All registrations are completed online through our enrollment portal in CampBrain. Simply create an account, select your desired session(s), and complete the checkout process.

friendlypines.campbrainregistration.com

If you are registering before October 1st as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 family, please access your unique early-access registration link through your email from us.

You’ll use the same portal throughout the year to complete forms, submit information, and manage your camper’s registration.

Once your enrollment is complete, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address on your account. If you do not receive it, please check your spam folder.

View our Complete [Roadmap to Camp] 

If you encounter any issues during enrollment, our office team is always happy to help. Please reach out to [email protected] or call us at (928) 445-2128

A deposit is due at registration to reserve your camper’s spot. The deposit is $562.50 for Mini Camp or LIT, $900 for a two-week Session or CIT, and $1,100 for Adventure Trails.

The remaining balance is divided into six automatic monthly payments from December 1 through May 1; if you enroll after payments have begun, any payments that have already passed are also due at registration.

If you choose to pay by check, camp must recieve your check within 7 days of enrollment to hold your campers spot.

For complete tuition, deposit, and payment information, please visit our Dates & Rates page.

Yes. After your deposit is paid at registration, the remaining tuition is divided into six equal automatic monthly payments, charged to your payment method on file from December 1 through May 1.

You may also make additional payments at any time. Additional payment arrangements may be available; please contact our office if you have questions.

Each payment is fully refundable for 30 days after it is submitted. After 30 days, that payment becomes non-refundable; however, any amount paid ahead of the standard payment schedule remains refundable.

Tuition insurance is the only way to receive reimbursement for otherwise non-refundable tuition, subject to the provider’s covered circumstances and policy terms. Detailed cancellation dates, refund schedules, and tuition insurance information can be found on our Dates & Rates page.

Families are highly encouraged to purchase tuition insurance when enrolling their camper.

Tuition insurance is the only way to help protect your investment in camp should your camper need to cancel for a covered reason. Please note that Friendly Pines Camp cannot go against our cancellation terms for any reason and the only way to cover your tuition is by purchasing tuition insurance.

There are many different options on the market that families are welcome to shop and consider. If you are looking for a reccomendation, we would reccomend TravMark. 

Please contact us to learn more about coverage details and eligibility

Some sessions fill quickly and may have a waitlist. Joining a waitlist is free, and no deposit is required until a spot becomes available.

If an opening occurs, families on the waitlist will be contacted in the order they were added and given an opportunity to accept the available space. Families then have 24 hours to decide if they do want to claim an enrolled spot.

The likelihood of getting into a session your camper is waitlisted for is extremely hard to call; there are so many factors that go into waitlist movement. It kind of depends on the year, the session, and how much before or after the cancellation deadlines we’re at. We’ve had waitlists in the past that had 15 people who all eventually were able to get into the session, but conversely, we’ve had waitlists of one person that never had any movement. So, determining how likely your camper is to get into a specific session is really not always possible to determine.

Yes. Many families enroll in an available session while also joining the waitlist for their preferred session. If a space opens in the preferred session, our office can assist with transferring the registration.

After enrolling, a confirmtion email is sent to you confirming if you are ‘registered’, ‘waitlisted’, or ‘registered & waitlisted’.

Our office will also make contact with you via email, call, and/or text message.

You may contact our office at any time to confirm your camper’s waitlist status or position. If a spot becomes available, we will contact you directly using the email address associated with your registration.

Friendly Pines may offer a limited number of “camperships” each year. Camperships typically cover a portion of tuition and are awarded through an application process based on available funding.

You can apply for a campership here or you can contribute to the campership fund here.

Not at this time. Friendly Pines is an overnight camp. All campers stay at camp for the duration of their session, allowing them to fully participate in the community, traditions, and experience of camp life.

Many sessions fill months before summer begins, particularly popular dates and specialty programs. We encourage families to register as early as possible to secure their preferred session.

Wonderful! Every summer, many Friendly Pines campers are experiencing overnight camp for the first time. We recommend downloading our First-Timer’s Guide to learn more about what to expect and how to prepare.

There are also several ways to get to know Friendly Pines before summer:

• Schedule a private tour of camp
• Book a call with one of our Directors
• Attend our annual Open House.
• Join us for First-Timer’s Family Camp each spring and experience Friendly Pines together as a family
• Browse any of our upcoming events for meetups and gatherings around the Southwest.
• Or even take a Virtual Tour of camp online together!

Our five-night Mini Camps are designed as welcoming discovery experiences for campers who want a shorter introduction to overnight camp. First-time campers who are ready to jump into the full Friendly Pines experience are also welcome in our two-week sessions.

Yes! We offer 3 Family Camps each year. You register for them in your CampBrain account.

[You can learn more about Family Camps here!]

2027 Family Camps

• First Timer’s Camp: April 2-4, 2027. Designed for prospective or first-time FPC families.
• Friends & Family Camp 1: July 27-30, 2027. Designed for everyone! Current families, alumni, legacy families, friends, and community members.
• Friends & Family Camp 2: July 30-August 1, 2027. Designed for everyone! Current families, alumni, legacy families, friends, and community members.

For most families, choosing a session comes down to your camper’s readiness, desired length of stay, and the type of experience you’re looking for.

Our Two-Week Sessions are the flagship Friendly Pines experience. With 12 nights at camp, campers have more time to settle into camp life, build deeper friendships, develop independence, and pursue activities that match their interests through personalized schedules and skill progression opportunities.

