1. What about Chatuga's staff?

2. Will my children have fun?
3. Chatuga's price is so reasonable. What about quality?
4. How safe will my child be at camp?
5. Why do you accept only 150 campers each session?
6. What if I don't live in Greenville, but would like to use the camp transportation from there?
7. What kind of religious emphasis does Chatuga have?
8. What is the weather like?
9. What is a typical menu?
10. Which session should my child attend and what happens if a camper is homesick?
11. Can campers call home?
12. Where do Chatuga's campers come from?
13. Is it 'politically correct' for Chatuga to use an American Indian logo?
14. Why should my child even attend camp?
15. Why should my child return to Chatuga instead of trying a new camp?
16. What does the daily schedule look like?
17. What does the Mountain Rest area have to offer?
18. What do I have to do to be a Leader In Training/ Service Camper?

 What about Chatuga's Staff? Chatuga invests in caring, competent, mature staff who attend a thorough pre-camp training where they are certified in First Aid & CPR, train in Chatuga's Emergency Water Safety course, learn about the children's needs, safety procedures and Chatuga's routine. We have an outstanding ratio of less than 4 to 1 campers to staff. The counselors live in the cabins with the campers. We also have a Camp Mom to help out with the younger campers. All staff members are age 19 or older, with the average age of a cabin counselor being 22. The directors are all parents ourselves, so we know your concerns about your children. Back

Will My Children Have Fun?
 "Fun" is Chatuga's middle name! Our campers & staff are known for being down-to-earth, fun-loving people. Suggestions from campers, parents & staff help us continually find new activities & fun programs. Back

 Chatuga's price is so reasonable. What about quality?Chatuga has the American Camp Association's stamp of approval. Seeking accreditation shows our commitment to quality. Chatuga is in a beautiful, natural setting with "real camp" facilities. We specialize in not being a country club, but in being a traditional, fun camp. We work hard to keep our fees reasonable so the camping experience can be available to most families. The cost of living in South Carolina is reasonable, we have no debt obligation, our video is staff- and camper-produced, and we do what we can to minimize costs without sacrificing quality. We depend on our reputation and our alumni's word-of-mouth for most of our advertising. Back

How safe will my child be at camp? 
Statistics show that children in camps have fewer accidents than children at home. But going to camp is definitely not risk-free. Chatuga's ACA accreditation reflects our commitment to safety. So does our A-rating from the SC Dept. of Health & Environmental Control. We treat your children like our children: we give them a measure of independence in as safe an environment as is reasonable. We also emphasize freedom from the peer pressures of drinking, drugs, dating, etc. while campers are at Chatuga. Back

Why do you accept only 150 campers each session?
 Chatuga has had more campers than that, and it was just too crowded. Camp is more fun when it's smaller and more personalized. And personal attention is one of Chatuga's trademarks! What's best for the campers and staff is our concern. Back

What if I don't live in Greenville, but would like to use the camp transportation from there?  We can do it for 2- or 4-week campers! We offer free pick up from Greenville for families who live there, those driving a long distance, or those flying. All flight pick-ups are at Greenville/Spartanburg Airport. Back

What kind of religious emphasis does Chatuga have? Chatuga is a traditional coed camp with a Christian philosophy. Percentages of campers' religious affiliations are approximately 65% Protestant, 20% Catholic, 12% Jewish, 3% other or didn't say.  All beliefs are respected. We have optional worship at camp on Sundays of longer sessions. Jewish campers studying for their bar mitzvah may bring their materials to camp.  Back

What is the weather like?
We have wonderful summer weather. Daily average temperatures are mid-80s Farenheit. We rarely, but some-times get as high as upper-90s or as low as mid-70s. Evenings are a welcome cool mid-60s. Back

What is a typical menu?
Our chef, Ronnie, has been with us since 1978 and is very popular with the campers. We eat family-style meals sitting together at the tables. Every breakfast includes cereal choices, milk, and 100% juice. Typical breakfast menus: scrambled eggs, grits & bacon; boiled eggs, toast, fruit; oatmeal, bagels, raisins; homemade biscuits and gravy, fried eggs, sausage.
     Every lunch and supper includes a salad bar with several choices (including vegetarian) and peanut butter & jelly with brown bread. Meals are health-conscious as much as possible while still being kid-friendly. Meals include: hamburgers, hotdogs & fries; pizza; spaghetti & cantalope; tacos with fixings; Southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans; hoagies and homemade soup; and much more. Fresh fruit is available to campers all day. Back

