Handbook

We’re so excited to now offer a streamlined, one-stop location for all aspects of camp. Here’s what you can access on our Parent Portal anytime:

• Registration

• Camper Medical Information (can be updated as needed) 

• Cabin Mate request

• Balance payment (before May 16)

• Camp Store credit ($20 suggested, but not required)

• Infirmary log (updated in real time by Camp Nurse)

• Scholarship camper donations 

Please make sure that all pre-camp tasks are completed two weeks prior to coming to camp.

Please pack in luggage that will fit under a bunk bed (17” clearance) and label all items with your camper's name.

• Pillow and sleeping bag, or twin sheets and blankets

• Twin fitted sheet (sleeping bag alone slides off bare mattress)

• Towels for swim and bath

• Toiletries—soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.

• Shower basket (to hold toiletries)

• (2+) swimsuits (one piece or modest tankini for females, please)

• Shorts

• T-shirts

• Socks

• Underwear

• Pants and long-sleeve shirts for cool nights and mornings

• Jeans (if horseback riding)

• Rain jacket (a MUST!)

• (2) pairs of sneakers 

• Water shoes or sandals with back to them

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Water bottle

• Bug spray and sunscreen

• Prescription medications in original packaging

• Bible

Other suggested items:

• Books, playing cards, or travel-size games

• Notebook or journal and disposable camera

• Stationary, postcards, stamps, envelopes, pens, and pencils

• Address list to mail letters

• Clip-on battery powered fan (cabins have limited electrical outlets)
  

Additional items for Grand Fir or Sequoia Sessions:

• Sleeping bag for overnight campout (weather permitting)

• Backpack for overnight campout (school-type backpack is fine!)

Items to leave at home:

• Cell phones & electronics—such as handheld gaming devices, iPads & iPods

• Revealing swimsuits or clothing, clothing with rude/inappropriate words or images

• Snacks and candy

• Pocket knives or weapons of any kind

For those who prefer paper, here’s a printable packing list.

Please plan to drop your child off at camp on Opening Day between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Plan on a two hour drive from Atlanta under normal driving conditions. There’s no need to arrive early since we will not open our gates until exactly 3:00 p.m. Breathe a sigh of relief—because our cabins and bunks are already assigned, your child will not miss out on anything if you arrive anytime within this 2-hour window.

If you get an early start or would like to make a day of your travels, check out Things to Do Around Camp!

• When you arrive, proceed to the check-in table just outside the Camp Office.

• Please be patient as you navigate the parking lot and as there may be a line to check in or see the nurse. Families who drop off in the 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. range usually have shorter lines. It’s also a good idea to tell nervous or excited campers ahead of time that they may have to wait a bit during the check-in process!

• After checking in, a staff member will help take campers and the parents to their assigned cabin to drop off luggage and meet staff and fellow campers. Please be aware that bunk and cabin assignments are made prior to camp to make the process go more smoothly.

• If you feel that a cabin assignment has been made in error, please remain calm! Talk to leadership at the registration table. We suggest that you discuss with leadership without your camper present and we’ll make every effort to work with you.

• Bunk bed changes will only be considered in the event of a health concern. We often intentionally space out friends throughout the cabin to give everyone a chance to get to know each other.

• Parents will also accompany campers to the infirmary for a brief health interview. Campers with prescription medicine(s) to drop off will see the nurse.

• After completing check-in, feel free to walk around the property, walk your camper back to his/her cabin, then say goodbye. Parents should plan to say their goodbyes no later than 5:00 p.m.

• For campers (and parents) who may be a bit nervous, we have found that long, drawn out goodbyes often increase anxiety. It’s best to give a good hug then leave your child in the care of his/her awesome cabin counselor!

• If you must arrive late (after 5:00 p.m.) on Opening Day, please make prior arrangements with the Camp Director.

Looking for a spot to grab a bite to eat after drop-off? Check some of the Grady family’s recommendations.

Please note: Opening day procedures are slightly different for our scholarship campers. If your child is attending one of our scholarship camp sessions, please reference your session-specific flyer for more details.

