Summer Camp

Discovery Camp

(Preschool - 2nd grade w/ Adult)

June 29th – July 1st, 2025

$225.00 / Camper | $125.00 / Chaperone

Discovery Camp is the perfect opportunity for parents or guardians to give their young children an introduction into the camping world. Discovery Camp allows one or two parents/guardians to join their child for three days of fun! Many former campers come to Discovery camp to reconnect with old friends in a new stage of life and start a whole new generation of life-long Ascension School campers.

Registration opens in 2025

Beginners Camp

(3rd-5th grade)

July 13th – 18th, 2025

$450.00

Beginner’s Camp is for young campers who are ready for their first solo overnight camp experience. With days filled to the brim with engaging and fun activities, even the most nervous camper will return home hoping to come back next year. The occasional homesick camper is inevitable with children this age, but our skilled counseling staff will help empathetically direct campers into a growth mindset. Campers often return home with a newfound sense of self-empowerment and confidence.

Registration opens in 2025

Combined Camp

(Grades 6th & 7th)

July 6th – 11th, 2025

$475.00

Combined Camp is for those preteen campers who are growing quickly, but not quite ready for the social dynamics of junior high. All of our camps are dedicated to strengthening camper mental well-being, especially confidence, but combined camp is a precious time to help solidify strong integrity, self-worth, and self-esteem in fast-growing campers.

Registration opens in 2025

Intermediate

(8th & 9th)

July 20th – 25th , 2025

$500.00

Junior High Camp is often our highest attended camp. These young teens are growing up quickly and are facing all kinds of challenges and peer pressures in their everyday life. Our sacred space is a wonderful relief from all of these stressors. Junior High Camp is a place where these young teens are welcomed and encouraged to be themselves and to grow in their character. There are very few places that embody the acceptance and safety that is cultivated at Junior High Camp.

Registration opens in 2025

Senior High Camp

(10th-Graduating Senior)

June 22nd – 28th, 2025

$550.00

Whether your camper has been coming to camp for years, or they are a first-timer, Senior High is a magical, love-filled, and welcoming camp experience. At this age, campers are encouraged to share and build on their wisdoms during a judgment-free week of fun and learning. Friendly competition, well-balanced age-appropriate activities, and exploratory spiritual formation make Senior High the perfect experience for any teenager.

Registration opens in 2025

K.I.D.S Program

K.I.D.S. is an outreach ministry of Bend, Oregon’s Trinity Episcopal Church. Kids Inspired Do Succeed (K.I.D.S.) provides dedicated funds so that underserved and at-risk youth in Central Oregon can take part in meaningful and transformative activities. For these kids, money issues too often stand in the way of enjoying the youth-focused opportunities which are provided by community organizations. We can make the difference! K.I.D.S. steps in to cover activity fees, monies for needed materials and/or registrations on behalf of a child.

We are partnered with trusted community organizations including:

– Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon
– Bend Recovery Home
– Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth

Parent & Guardian Information

Parent-Guardian Manual (Spanish)

See Manual

Parent-Guardian Manual (English)

See Manual

Packing List

See List

Transportation Schedule

See Schedule

Camp Start & End Times

See Times

Welcome and Inclusion

We believe in the dignity and the intrinsic worth of every human being. We welcome, affirm, support, and seek to adapt for ability and disability, experience, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, national origin, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

Learn More

Connect | Belong | Wonder | Love | Restore

At Ascension School, we cultivate healthy relationships and strive to ensure every camper knows they are loved just as they are. The life of Jesus is core to our guidance with campers, and we love to see them explore and wander through a variety of perspectives and backgrounds.

If you have any questions regarding our 2024 camp curriculum, you can contact Megan Cox, our Program Director (megan@coveascensionschool.com). Our curriculum is developed as part of a 5-year plan with Ascension School’s core values of human dignity, creation care, and spiritual formation as driving forces for the themes and spiritual content. We look forward to seeing campers interact with and grow from the content.

Questions?

What People Are Saying

“Thanks for the food. It was the best food ever!!!”

– Jesse, Junior High Camper

“Thank you for letting me go to the camp. It was a blast. My favorite part was making friends!”

– Kati, Beginner’s Camper

“My favorite part was hiking and bunkbeds.”

– Ace, Combined Camper

“Thank you for the food. All the treats I had were good. Thank you for the pool. I had lots and lots of fun!”

– Kyden, Beginner’s Camper

“Six years of Camp at Cove. Life giving, affirming times.”

– Linda, Former Camper

“Where I met my husband in 1983.”

– Christine, Parent and Former Camper

“A place to let people see behind the mask.”

– Laurie, Parent and Former Camper

“Life changing. Home.”

