FAQs
Application
Following receipt and acceptance of application and deposit, the camp
will send enrollment confirmation. Applications are accepted on a "first
come" basis until all spaces are filled. Terms fill early; some before
others. No application can be confirmed without receipt of the full
deposit. The initial deposit of $500 is due upon application. 80% of
this amount is refundable upon Written Cancellation prior to March 1.
Camp Fees, Payments
The
balance of the camp fee is due on or before April 25 for ALL sessions. A
bill will be sent with the final pre-camp mailing in April. Discounted
early-payment options are available; this information is sent in
November to registered campers. Bold Faced Camp fees shown are
discounted cash fees; camp fee balances placed on credit card are in
parenthesis. A 5% reduction of the fee is made when there are two (2) or
more boys from the same immediate family. The Camp Store (Canteen)
deposit of $225 for June and July terms and $175 for Short and Split
Terms is required to cover laundry, linen rental, craft supplies, film,
stamps, yearbook, etc. Campers do not purchase soft drinks or candy. A
‘treat’ is given to campers each day following rest period as part of
the camp fee. All unspent funds are refunded by mail after camp.
(Deposit amounts subject to change).
Enrollment
Enrollment
is projected at 275 boys per term (Short Term is 175 and Mini Term is
150). Stewart has a returning percentage exceeding 80% of its campers.
Application should generally be made in fall. The waiting list is
compiled by date the completed application and deposit are received.
Last minute cancellations do occur. A very honest appraisal of the
situation will be given should your child be placed on the waiting list.
Any special needs and desires for the camper should be placed on the
application, update card and medical form prior to camp. The Camp Office
reviews each camper with their respective counselors prior to campers’
arrival at camp and discusses the goals and desires of both the camper
and parents. A camper update card which is also sent with the final
pre-camp information should be returned to camp office by May 5th. The
Camp Directors must be advised in writing on any key elements pertaining
to the emotional or physical health of your camper. These can either be
shared with the cabin counselor or kept confidential, but the Camp
Directors need complete background knowledge of campers to help insure a
rewarding camp experience for each and every camper.
Waiting List
When
all spaces are filled, a wait list is started with names being added as
written applications with deposits are received. No one is placed on
the wait list without the deposit. No names are placed on the wait list
by telephone. Unaccepted applications will have the entire deposit
refunded.
Cancellation Policy
Written cancellations
made before March 1 of the year registered for will receive 80% of
deposit refund. Deposits are not refundable after March 1, but may be
carried forward one year (non-refundable). Once fees are paid,
cancellations due to medical reasons must be accompanied by a letter
from the attending physician; tuition will be refunded minus the
non-refundable deposit. Any withdrawal after the start of the camp term,
at the request of the parents or camp for behavior or personal reasons,
will forfeit the full camp fee. In case of accident or illness, if the
camper returns home upon the recommendation of the camp doctor, the
unused portion of the fee will be refunded (based on $170 per week).
Cabin Placement
Campers
at Stewart are placed in cabins according to their exact date of birth.
Consideration is also given to size, development and grade in school.
If you have a special request or suggestion, it is welcome BUT the camp
cannot guarantee or promise any such special request: the camp must be
able to focus on the overall success of all campers. Special cabin
requests should be downplayed to your camper to avoid initial
disappointment should it not be able to be granted. Stewart prides
itself on having campers from several countries, many states and most
areas of Texas. Camp Stewart reserves the right to limit the number of
campers from any locality in order to maintain its diversified
enrollment.
Birthdays
Campers having birthdays at camp
are presented a birthday cake (decorated for them) during lunch while
the camp sings a special "Happy Birthday" to them. The cake is large
enough to share with their entire cabin, along with homemade ice cream.
Parents wanting to host additional birthday celebrations (added cost)
should call the camp office ahead of time to make arrangements.
Camp Band
Those
campers who play a band instrument are requested to bring their
instruments and be a part of the Stewart Sitting Band/Orchestra. Campers
who play in the band receive special benefits.
Camp Physical
A
physical examination is required for all campers. This should be done
by the family doctor shortly before camp. The Parent Authorization must
be signed. Texas law requires a current health form be on file for each
camper.
Insurance
A very modest camper health and
accident policy is carried on each camper by the camp. This is a $300
deductible policy (to obtain higher than normal camp limits). The
deductible portion will be charged to the camper’s canteen account.
Should an illness or accident exceed the policy’s modest limits, it is
understood parents are to assume the additional cost. It is suggested
parents file with their own carrier, avoiding the camp deductible.
