Frequently Asked Questions

Summer Camp at Chapel Rock is run by The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, and we provide a Christian camping experience. We welcome all campers, regardless of their religious or spiritual identity.

No. Chapel Rock Summer Camp is open to any young person who would like to attend, whether they are part of an Episcopal church, a church of another denomination, another faith tradition, or no faith or religious tradition. It is a Christian camp, so prospective campers should be aware that we will talk about Jesus and spend time in worship and prayer.

A day at camp begins with all-camp worship after breakfast, then we move into our block activity schedule, which includes a variety of small-group and large-group experiences such as arts and crafts, outdoor games, Bible stories or lessons, physical challenges, getting to know the natural world, and just hanging out with friends on the lawn. Every day has some kind of all-camp big activity in the morning, afternoon or evening. There’s a siesta after lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner, and when we’ve finished all the fun, we end the day with all-camp worship. Cabin groups spend plenty of time together throughout the day and interact with other campers as well.

Here is a packing list!

Campers and counselors alike hand over their cell phones at the beginning of a camp session so they can be truly present to each other and the camp experience. So for communication, we encourage campers and the people back at home to write letters! You’ll see on the packing list that you can send paper, envelopes and stamps with them, but if they don’t have those things and they want to write home, we’ll get them what they need. Campers love getting mail from home and it really helps if they’re feeling homesick (which does happen sometimes). And if you’re curious about what your camper is up to throughout the session, you can see our daily posts on the Chapel Rock Facebook and Instagram pages, and maybe even catch a glimpse of your camper!

It is not unusual for campers to take some time to settle in and get comfortable at camp, and even to have to move through a natural cycle of homesickness. This is all part of the growing experience of a sleepaway camp. Because campers are more likely to be successful at camp if they push through that initial impulse to call home or leave, phone communication between camper and home is unusual unless there is a special circumstance. If parents/caregivers believe their camper will struggle with this policy, they should reach out and have a conversation with staff ahead of camp so we can determine ways to best support their camper.

Camp staff will contact parents or guardians if their camper is experiencing significant homesickness, illness, or any other issues they should know about, and caregivers are always welcome to call the Chapel Rock office at 928-445-3499.

Chapel Rock is accredited by the American Camp Association, the only nationwide accrediting organization for all types and designs of organized camps. ACA standards focus on health, safety, and risk management practices. Counselor training covers a variety of emergency scenarios.

Every adult who works or volunteers at Chapel Rock has completed Safe Church, Safe Communities training, The Episcopal Church’s abuse awareness and prevention education, and has undergone a background check before the season begins. Counselors and staff are also trained in mandated reporting in the State of Arizona.

All campers must have proof of current MMR, Varicella, and TDaP/DTP vaccinations. An exemption for medical reasons, provided by an MD, is the only exception we make to this policy.

We continue to monitor CDC reporting of community spread and CDC COVID Data Tracker for Arizona counties and CDC and ACA recommendations. Community levels are currently low in all Arizona counties, so face coverings will be optional at camp. We strongly encourage all staff and campers to receive the full vaccination series against COVID-19 before attending camp.

We ask in the strongest terms possible that in the two weeks before camp, you and your family take precautions to avoid potential exposure to COVID-19. We ask that you do your best to assure that your camper is well before coming to camp and exposure to COVID-19 is minimized. If your camper has had COVID-19 or a known exposure to COVID-19 within two weeks before camp, please obtain a negative test for them right before camp. We ask that you pay close attention to your camper’s health for a week before camp. Please do not send anyone to camp if they have had a positive test or are experiencing any symptoms of illness.

We recognize that campers can have symptoms for a variety of reasons that may not include COVID-19. If a camper is prone to allergies that present similar symptoms, this should be noted in the medical section of the camper’s registration. If a camper presents with COVID-19 after camp has started, parents/caregivers will be called to pick up the child, who will remain masked and isolated in the nurse’s care until they can be picked up. All people at camp (campers, volunteers and staff) who have had close contact with the person will be notified. For all close contacts, we will follow CDC COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation guidance.

Due to the changing nature of COVID-19 and its variants, this policy is subject to change as needed to ensure the health and safety of Chapel Rock’s staff and campers. If it seems warranted we will institute additional requirements, which may include masking, symptom monitoring, and/or testing. We will publish the most current version here for your reference. (Updated May 24, 2023)

Campers typically sleep in lodging according to their gender identity. There is not a “one-size-fits-all” housing policy for transgender and gender non-conforming youth. It is vitally important to openly communicate with the youth about their needs and desires in order to create the best camping experience.

When campers check in at camp, they meet their assigned counselor. Occasionally, for a variety of reasons, campers may be moved to a different cabin after check-in. These reasons may include negative interpersonal dynamics between campers, staffing changes, or cabin fit. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, caregivers are not notified of such changes when they happen.

For terms in bold, see definitions below.

Campers typically use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity, and they also have access to gender neutral bathrooms. Any camper who has a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the reason, will be provided access to a single use restroom. However, no camper shall be required to use such a restroom because they are transgender or gender non-conforming.

Chapel Rock requires that all campers change clothes in private areas and prohibits nudity or disrobing in front of staff or other campers. All showers are single-occupancy and each has a private undressing/dressing area where campers can have privacy while changing and showering.

Chapel Rock works proactively to be a safe place for all campers and staff, and this policy is part of that work. Staff training includes sessions regarding how to best care for the wide array of campers they may encounter, including a range of ages, social-emotional-physical needs, and a diversity of genders and sexualities.

From Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth, edited by Leigh Finke (Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books), 2020.

Gender identity: One’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both, or neither; how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One’s gender identity can be the same as or different from their sex assigned at birth.

Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth.

Gender non-conforming: A broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category. Not all gender non-conforming people identify as transgender.