articles

Weekly Summer Camp Spotlight #1

Camp Alta Mons

April 4, 2024

Alta Mons is the outdoor ministry of the Valley Ridge District of the United Methodist Church and encompasses over 850 acres of beautiful land in Shawsville, VA. Every year we have summer camp, which offers week, half-week, or day-long camping experiences for youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. Throughout the week our chaplain speaks to the campers about Christian topics like prayer, the church, and the love of Jesus. At night campers worship together around a campfire. Campers experience small group bonding with their units during arts and crafts, low ropes, field games, and sessions at the Nature Hut.  Each Wednesday all resident campers participate in Home in the Woods, where campers and staff set up campsites, cook their dinner over a fire, and sleep under the stars. Every camper receives a camp t-shirt (included with the cost of registration) that they will tie dye during their time at camp. Don’t miss out on the experience of a lifetime—register today!

DAY CAMP

Rising Kindergarten - 5th grade
June 24 - 28     July 1 - 5
$300 standard rate / $350 supporters rate
Day Camp is a great way to introduce kids to summer camp without having them spend the night. They will have fun going on a wagon ride, fishing, making crafts, and much more with us throughout the week! They will also have Morning Watch & Chaplain time. Day Camp starts at 9 AM (drop off from 8:30 to 9:00) and ends at 4 PM (pick up from 4:00 to 4:30), with lunch and snack provided at camp. Day Camp promises to hit all of the highlights of week-long resident camp without the overnight portion.

MINI CAMP

Rising 1st – 5th Grade
June 30 - July 2     July 7 - 9 
$300 standard rate / $350 supporters rate
Mini Camp is the perfect introductory and overnight camping experience for elementary aged campers! Come to a half week of Camp Alta Mons from Sunday through Tuesday and participate in just as much fun! Experience the best camp has to offer by going to the Nature Hut, playing games, sleeping in a cabin, and making new friends. The Alta Mons adventure starts here!

ELEMENTARY RESIDENT CAMP

Rising 3rd - 6th grade
June 23 - 28     June 30 - July 5     July 7 - 12     July 14 - 19   
$405 standard rate / $455 supporters rate
Elementary Resident Camp is the classic Alta Mons experience, where many of our campers begin their bonds of friendship, foster their appreciation for nature, and grow their roots of faith. Elementary campers stay in our cabins with electricity and a bathhouse close by and will eat all of their meals in the Dining Hall. Campers will hike to Stiles Falls, have fun at the Nature Hut, canoe, fish, shoot archery, play games and much more! We start each day with Morning Watch end each night with worship around a campfire. Elementary Resident Camp is the best way to experience a week of fun, outdoor adventure and Christian community at Alta Mons!

JUNIOR HIGH BRIDGE CAMP

Rising 6th - 9th Grade
June 23  -  June 28     June 30 - July 5     July 14 - 19
$450 standard rate / $500 supporters rate
This resident camp option is for rising 6th to 9th grade campers who are looking for a more comfortable and less rustic experience than the hogans. They will stay in cabins with electricity and a bath house close by and will eat all of their meals under a picnic shelter. What makes Bridge Camp special is that they will also have junior high activities (participating in the high ropes course, attending junior high worship) while still getting the perks of elementary camp—it’s the best of both worlds. For younger or hesitant junior high campers, this a great way to ease into camp! Come be a part of the Alta Mons junior high camper experience without life at the hogans.

JUNIOR HIGH RESIDENT CAMP

Rising 6th - 9th Grade
June 23 - 28     June 30 - July 5     July 7 - 12
$450 standard rate / $500 supporters rate
Move up to junior high camp at Alta Mons and experience even more fun! Wake up each morning with breakfast delivered to your hogan site and enjoy a meal under a picnic shelter with your unit. Junior high campers will reach a new level of Alta Mons thrill with access to our high ropes courses. Junior high campers attend a different worship service than elementary campers, allowing them to dig deeper in their faith and grow in their relationship with Christ in an age-appropriate way. Sign up today to experience the next level of outdoor living, community, and adventure that Alta Mons has to offer!

_________________________________________________

*This article is sponsored by Camp Alta Mons

_________________________________________________

JUNIOR HIGH NIGHT OWL CAMP

Rising 6th - 9th Grade
June 23 - 28     June 30 - 5     July 7 - 12     July 14 - 19
$450 standard rate / $500 supporters rate
Stay up late with the owls and stargaze, play glow in the dark field games, and cook out over a fire. This camp is for those who enjoy staying up late and experiencing camp at night. Night Owl campers will get to enjoy the beauty of Christmas Tree Mountain as it lights up with lightning bugs and will get to join the few who can say they have zip-lined at night! This unit will get to take a dip in the pool at dusk and will have a special “night nature” session at the Nature Hut. Sign up today to make sure you get your spot! 

JUNIOR HIGH TRI-CHALLENGE CAMP

Rising 6th - 9th grade
July 7 - 12        July 14 - 19
$495 standard rate / $545 supporters rate
Be a part of the tri-challenge unit and be one of the only junior high units to experience camp outside of Alta Mons! You'll go on an adventurous trip full of indoor rock climbing, canoeing, and caving as well as participate in traditional junior high resident activities (see Junior High Resident Camp description). Don't miss this high paced adventure! *Important Note: The tri-challenge trip is moderately strenuous and is only recommended for campers capable of hiking several miles a day and willing to try new activities.

SENIOR HIGH RESIDENT CAMP

Rising 9th - 12th grade
July 14 - 19
$480 standard rate / $530 supporters rate
Senior High Resident Camp is perfect for lifelong campers and first time campers! They’ll be participating in activities similar to Junior High Resident Camp (see description above) as well as going on a special offsite day trip to Bozoo, WV where they go outdoor rock climbing and eat ice cream! From night hiking to sleeping in the pirate ship to naming a watermelon—the senior high unit is always full of adventure, fun, and community! Register today to be a part of the unit that only happens once a summer—Senior High Resident Camp.

REGISTER TODAY TO ENSURE YOU GET YOUR SPOT!

Some camps fill up fast. Visit our registration page and pay your deposit to hold your camper's spot.

REGISTER