CONTACT INFORMATION
Hidden Hollow Resident Camp is owned and operated by The Friendly House Association of Mansfield. Friendly House is a local nonprofit organization. Our mission is directing programs toward the strengthening of family life and character building by providing recreational, educational, health and fitness, crime prevention, preschool and camping programs to our immediate neighborhood and our community as a whole, at a cost that everyone can afford. We are located at 380 North Mulberry Street, Mansfield, OH 44902. Our office is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Our office phone number is (419) 522-0521. You can email specific questions about Hidden Hollow to hhc@friendlyhouseonline.com.
Hidden Hollow Camp is located in Bellville, Ohio at 5127 Possum Run Road. The camp office is only open during the camp season. All inquiries should be directed to the Friendly House phone number or email listed above. During the camp season, you can call (419) 892-2007 or email hhc@friendlyhouseonline.com.
Make sure to follow us on Facebook for updates and information – Friendly House / Hidden Hollow Camp.
CAMPERSHIP (Friendly House Financial Aid) INFORMATION
Since the inception of The Peoples Mission in 1894 and when our organization became the Friendly House Association in 1912, we have been striving to help Richland County residents. Our mission is to direct our programs toward the strengthening of family life and character building by providing recreational, educational, health and fitness, crime prevention, preschool and camping programs to our immediate neighborhood and our community as a whole, at a cost that everyone can afford.
Friendly House is a non-profit located in Mansfield, Ohio. As the parent organization of Hidden Hollow Camp, Friendly House offers financial assistance in the form of a ‘Campership’ for those families that reside in Richland County, Ohio, and are in financial need. Campership forms must be completed and approved prior to your campers enrollment. The Campership forms may be found in the Forms and Documents tab in your CampInTouch account. Campership forms will only be reviewed after all forms are 100% complete. Families are required to upload typical household financial information. Typically families requesting financial aid are still asked to pay the $75 application fee. The balance of the camp fees may be awarded partially or fully depending upon a family’s financial situation. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Friendly House. Additional printable information is available at this LINK.
NOTE: Camperships are available on a first come first serve basis and as funding is available. Camperships are typically only available for one week of camp so we can help as many families as possible. Do not wait to complete campership forms as funds are diminished through out the spring and summer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (updated 2/12/25)
*** Designates new or updated FAQ
What are the camp goals? What does Hidden Hollow hope a camper will experience and/or learn? The goals of Hidden Hollow Camp evolve around our purpose of providing a safe, enjoyable and educational experience in social living environment is an out door setting for boys and girls of varied social, economic, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. Campers share experiences in winning, loosing, creating, making friends, developing mentally, socially, physically, and spiritually.
Specific Goals for Campers:
- Become acquainted with their environment
- Experience individual growth and development
- Discover their own potential
- Exercise personal initiative
- Live and work together
- Develop new interests
- Develop spiritual meanings and values
- Enjoy camping
- Develop appreciation for writing letters
- Make new friends
- have a safe enjoyable experience
Is there a camp map available? YES! If you click on the link provided you can go to an artistic hand drawn map of the camp, showing the activity areas as well as all the cabins. CLICK HERE FOR MAP!
***Where do you find your camp staff and counselors? Most of our camp staff were campers at Hidden Hollow Camp. Most of the camp staff has worked for Friendly House and Hidden Hollow camp for several years. The Friendly House Director, Mr. Terry, who has been with Friendly House and Hidden Hollow for over 55 years, was a Friendly House Kid and has worked in every position Friendly House offers. There are many positions at Hidden Hollow Camp from Kitchen Staff, Cooks, and Counselors. If you have a camper that is at least 15 years of age, they can apply to be on the Kitchen Staff. Junior Counselors must be at least 16 years old and Senior Counselors must be 18 with a high school diploma. If your former camper is interested in applying, they should reach out to Ms. Monica or they may apply online —> Hidden Hollow Camp Online Application. Applications are due before February 14th!
