We believe camp is an invaluable experience for all campers and strive to welcome as many campers as possible. Our policy is that no camper is turned away due to finances (click here for more information about paying for camp). We are an inclusive and affirming camp and we do not discriminate based on race, national origin, or church affiliation.

Pecometh serves persons of all ages and from all walks of life, not just United Methodists. Although originally founded by The United Methodist Church, Pecometh is now independently incorporated and affiliated with the UMC. Half of Pecometh’s campers come from other denominations and non-denominational churches, as well as from families who don’t attend church.

Our summer camp staff is a group of folks excited about working with youth in an outdoor Christian community setting. Many summer staffers attended and loved Camp Pecometh in their youth, and can't wait to come back to "pay it forward!" Many of our staff members come from a work or volunteer background including children or are going to school to become a teacher or another type of youth professional. Some are international staff choosing to spend their summer working with youth to experience American culture.

The majority of our staff are college-aged young adults; this includes counselors, lifeguards, activity instructors, maintenance staff, and specialist staff. By Maryland law, counselors must be at least 18 years of age or have graduated from high school. Less than 20% of our staff are 16-17 years old and serve in assistant counselor or non-counselor roles. Most of these younger staff are rising high school seniors who have been invited to apply a year early after completing our youth leadership development program. Several leadership and other supervisory positions require staff to be at least 21 years of age with prior camp experience.

All staff are required to submit a Livescan fingerprint FBI background check for criminal activity, a clearance request from Maryland Child Protective Services for child abuse and neglect, and an ACA Disclosure Statement for additional screening.

All staff attend a minimum of a full week of staff training before camper arrival, in addition to specialized training to certify lifeguards, challenge course staff, archery instructors, program specialists, and waterfront staff. During this time, staff are trained in Pecometh's Safe Sanctuaries Policies for the protection of all campers, staff, and volunteers. Staff also receive training on child development, camp safety and emergency preparedness (including First Aid/CPR/AED certification), behavior management, homesickness, engaging games, and much more.

Click Here to meet our year-round staff, including the Director of Program Ministries.

In addition to meeting the grade completed requirement for each program, youth campers in our traditional day and overnight programs must be able to meet the essential functions of campers as age-appropriate. With or without reasonable accommodation, campers must be able to:

• walk up to 3 miles per day on grass, sand, gravel, and/or asphalt.
• carry a small backpack with essentials for activities.
• communicate their needs to others.
• manage their hygiene independently (including use of a bathroom, changing clothes, and showering) or with minimal counselor assistance (including brushing teeth and hair care).
• sleep in bunk-style housing with toilets in a separate building and without air-conditioning (for campers staying in cabins).
• willingly follow simple and complex directions.
• self-moderate emotions in a community-based environment with a supervision ratio ranging from
  1:6 to 1:10 depending on camper's age and program.
• function independently in a fast-paced interactive environment.
• refrain from harming self and others.

Our programs are typically not designed to accommodate campers requiring reduced ratio care. We are happy to discuss reasonable accommodations or to recommend other programs that could provide a more successful experience for your camper.

Our Respite programs have a separate list of essential functions. You can find more information on our Summer Respite program page.

As youth development professionals, we know this decision is unique for each child. And as a parent, it's tough to know what your child may or may not be ready for, too. Here is a set of questions from the American Camp Association to help gauge your child's readiness for camp. Our blog also offers some insight. Consider reading Not Sure About Camp? or Is Your Child Ready for Overnight Camp?, written by former Executive Director Jack Shitama.

The best way to see camp for the first time is at Pecometh Day, our annual Open House and free community event. Our staff will still be on hand to welcome you and answer any questions you may have!

We are also able to schedule individual tours as needed. It is crucial to contact us in advance to ensure that a staff person will be available for a tour, as most staff may be working remotely in the Winter and Spring. We also ask that all visitors check in at the office upon arrival on site, as we are a year-round facility and security is a priority!

We do suggest that you register for camp before touring to ensure that your child has a spot.

Most campers come to camp by themselves and quickly make new friends - it's one of the best parts about camp! However, some campers like to come with a friend, and that's great too! Check out our Thrifty-Fifty discount if your camper is new to Pecometh and was recommended by a friend who has already been to camp.

When attending camp with a friend, some campers like to make a cabinmate request. Most campers automatically stay in the same cabin as long as they are registered for the same program and are the same gender. Since Riverside, Day Camp, Mini Camp, and Summer Respite can be multi-cabin programs, campers in these programs may request to be placed in the same cabin with a same-gender friend during the registration process.

In an effort to help facilitate the friend-making process, cabinmate requests must be mutual. We can therefore only honor and guarantee one cabinmate request per camper. Campers must be of the same gender and registered for the same program. We cannot guarantee that campers of different genders will be placed in the same family group (cabin pairing).

Some programs have very limited space and will fill up earlier than ever. Please register early to secure your camper's spot.  Our online registration system can show you in real-time what programs are available. You can also check our programs page to see general availability information. **

Our most popular programs can fill up very quickly, often within a couple of months of when registration opens, so the earlier you get your registration in, the better. Some programs have a spot or two still available even after sessions start in June. Don’t think you’ve waited too long for your children to have a great time at Camp Pecometh. Call us and we’ll do everything possible to find them a spot.

While we do offer a waitlist for programs that have filled up, it is very rare that a spot opens up in programs that are full. We encourage campers to register for another program instead to make sure that they don't miss the opportunity to attend camp that summer!