Closing Day is more than just goodbyes—it bears significance in the eyes of our staff and campers. We highly encourage all campers to stay through the closing ceremony, as it provides closure and celebrates the accomplishment of completing the session, but if they must leave early, arrangements should be made in writing on Opening Day.

• Plan to arrive at camp at 11:45 a.m. and stay for a BBQ lunch and our award ceremony, when each child is recognized for their contribution to an awesome camp session.

• Reserve plates for you and your family either on Opening Day or by phone (Adults $8.00, Children $6.00). Pay for your plates on Closing Day at the Camp Store.

• When you arrive, your child will be playing in the Game Room or the outside area nearby. Prepare to give your child a huge hug and immediately hear all kinds of fun stories about the session!

• Either before lunch or after the Closing Ceremony, you and your child may go to your child’s cabin to grab luggage. Our staff can assist you, if needed. 

• The lunch bell will ring at 12:00 p.m. We will gather in front of the Camp Office to pray and then dismiss to the lunch buffet line in the Dining Hall.

• The award ceremony should wrap up around 1:30 p.m.

• Our Camp Store will be open for must-have items—like beavershark stuffed animals!

Please note: Closing day procedures are slightly different for our scholarship campers. If your child is attending one of our scholarship camp sessions, please reference your session-specific flyer for more details.

For best results, please check your GPS against these directions.

Camp Address
478 Andersonville Lane
Clarkesville, GA 30523 

From Atlanta (I-85N through Clarkesville): scenic, but curvy!

• Take I-85 North to the I-985 junction toward Gainesville (approx. 30 miles from the intersection of I-75 and I-85).

• Bear left off I-85 onto I-985.

• Continue approximately 48 miles. Note: I-985 becomes GA 365.

• Exit at Highway 197 (Mt. Airy/Clarkesville exit ) and turn left (north) toward Clarkesville (about 4.5 miles).

• In historic downtown Clarkesville, watch for the Hwy. 197 sign. The road makes a sharp 90 degree right turn.

• Immediately after this right turn, turn left in order to stay on Hwy. 197 (at the Copper Pot restaurant).

• From Clarkesville, follow Hwy. 197 approximately 20 winding miles.

• You will pass North Georgia Technical School, Mark of the Potter, a large dip in the road where the creek sometimes runs over the pavement, and continue straight through the stop sign at Batesville General Store.

• At the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery/Moccasin Creek State Park turn left (west) on Andersonville Lane for 1/2 a mile.

• At the tree sign, turn right into our driveway.

From Atlanta (I-85N through Clayton): a bit longer, but less curvy

• Leave Atlanta traveling North on I-85.

• Merge Left onto 985. This becomes 365 which becomes Hwy 441.

• Continue North on Hwy 441 into Clayton, GA.

• Turn Left (West) on Hwy 76 (at light Dairy Queen is on left) for 11.3 miles.

• Turn Left (South) on Highway 197 for 3.7 miles.

• Turn Right (West) on Andersonville Lane (Lake Burton Fish Hatchery/Moccasin Creek State Park is on left) for 1/2 mile.

• At the tree sign, turn right into our driveway. 

From Atlanta (GA 400N through Cleveland):

• Leave Atlanta traveling North on GA 400N toward Dahlonega.

• As 400N ends, continue straight on Long Branch Road/GA 115 for 4.8 miles.

• Turn right onto GA 115/GA 75N for 12.8 miles.

• As you enter the Cleveland town square, turn left onto 129N for .4 miles.

• Turn right on Hwy 75 toward Helen for 6.8 miles.

• Turn right on Hwy 17 (pass the Indian Mound) for 2.3 miles.

• Turn left at the Old Sautee Store on Hwy 255.

• At the stop sign at Batesville General Store, turn left on Hwy 197N.

• At the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery/Moccasin Creek State Park, turn left (west) on Andersonville Lane for 1/2 a mile.

• At the tree sign, turn right into our driveway.