Which session should my child attend and what if a camper gets homesick?  Each of our sessions will be equally fun & action-packed, with some variety for campers who attend two sessions. A younger camper very tentative about leaving home could try a 1-week session. New campers of any age who are thrilled about attending camp are ready for a 2- or 4-week session which has a "tamer" trip day of rollerskating or a more adventurous trip day for the enthusiastic camper depending on the session. Homesickness is rare at Chatuga, but our staff are trained to recognize and handle it. Counselors give a listening ear and direct campers to make friends and join in camp life. All campers adjust after a few days when parents support that adjustment. We suggest that you never tell a child they can leave camp if homesick; if they know they have to stay the entire session, they make up their minds to have a great time. Back

Can campers call home? Every camper for the 2- and 4-week sessions has the opportunity to call on trip day (during the second week of camp), but most do not call because they don't want to stand in line at the phone and they're too busy having fun! This does not mean your child doesn't miss you; it just means you've raised a well-adjusted individual. Cell phones do not work in our remote area nor would we allow them. Parents may not call campers, but may talk to their child's counselor or other staff member any time. This is a policy that comes from our experience in camping since 1956, and we've found that changing times and technologies have not changed the wisdom of this policy.  Parents MAY email or fax their children daily. Campers cannot email back because of the logistics of having 150 campers trying to do that! We do require campers to write home.   Back

Where do Chatuga's campers come from? Although the majority come from the southeastern United States, we have campers from just about every state and numerous foreign countries. Our staff is approximately one-third international. Back

Is it 'politically correct' for Chatuga to use an American Indian logo? We certainly think so! Our Indian chief (see Home page) is not a caricature; he is dignified, and has been used since the start of Chatuga. We also carry the American Indian theme through camp with tribal names for each cabin, which educates campers about the variety of American Indian tribes. Some counselors (internationals find it especially fascinating) even research the history of their tribe to teach campers more. American Indians lived close to nature, and that is also a theme of Chatuga. "Tsa-tu-ge" (Chatuga) was a Creek word adapted by the Cherokee that means "we crossed here." Back

Why should my child even attend camp?The camping experience is just so unique that no child should miss it. Where else could your child experience and grow to love such a diverse group of people? Where else could they swim, ride a horse, walk in the woods, be a big fish in a small pond, shoot a bow & arrow, go barefoot, drive a go-kart, make up their own bed, talk with friends, camp out under the stars, improve an athletic skill, lie on a hill and discover cloud shapes, be themselves, learn to waterski, create a unique craft, live without a TV or modern technology, and learn to appreciate nature?! Back

Why should my child return to Chatuga instead of trying a new camp? Kids live in a world of uncertainty. People move often, they sometimes divorce, they might remarry, they change jobs, they have more kids. Kids go to different schools, get new teachers, become adolescents! Chatuga can be one of the certainties in their lives. We're always here in the same place. We always have the same directors. And we always care. That's why over 60% of our campers return each summer and why former Chatuga campers are now sending their own children! Back

What does the daily schedule look like?

Daily Schedule 
          8:00 Reveille (wake up)
          8:30 Breakfast
          9:00 Cabin Clean-up
        10:00 Activities
          1:00 Lunch
          2:00 Rest Hour
          3:00 General Swim/Free Time/Canteen
          4:30 Afternoon Activity
          5:50 Supper
          6:30 Canteen
          7:15 Evening Program
          8:45 Younger campers Call to Quarters
          9:15  Older campers Call to Quarters
          9:30 Lights out for younger
        10:00 Lights out for older
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What does the Mountain Rest area have to offer?
Click here for Things To Do Links page

Click here for Hotel Information
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What do I have to do to be a Leader In Training/ Service Camper?
Email to a request for application to mail@campchatuga.com
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Questions or Comments?
mail@campchatuga.com

Updated: 2/9/08 12:24 PM