*Please read the following sections  thoroughly to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings regarding camp policies, etc.*

   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, 2007.

   Camp Fees, Payments

*Fee shown is projected 2008 fee and may be adjusted to cost-living. The balance of the camp fee is due on or before May 1 (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, July terms; $325 for Summer Terms; $175 for Short Term 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 (Mini Term is 175). 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 as to 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 applications 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. (Si says Do NOT promise your camper he will be with a friend. Rather, say ‘you may not be in the cabin with John, but at very worse you will be a nearby neighbor and see him at many of the activities. You all will be able to share each other’s new friends at camp and relive different camp experiences at home.’)

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 our 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 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 $100 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

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 also met at the international airport in San Antonio by official camp personnel. Flights should arrive in San Antonio between 10 am and 12 noon in order to be at Stewart by 3 pm, when cabin orientations begin on Opening Day.

   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. Flights should be arranged to depart San Antonio between 4 and 6 pm on Closing Day. (San Antonio is approximately 80 miles). A bonded limousine service may be used. The charge for this service will be added to the canteen account.

   Camp Clothing

Each camper is asked to have a two-weeks supply of Camp Stewart shirts and shorts (12-14 sets), which are worn all the time, with the exception of activities such as horseback which require long pants. Laundry is sent out weekly. The charge is posted to camper’s canteen account.

The final pre-camp information will include order forms for camp clothing, which is reasonably priced. Clothing ordered will be sent prior to camp.

All clothing and other articles, including tennis rackets, gloves, bows, 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 items have no place at camp. Do not send sentimental or valuable tennis rackets, camera, CDs, gameboys, ball gloves; they are always the ones lost or left in the rain. Do not send jewelry. Large knives, CD, disks or cassette players, handheld electronic games, ammunition, firearms or fireworks are not permitted.

   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 method is UPS: 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. Items should NOT be shipped by Tex-Pac.

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. (HINT: Mark checked items with orange ribbon or yarn for faster identification).

   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 (6-12) and their parents with the excitement and benefits of camp, these terms feature the basic camp activities (aquatics, archery, campcraft, 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 term.

** 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. This group has a father/son meeting during the Spring and in the Fall at Stewart and mother/daughter at Heart. A portion of each SSS membership fee goes to help provide partial camper scholarships at Stewart and Heart.
Click here for special dates

   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.

   Visitors

Visits to campers by parents and immediate family are limited to Opening and Final Day. All parents are urged to attend Awards Ceremony (begins around 9:15 am mini terms begin at 5:30 PM).

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 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 may disrupt both your camper’s adjustment and his camp routine. 

For campers attending the summer (8 weeks) or 4 week terms, calls to campers are permitted after the first two weeks. (There are no calls for short sessions to campers). Calls to campers should be made with understanding they will be returned at a scheduled mutually convenient time. To set up a call appointment, call the camp office and they will schedule a time for your camper to return the call. Normally, calls are returned just prior to dinner or supper (12:45 -1:15 pm or 6:10-6:30 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 Ragsdales in case of any emergency.

The main camp fax number is 830/238-4737. During the summer, a special fax is dedicated to camper correspondence: 830/238-4056. (A nominal charge is made for each fax received and sent.)

   Packages

Getting packages at camp is fun. Packages should contain games, comics, etc., not food or gum. ‘Christmas at the South Pole’ will be celebrated June 25 during June term camp and July 25; most parents send Christmas cards or stocking stuffer gifts.

   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 camplife. Out-of-country parents may arrange for reports to be faxed or e-mailed to them at nominal extra charge. 

Daily e-mail up-dates are available by subscription. Visit www.campstewart.com/subscribe and enter your e-mail address. Select the terms that you would like. You will receive a confirmation e-mail that you must reply to. Expect to receive one e-mail daily during the camp term. The service is free.

Pictures on the web. Visit www.campstewart.com click on the pictures link and enter the username and password. Pictures remain up for quite a long time after camp is over. 

   Final Day

The Final Awards Ceremonies for regular terms will be held on the morning of the final day of each term beginning around 9:15 am and concluding about 12 noon. All parents should plan to attend this morning, if at all possible. Parents who are in the area the preceding evening may attend the final camper campfire at 8:30 pm.
The Final Awards cermony for mini terms wll be held tbe evening of the final day (Gates open at 5:30 \pm. If you arrive early park down the road in the Polocrosse field (not on the side of the road) then join the procession to camp when the gates open. You will have time to drive to your son's cabin, pack his belongings and head to the campfire area for the final campfire/awards ceremony. Take time to check out thespecial portrait shots of your camper and look at video raw footage. We hope you will also take time to register for one of the 2009 terms (there are lots of date options) and get Stewart "bribery" Awards ceremonies start at 7:30 pm, preceeed by Stewart ice cream and cookies. When taps blows and Si gives the Camp Directors benediction, you may head home or stay around and visit! Everyone should stay for Closing ceremonies.

   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:.

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