Junior Camp FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to many of your questions can be found here. For any additional questions, please contact the camp directors

What is Junior Camp?

Junior Camp is a week-long faith-based overnight camp for children entering 3rd through 9th grade and is sponsored by the Chinese Christian Union Church in the heart of Chinatown in Chicago. We welcome campers from all faiths and backgrounds to attend.

Campers will spend time at Phantom Ranch in Mukwonago, Wisconsin with their leaders and peers exploring different indoor and outdoor activities such as swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, archery, basketball, field sports, volleyball, campfires, and other indoor/outdoor games. They will also have a chance to explore their faith via Bible studies and individual and group discussions with other campers and camp staff.

Who will be taking

care of the campers?

Each camper will be placed in a cabin with several other children of his/her own age and gender. The counselor assigned to lead each cabin will be responsible for guiding, teaching and setting a good example for your child during the entire week.

Cabin Counselors are young adult volunteers ranging from college students to career professionals from CCUC and other partner churches.

Camp directors, support staff, and First Aid counselors will also be present during the week. All of the counselors and camp staff are required to pass DCFS background checks prior to attending camp and copies will be kept on file at the CCUC office.

How do I register my child?

Online registration is available on our website from May 1st to July 15.

Space is limited and registration availability will be noted next to each grade on the registration home page, so please be timely in registering your campers to ensure a spot. A wait list is available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The link can be found on the registration page.

What are the camp costs?

2022 Junior Camp Registration Fee includes all lodging, meals, activities, and a camp t-shirt:

$310 if registered before June 1st

$325 if registered after June 1st (until July 15th)

- Full payment of camp fees are due at time of registration. Fees are to be paid by credit or debit card ONLY (paper checks are no longer accepted). Camp fees (minus $50 processing fee) are refundable if cancellation request is received via email by July 15, 2022.

- No refunds will be applied after July 15 as we will be billed by the camp site for the full amount for each camper, whether or not they come to camp. For the same reason, no refunds will be applied for campers who do not stay for the entire duration of camp.

- Overnight camp fees are not considered tuition or childcare for tax return purposes per the IRS. If you require financial assistance, please contact the directors.

What should my

camper bring?

All the sleeping cabins and meeting spaces are air conditioned. There are many activities that will take place outdoors. We ask that you check the weather before camp and dress your campers appropriately.

Basic Necessities for 6 days/5 nights:

Bible (We will mostly use NIV but other versions are welcome)

Pen/pencil

Shirts

Pants and shorts

Jacket, sweatshirt, or hoodie

Extra socks

Extra underwear

Shoes and sandals

Swimming apparel (see dress code for details)

Towels (for bathing & swimming)

Sleeping bag or linens and sheets

Pillow

Toiletries: soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste

Insect repellent and anti-itch cream

Deodorant

Flashlight (batteries will not be provided by camp staff)

Optional items

Cash for the snack shop/canteen ($50 maximum)

Camera

Poncho or umbrella

Is there a Dress Code?

In order to promote an environment where campers and counselors can focus on growing in faith and not on appearances, we ask that all campers, counselors, and staff adhere to the following dress guidelines:

1. Clothing which display profanity, products, or slogans which promote tobacco, alcohol, drugs, sex or are in any other way distracting, are prohibited.

3. Excessively baggy or tight clothing, and clothing which advertises gang symbols or affiliation is prohibited.

4. Items of clothing which expose bare midriffs, bare chests, undergarments, or that are transparent (seethrough) are prohibited. Tank tops with straps wider then one inch are permitted. Please be advised that spaghetti straps, shirts which expose a bare back, halter tops, and tube tops are probibited.

5. Swimming (For all water recreation):
- Swimsuits for men: swim trunks only (No shorts, cut-off pants, or Speedos).
- Swimsuits for women: One-piece suits recommended, however, two-piece suits are allowed as long as they are modestly cut and covered with a shirt. No string, thong or crochet suits will be allowed.
Swimsuits may only be worn during swimming activities.

Can I visit my child during camp?

An optional skit night will take place where visitors may come visit their child on Thursday night of camp from 7:00pm to 9:30pm with a time of refreshments from 9:30-10:30pm

We welcome parents and immediate family members, siblings accompanied by parents, pastors, youth workers, to visit during this designated visiting time only. All other visitors will require special permission from the directors. Please contact for any questions.

Phantom Ranch is about 90 minutes from CCUC (without traffic).
Directions can be found on our website home page.

How will my child get to and from Junior Camp?

Transportation by school bus will be provided to and from Phantom Ranch from two different pickup and dropoff sites in the Chicago area. All campers are required to ride the provided bus to ensure a timely and organized start and end to camp:

DEPARTURE | Monday, August 8, 2022

CCUC Chinatown | 8:00-8:15 AM check-in (Buses depart 8:30a)

2301 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago, IL 60616

CCFC Wilmette | 9:15-9:30 AM check-in (Buses depart 9:30a)

3636 Illinois Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091

RETURN | Saturday, August 13, 2021

CCUC Chinatown | 4:30 PM (Estimated)

CCFC Wilmette | 3:30 PM (Estimated)

How are the campers

assigned to cabins?

Cabins groups are separated by age group and gender. Some cabin groups may share a physical cabin with others of the same gender and age group. All cabins are air conditioned. Each cabin group and cabin is chosen at random in order to give all campers an opportunity to have a full camp experience and to meet new friends. For this reason, we do not encourage special requests for campers to be placed into specific cabins.

Boys

3-4 grade

5-6 grade

7-8 grade

9th grade

Junior Cabins:

Senior Cabins:

Girls

3-4 grade

5-6 grade

7-8 grade

9 grade

How do I know my child has been registered?

Once you have completed the online registration form, a confirmation email will be sent to you which serves as confirmation that we have received your registration form. Registration is a first-come, first-serve basis and will be based upon availability.

What additional paid activities are offered?

Phantom Ranch offers a few optional additional activities that are deducted from your child's "canteen" account that will be set upon arrival.

The canteen account is funded in cash and run by PRBC and can be used to pay for additional snacks during their free time, gifts such as hats and t-shirts, and other activities. Any unused balance will be returned to your child on the last day.

Snacks and gifts (~$50 limit)

Horseback riding: $10 per person

Water tubing: $12 per person for single person

Water tubing: $6 per person for doubles water tubing

Please DO NOT bring!

All of these items should NOT be brought to camp and will be confiscated by the counselors and returned to the camper on the last day of camp:

MP3 players

Walkie talkie radios

Electronic gaming devices

Magazines

Water balloons

Water guns

Weapons (such as knives of any sort, batons, etc.)

Shaving cream (unless used for intended purpose)

Cell phones are permitted only for phone calls to parents in the evening, Monday - Friday, 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm

What will my child be doing at camp?

Some of the staff-led activities available to campers led by our staff include:

Archery

Arts and Crafts

Basketball

Board Games

Bugs ‘n’ Things

Canoeing

Field Sports

Dodgeball

Beach Swimming

Tetherball / Carpetball / Ping Pong

Volleyball

Horseback riding (optional - additional fee)

Water Tubing (optional - additional fee)

Campers will also participate in Bible studies, musical worship, and small group/large group games.

How will I stay in touch with my child during camp?

Our schedule accommodates time for campers to call their parents from 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm every night. We ask that conversations be kept short and sweet to allow time for all campers to call home and to prepare for a good nights rest.