Thank you again for allowing your student to participate in youth camp with us this summer! I am SUPER STOKED that everything is coming together, and camp is nearly here! Because of tithes, offerings, and donations given by church members, family, and the community, the deposit you paid is all the camp fees you owe (plus some “spending money” mentioned below). The remaining $239/ea plus traveling expenses are all covered! Hallelujah!!

Breakaway Youth Camp is provided by Louisiana’s Southern Baptist entity, LBC (Louisiana Baptist Convention) whose offices are in Alexandria. Breakaway is held on the campus of LBC’s official retreat center, Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center (10218 Hwy 165 South, Forest Hill, LA 71430). If you’d like to learn more about Tall Timbers, here's the website: www.talltimbersbcc.org. Your youth absolutely will hear the truth of God’s saving love (the gospel) from the Bible, they will be encouraged to sing out during worship, engage in Bible study, sleep through the night (strongly encouraged!), eat well, participate in recreation, stay well hydrated (it will be hot), and respond to God’s Holy Spirit’s leading. Andrée and I will strive to make camp a very positive, safe, Christ-centered experience, and will be available to answer any questions a student may have pertaining to his or her relationship with Jesus.

Q: Who’s going?
A:     2 ADULTS: Andrée Core & me
            3 GIRLS:  Bella Carter, Brooklynn Hampton, Aubrey Nunez
            6 BOYS: Jude Champagne, Jake Fletcher, Josh Garcia, Samuel Herring, Vance Miller, Vann Parr

Q: What should we pack?
A: Please read carefully the “WHAT TO BRING” and “DRESS CODE” sections in “Things to Know”.

Q: How about medication?
A: Let us know if your student will be bringing medication. Also, check out the “MEDICATION” section of “Things to Know.”

Q: Are cell phones permitted?
A: Yes, but to minimize distraction and encourage everyone to focus on how God is moving, youth will be allowed only limited access to their phones at certain times of the day.

Q: Should my youth bring cash? If so, how much?
A: Yes, enough to cover any of the following that apply to your student:

· Lunch at some place like Wendy’s on the way to camp ($8-$12...everyone will have an opportunity to eat lunch when we stop)

· Camp “souvenirs” - caps, bandanas, wrist bands, etc. ($15-$30 or more…up to you)

· Lunch/snacks on the way home ($15-$20)

· Missions offering - A missions offering will be received during one of the worship times. No one will be pressured to give, and no specific amount will be promoted. Students may have no inclination to give, others may feel led to give $1, $5, or $10. This is completely optional.

TOTAL: $40-$60 should be plenty. Regardless of how much you choose to send with your student, we’ll make sure nobody goes hungry or does without necessities.

Q: What else should I know?
A: Students will have the opportunity to participate in high ropes course elements (flying squirrel, high ropes course, leap of faith) during their free time. This is totally optional, and we will only allow youth who’ve received parental permission in advance to participate (ask me about this if your student is interested).

Q: What time are you leaving?
A: We will meet in the RBBC Fellowship Hall Monday, June 16 no later than 8:30 AM. After stowing everyone’s luggage in the van, we’ll talk over things, visit the restrooms, get a group pic, pray, and head out at 9:00 AM or shortly thereafter. This will allow for traffic, bathroom breaks, lunch, and any unforeseen delays. Our goal will be to arrive for check-in @ Tall Timbers between 1:30 & 2:00 PM.

Q: Will my child be safe?
A: Our youth will see the "Papa & Mama Bear" sides of our adult leaders when they are off the church campus and under our watch care. As we travel there and back, we will drive the speed limit, stay together when we pull off for pit stops and meals, watch out for one another, and take no unnecessary risks. Once all church youth groups have arrived at Tall Timbers encampment for Breakaway #3, the gates will be closed for the duration of camp and only will be opened for authorized personnel or emergencies (see “Visitor Policy”).  Andrée and I have passed background checks (all adult leaders at camp are required to pass similar background checks). We will keep up with our youth for the entirety of the week. We’ll have an amazing, fun week of camp, but NOT at the expense of anyone’s safety or well-being.

Q: How many “campers” in total will there be?
A: 400+ youth and adult leaders/chaperones are expected to participate in Breakaway Camp #3 (our camp week).

Q: What will sleeping, bathroom & changing arrangements be like there?
A: We’ll stay in air-conditioned cabins with electrical outlets, private toilet/shower stalls, and private changing areas. The cabins are strictly same-gender – males with males, females with females. Our youth may share quarters with one or more other youth groups.

Q: What if my child needs medical attention?
A: While there won’t be a camp nurse on site, we take our own first aid kit for minor issues, and there are medical facilities within the area if needed.

Q: What exactly will be taking place at camp?
A: Look over the “Breakaway Camp Schedule” and you’ll see the itinerary. If anything is unfamiliar or you’d like further clarification, ask me.

Q: When will you be back home?
A: We anticipate pulling into the RBBC parking lot between 5:30 & 6:30 PM Friday, June 20. We will have the students contact you as we get close to give you a more precise ETA.

Let me know if you have questions, comments, or concerns. I’m looking forward to all God is going to do during and after our week at Youth Camp!!

In Christ alone,

Ed Herring - Assoc. Pastor, Music & Youth