FAQ

1. Are all activities co-ed?

Yes. All classes and whole camp activities are co-ed. The only exception is cabin night, an evening activity individualized for each cabin at the beginning of the week that allows campers to bond with their cabin mates. Camp Crystal also strictly maintains a boys' cabin area and a girls' cabin area.

2. Where do most Camp Crystal Lake campers come from?

As a School Board owned camp about 80% of summer campers are from Alachua County. Of the remaining campers, about 15% are from the surrounding counties and Orlando. About 5% of campers come from outside the state, sometimes from as far away as New York, California, and even Brazil.

3. Who is the Director of Camp Crystal Lake?

The Director of Camp Crystal Lake is Tony Oyenarte. Tony earned his bachelors degree from the University of Florida. He has been a part of the Camp Crystal family since 1979 as a camper, CIT, counselor, and Director since 1997. Tony and his wife Stacie live at Camp Crystal year round with their two boys, Michael and Max. Tony is a member of the American Camp Association. He is currently the President of the ACA southeast, as well as former Florida District Chair. Tony also serves as a standards visitor for the ACA. He often visits other camps in this capacity to determine their compliance with the regulations of the ACA.

4. How does a camper's day-to-day schedule work?

The first night campers are given the opportunity to learn about the wide variety of exciting classes offered at Camp Crystal and select five to create their individual schedule. This schedule is posted for them in their cabin. Campers participate in their selected courses throughout the week in order to develop skills and knowledge in their chosen program areas. The camp wide daily schedule is posted in every cabin and other key locations in camp.

During the two-week session the weekend is filled with late wake-ups, catered meals, and fun whole camp activities including carnivals, fun-runs, capture the flag, and more. During the weekend campers also create a new individual schedule for the second week.

5. Do all campers eat at the same time?

Yes, all campers eat at one sitting. Breakfast and dinner are served family style with lunch being served buffet style.

6. How is the food?

Campers, counselors, and visitors tell us our food is great. We have a peanut butter and jelly bar and fresh fruit available to campers throughout the day. Lunch and dinner include an amazing salad bar in addition to the hot meal. Camper and staff favorites include fajita and taco bar, homemade pizza, chicken wings, and Linda's macaroni and cheese. A hot vegetarian option is also available at lunch and dinner. Other special dietary needs can be met as needed by contacting the office before the session begins.

7. What time do campers get up in the morning and when is bedtime?

Our wake-up bell rings at 7:30 a.m. Lights out for all campers is 10:00 p.m.

8. Would you say Camp Crystal is structured or non-structured; competitive or non-competitive?

The whole issue of structured/non-structured and competitive/non-competitive is one that is destined for a great deal of misinformation and cross-claims by varying directors.

In most ways, Camp Crystal is a very "structured" camp. We have set schedules for our day. Campers know what they will be doing each day and are expected to follow through with their programs. On the other hand, we could be considered less "structured" than some camps because our program is scheduled individually, rather than by cabin group.

Labels are always difficult. We consider ourselves a structured camp with an individualized program. Campers have a great deal of choice in the program, but with guidance and commitment from staff to help them follow though. Camp Crystal is not a "hang around" camp. It definitely has an extremely busy and dynamic program.

Competitive or non-competitive is another issue subject to distortion in the camping community. At Camp Crystal, we participate in many activities that involve competition. Competition can be between cabins during evening activities, during games or sports played in classes, or on the courts during flex-time. In any of these situations emphasis is placed on fun and participation, not winning, and good sportsmanship is always encouraged.

At Camp Crystal we follow the "Challenge By Choice" philosophy. Counselors, as well as campers, encourage each other to take risks and grow in a positive setting based on individual goals.

9. How many campers are there and how is camp divided?

Each session Camp Crystal welcomes 160 residential campers. Campers are divided into boys and girls cabins one through five by age. Each cabin has sixteen campers and three counselors. There are no set age requirements for specific cabins. Cabin make-up is determined by the age groups represented in each individual session. Activities throughout the day can be cabin based, class based, or whole camp.

10. Is Camp Crystal a uniform camp?

No. The dress is very casual, without emphasis on who is wearing what or how much it costs. As a School Board facility Camp Crystal supports a modest dress code. Certain classes have more specific dress requirements. We send a suggested clothing and equipment list to help you in your packing.

11. Do all cabins have electricity?

All cabins are equipped with electric lights and fans, as well as outlets for individual camper fans, however, there is no air-conditioning in the cabins.

12. What is Crystal Lake like?

Here at camp we call it Big Crystal and Little Crystal, but actually it's one lake separated by a narrow channel. Little crystal is home to classes such as skin diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Other classes such as 'bring it back alive', fishing, or anything goes can also be found in this area. Big Crystal is home to Camp Crystal's skiing and sailing programs as well as water-sports class and free swim. Our free swim area is surrounded by docks and divided into a shallow and a deep area.

13. How are counselors selected?

Counselors at Camp Crystal are a carefully chosen group of college men and women and members of the Alachua County teaching staff. As School Board employees all staff undergo fingerprinting and background checks. In addition, all counselors are lifeguards and first aid and CPR certified. Camp begins early for staff members who participate in a week of training and team building before the campers arrive.

14. What health care facilities are available?

Camp Crystal has a minimum of one certified nurse, experience in the camp environment, available 24 hours a day. The camp nurse is responsible for distribution of all medicine as well as handling campers' other medical needs. A doctor is also on call.

15. What if my child doesn't know anyone?

Many campers arrive without knowing anyone. Right away they will meet their cabin counselors and cabin mates. Cabin counselors work to engage all campers and create a comfortable and friendly cabin environment. Monday's evening activity, Cabin Night, was created with this goal in mind. Each cabin spends the evening in a fun activity structured to build cabin unity.

During classes counselors encourage active participation from all campers. Everyday spent at Camp Crystal is so full and active. Participating in new and challenging activities helps to form meaningful friendships. By the end of the session it is hard to imagine that such a short time has gone by.

16. Can my child be in a cabin with his or her friends?

In order to increase the chances of your child being accepted into the same session as his or her friends multiple applications can be sent in the same envelope. Once your child has been accepted into a session a confirmation letter will be sent requesting payment. At this time a request for a cabin buddy can be made. Due to the high demand we cannot guarantee that all requests will be met.

17. How can I stay in touch with my child while they are at camp?

There are several ways to stay in touch with your camper. Mail and packages are always exciting for campers and are delivered to them daily during rest hour. Counselors encourage letters home, especially in the younger cabins. In order to ensure that campers receive mail early in the week letters and packages can be left with cabin counselors to be hand deliver. One way e-mail is also available. To sign up for Email Your Camper or to view photos go to http://www.campcrystallake.bunk1.com

18. Does my child need any money?

No. There is no opportunity for your child to purchase anything at camp. Please do not send money. A general store is open for Camp Crystal paraphernalia on opening and closing day of each session.

19. What if my child gets homesick?

Camp is a great place for young or inexperienced campers to gain confidence and independence in a safe environment. Homesickness is sometimes a part of this growing process. Camp Crystal is an exciting and busy place, but even here homesickness does occur. We have a highly trained staff effective at helping campers through periods of homesickness. Keeping campers excited and involved is the best way for our counselors to avoid this problem. Mail and packages from home are also helpful. In addition, there are steps that parents can take to help campers avoid homesickness before camp begins. A list of Director's Tips about homesickness will be included in the acceptance packet.

20. Is there a visitor's day?

There is no visitor's day at camp. Communication through letters and e-mails is encouraged.

21. What if my child isn't a strong swimmer or doesn't like to swim?

There are a wide variety of "land" activities offered at Camp Crystal.