FAQ
1. How long does Camp O last?
Camp Okawehna lasts for six nights, starting on Saturday at noon with registration and concluding the following Friday morning after breakfast.
2. What is included in the tuition price?
Tuition is $65 per camper. Tuition includes registration, 3 meals a day, housing, 24-hour supervision, a Camp T-shirt, completed arts and crafts projects, and a week full of fun.
3. Is my child considered a “Senior” or “Graduate” this year?
- Senior graduating campers:
- Hemodialysis Camper: 18 years old
- PD Camper: 18 years old
- Transplant: 16 years old
*a senior at camp does not necessarily correlate with being a senior in high school.
A “Senior” or graduating camper is a camper that has met the age limit for Camp O and will not be returning the next year. Because of their age, Seniors are granted special privileges and will also receive a graduation certificate and a collection of photos from the current camp year during their graduation ceremony at the end of camp.
If you have a graduating senior, please include a current photo and a baby photo with your camp application.
4. Where will my child sleep?
Your child will be housed on our campus in a cabin setting, which includes bunk beds. Males and females are housed separately. Each cabin holds 6-9 people. Two counselors are in each cabin; one of the counselors is a trained health professional. Peritoneal dialysis patients and anyone who requires special needs are housed in one of the two lodges. All events are staffed during the day and night. At night, additional security is provided by counselor patrols. One counselor is required to stay with their campers during the nightly counselors' meetings.
5. Can I visit my child at Camp?
We invite parents to bring their child to camp as well as pick them up if they live in the Nashville area. Otherwise, parents are not allowed at camp during the week of camp.
6. Who is responsible for my child while at Camp?
Most camp counselors are trained medical professionals. We require a counselor application from each counselor as well as a list of references to accompany the counselor application. For more information on how the camp staff is selected, check out the Camp Staff page.
7. What are the important Phone Numbers at Camp I need to know?
Here are some phone numbers for reference while your child is at camp.
- Main Camp Office: (931) 670-3025
- The Hemodialysis Unit: (931) 670-5838
8. Can campers bring cell phones and other electronic devices?
All electronic devices, including cell phones, are strictly prohibited during camp. Electronic devices will be collected at check-in and stowed away in a safe place by camp officials. If you need to contact a camper, please use the camp contact information listed above.
9. What if I need to cancel my reservation?
In the event you must cancel your reservation, you will receive a refund as defined below:
- Cancellations should be submitted in sufficient time.
- Children who can not attend camp will be given a credit for the following year.
In the event your child can not attend camp, please let us know as soon as possible. We have some children on the waiting list to attend camp and would fill these spots with cancellations.
10. How do I get to Camp?
From the Nashville area:
- Travel on I-40 West towards Memphis.
- Take exit 172 for Hwy 46 toward Centerville/Dickson.
- Turn left off the exit (going south towards Centerville away from Dickson).
- Continue on Hwy 46 for approximately 6.5 miles.
- At a traffic light, Hwy 46 becomes Hwy 7. Continue straight through the light following Hwy 7 for approximately 2 miles. (You will pass East Hickman High School on the right. Begin looking for a blue Camp Cedar Crest sign and a Camp O sign on the left.)
- Turn left at the Camp Cedar Crest and Camp O signs (onto Middle Lick Creek Road).
- Continue for approximately 1/2 mile and turn left onto Cedar Crest Camp Road.
- Once on Camp Cedar Crest Road, go straight until you come to a house and a fork in the road. Take the road on the extreme right. This will take you to the Mess Hall.
From the Memphis area:
- Travel on I-40 East towards Nashville.
- Take exit 172 for Hwy 46 toward Centerville/Dickson.
- Turn left off the exit (going south towards Centerville away from Dickson).
- Continue on Hwy 46 for approximately 6.5 miles.
- At a traffic light, Hwy 46 becomes Hwy 7. Continue straight through the light following Hwy 7 for approximately 2 miles. (You will pass East Hickman High School on the right. Begin looking for a blue Camp Cedar Crest sign and a Camp O sign on the left.)
- Turn left at the Camp Cedar Crest and Camp O signs (onto Middle Lick Creek Road).
- Continue for approximately 1/2 mile and turn left onto Cedar Crest Camp Road.
