All of our videos are currently down. We are working to get them back up and running. In the mean time, you can call or e-mail with any questions, or we can send you a copy of our DVD with the same videos on it.

You can view our camp video here.

FAQ Videos

• Putting Parents at Ease is a video that tells more in detail how we keep the children safe and happy.
• Sleeping and Eating Arrangements details where the campers will be eating and sleeping, and what they will be eating. Keep in mind we’ve added our new lodges since this video was made.
• We believe that we have some of the best staff in the country, and this video tells you why.
• The last video explains what the worship services are like, one of the most important reasons we do what we do.

FAQ’s

What is your purpose statement? The Camp Piankatank summer camp program exists to provide a diverse range of age appropriate programs for children and youth that encourage physical, spiritual, social, and emotional growth within a safe and exciting, Christ-centered environment.

Where are you located? Camp Piankatank resides along the beautiful Piankatank River in Hartfield, VA. The camp is located 66 miles east of Richmond , 66 miles north of Hampton Roads and 86 miles south of Fredericksburg. Location

Where will my child sleep? Campers stay in 8 air-conditioned cabins. Three of our buildings are duplex-lodges that were built in 2010, these lodges house two cabins that are joined by a center meeting area with sofas and tables. These buildings have large bathrooms, and everything is new. There are 2 counselors and up to 16 campers per cabin. We also are using two of our older cabins. These are also very nice. These also have air conditioning and bathrooms in the cabins. Campers sleep on bunk beds.

Can my child request to be with a friend who is also attending? Yes, this is common and we will grant all requests as long as you are also in the same track. We recommend signing buddies up for the same track also. We try to keep tracks together in cabin to ensure proper supervision at all times. If you’re not in the same track we cannot promise you will be in the same cabin but can try. Please make sure you noted your buddy’s name on the registration form.

Where and what will my child eat while at camp? The Dining Hall at Camp Piankatank is air-conditioned and meals are served cafeteria style. Meals are kid-friendly, but also well balanced. A salad bar is available at every meal. Check out our Menu Link

My Child has food allergies or a special dietary need (vegetarians) What can he/she eat? We can work with you concerning special dietary needs. These kids should not miss camp because of their allergies. Here’s our menu Menu Link For children with severe allergies you may need to send a few items to supplement our menu. Review the menu.

If you think you will need to send supplemental food items we can store them in the kitchen for retrieval when needed at meal times. We are always willing to look at ingredient lists if needed. We definitely recommend educating the child to speak up and ask if we need to look at an ingredient list and/or get them something else to eat.

For vegetarians or vegans- check out our menu. Let us know about a week in advance that your child is coming with this need. We can usually make a vegetarian version of most meals. In these cases you may also want to send a few supplemental food items.

Weather Questions: High Heat: Trust us we know its hot, we’re out there with the kids too! During extremely hot days we take extra precautions to keep kids happy and healthy like extra breaks, extra water coolers, and extra pool time. We often move around our schedule to move more active games to evenings. Cabins and dining facilities are air conditioned.

Storms: We monitor weather conditions and forecasts throughout the day. During storms or when storms are predicted we play indoor games and try to reschedule to exciting activities the kids look forward to. All boating, swimming, campouts, ropes course activities, and outdoor sports will be cancelled if we hear thunder or expect storms.

This will be my child’s first time away from home. What will be done if they miss home and what is done to help them feel comfortable at camp? Right away we help each camper make a new friend and get acquainted with the new environment. This helps a lot. It’s natural for kids to miss home a little. Our staff are trained in how to talk the campers through these feelings of missing home. There are many things you can do to help your child be prepared for camp.

Read our homesickness info page for tips on how to prepare for camp (many causes of homesickness are from things that happen before the camper ever arrives at camp). If our efforts to talk your camper through their feelings of missing home do not work and they are not able to enjoy themselves we will call you and talk with you about what we can do as a next step sometimes this is just a little talk with Mom or Dad, sometimes its going home.

What activities are offered? Camp Piankatank offers activities that are age appropriate and always voluntary for campers. Campers activities are based on which track they sign up for during registration. Here’s the link to the track descriptions.

What are the worship services like? Interactive and age-appropriate worship services and Bible studies take place in the outdoor worship area, dining hall and on the dock at the waterfront depending on the weather and bug conditions. Services are lead by a weekly camp pastor and camp staff.

Do you have a camp store? Yes, each day campers (day campers and overnight campers) will have an opportunity to visit the trading post to buy snacks and camp memorabilia. Campers should bring between $5 and $50 for the week.

What is the staff like? Our staff is excellent! Camper-to-staff ratios are kept low (up to 16 kids with two counselors) to assure that every camper receives personal attention from our staff. The Camp Piankatank summer staff consists of a Co-Director couple (meet the directors), Assistant Director, four Activity Specialists, Cabin Counselors, and Counselors in Training.

All cabin counselors and supervising staff are at least 18 years of age, one year removed from high school, and have been carefully selected to serve as positive Christian role models. All are trained to safely perform their specific job duties and are first aid and CPR certified. Certified lifeguards are on duty at all water activities.

When are pick-up and drop-off times? For overnight camps drop off time is 4:30-6:00pm on the date scheduled for arrival. Arrivals for overnight camps are always 4:30-6:00pm on Sundays. Overnight camps conclude with a closing ceremony, which starts at 10:30am on the date scheduled for pick-up. The ceremony will last 30-45 minutes and the child is considered released when signed out by the authorized person noted on the health form. Pick-up is always Friday. All campers must be picked up by 11:30am on the Friday scheduled for pick-up. Times for day camp drop offs and pick-ups are included in the camp description.

How can I talk to my child while he or she is at camp? Family and friends may write e-mails or send mail and packages to their camper (P.O. Box 435 Hartfield , VA 23071). Campers love to get mail! You may also send stamps and stationary with your camper for them to write to you.

For emails, we are excited to offer for the first time this year an online email service which allows you to email your camper and for them to email you back on special paper (that you purchase). This service is password protected to protect your child and only available to you with Camp Piankatank’s password which is only given to authenticated camper families. Email Link This link is also where you can view and purchase pictures of what’s going on at Camp Piankatank while your camper is here.

Cell phones are not permitted at camp, the camp will call you if we need you. We believe in letting parents know what’s going on. We will call you if your camper is ill, needs medication you have not previously authorized, is emotionally distraught, or we need to consult you on behavior issues. We do our best to communicate with parents anything we think you will be concerned about.

You may also be interested in our Registration Guidelines.