General Camp Questions
What does my child need to bring each day?
Here is a list of things to bring each day in your backpack:
Sturdy sports sandals: with back straps (ie. Keens/Crocs) or gym shoes to protect feet from injury. NO open-toes sandals or flip-flops, please!
Sunscreen & Bug Spray: We will spend much of our time in the forest, but sunscreen will be important for field games. Please apply before you arrive and our counselors will re-apply throughout the day.
Hat: to keep the sun off of delicate faces.
Rain jacket: Camp adventures will not be stopped by rain. We will seek shelter during lightning or severe weather.
Extra set of clothes: or swimsuit that can get wet and/or muddy. We will not be swimming but we often walk or sit in the creek.
Plastic water bottle: Proper hydration keeps our campers happy and cool. We will refill the bottles throughout the day. BPA-free water bottles are sold in our camp store.
Lunch & a snack: packed in a reusable lunchbox/bag. All wrappers/uneaten food will be kept in the lunchbox and returned home so parents can be aware of what their child is eating or not eating while at camp.
*If a child forgets their lunch, camp will call the listed contact person and emergency contacts. Lunch can be dropped off or camp will provide a pre-packaged lunch for a fee of $5.00.
*Camp is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please label all of your child’s belonging. Unclaimed items will be held for 1 week, displayed at check-out, then donated to charity.
What will my child do if it rains?
Rain brings the field flowers to life and replenishes the Little Marrow Bone Creek. We wouldn’t want to miss out on that! Our campers should bring rain gear and be ready for new adventures when the rain falls. Our staff will monitor the weather and if lightning or thunder is detected campers will be moved to the pavilions or inside the Nature Center. Emergency plans are in place for more severe weather events.
How will my child stay cool and hydrated this summer?
Camp Bells Bend Beaman is very aware of the dangers presented by high temps and humidity. It is quiet warm and sunny at Bells Bend, but we will take refuge in the camping area with shade. Luckily, Beaman Park’s forest is large and shady! Every camper will bring a full water bottle in the morning and their counselor will facilitate frequent water breaks and refills. The campers will also be reminded to fill up their water bottles when their group stops at the restroom. Campers will have the opportunity to play in the creeks and rivers flowing through the park. Sunscreen reapplication will be facilitated by our counselors.
Do you offer Extended care?
YES! Camp Bells Bend Beaman is offering Extended Care from 7:45 am-5:15 pm. Weekly Extended Care can be purchased as an add-on during registration for $50/week. Extended Care includes activities and supervision by our highly trained camp staff. Campers are encouraged to pack an extra snack with their lunch. Drop-off and pick-up each day is at the park nature centers. A late pickup fee of $1/minute may be assessed.
Regular drop-off is 8:45-9:00 am and pick-up is 3:45-4:00 pm, campers arriving early or staying late will be charged $1 per minutes if not enrolled in Extended Care.
Why can I only enroll my child for 4 sessions this summer?
Summer is a great time to develop new skills, attend overnight camps, play sports, go camping or spend time with family. At Camp Bells Bend Beaman, we believe that there are many valuable experiences for our campers and we encourage our campers to have a well-rounded summer.
Is there a cancellation fee?
Cancellation Policy for Leadership Academy LLC
Cancellations for camp, for any reason, less than 30 days before the session there are no refunds.
Cancellations for camp, for any reason, 31-90 days before the session allow for a camp credit for the same season or following season, less a $50 processing fee, no refunds.
Cancellations for camp, for any reason, 91 days before the session allow a camp credit in the full amount for the same season or following season, no refunds.
Cancellation requests must be in writing it can be submitted through our contact page. There is no fee for transfer to another week up to 30 days prior to the start, if there is space available.
Cancellation requests must be in writing it can be submitted through our contact page.
Does it cost anything to switch weeks?
There is no fee for transfer to another week up to 30 days prior to the start, if there is space available. Any session changes under 30 days will incur a $25 processing fee.
How do I check my status if my child is on a waitlist for a specific session?
Visit our registration site and login. In your messages center, it will have information about your waiting list status.
How does the "Wait List" work?
To add your camper to the waitlist, go to register as normal and choose the session that you would like. When a space becomes available you will receive an email in the order of waitlist signup. You will have 24 hours to complete your registration. After 24 hours the space will be opened up to the next person on the waitlist.
Nashville Sail Camp
What will my camper learn?
