Texas Overnight Camp

Follow this list and you will have everything you need by the time camp rolls around! 

Screen shot the list with your phone to save.

Now

• Log into your Online Account to:
  • Confirm your account is paid in full.
  • Complete your Health Form, Terms & Conditions.
  • Answer the “Additional Questions.”
  • Add Authorized Pickups for your camper.
  • Sign up for Paintball and Horsemanship under Reservations.
  • Pre-Order Skypacks, and Snack Packs!
  • Confirm your Roommate Requests.
  • Add funds to your Store Card.
  • Confirm your camper’s shirt size in the “Additional Questions.”

Two weeks before camp

• You will be emailed your cabin assignment Thursday – 10 days before camp.
• Check the packing list.
• Prepare Camper Mail & Care Packages.
• Download the Bunk1 App and log in using your Sky Ranch username and password. Make sure notifications are turned on so you can receive important updates about camp!

One week before camp

• Plan night event outfits.
• Camper Medication: Must be in a labeled prescription bottle. Learn more about medication and health policies here.

Day before camp

• Make sure you have everything together. (Check the packing list again.)
• Fill out your camper’s Sky Ranch luggage tags and attach them to your camper’s luggage.
• Facial Recognition! Upload a clear photo of your camper’s face to the Bunk1 App so you can be notified when new photos of your camper are uploaded to the app each day!

Day of camp

• Decorate your car!
• Bring your driver’s license - it’s required.
• Don’t forget your camper mail/care packages. (We deliver on Tuesday and Thursday!)
• Listen to the Parent Camp Podcast in iTunes or Google Play with your campers.
• Head to your favorite place on earth! (Hint: Sky Ranch in Van, TX!)
• Want a sneak peek at the arrival process? Check out the video below! 

During camp

• Send your camper emails and view daily photos with the Bunk1 App. (Expect to see a handful of photos of your camper throughout the week. Check out our philosophy on Camper Photos for more info.)
• Listen to the daily podcasts on Sky Ranch Parent Camp to be a part of the experience.

What to Bring

Required Items

Please make sure to label all of your camper's belongings!

**Water Shoes are REQUIRED for lake activities, so don't forget them!**

Optional Extras

*For your convenience, these items are sold in the Legacy Center Corner Store

***Care Packages: Make sure to read up on guidelines for bringing care packages. Sky Ranch also offers the option to purchase pre-made SkyPacks for cabin delivery. See them in your Online Account.

Young Riders & Sky Fillies Rodeo Camps

• Riding boots.
• If your camper is bringing their own horse, please remember to bring buckets, feed, supplements, and all tack required for your horse for the week. If using a Sky Ranch horse, all of the above will be provided.
• A riding helmet is required. If you do not have a helmet, Sky Ranch will provide one.
• We will divide into teams for the Rodeo, so please pack both a red and a blue shirt.

What NOT to Bring

Any electronic device that can access the internet breaches our security policy. If discovered by a counselor, it will be collected and stored until the end of the camper's session. In addition, Sky Ranch cannot be responsible for lost or broken articles. Please do not bring anything that would break easily or cause loss if misplaced.

Helpful Hints

• Large suitcases or trunks are best (no larger than 32Lx18Wx14H)
• There is a themed night event each evening and campers are encouraged to dress up. Learn more here.
• Don’t buy a lot of new clothing - this is camp, and we will most likely get wet and dirty!
• Use ziplock bags to waterproof items.
• Don’t send anything that you consider irreplaceable.
• Clearly and boldly label all of your child’s belongings.
• Strapless clothing, mini-skirts, two-piece swimsuits or t-shirts with large cut outs are not allowed.
• All shorts must be a modest length (fingertip length) and we have a NO ROLL rule.
• Check out this blog post by one of our camper parents on packing.

Opening Day

Sunday Arrival Schedule

• 2:30pm-3:30 pm
  • Sky 1
  • Sky 2
  • Young Riders*
  • Sky Fillies* 
• 3:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sky 3
  • Sky 4
  • Morph
• 4:00-5:00pm
  • Quest Van
  • Quest Colorado
  • Sigma Junior
  • Sigma Senior

*For Young Riders and Sky Fillies: If you are bringing a horse, Sky Ranch Staff will be at the Arena to assist you. Once you have your horse settled, you will proceed to check-in on camp!