Our Mini Camp is a distinct 5-night program designed to introduce campers to the magic of camp. Campers enjoy a curated selection of our most popular activities, traditions, and experiences as they build confidence and discover what they love about camp. Mini Camp is often a great fit for first-time campers to test the waters or families who cannot fit a two-week session into their summer plans.

Many first-time campers jump directly into our Two-Week Sessions and have incredible experiences. Mini Camp simply provides another pathway into camp for families looking for a shorter introductory experience.

If you’re unsure which option is the best fit for your camper, our team is always happy to help.

Absolutely! Many campers attend multiple sessions throughout the summer; combining 2-week sessions to stay for 4 or even 6 weeks!

Extending a camper’s stay often allows them to build deeper friendships, gain confidence, explore more activities, and become even more immersed in the camp community. For many returning campers, multiple sessions become the norm and allow them ample time to master the skills they’ve been working on over the years.

There are 9 steps between registration and arrival day. Please take a look at our complete [Roadmap to Camp]

There are 9 steps between initial registration and arrival day at camp. Please take a look at our [Roadmap to Camp] and contact our office with any additional questions.

What your camper will need depends on the program they are attending. Use the resources below for detailed recommendations and a checklist you can complete as you pack:

• [Mini Camp Packing Guide]
• [Mini Camp Camper Packing List Form]
• [Two-Week Session Packing Guide]
• [Two-Week Session Camper Packing List Form]

In general, campers should bring everyday clothing, closed-toe shoes, swimwear, warm layers for cool mountain mornings and evenings, bedding, towels, toiletries, and camp essentials such as a reusable water bottle, flashlight, and writing supplies for letters home.

Because campers participate in everything from waterfront activities and outdoor adventures to horseback riding and evening programs, clothing should be comfortable, durable, and appropriate for active outdoor living. Camp clothes will get dirty—that is part of the fun!

Many families also pack books, card games, friendship-bracelet supplies, a simple digital camera, or other screen-free activities for rest periods and cabin free time. Please label all belongings with your camper’s first and last name.

To help create a safe, simple, and distraction-free camp experience, there are a few items that should stay at home.

Please do not send electronics such as cell phones, tablets, smart watches, gaming devices, or other internet-connected devices. Camp is intentionally tech-free, allowing campers to fully engage with their surroundings, build friendships, and participate in camp life without the distractions of screens.

Campers should also leave food, candy, gum, and snacks at home. Food stored in cabins can attract wildlife, create messes, and present challenges for campers with food allergies. Rest assured, campers receive three meals and two snacks each day, and no one goes hungry at Friendly Pines.

We also recommend leaving cash, valuable items, expensive jewelry, collectibles, and anything you would be upset to lose at home. Camp is an active outdoor environment, and belongings occasionally get misplaced, damaged, or mixed up despite everyone’s best efforts.

For safety reasons, weapons, fireworks, lighters, matches, tobacco products, alcohol, drugs, vapes, and other prohibited items are never allowed at camp.

Finally, some clothing and footwear items may not meet our camp dress code or activity requirements. Please review the Packing Guide for complete details before packing.

When in doubt, pack simply. Campers tend to have the best experience when they arrive with everything they need—and nothing they need to worry about.

Yes. All campers, counselors, and staff follow the same dress code guidelines.

At Friendly Pines, clothing should be comfortable, practical, and appropriate for an active outdoor environment. Camp isn’t about fashion—it’s about participating fully in activities, building friendships, and having fun. We encourage campers to bring clothes that can get dirty, be active, and withstand the adventures of camp life.

For safety and sun protection, campers should wear shirts with sleeves, shorts or pants suitable for active play, swim trunks for boys and one-piece or tankini swimsuits for girls, and closed-toe shoes during daily activities. Certain items, including crop tops, spaghetti straps, tank tops, very short shorts, bikinis, and open-toed shoes (outside of the shower), are not permitted.

Our dress code exists to support safety, comfort, sun protection, and full participation in camp activities. It is not intended to single out, shame, or marginalize any camper or staff member. Dress code expectations are applied consistently and respectfully to all members of the camp community.

For complete clothing guidelines and examples, please refer to our Packing Guide.

Yes, we have a camp store, but there’s no need to send your camper with cash. Our camp post office stocks a small selection of everyday essentials, such as sunscreen, stamps, and toothpaste, that campers can purchase if they run out or need a replacement.

We also offer a selection of affordably priced Friendly Pines merchandise for families to purchase on arrival and departure days.

Each camper has a store account for any essentials they may need during their session. After your camper departs, we’ll send an invoice and charge the card on file for any purchases made.

If you’d like to buy merch online before camp, please visit our online camp store here. 

All required forms and paperwork are completed after enrollment through your CampBrain account (the same portal used to enroll for camp sessions) or will be sent to you via email.

For an overview of all registration to-do’s, head over to our [Roadmap to Camp] page.

This may include:

Medical Forms: Open in CampBrain in March

Travel Forms: Open in CampBrain in April

Activity Preference Forms: A Google Form emailed to you about 2 weeks before camp arrival day.

We recommend checking your CampBrain account and email periodically to ensure all requirements have been completed before your session begins.

Our team will send lots of check-ins and reminders along the way as well.

