First-Time Campers

New Camper Weekend & Family Camp

• New Camper Weekend is the perfect way to get started as a Camp Stein Camper! Meet other new campers, see our facility, and take a few days to “test the waters” of camp!
• We hold two New Camper Weekends each year.
• There is a $180 fee for New Camper Weekend that will be applied to your camper’s account when you register them for a full camp session during the following summer. If you choose not to register for a camp session for the following summer after the weekend, your only cost is $180.

First Time Discount

All first-time campers attending camp for at least 2-weeks qualify for a discount on their camp tuition: $200 for 2-week sessions, $400 for 4-week sessions. There is no need for a separate application. Our system will recognize you as a first-time applicant and the discount will be automatically applied when you enroll.

Preparing for your First Summer

As you start thinking about getting ready for your child’s first summer at camp, below are some tips to help them (and you!) prepare. Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive multiple ‘pre-summer forms’ to help you and us get ready to welcome your child to camp. Be sure to review those forms and the Parent Guide to ensure you’re both set for a successful first experience.

1. Have your camper practice making their own bed (especially if this is not something they typically do). Their counselors are always there to help (and those top bunks can be tricky), but each day part of cabin clean-up requires each camper to make their bed.
2. Include your camper when packing their bags. This helps ensure the camper knows what items they brought with them, especially if you purchased new items just for camp. If they haven’t seen them before, they may think the items aren’t theirs.
3. Ensure your child can independently brush their teeth, get dressed, put away their clothes, put on sunscreen, and fully shower. For example, if you normally help your child in the shower, begin working on ways for them to be independent in that task. Counselors will be in the bath house during shower hour, but cannot help campers ‘soap up’ or ‘rinse off’. Have your child practice washing their own hair if you usually do this with them. If a camper comes out of the showers with visible shampoo/conditioner in their hair, counselors will send them back in to rinse it out.
4. At Camp Stein, the bathrooms and showers are outside of the cabins. We have two bath houses at camp. The need to shower and go to the bathroom outside the cabin can take some time for a new camper to get used to. Talk about going to the bathroom with your child. It is not uncommon for children to experience “bashful bowels.” Knowing what to expect can be helpful.