2025 Parent Guide
The Summer 2025 Parent Guide is your go-to resource for everything camp-related! This guide covers important topics like:
Feel free to download and print this guide to keep it handy, or scroll on for all the information you need to prepare for camp!
- What to pack (and what to leave at home)
- Check-in and check-out details
- Our healthcare procedures and policies
- What your camper’s day will look like
- Tips for navigating homesickness
- And much more!
Feel free to download and print this guide to keep it handy, or scroll on for all the information you need to prepare for camp!
New for 2025: Closing Ceremony on Fridays is Back!
We’re excited to re-introduce our Closing Ceremony for the end of your camper’s week! This meaningful send-off is designed to give you a glimpse of your child’s experience at camp, and a chance for them to wrap up their week well.
During the 20–25 minute program, you’ll hear from camp staff, watch the week’s highlight video, and share in a time of celebration as we wrap up the camp session together.
We hope this new addition makes pickup day even more memorable as you reunite with your camper and hear all about their week firsthand. See you there!
During the 20–25 minute program, you’ll hear from camp staff, watch the week’s highlight video, and share in a time of celebration as we wrap up the camp session together.
We hope this new addition makes pickup day even more memorable as you reunite with your camper and hear all about their week firsthand. See you there!
Packing List
Pack like a pro with our handy camp packing list. Find all the essentials your camper will need for their time at camp.
Check-In Process
Check-in time is Monday morning from 9:00-10:00 AM. For Taste of Camp sessions that begin on Wednesday, check-in is from 2:00-2:30 PM.
- STEP 1: When you arrive at camp, you’ll be directed to park in the field near the chapel, where the check-in process happens. Please note that parking won’t begin until the designated check-in time, so if you arrive early, you’ll be asked to line up along the road until we’re ready to get started.
- STEP 2: Once you’ve parked, head to the table outside the chapel to kick off the check-in process and get your camper’s cabin and counselor information. If you have medications to check in, bring them along - but no need to worry about your luggage just yet! You can leave it in the car and unload after check-in is complete.
- STEP 3: The next stop is inside the chapel for the Camper Health Assessment. If you have medications, you’ll be directed to the nurse to check those in at this time. The Camper Health Assessment includes checking camper temperatures, discussing recent sicknesses or exposures, and going over the Health Form.
- STEP 4: From there, you can head to your cabin with your luggage, where you can sign the sign-in sheet, get settled, and meet your camper’s counselor. After that, it’s time for hugs, high-fives, and goodbyes (quick, confident goodbyes help ease transitions!).
Checkout Process
- We will begin parking at 1:45 PM on the field outside the chapel
- Closing Ceremony begins at 2:00 PM in the chapel
- There will be a medication table outside the chapel to pick up your camper’s meds
- Checkout will take place in the chapel immediately following the Closing Ceremony at around 2:30 PM
- After checking your camper out, you may go to their cabin to pick up luggage
No Early Checkouts
To protect the full camp experience, please don’t request early, late, or mid-week departures. When a camper leaves early, it disrupts not just their time at camp, but also the experience of their cabin group. We want every camper to enjoy the entire week, right up to the final moment.
Buddy Requests
We encourage campers (especially first-time campers) to come with a friend. Many church parents and childrens' directors coordinate with each other to have all of the same-age campers from their church who are going to attend Camp Lookout come together for the same week. Buddy requests can be made during registration (the same page as t-shirt size) or by calling the camp office at 706-820-1163. Note: campers must register for the same camp session (not just the same calendar week), for a buddy request to be possible.
Healthcare
Your camper’s health and well-being are our top priority at Camp Lookout. Before camp begins, our nurse carefully reviews all camper health forms. Understanding health needs ahead of time helps us prepare for a safe and successful summer. To keep things running smoothly at check-in, please review the following procedures:
- Daily dispensing of prescribed medications, basic first aid, and health monitoring are provided while at camp. Families will be notified if your camper vomits, displays symptoms of any communicable disease, has a persistent condition (i.e. headache, nosebleed, fever, homesickness), or needs to be taken to the doctor or emergency room (Erlanger Children’s Hospital, Chattanooga, TN).
- Please make sure all medications are in their original containers (prescription and non-prescription) and clearly labeled with the camper’s name and dosages. Pill organizers and unlabeled bottles are not allowed. Dosage instructions are strictly adhered to unless alternate written/signed physician’s orders are provided.
- No need to send basic over-the-counter meds unless your camper takes them regularly. For example, there’s no need to pack aspirin for an occasional headache - we’ve got common medications covered in our Healthcare Center. But if your camper takes daily allergy medicine or similar routine meds, please be sure to send those along.