If you have any questions or need assistance, our office team is always happy to help.

The best preparation is helping your camper feel confident that they can handle new experiences, even if they feel a little nervous. Talk positively about camp, normalize feelings of excitement and uncertainty, encourage independence in small ways at home, and remind them that they do not need to feel completely comfortable to be ready.

As camp approaches, focus on simple messages like, “Lots of campers feel that way,” and “I know you can handle it.” Avoid creating backup plans or focusing too much on “what ifs,” and instead communicate confidence in your child’s ability to navigate new experiences, make friends, and adjust to camp life.

For more practical tips, conversation starters, and guidance for both campers and parents, download our [Trusting the Journey: A Guide Families Navigating Camp Nerves & Building Confidence Before Camp]. It includes advice on building confidence, navigating first-time nerves, understanding homesickness, and preparing your whole family for a successful camp experience.

Many children do not spend much time away from home until they go to camp. Camp is often their first opportunity to experience that kind of independence, and helping children navigate that experience is one of the things camp does best.

It is also important to remember that camp is a unique environment. Whether it is a camper’s first time away from home or they have had sleepovers and trips before, most campers go through an adjustment period as they settle into a new routine, meet new friends, and get comfortable in their cabin community. That is completely normal.

Friendly Pines is designed with that transition in mind, and our staff are experienced in helping campers settle in, find their groove, and feel at home.

Absolutely! We offer several ways for families to experience Friendly Pines before summer arrives.

Families are welcome to schedule a private tour of camp, giving them the opportunity to explore the grounds, see our facilities, and ask questions about the camp experience.

We also host special events throughout the year, including our annual Open House, where current and prospective families can tour camp, meet staff, enjoy lunch together, participate in activities, and get a feel for what summer at Friendly Pines is all about.

For families looking for an even deeper preview of camp life, our First Timer’s Family Camp each Spring offers the opportunity to spend a weekend at camp together. Families stay in cabins, eat meals in the dining hall, participate in camp activities, meet staff members, and experience many of the traditions that make Friendly Pines special.

In addition, we host family gatherings and alumni events throughout the year in communities across Arizona, providing opportunities to connect with other camp families and stay involved with the Friendly Pines community.

Visit our Events page or contact our office to learn about upcoming tours, events, open houses, family camps, and other opportunities to visit camp before your session begins.

If your family is new to Friendly Pines, you’re not alone—every summer we welcome many first-time campers and parents to our camp community.

A great place to start is The Friendly Pines First-Timer’s Guide, which walks families through what to expect before, during, and after camp. We also recommend downloading Trusting the Journey: A Guide for Campers and Parents Preparing for Camp, which provides practical tips for preparing campers and helping the entire family approach the experience with confidence.

You can also view our [Roadmap to Camp] for a look at the pre-camp logistics.

We’d also love to welcome any prospective or First-Time Families to join us at camp on April 2-4, 2027 for First Timer’s Camp; a family camp just for new & prospective families.

First-time families also have the support of our New Family Coordinator, Valerie Esposito, who is available to answer questions and help families feel informed and comfortable as they prepare for camp.

Families are always welcome to schedule a tour of camp with our team or speak directly with our Summer Camp Director, Adam Esposito, to learn more about the Friendly Pines experience and determine whether camp is the right fit for their child.

Our goal is to make sure every family feels supported, informed, and excited as they prepare for their first summer at Friendly Pines.

Yes, you can visit our online camp store here. 

Friendly Pines is intentionally tech-free because we believe campers benefit from the opportunity to fully disconnect from screens and fully engage in camp life.

For many children, phones and devices have become a primary source of entertainment, communication, and comfort. Camp offers something increasingly rare: time away from notifications, social media, texting, and constant digital stimulation. Without those distractions, campers have more space to build face-to-face friendships, practice conversation, try new things, develop creativity, and become more confident navigating the world around them.

At camp, campers are surrounded by peers who are also unplugged, supported by counselors who are present with them, and immersed in a full schedule of activities, traditions, and community life. Over time, many campers discover that being tech-free is not a limitation—it is one of the greatest gifts of the camp experience. 

Many campers arrive at Friendly Pines having never spent an extended period of time without a phone or device, and that’s completely okay.

It’s normal for both campers and parents to feel a little nervous about unplugging at first. Most campers experience a brief adjustment period, but once they settle into camp life, make friends, and become engaged in activities, they quickly discover they don’t miss their phones nearly as much as they expected.

In fact, many families tell us that being away from screens becomes one of the most valuable parts of the camp experience. Campers gain confidence, strengthen their social skills, and learn that they are capable of navigating challenges, building friendships, and having fun without relying on technology.

Our staff is experienced in helping campers through that transition, and before long, most are too busy enjoying camp to think much about their devices at all.

While counselors are actively working with campers, they do not have access to their phones. Similar to our campers, counselors are encouraged to be fully present, engaged, and immersed in camp life rather than distracted by personal devices.

This means that the counselors who are living in cabins, sharing meals, supervising campers, and leading activities throughout the day are not using personal phones while working. Instead, they communicate through radios and established camp communication systems.

This approach is about more than reducing distractions—it helps create a safer camp environment. When counselors are fully present, they are better able to actively supervise campers, build relationships, notice concerns early, respond to needs quickly, and remain engaged in the day-to-day life of their cabin group.