– Susan, Retreat Guest and Former Camper

“The best week of the summer!!”

– Jani, Support Staff Volunteer

“I think what Ascension School provides is a safe and welcoming space, a place to just be without judgment.”

– Simon, Chaplain Volunteer and Parent

“As a volunteer, visitor, and presenter in Cove over the years, I have been blessed with all of the glorious comfort, grace, enlightenment, connection, peace, and love that is the sacred space of Ascension School!”

– Delana, Volunteer, Retreat Guest, and Parent

“The Ascension School Camp is the highlight of our kids’ summer. The staff is so welcoming and supportive of the kids, the activities diverse and fun. We have two returning campers (one for their 4th year and one for their 2nd) who are really looking forward to creating more memories at camp this summer.

Highly recommend the Ascension School Camp.”
Jan & Lori

“As a parent their camp provides a safe enriching environment for our kids. Our first-year camper last year was pretty sure he didn’t want to go. The camp staff knew this, and a counselor grabbed him up on our arrival and took him to unpack his bag. We left unsure when we would get a call to come get him. An hour later we got a text and looked to see that staff was sending us a photo of our son having a blast playing with fellow campers.”

and looked to see that staff was sending us a photo of our son having a blast playing with fellow campers.

“Highly recommend the Ascension School Camp.”

– Jan & Lori

“Where I met my husband in 1983.”

– Christine, Parent and Former Camper

“A place to let people see behind the mask.”

– Laurie, Parent and Former Camper

“As a volunteer, visitor, and presenter in Cove over the years, I have been blessed with all of the glorious comfort, grace, enlightenment, connection, peace, and love that is the sacred space of Ascension School!”

– Delana, Volunteer, Retreat Guest, and Parent

“As a volunteer, visitor, and presenter in Cove over the years, I have been blessed with all of the glorious comfort, grace, enlightenment, connection, peace, and love that is the sacred space of Ascension School!”

– Delana, Volunteer, Retreat Guest, and Parent

Chapel and Family Groups

We believe that every human being has a spiritual life. We understand and experience things beyond ourselves and connect with a higher being, a God, and a source of life. We value our campers’ spiritual lives and want them to feel supported wherever they may be in that journey. Spending time in the Chapel and breaking out into family groups allows campers to feel safe to explore their own spiritual path. Fun fact, expect to wake up every day to the sound of our bell that sits on top of our historic chapel!

Sample Day Schedule

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:15 AM – Cabin Cleanup

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM – Chapel

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM – Family Groups

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Giant Slip and Slide

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM – Lunch

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM – Cabin Time

1:45 PM – 3:15 PM – Pool

3:45 PM – 5:45 PM – Pick and Choose Interest Blocks

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Dinner

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Counselor Clue

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Campfire

9:00 PM – 9:30 PM – Bed Prep and Lights Out

Swimming

Filled with natural spring water, the pool includes a shallow end with lots of play space and a basketball hoop, as well as a deep end with a three-tier high dive. This variety allows for campers of all swimming abilities and water comfort levels to enjoy themselves!

Bonfire

Each camp session will share in songs, smores, & storytelling around the fire. Campers have always enjoyed this communal experience and singing at the top of their lungs for all of Cove to hear!

Arts & Crafts

We value the arts & getting creative at camp. Each day at interest blocks we offer a craft, a few examples of what we have done in the past are copper enameling, tie-dye, rock painting, & more!

Ready To Join Our Camp?

Registration opens in 2025

Counselors

What do Residential Counselors do at Ascension School?

Residential Counselors are Ascension School’s “boots on the ground” during the camp season. Counselors stay in the cabins with the campers, lead activities, administer basic first aid, and help prepare for and clean up after each camp session.

How long are resident counselors expected to work?

This year, Residential Counselors are expected to arrive at Ascension School on June 16^thand will finish the summer on July 26^th. There will be a brief 4-day break from July 3rd – July 6th.

How will being a Residential Counselor affect my future career or school endeavors?

Because you will work with a wide range of people over the summer, being a Residential Counselor is an amazing professional opportunity. Counselors interact with campers aging anywhere from 4-years-old to 18. In addition, counselors work closely with dedicated office, kitchen, and maintenance staff as well as a variety of volunteers. Counselors also have the opportunity to mentor teenage Junior Counselors. This combination of mentoring and working with children, teens, adults, and volunteers is an amazing experience to put on any resume, job/college application, or LinkedIn profile.

What do Residential Counselors get paid?

Please click on the ”Learn More” button to find details on the compensation.

Apply Now

Learn More

Junior Counselors

What do Junior Counselors do at Ascension School?

