Greetings!
Thank you for choosing to give your child the faith forming experience of a week at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.  We assure you that we do everything we can to provide a safe, welcoming and loving environment for your child.  We hope that this will be a week where he/she grows in faith in a caring Christian community.

Registration
Sunday registration is from 3:00 to 5:00.  The counselors are busy cleaning and preparing for your child’s arrival until 3:00.  Registration is held on the central courts area of Camp; look for the sign for your child’s program.  The Camp Nurse will be at registration for you to visit with if needed and to collect all medications.  At registration you will find out your child’s counselor and cabin.  You may then take your child to their cabin where their counselor will be waiting.  Come into the Dining Hall after registration for beverages and cookies.

Camp Store
The Camp Store is also open during registration so that you can deposit spending money to be kept safe during the week.  Any money not spent will be given back on Friday morning in an envelope.  The spending limit on snacks each day is $1.80 and t-shirts are $15.  Campers can also bring money to donate to Haiti Relief this summer.

Sending Mail
The mail is picked up and distributed to cabins daily.  Letters and packages can be sent to:
(Your Child’s Name), Cabin #
PO Box 790
Lakeside, MT  59922

Special Offering
Each summer we provide an opportunity for campers to give to a non-profit service organization.  This year we will be collecting money for those in Haiti without food, water and other basic necessities.  Funds will be sent through Lutheran Disaster Relief. Campers are encouraged to collect money and bring it to the Camp Store to donate.

What to Bring
A full list of what to bring is available through this link. Please be sure to label clothing and other items brought to Camp.  On Friday when you pick up your child, please check the Lost and Found Clothesline near the courts for items.  Lost and Found is gathered and itemized each week so call if you think anything was left at Camp.

What not to Bring
Please do not pack I-pods, MP3 players, cell phones and other electronics with your child to Camp.  It is important that your child understand that this is a place apart from all those distractions.  If you need to reach your child for an emergency you can contact the Camp Office at 406-844-3201 and the staff will connect you with your child.

Forms
The green health form must be completed and signed and sent to camp by June 15th.  The Program Director reads through these prior to the week so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding cabin assignments.  Your child’s safety is our number one priority and knowing any medical information before their arrival helps to prepare the nurse, cabin counselor, and kitchen staff.   Please also fill out the optional Camper Information sheet to help us further prepare for your child’s week with us.

Bringing Snacks to Camp
Because we want to keep camper cabins free of rodents and other animals, any snacks brought to Camp by campers will be collected and stored in a safe location.  They will be made available to campers during their open time each day. 

Cabin Assignments
Cabin assignments are made by the Program Director the week prior to each camper’s week at Camp.  If your child has a desired cabin mate (please list 2 names maximum) please fill out that portion of the registration form.  Also list any pertinent information regarding cabin assignments.  We do our best to create a positive and welcoming environment in each cabin.

Bible Study Theme
This summer’s Bible study theme is “Gifts and Guides of Faith.”  This theme is lived out through small group time, games, worship, prayer and more and explores those things that are freely given gifts and also guides for us in a life of faith: Community, Prayer, Worship, The Story, and Our Call. 

Tips for Parents to help Campers avoid homesickness and have a great week at Camp!

1. Talk with your child about his or her concerns and what he or she is looking forward to.
2. Acknowledge your child’s concerns positively. Let them know that you understand that he or she is nervous and this is okay to feel that way.  Resist the temptation to rescue your child from homesickness.  Let your child know that you are confident that he or she can complete the entire week.
3. Avoid statements such as, “If you don’t like it, mommy will come get you right away.” The Camp staff has many years of experience with homesick campers and great tools to help them succeed and have a great week and a sense of accomplishment for staying.
4. Let your child know that the Camp staff is there to help them!
5. Prepare your child for spending time away from home.  Look at pictures and videos on the Camp website, www.flbc.net.  Encourage your child to ask questions about Camp. Practice an overnight away from home with friends or relatives.
6. Explain why the Camp asks campers to leave cell phones at home.  These are a distraction and lessen a camper’s experience of being in this ‘place apart.’  Campers can ask permission with the Program Director to use the phone in the Camp Office if needed.

Pre-Camp Conversation Ideas
Discuss with your child:

1. The importance of making new friends and talking with their counselor or to Brooke Ells, the Program Director, if they have any concerns or problems.
2. The importance of appropriate behavior while at Camp.
3. The activities they are excited about doing at Camp, for older campers: some goals they have for the week.
4. Your confidence in them to stay the whole week even if they are missing home and steps they can do if they are feeling homesick.
5. The importance of trying new things and sharing with their cabin group and counselor.
6. Why electronics and cell phones are not allowed.