***How much does it cost to send my camper(s) to Hidden Hollow Camp? For 2024, the camp fee is $450 per week/per camper. Jr. Camp is $150 per camper. The registration fee is $75.00 per camper. The registration/deposit goes toward your total balance. Registration fee must be paid at the time of APPLICATION from a Credit Card on file in the system. Beginning this season, we are offering both Multi-Week discounts and New Camper Referral discounts. See details in the FAQ listed below on discounts. The balance of your camp fees are due four weeks/30 days prior to your campers arrival date. For example, if your camper is schedule for the Week 1, beginning on June 29, all camp fees must be paid before June 1st. Not paying camp fees on time, may result in your camper being placed on a wait list and the camper’s spot being filled. Payment in full deadlines are listed below:
Junior Camp Fees Due: May 22, 2025
Week 1 Fees Due: June 1, 2025
Week 2 Fees Due: June 8, 2025
Week 3 Fees Due; June 15, 2025
Week 4 Fees Due: June 22, 2025
Week 5 Fees Due: June 29, 2025
Week 6 Fees Due: July 6, 2025
***Are there any other discounts available? YES! Friendly House is offering new discounted pricing available for the first time in 2025. We are offering a Multi-Week Discount and a Referral Discount.
Multi-Week Discount: for each additional week your camper attends Hidden Hollow, there will be a $50 discount toward your balance. For example: one week at Hidden Hollow is $450. Two weeks at HHC is $850. Three weeks is $1250. Adjustments are automatic on the application system based upon the number of weeks your camper is enrolled.
Refer A Camper Discount: for each NEW camper referred and attending camp, the returning camper will receive a $50 credit toward their camp week – WITH NO LIMITS. A new camper is defined as a camper that has not attended Hidden Hollow Camp previously. No limits means if you refer three new campers and they attend camp, you will receive a $150 discount toward your campers week at HHC. If you refer 9 new campers and they attend camp – your camper will attend HHC for FREE! Discounts are not granted if the camper does not attend. The new camper must attend the same week as the referring camper. All camp fees must be paid before payment deadlines for all parties. To receive a Referral Discount:
- In the camper application, the referred camper must list the name and phone number of the referring camper.
- On page one of the camper application you will see this question: “How did you hear about us?”
- Select the drop down, “Current Camper Family” and list the camper name and phone number.
- Please complete as shown here: Mark Smith (419) 555-5555.
- Once both campers are enrolled, the referring camper will see a credit on their financials.
- The discount offers NO CASH VALUE, and is not transferrable. No funds will be returned if the value is unused or unclaimed, or if the discount exceeds total camp fees. The discount may not be used Trading Post credit.
Are there any coupons or discounts for camp? There are organizations in Richland County that offer discounts for a week of camp. These discounts are advertised locally on radio stations. They are on a first come first serve basis and sell out quickly. Friendly House also offers Camperships to residents of Richland County, Ohio. Camperships may be available to those families who are in financial need. Campership forms are available on CampInTouch – the online registration portal, or by stopping by Friendly House, and must be completed and approved prior to enrolling a camper. Additional information is available by scrolling UP on this page and on the Registration Link.
What online platform do you utilize for registration? Hidden Hollow Camp works with a company CampMinder. The platform is called CampInTouch.
***How do I get a receipt for my camp fee payments? Once you log into your CampInTouch Account, you can click on the Financial Management Tab. Here you will be able to print your invoices and receipts, which can also be used for tax purposes.
Is it difficult to register for camp? How long does it take? It is not difficult. The system is very basic and asks simple questions. You should use a computer or tablet to complete the registration, not a cell phone. If you have filled out an online form or survey in the past, it is very similar. The first step will be to set up a user name and password. All fields must be completed before you are able to move to the next step. Once you are complete and have paid your registration fee, your camper will be ‘ENROLLED’. All required camper forms and permissions must be completed within two weeks after you submit your application or you will risk being moved to the wait list. In order for You can look in the ‘MY ACCOUNT’ section of CampInTouch and click on the FORMS link to see what forms are required.
