2024 camps schedule coming soon!
MSO Camp is a time to sort out lives and an opportunity for campers to get their heads and hearts healed. Campers come for a full week of fun, laughter, love, forgiveness and hope. They can look forward to a new start and a clear idea of a brighter, more promising future by the time they leave.
Nightly Campfires
At the nightly campfires, campers hear stories of truth and life choices from others who have been in the very situations they are facing. They learn the power of prayer and that there are people who care about them who they can talk to about anything.
Ninety percent of our campers accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Upon their return to the Bay Area, they are connected with loving congregations nearby where they receive ongoing encouragement and support as they continue to better their lives.
Yes! You have everything to gain by filling out the camper’s application. If you have questions, call us at 844-676-2267.
Main Office: 844-676-2267
support@morningstarcamp.com
Boy’s Camps
July 1-7, 2023
Camp Director: Rob Walker
Rob.Walker@morningstarcamp.com
925-586-4902
July 8-14, 2023
Camp Director: Brandon Reeves
Brandon.Reeves@morningstarcamp.com
925-783-7158
July 22-28, 2023
Camp Director: Trevor Hamlin
Trevor.Hamlin@morningstarcamp.com
925-813-4437
Girl’s Camps
July 15-21 2023
Camp Director: Brenda Walker
Brenda.Walker@morningstarcamp.com
707-761-6527
July 29-August 4, 2023
Camp Director: Janet Jett
Janet.Jett@morningstarcamp.com
510-333-7278
We are looking forward to meeting you! Here is our WHAT TO BRING LIST which you will be glad to have when it is time to pack for camp.
We are grateful for you! Volunteers are a huge part of these life-changing camping trips. From counselors to transport to cooking to leading activities to administrative tasks, we can always use help!
CLICK HERE TO APPLY AS A COUNSELOR.
Questions? Call us at 844-676-2267 or email us at support@morningstarcamp.com
Many of our campers go home and continue their transformation in amazing ways. We love to read about the successes they have experienced and achieved in their lives since coming to camp. Here are two of our former campers and their ‘beyond camp’ stories.
Q: How do teens learn about the camp??
A: We work with social workers, foster care parents, shelters, homeless shelters, STAND domestic violence program and Kinship. We send out flyers and meet with the social workers, parents and guardians.
Q: What is the application process?
A: We send the application along with Flyers about the camps to the organizations and people listed above. If they’re interested they pick out a camp that works for them and their schedule, they fill out the application, send it back or we pick up that application from the parent or social worker. After that, the camp director is contacted. If the camper application is approved, the camper’s parent or guardian will be contacted directly from the camp director.
Q: How are families/guardians involved in the process?
A: The legal guardians must fill out the application for camp and provide transportation to the drop off point on the morning that we leave for camp and are responsible to pick the kids up when we come back from camp.
Q: How many kids are there at each camp?
A: 24 kids and 8 counselors.
Q: Describe a typical day at the camp.
A: We wake up at 8 a.m. After breakfast, there is cabin cleanup, followed by devotion time. At 10 a.m. we go out for daily activities until 4:30 p.m. which include swimming, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and sports. We are back at the camp by 5 p.m., have dinner, free time, and a campfire service. Campers are in bed by 9 p.m.
Q: Describe the meals at camp. Are all meals cooked for campers or do campers cook some of their food over a fire outside?
A: All meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared by camp cooks.
Q: What do we do at camp when it rains?
A: If we’re out on an activity we will normally continue with the activity in progress as the kids love playing in the rain. While at the campground we will go into the cabins and play board games and have mentoring with the kids.
Q: Am I allowed to bring my electronic devices (including cell phone)?
A: MSO camp rules don’t allow electronic devices. This eliminates problems caused by items being stolen, broken or lost.
Q: Should I bring any money with me to camp?
A: The kids are told that money is not mandatory. The only meal that is not provided is the meal on the way up to camp and the kids are instructed to bring a lunch or enough money to buy that first meal. If kids bring money, no more than $20 is needed.
Q: What happens if I get sick while I am at camp?
A: The camper can lay down and nap to see if that helps them to feel better. We assess any camper who is ill on a case by case basis. If a camper brings their own medication to camp they may use it under supervision.
Q: How do I keep in touch with my family while I am at camp?
A: Typically our campers do not keep in routine contact with their family during the six days at MSO Camp. We allow the kids to call their parents by using the camp phone on an as-needed basis.
Q: What happens after my week at camp is over?
A: After the week of camp is over, many kids have reported that the experience was the best week of their lives and they will never forget it. We have many counselors who were former campers – so many campers begin the process of becoming a counselor after their experience with MSO Camp.
Q: How do I stay in touch with new friends and counselors after camp is over?
A: The campers exchange emails and phone get numbers with counselors and other campers.
Q: What happens if I want to leave camp before the week is over?
A: We have not experienced campers wanting to go home early. Some kids get homesick but the love and attention of the counselors overcome the problem quickly!
Q: I do not know how to swim. Do I have to go into the water?
A: All campers wear a life jacket at all times if they are knee-deep or more in water. But no one has to go into the water if they don’t feel comfortable with it.
Q: Can I attend more than one camp in a summer?
A: Camp is such a great experience, and we wish we could accommodate repeat visits by our campers, but no, a camper may attend only one camp in a summer.
Q: Can I attend a camp this summer and also apply to attend a camp next summer?
A: You can go a second time if space is available. Or perhaps you will return as a counselor instead of a camper in a year after your first camp experience!
Q: Who are the camp counselors? I want to know more about them.
A: Many of the camp counselors are former campers who want to share their life-changing experiences with others. Some counselors are teachers or youth workers, and others are just wonderful people who love kids and want to help change lives.
Q: Who runs Morning Star Outreach?
A: Morning Star camp is run by nearly 50 volunteers who love kids and want to change lives. Volunteers might serve on our Board of Directors, volunteer as counselors and cooks at the camp, maintain the camp, help with fund raising, plan and run our annual golf tournament, and do the administrative work.
Q: Who runs the camps?
A: Our camps are run 100% by volunteers.
Q: I was accepted but I am unable to attend my camp. What do I do?
A: If you find out you cannot attend camp, contact your director immediately so that spot can be filled by another camper. We may be able to fit you into one of our other camps that summer and make every effort to do so.
Q: What does it cost to send one youth to camp?
A: The camp is free.
Q: What volunteer positions are needing to be filled?
A: Morning Star camp is run by nearly 50 volunteers who love kids and want to change lives. Volunteers might serve on our Board of Directors, volunteer as counselors and cooks at the camp, maintain the camp, help with fundraising, plan and run our annual golf tournament, and do the administrative work.
Q: What volunteer positions are there that do not require me to be at the camps? I want to help, but I cannot be at camp.
A: We appreciate volunteers to help raise financial support, help with our annual golf tournament, and promoting the program to potential campers.