Questions from Parents:
General Questions
Where is Camp Galilee?
Can I register online, or pay online?
How much does summer camp cost?
Is financial assistance available?
I’ve registered my child. What now?
Where does the Las Vegas van pick up campers?
When does my camper need to be at camp?
When does camp end?
How is the staff trained?
Who is supervising my child?
What are your emergency medical procedures/where is the nearest hospital?
What do I send my camper with?
Does my camper need money?
Can I send my camper mail or a care package?
Can I call the camp to check in on my camper?
Who owns Camp Galilee?
What is served during meals at camp?
What if my family is not Episcopalian?
It is the first time my child has ever spent the night away. How do you handle homesickness?
Questions about our Gender Inclusive Practices
How will counselors be assigned to cabins?
How will campers be assigned to cabins?
Will you be asking campers and staff to share their pronouns during the session?
How will counselors be trained in gender inclusive practices?
How will my camper’s privacy be maintained in the cabins?
Won’t creating gender inclusive spaces encourage more kids to change their gender?
What if my family has questions about Galilee’s gender inclusive practices?
What are the resources provided by the National Episcopal Church?
Isn’t this a lot of work to accommodate a very small number of people?
Questions for Campers:
Where do I sleep?
I’m sleeping outside?! What about animals?
What will I be doing?
Can I bring my cell phone and iPod?
Can I bring a camera?
What if I get homesick?
Will my friend be in my group?
When’s snack?
What if I don’t like the food?
What if I’m allergic to peanuts, or a vegetarian?
Where do I go to take my medicine?
Can I keep my inhaler with me?
What do I do after a meal?
My family isn’t Christian – will I fit in?
How soon can I jump in Lake Tahoe?
Can my parents and friends send me letters?
Can I send my parents and friends letters?
Where is Camp Galilee?
Camp Galilee is located on 8 acres on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. We’re in the tiny town of Glenbrook, Nevada, about fifteen minutes north of South Lake Tahoe, twenty minutes south of Incline Village, and twenty minutes from Carson City. More detailed directions can be found here.
Can I register my child, or pay online?
Yes, online registration is available here.
How much does summer camp cost?
Historically, Galilee has sponsored, or subsidized in part, each summer camp program to keep the fees as low as possible. In 2023, the cost for a full week of camp is $895. Full payment is due by May 31st, unless arrangements have been made with Galilee. If desired, you can spread the cost out over several months by taking advantage of one of our interest-free payment plans. Take a look at the different fee choices for each session. Prior to May 31 Camperships may be requested during the registration process using this form or by contacting the Camp Registrar.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes! Galilee strives to never turn any child away from camp for financial reasons. Interest-free payment plans are also available to help spread out the cost over several months. In addition, you may apply for a campership to cover part or nearly all of the remaining cost of camp.
I’ve registered my child. What now?
There are a few things you can do next:
-
Please fill out medical and release forms for each child registered, which you were emailed after the online registration process. These forms are also found here. If you mailed in your registration form, you will be mailed the medical and release forms to fill out and return.
-
Final payment is due by May 31st for all summer camp sessions. For winter, spring, and fall programs, payment is due on the starting date of the program. If you registered online, your credit card will be charged as you chose. Otherwise, please send in a check made out to Camp Galilee (P.O. Box 236, Glenbrook, NV 89413) for the remaining balance, or call our office (775-749-5546) and provide a credit card number.
-
Check out the suggested packing list – please label all your child’s personal items.
-
Once we’ve received all the completed forms and payment, all there is to do is get your child excited about a week at Camp Galilee!
When does my camper need to be at camp?
Registration opens at 3pm on the first day of camp, and campers are encouraged to arrive no later than 4:30.
When does camp end?
Please pick up your camper at 9am on the last day of camp.
How is the staff trained?
Our resident staff members are interviewed and thoroughly screened before hiring. We look for young people who are passionate about working with children in the outdoors, and living in an intentional community. Each staff member participates in a week-long staff training program focused on developing skills for leadership in groups, conflict resolution, and giving and receiving feedback. As this dynamic group of young people not only work, but also live, together all summer long, staff training is also focused on developing a close-knit community, a tenet of our leadership model.
