Parent Information
Camp postponed till 2008!
We are excited that your camper is joining us for an amazing week this summer. There are numerous different summer camps that provide fun camp experiences for young people. The difference between those camps and Soul Shoppe’s Character Camp is that we offer something extra. In addition to tons of fun and crazy activities that your camper will remember for the rest of his/her life, we will also teach valuable life and communication skills that your camper will carry in his/her heart for a long time to come. We anticipate all of our campers leaving camp with great memories, useful tools, meaningful relationships, and positive attitudes!
Awesome Location
Character Camp is being held at Camp Jones Gulch, a YMCA camp in the mountains on the Peninsula. Camp Jones Gulch sits on 927 acres of redwood forest, and is located approx. one hour south of San Francisco, and one hour north of San Jose.
Quality Staff back to top
The Character Camp staff is full of responsible, enthusiastic, wise people who range in age from college age to 50 years old. We hire only people who “walk the talk” and will model excellent communication skills to your camper, while challenging each camper to move forward in their life skills. We conduct a criminal background check on all staff, and each staff person participates in 25 hours of thorough staff training before showing up to camp.
Insurance back to top
Character Camp is planned and facilitated by Soul Shoppe. Soul Shoppe is fully insured with commercial general liability insurance. Soul Shoppe is not responsible to pay for medical costs for any camper who is injured while at camp.
Health and Safety back to top
Your camper’s health and physical and emotional safety are very important to us. We will have a medical nurse on our staff, who will be available to lovingly treat minor scrapes and bruises, as well as handle any emergency situations. If your camper has a special medical condition or takes medication, the nurse will be responsible for giving your camper their medication.
Accommodations back to top
Your camper will be sleeping in a sturdy cabin with dormitory style bunk beds. Each cabin houses approx 15 campers and an adult will be in the cabin with the campers at all times.
Food back to top
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served buffet style in the camp dining room. The menus are full of healthy foods, and nutritious snacks will be provided in-between meals. Meal times are typically at 8:30am, 12:00pm, and 5:30pm. Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
What to bring back to top
It is best to be prepared for all types of weather at camp. Layering is the best way to be prepared for changing temperatures. The following is a suggested list of items to bring to camp. Please mark all belongings with your camper’s name. Click here for a complete list of items to bring.
Teams back to top
Each camper will be assigned to a team which will be the primary group that they enjoy activities with. Each team will be led by two adults who will be the main caregiver for your camper.
Pick up/drop off back to top
Character Camp registration and check in is on Monday, June 18, from 2:00pm
You will have the opportunity to meet Character Camp leaders, see where your camper’s cabin is and help him/her settle in. The first program activity begins at 3:30pm.
Pick up is on Friday, June 22nd. We invite all parents to participate in our special Parent Program that will begin at 10:30am.
Our closing ceremony with campers and parents will begin at 11:15 with camp being completed by 11:45am.
Phone calls back to top
Feel free to call us in the event of an emergency or special need. Campers may only use the phone in cases of emergency, sickness or by previous arrangement with the Camp Director. Know that there is no cell phone service in this area. The YMCA Jones Gulch phone number is (650)747-1200.
Extra Snacks back to top
Since Camp Jones Gulch is in the mountains, little critters such as raccoons share our space. We would like to spend our time doing fun and meaningful activities, rather than cleaning up after critters who have broken into someone’s stash of Cheetos. Please don’t send snacks to camp with your camper. We will feed them plenty.