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Here’s Where WinShape Camps for Communities is Going in 2019

February 6, 2019, 12:13 pm
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2019 is going to be a big year for life-changing, memory-making, adventure-taking awesomeness! Last year we saw just over 38,000 campers join us for the summer of a lifetime at our overnight camps, day camps, and international camps. That’s a lot of memories made!

This year, we’re gearing up to dive into Matthew 7:24 and talk about a God who is Never Changing (More to come on that soon)! We are taking that message and everything else that comes along with the summer of a lifetime to more places than ever before! You can expect our camp teams to be in some of the same places we’ve been in prior summers, but in true camp stop, won’t stop fashion -- we’re adding some new camp locations to 2019! Not only are we launching our first ever overnight camp outside of North Georgia at Gardner-Webb University in the Carolinas, but this year we’re also launching day camps in Southern California!

Below are just a few of the cities we’ll bring WinShape Camps for Communities to in 2019. Find out if camp is coming close to you here.

A good ol’ fashion summer homecoming!

Every year we have locations that experienced the epic summer that is WinShape Camps for Communities for the first time and they just couldn’t get enough! We’re excited to be going back to cities like Deland, FL and McDonough, GA for the 2nd straight year. And then there are communities like Warner Robins in Georgia or Frisco in Texas that have hosted WinShape Camps for a decade!

We’re also going back to some of our largest WinShape Camps for Communities locations like Gaffney, SC where we saw over 500 campers last summer!

We’re not in Kansas any mor…

Well — actually, we are still in Kansas! But that’s not the only long-distance drive our teams will make this year. We’re branching out further than ever before. After starting out at the original WinShape Camps location in Rome, GA for training, we’ll have day camp teams that travel up to the Chicago area as we visit Lake Zurich, IL.

There will be teams all around Texas as we make stops in Georgetown, The Woodlands, and Ft. Worth. The Buckeye State will host 2 weeks of day camps North Canton and Middletown, OH. We’re even getting close to our nation’s capital doing camp in cities like Springfield and  Stafford, VA. Those are just a few of the not-so-close-to-home places we’re bringing the best week ever.

Oh yeah — did we mention we’re going to Southern California!?

First Time Stops

Got friends around the country?  Let them know we’re going to make some stops in a few cities for the first time ever! Catch the summer of a lifetime in the Commonwealth of Virginia as we visit beautiful Chesapeake and Colonial Heights. A state we’re very familiar with is adding location #9 this year by hosting camp in Conway, SC just outside of Myrtle Beach.

Plus, we’re bringing the ultimate day camp experience to the Los Angeles area including Thousand Oaks, Laguna Hills, Chino, and Glendora! Not from California? No judgment if you take a vacation out there the same week camp is happening and sign your camper up. They’ll have a blast while you get to explore The Golden State. 😉

Overall, we’ll be bringing the WinShape Camps for Communities experience to 114 locations across the country and we can’t wait to have the BEST WEEK EVER all summer long! Registration for all WinShape Camps for Communities locations kicks off at 12:01am on Sunday March 3rd! Keep your eyes on our social media that entire week as we share some ways you can join in on the Kickoff Week fun!

The post Here’s Where WinShape Camps for Communities is Going in 2019 appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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A Note Regarding Kindergarten & Galaxy Campers!

March 3, 2019, 11:14 am
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Hello Parents! Kickoff Week is here, and we couldn’t be more excited! We have lots of great things coming this year, and many new changes that we are excited about and believe will take our camp experience to the next level for everyone. With every change comes some questions, and we want to address a couple that have arisen since Kickoff Week opened at midnight on Sunday.   First, we wanted to apologize for any miscommunication about Kindergarten programming. We can see where this area needs some clarity. Our team prioritizes your camper’s safety and an unprecedented program for all Kindergarteners. In order to do that:
  • We provide six skill options to Kindergarten Campers. These 6 skills are programmed specifically for the Ocean village (K-1), and no Kindergarten camper will be in a skill with any camper from an older village.
  • Our maximum capacity for Kindergarten is 30 at each location, allowing us to keep campers safe and our camper to staff ratios low.
  • Every other area of camp that a Kindergarten camper will encounter has been programmed with their safety and experience in mind.
Second, in order to accommodate our kindergartners, our Galaxy Village has shifted down a grade, and is now our 6th-8th graders. In order to streamline the camp experience, Galaxy will follow the same schedule as the rest of camp. Galaxy also has a limited selection of five skills, which is the same selection as previous years. This year, however, parents can rank their camper’s preferences prior to camp, instead of selecting them upon arrival on the Monday of camp. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 844-WS-CAMPS or at communitiesinfo@winshapecamps.org. We would love to hear from you! We can’t wait to learn about our Never-Changing God alongside you this summer!    

