Welcome
Whether your camper is heading to overnight camp, Day Camp, or a Mini Camp session, here's what you need to know to get them ready, get them there, and stay in touch while they're with us.
First Time at Camp?
Camp Tanako has welcomed generations of children since 1948, and we know that for many families this is your child's first time away from home. We take that seriously. Our staff is trained to ensure every camper feels safe, included, and known — no matter the background, experience, or expectations they bring with them.
If you'd like to visit camp, meet our team, or tour the grounds before your child arrives, we'd love to host you. Call (501) 262-2600 with any questions or concerns about the week ahead.
If you'd like to visit camp, meet our team, or tour the grounds before your child arrives, we'd love to host you. Call (501) 262-2600 with any questions or concerns about the week ahead.
Forms and Paperwork
Every camper needs the following on file before the first day of camp:
Most paperwork is completed online during registration — you don't need to bring anything with you. Waivers for the high ropes course are signed at check-in if your camper has registered for that activity.
- Health and Medical Form — completed during registration
- Medication Authorization if your camper takes any prescription or over-the-counter medications during camp
- Pickup Authorization listing every adult permitted to pick up your camper
- Any allergy or dietary information so the kitchen can plan accordingly
Most paperwork is completed online during registration — you don't need to bring anything with you. Waivers for the high ropes course are signed at check-in if your camper has registered for that activity.
What to Pack
Overnight Camps
|
Day Camp
|
|
|
What NOT to Pack
- Cell phones
- Other electronic communication devices
- Recording and playback devices
Drop-off and Pick-up
Overnight Camps
|
Day Camp
|
|
Check-in: Sunday, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Tanako Life Center (TLC). Park in the lot, check in with our staff, and one of our bell hops will help you carry items to your camper's cabin.
Medications: After general check-in, please stop by the health administrator's table. Prescription medications should be brought in their original bottles. Money: Campers don't need money during camp. The gift shop is open at check-in and at check-out. Check-out: Friday morning, 9:00 a.m. at the cabin. Medications will be returned at the TLC. Closing Worship: Parents and guardians are invited to join us at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel for closing worship before heading home. |
Drop off 7:30 – 8:00 a.m., pick up 4:30 – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
|
Things to Know for Overnight Camp
We know sending your kids to camp can be both exciting and a little scary. Here's what to expect from arrival to departure — and a few traditions worth knowing about ahead of time.
- Check-in is at the Tanako Life Center (TLC) between 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. on the day of arrival. Park in the lot, check in, and our staff will direct you to your cabin. Our bell hops help carry items.
- You don't need to bring paperwork. Health forms and waivers are completed online at registration.
- If your camper takes medication, check in with our health administrator after general check-in. Prescription medications should be in their original bottle.
- Your camper will not need money during camp. The gift shop is open during check-in and check-out.
- Check-out is at the cabin at 9:00 a.m. on departure day. Medications will be returned at the TLC.
- Parents are invited to closing worship at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel.
- BUNK1 is our photo-sharing system. Sign-up materials arrive in your pre-camp email reminder.
- Camper Mail can be dropped off in the lobby at Check-In. Include your camper's first and last name on each envelope. (Campers love mail.) You can drop off one envelope or as many as you'd like, marked with the day you want each one delivered.
- WACKY WEDNESDAY — pack tie-dye, silly clothes, or international/cultural attire. Wednesday is the wacky day.
- Outpost is an optional overnight camping experience. Campers sleep under the stars in hammocks and cook breakfast over a fire. Tanako provides a backpack with blanket, hammock, and flashlight for each participating camper.
Overnight Packing Hacks
Eight tips from camp staff and seasoned camp moms. Built from many summers of figuring out what works.
1. Pre-soaped washcloths. Take your washcloths (the older, almost-dust-rag ones work great) a few days before camp. Lay them out on a counter where they won't be disturbed. Squirt on the amount of 3-in-1 soap you'd actually use in a shower (so body wash and hair care in one). Spread it gently with your finger and let it air-dry — usually about 24 hours. Then store them in a plastic bag so they stay dry until shower time.
2. Pack clothes by the day. Lay out a shirt, then shorts, then underwear, then socks — stacked on top of each other. Fold the whole stack in half (sleeves to sleeves), roll it up tight, and secure with a rubber band. You can also drop the bundle in a sandwich-size grocery bag or Zip-loc, or leave it folded if it'll hold. The point: your camper grabs one bundle each morning instead of digging through a duffel bag.
3. Disposable camera. They still make these. Highly recommended — unless you're willing to part with a digital camera you don't mind losing.
4. Dirty-clothes bag with a drawstring. A mesh laundry bag or a drawstring trash bag both work. The drawstring matters because there's a hook on each bunk where it can hang, and your camper can drop dirty clothes in every day. If using a mesh bag, attach it to the bunk-bed post for easier removal at the end of the week. (Test at home first if you're using a method that's new for your camper.)