Upon arrival, Sky Ranch staff guide you through camper drop-off.

• Before you get out of your car, be sure to grab your Photo ID, your camper's medications, and any packages you are dropping off for the week! You'll take all of that with you!
• From there, we'll help load your luggage, and take you and your camper to their cabin. You'll need you Photo ID for this part!
• After saying your goodbyes, you'll head to Legacy. While there, you can:
  • Drop off mail your camper's packages
  • Turn in medication with the Health Center
  • Finalize any registration details with Guest Services
  • Visit the Corner Store and Cafe Sky! (Don't forget your free popcorn!)
• Once you're done, hop on a trailer back to the parking lot, and we'll see you on Saturday!

Google Maps

Saturday Pick-Up

Don’t forget to bring your Photo ID. It’s REQUIRED to pick up your camper.

1. When you arrive, you will be directed where to go to pick up your camper's luggage and any medications you may have dropped off for their time at camp.
2. Next, you'll park and head to Legacy, where you can pre-register for next summer if you didn't Quick Enroll – secure their spot, get a great discount and go home with a limited edition pre-reg tee!
3.  After we check your Photo ID (don't leave it in your car!), you’ll receive a Yellow Slip that is required to collect your camper after Closing Show. 
4. Hold on to your Yellow Slip and head inside for a brief Closing Show to where you’ll see highlights of the BEST WEEK EVER!
5.  After Closing Show, you'll have the opportunity to talk with your camper's counselors – and hand off that all-important Yellow Slip!
6. Once you've said "See ya next year," don't forget to grab a milkshake at Café Sky, stop in the store for any final purchases, and turn in your pre-reg form!

Summer 2023 Closing Show Times

• 8:00 AM - Gates open to welcome parents for Sigma Brunch (8:30 AM start) and Sky 1 and 2 Closing Show at 9:30!

  • Please arrive by 9:00 AM to have plenty of time to collect luggage before the Show!

• 8:00 AM - Young Riders and Sky Fillies Rodeo Begins

  • If you have a Young Rider or Sky Fillies camper, do not worry about going through the main part of camp to get your camper's luggage and medication. We will have all of that at the Sky Ranch Arena. Please follow the signs straight there for the amazing Rodeo we have planned for you! The Rodeo will be completed in time for you to head to camp if you have other campers who will be at those Closing Shows.

• 9:00 AM - Gates open to welcome parents for the Sky 3, Sky 4, Morph, Quest, and Sigma Junior Closing Show at 10:30!

• 9:30 AM - Sky 1 and Sky 2 Closing Show

  • Join us for a brief Closing show with our Sky 1 and 2 campers and hear about the incredible things the Lord did this week!

• 10:30 AM: Sky 3, Sky 4, Morph, Quest, and Sigma Junior Closing Show

  • We recommend arriving by 10:00 am to get checked-in by the time Closing Show starts promptly at 10:30!

We can't wait to celebrate a great week at camp with these campers! If you also have a Sky 1 or 2 camper, please have them sit with you during this Show and celebrate with us!

Is your camper coming two weeks in a row?

Back for Summer 2023, we will be offering Weekend Camp* only to campers who are attending 2 consecutive weeks of camp for $250. Please email GuestServices@SkyRanch.org for details. 

*Not available between Sessions 10 and 11.*

Camper Check-Out Policy

Campers will not be released to an individual for any reason without following the check-out process.

1. Show your driver’s license to their counselor.
2. Sign the camper check-out form.
3. Turn in your pre-reg form if you haven’t already.
4. Get your camper!

Important Info: You may authorize additional people to pick up your camper in your Online Account under Additional Questions prior to camp. We cannot release a camper to anyone who is not on this list.

What is a night event and what does that mean for packing?

Make sure to watch the video to learn what night events are and see examples of costumes! Each week starts with opening show and ends with campfire. Mixed in between are creative themed nights.