At the same time, camp remains fully connected. Directors, health center staff, office staff, and other leadership team members have access to cell phones, office phones, computers, email, and other communication tools throughout the day. These systems allow our team to communicate efficiently, coordinate camper care, respond effectively, and stay connected with families when needed.

Writing good old-fashioned letters is the primary way families and campers communicate during their time at camp. Letter writing is a long-standing Friendly Pines tradition, and many campers look forward to receiving mail from home each day.

Families may send letters through the mail to:

Camper’s Full Name
Cabin Name
933 E. Friendly Pines Road
Prescott, AZ 86303

Families may also email their letters written as an email. We will provide the email address to you before camp. Simply include your camper’s first and last name and cabin name in the subject line, and our camp office will print and deliver the message along with the day’s mail. The last print is at 3:30pm.

Families may also drop off any pre-written letters to our Post Office on arrival day. Please include on the envelope the day you’d like your camper to receive each letter.

No. Campers and parents do not communicate by phone during camp sessions.

While this can feel unfamiliar at first, we have found that allowing campers to fully immerse themselves in camp life helps them build confidence, independence, and stronger connections with the people around them. Instead, families and campers communicate through traditional letter writing, one of Friendly Pines’ most cherished traditions.

Parents are always welcome to contact our office with questions or concerns, and our staff is happy to provide updates and support when needed. If there is a significant concern involving your camper, our leadership team will proactively reach out to you.

No. Parents and family members are not permitted to visit camp between drop-off and pick-up day.

One of the reasons camp is so impactful is that campers have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in camp life, build independence, and become part of their cabin and camp community. To support this process, we work hard to maintain what we often call the “camp bubble”—an environment where campers can focus on friendships, activities, and personal growth without interruptions from the outside world.

If your camper is one of the campers attending multiple sessions and remaining at camp during a session transition, you may coordinate with our office regarding a visit on what would normally be a pick-up or drop-off day for other campers.

If you have questions or concerns about your camper during their session, our office and leadership team are always available to help and keep you informed.

With good reason, many parents like to check on their camper’s adjustment to camp, especially during the first few days of a session. Parents are always welcome to contact our office for an update, and should you ever wish to speak directly with your camper’s counselor or a camp director, simply let us know.

To help us stay informed about every camper’s experience, counselors submit reports on each camper throughout the session. These reports help us monitor how campers are adjusting to camp life, sleeping, eating, participating in activities, interacting within their cabin group, and their overall physical and emotional well-being.

While parents are always welcome to call, please don’t feel obligated to check in. Most families don’t. Rest assured that if something significant arises, our team will proactively contact you. For example, we will notify parents if a camper needs to spend the night in the Health Center, requires medical care beyond routine first aid, or experiences a concern that we believe families should be aware of.

In our experience, no news is usually good news—your camper is likely busy making friends, trying new activities, and enjoying all that camp has to offer.

Yes! We know families love getting a glimpse into their camper’s experience.

Friendly Pines has a dedicated camp photographer whose primary responsibility is capturing photos of campers throughout the day and uploading them to our photo platform. Enrolled families will receive an invitation to join the photo platform and can typically expect new photos to trickle in throughout the session. 

While we work hard to capture a variety of campers, activities, and moments throughout each session, there may be days when your camper appears in more photos than others. While we do our best to capture every moment, please understand that camp cannot make any guarentee for the quantity of pictures uploaded on any given day or during a session. 

If you have questions or concerns about camp photos, please contact our office at (928) 445-2128 or email [email protected].

Yes. Each camper may receive one package per session while they are at camp. Packages should be shoebox-sized or smaller.

Packages may not contain prohibited items such as food, candy, gum, cell phones, smart watches, electronics, or other items not permitted at camp. These restrictions help us maintain a safe, healthy, and distraction-free camp environment.

If a camper receives more than one package during their session, if a package exceeds the size limit, or if it contains prohibited items, it will be held safely in the camp post office until departure day, when it can be returned to the camper and their family. All food items are discarded.

When sending a package, we encourage families to focus on simple, thoughtful items that help campers feel connected to home while remaining fully engaged in the camp experience.

In the event of an emergency involving your camper, our team will contact parents or listed emergency contacts as quickly as possible using the phone numbers and email addresses provided in your enrollment records.

The specific communication method and timing will depend on the nature of the situation, but our philosophy is simple: if there is information we believe a parent should know, we will proactively reach out. This may include significant illnesses or injuries, overnight stays in the Health Center, urgent care or hospital visits, serious behavioral concerns, or other situations that materially impact your camper’s experience.

In the unlikely event of a camp-wide incident—such as a wildfire, evacuation, severe weather event, or other emergency affecting camp operations—we will communicate proactively with families regarding the situation, the steps being taken by camp, and any actions or updates parents need to know. Our goal is to provide timely, accurate information while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our campers and staff.

Camp leadership, health center staff, and office staff work closely together to ensure families receive accurate and timely information when needed.

While we hope families never experience a significant emergency, we want parents to feel confident knowing that communication is a top priority. If something important happens, you will hear from us.

We serve a rotating menu of kid-friendly camp favorites, thoughtfully planned to include protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables in styles that appeal to our campers. Each meal typically includes a main dish and three or four sides, giving campers plenty of variety and helping keep them fueled for active days. There is always plenty of food to go around the table, with dessert served after lunch and dinner. Below are some real examples from our menu.