***What is the difference between APPLIED, ENROLLED, and WAIT LISTED? These three terms are mentioned through out this document and in emails you will receive. “APPLIED” means that you have completed an application, but no payment has been made, including the application fee. Applications that has an incorrect credit card on file will be set to an “APPLIED” status. KP Applications will automatically be set to an “APPLIED” status until the camper or camper’s parent speaks with the Camp Director. Campers who are on a “WAIT LIST” are in an “APPLIED STATUS”.
“WAIT LISTED” campers have applied for a week that is full OR have not completed the required camper forms within two weeks from their application date OR have not paid in full by the four week deadline.
“ENROLLED” status means that your application is complete, your payment type on file has been charged the $75 application fee, and your camper has a spot. BE AWARE: The “ENROLLED” status can change to “APPLIED” and your camper placed on a wait list for incomplete forms and unpaid fees before the deadlines. All camper forms and documents are required to be completed 2 weeks after you submit your application. All camp fees must be paid in full 4 weeks before you camp week starts.
What vaccinations and health information is/are required for my child to attend Hidden Hollow? HHC recommends that every camper is to have a physical within one year prior to attending camp and be in good physical and mental health. A physical form from a physician is not required. However, all campers will complete a basic health screening at check-in on Sunday before going to their cabins. Hidden Hollow Camp does not provide medical and accidental insurance for campers. All insurance information needs to be submitted by the parent/guardian into the CampInTouch system. Hidden Hollow Camp requires a full Health History on every camper and staff member. You must provide the most recent month and year for each immunization. We must have the date of the last tetanus shot and/or booster. If your child is not fully immunized, you must sign the exemption form and may be required to submit more information from your doctor or health care provider. All above mentioned forms are completed through our online system – CampInTouch. If you have concerns about your child enjoying camp due to health or mental history, medications, disability, and restriction please contact the Camp Director.
How do I enter vaccination information into the system? You will need to upload via the FORMS and DOCUMENTS tab on your CampInTouch Account your most recent vaccination record. This must be updated each year. We recommend that you bring a copy of your vaccination records with you to camp so it is available at check in if necessary. All camper forms including medical forms and vaccination records must be updated/uploaded within two weeks of your application date.
What forms need to be completed? Where can I find the forms? There are quite a few forms in the system that must be completed prior to your camper being enrolled for their week at camp. All forms are located in the CampInTouch system in the Forms and Documents Tab. These forms include Basic Medical and Health Procedures, Camper Behavior Guidelines and Procedures, your campers photo, Health History, Horse Program Permission, Permission to Transport, a Photo Release, Top Bunk Permission. Also in the Forms and Documents Tab on CampInTouch you will find other useful information such as Financial Aid information (Camperships) for Richland County Residents ONLY, First and Last Day Procedures, Forms for those campers who will be in the KP Program, and a Packing List.
***Who should we select as an emergency contact on our campers application? When completing the Emergency Contact portion of your application it is important to select someone who is known to the camper, who you would trust your child with if for some reason your child would need to be picked up from camp, if you were not available. The emergency contact should also be someone who is within driving distance and has agreed to pick up your child if necessary.
What about food allergies? Hidden Hollow Camp is NOT an allergen-free facility, but we will take the necessary precautions to eliminate cross-contamination. No peanuts or nuts are served through our kitchen meal service line. If your child has severe food allergies and/or needs special food or food preparation, please contact the Camp Director. Any camper who is VEGAN must bring their own food and snacks. We recommend providing premade/ready to heat/eat meals that do not require preparation. DO NOT SEND FOOD IN CARE PACKAGES.
NOTE: The Trading Post does sell items that contain peanuts and other allergens. Please talk with a staff member during check in to determine with your camper what items they are NOT permitted to purchase.
What if my camper needs to take medication while at camp? If your child has prescription medication to take, the container must have administration directions from a licensed physician on the original container. You should give all medications to the cabin counselor on Sunday. If the medication needs to be refrigerated, please bring it to the Trading Post when you bank your campers funds for the week. All medication is locked in the office. All refrigerated medications are locked in a box in the walk-in cooler. No camper is to keep medication on their person or in the cabin unless it is for emergency use or ordered by his or her physician. If any type of injections is required by your doctor for your child during their time at camp, an extra fee may be charged at the beginning of your campers week, if the child cannot do the injection themselves. Over-the-counter drugs must be plainly marked with specific instructions and your child’s name. Hidden Hollow Camp has a list of OTC medications and remedies on hand at all time. The OTC list is published in the FORMS section of CampInTouch. Please do not send these items with your child, UNLESS the child takes them daily per your or physician instructions. If available, HHC will have the children’s versions of these medications.
