Preparing for Camp
- Camper Registration Form
- Camper Medical Form
- Adult Registration/Medical Form (for Adult participants)
- Scholarship Application Form
* Special Needs Campers, regardless of age, please complete the Summer Camp Registration and Medical Form.
Privacy Statement
We respect the privacy of personal information submitted to us. Information is collected only for the purposes of this ministry, and may be disclosed to staff in the performance of their job duties or to others for statistical purposes only. Participants’ name/address/e-mail address may be shared with his/her program group; and still/video pictures may be used for promotional purposes. We are committed to protecting your information to the best of our ability. We assume your submission of a registration represents your consent for us to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes listed above.
Summer Camp Cancellation/Refund Policy
If a registered camper is unable to attend camp, notification must be given to the Camping Office immediately in order to obtain a refund. Full refunds are given up to two weeks before the start of the camp session, minus a $50 processing fee. Cancellations within the two weeks prior to the event are only refunded (minus the $50 processing fee) in cases of documented medical concern or death in the family.
To obtain a refund, the Camping Office 717.766.7395 must be notified immediately of any accident or illness, followed within one week by a written request accompanied by a doctor’s excuse. No refunds will be made for any reason after the start of the camp event.
Cell Phone Policy
To closer connect with God, His creation, and those around you we discourage the use of cell phones during summer camp events. Should a cell phone make its way to camp, it will spend the week in the Site Director's office and be returned at the close of the event.
If you have a child who is prone to homesickness while at camp, here are some ideas for writing letters to encourage them to reflect on the fun they are having rather than on what they are missing at home. Even if your camper does not write back (and answer the questions), this will keep their mind on camp and not home.
You can write your letters before camp and label them to be opened each day/night (ie. Camper name + Sunday, Monday, Tuesday … all except last day!)
We ask that every mailed item be clearly labeled with the camper’s name and camp event name.
Snail Mail and packages are delivered each day. Mail is picked up by the site director once a day and distributed to the campers at meal time. Please allow 2-3 days for cards and letters to arrive from most Central PA locations. All major package delivery companies (UPS – FEDX) service Greene Hills Camp. We ask that packages not contain food items.
You might give your letters to the counselor at the beginning of camp to hand out with other camper mail throughout the week, or give them to your camper to open at quiet/bed time.
Offer positive thoughts:
- I bet you are going to have a great time at camp!
- I hope you are making some new friends!
- I pray that you are learning more about God/Jesus/God’s love for you/God’s exciting plan for your life!
- I hope you are enjoying great weather, although camp is fun no matter what the weather!
- Don’t forget – BE AWESOME!
- I bet you enjoyed some yummy foods today!
- Remember God made you special and He loves you very much! (Veggie Tales)
Ask them questions in your letter:
- Are you ready for some fun and adventure this week?
- What fun things did you do today?
- What did you eat today?
- Did you try any new foods?
- What is your favorite camp food or treat?
- Did you go swimming/creek stomping today?
- Did you have a campfire?
- What is your favorite camp song?
- What was your favorite activity today?
- Did you do a craft today? I can’t wait to see it!
- Have you seen any friends from last year?
- Have you made some new friends?
- Did you learn any new games today?
- Did you go for a Polar Bear Swim?
- Did you enjoy some S’mores?
- Did you go for a hike today? What interesting things did you see?
- I wonder what they will serve for breakfast tomorrow morning?
- Isn’t it fun to pick what you eat each day?
- Is your (favorite toy taken to camp) having a great time at camp?
End of week letter:
- I can’t wait to hear about all the fun and adventures you had this week!
- You only have one more sleep!
- We can’t wait to see you tomorrow at (pick-up time)!
- We hope you’ve had a great time at camp!
Offer a prayer:
- I pray that the Lord will bless you and protect you and that He will show you mercy and kindness. May the Lord be good to you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-25)
- “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity (1 Timothy 4:12)
- I pray that you will grow in God’s love & mercy and grace this week!
- Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power! (Ephesians 6:10)
- I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)
- Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you (Isaiah 41:10)
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! (but no “I miss you”!!)
- I love you child’s full name (we say this every night in our home!)
- Love you forever!
- All my love …
- I <3 YOU
- I am so blessed to be your Mom/Dad/grandma/friend…
- Love you to the moon and back!
- I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always. For always and ever my baby/name you’ll be!! (modified from Love You Forever by Robert Munsch)
Thanks to Sandii Peiffer for sharing these ideas for other parents to consider using.
All items brought to camp should be labeled with the camper’s full name. It is a great idea to label small things like toothpaste and washcloths as well. Camp provides all the necessary equipment for all activities.
You can download a printed copy of the Camper Packing Checklist and use it while packing with your camper!
A suggested list of items:
- Bible / Journal
- Paper and pencil/pen
- Pillow
- Bedding for a twin-bed mattress or sleeping bag
- Blanket
- 2 changes of clothes per day
- Shorts / long pants
- Sweatshirt for cool times
- Hat / visor
- Appropriate sleep wear
- Bathing suit
- Rain gear
- 2 pairs of comfortable shoes
- Flip-flops / Sandals
- Creek-wading shoes
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Small Flashlight
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Water bottle
- Plastic bags for wet clothes
- Dirty Clothes bag
- All electronic gadgetry:
- Radios, mp3 players, cell phones, video game systems, etc.
- Candy, snacks or soda
We will make sure you have plenty of food at camp! - All knives and sharp implements.
If any of these items do make it to camp, they will spend the week in the Site Director’s office, to be returned to you as you leave camp at the end of the week.
Please Note:
Please examine your camper’s selection of clothing which might carry offensive slogans or symbols. In the camp community, these items can result in discord between campers. The goal is to create community where all persons feel welcome and acceptance.

Email a Camper
Resources
Mount Asbury seeks to:
- Provide a vital experience of Christian community where all people are valued as creations of God.
- Provide experiences that help develop and nurture lifestyles of caring for the common good.
- Help campers grow in their relationship with God, with each other, with creation, and with themselves.
Mount Asbury is affiliated by tradition and faith to the tenets of the United Methodist Church. It is one of four camps which are part of The Susquehanna Conference Camp & Retreat Ministries program.
All camps operated by The Susquehanna Conference United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries are open to everyone without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religious preference or ability. Our outdoor ministry is committed to serving all persons in order to provide a meaningful camp experience.
- Game room...pool, ping pong, shuffleboard
- One mile hike on Asbury trail
- Swimming and boating at pine grove, extensive trails
- Small recreation area with water source for hose/sprinkler
- Outdoor chapel
- Reflection pond
- Two fire circles
- Propane Fire Pit
- Nine in the Air
- Hammocks
- Pavilion with Electric
- Fish hatchery
- Kings Gap Environmental Center
- Colonel Denning State Park
Guests renting solely the Gray House are responsible for all of their own meals.
Guests using the Asbury Lodge will take their meals in the dining room.
In order to complete the registration process you will need to bring the following items with you to the registration line on Check-In Day:
- Copy of your invoice showing payment in full
- Your camper’s completed health form (unless you have already mailed it in) and medications: All prescriptions should be in the original container with proper pharmacy labels for each camper attending and accompanied by the signed form.
- Up-to date contact information, personal information, and health information if any changes occurred after your initial registration for camp.
The camp store is open on opening day during check-in and on closing day during check-out. Some of the items we generally have available include t-shirts, hats, hoodies, jackets, water bottles, and post cards. Campers and their families are encouraged to stop by the store and check out the latest Mount Asbury at the beginning or end of the week!
Campers check-in all medicines with the Camp Nurse upon arrival into camp. Medications are dispensed at meal times by the Camp Nurse.
No medications are allowed in cabins (with the exceptions of inhalers for some campers with asthma, as well as epi-pens).