Breakfast

• French toast with butter & syrup, bacon, tater-tot potatoes, strawberries, served with apple juice & water.
• Scrambled eggs with cheese, blueberry muffin, hash browns, honeydew, served with orange juice & water.

Lunch

• ‘Pizza Spaghetti’, garlic bread, ceasar salad, grapes, served with water. Banana pudding w/ vanilla wafers for dessert.
• Chicken tenders, mac ‘n’ cheese, french fries, cucumber salad, served with water. Chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Dinner

• Grilled steak bites, mashed potatoes, peas & carrots, cornbread, garden salad, served with juice & water. Oreo pudding for dessert.
• Cheese Manicotti, bread rolls, ceasar salad, glazed carrots, grapes, served with juice & water. Chocolate cake for dessert.

Campers enjoy three hot meals each day, served family-style in our dining hall, along with two snacks between meals. Counselors sit at the head of each table and serve each camper’s plate, allowing them to encourage balanced choices and keep a thoughtful eye on how campers are doing at mealtimes. Campers are encouraged to try different foods but are never forced to eat something they do not want.

Weekly, we enjoy a “Cowboy Meal,” a longstanding Friendly Pines tradition featuring food grilled and served outdoors in a relaxed, picnic-style setting. 2-Week campers also cook and enjoy dinner and breakfast outdoors during their cabin campouts.

Yes. We are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other common dietary needs and food allergies. Friendly Pines is a nut-free facility and can accommodate many additional food allergies. Please include all dietary needs and allergies when completing the Camper Health History Form (opens in March), and do not hesitate to contact our team if you would like to discuss your camper’s specific needs.

We take severe food allergies seriously and review each camper’s needs individually. Please include complete allergy information when completing the Camper Health History Form (opens in March) and contact our team so we can discuss your camper’s specific needs, our food-preparation practices, and whether we can safely accommodate them. Friendly Pines is a nut-free facility, but we still encourage families managing severe allergies to speak with us directly before camp.

The reality is that most campers will encounter a meal or dish they do not love, and learning to navigate that is part of the camp experience. Each meal includes a main dish and three or four sides, giving campers a variety of options at the table. Counselors help campers find something they are comfortable eating, encourage them to try new foods, and make sure they have enough to stay fueled. Campers are never forced to eat something they do not want, and we will not let them go hungry.

No. Campers may not bring food or keep snacks in their cabins. We provide three meals, two snacks, and two desserts each day, so there is plenty of food available. If your camper has a specific medical need involving food or snacks, please contact us so we can better understand their needs and partner with you on an appropriate plan.

Yes, of course! We make sure every camper celebrating a birthday at Friendly Pines feels special, with recognition and birthday singing from the entire camp. They will also sit at the Session Birthday Table, where they can expect a visit from our famous Birthday Fairies with special treats in tow.

Yes! We offer 3 Family Camps per year and you can register for them in your CampBrain account (click the ENROLL NOW) button in the top corner of the screen to log in or create your CampBrain account.

You can learn details about them here.

2027 Family Camps

• First Timer’s Camp: April 2-4, 2027. Reserved for prospective or first-time FPC families.
• Friends & Family Camp 1: July 27-30, 2027. Open to everyone!
• Friends & Family Camp 2: July 30 – August 1. Open to everyone!

Friendly Pines cabins are designed to be comfortable, practical, and well-suited for camp life. Cabins feature sturdy built-in wooden bunk beds, storage shelves for campers’ belongings, electricity, and temperature control for both heating and air conditioning.

Each cabin includes its own restroom and shower facilities, allowing campers convenient access to bathrooms without leaving the cabin area. Cabins are fully enclosed, insulated, and equipped with screened windows that allow fresh mountain air while helping keep insects out.

While cabins are comfortable and well-equipped, they are still camp cabins—not hotel rooms. Campers spend most of their day outdoors participating in activities, building friendships, and enjoying the camp experience, returning to their cabins to rest, recharge, and connect with their cabin group.

Campers are assigned to cabins with other campers of a similar age and the same gender identity. Each cabin is supervised by one or two counselors of the same gender who live alongside the campers and help guide daily cabin life.

Our goal is to create cabin groups that allow campers to build strong friendships, feel comfortable, and connect with peers who are at a similar stage of development. Cabin assignments are carefully considered by our leadership team and take into account factors such as age, session enrollment, and any approved cabinmate requests.

For many campers, their cabin group quickly becomes one of the most important and memorable parts of the camp experience.

Cabin sizes vary depending on enrollment and the age group of the campers. Most cabins house between 4 and 8 campers, along with 1–2 counselors.

Our youngest campers in Lower Village typically have smaller cabin groups and lower camper-to-staff ratios, allowing for additional support and supervision as they adjust to camp life. Older campers in Upper Village generally have larger cabin groups that reflect their increased independence and maturity.

Across camp, the average cabin consists of approximately 8 campers and 1–2 counselors, creating a close-knit environment where campers are well known by both their cabinmates and staff.

Every cabin is led by at least one fully trained counselor who is 18 or older and lives and sleeps in the cabin with campers throughout the session. Depending on the age group and enrollment numbers, some cabins may have a second counselor as well.

