How are your counselors selected?
At SAMBICA all of our counselors and staff are at least 18 years of age or high school graduates. They are generally college age young adults who are hired for the summer. They complete an extensive application and interview process and we run background checks on all employees. Staff members are chosen for their skills, faith in Christ, and leadership qualities. Meet SAMBICA's Summer Staff!
Qualified waterfront personnel are hired including: boat drivers and lifeguards. Certified lifeguards are on duty during all swim times. Our boat drivers are trained and have a clean driving record.
During the summer we employ a Camp Medic who oversees the distribution of medications and provides first aid treatments for campers. Our Camp Medic is generally a certified EMT.
High School students enrolled in our ELITE program work in various roles around the camp and will assist counselors in various capacities. High School ELITES are always supervised by staff members and are not left alone or in charge of campers.
What if my child wants to attend with a friend?
Campers are assigned to groups with a specific counselor for the week. These cabin groups are assigned based on gender and grade level. Campers that wish to attend with a friend can request each other as cabin buddies on the registration form. Only mutual requests will be honored. Buddies must be of the same gender and grade. Consideration will be made for buddy requests that are close in age. Only two requests will be honored. We want kids to share their camp experience with their close friends. We also want to encourage campers to make new friends and we do not want campers feeling left out because all the other kids in their group already know one another.
I have already turned in my child’s registration but I need to make a buddy request. What should I do?
You can either send us an email at sambica@sambica.com or give us a call at (425) 746-9110. We’d be happy to add your buddy request to your child’s registration. Please see “What if my child wants to attend with a friend” in our frequently asked questions for more information about how we form our cabin groups.
What kind of activities will my child do at camp?
SAMBICA offers waterfront activities including: swimming, water trampoline, the Blob, the Iceberg, water slide, high dive, and low dive. Campers will also go out on our ski boats to enjoy tubing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, or water skiing. Other activities include: Kayaks/canoes, archery, mini-golf, nature walk, the inflatables, arts and crafts and more. Camp activities will vary depending on age appropriateness and specific camp schedules.
How are campers kept safe while in the water and on boats?
Water safety is taken very seriously at SAMBICA. SAMBICA has a roped off swim area with a shallow end and a deep end. Each camper must pass a SAMBICA swim test to swim in the deep end and to be allowed to swim without a PFD (personal flotation device). The test consists of a 40 foot swim, stop, change of direction and treading water. Campers that do not pass or do not wish to take the swim test may swim in the shallower end of the lake and are required to where a PDF at all times when in the water. Campers may retake the test each day until they pass although SAMBICA does not offer swimming lessons.
Qualified waterfront personnel are hired including: boat drivers and lifeguards. Certified lifeguards are on duty during all swim times. Counselors are also at the waterfront and in the water with their campers during all swim times.
Our boat drivers are trained and have a clean driving record. Campers always wear a PFD when in a boat. Helmets are provided for campers when riding on tubes.
Are meals provided?
Yes, SAMBICA serves meals in our Dining Hall and they are included in the cost of camp. For more information about our dining services please refer to our parent information.
Is SAMBICA a religious camp? What will you teach my child?
Yes, SAMBICA is a non-denominational Christian Camp. In accordance with SAMBICA’s mission, camp counselors teach Bible studies daily to all campers (except for School of Wake participants). Bible studies are prepared by full-time SAMBICA staff and consist of basic Bible stories and Biblical truths. For our overnight campers, special camp speakers are invited to share during evening Forum times. Speakers are usually youth pastors from local churches. For more information please read our Christian perspective.
Can I visit my child at camp?
Since we are developing a community atmosphere among campers and staff at SAMBICA, there are no visiting times for family and friends until the final Parents’ Program. Exceptions may be made for emergencies or major unforeseen circumstances but must be cleared through our main office. All visitors must check in at the main office to maintain security on the grounds.
We invite you to write, drop off a care package, or e-mail your camper at letters@sambica.com during their stay. Campers will not be able to reply to your e-mails. SAMBICA will contact you if we have any questions or concerns regarding your camper or in the event of an emergency. Your camper and their counselor will not be near a phone during the day. Campers will be taken to the office to call home in the case of homesickness or other concerns. No cell phones or pagers are allowed at camp.
If my child is attending camp for multiple weeks will they get bored?
Each week of camp follows the same structural schedule throughout the summer so that all of the sessions are equally fun. However, campers that attend multiple weeks of the same camp will still have a new experience each week because they will generally have a different counselor and be in a group with many new kids. They will also participate in a special Bible study for repeat campers so they will not be hearing the same stories each week. SAMBICA’s activities are so much fun that even campers that attend all summer still look forward to another chance to play and participate.
Do you offer any discounts or financial aid?
Yes, SAMBICA wants all children to have a summer camp experience regardless of their financial situation. SAMBICA donors have created a special scholarship fund to help provide camp scholarships. SAMBICA also has a variety of discounts. For complete information see our discounts and scholarships page.
How do I register my child for camp?
Registration can be accepted:
Online: Register online with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express)
Fax: Complete the registration form and fax it to 425-746-7082.
Mail: Complete the registration form and mail it to SAMBICA at:
Attn: Registration
4114 W Lk Sammamish Pkwy SE
Bellevue, WA 98008
(Registration by phone is not available)
For more information please call our main office at
425-746-9110 or 1-888-SAMBICA (registration by phone is not available).
What if the camp session I want to register for is full?
SAMBICA offers a waitlist for all full camp sessions. To be added to the waitlist no payment or registration form is necessary. Simply complete the waitlist information for each camp you wish to attend. If/when a space becomes available, you will be contacted immediately. We generally give waitlisted campers 24 hours to respond to our offer of an open spot. If no response is given within 24 hours, we continue down our waitlist until the spot is accepted. Once a spot is accepted a registration form and payment will be required to complete your child’s registration.
If a camp is full it is a good idea to register for a different session if possible. While we recommend getting on a waitlist there is no way for SAMBICA staff to predict the likelihood of getting into a full camp.
If you change your plans and you no longer want to be considered for an opening, please contact our office to remove your name from our waitlist.
What if I need to cancel or change my child’s registration?
Cancellations made up to 4 business days prior to the start date of the camp session will receive a refund for the total amount paid less the $50 non-refundable deposit per child. No refunds are available when canceling within 4 business days prior to each camp start date. No refunds are available for “no-shows". No refunds are available for campers who must leave camp for disciplinary reasons.
If you need to switch to a different camp session after registering a transfer may be allowed based on the availability of the camp session. A $25 processing fee is charged for all transfers.
I registered online a long time ago and haven’t received any information. What should I do?
We generally try to have confirmation packets in the mail to you within 2 weeks of registering. Occasionally we have numerous registrations come in at once and are unable to make that a reality. If it has been longer than two weeks and you have not received any form of confirmation either by email or regular mail, please call our office at (425) 746-9110. It’s possible that a problem occurred and your registration was not received.
I’m worried that a certain camp will fill and I’m having trouble getting the registration form completed. Will you save my child a spot?
Unfortunately we can not hold spaces for summer camps due to their high demand. You are welcome to register online, by fax or come by our office. We can not take registrations over the phone. We want your child to attend SAMBICA as much as you do, but we must honor our “first come, first serve” philosophy. If any of our camps should fill before you are able to register, we do offer a wait list. Please see “What if the camp session I want to register for is full?” in our frequently asked questions.