- Once on Camp Cedar Crest Road, go straight until you come to a house and a fork in the road. Take the road on the extreme right. This will take you to the Mess Hall.
11. My child will be flying to Camp unaccompanied. Who will pick him up?
All children must be accompanied by an adult while traveling.
12. How will my child get to Camp from the airport?
Larger city groups will charter a bus for transportation to and from camp. Otherwise, children will be picked up and transported to camp by camp staff.
13. How can I prepare for Camp?
Part of the camp experience is packing and taking a plane or bus to camp.
Some tips for handling homesickness
The key to dealing with homesickness is to prepare your youngster in advance. Ask a close friend or relative to register for the same camp session your child is attending. Discuss what camp will be like before your child leaves home and discuss any concerns. Do NOT tell children that you will rescue them if they do not like camp. Assure your child of your love. Send along a favorite stuffed animal. Do not go into great detail about what the camper will be missing at home.
14. Should campers bring money?
This is a personal matter. During the week it is not uncommon for the camp to take a field trip to a local attraction. In this case, we think spending money is needed but not required. This is usually left up to the city group from which your child comes. Children that come to camp without city group affiliation should have money for incidentals while at camp.
15. What is the weather like?
During this time of year, the weather can be sometimes unpredictable, we suggest that you bring comfortable clothing and at least one sweatshirt or jacket as it might get cold during the evening activity. Bathing suits are needed for children who choose to swim and canoe as well. Otherwise, recreational clothing and a good pair of walking shoes are required. For more information on the weather, check out The Weather Channel website.
16. Does my child need to bring bedding and towels?
Yes, towels and bedding are not provided. In case of an emergency, we have extra bedding and towels.
17. What do I pack?
CAMPERS PERSONAL LIST
(Don’t forget to label the camper’s name on all items)
-
- Sleeping Bag or 2 Twin size sheets – mandatory
- Pillow – please bring your own
- Blanket – mandatory
- Pajamas
- Tennis shoes and two pairs of comfortable shoes
- Summer Play clothing – shorts or pants, t-shirts, and comfortable clothing
- Long Pants and Long Shirts/Sweatshirts (sometimes it gets cold at night)
- Rain poncho or an umbrella
- Bathing suit
- Sweater/Jacket – mandatory
- Hat or sun visor – mandatory
- Dress Up clothing for Dances
- Beach/Shower Towels – mandatory
- Wash Cloths
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Comb/brush
- Shower Shoes/Flip Flops
- Flashlight and batteries
- Sunglasses
- Backpack
- Alarm clock
- Spare money for incidentals
- Water Bottle
- Suntan Lotion
- LIST OF MEDICINE, DOSAGE, AND TIME TAKEN; ENOUGH MEDICINE FOR 7 DAYS LABELED WITH CAMPER’S NAME (PLEASE INCLUDE ALL MEDICINE EVEN IF NOT TAKEN EXCEPT WHEN NEEDED)
Optional Items Suggested for Counselors
- Extension Cord
- Box fan for cooling cabins
- Camera and film
- Sunglasses
- Extra batteries
- Backpack
- Alarm clock
- Spare money for incidentals
- Water Bottle
- Baseball/Softball glove
18. What kinds of meals are served?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided in the common dining area from the afternoon of arrival through Friday morning breakfast. At each meal, we offer a variety of foods to appeal to different preferences. Snacks and water are also available at various sites within the campground every afternoon. Please do not send food to camp with your child. Meals are planned by a renal dietician to ensure that dietary requirements are met for all children. If your child requires a special diet, please contact the Camp Director.
SAMPLE MENU
Breakfast
- Cold cereal
- Pancakes and waffles
- Biscuit and Sausage
- Fruit
- Milk and juice
Lunch
- Meat Entree
- Vegetarian Entree
- Selection of vegetables
- Sandwiches
- Assorted cakes, puddings, and gelatin
- Choice of juice, tea, or water
Dinner
- Meat Entree
- Vegetarian Entree
- Selection of vegetables
- Assorted ice cream
- Choice of juice, water, or tea
*Several Dinners throughout the week are a special theme such as Luau Night or BBQ Night.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
John Hosford - Camp Okawehna
1633 Church Street, Suite 500
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 327-3061
Fax: (605) 341-8814
Email: CampO@dciinc.org