Some cabins may also include a member of our Assistant Counselor team or Teen Leadership Program:

• Assistant Counselors (ACs) are 17-year-old former CITs or LITs.
• Counselors-in-Training (CITs) are 16-year-old former campers.
• Leaders-in-Training (LITs) are 15-year-old former campers.

ACs may help supervise campers independently during appropriate daytime moments. However, they never supervise a cabin alone overnight or lead activities without an adult staff member present. CITs and LITs assist counselors, develop leadership skills, and serve as positive role models, but they do not supervise campers independently.

A fully trained adult counselor who is at least 18 years old is always responsible for leading each cabin. Campers are also supported by village leaders, program staff, health center staff, and camp directors who remain actively involved throughout the session.

Our staffing structure is designed to ensure that campers are well-supervised, well-supported, and well-known by the adults caring for them.

Campers do not choose their cabin, counselor, or the full roster of campers in their cabin. Cabin assignments are carefully made by our leadership team with the goal of creating age-appropriate, well-balanced cabin communities.

While families may request up to two cabinmates during the enrollment process, we encourage parents not to feel that a cabinmate request is necessary for a successful camp experience. Every summer, many campers arrive knowing no one at camp and quickly form friendships within their cabin and activity groups. In fact, some of the strongest camp friendships begin with complete strangers on arrival day.

For families who do wish to make a request, cabinmate requests must be between campers attending the same session, of the same gender identity, and within an appropriate age range to be housed together (typically, within 24 months of eachother). Requests must also be reciprocal, meaning both families must list each other’s camper on their enrollment forms. We are often able to accommodate these requests, though they cannot be guaranteed.

When cabinmate requests involve campers of different ages, the older camper is placed with the younger camper’s age group rather than the reverse. For some campers, being with a friend is most important; for others, being with peers their own age may be the better fit.

Our experience has shown that a camper’s success is far more dependent on their willingness to engage, participate, and meet new people than whether they arrive with a friend. Camp has a wonderful way of helping children build friendships they never expected.

That’s completely normal. Every summer, many campers arrive at Friendly Pines without knowing a single other camper, and for most, those nerves disappear surprisingly quickly.

One of the unique strengths of camp is that everyone is there for the same reason: to make friends, try new things, and be part of a community. Living together in a cabin, participating in activities, sharing meals, and taking part in camp traditions naturally creates opportunities for friendships to form.

Our counselors are also intentional about helping campers feel included and connected. They pay close attention to cabin dynamics, facilitate introductions, encourage participation, and help ensure that no camper feels alone as they settle into camp life.

In fact, many of our strongest camp friendships began between campers who had never met before arrival day. We often tell families that coming to camp without a friend can actually be an advantage—it encourages campers to open themselves up to meeting an entire cabin full of new friends rather than relying on a single familiar face.

Friendly Pines offers more than 30 activities spanning sports, arts, outdoor adventure, horseback riding, swimming, nature exploration, and more. Whether your camper enjoys being active, creative, adventurous, or all of the above, they’ll find plenty of opportunities to explore new interests and have fun.

For a complete list of activities and program offerings, please visit our Activities Page.

Campers in our 2-week programs complete an Activity Preference Form before arriving to camp, where they rank their favorite activities and identify other areas they may be interested in exploring.

Our Program Team uses these preferences to create a personalized activity schedule for each camper. While we cannot guarantee every activity choice, we work hard to ensure campers spend their time participating in activities they are excited about while also having opportunities to try something new.

Campers in our Mini Camp programs experience a curated schedule built around discovery and popular activities for their age group.

That’s completely normal and often part of the camp experience. While we work hard to create personalized schedules based on each camper’s interests, it’s always possible for a camper to discover that an activity isn’t what they expected.

We ask campers to give each activity a fair chance and try it at least once before deciding whether it is a good fit. If a camper still isn’t enjoying an activity after trying it, they can work with our Program Team to explore possible schedule changes and alternative options.

One of the great things about camp is the opportunity to discover new interests. Sometimes a camper’s favorite activity ends up being one they never would have chosen on their own.

Campers participate in four activity periods each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

In our 2-week programs, each camper has up to eight scheduled activities, divided between alternating White Days and Green Days. Campers attend four activities on White Days and four different activities on Green Days, returning to those same activities each time that day comes around.

This schedule allows campers to spend enough time in each activity area to build skills, gain confidence, and develop meaningful relationships with instructors and fellow campers, rather than simply sampling an activity once and moving on.

No. Most activities are designed to be beginner-friendly, and campers are not expected to arrive with prior experience or specialized skills.

The primary exception is waterfront activities, where campers must pass a swim test during their first day or two at camp in order to participate in certain swimming and lake activities. This helps us ensure campers are participating at an appropriate level for their safety and enjoyment.

Many activity areas also offer skill progressions and more advanced opportunities for experienced campers. For example, horseback riding and challenge course programs may have higher-level classes that campers can test into as their skills develop. These advanced opportunities often align naturally with campers’ age, experience, and growth throughout their years at camp.

Yes. Friendly Pines maintains an on-site Health Center staffed 24 hours a day by at least 2 licensed Registered Nurses or other higher qualified medical professionals throughout the summer in accordance with ACA Standards. Overnight, 1 of those medical staff is scheduled to be ‘on-call’.

