Learning independence, gaining confidence, and building friendships in a safe and fun-filled environment is at the heart of all that we do at Camp Monterey and will give your daughter a meaningful experience that she will carry with her throughout her life.
Dear Parents,
Deciding to send your daughter to Camp is a big decision. As a parent myself, we know all too well how important it is to give our children the freedom and confidence to strike out on adventures of their own, while needing to be sure that they will be safe and looked after, that they will be supported in who they are, yet encouraged to try things that are new to them, that they will be at home and among friends. As a person who grew up in a camping family, I know that Camp is one of those special places where this happens in all the best ways. Here at Camp, we get to know each of our campers and that begins before they arrive. Please reach out with any and all questions as you consider Camp for your daughter as well as share any information that might help us make her summer one filled with fun and happiness.
Marion Williams
Executive Director
You can read more about our Camp Values and Philosophy as well as Camp Life.
From time to time, we host a prospective Camper information session via Zoom for those unable to attend one of our Camp Parties. It is a great way to learn about Camp and ask questions in an informal, small-group setting. Parents and girls are invited to join us. If you are interested, please contact the Camp office for the link.
Preparing for Camp
Girls live in open-air cabins by the lake with girls of the same school age. Girls sleep on cot-sized bunk beds and will choose their bunk upon arrival. To keep clothes and belongings organized, most campers bring a trunk where they keep clothing and personal items as well a duffle bag, which can slide under the bunk to hold extra bedding and their sleeping bag.
Laundry - Each camper’s clothes and bedding are sent to the laundry weekly. Print your camper’s name clearly on the outside of her laundry bag. Please mark all clothing with your camper's full name. It is not necessary to buy new clothes for Camp as all play clothes are suitable. With the warm days and cool nights, girls will need a range of clothing. We do require whites for Sunday — white t-shirt and shorts or long pants are fine — and we wear royal or navy blue shorts and white shirts each evening for supper together.
The Equipment List is the same for two, four or six week sessions.
Getting to Camp
Campers may be driven to Camp or may fly into the Nashville (BNA) airport located two hours west of Camp.
Opening Day – If you are planning to drive your daughter to Camp, arrive in the afternoon of opening day. Camp Staff will greet you and help your daughter to her cabin. You will have the opportunity to meet her counselors who will help her make her bed and arrange her belongings. Be sure to drop by the office where you may leave her spending money if it has not been sent ahead. You may stop by the Health House as well if you have special instructions for the Medical Staff or medications to be checked in. You are welcome to walk to the lake or stop by the Dining Hall before leaving. Your daughter will be given a tour soon after her arrival.
Coming by Plane - Please arrange travel to/from the Nashville (BNA) airport. Your daughter will be met at the gate at the airport by Camp staff and they will help her to our private chartered bus or van for the trip to Camp. She will be with staff at all times at the airport. It is very important that you notify the Camp office of her travel schedule. Upon her arrival at Camp, she will be greeted by staff that will direct her to her cabin and help her get settled. Once settled, she will be taken to the office to check in spending money, cellphone, any medications or health blanks, and given a tour of Camp.
Baggage - Please ship baggage to Camp ahead of your daughter’s arrival if coming by plane. We ask that you do not check baggage on the plane coming to Camp. Bags may be checked on flights going home.
Homesickness – Mild homesickness can be normal the first year. We stay very busy at Camp and soon the girls feel right at home. Working through it with a very supportive staff will leave her with a sense of accomplishment and maturity. We will contact you and keep you posted if any problem arises. Severe homesickness is very rare.
Separation Anxiety – It will be normal for you to have concerns while your daughter is away. It is often harder on the parent than on the girl. You may call the office anytime and we will be happy to give you an update. Camp Monterey has the advantage of being small enough to have personal contact with each girl. Her counselor will be her friend and be on the lookout for any problem. A Senior Staff member checks with each cabin nightly. Many girls come to Camp for the first time not knowing anyone else, but assure your daughter that her counselor will introduce her to new girls right away and she will make new friends before the supper bell even rings on her first night.
During Camp Session
Letters – While your daughter is at Camp, letters are a great way to communicate. Campers can get stationery and stamps from the camp office. Mail arrives each day with staff handing it out to campers after lunch. Write often! Your daughter will enjoy receiving mail during rest hour. We suggest that your letters center on her Camp experience more than what she is missing at home.
Packages – Packages are discouraged. Help your daughter to know that the gift of going to Camp is enough.
Visiting Camp
If you are considering Camp for your daughter and would like to “see camp in action,” tours may be arranged during Camp by contacting the Camp Office.
For current campers, the best time for parents to see Camp would be on drop off and pick up days. Visiting in the middle of girl’s session will cause some campers to backslide in their adjustment and disrupt those who have settled in. Being away from home is a big step for a young girl, but she will soon find it is not only possible, but fun! We want your daughter to benefit in every way. We hope that she will return a more confident and self-assured person and feel good about what she has accomplished.
Camp Medical Staff and Health House
Our Camp Doctor or Nurse lives at Camp in the Health House and is available 24/7 to attend to any medical concerns or just listen and sometimes give a hug if that is what is needed. All medications must be given to the medical staff and will be held in the Health House at all times. The medical staff will dispense all medication directly to the campers when in Camp at prescribed times. If a camper becomes sick at Camp and needs to be cared for apart from her cabin, there are accommodations for the girls in our Health House. Our nearest local medical facility is 30 minutes from Camp in Cookeville, TN. Parents will be contacted immediately if any girl needs to see a doctor or requires an emergency room visit.
Each camper needs a physical from their pediatrician clearing them for all Camp activities, as well as a completed medical and immunization form, prior to arrival at Camp. Additionally, they will need a signed COVID risk acknowledgement form.
Please assure your daughter that our staff will be kind and friendly to her. She can come to see Marion, or Miss Keith or the Program Director about any concern as well as any Senior Staff member. Most all of our counselors have been previous campers at Monterey and we know them well, but they also know Camp well and can help your daughter with anything she needs. She may go to the Health House with any physical or mental health concern and will find a kind nurse or doctor there to help her in any way. Our staff in the dining hall will always have an apple or another snack and a smile for her. Camp Monterey is a friendly environment where she can relax, make lifelong friends, learn to give of herself for the benefit of others, and have fun!
We look forward to her arrival!
Camp Monterey since 1945