Sailing teaches critical thinking, builds confidence and encourages sportsmanship. Most important – it’s just plain fun! Certified instructors will be teaching sailing in small sailboats for all skill levels. They will teach part of the course on the water and part of the course on shore. They’ll practice rigging the boat, finding the wind, basic boat handling and safety, too. Course curriculum will be based on US Sailing Level 1 instruction.
What kind of boat will be used?
We’ll be using Optimist, Laser, Sunfish and Vanguard 15 boats as our teaching platform. These are safe, sturdy and easy to sail. Perfect for kids!
All groups are coached by US Sailing certified instructors and assisted by camp counselors and junior counselors. All age groups sail each day and have swim time as well as camp crafts and games. Each day also includes lessons appropriate for each learning level. Campers are encouraged to participate in each level for multiple sessions within one season, or over a period of years.
Opti 1
Our youngest and smallest campers will take the helm for the first time in the Opti fleet, learning the basics of sailing safety and maneuvers in pairs on board their boats. Campers will learn basic boating safety, steering and control, capsize recovery, rigging and team work.
Opti 2
Beginning sailors ages 9 and up as well as Opti 1 graduates will increase their skill level at the helm of an Opti sailboat. Campers are encouraged to single-hand after mastering sailing in pairs. Campers will learn basic boating safety, steering and control, capsize recovery, rigging, team work and single-handed sailing.
Sunfish
Sailors ages 11 and up will explore the waters on leisure sunfish boats, one of the world’s most popular day sailing boats. Starting off in pairs to increase confidence and get practice with a friend on board, campers are encouraged to try single-handing the boat by the end of the week. Sunfish campers spend most of their time on the water throughout the week with both morning and afternoon sailing sessions and a group raft-up.
What will each day be like?
Each camp day will start at 9:00am and end at 4:00pm. Everyone should show up with sunscreen pre-applied and bring some extra to reapply later in the day. The instructors will start things on shore with classroom learning about the core concepts of sailing. Campers will spend 3-5 hours out on the water each day. Lunch break will be around noon and we will seek shade for this break. Each day the campers will rig and de-rig their boats and be actively involved in the cleanup and storage of boats. In addition, campers will do camp activities like games, song and crafts.
What do I need to bring?
- CGA Class III Personal Flotation Device (Lifejacket that is a full vest)
- Sack lunch and water bottle
- Athletic swimwear, hat and closed-toe water shoes
- Change of Clothes
- SPF 30 sunscreen
And of course your smile!
See the full Parent Guide, including packing list.
Does my child need experience with sailing? What about swimming?
No, your child does not need any sailing experience – this camp is for beginners too. We will note that it is helpful to have some boating experience as a passenger and campers must be comfortable in and around water. Being a good swimmer is also very helpful. Campers will be required to wear life jackets at all times when on a boat, in the water and on the shoreline near the water.
Do you have to be a yacht club member or own a boat to attend camp?
No, sail camp is for all children ages 7-17. Yacht Club members get a discount off registration. Although, we encourage families to consider joining one of the two yacht clubs to keep up sailing skills all year long.
Can adults sail?
Absolutely! We offer private lessons and adult sailing classes are also available at the Percy Priest Yacht Club.
See our Parent Guide for more information. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Mountain Bike Camp
What class should my camper go to?
Our rider assessment guide has a list of expectations and requirements to place each rider into a category of best fit.
What do I need to do before I show up to camp?
Check the parent guide that is on the Mountain Bike Camp page. You need to have the appropriate waivers complete and at least two authorized contacts to pickup your camper. You can fill this out at registration.
Can we go to multiple camps?
Yes, we have 8 total weeks of camps throughout the summer. We recommend starting at the appropriate class for your camper and progressing throughout the summer.
Where is camp?
Camp is at Percy Warner Park. The location is the Deep Wells Trailhead and is right off of Highway 100. Location can be found on the parent guide and will be sent out to each camper prior to camp.
Who are the coaches?
Our coaches are experienced mountain bikers that have been trained by local pros and trained by Leadership Academy. They are CPR certified and go through courses to set our campers up for a great week of learning and fun.
How can I sponsor a camper to get to camp?
Send an email to our camp director at using our online contact form about sponsoring local riders to get to camp and have the proper equipment.
Is there extended care for Mountain Bike Camp?
Yes, there is extended care for camp, you can choose extended care at registration.
See our Parent Guide for more information. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