What if I have forgotten my CampInTouch login from last year? Please email hhc@friendlyhouseonline.com with your name, email address and camper name and we will send you a password reset to the email that is listed in your CampInTouch account.
Why do I need to upload my child’s photo? A recent head shot of your camper is required. If you are a returning family, please make sure to upload a new recent head shot each year. We do this so the staff can get to know your camper prior to their camp week, BUT we also do this for emergency situations, i.e. searching for a lost camper. While a lost camper is a very rare situation, having a campers recent head shot photo is invaluable to help locate the camper. Campers are supervised by at least one staff member, but usually multiple staff members, depending upon the activity.
How many campers will be at HHC per week? This season, camp can hold 96 girls and 80 boys per week. There are KP positions during regular camp – there are only 5 spots per week. Junior Camp is only open for 48 campers, 24 boys and 24 girls.
When does camp start? The HHC 2025 season will begin on June 29 for the first week and run for six weeks. The last week will begin the week of August 3. Junior Camp has moved this year to the beginning of the camp season, June 19-21.
How old does my camper have to be to attend HHC? Hidden Hollow is open to any boy or girl between the ages of 8-15. Campers must be 8 years old before their week at camp begins. Week 6 of camp is open for campers ages 10-15. Jr. Camp is for ages 6-8 who have who want a shortened camping experience. The camper must have completed Kindergarten before the summer.
***What is the KP Program? How old does my child need to be if they want to be a KP? The Hidden Hollow KP Program is designed so a camper, both boys and girls, can see what it is like to work at camp. Those campers who are at least 15 but can also be 16 years of age may attend camp as a KP. There are only 5 spots available each week and the KP’s are expected to volunteer their time helping set up for meals, serve meals, clean up after meals, help the staff during programs. For their time, there is no fees for a KP to attend camp. KP’s also earn 40 hours of community service credit that they can use toward school requirements. There is additional information regarding KP responsibilities and expectations in the FORMS section of CampInTouch. KP positions are highly sought after and are first come first serve. There are only 5 spots per week and each child can only KP for one week. KPs may be invited back for a second week during Week 6 if they did an outstanding job during their original week. If your child does not get into one week they may be placed on a wait list and you will be called if space is available in other weeks to see if you would like your camper to change weeks. If your child is interested in becoming a KP during the 2025 Season – you will need to complete a camper application just like a regular camper. You will also need to email Ms. Monica, the Hidden Hollow Camp Director as well.
NOTE: ALL CAMPERS WHO ARE WANT TO BE A KP MUST DISCUSS THIS POSITION WITH THE CAMP DIRECTOR. CAMPER APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE JUST LIKE A REGULAR CAMPER, BUT WILL BE PLACED IN AN “APPLIED STATUS” UNTIL MS. MONICA APPROVES EACH KP.
When does registration for camp begin? Registration will begin on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 6:00 pm and will be completely online. Registration is on a first come first serve basis. Some weeks will fill up quickly. It is recommended that you plan on an alternate week if at your application the week is on a wait list.
How many weeks can my camper register for? Campers can register one week or the entire summer! There are multi-week discounts built into the system.
Where do I send my registration form? We do not do paper registrations any longer. All registrations must be completed online. The $75 registration fee must be paid online as well. All fees can be paid online through the CampInTouch system. You may pay fee by check or money order sent to: THE FRIENDLY HOUSE, c/o Hidden Hollow Camp, 380 N. Mulberry St., Mansfield, OH 44902. Paying a fee by check through the postal service will delay enrollment. Please make sure your camper’s name is on the MEMO of the check and what week or weeks they are attending.
