Helpful Information

General Staff Development for all counselors and medical staff begins on May 23^rd. We ask that everyone be fully moved into their cabins before 5:00 PM on that day. This will allow adequate time for all staff to get settled before we begin the evening’s program. Staff parking will be provided for anyone who wishes to bring their personal vehicle to camp.

Program Assistant (PA) Development begins on June 3^rd at 5:00 PM.

Counseling Staff: August 11^th

All other staff: August 9^th

May 23^rd – June 8^th. Staff development includes diabetes education, implementation of program goals, and ARC CPR/First Aid certification.

First Session – June 9^th – June 28^th
Second Session – June 30^th – July 19^th
Third Session – July 21^st – August 9^th

Counseling staff members will be provided two periods of time off (off the grounds of Camp Sweeney) during each session. Time off will be based on your cabin placement, activity (class) and cabin responsibilities. Camp will provide lodging during a portion of both of these periods to ensure that all staff members can get some well deserved rest. In addition, staff members will be given time off from 2 PM Friday to 11 AM Saturday at the completion of session 1 & 2. Staff members will receive notification of their cabin placement and time off allocation in mid March.

With so many different activates and events at camp, you may be wondering what you need to bring with you for the summer. If you’ve never been to Texas before, you should prepare yourself to spend plenty time under the sun!

We recommend that all staff members bring at least:

• 6 shirts or tank tops
• 5 pairs of athletic shorts
• 2 swimsuits
• 2 pairs of tennis shoes
• 1 pair of flips flops or sandals
• 1 hat and plenty of socks and undergarments

We’ll also provide you with a drawer full of Sweeney shirts to wear during the summer.

In the unlikely event that it rains, you may want to have a rain jacket on hand. Many staff members like to bring a fleece or pair of sweat pants for evening events in the Shull Activity Center.

Staff members should also bring their own bed sheets, pillows, wash rags, towels, laundry bag, and personal toiletries. If you forget something at home, don’t worry, we’ll be making a trip into town during staff development.

There are also special events that you will want to dress for appropriately.  See “Are there special events I should prepare for?” below.

OPENING/CLOSING DAY:  There are also many special events at Camp Sweeney that you’ll want to be prepared for! On opening day, all staff members are asked to wear either khaki pants or a khaki skirt with the Camp Sweeney oxford we will provide you. On closing day, all staff members wear either khaki or navy shorts with a Camp Sweeney polo.

FIGHT SONG WEDNESDAY:  Every Wednesday at camp is “Fight Song Wednesday.” Campers and staff dress in their favorite college gear and cheer for their schools at dinner. Be sure to bring enough clothing to deck out yourself and your little siblings.

PURPLE POWER DAY:  Thursday are made for wearing purple! “Purple Power Day” is a serious camp tradition, so you’ll want to bring as much purple as you can!

DANCES:  Three of the biggest and most popular camp events each session are our Dances, where we turn the Shull Activity Center into a massive dance club. Each dance has a theme, and staff members are encouraged to go all out with their costumes. The themes for this summer are: Luau, Halloween, Neon, and prom “Night of a thousand Stars”!

BANQUET NIGHT:  The final night of each session is our Awards Banquet and Code of Living ceremony. Staff members are asked to dress formally to honor our campers and provide a festive atmosphere for the evening. Male staff members should wear a coat and tie and female staff members should wear a semi formal dress. That night is also the “prom night” after the banquet. So the banquet attire can also work for that night’s dance.

If you choose to fly to camp this summer, we will provide transportation from the airport to Camp Sweeney. There are two airports in the Dallas area: Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Love Field (DAL). On May 23^rd, a charter buss will pick up all staff members from Love Field at 3PM and DFW at 4PM. Please arrange your travel so that you arrive and collect your luggage before the designated pickup time. Sweeney staff will be waiting in a designated meeting area of each airport. Whether you are flying or driving, we ask that all staff members fill out a travel form to ensure that everyone arrives to camp on time.

Pay checks are distributed at the end of each session. Federally mandated tax withholding (federal tax, social security, and medicare) will be deducted from each check.  Direct deposit is available.

Laundry service is provided once a week by our onsite laundry staff.

Your Name
c/o Camp Sweeney
PO Box 918
Gainesville, TX 76241

Staff mail will be delivered to cabins each day.

Your Name
c/o Camp Sweeney
10687 FM 678
Whitesboro, TX 76273

This is for UPS or FedEx only.  Otherwise there will be a delay in mail delivery.  Staff packages will be delivered to cabins each day.

<yourcabin>@campsweeney.org

You will be assigned your cabin in March.

Catholic Mass/Worship Service will be available 3 times during development and once in between the transition of sessions for a total of 5 times during the Summer.

Many staff members may need to work on Medical School and post graduate applications while they are at camp this summer. Cell phones, laptops, and personal electronics will be stored in cabins for use during time off only. Don’t forget to call your parents!