River Valley YTH
YTH Camp
Registration
Early Bird Registration: $370
Early Bird Registration ends on May 14 at midnight.
(Cost does not include optional camp t-shirt fees).
Registration: $420
Registration closes on June 5 at midnight.
(Cost does not include optional camp t-shirt fees).
* Use the code: YTHCAMP to be grouped and roomed with River Valley students
Scholarship/Discount Information
Scholarships are offered based on the need and fund availability. Scholarships are a privilege and are not guaranteed until evaluated by our central and pastoral team. We offer single-parent scholarships and general scholarships. Please note that full scholarships are rarely given. Please WAIT to register until you hear back if you were approved for a scholarship.
Scholarship applications close on June 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Important 2026 Changes/Additions to Camp
- Camp Week
- You may have noticed our camp dates changed and we have a camp one week earlier!
- Due to the size of our group, we have our OWN week of camp this year! This means the camp will only be River Valley students and leaders.
- This will help us a lot with spacing, rooming, color teams, etc.
- Pricing
- Our pricing has increased a bit more than usual this year due to us adding an additional Friday meal. This means that buses will arrive back at campuses slightly later than usual (mid-afternoon)
- Rooming
- Students will only be able to list 4 roommate requests on their registration (instead of 8)
- Please be sure to enter people you KNOW are coming to camp and are your top 4 choices!
- We guarantee to honor at least 1 roommate request so students are roomed with someone they know
What to Pack & Prohibited Item Policies
- What is the phone & device Policy?
- The camp has a strict no phone/device policy during our time at camp. The reason for this is for students to be fully disconnected and engaged in what God is speaking to them. When students arrive at camp, they will be instructed to turn in all phones, Apple Watches, tablets, charging cords/cables, battery packs and any devices before getting off the bus. These will be returned to them for the trip home.
- Will you send out a packing list before camp?
- Yes, we will! So you can prepare now, plan to pack your own bedding/pillow/towels, swimwear, toiletries, color team clothing, chapel wear, water bottle, and your Bible.
- My student is bringing medications to camp. How does that work?
- All medications are required to be turned in at camp check-in IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINER. This includes sleeping aids, over-the-counter pain/cold medications, vitamins, etc. The camp nurses will distribute medications as needed at camp. This is both to ensure your student takes their medications and to prevent medication misuse. Epipens and inhalers can stay with your student, but please note them on their registration. Any medications not turned in at camp check-in will be confiscated and turned in to the camp nurses.
- What happens if my student brings a prohibited item or has behavioral issues at YTHCAMP?
- If a student brings a prohibited item to camp or has behavioral issues, they may be sent home early. If this is the case, it is your responsibility as a parent/guardian to come to camp to pick them up. By sending your student to camp, you are agreeing to this policy.
Rec, Color Teams, Chapel, etc
- What are color teams, and when will they find out what their color team is?
- For rec activities, students will be divided into color teams that will compete against each other throughout the week. They will find out their color team via email a few days before camp.
- What is “Rec” and how does that relate to the “color teams”?
- “Rec” refers to camp games we play throughout the week. All students are encouraged to attend (not all need to participate). Students go ALL OUT for this and get really into the games. Some will involve water, mud, etc., so we recommend bringing a few different outfits for these activities. Students are assigned a “color team” for the week. This applies to all rec activities throughout camp (most students only wear color team apparel for rec activities and wear normal clothing for the rest of camp). The color team with the most points at the end of the week wins!
Transportation & Early Pickup/Late Arrival
- How will students get to camp?
- Students are required to ride the bus we provide for them. We do not allow students to drive themselves. Buses will depart from most (not all) of our campuses. We will release the departing locations closer to the camp date, as these are based on campus registrations.
- Is my student allowed to drive themself?
- Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to drive themself to camp. If there is a legitimate reason why a student needs to drive themself, please contact ythcamp@rivervalley.org with proof of a schedule conflict and reason for the student needing to drive themself (instead of being picked up/dropped off). Our team will review the request and get back to you. All requests must be submitted by June 29.
- We have a schedule conflict. Is my student able to arrive late or be picked up early?
- Yes! Please inform us of the specifics at ythcamp@rivervalley.org. We need to know exactly what is happening and they must check in and check out of the office. Students will not be permitted to leave early unless it is documented. All requests must be submitted by June 29.
Pricing, Refunds and Scholarships
- In the past, you offered a sibling discount. Are you offering this again this year?
- We are not offering a sibling discount this year. If you need financial assistance for multiple campers, we recommend applying for a scholarship. If you are looking for a multiple-camper discount, we recommend applying for a $100 scholarship. This is around the amount of the previously offered sibling discount.
- What is your refund policy?
- No refunds will be allowed within 25 days of the event. 50% refunds will be given for cancellations between June 1 and June 11. 100% refunds will be issued for cancellations made before June 1. Credit card fees will not be refunded.
- Why is the cost for camp higher this year?
- The district camp pricing usually increases every year, as well as our busing costs. In addition to our typical pricing increases year over year (which is about $10-20), we are adding an additional meal to our Friday schedule this year, which has increased the cost slightly!
- Why is the River Valley cost for camp more than the cost I’m seeing on the camp registration website or other weeks?
- We have a bus fee that is added on to cover the bus transportation costs. We also have a late fee, which will be applied if you register past the River Valley Early Bird deadline. If finances are a concern, we recommend you apply for a scholarship.
Rooming
- How are students roomed?
- When students register, they can enter several roommate requests. We go by who the students request and then from there we make room assignments. We guarantee that they will be with at least one person they requested.
- Adults are NOT roomed with students, but their cabins are usually close by, so they are close if any issues arise.
- Age is taken into consideration with rooming. Unless there is a specific rooming request, we try our best to keep students roomed with students of the same age group and campus.
- Thank you for your grace and understanding as we room about 1,000 teenagers across the camp.
- If there are specific rooming concerns, please email ythcamp@rivervalley.org
- Rooming assignments are given upon check-in
- What are the room accommodations?
- The students will be staying in cabins, dorms, and various rooms throughout the campsite. Everyone will receive a bed, but make sure that your student brings their own bedding to camp!
Misc. Questions
- I want to send something to my camper while they are up at camp…is that allowed?
- Yes! In fact, we encourage this! We do mail call every morning, Tuesday-Friday. Feel free to send letters, care packages, etc.
- This is also a great way to order color team items since you won’t find out your color team until a few days before camp. You can do a delivery order to the camp, and it will be called out during mail call each morning.
- Be sure any mail/delivery has the CAMPER’S FULL NAME and is delivered to the camp address: 605 Birch Ave, Alexandria, MN 56308
- How do you assign camp counselors to students?
- When students register, they are able to enter their Wednesday YTH leader. We try to honor them the best that we can. All leaders go through a vetting process by our YTH team and are fully background checked…we only send the BEST leaders to YTH Camp!
- My student requires a PCA at camp. How will you accommodate this?
- We have a few leaders who will come to assist with students who need to sit in a quieter space during sessions. If your student requires additional assistance, we ask that you find someone (or go yourself) as a PCA for camp. We will cover the full registration cost to send a PCA. If the PCA needs to room with the student, that can be accommodated.
- My student is entering 6th grade. Should they attend YTH or Kids Camp?
- They can attend either Kids or YTH camp or both! However, if you are on the fence of which to send them to, we do encourage them to attend Kids camp.