***How do I pay for HHC? We accept credit and debit card, and e-check payments through our CampMinder online registration system only. We will not be able to accept the above payment types for Hidden Hollow fees over the phone or at Friendly House. All credit card/e-check processing fees are covered by The Friendly House. Your account information is kept in the CampInTouch Secure Server and can be updated anytime through your MY ACCOUNT page. Please make sure that your Credit Card on file is up to date, not expired and current. Your card will be charged the APPLICATION FEE and the balance when your camper is ENROLLED. You may also make payments toward your balance by following the prompts in the system.
Can I make a partial payment for my camper(s)? Yes, but you have to make the minimum Application Fee payment of $75 per camper in the CampInTouch system. This is the application fee and will hold your campers spot for the weeks chosen. You can make partial payments until 4 weeks prior to your campers week at camp. All payments for camp weeks must be paid in full 4 weeks ahead of your camp week. Families with camp fees unpaid after the 4 week deadline will be contacted and payment must be made immediately. If fees are not paid, your campers ENROLLMENT will be cancelled, and your camper put back on the wait list for that camp week. We will contact another family from the wait list to fill that spot. No refunds will be issued.
How do I the campers pay at the camp store? The Trading Post is open during camp several times per day. At drop off on Sunday’s, parents will deposit money into the Trading Post. The Trading Post accepts CASH or CHECK and for 2025 Credit Cards through Square for depositing funds and retail purchases on Saturday and Sunday only. We recommend $30 to $40, but any amount can be deposited. What ever is not spent by your camper is refunded on Saturday. The Trading Post offers cans of soda, bottles of water and Gatorade, candy bars, snacks, HHC logo items including shirts and hoodies.
***Can I order Hidden Hollow swag online so my camper is ready to go? YES! We offer an online logo shop where you can order shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and other garb. If you don’t see something you like, you can email our supplier and do a special request! All items are printed on demand and shipped directly to your home. AND – Friendly House receives a portion of every sale to help your favorite non-profit support our other programs for children! You may order right now – SHOP HERE!
***What are the stipulations for utilizing a credit card through Square? Are there additional fees? Friendly House and Hidden Hollow Camp are happy to announce that we have begun accepting credit card transactions utilizing Square. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB and UnionPay. For a regular card swipe, chip or tap transaction, there is a CONVENIENCE FEE of 2.75%. For a manual transactions, i.e. over the phone payment or manual entry, there is a CONVENIENCE FEE of 3.55%. These fees are paid by the client. To avoid these fees, you may pay with cash or check. There are no refunds on these fees. Refunds are for balances or program fees only, and at Hidden Hollow Camp, Trading Post balances are returned in cash at check-out. It should be noted that Square will only be available on Saturdays and Sundays at the Trading Post. Square is not available to pay your camp fees. Those fees are paid through CampMinder, in your CampInTouch Account.
Where is my confirmation that my camper’s registration form has been accepted? When applying online through CampMinder, all campers will be “ENROLLED”, after your $75 application fee is paid at the time of application. When your camper is “ENROLLED” you will receive a confirmation email and your account charged. You can also look under “MY ACCOUNT” to see all of your financial transactions and to print receipts. NOTE: all required forms and documents must be complete by the parent within two weeks of your camper’s application. If they are not complete, your camper will be moved to the wait list.
I am not getting emails from the registration system, what should I do? You may have to put CampMinder into your main email inbox as well as the email hhc@friendlyhouseonline.com. Sometimes these emails can be filed to junk or promotional emails. If you are still having issues, please email us.
Am I able to see photos of my camper or send them emails? Yes! Your CampMinder account also includes access to Summer Services, which include one-way emails to your camper and a look at the photos we post during the week. There are additional fees for this service.
Can you hold a spot for my camper? No. Friendly House/HHC will not hold spots for campers. However, if a week is full, your camper will be placed on a wait list and you will be contacted.
My camper wants to be in the same cabin as their friends. Can you make sure this happens? HHC allows for the request of ONE cabinmate, and both campers must ask for each other on the form. Large groups of requested campers may be split up. Older campers will be placed in the younger campers if they request to be with a younger camper. Also, if your camper has a cabin mate, they will likely NOT be sitting at the same table for meals. Think of it this way… if your camper came to HHC alone and was the only camper in a cabin full of friends who knew each other, would you think that arrangement was fair to your single camper?