The post A Note Regarding Kindergarten & Galaxy Campers! appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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Give the Gift of Camp 2019

November 18, 2019, 7:15 am
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Good News & Great Joy

Ahhhhhhh — it’s that time of year again! TV commercials are all featuring holiday lights, the grocery stores seem a little more crowded than usual and parents and grandparents are faced with sheer panic about what will be under the tree when their kids wake up on December 25th. Well, panic no more. We know the perfect gift — here are 7 reasons to give your campers the gift of overnight camp this Christmas!

1. Shipping is always free!

The shipping wars have never been so heated! First, there was free shipping, then free two-day shipping, then one-day and so on. Before long these retailers will start building a warehouse in your neighborhood so they can just toss boxes out the window to your front door! While deals are nice, there are all sorts of stipulations when it comes to shipping. Between spending minimums and “order by” dates — it can all get pretty stressful. Here at WinShape, the shipping is always free! You might be saying to yourself “isn’t it free because they don’t actually ship anything?” Just keep reading 😉

2. One size fits all

WinShape Camps has something for everyone! Whether you have boys or girls, athletes or artists, elementary age or high school age — if you’ve got a kid, we’ve got something for them. We offer Horseback Riding, Flag Football, Calligraphy, Gymnastics, Gourmet Chef, Wacky Science, and so much more! And the best part, your camper gets to pick what they want to do! It’s like wrapping their favorite gift INSIDE of their favorite gift!

3. Batteries not included, because they’re not needed

No batteries. No Wifi. No complicated packaging. And DEFINITELY, nothing to buy an extended warranty on. Camp is the gift that will get your kid’s noses out of their iPads and into the great outdoors. The only thing you’ll stay up late trying to figure out is what you’re going to do with all your free time while your kids are at camp.

4. Our reviews on Amazon would be top-notch

When we talk about next-level summer experiences, we mean it! We want the families who attend camp to have the best experience possible! To ensure that camp has been worth their investment, we send out surveys each year to a large group of parents to get their feedback. Two of the most important questions we look at are the ‘Parent Satisfaction Rate’ and the ‘Camper Satisfaction Rate’. Our camp locations consistently average a 4.9 out of 5 across all of our overnight camp locations in those two categories. How could you go wrong giving a gift that kids and parents love so much (watch)?! 

5. A deal better than any doorbuster out there

In case you haven’t heard, WinShape Camps is paying 50% for first-time overnight campers to attend any of our one-week, or two-week overnight locations! Plus you won’t run the risk of getting stomped on in a stampede at the door at 3am. We’ll keep dollars in your piggy bank, and put change in your summer. PLUS —  Learn more about our 50% gift here.

6. We’ve got a little something to put under the tree

We’ve got something awesome for your camper! If you register between November 18th and December 18th AND you fill out this form, we’ll send you a LIMITED EDITION “I’ve Been Eating BoSki” lunchbox for each camper that registers! If you don’t recognize the phrase “I’ve Been Eating Boski”, it comes from one of our campers’ favorite cheers at camp.

7. It’s a gift that lasts a lifetime!

It won’t rust, run out, grow old, get dusty or get lost in between the seat cushions. Camp is an experience filled with good news and great joy creating memories that will last for eternity. We don’t call it life-changing, memory-making, adventure-taking awesomeness for nothing! This could change their lives forever. Your kids will make friends, try new things, stay active and have unforgettable fun all while growing in their faith. They will never stop talking about it! It’s truly the #SummerOfALifetime.

 

The post Give the Gift of Camp 2019 appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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Peytyn Pays it Forward

November 22, 2019, 2:27 pm
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It Takes A Village

“We always say ‘it takes a village to raise our children’, but it takes a village to get them to church and get them involved too!”

For fourth grader, Peytyn Culbertson, the idea of paying it forward to her community is one that also involves everyone in her community.

