Parent Info
Parent Info
Welcome, Parents
Preparing your student for SYC is a team effort, and this page brings together the key details you’ll need before camp begins. Here you’ll find information about how SYC works, what your student can expect, and how their church leaders will support them throughout the week. Our goal is to help you feel confident, informed, and ready as your student heads into an unforgettable week of worship, community, and adventure.
Overview
SYC is a week‑long summer camp for students from CNBC churches across Alberta. Students attend as part of their youth group, not as individual campers. Each group is led by trusted volunteers from their home church—adults who know your students, have been screened by their church, and serve as their camp counselors for the week. Leaders stay with their students, guide them through activities, and help create a safe, encouraging environment.
Vital Dates & Deadlines
Camp Week
July 12 – July 18, 2026
Registration Deadline
June 30, 2026
Final Payment Due
July 1, 2026
Early Bird Rate Ends
May 31, 2026
Leader‑to‑student ratios and supervision structure
SYC follows a 1:5 leader‑to‑student ratio, with each church providing the primary supervision for their own students. Church group leaders stay with their students, guide them through daily activities, and are responsible for their overall care throughout the week. In addition to church leaders, there are other screened adults on campus—including the SYC Team and mission teams—who help provide general supervision and support across camp.
Safety & Supervision
Your student’s safety is one of our highest priorities. SYC works with our churches to ensure students are well‑supervised, cared for, and supported throughout the week.
How medications and medical needs are managed
All medications and medical needs are handled by your church group leader. Please speak with them before camp to ensure they understand your student’s needs and routines. Be sure to include all medical information during registration—this helps the SYC Team support your group and ensures that, in the event your church leader is not the closest adult during an emergency, others are aware of any important details.
Emergency contact
If an emergency arises at home, your church group leader is your first point of contact. If an emergency occurs at camp, our priority is always the immediate safety and care of students. Once the situation is stabilized, parents will be contacted with details. For more information on how emergencies are handled, please refer to our full emergency policy.
Daily Life at Camp
Parents often wonder what a typical day at SYC looks like. This section gives you a snapshot of the daily rhythm so you know what your student will experience—from morning worship to evening activities.
Sample daily schedule
A day at SYC follows a consistent rhythm that balances worship, teaching, activities, meals, and time with each student’s church group. While exact times vary, a typical day looks like this:
- Morning — Breakfast, morning worship, and devotional session
- Late Morning — Large group game time
- Afternoon — Lunch followed by track times, bible study, and free‑time activities
- Evening — Dinner, evening worship service, and church group debrief time
- Night — Late‑night activities, snacks, and lights‑out in the dorms
Meals & Dietary Needs
All meals at SYC are provided by Prairie College and served buffet‑style, offering a variety of tasty and healthy options each day. If your student has allergies or dietary restrictions, please include those details during registration. The Dining Room is very accommodating and works hard to support students with special dietary needs. Your church leader should also be aware of these needs and can help ensure your student receives the appropriate meals.
Dorm Life for Students
Students stay in Prairie’s residence building, with modern four‑, six‑, and eight‑bed suites—each with its own bathroom. Dorms are assigned by gender, church group, and age, and students may request roommates during registration. Church leaders stay in the suites with their students, helping with routines, supervision, and community life. Dorm changes during camp are limited and handled by the SYC Team.
Student Expectations
To help create a safe, distraction‑free environment, SYC has a few expectations for all students. This section outlines the standards we set for behaviour, technology use, and what items should stay at home.
Behaviour Expectations and Community Guidelines
Cell Phone Policy and Technology Boundaries
Items Not Permitted at Camp
SYC is designed to be a safe, respectful, and Christ‑centered environment. Students are expected to participate fully, treat others with kindness, and follow the guidance of their church leaders and SYC volunteers. This includes respecting property, using appropriate language, staying within designated areas, and following all camp rules. Our goal is to create a community where every student can grow, have fun, and feel safe.
To help students stay present and engaged, cell phones are not to be used during scheduled activities. Students may use their phones during free time, but excessive use or use that becomes a distraction may result in the phone being held by their church leader until an appropriate time. Leaders follow the same expectations and model healthy boundaries with technology.
For the safety and well‑being of all students, certain items are not allowed at SYC. These include weapons of any kind, vapes or tobacco products, alcohol or drugs, fireworks, prank materials, and any items that could cause harm or disruption. Students should also leave valuable electronics or expensive personal items at home. If prohibited items are brought to camp, they may be held by the church leader or SYC Team until the end of the week.