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]
In an AI world where the lines are blurred between genuine and counterfeit, God’s Word tells us that, while we can’t see Him, we can have REAL faith in a REAL Savior! Join us for summer 2025…#FOR REAL
“These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:7
ROOTS: ELEMENTARY
Ages 8-12August 3-9, 2025
Pricing
$535 when paid in full by March 15
$555 when paid in full by May 1
$575 when paid in full after May 1
SURGE: MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ages 11-14July 20 - 26, 2025
Pricing
$535 when paid in full by March 15
$555 when paid in full by May 1
$575 when paid in full after May 1
THRIVE: JR / SR HIGH
Ages 13-17July 13 - 19, 2025
Pricing
$595 when paid in full by March 15
$615 when paid in full by May 1
$635 when paid in full after May 1
*THRIVE price includes a trip to Camel Beach Water Park!
Guest Speakers
THRIVE – Kevin Ozolins, Bridgewater Church | Tunkhannock, PA
Kevin has been serving in ministry since he was in high school and has a passion to see the next generations come alive in their faith. Kevin and his wife Sarah have three young children and he serves as the Associate Pastor at Bridgewater Church where he gets to engage the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
SURGE – John Messner
Pastor John serves as the Music Pastor at Danville First Baptist Church in Danville, PA. He’s also the front man of the Christian Rock Band, SALINE. He loves a good board game and watching the Phillies. John works and serves alongside his wife Shelly and their 4 children: Jackson, Jodi, Jonathan (Damien), and Jenna.
ROOTS – Daryl Peters
Pastor Daryl is a master of characters and costumes, expertly making the truth of God’s Word accessible to elementary students. He serves as the Pastor of Children’s Ministry at Lebanon Area Evangelical Free Church in Jonestown, Pa where he lives with his wife Monica and 5 children.
Surge and Thrive Optional Add-ons
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!
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 income verification documents. Our scholarship cycle opens in January and will close when we reach maximum funding in each location.
- Scholarship Funding for Overnight and Day Camp programs in the Dallas location is closed for 2025
- Click to access our >> Hazleton Area Campus Scholarship Request Form
- Click to access our >> Scranton Area Campus Scholarship Request Form
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Click the appropriate link above to access our Scholarship Request Form
- Log in to your Ultra Camp account (New families can create an account and add all family members to the account).
- Select the name of the person for whom you are completing the form (You only need to complete one Scholarship Form for your whole family).
- Complete the Scholarship Request Form on the screen.
- Please submit appropriate income verification to [email protected]
- The first two pages of your 2024 Federal Taxes (Schedule 1040)
- If you don’t file taxes, please submit a statement for each type of income received in your household (SNAP, SSI, SSD, child support etc)
- We will not be able to process your Scholarship Request until we receive your income verification at [email protected]
- Please allow two weeks for us to process your request. You will receive a reply email to the primary address listed on your account. The email will include your scholarship offer and registration instructions.
- Upon approval, each family will complete their own registration for programs. Please plan to pay the applicable deposit for requested camp weeks.
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!
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
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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!”
“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.”