Just a few summers ago, Peytyn attended her first week of WinShape Camps for Communities at Coastline Calvary Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida. She and her family had recently moved and were looking for summer opportunities through their church when they found out about WinShape! But concerns of camp registration fees meant that Peytyn and her family had to do something special to help make camp more affordable.

One Person’s Generosity

Immediately Kris, Peytyn’s mother, turned to social media, offering to help with household chores in exchange for donations toward Peytyn’s registration fee.

“Peytyn was willing to walk dogs and even helped a friend weed flower beds for donations,” tells Kris.But then Kris received a message from a friend that eventually brought Peytyn to camp.

“They said, ‘It’s great that Peytyn wants to work to raise money to go, but I want to be sure that she has the chance to go to camp,’” says Kris.

Before they knew it, the family friend offered to pay the remaining half of Peytyn’s camp fee, giving her the opportunity to experience her first summer at WinShape.

Just a Spark

This act of generosity sparked an interest in Peytyn to pay it forward within her own community.

“I explained to her briefly that someone helped pay for us,” explains Kris. “But then, Peytyn asked, ‘what if I helped pay for a little bit of someone?’”

With the help of Kris and other family members, Peytyn began to create a plan of how she would raise money to help sponsor other campers within her community.

After brainstorming ideas with her mom, Peytyn saw the cute hairband on her wrist and devised a plan. With the help of Kris, Peytyn began to make hair ties using fold over elastic to sell as a way to make money for the sponsorships.

Peytyn’s hair tie business developed into what is now called “The Tie that Binds”. At just $3 a hair tie, Peytyn and her family were able to raise $950 to bring other kids within her community to WinShape!

Impact You Can See

What is even more incredible is that Peytyn never once found out which campers benefitted from her sponsorships, nor how many campers were able to go to camp because of her fundraising.

“I thought it was really neat because last year she sent these campers to camp, but never once she didn’t ask about the specifics, she just wanted to know that she was helping,” says Kris.

Even though she never knew the details of how her sponsorships affected her community, she knew that she wanted to continue making a difference the following summer.

“This year she wants to keep helping kids to come to camp,” says Kris. “I think this will stick for quite some time.”

 

It’s Not Just Impacting Camp

Since the success Peytyn saw her first year fundraising, she has expanded The Tie That Binds to other support efforts such as Operation Christmas Child and Upward Basketball.

The impact Peytyn has seen through The Tie That Binds is one that has inspired her entire family to get involved.

“It is starting to be a family thing. It’s opened our eyes to see that we can do something too,” says Kris. “There’s always something and someone that needs help.”

 

 

Peytyn’s story is an incredible reminder that regardless of your age or influence, you can always make an impact.

“She had such a small idea — it was so tiny. She wanted to just help one. She just wanted to help and look! We’re at $1000 this year. It happens so fast,” says Kris. “The outpouring of love that people give when you don’t expect them to, you get to change some kids lives! It can be so small, but it can make a huge impact.”

 

The post Peytyn Pays it Forward appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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Family Fun in Charlotte

December 3, 2019, 12:11 pm
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5 Family Fun Ideas

WinShape Camps now takes place in over 110 different locations around the country including our newest overnight location in the Carolinas! In all of our travels, we’ve learned a thing or two about where to have fun on the road.

Throughout this spring, we’re excited to share with you some of the most fun things we’ve found for you and your family to do around the country. And while we wish that campers could be a part of camp for every week during the summer, we know that’s not usually the case. We hope these tips can help your family fill in the blank spaces on the calendar in between camp and family vacations. Today we’re excited to share with you 5 Family Fun Ideas in Charlotte, NC.

1. Lazy 5 Ranch

This place is a ZOO! Well — sort of. If you find yourself in the north Charlotte/Mooresville area, take a day to go and see some of God’s most creative creatures at the Lazy 5 Ranch! Much like the Safari Village at our day camps, you get a chance to hand with the giraffes, rhinos and all sorts of birds. You may even get to pet a few! This experience offers wagon rides for little ones who might get tired of walking and is super affordable for the whole family.

Photo Credit Lazy 5 Ranch on Facebook

2. Charlotte Knights

We believe America’s favorite summer past time is actually going to summer camp, but a very close second is baseball. While there are no major league baseball teams in Charlotte, baseball fans can catch a glimpse of some current and future stars with a trip to the Charlotte Knights. A day out for the family with the Charlotte Knights is an absolute blast. Complete with a kid’s zone full of games and fun, your family is sure to enjoy entertainment for the entire game. And don’t forget to get your picture made with Knights mascot Homer the Dragon — a fan favorite!

