Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs For Campers

Registration

Campers must be between the ages of 14–18 and be entering into or have just completed grades 9–12.

No, as a teen camp, the expectation is the same for all campers. Effort is taken to look out for our youngest campers, but campers need to be able to function in a teen camp environment.

  1. After registration opens in early spring, click “Register.”
  2. The system will then walk you through filling out and submitting the registration.
  3. The registration and the registration fee must be submitted at the same time.

No, participants attending with your group must register individually and pay the registration fee to reserve their spot.

Yes, once a week is full, you may register to be placed on the waiting list with your registration fee on hold. If an opening becomes available, we will contact you to verify your reservation and to process your payment. (Your card will not be charged until after we have contacted you.)

Camper scholarships or discounts are not available at this time. However, for every six campers that a school sends to our sports camps, one coach from that school may attend camp for a discounted price .

Yes. We will refund all but the registration fee through the method it was paid. The registration fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. No refunds are available if a participant attends any part of a week.

Activities/Rooming

Typically, participants will stay with up to three other campers. If your camper or coach is attending with a sports team, the sports team is roomed together and the coach can choose to have up to five participants in one room. Campers and coaches are placed in rooms according to birth gender. To see more, take a look at Lodging.

Absolutely! Just include the names of the campers your camper would like to stay with on the registration form. Campers are placed in rooms according to birth gender.

If damage is intentional or takes place as a result of horse play, campers will be held financially responsible for reimbursement so that the items can be repaired or replaced.

Campers and sponsors may bring their own rock-climbing gear.

However, because NEXT Summer Camps is not responsible for damage or loss of anything you bring to camp, we don’t recommend bringing your own equipment. The necessary equipment for activities is provided.

General

It’s up to them! Although all three meals (along with dessert) are provided, we recommend $35–$50 for buying snacks, camp T-shirts, or souvenirs.

Yes, parents and sponsors (including those of opposite genders) can assist campers with moving into their rooms until 3 p.m. Monday. Check in at the residence hall desk before assisting your campers.

NEXT Summer Camps takes place on an enclosed campus that is staffed with a security team and sheriff department presence. Music Academy campers will travel off campus with camp leaders to West Campus, PCC’s private property with security access on Perdido Key. Our camp leaders supervise and interact with campers at every game, activity, meal, and service. They also stay in the residence halls and are available to meet campers’ needs 24 hours a day during the camp week.

Yes. After campers return to their residence halls at the end of the day, camp leaders check each room to make sure every camper is accounted for.

We collect and store lost items during and after camp and hold lost items for two weeks after camp. Submit a lost item report, and we’ll try to find it for you.

Many of our college faculty are away in the summer. If you have any questions about PCC during the camp week, please feel free to visit the Admissions Office.

Campers participate in games and drills throughout the majority of the day and should be prepared for rigorous physical activity.

Arrival/Departure

Camp check-in starts at 12 noon CT on Monday and goes until 2 p.m. CT. After check-in, your camper will settle into the residence hall, visit with friends, get to know other campers, and sign up for any extra activities.

No. Unfortunately, on-campus accommodations are unavailable outside of camp dates.

Due to camper safety concerns and to prevent vehicular congestion on campus, campers should not drive themselves to camp but should be dropped off and picked up by their parents, sponsors, or authorized pickup people.

Yes!

Yes, as long as the parent contacts us no later than 4 p.m. CT on the Thursday of that camp week. Let us know who your child will be riding home with, their relationship to your child, and the best phone number to contact them.

For your camper’s security, those picking up your camper (including parents and legal guardians) must present a photo ID.

Medical

Campers use the Pensacola Christian College campus facilities, including the Sports Center, Swim Center, Field House, dining hall, and PCA Gym. Camp activities include rock climbing, swimming, and an indoor water park with a surfing simulator and three water slides. Sports camps will also include team competitions. Campers can expect to walk from place to place during the day and night while participating in vigorous indoor and outdoor activities and competitions.

We offer a variety of allergy-friendly options; however, we cannot guarantee that there is no cross-contamination. Campers may bring their own food along with a cooler for items that might require refrigeration. All rooms are equipped with a mini refrigerator. Ice machines are located in each residence hall.

A camp nurse and medical security personnel are available 24 hours a day during the camp week.

Although camp-provided wheelchairs are not available, campers are welcome to bring their own. Please note on the Additional Information section of the registration form that your camper needs a first-floor or elevator-accessible room.

FAQs For Parents Staying in Town

General

Residence halls are reserved exclusively for campers and registered coaches (for sports camps). Parents may find other accommodations in local hotels.

Absolutely! Meals passes can be purchased by calling us at 850-969-1690 or you may purchase meals individually at the door of the dining hall. If you would like to join your camper in the Sports Center during recreation times, you can purchase a wristband at the Sports Center Hub.

Yes, of course! Just email the camp director or assistant for written permission before camp begins.
For your camper’s safety, keep in mind that campers may only leave campus with a parent or with a relative on staff at PCC.

If parents or sponsors need to bring their younger children along, local hotels are available for accommodations. Younger children are not permitted to stay in the residence halls with campers and registered coaches or to participate in activities. The children must stay with the parent at all times during camp but are welcome to join campers for services and meals. We do have camps available for younger children: Camp o’ the Pines, Discover Day Camp, and Sports Center Day Camp.

Thanks for your willingness! Our NEXT Summer Camps are fully staffed by Pensacola Christian College staff and students.