FAQs

May I have a tour of camp prior to arriving this summer? 

Yes! First check our events page to see when our next Open House is - goodcounselcamp.org/events-1

If this date has passed or does not work with your schedule, we can arrange a private tour. To schedule a visit call Andy Uzar, our Facility Manager, at (352) 726-2198.  A visit before camp opens will assist first time campers and families to develop a sense of comfort with the facilities and answer many of your questions. 

How may I communicate with my child while he or she is at camp?

Camp life helps the camper build character and develop their faith in their own ability.  Because of this and due to the brief stay at camp, there are no visiting days, there is no open Wifi network and campers are not allowed to make phone calls except in cases of emergency. Campers are encouraged to write on their own.  You are encouraged to write to your camper regularly and send care packages. Campers are not allwed to have phones of any kind or any device with access to a cellular network (even if the SIM card is removed). This includes smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, etc. Campers are encouraged to bring other devices for taking pictures, listening to music, playing video games, etc.

The Camp mailing address is: 
(name and cabin #) 
Good Counsel Camp
8888 E. Gobbler Drive
Floral City, FL 34436. 

Emails may be sent to mail@goodcounselcamp.org
(include the camper's name and cabin # in the subject line)

What are the cabins like?

The cabins have A/C and sleep 10 - 12 campers and at least 2 counselors. All campers sleep in single sized bunk beds. There is a restroom and shower facility located approximately 50 feet from every cabin. 

How do cabin assignments work? 

Due to cancelations and last minute registrations, cabin assignments are not finalized until the first day of each session. Therefore, cabin assignments are received upon check in. 

Cabin assignments are determined based on age and gender. When completing your application, you may request to be in the same cabin as a friend or sibling. We do our best to honor these requests as long as the campers are the same gender and within a 2 year age difference from each other. 

My child takes medication, has allergies and has special dietary needs. What can you do to help?

Please inform the camp nurse prior to your arrival by making note of your child's medications, allergies or dietary needs on your camp medical form. All campers are required to go through a health inspection with the nurse at our infirmary upon arrival. Clarification of your child's needs may be provided at that time. You may also meet with the camp cook on opening day to ensure all allergies and dietary needs are understood. 

All medications are checked in with the nurse on opening day. The nurse is personally responsible for adminstering all medications. Generally medications are administered during meal times but accomodations can be made for stricter medical requirements (i.e. before bed and before breakfast). 

What happens on opening day?

Check in begins at 11am and ends at 3:30pm on opening day. 

Your first stop upon arrival will be at the front office where you will check in and receive your child's cabin assignment. Then you will leave the office and walk to the infirmary where your child will pass a lice inspection and you will meet our nurse. Any health concerns may be addressed at this time. You will then drive down to your assigned cabin to get your child settled and meet his or her counselors. Your last stop will be at the mess hall where our camp store is located. Fr. Johnson will be waiting for you and will assist you in creating an account so that you may leave some spending money for your child. Once complete, you will be free to tour our property and stay for lunch which is served in our mess hall between 12 and 1pm. 

What happens on closing day?

Pick up is from 9AM to 12PM on closing day. Your camper will be packed and ready for your arrival at their cabin. You will check out with a counselor upon leaving our property. Any medications or camp store money that is left over from your child's stay will be returned to you at this time. 

What is the food like? I have a picky eater. 

Meals are served family style with one camper from every cabin serving as the "table waiter." Our cook works especially hard to ensure a balanced diet is provided. The cook is made aware of any food allergies and carefully monitors the preparation of meals to prevent any cross contamination. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are generally served as the alternative for any picky eaters. If you have an especially picky eater or a child with serious food allgeries, we recommend speaking with the cook on opening day to address any concerns. Snacks and alternative meals may be left with the cook to help meet your childs physical needs. 

Sample Menu
Breakfast: Eggs, bacon and fruit salad
Lunch: Ham and turkey sandwiches with chips and a side salad
Dinner: Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans
 

Should I worry about alligators, ticks and other creepy crawlies? 

Swimming activities are limited to our pool to ensure campers are safe from wild lake creatures.

Our counselors are trained to have daily "bug checks" (usually at swimming or shower time) to ensure creepy crawlies do not become a nuisance to our campers. The nurse is responsible for removing any ticks and for applying calamine lotion if masquitos are particulary attracted to any individual.
 

Do campers go on any field trips or overnight excursions? 

Yes, during their stay, campers may go on one of four camping trips (weather permitting) to either the Dry Lake Bed (DLB), Haunted House, Sumter, or Tomahawk Lodge. Campers may also be taken for a day trip excursion to the Dames Cave located in the Citrus Wildlife Management Area of the Withlacoochee State Forest. A description of each of these adventures is listed below. Camp vehicles are used for transportation when necessary. 

Dry Lake Bed - This is the primitive camp site located on our main camp property. Campers hike about 1/2 a mile to sleep under the stars in one of our 3 lean-tos. This trip is appropriate for campers aged 10 and up. 

