James River Canoe Adventure (For rising 6th-9th graders, ages 11-14)
Camp Bethel is excited to offer summer camps with health and safety adaptations.
James River Canoe Adventure (For rising 6th-9th graders, ages 11-14)
Week 1 = June 13-18
Sunday 4:00pm through Friday 6:30pm.
4 day-trips paddling on the historic beautiful James River. Your week begins spending Sunday evening at Camp Bethel preparing and getting to know your group. We depart each morning for day trips on the James River, learning to paddle like experts, and returning to Camp Bethel for dinner and on-site camp activities. Each day's skills will build up to Thursday’s run of Balcony Falls. Friday includes the Camp Bethel high ropes course and zip line then we clean up before a closing dinner and 6:30pm dismissal. The daily itinerary may change due to weather, river conditions, or the needs of our group. Your excellent trip leaders are certified by the American Canoe Association, and include Joe Harden, Jess Gawor, Geno Iannocone, and Camp Bethel Adventure Counselors.
Your leaders will experientially build an intentional Christian community in the outdoors as you face the demands of supporting each other during group activities and duties. This experience enhances self-esteem, encourages positive Christian values and develops leadership.
Each experienced leader is certified in Moving Water Instruction by the American Canoe Association, plus CPR & Wilderness First Aid. Camp Bethel Adventure Counselors accompany each trip. Equipment essentials are provided, but participants must supply their own personal items from a Confirmation Packet and gear list we send you after registering. Rated moderate with challenging options. Prior experience is not necessary, but the physical nature of canoeing requires good health and average ability, (ex: carrying your gear plus helping with group gear). Participants must pass a swim test on the first day of camp.
Subsidized Fee (discounted cost) = $480; Supporters Fee (actual cost) = $530; Sustainers Fee (cost + $50 gift) = $580.
Week 1 = June 13-18
Sunday 4:00pm through Friday 6:30pm.
4 day-trips paddling on the historic beautiful James River. Your week begins spending Sunday evening at Camp Bethel preparing and getting to know your group. We depart each morning for day trips on the James River, learning to paddle like experts, and returning to Camp Bethel for dinner and on-site camp activities. Each day's skills will build up to Thursday’s run of Balcony Falls. Friday includes the Camp Bethel high ropes course and zip line then we clean up before a closing dinner and 6:30pm dismissal. The daily itinerary may change due to weather, river conditions, or the needs of our group. Your excellent trip leaders are certified by the American Canoe Association, and include Joe Harden, Jess Gawor, Geno Iannocone, and Camp Bethel Adventure Counselors.
Your leaders will experientially build an intentional Christian community in the outdoors as you face the demands of supporting each other during group activities and duties. This experience enhances self-esteem, encourages positive Christian values and develops leadership.
Each experienced leader is certified in Moving Water Instruction by the American Canoe Association, plus CPR & Wilderness First Aid. Camp Bethel Adventure Counselors accompany each trip. Equipment essentials are provided, but participants must supply their own personal items from a Confirmation Packet and gear list we send you after registering. Rated moderate with challenging options. Prior experience is not necessary, but the physical nature of canoeing requires good health and average ability, (ex: carrying your gear plus helping with group gear). Participants must pass a swim test on the first day of camp.
Subsidized Fee (discounted cost) = $480; Supporters Fee (actual cost) = $530; Sustainers Fee (cost + $50 gift) = $580.
Register in 3 steps NOW for James River Canoe Adventure:
1. Choose your Fee Option Payment below. Then choose your dates, write camper's name and your phone # before you click the secure "Register Now" PayPal button using a credit card or a PayPal account. Any balance due will be billed to you separately in April or May. There are no added fees for on-line registration, and you will be able to review your total prior to payment. $50 of your payment is your "hold-your-spot" deposit. See our 2021 No-Risk Policy for Cancellations, Late Arrivals, Early Departure below.