Photo Credit MLB.com

3. Ray’s Splash Planet

Looking for a little summer fun in the pool without all the sunscreen? Ray’s Splash Pad is a great way for kids to get in some exercise while having a blast in the swimming pool. One of the best things about Ray’s is that it’s open year-round so if you crave a little summer fun in the middle of December as we do, Ray’s is the place to go. With rates around $10, this is a sure-fire way to get some energy out when camp’s not around.

Photo Credit: Brythonic via TripAdvisor

4. Crowders Mountain State Park

Located about halfway between Charlotte and WinShape Camps at Gardner-Webb University, Crowders Mountain is a great place to take the family for a hike. Crowders offers a truly choose-your-own-adventure type of experience with trails ranging from very difficult to pretty easy. For the younger campers, you’ll want to check out Fern Trail, a pretty flat loop that still lets you get out in nature. For campers who are a little more interested in a challenge, be sure to checkout Turback Trail. Crowders Mountain also offers great campsites if your family is looking for some extended “disconnect-to-connect” time.

Photo Credit Borris Budagyuan via Picasa

5. U.S. National Whitewater Center

Whitewater Center is kind of like if you took the awesomeness of camp, invited parents to join and opened all year long. Surrounded by natural beauty, National Whitewater Center is full of adventure. From rock walls to giant pools, bike racing and so much more, it’s definitely a full-days adventure waiting to happen. While there’s fun for all ages, your older campers who love the outdoors would especially enjoy a day at WWC. As if all of that adventure wasn’t enough, during Winter you can celebrate the colder temps by taking the family ice skating and checking out some of their awesome Christmas lights.

Photo Credit: CharlottesGotALot.com

These are just a few of the many awesome things you can do in the Charlotte area to have some fun when camp isn’t in town.

The post Family Fun in Charlotte appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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Keeping Jesus at the Center of Christmas

December 13, 2019, 11:47 am
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Tips for Advent Season with Kids

Post by Amy Lowe, Director of WinShape Camps for Girls

This time of year is magical for a family with little kids in the house. Everything has us starry-eyed and wonder-filled. You are not going to be shocked to hear that this time of year is my favorite. Leaves have fallen, the air is crisp, and the spirit of Christmas is upon us. Our kids are 9 and 7 and so they are all about Christmas. Every. Single. Part. So, in that way, it does make it easy to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas. But, in our world full of me, me, me; gifts galore; and new toys that I have no idea what they are or what they do, but believe you me my kids want them. Whew. It can be exhausting and overwhelming fighting against the culture and reminding our kids that Jesus is the reason for the season.

This post is all about lifting up and showing you ways that our family has kept Jesus at the center. But, hear me say I am no expert and I am very much in the trenches with you trying to remind my kids (and myself if I am being honest) why we have this Christmas season to begin with. Remembering. And living out of that remembrance.

The first way we’ve found to do this is through the wonderful resources that are out there to help point kids to Jesus during the Advent season. We are still at the age where our kids love to snuggle up at the end of a long day with Dad and read Bible stories. So, we use that time to read and discuss a different part of Advent with them. LifeWay.com is a great place to visit and has great Advent resources for kids.  They even have a free Family Advent Guide PDF available to anyone here.

We’ve used different books and calendars and have loved them all – Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas; The Advent Storybook; The Way to the Manger; and The Littlest Watchman.

We also use dinner time to keep Jesus at the center.  You may have gotten some of these in your kid’s meal recently at Chick-Fil-A, but Table Topics Cards are a great way to get everyone involved in conversation and good news – there is a Christmas version here! 

Christmas movies are our jam. Don’t tell anyone but every once in a while in July, October, or even March – we pull out a Christmas movie to enjoy together.  So, you better believe that almost every night in the month of December we are pulling out some little Christmas show to enjoy. We love them all, and you can probably pull out lessons about Jesus from many of them to discuss with your kids. Of course, the ones that more overtly point to Christ are easier – some of those that we love are: The Star, Charlie Brown Christmas, Veggie Tales the Best Christmas Gift, and Veggie Tales Merry Larry.  

And don’t let Christmas music pass you by. This is probably one of the easiest ones because many, many Christmas songs shine a light on the true meaning and so pull that out and discuss it with your kids.