- Special dietary needs should be noted in the health form. We can accommodate most dietary needs and/or allergies. If your camper has an allergy that requires additional clarification, someone from our team will contact you before arrival to gather more details.
Homesickness (and "Reverse Homsesickness")
For first-time campers (and parents!), being away from home can be an adjustment. Here’s how to make the transition easier:
It’s natural to feel a little anxious about sending your child to camp - many parents experience “reverse homesickness”! But camp is a place where kids gain independence, build confidence, and learn they are capable of more than they realize. One of the best ways to support your camper is to show confidence in them. Making promises of communication or early pick-ups can make things harder for everyone and send the wrong message to your child. In the rare cases where campers are struggling with severe homesickness, we will reach out for your advice and to discuss next steps. Trust the process, and know that by the end of the week, your camper will likely be bursting with excitement and stories of their week!
- Talk about camp with excitement! Help your child feel confident about going to camp.
- Avoid making “pick-up” promises. Instead of, “If you don’t like it, I’ll come get you,” try, “I know you’ll have an amazing time!”
- Make check-in quick and positive. A short, confident goodbye helps your camper adjust faster - lingering can make the transition harder for both of you!
- Send notes of encouragement. Mail letters ahead of time or send your camper an email (instructions below).
It’s natural to feel a little anxious about sending your child to camp - many parents experience “reverse homesickness”! But camp is a place where kids gain independence, build confidence, and learn they are capable of more than they realize. One of the best ways to support your camper is to show confidence in them. Making promises of communication or early pick-ups can make things harder for everyone and send the wrong message to your child. In the rare cases where campers are struggling with severe homesickness, we will reach out for your advice and to discuss next steps. Trust the process, and know that by the end of the week, your camper will likely be bursting with excitement and stories of their week!
Weekly Photos
Each week, hundreds of pictures and videos are taken of campers participating in activities and programs at camp. A link will be shared before the camp session, and photo uploads will be made periodically throughout the week. The media from the week is compiled into an end of week slideshow that will be shown at Closing Ceremony. The end of week slideshow, along with all the compiled photos, will be available to all camper families at no charge.
Communication
Receiving mail from home can be a real joy for your camper. Remember to send mail early so it arrives while your camper is still at camp. Mail can be sent to:
Camper’s First and Last Name
Camp Lookout
3130 Highway 157
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
Consider preparing some self-addressed, stamped postcards for your camper to bring to camp and send home. Writing home can be fun and help campers stay connected with home while at camp.
Emails can be sent to campers at [email protected].
Technology/Cell Phone Policy
To ensure a truly immersive and meaningful camp experience, the use of digital devices—including cell phones, music players, smart watches, and tablets—is not permitted during any of our programs. Unplugging from technology allows campers to fully engage with their group, connect with nature, and enjoy the unique opportunities camp provides. Thank you for helping us create an environment that fosters connection, growth, and memorable experiences for everybody.
Camper’s First and Last Name
Camp Lookout
3130 Highway 157
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
Consider preparing some self-addressed, stamped postcards for your camper to bring to camp and send home. Writing home can be fun and help campers stay connected with home while at camp.
Emails can be sent to campers at [email protected].
- Limit one per day per sender
- Include camper’s first and last name in the subject area of the email
- Emails are checked Tuesday – Thursday at 11:30 am, printed, and delivered to campers
- Campers will not have the opportunity to send reply emails.
Technology/Cell Phone Policy
To ensure a truly immersive and meaningful camp experience, the use of digital devices—including cell phones, music players, smart watches, and tablets—is not permitted during any of our programs. Unplugging from technology allows campers to fully engage with their group, connect with nature, and enjoy the unique opportunities camp provides. Thank you for helping us create an environment that fosters connection, growth, and memorable experiences for everybody.
Lost & Found
We get it - sometimes things wander off at camp. Here’s how to increase the chances of getting everything back home:
Tip: Think twice about sending valuables or irreplaceable items to camp - they’re best left at home!
- Before camp, label all your camper’s belongings with their first and last name.
- If something important doesn’t make it back, fill out our Lost & Found Form online. It’s the fastest, most effective way for us to track down your item.
- Once we get your form, we’ll do a search and follow up with an update. Please note that any unclaimed items will be kept for one week after the camp season ends and then donated to charity.
Tip: Think twice about sending valuables or irreplaceable items to camp - they’re best left at home!
Questions & Contact
We can’t wait to welcome your camper to Camp Lookout! If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office:
(706) 820-1163 | [email protected]
(706) 820-1163 | [email protected]