Parent Prep 101
Your quick stop for information about packing for camp, check in and out procedures, the Camp Store, camper mail, and our camp app!
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
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Check-in begins: 3:00 PM
300 White Pine Road
Big Sandy, TX 75755For 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.
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Please see our Bus Transportation page for more information about bus check-in.
Check-Out
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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.
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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.
* please note that it may take up to 24 hours for a camp store credit made in CampInTouch to be available in the Camp Store
Camper Mail
Campers love to receive messages from home! Letters and packages are delivered to campers after lunch during Rest Hour. Here are a few ways to ensure your camper has the fun of receiving mail at camp:
Through the App
Now you can write letters — and request responses — from our new app to keep in touch with your camper while they are at camp!
If you have not already, download the Campanion App.
Use your CampInTouch Account email address and password to log in.
Click on the menu icon in the top left corner.
Go to the Letters section.
Click on the pencil in the top right corner to start a letter.
If you would like to request a reply from your camper,* check the box that reads, "I want a handwritten reply." This will generate a printed page for your camper to write back to you! This page will be provided to your camper to reply. When your camper has completed their letter, we will scan and upload it. You will receive their response through the app!
*Please note that we cannot guarantee that your camper will take the time to reply, but we will encourage them to do so!
Pre-Printed Stationery
You can also pre-print and send app-linked stationery with your camper!
When you write a letter to your camper through the app, you can request a response from them. If your camper would like to write you more often or unprompted by your letters, you can print individualized camper stationery before they leave for camp. The blank, printed forms will have a code to sync their letter to your account when they are uploaded.
You will need to log into your dashboard and select the Email section near the bottom, beneath "Online Community." Then, click the "print now" button to print the e-letter stack to send with your camper.
Guest Accounts
Will Grandma and Grandpa want to send them letters, too? To allow permission for others to write your camper digital letters and see photos during the week, create a guest account for them through your CampinTouch account dashboard. This will provide them access through the Campanion app.
Click on Guest Accounts near the bottom of the page and fill in the information for them.
If you are a returning Pines family, please note that the Letters feature of the app will replace the use of the camper@thepines email that you have used in years past.
Pre-Packaged Mail
Some parents bring a full week’s worth of handwritten mail or care packages to camp. If you choose to do so, please label each letter or package with the day you want 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
Read more here about our main hub for communication while your camper is having the best week of their summer!