Arrival Day at Camp

Whether it’s your first time up 4-mile or your 46th – we can’t wait to see you on arrival day this summer! Arrival days at Sonlight are meant to welcome all and get campers set for the week ahead. While warm cookies and cold lemonade are a staple on Sunday afternoons, we want to walk you through some of the other logistics so you feel best prepared.

Between leaving town and arriving at Camp you will likely lose cell phone service. Have our address set before heading up 4-mile road, and check for signs along the way! It is about a 20 minute drive on a windy dirt road – enjoy the mountain views! As much as possible we ask you to arrive during our set arrival window between 4:30 – 5:30.

After passing through the stone gate, staff members (dressed in silly outfits!) will greet you on the road to give your camper a name tag. Have them stick it on where it’s visible to read. You will continue up the road to our main parking lot. Often with full camps our staff might direct you to park along the road; helping hands will make the unloading process a breeze. Walking towards the pathway you will stop at the check in table. Here your camper will receive their bunk assignment and check in card. (TIP: Have your shaving cream and drinks packed separately to drop off before heading to your cabin). 

All campers are intentionally placed in cabins that best support community building. With full camps, bunk changes are not possible on arrival day. Please indicate on your application or email the program director ahead of time a bunk request or avoidance. Once campers pick a bunk and meet their counselor all campers will be asked to do a bag check. NEW in 2026, campers will be facilitating their own bag check as staff members ensure they have all the things they might need ( personal hygiene, water bottles, stuffies, etc) and don’t have things that harm the camp experience for all (technology, medications meant for the nurses station, weapons, etc). This is an amnesty opportunity for campers to forego items that don’t create a safe environment without any consequences from our staff. Thank you for partnering with us in this more timely process!

Following time in the cabins you and your camper will continue through the arrival stations on their arrival card that include things like checking in with the nurse and stopping by our dining room to meet the cooks. We encourage parents to stop by our parent information station to update household information and drop off/ write mail for your camper as well! 

Upon completing the arrival card, feel free to explore camp with your camper (if they haven’t already ran off the join a 9-square game!) When the bell rings, campers will begin some “get to know you games” as they begin to build their camp community!