Our medical team oversees medication administration, first aid, illness management, injury assessment, and general camper health needs. Whether a camper needs a bandage, an over-the-counter medication, additional rest, or medical attention beyond what can be provided at camp, our team is prepared to respond and coordinate appropriate care.

If a camper requires treatment outside of camp, our staff can coordinate transportation to local medical facilities, urgent care centers, pharmacies, or hospitals while keeping parents informed throughout the process.

Our goal is to provide attentive, professional care while helping campers safely participate in all that camp has to offer.

Yes. All campers are required to complete Camper Health History forms prior to arriving at camp. They open in CampBrain in March. Through your CampBrain account, you will be prompted to provide information such as your camper’s health history, immunization records, and an up-to-date physical examination form.

Completing these forms helps our Medical Staff understand your camper’s medical needs and prepare for a safe and successful camp experience.

Any prescription medications should be brought to camp and checked in directly with our Medical Staff during the arrival process. Additional instructions regarding medications and health requirements will be provided prior to your session.

For more information, please view or download our Medical Forms & Information Guide

Our Medical Staff routinely assist campers who take daily medications and are experienced in managing a wide variety of medication schedules.

All prescription medications must be checked in with our Medical Staff upon arrival at camp. Medications must be perscribed (including vitamins and supplements) should be brought in their original packaging and clearly labeled according to the instructions provided before your session.

Our medical team oversees medication storage, administration, and documentation throughout your camper’s stay. If your camper takes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, or other health-related products on a regular basis, please be sure to include that information in your health forms prior to camp.

Medications must be perscribed in order for us to administer them.

If you have questions about a specific medication or medical need, we encourage you to contact office staff before camp so we can help ensure your camper is prepared for a successful experience.

For more information, please view or download our Medical Forms & Information Guide

Our Health Center is staffed 24 hours a day by at least 2 licensed Registered Nurses or other higher qualified medical professionals who are equipped to respond to a wide range of illnesses, injuries, and health concerns.

Many common camp-related issues—such as minor illnesses, bumps and bruises, scrapes, headaches, or routine health needs—can be evaluated and treated right here at camp. If a camper requires additional medical attention, our staff will coordinate transportation to a local urgent care facility, doctor, pharmacy, or hospital as appropriate.

Friendly Pines is located approximately 15–20 minutes from urgent care and emergency room facilities in Prescott. We are also located less than half a mile from the Groom Creek Fire Station, allowing EMTs and firefighters to respond to camp quickly if a situation requires resources beyond what can be provided on-site.

In the event of a significant illness, injury, or medical emergency, parents or listed emergency contacts will be notified as quickly as possible. Camp leadership and Medical Staff work closely together to ensure campers receive appropriate care while keeping families informed throughout the process.

Our goal is always to provide prompt, professional care while helping campers safely enjoy their camp experience.

Camp is full of exciting experiences, but it can also come with challenges. Missing home, navigating new friendships, sharing a cabin with others, trying unfamiliar activities, and adjusting to life away from family are all normal parts of the camp experience.

Supporting campers through these moments is an important part of what we do. Our counselors, village leaders, medical staff, office team, and directors are trained to help campers navigate the normal emotional and social ups and downs of camp life. Staff regularly check in with campers, monitor cabin dynamics, help campers work through challenges, and provide encouragement and support when needed.

At Friendly Pines, we believe that many of the skills campers develop—resilience, independence, communication, problem-solving, and confidence—are built through successfully navigating challenges with the support of caring adults. Our goal is not to eliminate every difficulty, but to help campers grow through them in a safe and supportive environment.

At the same time, Friendly Pines is a traditional overnight summer camp, not a therapeutic, behavioral, or mental health treatment program. While our staff are trained to support campers through the normal challenges of camp life, we do not have licensed therapists or clinicians on-site. If a camper is experiencing significant emotional distress, severe behavioral challenges, or circumstances that substantially impact their safety or the safety of others, we may determine that camp is not currently the appropriate setting and work with the family on next steps.

If you have questions about whether Friendly Pines is a good fit for your child’s specific needs, we encourage you to contact our office before enrollment. We are always happy to have that conversation.

Maybe. Every camper is unique, and we encourage families to share as much information as possible during the enrollment process so we can determine whether Friendly Pines is a good fit.

Our team is experienced in supporting campers with a wide range of common medical needs, dietary restrictions, learning differences, social challenges, and the normal emotional ups and downs that come with camp life. In many cases, accommodations can be made when we have the information needed to prepare and partner with families ahead of time.

However, Friendly Pines is a traditional overnight summer camp—not a medical facility, behavioral program, or therapeutic treatment center. We do not have licensed therapists, counselors, or one-on-one aides on staff, and there are limits to the level of medical, behavioral, mental health, and physical support we can safely provide.

Additionally, because most of Friendly Pines were built in the mid 20th century and camp located on a mountainous forest property, many areas of camp are not fully accessible. Camp is not currently ADA compliant, and certain physical accommodations may not be feasible due to terrain, building design, activity requirements, and infrastructure limitations.

If a camper requires a level of supervision, intervention, accessibility, or care beyond what camp can reasonably offer, we may determine that camp is not the appropriate setting or that additional planning is needed before attendance.

If you have questions about your child’s specific needs, we encourage you to contact our office before enrolling. We are always happy to have an honest conversation about whether Friendly Pines is the right fit and how we can best support your camper’s success.

