Camp Hendon News

We are so proud to share that Lori O'Bryant, Camp Hendon's Operations Manager, has been nominated to the American Camp Association's Camp Administrator's Hall of Fame! The goal of the Hall of Fame is to acknowledge and thank camp administrators for their invaluable work and their significant contribution to camps. To learn more about the Camp Admin Hall of Fame, click here.

There are two ways that Lori can be inducted into the Camp Administrator Hall of Fame:

• The Maple - Most Votes: The Maple will be awarded to the admin who has the most votes at the end of the voting period. This inductee will receive a custom inscribed paddle, a donation in their name to a campership fund, and a cash prize. 
• The Beech - Highest Average Votes across our camp population: The Beech will be awarded to the admin who has the highest average votes across their camp population. This award is meant to give smaller camp populations an advantage, as we recognize most votes is hard to win for these camps. This inductee will receive a custom inscribed paddle, a donation in their name to a campership fund, and a cash prize. 

The voting period for the Hall is a two-week period beginning Monday, March 29th, and concluding at 11:59 PM on Friday, April 9th.

Voting is easy and can be done on a computer, tablet, or phone. Starting on Monday, March 29th head to the voting page on the Camp Admin Hall of Fame website, find Lori, and vote! 

Anyone can vote - friends, family, classmates, volunteers, and of course our campers & parents! You are allowed to vote once a day for the entire voting period, for a maximum of 12 votes. 

Please take this opportunity to help us show Lori how much she means to us. Vote!

The news you have been waiting for… 

It is the decision of Camp Hendon’s staff, Medical Advisory Committee, and Board of Directors to move forward with plans to operate in-person summer camp! We are acutely aware of the challenges of this past year, and in particular, the feelings of isolation and loneliness felt by so many. Our kids, especially. Although our Zoom dance parties and virtual camps have been an eye-opening and unique opportunity to connect, there is no replacement for in-person camp. We miss our campers as much as they miss camp!

We weighed each of the options, which has led us to consider bringing our campers together again in a new, reimagined, and safe way. We know there will be challenges, but we have been given lemons and we are determined to make the best lemonade we can! It is also important to recognize that PHYSICAL distancing does not have to mean SOCIAL distancing and isolation! We can be 6 feet apart and still have a fun and safe experience. We are confident that we can provide a modified camp experience that will allow our campers to feel the sense of camaraderie only found at The Best Place On Earth. 

This is where you, our Camp Families, come in. We ask that you be transparent, realistic, flexible, and - very importantly - please read ALL Camp Hendon communications thoroughly! To help with communication, in addition to email, we will be using a text messaging tool called “Remind” to share updates. 

In return, we will be very transparent with you and provide all information we have available. State and local COVID-19 guidelines continue to change on a regular basis, so please understand that will also translate into ongoing changes in Camp Hendon’s plans. 

If you or your child are hesitant about attending camp, or cannot or will not reasonably abide by the expectations we put forth, we respectfully ask that you choose to sit this summer out and return in 2022. We hope to hold more off-season programs later in 2021/early 2022 to provide additional opportunities for all campers.

Some of the proposed modifications to camp are as follows. Please remember, these plans are subject to change.

• Reduced camp capacity for both sessions. We are actively working to determine the maximum number of campers we can accommodate, but it may be up to a 50% reduction.
• Campers may only attend one camp session for the summer in order to allow the greatest number of children the opportunity to attend camp. 
• Campers will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. A complete application will determine admittance to camp, and a waitlist will be established. View our Cancellation, Refund, & Waitlist Policy here.
  • Note: A limited number of spaces will be reserved per age group for new campers. If those spaces are not filled, returning campers will be admitted from the waitlist.
• Prior to arrival at camp, Campers and Staff will be required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test or provide proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination. Camp Hendon will help facilitate pre-camp PCR testing. Additional testing and screening will take place upon arrival at camp, and throughout the week. Testing and screening will come at no additional cost to families or staff.
• In the 14 days leading up to camp, campers will be asked to self-monitor their health using a daily questionnaire, as well as modify their behavior in order to reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19.
• “One Parent, One Camper” check-in; Only one parent/guardian will be permitted to bring a camper to camp. No siblings/friends/other family members should be present.
• Campers will spend the entire session within same-age dens. These dens will not mix and campers should be prepared to do all activities within these dens. Any interaction with other dens will be at a minimum 6-foot distance between dens. 
  • Note: At this time, it is a possibility that the same-age dens will be further split into two same-gender “mini dens.” We will provide more detail on the composition of the dens as soon as possible, but please be aware that your camper may be spending their week only with the same-age, same-gender campers sleeping in their cabin.
• All-Camp activities will be significantly modified, with an emphasis on physical distancing and only using outdoor space (i.e. no indoor dance, no indoor talent show). Please be aware that inclement weather may be disruptive to these plans.
• Campers will spend very little time indoors, with the exception of sleeping, showers/restroom, specific medical care, and in the event of inclement weather.
• Meals will be delivered to each den. We will not be dining as a group in the dining hall. 
• Campers and staff will be screened daily with a temperature check and symptom questionnaire.
• In the event of camper or staff member sickness: Our Medical Advisory Committee is working on developing best practice protocols that can be realistically implemented at camp. Details will be provided as we get closer to camp. Dens will allow us to contact trace and we will notify parents of any positive cases within their child’s den.
• Mask mandates continue to change on a frequent basis. We will update you as we get closer to camp on what our mask rules may be.

An additional reminder that your $25 application deposit is non-refundable. Click here to view Camp Hendon’s Cancellation, Refund, & Waitlist Policy. We will still be offering camperships to any camper in need! If you have any financial concerns, please let us know.

We are using a new registration system from years past that should be more user-friendly. If you have any trouble registering or any questions please contact me at [email protected] or call/text me at 502-544-1954.

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon and how long have you been volunteering?  
I have been volunteering since 1995.  I began as host camp staff when Camp Hendon came to Camp Crooked Creek.  I taught youth archery, rifle and shotgun shooting.  I followed Camp Hendon and volunteered with them since then.  I like the mission and purpose of Camp Hendon, that is why I volunteer.
 
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​What is your role at camp?
I am a camp counselor and also a den leader.  I have been on the coyote den staff all the way up to the eagle den staff.  I followed a group of wonderful youth from coyote to eagle.  Six years together now, friends forever.
 
Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp or how has it impacted your life? 
I come back for the fun of camp and the energy of the youth.  If they are jacked, I’m jacked.  I try to match their energy.
 
What is your favorite activity at camp and why? 
I like several things at camp.  I like swimming (dunking on all that want to get jammed on).  I like zip lining at night and an occasional pizza pool party.  Things to look forward to when in older dens.
 
What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp? 
I have learned to educate others on the basics of diabetes.  The experience has helped since I have recently been diagnosed as Type 2 diabetic.  That’s right, I’m part of the club (I drank the water).
 
What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
I enjoy entertaining my nieces and nephews.  I work for a teen center that has a gym, game room, dance floor among other things.  I get paid to play and I’m honored to be able to entertain military youth to help relieve stress.
 
Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you? 
I am a non-swimmer but I love water.  I have gone whitewater rafting several times in class 4 & 5 rapids.  I am a decent frisbee golfer.  I love going to live sporting events. 
 
I am honored to be spot lighted.  I hope you learned more about me.