This guide walks you through the camp experience from start to finish, covering everything from check-in day logistics to daily activities, cabin life, and how the staff keeps your child safe and engaged all week long.
Quick Summary
Camp Tekoa offers Day Camps, Overnight (TKO) Camps, Adventure Camps, and Special Needs Camps (Barnabas) with something for campers of all ages. This parent guide covers what to expect on arrival day, what a typical day looks like, how family groups work, what to pack, how Tekoa handles homesickness, and how to take advantage of financial assistance. If you're preparing your child for their first camp experience or simply want a refresher, this guide has you covered.
Understanding Camp Tekoa's Summer Programs
Camp Tekoa offers four main types of summer programs, each designed with specific age groups and interests in mind. Knowing which program your child is enrolled in will help set the right expectations before they arrive.
Day Camps
Day Camps run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Elementary Day Camp serves ages 6 to 9, while Adventure Day Camp is for ages 9 to 11 and gives older elementary campers a taste of overnight activities while sleeping at home each night.
Overnight (TKO) Camps
Overnight Camps are the heart of the Tekoa experience. These progressive programs start with Elementary Mini (a half-week option for ages 7 to 11) and extend through Elementary TKO, Middle School TKO, and High School TKO. Each level builds on the last, challenging campers physically, mentally, and spiritually year after year.
Adventure Camps
Adventure Camps take things up a notch with off-site excursions and specialized activities. Options range from Quest for elementary campers to Survivor, Water Adventure, Cascade, Expedition, Ultimate Challenge, and more for middle and high school students. All activities are "Challenge By Choice," meaning campers are encouraged but never forced to participate.
Barnabas Camp
Barnabas Camp is Tekoa's summer camp for adults with special needs, pairing each camper with a special friend who helps them navigate the camp experience.
You can explore all the available sessions, age requirements, and pricing on the Dates and Rates page.
What Check-In Day Looks Like
Check-in at Camp Tekoa is a drive-through experience designed to be smooth and welcoming. Staff members greet and direct you as soon as you arrive. Check-in times are staggered by age group to reduce delays, and families with multiple campers use the youngest child's age to determine their arrival window.
A few important things to know about arrival day:
- All medications must be checked in with the camp nurse in original containers, labeled with the camper's name, dosage, and frequency
- Photo ID is required at both check-in and check-out
- You can drop off pre-written letters in the dining hall area so your camper has mail from home during the first few days
- Having all forms and waivers completed before arrival will speed up the process
A Day in the Life of a Tekoa Camper
Every day at Camp Tekoa brings something new, but there is a general rhythm that helps campers feel grounded. Mornings start with breakfast in the large dining hall, where meals are served cafeteria-style with a fruit and cereal bar, salad bar options for lunch and dinner, and a vegetarian choice at every meal. The kitchen is peanut and tree nut free, and the food service team works with families to accommodate dietary needs.
After breakfast, campers head into scheduled activities with their family group. A typical day might include:
- Swimming and boating at the lake
- Climbing tower and zipline adventures
- Arts and crafts
- Hiking and nature exploration
- Challenge course and group games
- Campfires, devotions, and talent show preparation
The day wraps up with evening cabin devotions and sharing time before lights out. What makes daily life at Tekoa unique is that every activity connects back to the camp's mission of "Touching Hearts, Changing Lives, and Sharing the Light of Christ." Staff members are trained to look for "God Moments" and encourage campers to reflect on how their experiences connect to their personal faith journey.
Read our blog about preparing your child for their first adventure camp.
How Family Groups Work
Each family group typically consists of 6 to 9 boys and 6 to 9 girls, led by a male and female counselor called Family Group Leaders (FGLs). Campers participate in all activities and meals together but are housed separately by gender in bunk-style cabins with beds, screens, and fans. Main camp cabins have their own bathrooms, and central bathhouses are available for those that do not.
Campers may request one mutual cabin mate. Camp Tekoa works to ensure no child is alone in a cabin where everyone else brought a friend, though this occasionally depends on weekly enrollment.