How do I enter or change a bunk/cabinmate request? To edit Bunk Requests, log into CampInTouch and go back into your camper application. Bunk requests are located on page 4. If your child is camping multiple weeks with different bunk requests please follow the format “Week X – Name, Week Y – Name”.
What happens if the week my camper wants to attend is full? Camp is on a first-come/first serve basis, and some weeks do fill up faster than others. If your camper wants to attend a week that is full, fill out the registration form online and it will place you on a waitlist. When a spot opens up, HHC staff will contact you via email to confirm your interest in the open spot. We also do not hold camper spots by age group. We encourage all families, even if the week they want is full, to send us an email. We don’t want your camper to miss out on the fun either!
What is the cancellation policy for HHC? In most cases, all but the $75 registration fee will be returned to you. Cancellations must be made two calendar weeks (14 days) before the Sunday your camper is scheduled to come to camp to receive this refund. Any cancellations after that will result in no refund. If you are due a refund, your account will not be automatically refunded. ALL REFUNDS WILL BE SENT TO YOU AS A PAPER CHECK FROM THE FRIENDLY HOUSE AND MAILED TO THE PRIMARY ADDRESS ON THE ACCOUNT. If you paid using a gift certificate, your refund amount will be what was paid for that certificate, but not more than what the amount the certificate is worth. If Friendly House needs to cancel camp for any reason, all but $25 per camper will be refunded to families.
How does my camper get placed on a waitlist? Campers who are registered for camp through the CampMinder system, will automatically be placed on a waitlist if the session they want to attend is full. Your account WILL NOT be charged any fees if you are on a wait list. If a spot opens up, HHC staff will contact you via email to see if your family is still interested in the opening. After confirmation from you, your child will be ENROLLED and the application fee will be applied.
You can keep your camper on a waitlist for the week, or you can move the camper to another week of camp if it is has the availability. If your cabinmate got into camp and you didn’t we can switch everyone to another week with availability, as long as a parent or guardian of all parties call and confirm that they want to switch weeks. We cannot hold spots for campers listed as cabinmates if we do not have the registration form and payment. There is no way to tell when (or if) your camper will get into camp if they are on a waitlist. It’s a waiting game. You could hear in a couple of days from first contact or as late as the the day before camp starts.
What should my camper bring to HHC? Think of packing for camp like packing for a week-long sleepover! Campers should bring a change of clothes for every day (including socks and underwear), blankets and/or sleeping bag and pillows, towels, washcloths and toiletries (toothbrush, shampoo, etc.). Flip-flops are recommended for the showers and swimming pool area, but otherwise closed-toe shoes and/or shoes that tie are best for camp… and required for horseback riding. Campers should also plan for the weather. It does get cold at night, so long-sleeved tees and sweatshirts or light jackets are recommended. There is a packing list included on the CampInTouch FORMS dashboard.
Is there anything that my camper should NOT bring to camp? Not everything belongs at camp. Campers should leave the following items at home: cell phones, mp3 or other music players, computers, gaming systems, TV’s, weapons, expensive jewelry, and fans. These items will be collected on Sunday and stored in the office until the end of the week and given back when the parents arrive for pick-up on Saturday. Friendly House/Hidden Hollow Camp can not be responsible for items that were not turned in and become lost, broken or stolen. Pets, firearms, alcohol and tobacco products are not permitted at Hidden Hollow Camp. Weapons, alcohol or tobacco products including vapes brought to camp by a camper may result in your camper being sent home.
What if my question isn’t on this list? That’s an easy one to answer! If you have any questions or concerns that aren’t addressed here feel free to call the Friendly House at 419-522-0521 or email us at hhc@friendlyhouseonline.com. We will try and answer your question as best as we can!
What if I have additional questions about registration and/or CampInTouch? You can also read the CampInTouch specific FAQs. That document may answer many of your specific questions.