2. Submit Data: After successfully paying, PayPal will direct your browser to our secure on line 2021 Summer Camp Registration Form (which is a Google Form). Allow at least 15 minutes to complete, and be as thorough as possible before you SUBMIT the form. If your browser doesn't redirect you to the Registration Form, please access that form HERE.
3. Get your Confirmation Packet in April/May: We are adapting most aspects of camp, and we are following the American Camp Association's "Field Guide" for camps on the implementation of CDC guidance. As we receive additional CDC and professional camp association guidance for summer camps, we will align our plans and best practices and include them in your Summer Camp Confirmation Packet. In April/May, we'll send you an e-mail with links to your Confirmation Packet which includes your gear list, a required Health Form (to be completed and returned to Camp Bethel), your Balance Due (if any), and important information about your program.
1. Choose your Fee Option Payment below. Then choose your dates, write camper's name and your phone # before you click the secure "Register Now" PayPal button using a credit card or a PayPal account. Any balance due will be billed to you separately in April or May. There are no added fees for on-line registration, and you will be able to review your total prior to payment. $50 of your payment is your "hold-your-spot" deposit. See our 2021 No-Risk Policy for Cancellations, Late Arrivals, Early Departure below.
2. Submit Data: After successfully paying, PayPal will direct your browser to our secure on line 2021 Summer Camp Registration Form (which is a Google Form). Allow at least 15 minutes to complete, and be as thorough as possible before you SUBMIT the form. If your browser doesn't redirect you to the Registration Form, please access that form HERE.
3. Get your Confirmation Packet in April/May: We are adapting most aspects of camp, and we are following the American Camp Association's "Field Guide" for camps on the implementation of CDC guidance. As we receive additional CDC and professional camp association guidance for summer camps, we will align our plans and best practices and include them in your Summer Camp Confirmation Packet. In April/May, we'll send you an e-mail with links to your Confirmation Packet which includes your gear list, a required Health Form (to be completed and returned to Camp Bethel), your Balance Due (if any), and important information about your program.
Why 3 Prices for Summer Camp? The Choice is Yours!
Each family is different, so Camp Bethel offers a voluntary fee program. You know your family's finances better than we do, so choose the fee most suitable for your family. All campers receive the EXACT SAME QUALITY camp experience, no matter what amount you choose to pay or donate. The Supporter's Fee is what it actually costs to provide this summer camp experience for one camper, including counselor and lifeguard pay, utilities, insurance, meals, building and grounds maintenance, vehicle upkeep, replacing outdated equipment, accreditation and permits, program supplies, and health supplies. Choosing the Sustainer's Fee (actual cost + $50 gift) helps us do more with the mission funding we receive. You help us stretch our limited campership funds to help more children experience the power of camp. You help Camp Bethel make needed improvements and foster future growth in all we do. Through mission funding dollars, we are able to offer a Subsidized Fee. This reduced (subsidized) rate is made possible by our District congregations, multiple annual fund-raising events, and gifts from individuals who value the impact the summer camp experience at Camp Bethel has on children, youth, and families.
2021 No-Risk Policy for Cancellations, Late Arrivals, Early Departure:
You can register with confidence. Should you pay for camp, and later decide to keep your child home, or if the schedule changes again, OR if camps are cancelled, YOU HAVE RISK-FREE OPTIONS:
1. Credit 100% of your payments toward another available 2021 program, or
2. Credit 100% of your 2021 payments to 2022 pre-registration, or
3. Donate part or all to help Camp Bethel adapt how we operate (and help ensure we're here for you in 2022), or
4. 100% refund. We just need to hear from you at least 24 hours prior to the start of your camp, and sooner if possible. Please notify the camp office 540-992-2940 or CampBethelOffice@gmail.com ASAP if your camper will not attend this session.
Late arrival and early departure is discouraged, but allowed if needed. However, because staff, food, and supplies are already secured, we cannot provide pro-rated refunds for partial camp attendance once your camper has arrived unless Camp Bethel cancels the program.