Yes. Every Friendly Pines staff member undergoes a thorough screening process before working at camp.

All staff—including counselors, leadership staff, medical staff, office staff, kitchen staff, and maintenance staff—must pass a background check each year they work at camp.

Background checks are only one part of our hiring process. Staff members also complete applications, reference checks, interviews, and extensive training before ever working with campers.

We take the responsibility of caring for young people seriously, and we are intentional about building a team of trustworthy, capable, and caring adults who are committed to creating a safe and positive camp experience

Before campers arrive, Friendly Pines staff complete an extensive training program that includes approximately one to two weeks of on-site training as well as additional virtual training completed throughout the spring.

Training covers everything from helping campers feel welcome and included, managing cabin life, supporting campers through teh ups and downs of being away from home, and facilitating positive group dynamics to activity-specific safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and risk management practices. Staff also receive training on camper well-being, communication, supervision, and how to recognize situations that require additional support.

Counselors are never expected to handle significant situations alone. They are trained on when and how to involve village leaders, program directors, Medical Staff, and camp directors to ensure campers receive the appropriate care and support when needed.

Our goal is simple: to prepare staff not only to keep campers safe, but to help them feel known, supported, and successful throughout their time at camp.

Yes. Friendly Pines maintains comprehensive emergency action plans and regularly trains staff on how to respond to a variety of situations, including medical emergencies, severe weather, wildfire threats, evacuations, lost camper situations, and other incidents that could impact camp operations.

Emergency preparedness is incorporated into staff training before campers arrive and is reinforced throughout the summer. Counselors, leadership staff, medical staff, and other team members all have clearly defined roles and responsibilities to help ensure a coordinated response when needed.

We work closely with local emergency responders and authorities to coordinate planning efforts and ensure our procedures align with community resources and response capabilities. Friendly Pines is also accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), and our safety practices are informed by ACA standards, guidance, and industry best practices.

Camp is equipped with emergency notification systems, including bells, sirens, radios, and other communication tools that allow us to quickly communicate with campers and staff when needed. We also maintain backup power generation and satellite internet capabilities to help preserve critical communications and operations during power outages or other disruptions.

Just as schools conduct fire drills and other safety exercises, campers and staff participate in planned drills throughout the summer to practice emergency procedures and ensure everyone knows what to do should a real situation ever arise.

While we hope families never need to think about these systems, we believe peace of mind comes from knowing they exist. Behind every campfire, horseback ride, and cabin activity is a dedicated team working to ensure campers can safely enjoy the freedom, adventure, and growth that make camp so special.

Friendly Pines Camp embraces diversity by warmly welcoming campers and staff without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability (including the use of a trained dog guide or service animal). We value diversity and believe it makes camp better for everyone. Our goal is for every camper to feel respected, included, and celebrated for who they are.

Friendly Pines is a traditional overnight summer camp. We are not a medical facility, a therapeutic program, or a treatment center. We do not have licensed therapists or one-on- one aides on staff. Camp is a harder fit for a child who needs one-on- one support throughout the day, who is currently in the middle of a significant emotional or behavioral challenge, or who requires a level of medical care beyond what an overnight camp can safely provide.

Because the camp was built in 1941 on mountainous forest terrain, not all areas are accessible, and some physical accommodations are not feasible. None of that means the answer is no. Our team supports campers with a wide range of medical needs, dietary restrictions, learning differences, and social challenges every summer, and in most cases accommodations work well when we know about them ahead of time. If you are unsure where your child lands, call us before you enroll. We will tell you honestly what we can and cannot do.

One of the things we value most about camp is learning how to be part of a community. That means living, playing, and working alongside people who may come from different families, backgrounds, traditions, identities, and belief systems.

We do not expect everyone at Friendly Pines to agree. In fact, learning how to navigate differences is part of what makes community valuable. Our role is to help campers listen, communicate, work through disagreement, and continue treating one another with kindness and respect even when they see something differently.

Families play the central role in shaping their children’s values and beliefs. Camp is not a place for staff to promote their personal political, religious, or social viewpoints. When sensitive subjects come up, staff help campers navigate those conversations in age-appropriate ways, recognize that different families may see things differently, and know when a conversation is better continued at home.

Our Nine Camp Virtues provide the foundation for these moments. We can make room for many different beliefs and perspectives. Bullying, harassment, intentional exclusion, or demeaning another person because of those differences is not consistent with the community we are trying to build.

LGBTQIA+ campers and staff are welcome at Friendly Pines. If someone asks us to use a particular name or pronouns, we will generally respect that request. Sharing pronouns or discussing one’s identity is always optional. Families in our community may hold different beliefs about gender and identity. Using someone’s requested name or pronouns is not intended to tell anyone else what they should believe. It is part of our expectation that people at camp treat one another respectfully.

Camper cabin assignments are made according to the gender provided by the family at registration. If a transgender or gender-diverse camper or their family would like us to consider another arrangement, we ask that they speak with us before camp. Our leadership team will work with the family to determine an appropriate placement while considering the camper’s well being, privacy, supervision, and the needs of the cabin community.

Staff cabin assignments are made by camp leadership based on the staff member’s identity and role, along with camper privacy and safety, supervision, and the needs of the cabin community.

Not every situation fits neatly into a policy. When something requires more thought, we would rather have a conversation with the people involved than pretend one rule can anticipate every circumstance.