way Rental Equipment can be added online anytime up until one week prior to check-in. Follow the steps below to add these options to your camper’s registration:

  • Go to https://idrahaje.campbrainregistration.com/ and sign into your account.
  • Under “View My Registrations” click on the “View details” button under the season your camper is registered for.
  • Under the Summary section, click the button that says “+ Add People, Sessions, or Options.”
  • Click continue to get to “Step 2.”
  • Under the session that your camper is registered for, click “Show details.”
  • It will drop down the available session options.
  • Click “add to cart” and then proceed to the payments.
  • Make sure you complete all the steps and receive a confirmation screen at the end to know that it has been processed.

Please note: if you have already added options and you wish to remove them, you must contact the registration office at registration@idrahaje.org or 303-838-0685. 

What if my camper is on a waitlist?

If your camper is on a waitlist, we do not have a spot for them. However, if a spot opens up in the camp program/week they are waitlisted for, we will reach out via email (if more than one week out) or via phone call (if within one week of the camp session). At that time, you would have a limited amount of time to respond (stated in the email/phone call). If you do not respond in the given timeframe, we will move down to the next person on the waitlist and the spot may not still be available to your camper. If you are no longer interested in the program your camper is waitlisted for, please email registration@idrahaje.org and we will remove them from the waitlist.

It is impossible for us to predict how fast or if the waitlists will move because cancellations come in randomly. Sometimes, cancellations come in on the day-of or people don’t show up to check-in, so we may contact you about a waitlist spot up until the end of the first day of camp.

You are welcome to email registration@idrahaje.org or call 303-838-0685 to check on the waitlist status of your camper or if you have further questions.

AT CAMP

What is the schedule of a typical day at camp?

Below is a SAMPLE Schedule of a typical day at camp:

7:00     Wake-up & Prepare for Day

7:45      Flag Raising & Morning Exercises

8:00     Breakfast

9:00     Skills Class

10:00   Morning Chapel & Group Devotion Time

11: 30   Cabin Clean-up & Rest Time

12:00   Lunch

1:00     Large Group Activity (Game, Swimming)

3:00    Free Time (Horse Rides, Adventure Activities, Stores, Gym)

5:00    Missions

5:30    Mail Call

6:00    Dinner

6:45     Flag Lowering & Reflection

7:00     Game

8:00     Evening Chapel & Group Devotion Time

9:00     Get Ready for Bed

9:30     Lights Out (adjusted for older campers)

What is the Check-In Process?

  • For all weeks except Week 5 (July 8-13) and Pioneer Camp 3.2 (June 26-29), Check-in is at IdRaHaJe’s Gym and Education Center on Sunday from 1:45-3:30 pm.* Check-in times are divided by last name in hopes to lessen the amount of traffic in our gym facility at any given time. Please arrive during your time listed below:

1:45pm – 2:00pm – Last names A-C

2:00pm – 2:30pm – Last names D-K

2:30pm – 3:00pm – Last names L-R

3:00pm – 3:30pm – Last names S-Z

*Week 5 (July 8-13) check-in will be Monday, July 8, 2024 from 9:00am to 11:00am.

*Pioneer Camp 3.2 (June 26-29) check-in will be Wednesday, June 26 at Mountain Village from 1:30-3:00 pm.

 

  • Due to long waitlists for many camps, if you do not arrive by the end of check-in and you have not contacted us about a late check-in, we may give away your camper’s spot to someone on the waitlist. Please contact us at 303-838-5668 or email registration@idrahaje.org if you plan to arrive late.
  • Please bring all medications and medical forms to check-in, even if previously submitted.
  • Once at IdRaHaJe, parking attendants will direct you where to go.
  • Please bring medications in original containers with the box up to the Gym & Education Center to check-in with our nurses.
  • You do not need to bring luggage up to the Gym & Education Center. (After the check-in process at the Gym, you will be directed to your child’s camp.)
  • Any mail that you brought for your camper should be dropped off at the main office after you finish the check-in process.
  • Do NOT request changes to cabinmate requests at check-in. We are unable to accommodate changes at that time. If you would like to make changes to these, you must contact us at least two weeks prior to camp.

What is the Check-Out Process?

  • Check-out is Saturday from  7:45-9:00 am.*
  • Please go directly to your child’s camp facility and stop at the check-out table before collecting your camper. Be prepared to show a photo ID.
  • We will not be holding a parent breakfast or closing ceremony.
*Please note: Pioneer Camp 3.1 (June 23-26) check-out will be Wednesday, June 26 from 8:00-9:00 am.

Can I contact my camper throughout the week or send care packages?

We deliver mail to campers Monday – Friday in the evening. Parents and family members are welcome (and encouraged!) to send emails, letters, and/or care packages to their campers.

  • Please send no more than 2 shoe-boxed sized packages (or smaller) per camper per week. There is no limit to the number of letters or emails campers can receive.
  • Please label all mail with the camper’s name, camp program, and week number (Example: “John Smith, Wilderness Ridge – Week 3”).
  • Packages and letters cannot include any nuts, gum, or dangerous items.

Please follow the additional instructions found on this page for all mail.

Can I see photos of my camper at camp?

IdRaHaJe partners with Waldo Photos to deliver photos of your camper directly to you at no additional cost! Waldo is a facial recognition powered mobile app that utilizes a selfie of your child to find all the photos of them at camp. Photos are delivered directly to you or your family members via the Waldo App. You will receive a notification once we upload a photo of your camper. Families can expect to see at least 2-3 photos of their camper each week.

Instructions for how to sign up will be available when you arrive at check-in. You can find more information about Waldo HERE.

