CAREGIVER INFORMATION

Mount Shepherd Retreat Center is an extension ministry of the United Methodist Church. Our mission is to restore souls, strengthen hearts, and transform lives. We serve families from all faith backgrounds and know that your camper will fit in perfectly with our camp community!

Registration Procedures:

Camp Mount Shepherd only accepts online registrations. Registrations are accepted and camp sessions are filled in the order registrations are received. If your choice of camp is full, please see our wait list policy below.

Wait List Policy:

If your camp of choice is full, you may elect to place your child's name on a waiting list. To do so, you must go through the registration website that can be accessed through the camp website. If a space becomes available, our office will contact you and you will have 48 hours to register your camper for the open spot. If you are not interested any more we ask that you let us know.

In order to ensure a smooth check-in, all waivers/agreements, health information, and the camper intakes must be completed 14 days prior to your camper's session. All forms can be accessed through your camp account, which can be accessed through our website. If you have any questions about this please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cabin Mate Policy:

If you would like your child to be placed in a cabin with a friend please email your camper's name along with their friend's name to our office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Your camper and their friend will need to be signed up for their camp session in order to request the same cabin. Please note that this is a request. We will do our best to make it happen, but in some instances it might not be possible. All requests will need to be made 7 days prior to your camper's arrival.

Discounts & Final Payment:

Final payments MUST be paid by the first day of your campers session. You can pay this through your camp account or you can pay on site on the first day of camp by credit card, check, or cash.

If you are waiting to receive a scholarship from your church please be sure that it makes it to camp before the first day of your camper's session.

Financial Assistance:

As a part of our mission, Mount Shepherd is committed to making camp possible for ALL children, regardless of financial resources. We encourage camp families to reach out to their local church to request financial support. We also offer scholarship opportunities for camp families.

• To qualify for a scholarship, you must register your camper and pay the deposit fee
• The application for a scholarship must be completed and submitted during the registration process for your camper
• Camp families can request a scholarship of up to 50% of the cost of camp
• The requested scholarship amounts are not guaranteed
• Camp scholarships are only available for one week of camp per year, not multiple weeks
• Families with multiple campers may be awarded up to a 50% scholarship for the first camper and then up to 25% for each additional camper in the family
• Campers with account balances from previous seasons, will not be eligible for scholarships
• Scholarship requests are generally processed weekly beginning March 1

A payment plan may be available upon request. These plans require signing an agreement that outlines the beginning and end dates of the plan as well as the monthly amount due. Completion of the payment plan is required before a camper can register for any other camps at Mount Shepherd. Campers will not be eligible for scholarship assistance the following year if a payment plan is not completed by the agreed date.

Cancellation Policy/Refund Policy:

Before a cancellation takes place our goal is to reschedule a camper for a different session. There are no refunds for cancellation if it occurs within 14 days of your scheduled camp session. Also, there is no refund for late arrival, early departure, or no-show. The full amount paid will be lost.

The exceptions to this are:

• Sudden illness or injury
• Death in the family

Emergency and medical cancellations will be reviewed by our office and a response will be determined in a timely manner. Cancellations and withdrawals must be put in writing to be accepted by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For cancellations 15 days or more before the first day of your camper's session, the refund will be the balance paid, minus the nonrefundable deposit. Once a camp session begins, there are no refunds. Campers who are sent home during camp due to illness, inappropriate behavior, or homesickness are not eligible for a refund.

*The camp director reserves the right to dismiss any camper whose conduct becomes in any way detrimental to the best interests of other campers. No refunds will be given in these cases.

Please have all forms completed on your account 14 days before your camper's session start day. This will allow for the fastest possible check-in time. Any forms that are not completed will need to be done on the day of arrival.

Check-in begins with our staff welcoming you in your vehicle and directing you to the drop-off area. Pets are not allowed to be brought into camp during pick up and drop off.

CAMP ADDRESS:
1045 Mount Shepherd Road Ext.
Asheboro, NC 27205

Check-in times are as follows:

• Overnight, Wild Wise, Creation Keepers, Night Owl: Sunday 3-5 pm
• Day Camp: Monday-Friday 8-8:30 am *Early drop off available with additional fee
• Mini Camp: Sunday 3-5 pm

Arriving by car for all overnight programs:

A Mount Shepherd staff member will welcome you and direct you to the parking lot once you reach the camp entrance. Once you have parked, we request that you leave your luggage in the car until you know where your camper will be staying for the week. Please be sure to bring any medicine (prescription or over the counter) with you to check in. The nurse will log the medicine and keep it in the nurse's room.

Arriving by Plane:

If your camper will be arriving by plane, please contact the office at 336-629-4085 as soon as you start making travel plans. Mount Shepherd staff will do their best to accommodate and provide travel for your camper to and from the airport. In saying this, camp cannot promise that a ride can be provided for your camper. If a ride is provided, an extra fee will be charged to the camper's account. The fee will be mileage to and from the airport, along with a 2-person staff fee to remain in compliance with our policies.