Typical Day Schedule
            7:30    Wake up bell
            8:15    Breakfast
            9:00    Morning Worship
            10:00  Block 1 – Bible Study, Open Time or Group Building Activities
            12:15  Lunch
            1:00    Quiet Time
            2:00    Block 2 – Bible Study, Open Time or Group Building Activities
            4:00    Block 3 – Bible Study, Open Time or Group Building Activities
            6:15    Supper
            7:00    Age Group Activity (Water Olympics, Prayer Services, Large Group Games, etc.)
            7:45    Snack
            8:00    Campfire Worship
            9:00    Cabin Devotions & Night Activities for older campers
            9:30    Explorer’s Bedtime
            10:00  Pioneer’s Bedtime
            10:30  Pathfinder’s Bedtime
            11:00  Trailblazer’s Bedtime
            *Cabin groups will go to bed earlier than these times when campers are tired.

When Camp Ends
Our week at Camp ends with worship at noon on Fridays in the Amphitheater, which is up a short path from the parking lot.  After this half-hour worship, you can find your child.  Please let your child’s counselor know that you are taking your child home.  All luggage will be on the courts unless it is raining, in which case it will be in your child’s cabin.  Please make sure that your child received their medications back from the nurse.  (For those Explorer campers attending the first half of the week, parents can join in worship at 9:00 and pick up their child after it ends.)

Post-Camp Conversation Ideas:
Ask your child what their favorite parts of Camp were and what was challenging for them.  Use the following link to download a page with ideas to discuss the Bible studies with your child at home and for family devotions.

Directions to Camp
On Highway 93, turn East onto Lutheran Camp Road.  The turn is between mile markers 94 and 95.  Follow Lutheran Camp Road until you reach a “Y” and turn left.  Follow this dirt road about a quarter mile.  You will pass the Camp garden, the Big Field, and then the parking lot is on your right.

Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp
603 Main St.
Kalispell, MT  59901

Kalispell Office Phone: 406-752-6602
Camp Office Phone: 406-844-3201
Fax: 406-752-6670
Web Site: www.flbc.net
Email: Office@flbc.net

Staff Contact Information:
Executive Director, Rev. Gary Cockrell: Gary@flbc.net
Camp Director, Brad Abbott: Badrabbit7@aol.com
Office Manager, Margerette Dahlgren: Office@flbc.net
On-site Program Director, Brooke Ells: Brooke@flbc.net
Adventure Program Director, Aaron Ells: Aaron@flbc.net
Camp Manager, Jedd Larson: JeddLarson@gmail.com

Further Questions:
What happens if my child gets sick or injured at Camp?
            All counselors are trained in CPR and Wilderness First Aid; a registered nurse is at Camp 24 hours a day and the Camp works with a Pediatrician in Kalispell, Dr. Wallace Wilder.  Either the Camp Nurse or Program Director will contact parents/guardians (listed on the green medical release form) if their child becomes sick or injured. 

Can FLBC accommodate special diets?
            In most cases, when notified at least two weeks ahead of time, the Camp can accommodate most special diets.  Parents may bring some additional foods (Soy milk, Wheat Free bread) to be kept in the kitchen if so desired.  Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp is not a Nut-Free environment.

How are counselors selected at FLBC?
            Counselors go through an extensive application process which includes: a written application, three references, and interview, and background check.  Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp hires exceptional college-aged staff who are committed to modeling faithful living in a Christian community.  Counselors undergo a three week staff training, complete with CPR and Wilderness First Aid, and Lutheran theological training before caring for campers.

Will my child feel out of place if they are not Lutheran or do not attend church?
            Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp is a hospitable place where all people are welcome.  Basic instruction on the Bible and core Christian values, such as loving one’s neighbor and serving others are taught with respect to each child’s background.  The Camp staff believe that each camper is a loved Child of God.

What’s the camper to counselor ratio?
            Cabin groups typically have eight campers in them with one counselor.  Adventure trips for ninth graders and high schoolers have a ratio of one counselor to five campers. 

Why can’t my child have a cell phone so I can contact him/her?
            Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp is a ‘place apart’ from distractions that absorb so much of young people’s time and energy.  Campers are asked not to bring cell phones so that they can be fully present with the faith forming activities, conversations, worship and prayer times of daily life at Camp. 

My question isn’t listed. Where can I go to find answers?
            The staff of Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp is happy to answer any questions or listen to any concerns.  Please call 406-844-3201, or email Office@flbc.net.