Mail from friends and family is one of the highlights of camp! Here’s everything you need to know!

The DIY Method

• Delivery
  • We deliver packages on Tuesday and Thursday. Limit 1 package per camper on each of these days.
  • We do NOT receive packages sent through UPS, FedEx, or USPS. Letters and packages to campers need to be pre-addressed and brought at check-in. 
  • We deliver any number of letters in flat envelopes every day, so feel free to write a few kind words for your camper – be sure to address it with camper name, cabin and day of delivery!
• What goes inside a package?
  • Snacks, a journal, small trinkets or games, or just a sweet note. Food must be sealed. Please do not send gum! For the safety of all campers and staff, do not include snacks with common airborne allergies such as peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, etc.
• Labeling
  • Your package or letter needs 3 things: Camper’s Name, Cabin Number, and Day of Delivery. (Mon - Friday for letters. Tues or Thurs for packages)
• Drop-off
  • On Sunday, drop off your letters and packages at the Legacy Center when you arrive. Don't leave it in the car! Take it with you when you hop on the wagon to go to your cabin!

The Kick-back and Relax Method

We offer amazing pre-made care packages (SkyPacks) that can be purchased through your online account (select Pre-Orders) and delivered every day.

The Corner Store will also be open in the Legacy Center on Sunday for you to make purchases to send to your camper during the week! (Or plan ahead and order them now!)

While we recognize that trips to the health center are not completely unavoidable, we work diligently to minimize any time spent away from camp activities. This means that we take a proactive, holistic approach to caring for your camper. Ways that we do this include, but are not limited to, focusing on the importance of:

• handwashing
• bug spray
• sunscreen
• hydration
• rest

Our health center is staffed by licensed health professionals and health care assistants. A physician acts as the medical director, providing yearly review of our policies and treatment protocols.

Filling out your camper's Online Health Form is the best way for us to know how to serve your camper. Any time a camper goes offsite for care, or if a camper has to stay overnight in the health center, we will contact you.

A note about Emergency Contacts: On your camper's health form, you will be asked to list additional Emergency Contacts. These individuals can be any trusted adults in your life in addition to you. In the event of an emergency, if we cannot reach you or any other administrator on the account, we will contact the Emergency Contacts listed here. We recommend letting those people know you have named them on this form, as the expectation is that someone could be at camp in Van, TX within 2 hours in the event of an emergency.

Health Tips for Camp Prep

A healthy camp starts at home! As you prepare to send your child to camp, here are some ways that you can ensure they have a wonderful experience:

• Prevent the spread of illness:
  • If your child shows signs of illness, please keep them home. This greatly reduces the spread of illness at camp.
  • Teach your child to sneeze in his/her sleeve and to wash hands often at home and at camp.
• Staying Hydrated: Send a reusable water bottle so it can be refilled frequently during the week.

Medications

Commonly Used Medications 

The Health Center stocks commonly used medications, such as tylenol, for as-needed use.

Bringing Medications

If your child takes medication on a regular basis, the medication will be stored in our health center and dispensed by a licensed health professional. All medications (both prescription and over-the counter) must be checked in when you drop off your camper.

To help expedite your check-in process on Sunday, please follow the instructions below:

• Original packaging required for all medications
  • Both prescription and over-the-counter medications are required to be in the original packaging and contain only the medication identified on the container.
  • Do not put medications in pill containers.
• Legible prescription label
  • If your child requires a prescription medication, the prescription label must be legible with the camper’s name on it.
  • Do not use old bottles or those belonging to another family member as they will not be administered per state law.
  • Prescription label instructions will be followed. If your child’s doctor has recently changed the timing or frequency of the medication, make sure the prescription label is up to date.
• Non-FDA approved medications need an order by a licensed provider
  • Non-FDA approved medications include most vitamins, oils, and dietary supplements and will only be accepted and administered to your camper if accompanied by an order that is signed by a licensed provider (MD, DO, NP or PA).
  • This order must instruct us on when and how much to give. This is to ensure the safety of your camper and to comply with the Nurse Practice Act.
• Check the expiration date
  • Expired medication will not be administered per state law.
• Rescue Inhalers and EpiPens
  • The ONLY medications that are permitted to be kept with the counselors are RESCUE inhalers (along with spacer) and EpiPens. These are the only medications that our counselors are trained to administer. Campers are not allowed to keep rescue medications themselves for safety reasons.
  • A counselor that has your child’s rescue medication will be with your child at all times. The counselors are allowed to keep glucometers.
  • If you have any questions, please contact JenW@SkyRanch.org prior to camp.
• Picking up medication:
  • All medications can be picked up by parents on the last day of camp.
  • Medications that are not picked up will be disposed of so please be sure to stop by our medication return table.
  • If your child has a rescue medication kept by the counselor (EpiPen or rescue inhaler), it is your responsibility to obtain these from your child’s counselor when you pick up your child from camp.