Haunted House - This is a cabin located down a trail just a couple hundred yards from the infirmary on our main camp property. Younger campers spend the night inside, roast marshmallows around the campfire and explore the surrounding trails as the sun sets. 

Tomahawk Lodge - This is our 2 story lodge located on the Rainbow River just 30 minutes from our main camp property in Dunnellon, FL. Older campers will go for either a day trip or overnight excursion. Tubing down the crystal clear waters of the Rainbow River is the main attraction here as well as viewing the beautiful wildlife that inhabit the shores. Otters, turtles, and all types of birds are common but if our campers are really lucky, they might catch a glimpse of a Florida manatee. 

Sumter - Good Counsel Camp owns another large piece of land 15 minutes southeast of our main property, just on the border of Sumter County. This is our most primitive of camp sites and we use this area for outdoor adventures with our oldest campers. They pitch tents, cook dinner over the fire, and explore the surrounding area on nature hikes. Ancient giant cypress trees wider than their arm span can be found here which will surely strike them with awe and wonder if they find them. 

Dames Cave - A natural underground formation located in the Citrus Wildlife Management Area of the Withlacoochee State Forest. We will take campers of all ages on this day trip to explore the rock formations. These caves are known for being muddy and our campers have no fear of getting messy. Returning to camp covered in mud is a highlight for many campers. 

Does my child need to participate in every activity?

We encourage campers to participate in every activity but we do not require them. If there is any activity that you would not like your camper to participate in, we simply ask that you personally explain this to your camper prior to leaving them for the session. You may then address this with the counselors at drop off to ensure your request is followed through. 

Is laundry done at camp? 

Laundry services are provided for campers staying 2 weeks or more. Approximately half way through each session, campers will bring their dirty clothes to the laundry facilities for washing. The counselors will wash their clothes and return them to the campers once dry. Laundry is also provided for campers staying between sessions.

 

Are campers allowed to bring Smartphones? 

Campers are not allwed to have phones of any kind or any device with access to a cellular network (even if the SIM card is removed). This includes smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, etc. Campers are encouraged to bring other devices for taking pictures, listening to music, playing video games, etc.

Do you have any packing tips for a first time camper? 

1.  Do not pack anything you would want to get dirty or lose. 

2.  We have a strict no cell phone policy. Please refer to the communication section at the top of this page for details on how to communicate with your camper. 

3.  To ensure laundry is returned to the correct camper, label everything.

4.  Trunks are commonly used instead of suitcases or duffle bags. Keep in mind, all belongings must be able to fit under the bed which has a clearance of approximately 13 inches.

6.  It is not necessary to leave cash with your camper. On opening day you may open a secure account at the camp store which allows your camper to buy items such as snacks, soda and memorabilia while they are at camp.

7.  You are welcome to pack snacks for your camper. We only ask that gum and messy snacks stay at home. They attract ants and ruin our property!

8.  Worried that your camper won't write home? Make it easy! Give them prefilled and stamped envelopes. 

9. Worried that mail won't arrive in time? You may prewrite letters to leave for your campers. Email is also an option! Details can be found at the top of the FAQ page. 

10. Review our tips for homesickness! 
 

I am worried that my child may get homesick. What can I do to prevent this?

Before going to camp and on check-in day:

1.  Encourage them to give everything a try.

2.  Talk about all the fun opportunities they will have.

3.  Never tell them they can come home whenever they want.  This will prevent them from truly trying to have fun.

4.  Let them know you are looking forward to a letter home full of all the fun things that they will be doing.

5.  You might want to send a letter on Friday so that they will get it on Monday and know that you are excited for them.

6. Talk to their counselor and let them know your concerns.  The counselors have been trained to handle homesickness and will have some good tips for you.

When writing to them:

1.  Focus on the positive.  Make comments and ask questions that prompt them to describe the activities and people they like.

2.  Tell them that you miss them, but leave it at that.  Going into detail about how much different home is without them can make the sturdiest camper feel homesick.

3.  Tell them how excited you are for them.  Let them know you want them to have a good time.

If you get a homesick letter:

1.  Take a deep breath and remember that your child is still safe and taken care of.

2.  Look at the date of the letter.  If you receive it Wednesday of the first week, then it was probably written on Sunday evening long before any of the real fun has happened.

3.  Write a letter back talking about the positive things.

4.  Wait to hear back from the camper.  If they are really homesick you will know when the next letter comes home.

5.  Call the camp and ask about your child.  If it was more than first day homesickness then their counselor or the head counselor can fill you in.

Remember that homesickness happens to almost every camper at one time or another.  It is natural to miss the people you love most.  It is important to remember that your child is in a safe and loving environment that is trained to handle homesickness.  Giving in to homesickness and leaving camp early can give the message that they can't handle leaving home and that is a message that might stick with them for a long time.