Camp Arrival/Opening Day
Campers
are to arrive on Opening Day of camp between 10 am and 1 pm. No camper
may arrive prior to Opening Day without special permission from the
director. There is a $150 per day charge for early arrival. Campers
should not arrive early or late. The camp offers several chartered buses
(information sent with final pre-camp information) which are
accompanied by official camp personnel. Campers needing to fly are met
at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) by official camp
personnel. Flights should arrive in San Antonio between 10 am and 12
noon of Opening Day in order to be at Stewart by 3 pm, when cabin
orientations begin. The Stewart camp experience begins on Opening Day so
come dressed and ready for action! Camp Departure Camper parents should
plan to pick up their children at the close of the term, if at all
possible. If it is not possible, the camp should be contacted at least a
week in advance to make arrangements for the camper to be taken to the
San Antonio airport or released into another parents' care. Flights
should be arranged to depart San Antonio between 12 and 2 pm on the day
after Closing Day. (San Antonio is approximately 80 miles). There are
bonded limousine services which may be used for transportation to the
airport. You must make and pay for the reservations, then notify Camp in
writing of the time the service will pick up your son.
Camp Clothing
Each
camper in the June and July terms is asked to have a two weeks’ supply
of Camp Stewart shirts and shorts (12-14 sets). Campers in the Short
terms should have enough Camp Stewart shirts and shorts to last the
entire term. Short term campers will need 9-10 sets. Camp Stewart shirts
and shorts are worn all the time, with the exception of activities such
as horseback which require long pants. Laundry is sent out weekly
(three times) during the June and July terms. Laundry is NOT sent out
during the Short terms. The charge for three bags of laundry is posted
to camper’s canteen account. If the camper sends out more than one bag
of laundry each week, his Canteen account will be charged for the extra
laundry. The final pre-camp information will include order forms for
camp clothing, which is reasonably priced. Clothing should be ordered
prior to camp and it will be shipped to you. We recommend that campers
living outside of the United States have their clothing held in the
Canteen for pickup on Opening Day. Orders can be placed thru Meredith at
this current time. All clothing and other articles, including tennis
rackets, gloves, bows, film cameras, etc., should arrive well marked
with camper’s name. This is very important. The camp cannot assume
responsibility for lost items. Along this same line, expensive or
sentimental items have no place at camp. Do not send sentimental or
valuable sports equipment or film cameras as they are always the ones
lost or left in the rain. DO NOT SEND cash, jewelry, large knives,
DVD/CD disks or players, cassette players, ipods or any other type of
MP3 player, cellular telephones, hand held electronic games, ammunition,
firearms or fireworks. If you have a question concerning this, please
call the office.
Shipping
If you need to ship your
camper’s trunk to camp, it should be shipped at least one week in
advance. It should be addressed with camper’s name c/o Camp Stewart for
Boys, 612 FM 1340, Hunt, Texas 78024-3024.The best shipping methods are
UPS and FedEx as they deliver directly to the camp. If you ship by bus,
include the phone number (830-238-4670) for them to call us. Kerrville
is the bus station destination. Campers coming by chartered bus may
bring their trunks and duffel bags with them. Campers flying should
check with the airlines in advance: most will accept camp trunks.
Selection of Camp Term
Stewart
believes strongly in the benefits of camping, especially those derived
from the longer terms, and strongly recommends the selection of one of
the longer terms for your camper to get the maximum growth and
advancement in learned skills, friendship, independence and
self-reliance. Parents concerned about the length for ‘first time’
campers should not be. Campers adjust once and then it’s all fun and
gains (games).In “Choosing the Right Camp”, author Dick Kennedy
advocates the four week camp: “A camper should be away from home for
enough time to progress through the natural development states: from
homesickness to uncertainty to confidence and pride. Any time period
shorter than two weeks allows him (her) simply to count the days until
the experience is over.”
Short Terms
Designed to
acquaint younger campers (ages 6-12) and their parents with the
excitement and benefits of camp, these terms feature the basic camp
activities (aquatics, archery, camp-craft, crafts, horseback riding,
riflery, sports, tennis, etc.) but does not have the number of specialty
activities and clinics that the longer camp terms enjoy. Tenure awards
and honor camper awards do not apply to the short terms.** These terms
are designed to offer an introduction or overview of camp, and while
Stewart is committed to providing the fullest camp experience possible
in the time available, it must be understood that the camper attending
one of these abbreviated terms will not receive the more complete camp
benefits or skill development available with a longer term.
Special Sessions
Camp
Stewart has a special men’s organization called Triple S or Father/Son.
This group has father/son meetings during the Spring and Fall at
Stewart coordinating with mother/daughter weekends at Heart. There is
also a Mother/Son Weekend in September. A portion of each SSS membership
fee goes to help provide partial camper scholarships at Stewart and
Heart. Mother and Son Camping weekend is held in the fall of each year.
Moms and Grandmothers participate in many of the activities campers
enjoy during the summer. We also offer spa treatments and Mother and Son
portraits.
