Frequently Asked Questions
and Helpful Information
1. How do I know for sure my camper's information has successfully been
entered?
As soon as your application process is completed, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know we have received your camper's application. After approximately 3 business days you will receive an official email letting you know that we were able to process the application and your camper's spot has been reserved.
2. When can I find out what cabin my camper is in?
Cabins are officially designated 2-3 weeks before the session begins. At that time you should receive a color coded pass card that will confirm your camper's session, cabin, bunk, and check-in time.
3. Why are there different check-in times?
We have separate check-in times to control parking and make the check in process run smoother for both parents and campers.
4. What should I expect at check-in?
Parents and campers will arrive at Camp Winnamocka during your designated check-in time and will find either Daniel Boone or Tom Sawyer waiting to greet you at the gates. As soon as you enter Camp Winnamocka parents will check-in with our registration team and then parents are invited to go with their campers to get settled in their cabin. This is your opportunity to meet their counselors and directors and fellow cabin mates. By the end of the two hour check-in, we would like all visitors to begin leaving so that our counselors and campers can begin getting to know one another and can truly begin the experience of a lifetime.
5. What is the difference between a two week session and a one week session?
A two week session begins on a Sunday and goes through the entire week and ends the following Thursday. This extended camp experience really allows our campers to bond through additional time together, activities, and events. They have a wonderful opportunity to make lifelong friends and role models from our one-of-a-kind staff. Because of the longer time span, campers are able to go to Lake DeGray, have cook- outs, carnivals and participate in many more activities than a single week can allow.
6. What is a mini-session and what should my camper expect?
A mini-session is a three day, two night shorter camp experience that will allow campers to experience camp without having to stay an entire week. This session is really great for our younger campers and first time campers. These campers will get to experience most every aspect of camp life including horseback riding, blobbing, and treasure hunting.
7. How do cabin and bunk requests work?
Campers will be placed in Fort Jackson's awesome blockhouses (air-conditioned) according to their date of birth. If your camper has one or two cabin mate requests he/she may list those people during the application process.
8. What is the Jackson's Trading Company?
The JTC is a store in Fort Jackson where campers can purchase a variety of items while at camp. The store has a host of items to fit every camper's imagination. Davy Crockett coonskin hats, camouflage, and Indian jewelry are always a favorite at Winnamocka. There are also camp T-shirts, shorts, canteens, water bottles, and much more. Our canteen is open at different times during the week with sport drinks, candy, and other small snacks. We create an account for each camper at the beginning of the week so that the camper is not responsible for keeping up with cash during the week.
9. How much money should I put in their personal account?
The amount of money you choose to put in the account is up to you. An average amount would be anywhere from $30 to $45. Any money that is not used is refunded at the end of the week. The counselors will explain the account system to the campers at the beginning of the week to help them learn to budget their money. The store will also be open during check-in and check-out so that parents may purchase items.
10. What is the Camparent Newsletter?
The Camparent Newsletter is a way for our camp to communicate to parents, family, and friends, who would like to log on to our website and see what their camper is doing during the week. For security reasons the newsletter is password protected but parents will receive a password upon check-in. The newsletter is updated daily with lists of the activities each cabin participated as well as pictures of the day's events. These pictures are a great way to experience camp with your camper. At the end of the session, you may purchase a DVD yearbook with all of the pictures from that session that are high quality and easily printable.
11. How can I communicate with my camper?
Parents, family, and friends may send mail including letters, packages, and email (Bunknotes only) that are delivered every day around 4:30 except for days of check-in and check-out. Campers may send letters and postcards out which are delivered each day to the post office. At this time campers do not have computer or internet access so they are not capable of sending email. Letters and packages should be mailed to:
Camp Winnamocka
Attn: (Camper First and Last Name), (Cabin Name)
#68 Ft. Jackson Rd.
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
12. What are Bunknotes?
Bunknotes is a one-way email system that we utilize so that parents, family, and friends may send emails to their campers. The Bunknotes credits cost $1 but the security and convenience makes the system very useful for everyone. All of the emails from each day are compiled into one email document that separates each email by cabin so that we may distribute them more easily and quickly. The Bunknotes system also helps protect both our computers and your computers from viruses that are so often spread from emails. Bunknotes requires approval for safety and security reasons and there are two ways to receive approval. Upon check-in you will receive a pre-approved registration code that will allow you to skip the approval process, or you can apply for an approval code and we will manually authorize you into the system. To access Bunknotes, click on the link at the bottom of our website that says "Camper Email".
13. What does the horseback riding consist of?
Winnamocka offers a trail ride by horseback around the beautiful Lake DeGray State Park. This will be an off camp trip, where campers will travel just 7 miles to Lake DeGray Arkansas Riding Stables. The cost of this trip will be included in the tuition. We are excited to have the professional riders of Arkansas Riding Stables offer our kids this wonderful adventure.
14. What happens if my camper gets sick or is injured?
A first aid station is maintained at Jackson's Trading Post to check any complaints of illness or bruises and to treat minor scratches, insect bites, etc. All Winnamocka Directors and Counselors are trained in American Red Cross or American Heart Association First Aid and CPR. Camp Winnamocka is just four miles away from our camp doctors at Arkadelphia Medical Clinic for Children and Young Adults and the Baptist Medical Center of Arkadelphia and can be reached in a matter of minutes. Any child who is feeling ill or blue is brought into our home for tender loving care.
15. How should I handle medications that my camper needs?
During check-in, our director Niki, will be stationed inside Fort Jackson to take all medicines, dosages, and any other instructions. We choose to disperse all medications to ensure the safety of all of our campers. Medications such as inhalers and emergency kits are kept in a med-pack that the counselors have with them at all times so no camper is ever far from their medications.
16. What type of luggage should we use?
Any type of luggage is fine for camp including suitcases, footlockers, or storage boxes. Rubbermaid boxes are actually helpful especially the clear boxes that allow campers to see what is inside each box. If the camper has the shorter, rectangular boxes that are between 6 and 8 inches they can even be placed under the bunk beds for easy storage. Don't forget shower caddies and bags for dirty clothes .
17. What type of bedding should we bring?
Each bunk bed is a normal twin size bed so anything from a set of sheets with a blanket to a sleeping bag will be fine.
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