Skip To Main Content

McCallie First Camp

McCallie “First” Camp is designed for younger campers, ages five and six. It includes various fun activities that stress the importance of cooperation and teamwork.

2020 Camp Sessions

Please see the COVID INFO tab for updated camp information. 

Session 1: June 1 – 5 - CANCELLED
Session 2: June 8 – 12 - CANCELLED
Session 3: June 15 – 19 - CANCELLED
Session 4: June 22 – 26
Session NEWLY ADDED: June 29 – July 3
Session 5: July 6 – 10
Session 6: July 13 – 17
Session 7: July 20 – 24

Ages: 5 and 6 year-old boys
Times: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM each day  DUE TO COVID-19 NEW TIME 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM ONLY

$395 per session - DUE TO HALF DAY CAMP PRICE IS $250 per session, no lunch, no swim lessons, no aftercare.

Multi-Week Discounts per Camper $25 per session! (Multiple sessions of First Camp, not any other camps.)

Add Tennis “Star” Lessons to extend your day to 3:45 (Details below) (NOT AVAILABLE 2020 DUE TO COVID-19)

  • On the first Monday, arrive between 8:00 – 8:45 AM. Counselors will be on duty starting at 8:00 AM every day in case you need to drop off your son early.
  • Drop-off Location: Rotunda Circle
  • Pick-up Location: Outside of Game Room (Burkett-Miller Drive) (2:30 PM)
  • Pick-up Tennis Star at Tennis Center 3:45 pm, (or in the Game Room after 3:45pm until 5pm) (NOT AVAILABLE 2020 DUE TO COVID-19)

Optional After-Camp Activities (NOT AVAILABLE 2020 DUE TO COVID-19):

  • Add $60 per session of Tennis Star camp, Monday – Friday, 3:00-3:45 PM. Campers who stay after 2:30 PM must enroll in Tennis Star. First Camp counselors escort First Campers to the Tennis Center for the Tennis Star camp. Pick up campers at the Tennis Center by 3:45 PM.
  • At 3:45 all campers are escorted to the McCallie Game Room.  Late fees apply after 5:00 PM. LATE PICK-UP: $25 per day late fee for pick-up after 5:00 PM.
    If you have a situation that prevents you from picking up after 5:00 PM please contact the Summer Programs office asap at 423-493-5886 or 423-240-1577.  (Offices close at 5:30 PM). 

Team sports, such as basketball and soccer, will introduce basic skills, develop some hand/eye coordination, and involve participation and good sportsmanship.

Swim Lessons during camp on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week are included in the camp price, as well as the free-swim period in the McCallie “Lake” each day. Swim Lessons will be in the indoor pool. The free-swim in the outdoor McCallie “Lake” includes “water awareness” instruction and help from staff members for campers who cannot swim. There are many lifeguards on duty. All activities are supervised by hand-selected counselors and adults from McCallie and GPS. (NOT AVAILABLE 2020 DUE TO COVID-19)

Lunch, a camp T-shirt, swim lessons in the Indoor pool and early drop-off are included in the price of camp. (NOT AVAILABLE 2020 DUE TO COVID-19)

From our experience, we know your son is going to have a wonderful time at “First Camp” and we look forward to having him with us. If you have any questions regarding camp, call us at the Summer Programs Office 423-493-5886 . or email: camps@mccallie.org.

About the Director: Debbie Lifsey

Debbie Lifsey is the Director of McCallie First Camp.

Debbie brings unique and valuable experiences that make her an excellent addition to McCallie Summer Camps, including planning, organizing, and supervising activities for children.  In addition to understanding boys and their unique needs, she has a passion for McCallie School and knows what it is like to be a parent of a McCallie summer camper.

Debbie will be starting her 9th year of teaching at McCallie and spent 9 summers as an instructor at GPS’s Camp Kaleidoscope prior to her becoming First Camp Director.

Debbie teaches Biology and Chemistry and is very involved with Student Life at McCallie, serving as the Student Council advisor. Debbie brings years of teaching experience including work in elementary and special education settings. She earned a degree in secondary science education from the University of Georgia and began her teaching career at Parkview High School in Lilburn, GA where she coached cheerleading and was actively involved in Young Life.  It was her time spent as a leader at several Young Life camps that first began her love of the camp experience for young people. 

Debbie lives on Lookout Mountain with her husband Griffin, an Engineering Manager at TVA, and four children; Max (McCallie class of ‘23), Whit (McCallie class of '25", Molly, and Ella. They attend Rockpoint Church. The Lifseys’ enjoy Georgia football, running, and frequent trips to Disney World. Both Max and Whit were McCallie First Campers and have spent many fun-filled weeks at various McCallie Camps.

There is a non-refundable $25 deposit to register for all Day Camps.

Please let us know if your plans change and your child will not be attending camp so we can give the spot to another child.

A non-refundable $25 registration fee is included in the deposit. (This registration fee applies to the camp fee.) The remaining balance is due and will be charged to your method of payment 10 days before the session begins.