FAQs
Tuition fees are fully refundable until 30 days prior to the first day of the registered-for term. After that time, fees are not refundable except for medical reasons per written doctor’s orders.
Should the camp physician recommend withdrawal because of an injury or illness occurring during camp, one-half of the remaining pro-rated fees will be refunded.
In the event of a dismissal or withdrawal for homesickness, misconduct, inability to adjust to cabin life or any other reason, there is no refund.
There are no fee reductions for late arrival or early departure.
All fees are due and payable the first week of May of year attending.
Early-pay options during the year offer discounts for fees paid in full.
Those campers who play a band instrument are requested to bring their instruments and be a part of the Stewart Sitting Band/Orchestra. Campers who play in the band receive special benefits.
You will go straight to your camper’s cabin, pack up, gather trunks, equipment, art projects, etc. then head to the office area to pick up cabin photos and award packets. You will also be able to view and purchase camper portraits and sign up for next summer.
Camper Safety
The care and protection of Stewart campers and staff is the foundation of everything done at Stewart. Protection includes health and safety of all areas- emotional, mental, physical, sexual and verbal. Our family has consistently operated with transparency. As parents ourselves, “how would I want my son treated” has always dictated our actions and decisions. We recognize each child entrusted to our care is the most important person in the world to his parents – and to us.
Accreditation and Licensing
Camp Stewart is accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed by Texas Department of State Health Services. All Texas youth camps are required to be licensed to operate; a minority are accredited.
ACA accreditation is important to parents because it means that every facet of Stewart has met their stringent standards of safety and excellence (over 260 standards). ACA accreditation also means that throughout the year new techniques and information are made available, insuring Stewart stays on top of the industry’s best practices.
While no one can guarantee a child will not become sick or injured when attending camp, Stewart’s long-standing safety precautions, as well as almost 100 summers of continuous operation, provides parents the assurance that Stewart is well equipped to handle any situation knowledgably and fairly.
Staff Selection and Training
Every staff person is personally interviewed and undergoes background checks before being hired. References are required and checked.“Would we want this person as the role model for our child?” is the criteria for hires.
In addition to skills training and general training in how to work with children, Stewart’s extensive pre-camp orientation program includes awareness training for proper behavior towards children and peers, including preventative child sexual abuse training. A state certified outside expert conducts training and testing on sexual abuse and child molestation awareness training for all staff. A simplified abuse version is part of the camper orientation program. Stewart has long had a no tolerance policy on abuse of any type.
Wellness Care
Stewart is fortunate to have experienced camp nurses who live on site during camp; a local camp doctor is on call and local specialists are available for consultation. The local hospital, Peterson Regional Medical Center, was the only hospital in Texas to be recognized as a Top 20 Rural Community Hospital in 2017. The nurses frequently consult with parents to provide the best care to campers and staff.
Proper nourishment is important. Stewart is well known for its outstanding wholesome food and takes pride in the fact that most food is prepared ‘from scratch’ and much is locally sourced.
Stewart ownership strives for common sense and fairness in dealing with each and all situations. The owners and/or directors are always available to discuss any concerns or questions with campers, staff and/or parents as we have always tried to practice forthright communications.
The Ragsdale family and senior staff consider the camp relationship with camper parents to be a joint venture as each of us wants the best experience for each camper. Parents or prospective parents are welcome to call with any specific questions or concerns.