We know that close siblings and friend groups being unable to attend the same session can be stressful, and that school grade is not always the most accurate metric for ability and maturity.
Even articulate and otherwise confident campers can struggle to navigate being the very youngest in a large group, with or without friends from home. We create our age limits with activity plans, physical strain, social dynamics and childhood development in mind. Consider splitting your group between separate sessions that meet the same week for a compromise.
We cannot make any promises, but we consider exceptions in the following circumstances:
Campers in different grades were born in the same calendar year and plan to attend the same session as cabin buddies.
Campers born before June 1st and September 1st who ended up as the oldest in their grade.
Campers in one of the above situations who ALSO submit letters certifying their ability to operate above their age level written by educators or church leaders are most likely to receive exceptions.
All exception requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We give session registration preference to those within the designated age group.