What to Pack (and What to Leave at Home)
Packing the right gear helps your camper feel prepared. Camp Tekoa provides detailed packing lists for every camp type. Overnight camper essentials include: 6 labeled clothing outfits, long pants, a jacket, pajamas, 2 pairs of shoes (tennis and water), a one-piece swimsuit for girls, rain gear, a pillow and sleeping bag, towels, a Bible, toiletries, a water bottle, a flashlight, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Equally important is what stays home. Camp Tekoa prohibits:
- Cell phones, tablets, smart watches, and any internet-connected devices
- Video games, personal sports equipment (fishing gear is the only exception)
- Food, candy, or gum
- Knives, matches, lighters, or aerosol cans
The no-electronics policy allows campers to fully engage with the people around them and the natural beauty of Western North Carolina without the pull of screens.
Preparing for Homesickness
Homesickness is one of the most common parent concerns, and it is also one of the most normal parts of camp life. Research from University of California psychologist Chris Thurber found that 83 percent of campers at resident camp reported homesickness on at least one day. Knowing it is the norm rather than the exception can be reassuring.
Tekoa's Family Group Leaders plan the first few hours of camp carefully, engaging new arrivals in games, ice breakers, and activities designed to build connections quickly. Here is what you can do at home to help:
- Talk openly about what camp will be like and acknowledge that some homesickness is normal
- Practice independence by having younger campers manage daily routines on their own
- Pack together so your camper feels confident about what they have
- Write letters in advance and drop them off at check-in
- Use positive language, focusing on excitement rather than how much you will miss them
Avoid the "Pick-Up Deal" at all costs. Telling your child "If you feel homesick, I'll come and get you" undermines their confidence and often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, according to the American Camp Association. Instead, encourage them to talk with their Family Group Leader if feelings arise.
Is your child ready for overnight camp? Read our blog on the topic here.
Safety and Staff Training
Camp Tekoa is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), meaning it has been reviewed against 250 standards covering staff qualifications, training, and emergency management. All senior staff complete a two-week training course before summer that includes CPR/AED/First Aid certification, lifeguard training, and ropes course facilitation. The camp infirmary is staffed 24 hours a day by a registered nurse, and Pardee Hospital is within 15 minutes.
Financial Assistance and Registration
Camp Tekoa believes no child should be excluded due to financial concerns. Partial scholarships are available from the Tekoa Scholarship Fund for families who cannot cover the full fee after working with their local church. Payment plans allow installment payments for up to four months with all balances due by May 1st. Registration is online only, and a minimum $150 non-refundable deposit is required. Visit the Dates and Rates page for full details.
How do I stay in touch with my camper during the week?
Send letters via USPS to Camp Tekoa, PO Box 1793, Flat Rock, NC 28731 at least two weeks before camp. You will receive login information for the camper email and photo system approximately two weeks before your child's session. Pre-written letters can also be dropped off at check-in.
What if my child has food allergies?
Camp Tekoa's kitchen is peanut, tree nut, and shellfish free. Parents should describe their child's allergies on the Medical History Form and can contact the Food Service Director at [email protected] with specific concerns.
Is Camp Tekoa accredited?
Yes. Camp Tekoa is accredited by the American Camp Association, involving a thorough review of 250 standards covering staff qualifications, training, and emergency management. Tekoa is also affiliated with United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries and is a member of Christian Camp and Conference Association.
Can my child request a cabin mate?
Each camper may request one cabin mate, and the request must be mutual. Camp Tekoa honors one mutual cabin mate request per child.
Start Planning Your Camper's Summer at Tekoa
The weeks leading up to camp are the perfect time to start talking with your child about what to expect. Browse the summer camp options, review the packing lists, and talk about the activities they are most excited to try. The more prepared they feel going in, the more they will get out of their week.
If you still have questions or want to learn more about what makes Camp Tekoa special, the team is always happy to help. Contact Camp Tekoa to speak with a staff member or schedule a tour of the property. Summer 2026 is going to be an incredible season, and there is a place at Tekoa for every camper.
