Parent Prep 101

Summer Camp Packing List

Rest easy knowing you haven’t forgotten anything! Check out our suggested packing list and mark off each item with your camper.

Packing Tips

  • Label your clothing and items with your camper’s name or family's last name. It will help your camper return home with all of their belongings.

  • Consider sending a printed checklist with your camper (along with pictures for young campers). This will help them double-check to make sure they have everything as they pack up.

  • Some families choose to pack their camper’s outfits individually in ziplock bags so that they have each day’s clothes organized and ready to go.

  • Having 2 pillowcases on your camper’s pillow makes for a great late-night pillowcase replacement as well as a sack for dirty sheets.

  • High school campers participate in Java Jam (a camper-favorite talent show). Campers are allowed to bring an item (e.g. a guitar) for the show, but The Pines will not be responsible for any items lost, damaged, broken or stolen.

Check-In

  • Check-in begins: 3:00 PM

    300 White Pine Road
    Big Sandy, TX 75755

    For safety and scheduling reasons, there will be no one to assist you or care for campers before 3:00 PM on Sunday. Upon your arrival, we ask you to remain in your vehicles until our staff greets you and gives you directions for dropping off luggage and where to park.

    We also ask that cars do not block the entrance to camp, as there may be service vehicles and charter bus arrivals prior to 3:00 PM.

    All campers must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian over 21 years of age.

    If you need to arrive after our scheduled check-in time, please contact our office (903-845-5834) for assistance.

    Check-in Procedure

    • Pick up your check-in procedures postcard at the front gate.

    • Park where directed and have your camper’s luggage tagged to be taken to their cabin.

    • Follow the road down to the pavilion with your camper where you will complete a health screening.

    • If applicable, you will check-in all prescription and over-the-counter medication at the pavilion. All medication must be in original containers. Send only the amount your camper will need to last through their session. Place medication in a well-marked, re-sealable plastic bag.

    • Continue on to your camper’s cabin. Meet and greet your camper’s counselors.

    • Help your camper settle into their cabin.

    • Say goodbye to your camper with big hugs!

    • On your way out, stop by the camp store to check your camper’s account balance, add funds, or purchase a camper pack.

  • Please see our Bus Transportation page for more information about bus check-in.

Check-Out

  • Saturday closing prayer service: 9:00 AM

    *Teen Week Friday closing prayer service: 4:00 PM

    • All campers must be signed in & out by a parent or guardian over 21 years of age.

    • Attend the closing prayer service with your camper.

    • Meet your camper’s friends and take final camp pictures.

    • Collect all your camper’s luggage and remaining medication.

    • Check the lost and found for any missing items. The Pines is not responsible for items left at the campsite. Unclaimed lost and found items will be donated to charity at the close of camp.

    • Check-out your camper with her/his counselor

    • Drive home safely and have a wonderful summer!

    *Please note: Any camper not checked out by 10:00 AM will be charged an additional $40.00 per hour for additional supervision.This option is not available for Weeks 1, 5, and 10. Please call our office at 903-845-5834 if you have any questions.

  • Please see our Bus Transportation page for more information about bus check-in.

Camp Store

Campers have time each day during Paradise where they can visit the Camp Store. You can add money to a camper’s account or send them with the means to make purchases at camp.

Camper Mail

Families are encouraged to write to their camper each day — letters are delivered to campers during Rest Hour. There are a few ways to ensure that campers don’t feel left out.

Email

Emails sent before 10:00 AM Central Time will be delivered to campers the same day. These emails are printed, so please know that attachments and other files will not be delivered.

  1. Address the email to camper@thepines.org

  2. In the subject line, include your camper’s name and their cabin number.

Pre-Packaged Mail

Some families bring a full week’s worth of handwritten mail or care packages to camp. If you choose to do so, please be sure to label each letter or package with the day you would like it to be delivered to your camper. Please do not pack perishable goods — we don’t want to give critters any extra temptation to make themselves at home in the cabins.

Snail Mail

It’s always nice to receive a handwritten letter, but it’s not uncommon for the small post office in Big Sandy to be overwhelmed during the summer. If you want to be sure that your camper receives a handwritten letter, please consider the Pre-Packaged Mail option listed above.

If you do choose to send a letter through the mail, please use the following address:

The Pines Catholic Camp
[Camper Name], Cabin [Number]
300 White Pine Rd.
Big Sandy, TX 75755

Campanion App

We are thrilled to introduce an app this year! More information is coming soon!