Be sure, too, that you are plugging into your church. So many churches have Advent traditions that you can invite your kids into. Ours has a Christmas kids musical each year that begins in October and culminates in one full worship service in early December where they perform on stage. Those Christmas songs that we practice over and over again are all about Jesus and we catch ourselves singing them weeks after the performance is done!  Our Christmas Eve tradition also includes attending the Christmas Eve service at our church together as a family and reading the account of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2 as a family before we go to bed that night.

I am sure that many of you also point to Jesus through the giving to others. Operation Christmas Child has become a staple in our Christmas tradition and since we usually have to turn those in by Thanksgiving it is a great way to kick off the Christmas Season. There are so many ways to give back to others who don’t have the means to provide Christmas gifts for their children so look for ways to do that and talk about how Jesus gave the ultimate gift to us through His coming.

I hope that this season we all remember the true meaning. The gift of Jesus is truly the best gift under the tree each year and showing our kids that time and time again is a worthy use of your time and effort as they grow.  Let’s spur each other on to shine a light on Jesus this Christmas season in our families.

 

The post Keeping Jesus at the Center of Christmas appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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Giving Is Just The Beginning

December 19, 2019, 9:51 am
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Lisa’s Story

What started with the Christmas spirit of giving ended up creating connections and opening unexpected doors of opportunity for an entire community. The result? Kids getting to experience the Summer of a Lifetime.

As WinShape Camps for Communities travels around the country creating epic experiences for kids, we often come across real-life heroes making an impact right where they live. Most of the time we have no clue what we’re stepping into, and we are constantly amazed at God’s ability to weave together moments that even the most creative story writers on the planet could never dream up. One of those moments happened this past summer in Chino, California.

Lisa Montijo, born and raised in California, is known by just about everyone who lives within a few blocks of her family’s home. A daughter to retired pastors from the local church, Lisa has remained close to the heart of Chino her whole life – so close that her home is a central point for the community today. Kids and families from the area are constantly gathering there for pool parties, after-school hangouts, and holiday celebrations.

A few years ago, Lisa was approached by Chino’s Chief of Police, who was looking for a way for his team to engage with the kids nearby. Because she was so well connected in the community, Lisa was asked to help organize a local Christmas backpack giveaway. The idea was closely connected to Lisa’s passions, and she was quick to say yes. Over the years, this backpack giveaway has become an annual Christmas tradition, reaching over 200 kids in the community each December.

When Local Chick-fil-A Operator David Dinasan got word of this community event from one of his Team Members,  he immediately wanted to be a part of making an impact near his restaurant. This was the start of a connection that would lead to a large number of kids experiencing a life-changing summer at WinShape Camps. Watch the full story below to see how giving was just the beginning of something greater in the Chino Valley.

Watch Lisa’s Story:

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Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

January 6, 2020, 10:29 am
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Truckloads of fun coming to you!

2020 is HERE and that means we’re closer than ever to the first Summer of a Lifetime in the brand new decade. We couldn’t think of a better way to start out the roaring 2020s than reminding campers about the source of life with our theme Life Giver — based on John 10:10 (more to come on that soon). 

If that theme sounds awesome, the next question you may have in your mind is “where exactly will WinShape Camps be this summer?” Well — we’re glad to say, we have an answer for you! 

WinShape Camps will of course be hosting Overnight Camps in north Georgia like we’ve done for the last 30+ years. We’re also taking our overnight experience to the Carolinas for the second year at Gardner-Webb University. BUT it doesn’t stop there — WinShape Camps for Communities (our day camp program) will be hitting the road bringing truckloads of fun to over 100 different cities from Florida to California in 2020!

Bringing Outdoor & Indoor Adventure to the Big City

Home for us is just outside of the big city of Atlanta, so naturally, WinShape Camps for Communities is all over the Atlanta suburbs with 6 locations within 45 minutes of downtown including Marietta, Peachtree City, and Lawrenceville. But Atlanta isn’t the only metro area getting a few camps.

*insert Ryan Seacrest voice* 

“WINSHAPE CAMPS — YOU’RE GOING TO HOLLYWOOD” 

We’re rolling out the red carpet for families in the Los Angeles area by going back to several locations where we did camp in 2019. This includes the Chino Valley where we met local community leader and one of our heroes, Lisa Montijo (Watch her story here). 