Late Arrival Policy:

If you know in advance that your camper will be arriving later than the normal check-in time, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know your camper's name and planned arrival time. If you are stuck in traffic on the day of check-in or something comes up and you need to check in later, please call us at 336-301-2484 and leave a message with the estimated time of arrival and your camper's name.

Check-Out times are as follows:

• All Full Week Overnight Camps: Friday 1-2:15 pm
• Day Camp: Monday–Thursday 4:30-5:15 pm; Friday 4 pm to 4:30 pm
• Mini Camp: Tuesday 1-2:15 pm

Late Pick Up for Overnight Campers:

Late pick up is available for all campers with the exception of campers participating in the Leadership Development Program. Late pick up for all overnight campers will be an additional fee of $20.00 for the week, and provides one extra hour for pick up. This option can be added to a camper's registration during the registration process, or you can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to add that to your registration if you have already submitted it.

Below are the times for pick up for families utilizing the late pick up option:

• Traditional Overnight: Friday until 3:15 pm
• Mini Campers: Tuesday until 3:15 pm

Late Pick up for Day Campers:

Late pick up is available for day campers with an additional weekly fee of $30.00. This allows caregivers to pick up as late as 6 PM Monday through Thursday and as late as 5 PM on Friday. This option can be added during the registration process, or you can contact the camp office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to have us add that to your account.

Authorized Pick Up:

Those picking up campers must be on the pick-up authorization list and MUST present a photo ID at the time of check-out. If the person who comes to pick up your camper is not on the list or is unable to show a photo ID, they will NOT be allowed to pick up the camper. To add people to the pick-up authorization list, please visit your camp account.

Camper Mail:

There are a few ways to send your camper mail during their stay. Please note your options below.

Bringing mail during check-in: You may bring your camper's mail when you check them in. Please have the camper's name and day of the week you would like them to receive it. We will sort all mail to ensure they receive your letters.

Sending your camper an email:

• Once your camper's session has started you are able to send them emails. The email you will need to send them to is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. They cannot send emails back.
• Emails are, generally, delivered at lunch and dinner. In the subject line put the camper's name and their cabin name.
• If you have more than one child attending camp at the same time you will need to send the letters separately.
• Avoid the use of graphics and backgrounds in the message portion of your email. Pictures/photos will not be printed.

Sending a letter by US mail: Please mail a few days before your camper's arrival.

Mount Shepherd's address is:
Mount Shepherd Retreat Center
1045 Mount Shepherd Road Extension
Asheboro, NC 27205

We do encourage you to send letters instead of packages. If you choose to send a package we ask that you limit it to one per camp sessions. Do not send candy, baked goods, or packaged food of any kind. Food and sweets of any kind attract critters and will have to be confiscated.

Letters From Your Camper:

If you would like your camper to write home be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with them along with stationary. If your camper does not have a readdressed and stamped envelope we will have them save the letter they would like to send you so they can give it to you at the end of the week.

Phone Calls:

If a camper requests to call home we allow them to use our office phone or our camp cell phone. If you have any questions or concerns you may call us at 336-629-4085 during 9 am-4 pm Monday-Thursday. If you have an emergency after hours, please call 336-301-2484.

Visiting the camp store is a fun and exciting experience for campers. This year, all campers will be able to get a snack and a drink from the camp store at no cost each time they visit the store. If campers want to buy swag & nic nacs items from the store they will have a chance to do that during on Thursday for overnighters and Friday for day campers.

All campers will visit the store at least twice during their week at camp. The camp store has items ranging from $1 to $35.

Items sold include: t-shirts (short & long sleeve), sweatshirts, water bottles, bandanas, stuffed animals, and more. No extra snacks and drinks will be available for purchase from the camp store.

Campers purchase items from the store with the money that has been electronically added to their account by their caregivers. Each camper's store money is kept on their own account. Money can be added to a camper's account during the registration process or during check-in. All money collected for a camper is recorded and maintained by a senior staff member.

We DO NOT ALLOW campers do not keep cash in their belongings. This is to ensure that their money is not lost or stolen.

If your camper has more than $1 on their store card at the end of their camp week, it will be refunded electronically after their week of camp. If they have $1 or less, we transfer the money to our scholarship fund.

Store purchases can be made during check-in and check-out, but payments must be made using cash, check, or credit/debit card. The camper's store account is not available during those times.

Emergency/Sickness:

Our practice is to contact parents or guardians when there is concern about a camper's health and/or when a situation is not progressing as expected. In the event of an emergency and/or accident, parents or guardians will be contacted immediately. If your child is taken to a medical facility, you will be notified beforehand.