5. Drawstring backpack. Should hold their Bible, flashlight, and water bottle.
6. Knee-length robe (the longer the better). Why a robe? Heading to the showers, your camper can change out of their clothes (drop them in the dirty-clothes bag), put the robe on, grab their pre-soaped washcloth and shower towel, and head off comfortably.
7. Put their name on everything. This is a cabin-counselor request, not a mom/dad lecture. Towels, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat — anything that could end up in a lost-and-found pile. Counselors trying to return a found item shouldn't have to interrogate a tired kid about whether the towel is theirs. If your camper doesn't want their actual name visible, pick a symbol that's theirs.
8. SEND MAIL. This is the camp staff in me speaking — every camper, no matter their age, wants mail. If you're worried about the post office getting a letter to camp on time, drop letters at the office window after your camper has settled in their cabin. You can write "Day 1," "Day 2," "Day 3" on each envelope and we'll deliver them in order. Make sure your camper's first and last name and the camp's address are on the envelope. (And no food, per camp rules — sorry, the staff member in me made me say it.)
Happy camping!
2. Pack clothes by the day. Lay out a shirt, then shorts, then underwear, then socks — stacked on top of each other. Fold the whole stack in half (sleeves to sleeves), roll it up tight, and secure with a rubber band. You can also drop the bundle in a sandwich-size grocery bag or Zip-loc, or leave it folded if it'll hold. The point: your camper grabs one bundle each morning instead of digging through a duffel bag.
3. Disposable camera. They still make these. Highly recommended — unless you're willing to part with a digital camera you don't mind losing.
4. Dirty-clothes bag with a drawstring. A mesh laundry bag or a drawstring trash bag both work. The drawstring matters because there's a hook on each bunk where it can hang, and your camper can drop dirty clothes in every day. If using a mesh bag, attach it to the bunk-bed post for easier removal at the end of the week. (Test at home first if you're using a method that's new for your camper.)
5. Drawstring backpack. Should hold their Bible, flashlight, and water bottle.
6. Knee-length robe (the longer the better). Why a robe? Heading to the showers, your camper can change out of their clothes (drop them in the dirty-clothes bag), put the robe on, grab their pre-soaped washcloth and shower towel, and head off comfortably.
7. Put their name on everything. This is a cabin-counselor request, not a mom/dad lecture. Towels, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat — anything that could end up in a lost-and-found pile. Counselors trying to return a found item shouldn't have to interrogate a tired kid about whether the towel is theirs. If your camper doesn't want their actual name visible, pick a symbol that's theirs.
8. SEND MAIL. This is the camp staff in me speaking — every camper, no matter their age, wants mail. If you're worried about the post office getting a letter to camp on time, drop letters at the office window after your camper has settled in their cabin. You can write "Day 1," "Day 2," "Day 3" on each envelope and we'll deliver them in order. Make sure your camper's first and last name and the camp's address are on the envelope. (And no food, per camp rules — sorry, the staff member in me made me say it.)
Happy camping!
Camper Mail
Mail is one of the highlights of every camper's week. Letters can be sent two ways:
By mail:
Camper Name
c/o Camp Tanako
4301 Hwy 290
Hot Springs, AR 71913
Mail typically takes two to three days; for shorter sessions, send mail before camp begins so it arrives on time.
Drop-off at check-in: Bring your envelopes to the TLC lobby at check-in. Include your camper's first and last name on every envelope, plus the day you'd like it delivered. We'll hand them out at mail call accordingly.
By mail:
Camper Name
c/o Camp Tanako
4301 Hwy 290
Hot Springs, AR 71913
Mail typically takes two to three days; for shorter sessions, send mail before camp begins so it arrives on time.
Drop-off at check-in: Bring your envelopes to the TLC lobby at check-in. Include your camper's first and last name on every envelope, plus the day you'd like it delivered. We'll hand them out at mail call accordingly.
Communication During Camp
Tanako is intentionally a place set apart — including from screens. Cell phones aren't permitted at overnight camps. Here's how to stay in touch:
Photos: Tanako uses BUNK1 to share daily photos. You'll receive sign-up materials with your pre-camp email reminder.
Mail: See the Camper Mail section above.
Email: Coming soon
Emergencies: Call the camp office at (501) 262-2600 — the camp number is used for both daytime and after-hours emergencies.
Photos: Tanako uses BUNK1 to share daily photos. You'll receive sign-up materials with your pre-camp email reminder.
Mail: See the Camper Mail section above.
Email: Coming soon
Emergencies: Call the camp office at (501) 262-2600 — the camp number is used for both daytime and after-hours emergencies.
Still Have Questions?
Email [email protected] or call (501) 262-2600. The office is open Monday through Friday and during camp sessions year-round.