Campers who are not feeling well have the opportunity to visit the Camp Nurse. The Camp Nurse is available 24 hours a day for urgent medical situations. In the event that a camper spends the night in the Health Lodge or there is a serious situation, parents will be called.
Cabin counselors are trained to inspect campers daily for cleanliness, cuts, sunburn, insect bites, etc but teaching your child the importance and methods of prevention is extremely important.
If you are bringing prescription medication please bring them in their original containers.
At the end of the session, leftover prescription medications need to be picked up at the Infirmary during check-out. All unclaimed medications will be discarded at the end of the season.
Mount Asbury desires that every camper have a successful camp experience. Campers need to be able to follow group living guidelines and respond appropriately to counselors and staff for their safety and the well being of the entire camp community.
Camp rules are designed to enhance the happiness and safety of all campers. The Camp Dean or Mount Asbury will contact parents to let them know if there is any ongoing behavior problem. Campers who do not demonstrate appropriate behavior, in the judgment of the Dean or Site Director, will be sent home from camp. Early dismissal from camp will not warrant the refund of fees.
Camp & Retreat Ministry wants every child to have the opportunity to experience camp! We do have some financial aid available to make that possible. We generally request a three-way split between the camper family, the local church or faith community and the Camping Program.
You can apply for camperships (form) and find out more information here.
No parent wants their child to be the victim of a bully. We hope that no parent wants their child to be the one doing the bullying. Mount Asbury has definitely established practices to help identify, correct, and heal the practice of bullying when it exists in a cabin group, a camp group, or from one group to another. We have affirmed what the experts have said in that it is not limited to one socioeconomic group or even to one family situation. We have found this behavior exhibited in a variety of children/youth for an extreme range of reasons or no reason at all.
We are committed to creating a safe environment at camp where no child should have to fear another child. We are building practices to heal attitudes that produce peer on peer abuse. We have established practices of greater attention to campers during “down time” like flat time, after lights are out, and between activities. This problem is not limited to camp and does not begin at camp. We will work with campers, parents, and staff to build practices that eliminate this behavior. We need parental partners. We encourage you, as parents, to please let us know about any particular bullying concerns you may have for your child or any off-season, camp-related emails, instant messages, or text-messages that may have led to exclusion or meanness towards your child by somebody else in camp. We want to ensure that this problem can be managed by a strong partnership between our camps and your family.
Lost and found items are returned to the camper whenever possible.
Please make sure that all of your camper’s items are clearly marked with first and last names.
Lost and found is available for parents to look through on closing day. Any lost and found items that are unclaimed will be held for two weeks and then donated to charity. If items are left, please request their return. If they can be located they will be mailed back to the camper.
It is estimated that there are many Lost and Found items left behind by their owners each summer. Don’t let your luggage add to this avoidable number.
Another way to avoid lost and found items is to send your camper with a small bag to carry their personal items in around camp. A draw string bag or small book bag are popular choices. We also suggest you talk with your camper about making sure they keep track of their items.
Our staff help campers gather their items when leaving any location and are trained to help campers make sure they have everything that was theirs. Please make sure that your camper’s items are ALL clearly marked with their first and last names.
The camp takes photographs and videos of our programs in action. These are used for promotional purposes. If you object to having your child’s picture used in promotional materials, email us at camps@susumc.org indicating your preference.
From Interstate-81, take the "Newville" Exit #37. Turn onto Route 233 South (away from Newville), and travel for approximately 3.5 miles. Mount Asbury is on the right. Turn into the first driveway labeled, Lodge Parking.
Mailing Address for Campers & Staff
If you’d rather speak with someone, please call 717.486.3827 and leave a detailed message with your name, number, and question. We may not be in the office at the time you call, but we are committed to calling all back the same business day.
Visit Us
1310 Centerville Road
Newville, PA 17241
Need More Information?
Contact Us:
Patty Weidman
mountasbury@susumc.org
717.486.3827