Counselors apply, give references and are interviewed before being admitted to Counselor Training, an intensive 8-day leadership training course. This course focuses on fostering skills in group development, including positive interaction in groups, conflict resolution, effective listening, and techniques for dealing with disruptive or homesick children. At the end of Counselor Training, the participants who have demonstrated mastery of these skills and the necessary maturity and excitement are invited to become counselors at Camp Galilee.
Who is supervising my child?
Your child will be placed in an Adventure Group, with leadership provided by a triad composed of two cabin counselors and one resident staff member. All Adventure Group time is supervised by this triad, and the cabin counselors live in the cabin with the campers, including overnight. The cabin counselors and resident staff members are supported by three resident directors with more than 50 years of combined experience, as well as an ordained chaplain and registered nurse.
How will counselors be assigned to cabins?
Counselors and staff are asked before the start of the camping season which cabins they are comfortable leading and sleeping in. A cabin will be led by two staff/counselors of that gender. All our staff and counselors undergo complete background checks (those 18 and above are fingerprinted) and provide us with multiple references.
How will campers be assigned to cabins?
Campers will be assigned to a cabin of a gender that they have indicated on their registration materials: male or female.
Will you be requiring campers and staff to share their pronouns during the session?
Campers and staff are invited to share their name and pronouns during cabin and large group introductions. Campers and staff do not have to share their pronouns if they do not want to and with an absence of pronouns will simply be referred to by name. Campers and staff may change their name and pronouns during the week and staff are trained to offer the opportunity to share names and pronouns regularly throughout the week.
How will counselors be trained in gender inclusive practices?
During staff training prior to camp, counselors and staff take part in a training session offered by our directing team. The training offered is on creating safe(r) spaces for children, youth and adults who are trans*, non-binary and/or queer. Staff will then have the opportunity to engage in discussion and reflection on the specific gender inclusive practices and policies at Camp Galilee, as led by the Program Director.
How will my camper’s privacy be maintained in the cabin?
At Camp Galilee, we have cabins that include single-use bathrooms so all campers can have privacy while changing. Counselors are trained on privacy measures like: speaking to campers who may need extra support away from the larger group, sharing with all campers important privacy information and making it known that privacy measures are for all campers not just campers with “exceptional requirements”, and setting out rules on respecting privacy.
Won’t creating gender inclusive spaces encourage more kids to change their gender?
There are no medical or psychological studies that support this claim. Most campers will not even notice most gender inclusive practices as being specifically ‘gender inclusive’. Many campers regardless of gender want a private place to change, all campers deserve safety, privacy, respect for their body and belongings and a place to sleep at night where they feel safe and respected. Campers are so focused on their own camp experience that they likely will not even notice these small changes.
What if my family has questions about Galilee’s gender inclusive practices?
We are happy to speak to you in whichever way you feel most comfortable. If your camper has a question during camp they can ask their counselor, the Chaplain, or even one of the Directors. We are happy to answer questions about how we make these practices work, to clarify misunderstandings, and even to share why this is important to us. In all our conversations we operate with the understanding that trans*, non-binary and queer campers are loved and valuable and that we will do our best at Camp Galilee to ensure that they know this to be true.
Isn’t this a lot of work to accommodate a very small number of people?
There are two assumptions at play here that are both very understandable: one, that this is a lot of work and two, that it is for a very small number of people.
Camp Galilee thankfully does not need to change too many policies to put these things into action. We already supervise our campers closely, privacy, consent and respect for other people and belongings are already part of our cabin rules. Campers of gender minorities already come to camp, and we do our best to create spaces that are safe(r) for them. We are adding private changing spaces to our cabins.
These changes will benefit everyone at camp. Campers want privacy for changing. Campers want to feel safe at camp. Campers want to know that if they run out of things like clean underwear or menstrual products that these things can be dealt with in a discreet and timely manner. Gender inclusive practices make the lives of all our campers better.
