Overnight Summer Camp2024-02-01T08:14:05-05:00

Best Week Ever is an overnight, Christian summer camp in Dallas, PA.  As a leader in Christian camping since 1972, we love to test the limits of adventure and creativity to make incredible memories for campers and provide incredible value for parents.  We’re planning not just a good week or a great week, but your Best Week Ever!

Derek Hodne, Program Director
[email protected]

ROOTS: ELEMENTARY

Ages 8-12
August 4-10, 2024

Pricing

$515 when paid in full by March 15

$535 when paid in full by May 1

$555 when paid in full after May 1

SURGE: MIDDLE SCHOOL

Ages 11-14
July 21 - 27, 2024

Pricing

$515 when paid in full by March 15

$535 when paid in full by May 1

$555 when paid in full after May 1

THRIVE: JR / SR HIGH

Ages 13-17
July 14 - 20, 2024

Pricing

$575 when paid in full by March 15

$595 when paid in full by May 1

$615 when paid in full after May 1

*THRIVE price includes a trip to Camelbeach Water Park!

Guest Speakers

THRIVE : To Be Determined

Surge and Thrive Optional Add-ons

FOR SURGE AND THRIVE ONLY

A camper favorite!  You’ll spend the afternoon tubing and swimming on nearby Harvey’s Lake!

FOR SURGE AND THRIVE ONLY

$20 with your own equipment or $30 to rent equipment

Your fee includes referees, CO2 and your first 500 paintballs for the afternoon.  Bring your own equipment or rent ours.  Only camp provided paintballs can be used.  Additional 500 paintballs are available for $15.  Emphasis on safety!

Scholarship Requests2024-05-16T15:00:22-04:00

We invite you to take advantage of registration incentives available for all Camp Orchard Hill families!  If you need additional assistance, please submit an online Scholarship Request Form with supporting documents between January 5, 2024 and March 1, 2024.

What are meals like at camp?2024-01-08T12:25:06-05:00

We take food quality seriously…and every meal is a party at Best Week Ever!  Our campers consistently rank meals in their TOP 3 favorite aspects of the camp experience.  Food Services Director, Chef Steve Bassett, takes great pride in consistently providing wholesome, nutritious food that tastes great.

Campers can expect fresh meals prepared on-site and served buffet style.  Our menu changes daily and is designed to appeal to the specific age group of the campers.  The majority of meals include a starch, protein, vegetable, fruit and a dessert option.  We have expanded our salad bar significantly to provide variety and flexibility!  We offer several different kinds of cereal and milk in the morning, along with a hot breakfast.  We offer 100% fruit juice each morning and then switch over to low sugar juice option for lunch and dinner. We intentionally avoid peanut-based cooking products in the main dining room, but soy butter and jelly are available at each meal.

We understand that campers have a wide variety of dietary needs and food preferences that make it difficult to eat in a new environment.  For this reason, our food service team will label food items with the top 9 allergens so that campers with preferences and sensitivities can make appropriate selections from our food line and our newly expanded salad bar.  In the event of a severe allergy, our team will prepare a safe alternative (see exceptions below).  Campers will provide details about their medical allergies on their health form in advance and should check-in with the food service team at the allergy station during the first meal of their session.  Parent may request the opportunity to communicate directly with our food service team prior to their camp session to discuss individual needs.

Ample portions, wholesome, great tasting meals and lots of fun are what sets the Camp Orchard Hill dining experience apart from other camps!

What are the camp’s policies concerning bullying?2017-04-05T09:21:25-04:00

Camp Orchard Hill has carefully cultivated an atmosphere of relational, emotional, physical and spiritual safety.  Our staff team will model healthy, caring relationships and then expect the same from campers in the group setting.  Our programs are specifically designed to develop and promote teamwork and inclusion.  Bullying behavior is contrary to our vision and mission and will not be tolerated.

If a camper bullies another camper, they will meet with leadership for an explanation of the offending behavior and the harmful effects that result.  If the behavior continues, the camper will be sent home.