And don’t worry, we’re not just hitting both coasts. WinShape Camps will also be bringing life-changing awesomeness to the middle of the country. Dallas-Fort Worth will see 4 weeks of camp including one of our longest-running hosts (over 10 years) in Frisco, TX. 

Small Towns with Big Hearts

It’s not just the big cities getting next-level adventures this summer. WinShape Camps for Communities will be bringing big-time, over-the-top moments to Main Street. In what is one of the smallest host cities, with a population of just over 7,000 people, we’re excited to be going back to the panhandle of Florida joining the families of Quincy for a week of fun and faith.

Head a few hours north from there and you’ll run into a town known for their mascot, the Boll Weevil called Enterprise, Alabama. For a city that has major small-town vibes, Enterprise packs a punch with about 400 campers attending WinShape last summer. 

Enterprise isn’t the only small town that’s a big part of the WinShape Nation. Home to just over 12,000 people, one of our biggest WinShape Camps locations last summer was Gaffney, South Carolina. We’re excited to announce we’re going back to Gaffney, but with one big change as they move from hosting camp in late July to hosting camp at the end of June. 

Lastly, nestled at the intersection of Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky lies the small river town of Russell, KY. While a part of a bigger metro area, the city of Russell has a population of fewer than 3,500 people. But don’t let that number fool you, last year Russell had 427 campers!! That’s over 10% of the city’s population! 

Fun All Over 

All-in-all, we’re bringing fun all over the country next summer to 108 different locations. Whether you live in Atlanta, have friends in Washington, D.C., or want to spend a week in the Windy City, chances are there is a session of WinShape Camps happening close to you*! 

Are we coming to your neighborhood?! Search our map to find out how close you’ll be to the Summer of a Lifetime. Know a city that needs WinShape Camps? Let a church in your community know and send them here to learn more about hosting the BEST WEEK EVER. 

Set your calendars for March 2nd at 9am when we’ll official kickoff registration for all of our WinShape Camps for Communities locations. 

* We’re still finalizing details for a few more locations, so check back often to see if your city got added. 

The post Coming to a Neighborhood Near You appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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Adjusting to Having High Schoolers

January 10, 2020, 9:55 am
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Adjusting to Having High Schoolers

Our family’s WinShape story begins in the late 80’s and early 90’s when several of my Berry College friends and I worked camp over the course of several summers. As we entered into the season of marriage and starting families, we always knew we wanted our children to attend camp together. All eight of them! We wanted our own children to grow up having a camp experience that only an overnight camp could have. The heart of WinShape had been instilled into us during our time working there and we wanted our children to grow up and have the opportunity for the heart of WinShape poured into their own lives as they matured in life and in their faith.

My son began camp going into the 2nd grade and my daughter into the 3rd. She was always the younger one in her grade and we felt it would be better for her to be older going away for the first time for two weeks. Both of them went to camp with the children from the other three families and we strategically signed them up for the same session each summer. It became their favorite time of the year and it was difficult getting them to leave and come down from the WinShape high when camp ended. They both had a difficult time adjusting to life post-camp because camp was such a safe place and an escape from the distractions of the world. They felt safe, loved, and close to Jesus when they were there. I often said that they grew more in two weeks away at camp than they did the rest of the year.

As our children entered high school, we were very upfront with them about how life would be for them during this season and what our expectations were for academics, as well as their personal character. Some of the truths we shared with them were…

5 Tips & Truths:

Your heart is our number one concern​. While we have high expectations for academics, working hard, and doing your best, your personal character and heart are our number one priority. ​Camp was part of our commitment to their hearts.

We don’t roll with the world. ​We won’t parent you the way many of your friends will be parented and we won’t let you do a lot of what everyone else is doing. ​Camp allowed them the chance to disconnect from the world.

Make sure you have a mentor.​ You need someone older in your life that is a safe place for you to talk about your challenges and hold you accountable. ​Camp counselors served as mentors in their lives, some even to this day.

Your faith has to be your own.​ It has to be more than what we have taught you and it has to be more than what you learn in church. ​Camp allowed them the opportunity to explore their faith by the delivery of themes that drew them more to understanding God and who He was.

You don’t have to be the type of teenager the world says you are.​ The world can have a view of how the typical teenager behaves but that doesn’t have to be you. We thoroughly enjoyed our children during those years! ​Camp helped reinforce who we were raising them to be.