What are the resources provided by the National Episcopal Church?
Learn about The Episcopal Church’s stance on gender, sexuality and sexual orientation here.
What are your emergency medical procedures/where is the nearest hospital?
All of our resident staff members are First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified by the American Red Cross. They are also all waterfront certified lifeguards, and trained in the administration of epi-pens. They are always equipped with a hand-held radio that can be used in case of emergency to contact the on-site nurse. Paramedics are based directly across the street from Camp Galilee at the Glenbrook fire station, and the nearest advanced care centers include Stateline Medical Center, 15 minutes away in Stateline, NV, and Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe, CA, a 25 minute drive.
What do I send my camper with?
Clothes that can get dirty and plenty of sunscreen! A complete suggested packing list is available here. Even in the summer, it can get quite chilly at night, so make sure your child brings some warm layers for when they go on their overnight camping trip. Please do not send food, electronics, or other valuables with your camper.
Does my camper need money?
No. There is no camp store, and food is sent home with the campers riding the van to Las Vegas. All activities and souvenirs are included in the registration fee, so please do not send any money with your camper. Additional t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and other Galilee merchandise are only available for purchase at check-out on the last day, so if you would like to buy something, please just plan to pay (cash, check, and credit card are all accepted) when you arrive at to pick up your child.
Can I send my camper mail or a care package?
Yes! Mail can be sent to:
Camper Name, c/o Camp Galilee
P.O. Box 236, Glenbrook, NV 89413
Please do not send food in care packages as it tempts animals to try to come into the cabins! We distribute mail each afternoon during rest hour in the cabins. Campers can also send letters home. The post office will appreciate it if younger campers come to camp with pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes.
Can I call the camp to check in on my camper?
To help our staff focus on providing a fun and safe experience, please phone the camp in emergencies only. Mail from home is welcome and can be sent to Your Child, c/o Camp Galilee, P.O. Box 236, Glenbrook, NV 89413. Consider sending a letter or two before they leave for camp so they’ll have letters at the beginning of the week.
Who owns Camp Galilee?
Camp Galilee is owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada.
What is served during meals at camp?
We offer healthy meals three times a day, and Eva makes almost all the food from scratch! We use local produce whenever possible. We also provide snacks throughout the day and encourage campers to drink lots of water. If your camper has a food allergy please let us know on the medical form and we will prepare food for them accordingly.
What if my family is not Episcopalian?
No problem! We welcome campers from all faiths and backgrounds. You’re also invited to learn more about and spirituality at Galilee.
It is the first time my child has ever spent the night away. How do you handle homesickness?
Our staff is trained in many techniques to handle homesickness and maximize a camper’s ability to cope with emotional challenges. We are supportive and respectful of all of our campers’ needs.
Questions for Campers:
Where do I sleep?
You’ll probably sleep in a cabin with 6-10 other campers and two counselor, and one group each week gets to live in our tipi. The cabins are heated and have an indoor bathroom, and campers staying in the tipi use the bathrooms next door in Hunting Lodge. Boys and girls are housed separately. Once during the week, your Adventure Group will go on an overnight, when you’ll sleep out under the stars at one of our camping spots.
I’m sleeping outside?! What about animals?
Summer camp is a great chance to get up-close-and-personal with nature. But don’t worry – not too close! The types of animals we have here (raccoons, deer, bears) aren’t interested in humans – especially big groups of humans – and will stay away. Remember to leave all food (even gum!) at home, so critters don’t try to rummage through your bag searching for a snack.
What will I be doing?
Every day looks different at summer camp. Most of each day you’ll spend with your Adventure Group, playing games, hiking, kayaking, going rock climbing, swimming, doing team-building challenges, making art and having fun. Check out our photo gallery to get a glimpse of what you’re likely to experience.
Can I bring my cell phone and iPod?
An essential part of the camp experience is living simply, in harmony with your new friends and the natural surroundings, so please leave all electronics – including MP3 players, hair dryers and cell phones – at home. Digital cameras are allowed.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes. Cameras are allowed, as long as they are used properly, and are not a distraction during group or meal times.