Bullying is aggressive behavior by a child or a group of children who take advantage of the power they have to hurt or intimidate others.  Bullying can take many forms:

  • Verbal abuse including taunting, gossiping, mocking, name calling
  • Physical abuse including hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking
  • Organized social rejection including exclusion from activities or groups
  • Public humiliation
  • Threatening racist, religious or sexist remarks
  • Frightening acts
Can my child bring their cell phone to camp?2017-04-08T20:45:01-04:00

Part of the power of camp is the freedom to unplug from the constant noise and distraction of technology, and plug-in to the beauty and wonder of God’s creation.  For this reason, campers are not permitted to bring their cell phones to camp.  However, parents are encouraged to send letters or use e-camp one-way emails and camper reply services.  Photos of camp activities are also posted on our camp website regularly to help you share in the camp experience.  Check out opportunities to communicate with your camper while they are at camp!

Camp Communication

If my child comes to camp with a friend, will they be in the same cabin?2017-04-05T09:22:14-04:00

Attending camp with a friend is a awesome experience! Indicate your cabin-mate preference on your registration form and we will make every attempt to honor your request.  Cabin-mates must be within one year’s age of each other and requests must be written.

How do you handle homesickness?2017-04-05T09:22:30-04:00

The camp experience is designed to build confidence and a healthy sense of independence in each camper.  While it is rare, we do encounter campers who experience homesickness and we will give individual attention to each situation.  On the first day, our counselors will work to keep the camper on-task and focused on the very next thing – instead of the whole week.  On the second day or night, the Executive Director or Program Director will call a camper’s parents to ask for suggestions or routines that may alleviate homesickness.  We will do our best to implement these suggestions (i.e. night light, bedtime story) to create a comfortable environment.  If homesickness continues after the second day we will again contact parents to determine if it is in the camper’s best interest to remain at camp.  In our experience, campers calling home does not improve the situation, but almost always concludes with the camper going home.  Our desire is to help every camper have a safe and successful week of camp!

What is your counselor to camper ratio?2017-04-05T09:23:15-04:00

Ratio requirements vary based on the age of campers and the camp setting.

  • For Overnight Camp, the ratio is 1 counselor to every 7 campers.
  • For Day Camp ages 4-5, the ratio is 1 counselor to every 6 campers.
  • For Day Camp ages 6-9, the ratio is 1 counselor to every 8 campers.
  • For Day Camp ages 10-15, the ratio is 1 counselor to every 10 campers.
How do you hire and train your staff?2017-04-05T09:23:31-04:00

We hire every seasonal staff member as if they were caring for our own children and provide intense training to prepare them for service.  All Day and Overnight Staff undergo a rigorous screening process including an application with references, an interview, plus state and national criminal background checks.  Each team member completes a 10-day training and orientation program that encompasses all aspects of camp life and covers the ACA requirements for staff readiness.

Do you have a nurse on staff?2017-04-05T09:24:10-04:00

At Camp Orchard Hill we plan every activity with your child’s safety in mind.  In the unlikely event that he or she requires medical attention while at camp, COH is prepared with a registered nurse on duty 24/7, certified lifeguards, and staff certified in CPR and First Aid.

If you child has an accident or illness we will use the primary contact information that you have provided on their health form, as well as alternate contacts if you cannot be reached.  This process is initiated by the Director and/or the lead health-care provider, but can be delegated to an appropriate staff member.  Since we have no way of determining what each person considers an emergency, the general camp practice is to contact parents when there is concern about a camper’s health and/or when a situation is not progressing as expected.  Because many people remotely access their voice mail, it is expected that camp personnel will leave a voice message that appropriately communicates the need for a given parent to call the camp.

If it is necessary to seek medical attention, every attempt will be made to contact parents prior to treatment and again at the conclusion of treatment to provide an update on the camper’s health.

As an accredited member of the American Camping Association, you can be assured that we comply with up to 300 health, safety and program quality standards.  Being accredited by the ACA is solid proof of our accountability, credibility and commitment to you, the parents, and your campers.

Activities

Archery • Challenge Course including Racing Zip Lines • Pendulum Swing and Climbing Wall • Ultimate Frisbee • Dodgeball • Blob • Lake Water Slide • Pool • Nerf Battle • Gaga • Skatepark • Nine Square-in-the-Air • Fishing • Boating • Basketball • Game Room • Broom-ball • Carpet-ball • Low Ropes Challenges • Maker Space

Invite Your Friends!

Testimonials

“This week was truly unforgettable!  I was able to connect with God on a special level.  I’ve recommitted my life to God and I’m very happy.  I can’t wait until next year!”

2018 Thrive Camper

“As an accredited member of the American Camping Association you can be assured that we comply with up to 300 health, safety and program quality standards. Being accredited by the ACA is solid proof of our accountability, credibility and commitment to you, the parents, and your campers.”

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