Based on grade level in school and biological sex, campers will be assigned a cabin with 6-8 campers and at least 2 staff members. Cabins are equipped with bunk beds, screened windows, ceiling fans and a full bathroom. You can also check out this photo tour of all of our facilities & amenities.

Cabin Requests

• As you register online, please be aware that you may only request one camper for your child to be housed with.

• During the online registration process, you have the opportunity to enter an email address to send a roommate request to a friend. The requested friend should follow the email prompts to accept the request. You can also skip this step for later and log back in to submit a roommate request at your convenience.

Here are some of the activities campers will experience throughout the camp session:

• Archery

• Arts & Crafts

• Marksmanship 

• Canoe

• Nature

• Swimming

• Hiking

• Survival Skills

• Blob

• Frisbee Golf

• Horseback Riding — Offered off-site at Sunburst Stable once a session. This activity requires pre-registration for an additional fee, as well as an additional waiver form. 

Campers may also choose from a variety of additional games and activities during our daily Choice Time and Free Time.

Standard Camp Schedule

7:45 a.m. Wake-up Bell

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

8:45 a.m. Cabin Clean-up

9:15 a.m. Day Camp Arrives / Chapel

9:45 a.m. Activity 1

10:45 a.m. Activity 2

12:00 p.m. Lunch

12:45 p.m. Rest Time

2:00 p.m. Choice Time / Snack

3:00 p.m. Activity 3

4:00 p.m. Day Camp Leaves / Activity 4

5:00 p.m. Cabin Time

5:30 p.m. Dinner

6:15 p.m. Free Time

6:45 p.m. Chapel

7:30 p.m. Wild Time

8:30 p.m. Showers

9:30 p.m. Discussion / Lights Out*

*Lights Out time adjusted depending on ages of campers.

Campers receive three balanced meals each day, served family-style, as well as a snack each afternoon. We strive to cook with natural, minimally processed ingredients whenever possible. 

• We want to accommodate food allergies and special diets. Please discuss your child’s needs prior to camp with Camp Director Katie.

• Though we don’t offer alternative meals (like PB&J’s) for picky eaters, we want to make sure everyone eats. We serve at least three different kid-friendly items for every meal.  

  • We don’t punish for pickiness. If a child will eat at least one of those items (even if it’s chips!), we will serve them a large enough portion to be full.

Food is not allowed in the cabins, so please do not send your camper with snack items.

Except in the case of emergencies, laundry services are only available on our Sequoia 2-week session. Please pack extra clothing for your camper and expect things to return home very dirty, smelly and wet!

Safety is our top priority at Camp Evergreen, and the health of each of our campers is treated with the utmost care.

• The acting Camp Nurse will screen all campers who arrive at camp.  If the nurse finds that a camper has a health condition that would interfere with the camp program, the camper’s schedule will be adjusted until he/she is free of that health condition.

• We ask that all medications (prescription and non-prescription), vitamins, herbs and supplements that the camper is taking be disclosed on the online health forms.

• All medications are stored under lock and key in the infirmary with one exception: campers may carry an asthma inhaler per doctor’s order.

• The acting Camp Nurse and the Camp Director are the only personnel allowed to access and distribute medications.

• All prescription medication must be given in its original containers with the physician’s name, date, camper’s name and directions.

• All non-prescription medication, vitamins and supplements must also be given in their original containers as well.

• The acting Camp Nurse will only distribute medication as directed on the label of the container. If a larger dose is requested, it must be accompanied by a doctor’s order.

Parents are asked to sign the “Camper Code of Conduct” during the online registration process, which outlines the acceptable behavior required of campers during their stay at camp.

• Any camper that is found to not follow the Camper Code of Conduct will meet with the Camp Director. 

• The Camp Director will determine if dismissal from the camp session is necessary and will contact parent/guardians accordingly.

• Campers will be charged for any damage they are found responsible for.

• Under suspicion of theft or the possession of camp banned substances, Camp Evergreen Leadership reserves the right to search through a camper’s belongings.