What if I get homesick?
We can practically guarantee you’ll have a great time at Camp Galilee, but that doesn’t mean you might not feel a little homesick at first (even if you’ve been away from home before!). The best thing to do is talk to your counselor or staff person – they might suggest writing a letter home, or throwing yourself into the activities so you don’t think about it too much. Before you know it, you’ll be having so much fun, you won’t have time to be homesick!
Will my friend be in my group?
You may request one friend – of the same gender and approximate age – as a cabin-mate. The request must be made by the friend as well, and submitted in writing by a parent/guardian via the online registration form, to [email protected] or P.O. Box 236, Glenbrook, NV 89413, at least 3 weeks prior to the start date of your session.
When’s snack?
Every day after Camper’s Choice time at 3pm.
What if I don’t like the food?
Our chefs work really hard to serve food that will give you the energy you need for a full day of summer camp, and that is really, truly delicious. It’s hard to argue with pancakes, grilled cheese, or pizza! But even if you’re not crazy about the main food being offered at a meal, there are options: Fruit, bread and peanut butter & jelly are available every meal. And summer camp is a great time to try something new – maybe you’ll find a new favorite food!
What if I’m allergic to peanuts, or a vegetarian?
If you have a food allergy, make sure your parent/guardian notes it on your medical form, including how severe it is (For example: can you be around peanuts, but not eat them?). With severe nut allergies, no nuts will be served all week. For more mild allergies, if a dish includes that ingredient, our chefs will prepare a separate bowl of the same dish without that ingredient, just for you! If you are a vegetarian, lactose-intolerant, or gluten-free, or have another dietary need, just indicate it on the medical form. On the first day of camp, your counselor will show you where to find the “alternate” food. For example, if you’re gluten-free, and we’re having pancakes for breakfast, there will be gluten-free pancakes available on a table at the front of the Dining Hall. This goes for vegetarian options when it’s a meat-based meal too. You will always have plenty to eat! Learn more about food at Galilee.
Where do I go to take my medicine?
When you arrive on the first day of summer camp, you’ll meet the nurse and give him/her your medicine. The nurse will make sure you know when and where to go to take your medicine. The nurse is always in the Health Center after each meal, and after Campfire for bedtime medicine. If you’re going on an overnight, the nurse will package up your medicine and give it to your counselor.
Can I keep my inhaler with me?
If you need your inhaler nearby at all times (and not just two puffs twice a day, or similar, in which case your inhaler will stay in the Health Center), your counselor will always have it in his or her backpack for you.
What do I do after a meal?
After meals, you can hang out in the free time area until Adventure Group time begins. There, you can play rescue ball, try rope jousting or ring tosses, play on the jungle gym, make up games or play with other surprises that your counselors bring out.
My family isn’t Christian – will I fit in?
Camp Galilee is an Episcopal camp, which means providing an inclusive and loving community for all, regardless of religion, gender, race or age. The most we ask is that you are respectful of others’ beliefs and traditions. No one is obligated to participate in any song or prayer that they’re not comfortable with. We invite you to learn more about spirituality at Galilee.
How soon can I jump in Lake Tahoe?
You can go swimming as soon as you have your things unpacked in your cabin on the first day of camp! You can also go to the Polar Bear swim each morning before breakfast if you want to, and everyone goes to the beach every day after lunch. Before you venture into the deeper water, the lifeguard will ask you to take a simple swim test. If you’re not a strong swimmer – don’t worry! Stick to the shallow waters, and the lifeguard will keep a close eye on you. You can also go in the deeper water if you wear a life jacket.
Can my parents and friends send me letters?
Definitely! Have them address them to:
Your Name c/o Camp Galilee
P.O. Box 236, Glenbrook, NV 89413
Mail will be delivered each day during cabin time.
Can I send my parents and friends letters?
Great idea! Consider addressing and stamping the envelopes before you leave home, then you can write and mail the letters from camp. There’s a mailbox in the Dining Hall to drop your letters in – they’ll get mailed every day.