FAQ

Camp is held one week each summer, typically during the last week of July. Exact dates are announced each spring when registration opens.

We lease Camp Oakes in Big Bear, California, a beautiful YMCA camp surrounded by tall trees, starry night skies, trails, and a private lake. Camp Oakes provides the perfect setting for a safe, adventurous, and unforgettable week in the mountains.

Camp is open to children and teens ages 8 to 17. Campers are grouped by gender and age for cabins and most activities to ensure the best possible experience for everyone.

Campers typically depart and return by chartered bus from Orange County, CA (specific location provided before camp). Parents are welcome to come for check-in and send-off — it’s always a fun and emotional morning! DROP OFF PROCEDURE The drop-off and pick-up location for camp is 3730 Susan Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704   The most important part of the drop-off day procedure is to be sure you have all your camper(s) forms and payments given through the Active.com registration system by the deadline.   Sending your child off to Camp on that first Sunday is a chaotic experience at best.  In order to alleviate some of the chaos, we have created the following procedure to establish a sense of order on departure day.  Patience is vital to this process, and you can expect the following:   1.    Please arrive at 9:00am on the day of departure (No early arrivals, please) but no later than 9:45am. 2.    Upon arrival, please park in the designated area, keeping other areas open for buses, people and the check-in process. 3.    Proceed to the check-in area with your child and all of their belongings including luggage, medications and their sack lunch. 4.    Place all luggage in the designated luggage drop off area. Your child will need to keep their lunch with them on the bus to eat when they get to camp. 5.    Once it is your turn for check-in the staff will confirm that all paperwork and payments have been completed. You will be told which cabin group your child is in and where to find that group. 6.    Next, turn in all medication and complete the medication form which must be done for all current medications. 7.    Drop off your care package at the care package drop off table. (See the “MAIL” section of this guide).  8.    Health Screening – Each camper will be given a health screening where the staff will be asking questions and be checking for observable signs of illness and injury. Your child will also be checked for head lice. In the event that your child does have head lice, your child will not be able to attend camp until treated and cleared by a health care professional. Once treated and cleared you will be able to drop your child off at the camp location in Big Bear and the child will be able to participate in the remaining camp program. All cost associated with treatment and transportation to camp are the responsibility of the camper’s family. No refund will be given. 9.    Take your child to his/her cabin group where you will meet the counselor and other cabin mates. 10. Take this opportunity to discretely discuss any special care issues that you feel are important to your child’s experience and may help your child’s counselor. 11. Say your goodbyes and wish your camper well. This allows the counselor the chance to begin the first group-building exercises and allows all of the campers to start getting to know each other. 12. Now it is time for parents to leave and start your own week of events while your child is at camp having the best time EVER. See you next Saturday!   PICK UP PROCEDURE Return-From-Camp-Day is as hectic as Departure-To-Camp-Day.    The buses will depart from Camp somewhere between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.  This means that your child’s bus will return from camp between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.  (We cannot control traffic, so there may be delays) You will be sent an email when the last bus leaves camp with an estimated arrival time.  If you still are uncertain then we ask that you call Camp4Kids after 1:00pm to get an estimated time of arrival. You may also want to check our Facebook page which will be updated with estimated arrival times. Once the Directors arrive, a small area will be cordoned off with cones. Please vacate this area so that the checkout process can go smoothly.    It is imperative that you remain patient during the checkout process. Once the buses arrive, the luggage will be off-loaded.  At the same time, Cabin groups will be dismissed from the buses and will head to a designated area.  Once you see your child’s Leader, move to a position near him or her.  Before you try and take your child you MUST FIRST check out your child with the counselor. The Counselor will ask you to sign for your child and may ask for picture identification before you take your child.  Once you have picked up your child’s belongings, luggage, medications and you have checked out you may leave! Once again, you must: 1. Check your email and our Facebook page for details or call Camp4Kids after 1:00pm. When you do arrive, please do not block parking lot or bus parking area. 2. Look for your child’s counselor and check your camper out. 3. Collect all of your child’s belongings, luggage and medication. 4. Please take time to listen to your child, as they will want to talk with you about camp and all the fun they had.  Please hear them out. 5. If you forget to pick up either your luggage or medication, it will be kept at our corporate office located at 56 Tesla, Irvine, CA 92618 for 10 working days.  After that we will donate the luggage to Goodwill, and we will destroy the medication.  Please do not ask us to mail your forgotten items, since we are not equipped to do this.  If you wish for it to be sent back to you, please either arrange with UPS or Fed-x to pick it up at your expense.

Your camp tuition covers all lodging, meals, activities, supervision, and transportation to and from Big Bear. Financial assistance and sponsorships are available for families who qualify — we never want cost to keep a child from attending camp.

Camp 4 Kids is proud to be a 100% volunteer-run organization. Every counselor, staff member, and director gives their time out of love for this program and belief in its mission. Many were campers themselves and have years of experience in leadership roles. All volunteers go through an application, screening, and background check process, as well as training, before camp.

No, Camp4Kids is an independent, nonprofit organization. While we emphasize personal growth, character, and community, the camp experience is not religiously affiliated and is open to campers of all backgrounds.

Each day is packed with fun, adventure, and connection! Mornings might include archery, canoeing, or team challenges, afternoons bring crafts, sports, or cabin competitions, and evenings are filled with campfires, skits, talent shows, and all-camp games. Meals are hearty and family-style, with plenty of time for laughter and new friendships.

Nope! Camp 4 Kids is a tech-free zone. We believe camp is the perfect opportunity for kids to unplug, connect face-to-face, and rediscover the joy of being outdoors and present in the moment.

Homesickness is completely normal — especially for first-time campers. Our counselors are trained to handle it with compassion and encouragement. We help campers build confidence, stay busy, and feel supported until they’re having so much fun they forget to miss home.

Because camp is unplugged, we don’t allow camper phone calls or texts. However, parents can send letters or emails(through our camp mail system) that are delivered daily. If an urgent situation arises, our directors are always reachable and will contact you right away if needed.

Absolutely! Campers can request to bunk with a friend of the same age group on their registration form. We do our best to honor all requests.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on generous donations, sponsorships, and volunteers to make camp possible each year. You can help by: Sponsoring a camper Donating supplies Volunteering your time Spreading the word about Camp4Kids Every bit of support helps us keep the magic of camp alive for the next generation.