The Junior Counselor position is the first step for many campers who will become Residential Counselors. Junior Counselors stay in the cabins with the campers, help lead activities, and help prepare for and clean up at the beginning and end of their assigned session. Junior Counselors get their first peek “behind the curtain” of the amazing and highly coordinated camp season.

How long are Junior Counselors expected to work?

Junior Counselors are expected to arrive at Ascension School the day of the camp session they have been assigned and are expected to leave on the last day of that same session. These sessions are usually about 5-6 days long, but some exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis as discerned with the Program Director. Junior Counselors are always welcome to ride the Shuttle to and from camp if they are unable to arrange travels otherwise.

How will being a Junior Counselor affect my future career or school endeavors?

Being a Junior Counselor at Ascension School is an amazing opportunity because of the wide range of people you will be working with. Junior Counselors may interact with campers aging anywhere from 4-years-old to 18. In addition, Junior Counselors work closely with dedicated Residential Counselor, kitchen, and maintenance staff as well as a variety of volunteers. This paid experience is an amazing opportunity to list on any college or job application.

What do Junior Counselors get paid?

Please click on the ”Learn More” button to get details on the compensation.

Apply Now

Learn More

Support Staff

What do Support Staff do at Ascension School?

Support Staff are responsible for exactly what it sounds like, lots of support for the staff at Ascension School. Support Staff includes volunteer Nurses, Chaplains, and General Support Staff. General Support Staff will help lead a small group throughout the week, will supervise the cabin for a small time each day, and will help lead their small group during some large group activities. In the case of an emergency, Support Staff may be expected to stay in the cabins with the campers overnight. Nurses administer medications and help with daily first-aid needs and Chaplains help with chapel planning and implementation as well as spiritual formation.

How long are Support Staff expected to volunteer?

Support Staff are expected to arrive at Ascension School the day of the camp session they have been assigned and are expected to leave on the last day of that same session. These sessions are usually about 5-6 days long, but some exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis as discerned with the Program Director. Support Staff are also expected to attend a short live online training and complete a series of online Safeguarding trainings. Support Staff are welcome to come a day early and/or leave a day late if needed as discerned with the Program Director.

What are the benefits of serving as Support Staff?

People who have volunteered in many ways know better than anyone that volunteering is a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. People who have served as Support Staff at Ascension School can attest that these feelings of servitude, fulfillment, and reward are amplified exponentially at camp. Ascension School holds dearly a safe and magical space that contributing to is a gift and blessing in itself.

Do Support Staff get paid?

Support Staff are not paid, but they will be given access to a beautiful hotel-style room in our Kimsey Commons, three amazing meals a day, and daily access to the community pool as well as a free field trip to a nearby natural space such as Catherine Creek or Anthony Lakes. This is all in addition, of course, to the reward of helping make the camp season happen.

Apply Now

Chaplain Information

Support Staff Information

FAQ

I am worried my camper will get homesick. How do you manage homesickness?

We acknowledge homesickness as a valid emotion and will never invalidate these feelings. Part of managing homesickness happens at home before camp. We encourage parents to read this short article about some dos and don’ts for preparing your camper for their time at Ascension School. Even with proactive preparation, many campers will experience homesickness. In all reality, the best “cure” for homesickness is busy and steady fun. We are dedicated to a full schedule that will keep even the most homesick camper distracted and having fun. If homesickness is persistent, the camp director or program director may call the parent/guardian and discuss the best options for parent-camper communication during the week.

Can my camper bring their phone?

All campers will turn in any electronics to camp staff at the beginning of the session. This includes smart phones, smart watches, gaming systems, laptops, etc. There is a short time before dinner that campers are given access to their phones, but many of our campers will choose not to use their phone during this time, as camp is a place to disconnect with technology and reconnect with self. The pressure of constantly being available is significant in all of our lives. We are confident that this practice is beneficial to the camp experience.

How can I check in to make sure my camper is doing ok?

Trust is a huge part of the camp experience. Trust in your camper, trust in our staff, and trust in your own judgement. It’s completely normal to want to check in on your camper or talk to staff about how your camper is doing. Our staff are managing a large group of kids and a busy schedule packed with fun and unfortunately, do not have the time or resources to talk to the parent/guardian of each and every camper. If you have specific concerns about your camper that will require regular communication, please outline these concerns in the camper registration form and our Program Director will be in contact about the best plan for your specific camper.

I am hopeful to send my child to camp, but I want to know more. What is my best resource?

Your best resource will be the Parent/Guardian & Camper Handbook. If you have read though the handbook and still have questions or concerns, please call or email our Program Director, Megan Cox at #541-568-2086 or megan@coveascensionschool.com