Will my camper be swimming or whitewater rafting while at camp?

Pioneer Camp (ages 6-8), Mountain Village (ages 7-9), Wilderness Ridge (ages 9-12), and Aspen View (ages 11-13) camps will go swimming at a community pool one afternoon during their camp week. The pool does require each child to pass a swim test in order to utilize the deep end independently. Life jackets are available. You can view more information about the pool here.

 

Lodge Camp (ages 14-17) and most Narrow Way Expedition Trips (ages 12-17) will go whitewater rafting through Noah’s Ark instead of swimming at the pool. You can view more information about Noah’s Ark here. You can also view their Required Equipment List. Please note: this activity requires an additional waiver:

AFTER CAMP

When can I register my camper for next summer?

We typically open registration in early fall for the following summer. Follow us on social media (Instagram or Facebook) for the specific date. Use code “EARLYBIRD” by December 31 to receive our early bird discount! Enter the code on Step 2 of the registration process after adding the session to your cart, where it says, “+ Enter a Discount Code.”

Register Here! 

Do you offer any retreats for summer campers to come back throughout the year?

Yes! In the winter, we offer weekend-long Winter Camps for ages 7-16! View our Winter Camp Page for more information and to register.

What is your Lost & Found policy?

If you believe your camper left something at camp, please contact us at info@idrahaje.org or call 303-838-5668 with a description of the item and where it was last seen. If we have found your lost item, we will contact you and you can come pick it up during office hours or if you live more than an hour away, we can ship it to you at your cost. Please note: we only hold on to Lost & Found items for two weeks after the camp session.

Does IdRaHaJe refund unused Camper Spending Account money?

At the end of the week, if a camper has a remaining spending account balance of $3.00 or more, parents will have the option to donate it to a special camp project or have it refunded. If a refund is requested, it will be made electronically within two weeks.

Does IdRaHaJe refund money for missed horse rides and bike rides?

If a horse ride or bike ride is cancelled due to inclement weather, money will be refunded electronically within two weeks. However, if a camper chooses to not participate in a scheduled ride, no refund will be made.

Camp Procedures

What have you implemented to protect children in an overnight camp setting?

The safety of your child is our number one priority. We realize that parents want assurance that their child will be protected during camp. Here at IdRaHaJe, we take 4 steps which make up our Child Protection Plan. First, we carefully select and vet our staff. Next, we train all of our staff on how to appropriately interact with campers (see next question). Third, before the first night of camp, all campers and staff view our Child Protection Plan Video. Finally, during the week we are diligent to hold all campers and staff to high standards and report any inappropriate behavior.

How do you select and train your staff?

Each member of our staff completes a detailed hiring process including a written application, interview, submission of 3 references, and background check. We hire staff that agree to our Doctrinal Statement and profess faith in Jesus Christ. Each staff member undergoes at least ten days of training in which they learn how to perform their specific job and care for children. This training includes an intensive focus on our Child Protection Plan where staff learn how to have appropriate “Touch, Talk and Territory” with all campers. If you would like to learn more about our staff selection or training, feel free to contact us.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Cancellations can be made anytime, however, the deposit is always non-refundable. Up until one week prior to camp attendance, the remaining camp fees (except for the deposit) are fully refundable. No refund will be given for cancellations made less than one week prior to camp attendance. No refund will be given for campers who are sent home early for not following camper policies, for campers who are homesick or choose to leave, or for campers who are scheduled to arrive late or leave early.

Can I transfer my child's registration to another week?

If you have registered your child and find that you need to move them to a different week, you may do so by calling the registration office at 303-838-0685 or emailing registration@idrahaje.org. As long as there is availability in the new desired session, we are happy to help with this adjustment.  Additional fees will apply if the new week is more expensive.

Which of your camp programs/weeks still have availability?

You can view our availability by going to our online registration system, creating a simple account (name & email), and starting a 2024 Summer Camp registration application. On Step 2, you will be able to see which sessions still have availability and which have a waitlist available. For further questions on availability, email registration@idrahaje.org.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes! We offer an Early Bird Discount (for registrations submitted before the end of the year), a sibling discount (for families with 3+ campers registered) and a Military Discount (for Active Duty military).

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Register by Dec. 31st at midnight AND enter discount code “EARLYBIRD” on step 2 of the registration process to receive $40 off week-long registrations ($20 off half-week).

SIBLING DISCOUNT: Families with three or more campers registered will automatically receive our sibling discount of $10 off week-long registrations ($5 off half-week).

MILITARY DISCOUNT: If one or both parents are Active Duty status at the time of camp, the camper is eligible to receive our Military Discount of $100 off week-long registrations.  You must email registration@idrahaje.org with a form such as orders or a Military ID showing dates, including expiration date or length of tour.  This discount does not apply to  Reserves or Guard unless they are deployed at the time of camp.  It does not apply to Retired Military Veterans.  It does, however, apply to any child who has lost a military parent while in the line of duty (with verification).

Do you offer any financial aid?

IdRaHaJe’s monthly payment plans divide a family’s balance into even payments charged once per month over a number of months. Payment plans can be chosen on Step 5 of the initial online registration process. If you would like to start a payment plan after you have submitted the initial registration, please email registration@idrahaje.org. Payment plans are only available until April 30th.

 

IdRaHaJe also has a Campership Fund, which provides families financial assistance to send their kids to camp who otherwise might not be able to attend. Camperships are awarded according to financial need as long as funds are available. Families requesting a Campership must complete the online registration process and fill out an application. Email registration@idrahaje.org to request an application or for more information.