Even though we were committed to guiding our children in these truths during the teenage years, it wasn’t easy. It was a constant battle fighting for the hearts of our children as the world continued to throw challenges in their path. However, parents should be encouraged that even though the world changes, our God doesn’t. While there is so much responsibility keeping up with the challenges of what children today are facing, the reality is that what God calls us to do as parents does not change. His truths and his expectations of us as parents are the same today that they were yesterday, the day before that, and the many days before that. Making the commitment to their hearts is God’s expectation of us as parents and thankfully, there are places like WinShape Camps that can support and walk alongside us as we journey through the high school years. As you navigate these years, be present, speak truth, and love them the way God loves us. Remember, they are his children first.

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Special thanks to Kimberly Scales for taking the time to share this guest post with us. If you have a WinShape story you’d like to share, let us know! 

The post Adjusting to Having High Schoolers appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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Meet the Nurse

January 10, 2020, 12:32 pm
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Safety is at the core of who we are at WinShape Camps. We know that you are trusting us with the thing you care the most in the world about. That being said, we wanted to take some time to introduce you to Julie Bailey, our Healthcare Coordinator at WinShape Camps. 

How did you first get connected with WinShape Camps?

In 2015, my daughter attended WinShape Camps for Communities (our day camp program) in Warner Robins, GA. From the start, she loved WinShape and immediately told me she wanted to attend an Overnight Camp. The next summer she attended WinShape Camps for Girls at Young Harris and truly had the summer of a lifetime. The following spring I was recruited by the Healthcare Coordinator at the time to serve at Young Harris for the week my daughter attended. I felt like I had come home and found my people. I loved taking care of the campers & the counselors alike. I’ve served a week ever since.

What were you doing before you were at WinShape Camps?

Before I joined the WinShape team full time, I worked at Navicent Health in Macon, GA. Over the course of 20+ years, I worked as a staff nurse in an adult medical/ surgical area, became a nurse educator, transitioned back to bedside nursing in the admissions unit, and then transferred to the clinical informatics team where I assisted in converting the hospital from paper to electronic medical records.

What made you decide to join the WinShape Camps team?

The short answer is…it was all God. The longer version is…I worked at Chick-fil-A when I was in high school & college. There I learned what customer service is all about, and it gave me a firm foundation to care for others in the future. When I left to become a nurse, I thought that chapter was closed forever. When the opportunity opened up to apply for the Healthcare Coordinator position at WinShape, I was excited…and a little afraid. Working at WinShape would be a completely different role than any other I’d ever had in the past. I realized that fear is never from the Lord, so I stepped out in faith and applied. Now that I have joined the WinShape Nation, I thank God every day for new opportunities and am grateful for this gift He has given me.

What exactly is your role as the Healthcare Coordinator?

My role as Healthcare Coordinator during the offseason is to recruit & hire the healthcare teams for each of the Overnight Camps for the summer. I also review & update our standards to ensure we continue to deliver the best care possible. During camp season, I manage and supervise the healthcare teams to ensure they have the supplies and the support they need to take care of campers & staff with excellence.

What would you want parents to know about healthcare for their campers while at camp?

Our healthcare teams are on campus 24/7 during camp sessions to treat injuries & illness and dispense medications. We work under orders that are approved by our Medical Director, so we can provide many services right at camp. If your camper needs further medical treatment, we will transport them to the Urgent Care or Emergency Room. The safety & well-being of your child is most important to us! Thank you for trusting us to take good care of your camper!

 

The post Meet the Nurse appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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Important Dates 2020

January 30, 2020, 6:20 am
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Look out for the Important Dates🔍

Who’s looking forward to camp!? Our team certainly is and we’re here to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.  Mark these dates on your calendar to remind you of these upcoming deadlines.

Overnight Camps Half Payment Deadline:

One of the first big dates we’ll come to is the half payment deadline. This is the date in which your registration costs should be at least halfway covered. If you registered your camper for summer 2020 in 2019, then your payment needs to be halfway complete by February 5th, 2020. If you have already or are planning to register for summer 2020 in the first three months of this year, your half payment is due on March 4th, 2020. 

Parents who register after March 4th will not have a half payment deadline, however, the entire cost of camp will be due on May 6th.

WinShape Camps for Communities Registration Opens:

Sending your camper to one of our day camps in Summer 2020?! Registration for ALL locations opens on March 2nd at 9am local time. Find out if we’re bringing truckloads of fun to your community here.