Technology
Camp is a time to get away from
the pressures of daily life. CD/DVD/tape players, Ipod, cell phones,
computers and electronic games are not acceptable at Stewart. Campers
may bring portable AM/FM radios with earphones for rest period. These
items will be shipped home and the shipping cost posted to the Canteen
account.
Visitors
Visits to campers by parents and
immediate family are limited to Opening and Final Days. All parents are
urged to attend Awards Ceremony and final campfire which begins around
7:15 p.m. for all terms. Friends or relatives with prospective campers
who are interested in seeing Stewart ‘in action’ are requested to call
830/238-4670 for an appointment to tour. Such visits are welcome as an
opportunity to show Stewart in action! Guided tours will be given.
Stewart is very conscious of the security of the campers and camp
property and all visitors during camp are to be properly registered at
the office, identified as visitors and escorted while on camp.
Telephone Calls/Faxes
Feel
free to call the camp office or any of the Ragsdales (830-238-4670) for
a report, or to give any information, on your camper. CALLS TO CAMPERS
ARE NOT RECOMMENDED AS THEY WILL DISRUPT YOUR CAMPER'S ADJUSTMENT AND
CAMP ROUTINE. If you deem a call necessary, campers attending the summer
(eight weeks) or four week terms, campers may receive calls after the
first two weeks. (There are no calls to campers for the short and mini
sessions). Calls to campers should be requested with the understanding
that they will be scheduled for a mutually convenient time. To set up a
call appointment, call the camp office and they will schedule a time for
your camper to come to the office to receive your call. Normally, calls
are returned just after dinner (2:15-3:00 pm). During camp, there are
no incoming calls after 6:30 pm, when the phones are switched to an
answering service which will contact the Director on Duty in case of any
emergency. During the summer, a special fax is dedicated to camper
correspondence: 830-238-4056. (A nominal charge is made for each page
received and sent.)
Packages
Getting packages at camp
is fun. Packages should contain games, comics, etc., not food, powdered
drink mixes or gum. ‘Christmas at the South Pole’ will be celebrated
June 25 and July 25 and most parents send Christmas cards or stocking
stuffer gifts. If your package is for Camp Christmas, please mark the
box "Hold for Christmas" otherwise it will be delivered on the day it is
received.
Reports
Stewart prides itself on its
communication with the family back home. Stewart wants parents to share
in the camping experience. A report is sent approximately each 10 days
from the counselors, nurse, camp store, division director and director.
These are supplemented by newsletters and frequently include a copy of
the menus. Reports are designed to provide an appraisal of your camper’s
adjustment to camp life. Out-of-country parents may arrange for reports
to be faxed or e-mailed to them at a nominal extra charge. A Daily Blog
will be written. Visit www.campstewart.com for info. There will also be
daily pictures on the web. Visit www.campstewart.com and click on the
daily photos link and enter the username and password. Pictures remain
up for quite a long time after camp is over. You may download and print
as many photos as you like.
Final Day
Closing
Ceremonies will be held on the afternoon of the final day of each term.
(one day only) Gates will open at 5:30 pm. The Ceremonies will start
about 7:30 pm and conclude at ''dark-thirty'. From 5:30 pm until 7:30
pm, there's time to visit some of the regular activities which will be
open; pack and load the car, view photographs, register for 2012 or
up-coming Father/Son or Mother/Son events, visit and meet your camper's
new friends and counselors. Wear comfortable walking shoes so you can
enjoy a walk around camp.
Stewart ice cream and cookies will be
served from 6:45pm to 7:30pm near the campfire area. Campers will have
an early dinner prior to your arrival. A number of Kerrville/Hunt area
restaurants are open for you to enjoy an early dinner. We will send you
names of some places nearer the end of the term.)
Camper parents are
urged to join their children at the close of the term and stay through
Closing Ceremonies. We recommend spending the night in the area because
it is about 9 pm by the time "Taps" sounds for the nostalgic last time
of the term and final goodbyes are said.
Appearance
Camp
Stewart has certain arbitrary rules concerning personal appearance of
both campers and staff, including short, off-the-collar haircuts.
Earrings are not permitted (i.e., on any part of the body). Complete
cooperation is expected. All campers/staff members wear special Stewart
clothing.
Extended Leadership
Member: Christian
Camping International. Camp Association for Mutual Progress, Association
of Independent Camps, American Camping Association, Camp Rifle
Association, Untied States Lawn Tennis Association, Texas State Chamber
of Commerce, United States Chamber of Commerce, Kerr Area Chamber of
Commerce, West Kerr County Chamber, American Horse Show Association,
United States Modern Pentathlon Association, Texas Hunter-Jumper
Association; headquarters, National Camping Advisory Council.
