Next Level is a camp offered to older campers ages 12-17 (rising 7th - 12th grade) and is run through the Joshua House Lodge. Campers live in groups of ten in our dormitory-style rooms with two staff people. For Bible Studies and other activities, two rooms are combined together to make a group called a huddle. There is no prerequisite to attend Next Level camp. Next Level is an adventure-intensive camp, with a focus on activities like zip-line, white water rafting, a day at the lake, mountain biking and boarding, high ropes, climbing, and overnight camping. Next Level campers also participate in many Classic Camp activities, including snacking at the HUB, camp-wide games, and Ligonier Live. Next Level campers also revel in the luxury of air-conditioned rooms with an attached bathroom and the opportunity to spend time with other teens.

Typical Daily Schedule - Next Level

8:00 -Wake up!

8:30 - Breakfast in the dining hall. Campers eat together at the same table with their cabin and counselors at all of the meals. It's cafeteria-style to get your food. Typical breakfasts are eggs, bacon and hash browns, pancakes & sausage, or breakfast sandwiches. There's also fresh fruit and cereal at every breakfast.

9:30 - 12:30 - Each huddle will participate in adventure activities specific to their group. Throughout the week each huddle will participate in a team building/low ropes experience, multiple high elements (Zip Line, Vomit Comet, Flying Squirrel, Team High Course, Pamper Jump) and/or mountain biking/boarding.

12:30 - Lunchtime! Typical lunches include Sloppy Joes and tater tots, grilled cheese and tomato soup, or turkey sandwiches and fries. We also serve fresh fruit, Wowbutter (a soy substitute for peanut butter), carrots and hummus or broccoli and ranch dressing. Campers eat together as a cabin with their counselors.

1:30 - Room clean up. It is what it sounds like! They clean the room. Believe us, it's a daily necessity.

1:45 - Each huddle will participate in adventure activities specific to their group. Throughout the week each huddle will participate in a team building/low ropes experience, multiple high elements (Zip Line, Vomit Comet, Flying Squirrel, Team High Course, Pamper Jump) and/or mountain biking/boarding.

5:30 - Dinner! Typical dinners at camp include pizza, chicken & broccoli Alfredo, pork chops and mashed potatoes, taco night, or fried chicken. We always have a full salad bar and sometimes serve dessert.

6:30 - Pool/Overnight prep/Wide Game - This period varies depending on the day. Typically Next Level will have pool time on Monday, Tuesday they participate in an overnight (camp out)experience, and Wednesday we join Classic Camp for a camp wide game.

7:30 - Camp store/shower time. Half of the campers go to the showers while the other half go to the camp store to hang out. After half an hour, they switch. Showers are brief and happen in camper rooms. Counselors are present to make sure kids move quickly through the process, but maintain privacy for kids, too. There are always multiple counselors there, to ensure the safety of all of the kids.

8:45 - Ligonier Live - Ligonier Live is our evening program. It's a mix of loud, worship songs with a band playing, as well as a late-night skit show. We do silly games, skits, songs and generally make it as fun as possible. It also always closes with someone on our staff giving a talk to share how campers can grow in their faith.

10:00 - Devotions. Counselors help kids get ready for bed and then settle in for the night with a brief closing devotion. Usually it's a quiet time to reflect on the day and pray before bed.

10:15 - Lights out!

*Bible study - Next Level campers have bible study each day (led by their counselors). The timing of bible study varies depending on what adventure elements they might be participating in each afternoon.

How to Pack for Next Level

When it comes to packing, here are some simple tips:

Label everything! Shorts, sweatshirts, water bottles, toiletries, towels, sleeping bags...label it all!
Don't send your best stuff. Fancy new things quickly become old and used at camp. Rest assured that most everything you send to camp will come home with a fresh coat of dirt!
Your camper will be doing lots of adventure activities where short or revealing clothing won't be appropriate. We ask that you leave things like short shorts, spaghetti-strapped tops, two-piece bathing suits, speedos, or other tight or revealing clothing at home.
It might be summer camp, but it gets chilly here, especially at night. Make sure you pack some warm clothes.
We only do laundry for the two-week session (Classic Camp Session 4) so pack accordingly!
Don’t forget the waiver, with a parent's signature, for whitewater rafting! This requires the completion of the rafting guide company’s waiver. To complete the waiver, click here.

Bring This

Any necessary medications in their original bottles. This includes over-the-counter medications as well. Inhalers must be in their box with a current prescription attached and should be listed on the camper medical form.
Sleeping bag or bedroll - a sleeping bag is necessary for the Next Level camps.
Pillow and pillowcase
Two towels - one beach, one bath
Two pairs of old shoes/sneakers - at least one pair needs to be solid tie shoes
River/creek shoes or old sneakers that you don't mind getting wet and muddy
T-shirts to last the week, and at least one sweatshirt
Shorts that are fingertip length (you don't want to try to wear a harness with too-short shorts, believe us)
Two pairs of jeans or long pants
Plenty of socks & underwear
Pajamas
A warm jacket
Rain gear - a poncho or a jacket
Swimsuit (no speedos or bikini's, one-piece bathing suits are preferred but modest two pieces are acceptable)
Shower shoes/flip flops
Toiletries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Water bottle
Bug spray & sunscreen
Bible, notebook, & pen or pencil (any translation of the Bible is fine; we most commonly use the 1984 NIV)
Stationary & stamps
Laundry bag for those really dirty clothes - a trash bag will work!
A tub, suitcase, or trunk for your belongings.

Don’t Bring This

Cell phones
E-readers/Tablets
mp3 players
Electronic games
Peanut or nut products
Candy, gum, soda, or any other food product (they're not allowed in the cabins but can be sent as a care package)
Knives of any kind/size or any other weapon
Fireworks
Alcohol
Drugs
Tobacco/cigarettes