PASSPORTkids! FAQ’s
What age group may participate in PASSPORTkids?
Children must have completed 3rd grade and must be below 7th grade (i.e., not yet begun attending 7th grade). Adult chaperones must have been out of high school for at least a year.
How many chaperones do I need to bring?
Your group’s adult to child ratio MUST be a minimum of 1 adult for every 5 children (adult and children of the same gender). In other words, if you have three girls and seven boys, you will need one female adult and two male adults. Because the adults who come as chaperones are an integral part of the PASSPORTkids! session, underage children and babies are not allowed. Children older than 6th grade are invited to attend our PASSPORT youth camps.
When does camp begin and end?
Registration is 12 – 1:30 p.m. on Day 1 and the first meal served is supper.
Opening Celebration is the first program event at 3:00 p.m. on Day 1.
The last meal served on Day 4 is lunch.
Closing Celebration on Day 4 is from 12:45-1:30 p.m., after which groups may depart.
How do PASSPORTkids! campers engage in missions?
Campers will not be taken off-site to do mission projects. Instead, we bring missions to life for the children by having missionaries at camp and doing fun, hands-on exploration of a particular people group each year.
How will adults be involved?
Adult chaperones’ primary functions will be to supervise and care for their church group’s campers at night and during meals, and to build meaningful relationships with campers.
Adult chaperones will be asked to sign up for various volunteer positions while at camp. During programmed activities, they will assist the staff in a variety of ways. These will include: Bible Study, Missions Groups, Camper’s Choice, Recreation and Swimming.
Adults will also have an Adult Bible Study during the campers’ Bible Study time.
Will campers have free time?
There is a minimal amount of unprogrammed “free time” in the schedule. Mealtimes, however, are an hour each, and there is a 30-minute rest time each day to give campers a midday break. Campers will also sign up for an elective activity each day called “Camper’s Choice.”
What will worship be like?
Worship is designed specifically for 3rd-6th graders. It is multi-sensory and creative. It includes elements of liturgical and contemporary worship forms, but is also unique. The pastor preaches an age-appropriate sermon. Music is a blend of fun songs with movement and more traditional music, such as hymns that children can understand. Drama, dance, and other art forms are also included.
The pastor offers a challenge each night to lead into a Worship Response time. The challenge is not manipulative in any way and could lead to a variety of responses. Those responses occur within the context of the church group. Church Group Leaders will receive written material in advance to help them prepare to lead these gatherings.
An offering is collected on the third night of worship to support mission work among the people group about whom the campers will be learning.
Besides the registration fee, are there any additional costs?
Each group is asked to pay a single camp supply fee based on the number of participants in the group. This fee is included in your final balance. The fee schedule is as follows:
1-10 people = $30.00
11-20 people = $60.00
21-30 people = $120.00
31-40 people = $150.00
41-50 people = $180.00
51-60 people = $210.00
61-70 people = $240.00
71 and above = $270.00
These fees are used to purchase non-renewable supplies and pay for the shipping of any materials to the mission field personnel who will use them.
Campers may also want to bring some money for the mission offering as well as the camp store.
Is our camp affiliated with a particular denomination?
Passport, Inc., is an ecumenical organization and seeks to provide ecumenical camping experiences. PASSPORTkids! was formed in partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). This partnership equips us to prepare for the missions emphasis at camp, but the emphasis will be on Christian missions rather than exclusively on CBF missions.
May campers with special needs attend PASSPORTkids?
Absolutely! All children in the appropriate age group are welcome. We provide our staff basic training in how to include and attend to campers with special needs. If you need special accommodations or have a dietary request, please contact the Passport office prior to your camp arrival so that we might best prepare for your stay.