To serve your family with excellence, we follow the regulations for Colorado and Texas Youth Camps and subscribe to the American Camp Association standards.

Special Dietary Requirements

We will gladly work with you regarding special dietary restrictions and food allergies. When completing online registration for camp, please complete the portion related to food allergies and dietary requirements. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact our food service department directly by emailing FoodService@SkyRanch.org.

Bed Bug Prevention

Bed bugs have become more common in the United States and worldwide over the past few years. Sky Ranch takes several precautions to ensure facilities are free of these pests, but as with all hospitality businesses we have no control over the potential of guests bringing in bed bugs.

Daily Schedule

Each day is jam packed with activities and fun and food and night events and rest!

Sky 1, 2, & Young Riders:

• Rise and shine around 7am
• Go to bed around 10pm after their awesome night event

Sky 3, 4, & Sky Fillies

• Wake up around 7:30am
• Go to bed by 11pm after their night event

Morph & Quest

• Wake up around 8am
• Go to bed by 11:30pm

Sky Fillies

• Wake up around 7am
• Go to bed by 11pm after their night event

Camper Photos & Parent Emails

Photos - See camp in action!

• You can expect to see a handful of fun pictures of your camper participating in activities and posing with their cabin throughout the week. The goal is to capture one to two photos of each camper, each day.
• Pictures are uploaded daily to the Bunk1 App for you to view, purchase, and share.
• We do not post pictures of Friday evening activities.
• Due to the nature of the schedule, we do not take pictures of reserved activities like paintball and horsemanship.

Emails

In the Bunk1 App, you will also have the opportunity to use Credits to send your camper a letter during the week. Update them on what's happening at home, their favorite sport's team, or a funny thing the dog did! We'll print it out and give it to them. Letters are printed at 10:00 am each day, so be sure to submit it through the app before then!

Bunk1

To view photos and send your camper emails while they are at camp, download the Bunk1 App and log in using your Sky Ranch account information.

Bunk1 Information

Roommate Requests

• Campers may request up to three roommates through their Online Account.
• We cannot accommodate groups larger than four.
• When making a request, an email with instructions will be sent to the other camper. Please note: only one should make the request and the other should accept.
• All requests must have an 'Accepted' status at least 14 days before arrival.

Store Account (Ranch Bank)

Each camper will be given a wristband that is linked to their Store Account (Ranch Bank). We do not allow campers to carry cash on camp, so they use their Ranch Bank to purchase snacks, souvenirs, gifts, books, apparel, and much more.

We recommend depositing $70 for each week of camp. This can be done at any time through your online account by selecting Store Account from your camper’s itinerary. Unused Ranch Bank funds can be donated to the Sky Ranch Scholarships Program. If not selected as a donation, any amount over $5 will be refunded two weeks after their session of camp.

Lost & Found

Please label everything belonging to your camper prior to their arrival. We will attempt to return everything labeled to your camper prior to their departure. Anything unlabeled will be available at the Lost & Found table on Saturday. After camp, we will be keeping items for 2 weeks. If your camper has lost something, please email GuestServices@SkyRanch.org with a detailed description of the item. After two weeks, all unclaimed items will be donated. Sky Ranch cannot be responsible for lost or broken items, so please do not send new clothes or valuable items to camp!

Resources