Each family is different, so Camp Bethel offers a voluntary fee program. You know your family's finances better than we do, so choose the fee most suitable for your family. All campers receive the EXACT SAME QUALITY camp experience, no matter what amount you choose to pay or donate. The Supporter's Fee is what it actually costs to provide this summer camp experience for one camper, including counselor and lifeguard pay, utilities, insurance, meals, building and grounds maintenance, vehicle upkeep, replacing outdated equipment, accreditation and permits, program supplies, and health supplies. Choosing the Sustainer's Fee (actual cost + $50 gift) helps us do more with the mission funding we receive. You help us stretch our limited campership funds to help more children experience the power of camp. You help Camp Bethel make needed improvements and foster future growth in all we do. Through mission funding dollars, we are able to offer a Subsidized Fee. This reduced (subsidized) rate is made possible by our District congregations, multiple annual fund-raising events, and gifts from individuals who value the impact the summer camp experience at Camp Bethel has on children, youth, and families.
2021 No-Risk Policy for Cancellations, Late Arrivals, Early Departure:
You can register with confidence. Should you pay for camp, and later decide to keep your child home, or if the schedule changes again, OR if camps are cancelled, YOU HAVE RISK-FREE OPTIONS:
1. Credit 100% of your payments toward another available 2021 program, or
2. Credit 100% of your 2021 payments to 2022 pre-registration, or
3. Donate part or all to help Camp Bethel adapt how we operate (and help ensure we're here for you in 2022), or
4. 100% refund. We just need to hear from you at least 24 hours prior to the start of your camp, and sooner if possible. Please notify the camp office 540-992-2940 or CampBethelOffice@gmail.com ASAP if your camper will not attend this session.
Late arrival and early departure is discouraged, but allowed if needed. However, because staff, food, and supplies are already secured, we cannot provide pro-rated refunds for partial camp attendance once your camper has arrived unless Camp Bethel cancels the program.

A note about COVID-19:
Virginia will allow 2021 summer camps as long as case numbers continue to improve. At Camp Bethel, to mitigate the ongoing risks of COVID, we are adapting most aspects of camp, and we are following the American Camp Association's "Field Guide" for camps on implementation of CDC guidance. The ever-evolving Field Guide is at https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/coronavirus/camp-business/field-guide-camps.
In coordination with the Virginia Department of Health, we are modifying our own detailed Health-and-Safety Plan for our site-and-program-specific adaptations, including a small-group "cohort" model with no large-group gatherings/events, reduced cabin capacity and overall population, mask-wearing at all times, pre-screening and on-site screening and health-checks, physical distancing indoors and outdoors, hand washing/sanitation and facility sanitation, adapted outdoor food services, filtered ventilation in sleeping areas, and much more.
We are ready to answer your questions, so please contact us with questions, concerns, ideas, and advice at CampBethelOffice@gmail.com.
Virginia will allow 2021 summer camps as long as case numbers continue to improve. At Camp Bethel, to mitigate the ongoing risks of COVID, we are adapting most aspects of camp, and we are following the American Camp Association's "Field Guide" for camps on implementation of CDC guidance. The ever-evolving Field Guide is at https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/coronavirus/camp-business/field-guide-camps.
In coordination with the Virginia Department of Health, we are modifying our own detailed Health-and-Safety Plan for our site-and-program-specific adaptations, including a small-group "cohort" model with no large-group gatherings/events, reduced cabin capacity and overall population, mask-wearing at all times, pre-screening and on-site screening and health-checks, physical distancing indoors and outdoors, hand washing/sanitation and facility sanitation, adapted outdoor food services, filtered ventilation in sleeping areas, and much more.
We are ready to answer your questions, so please contact us with questions, concerns, ideas, and advice at CampBethelOffice@gmail.com.