Overnight Camps Handbook Release Date:

Every Overnight Camps parent will receive a Handbook for their camp experience. The handbook contains a ton of information about your campers experience specific to the location they’re attending. Handbooks include arrival information, packing lists, camp-wide events (aka Nite Lifes, Late Nights), and information about photos of your camper at camp.

Keep your eyes out for the Handbook release on March 4th, 2020. 

Overnight Camps Payment Deadline:

To make sure we’ve dotted all the “i”s and crossed all the “t”s before summer, we ask that all families finalize your camp cost payments by May 6th, 2020 no matter when you’ve registered.

Overnight Camps Paperwork & Camp Doc Deadline:

You can’t spell “FUN” without “PAPERWORK”. Well — actually you can — but you can’t come to camp without completing your paperwork and camp is fun. Paperwork includes any physicals, insurance documents, or photo releases that you’ll find in your account on WinShapeCamps.org.

If your camper comes to camp in the month of June, paperwork is due May 6th, 2020. If your camper will be with us in July, that paperwork is due on June 3rd, 2020. This allows for our nurses and staff to review any necessary documents before your arrival.

We hope these dates and deadlines help you on your road to summer! Always feel free to contact our Customer Experience Team at 844-WS-CAMPS (844-972-2677).

The post Important Dates 2020 appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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#ForTheWinShape Giveaway

February 17, 2020, 2:30 am
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#ForTheWinShape Giveaway

It’s that time of year again! Registration at WinShape Camps for Communities, our one-week day camp experience, opens on March 2nd at 9:00 am local time. If you missed it, here’s all the places we’re going in 2020.

This year, to celebrate National Kickoff Week, we’re going over-the-top with giveaways! We want to hear why YOU think having a winning summer starts with WinShape. Join us on Facebook or on Instagram starting February 24th and tell us why you are registering for summer 2020 using #ForTheWinShape.

What’s the prize?

Summer is full of memory-making awesomeness — but memories aren’t just made at camp. We want to give you opportunities to make more memories at home! To help you make more memories, we’re giving away 1 grand prize, 20 second place prizes, and 30 third place prizes.

So what’s the Grand Prize? One lucky, randomly selected winner will get the ultimate family picnic companion, a Yeti Cooler. Whether you’re headed to the beach or to the park, keep those sandwiches, fruit cups, juice boxes and popsicles cool for as long as you need!

What about second place? If you know anything about WinShape Camps, we love a good dance break. We’ll randomly select 20 people to receive an Amazon Echo so you can practice all of the theme song motions.

(#ProTip — connect your smart speaker to Spotify and tell it to “play WinShape Camps on Spotify” for a little camp party right at home. Pretty sure your campers will immediately start dancing.)

Lastly, we’ll randomly select 30 families to receive a Raving Fan Prize Pack including all sorts of WinShape Camps fun for the family.

How do I enter #ForTheWinShape?

Entering is easy! On February 24th, a post will go live on our Instagram and our Facebook page with direction on how to enter the giveaway.

On Facebook OR Instagram,

1️⃣ Simply comment on the post with the reason why you are registering your camper for camp in 2020.

2️⃣ Use the hashtag #ForTheWinShape in your comment.

3️⃣ Tag 3 friends who should do the same.

That seems easy! What’s the *?

All entries must be submitted between the time our #ForTheWinShape posts go live on Feb. 24th, 2020 and 11:59 pm EST on March 8th, 2020. You must follow all the instructions in the giveaway posts AND have a camper registered at any of our camp locations for summer 2020. While this giveaway is to celebrate National Kickoff Week at WinShape Camps for Communities, it’s open to campers registered at any of our locations. And when we say “registered”, we mean they must at least have paid the deposit on their account for this upcoming summer. This giveaway is open to residents in all 50 U.S. states.

So — is your family in it #ForTheWinShape? Join us on Facebook and Instagram Monday February, 24th 2020. And as always, meet ya at camp!

The post #ForTheWinShape Giveaway appeared first on WinShape Camps.

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2020 Young Harris Nite Lifes

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2020 Cleveland Camp-Wide Events

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2020 Cohutta Springs Late Nites

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2020 Girls at Gardner-Webb Nite Lifes

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2020 Boys at Mt. Berry Camp-Wide Events

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Cohutta Springs Speakers 2020

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