General Policies:

1. Inappropriate Items: Should there be any reasonable or probable cause for the health and safety of all campers and staff, your camper may be asked to inventory his/her belongings in the presence of administrative staff.

• Campers are not allowed to have cell phones at camp. We ask that they stay at home. If a camper brings a cell phone it will be kept in the camp office for the duration of the week. If they would like to call home they are welcome to use the camp office.

2. Visitors must check in/out at the office and are required to wear a visitor's pass.

3. Regarding Friendships: Mount Shepherd emphasizes friendships at camp rather than "relationships." We do not allow PDA (public/private displays of affection) that go beyond friendship. Campers will be dismissed for inappropriate sexual behavior.

4. Bullying: Mount Shepherd has a zero tolerance policy towards bullying. In the event that a camper has been bullying, parents will be contacted and the camper will be sent home. No refund will be given for this.

5. Dress Code: Please take note of the following policies.

• Nothing with slogans promoting alcohol, sex, tobacco, drugs, profanity, or death themes.
• Females must wear a one-piece bathing suit; however, tankinis are appropriate if bellies are covered. Girls may also wear t-shirts over a bathing suit. Boys must wear swimming trunks, not jammers or briefs.
• Shirts, pants, and shoes are to be worn at all times unless campers are at the waterfront. At no time should underclothes show.
• Closed-toed shoes are required for most of our activities. Campers will not be able to participate in those activities if they do not have the closed toed shoes. Crocs and sandals will not be allowed to be worn around camp and will only be approved for the waterfront and the bathhouse.

6. Graffiti: We reserve the right to charge a fine or request clean-up for any violations, and the camper may be dismissed.

7. Discharging a fire extinguisher: Doing this unnecessarily is very dangerous. There will be a fine charged for this act and the camper may be dismissed.

Personal Property and Things to Leave at Home:

Camp Mount Shepherd prohibits the use of the following items and is not responsible for loss, damage, or theft. Please leave the following items at home:

• All electronics. This includes cell phones, tablets, and any other handheld devices
• Personal vehicles including, but not limited to: Skateboards, HoverBoards, Snowboards, Skis, Snowmobiles, Golf Carts, Jet Skis, Jet Packs, Private planes, Tricycles, Bicycles, Hot Air Balloons, etc.
• Personal sports equipment
• Clothing that promotes alcohol, drugs, or profanity
• Matches or lighters
• Knives, firearms, or other weapons
• Walkie-Talkies
• Expensive camera, jewelry, or watches
• Food, candy, or gum. No snacks or drinks will be allowed in the cabin area. This is to keep critters out of camper living spaces.

Lost & Found Policy:

Camp Mount Shepherd is not responsible for items left behind, lost, or stolen. Parents are encouraged to label all clothing and personal items with the camper's full name. All items found during each session will be placed in the designated lost and found area. The lost and found items will be available during check-out. All items are held for 14 days. To claim an item, you may call our office at 336-629-4085. Parents will be responsible for the cost (shipping and handling) of mailing any items. Any items not claimed after that time will be donated to a charitable organization.

Day Campers:

• School-type backpack
• Water bottle (the camp store sells these: $15)
• Change of clothes
• Sturdy Closed-Toe Tennis Shoes (Required for most activities)
• Bathing suit (daily swim time) ***
• Flip flops to wear to the water and back
• Sunscreen
• Rain jacket

*** Females must wear a one-piece bathing suit; however, tankinis are appropriate if bellies are covered. Girls may also wear t-shirts over a bathing suit. Boys must wear swimming trunks, not jammers or briefs. Shirts, pants, and shoes are to be worn at all times unless campers are at the waterfront.

Optional Items:

• Camera
• Favorite book

Overnight Campers, Mini Camp, Night Owl, Wild Wise, or Creation Keepers:

• Prescription Medications (Pack separately and label to give to the nurse upon arrival) Labeled with your camper's first and last name
• One pair of long pants
• 6 clothing outfits (including underwear and socks)
• Jacket/sweatshirt
• Pajamas
• Close-toed Tennis Shoes (Required for many activities)
• Water Shoes
• Swimsuit ***
• Rain gear
• School backpack (optional)
• Pillow & Sleeping Bag
• Twin sheets and a blanket (optional)
• Towel (bath and swimming)
• Bible (labeled inside) and pen, pencil, notebook/journal
• Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush
• Deodorant
• Reusable water bottle (the camp store sells these: $15)
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Plastic or mesh bag for dirty/wet items
• A Headlamp (This is needed for all attending Night Owls)

*** Females must wear a one-piece bathing suit; however, tankinis are appropriate if bellies are covered. Girls may also wear t-shirts over a bathing suit. Boys must wear swimming trunks, not jammers or briefs. Shirts, pants, and shoes are to be worn at all times unless campers are at the waterfront.

Optional Items:

• Camera
• Paper & self-addressed stamped envelopes for letters
• Favorite book (for reading during rest time)