Frequently Asked Questions:

Summer Camp

 

If you have any additional questions after reading through our Frequently Asked Questions, please contact us via phone or email. 

 

How much money should I bring to summer camp?

The Kandy Kabin will be open at designated times every day for campers to purchase candy, pop, or a souvenir. During the registration process, you can pre-load money onto your child’s account. At any point during the week, you can log on and see their current balance and add more if you would like. 

We will also accept money at registration. Campers should not have cash on them during their week of camp. 

Most parents put between $15 and $30 on their camper’s account to use at the camp store.

 

Will my child be able to call home or accept calls?

Campers will not have access to phones while they are at camp. In order to provide an optimal experience for your camper, parents are asked not to call unless there is an emergency. The main reason for our “no cell phone” policy is to help alleviate homesickness and distractions during the week.

You may call our office (during regular office hours: 9am-4pm) and ask for a ‘Camper Check’ in which our staff will find your camper, ask how they are doing, and we’ll call you back within a half hour! This option gives you peace of mind and doesn’t interfere with their camp experience. We ask that you limit camper checks to 2 per week. 

 

What about my child who has food allergies or other medical conditions?

We are accustomed to working with campers with food allergies or other medical conditions (food intolerance, asthma, behavioral issues, diabetes, etc.). Inform us on the registration form of any allergies or medical conditions so we can prepare effectively. If upon review we have further questions, our Program Director, Food Service Director or Camp Nurse will contact you prior to camp to ensure proper care will be provided. 

 

What if my child gets sick or injured?

While sickness and serious injuries are rare and we do our best to keep camp a safe and pleasant experience for everyone, campers may develop a sickness or incur injury. If a child develops an illness which restricts participation and puts other campers at risk (flu, high fever, COVID, etc.), we will contact the parent or guardian to pick up the child and provide care at home.

In the case of an incident in which your child needs medical treatment (outside that offered by the Health Officer), every effort will be made to contact the parent or guardian, listed on the registration form, prior to treatment at a local hospital. 

 

How do I send mail, care packages or e-mails to my child/camper?

We encourage parents of overnight campers to send mail or care packages or drop them off during check-in. Campers love to get mail from loved ones, even simple cards. You may also send them an email using the guidelines outlines below. Campers are not able to reply to your email but will enjoy receiving your message. Mail is distributed daily at dinner.

*If you send food, please pack it in sealable containers to ward off bugs and protect campers with food allergies/sensitivities.

 

Mail Letters & Packages: 

Cedar Lake Ministries

℅: Camper Name

PO Box 665

Cedar Lake, IN 46303

Email:

info@cedarlakeministries.org

Subject Line: Camper’s Name

 

Can my son/daughter be with his/her friends?

We love when campers bring their friends. During the registration process, you may request up to three cabin mates for each camper. We attempt to place friends together upon request, but cannot guarantee this if we are not notified during registration.

 

Will boys and girls be in the same rooms?

During summer camps, housing is assigned by gender. Furthermore, boys and girls are not allowed to be in each other’s rooms or hallways. Boys and girls are either separated by buildings or wings.

 

Can I stop by to see my child/camper during their week at camp?

In order to ensure the safety of all campers, Cedar Lake Ministries is a “closed” camp. That means that we ask parents and other relatives not to visit during the week of camp if at all possible – this includes cottager families unless they are volunteering with our camps. 

If you must stop by camp for some reason, you need to check in at the office first. 

 

Do you have helpful tips for first time parents and campers?

Many parents are concerned about their first-time campers getting homesick. Feeling this way is normal, and our staff are trained to help campers who may be feeling homesick. We want your camper to have the best possible experience at Cedar Lake Ministries, so if a camper is showing signs of homesickness for more than 24 hours, we will contact you to create an action plan which could include your camper going home. 

Here are some things that may help prepare you and your camper for their week at camp:

  • Have your child spend a night or two away from home to prepare for their first week of camp.
  • Practice doing daily routines independently with younger campers
    • Dressing, self-care, showering, applying bug spray/sunscreen
  • Pack a special stuffed animal in their suitcase or sleeping bag
  • Tell them what they are going to do during their week at camp – remind them of how excited they are
  • Make sure to have letters and a care-package for them throughout the week
    • Remind them how much you love them and how proud you are of them for going to camp for the first time!
  • Talk to one of their friend’s parents to see if they can attend camp together. You can make a cabin mate request during registration to ensure they stay together!

 

Do you provide transportation for my child/camper?

We do not offer transportation to and from camp. If you are part of a group that is coming together, please contact your group leader to learn more about their transportation options.
 
 

Can I receive financial assistance or a scholarship?

Our desire is that no child misses out on the camp experience because of financial restraints. Through the generosity of thoughtful and caring partners, financial assistance may be available for your child to attend camp.
 
 
 

 

Health & Safety

 
Cedar Lake Ministries is committed to providing a healthy, positive, and Christian environment for campers and our staff. Through education and intentionality, we believe we can create a safe camp experience for everyone. The sections below represent a summary of initiatives Cedar Lake Ministries takes to help protect campers, staff and families.
 
Health Service
 
While sickness and injury are rare, they may occur; therefore, Cedar Lake Ministries recruits a health officer to provide care during our summer season. We understand that campers may require medical care for a variety of reasons while at camp. We ask families to provide all pertinent medical and behavioral health information on the camper registration form. Medication and health history is kept confidential. Upon arrival, everyone must check in with the medical personnel as part of our registration process. This is to ensure that proper care is given and to ensure that proper storage and distribution of medications is handled during your camper(s)’ time on the grounds.
 
Advanced medical care is provided by Franciscan St. Anthony Health, a full-service medical center located approximately 17 minutes northeast of Cedar Lake Ministries. Emergency EMS transportation is less than two minutes away, if needed.
 
Food Service
 
The dining hall is managed by a full-time, year-round certified Food Service Director. As a professional-grade cooking facility, the dining hall is inspected by county health officials regularly as required by the state of Indiana. All food is purchased by our Food Service Director through reputable and insured vendors. We are accommodating to campers with dietary restrictions or food allergies. To prepare and facilitate care for your child, include any allergies and restrictions when completing the registration form. If necessary, our Program Director, Food Service Director or Camp Nurse may contact you prior to camp to ensure proper care will be provided.
 
Insurance
 
We do not provide camper insurance. Expenses incurred when a camper is treated by an outside medical provider are the responsibility of the parent or guardian and/or their personal insurance. The camp’s policy regarding medical coverage parallels those medical policies set forth by most elementary and secondary schools. By attending, campers and their guardian’s consent to this policy.
 
Activity and Environment
 
Security and safety procedures are an integral part of our 24-hour daily operation. Activities at camp are scheduled and closely supervised. Rules are communicated and campers receive instruction before engaging in activities. Good supervisory control is stressed and maintained throughout the day. All equipment, activity areas, and facilities are well maintained by a full-time maintenance department and checked regularly for potential hazards. Camper interaction is closely monitored to ensure a bully-free environment.
 
Some camp activities involve the waterfront; therefore, swimming is only allowed in the swimming area during daylight hours when a certificated lifeguard is present. Proper consideration is made regarding lifeguard to camper ratio depending on age and skill of the swimmers. Due to the shallow nature of Cedar Lake, the swimming area has a maximum depth of four feet and campers are not allowed on the dock to prevent diving into shallow waters. A properly fitted and secured flotation device must be worn at all times when a camper engages in boating, canoeing or kayaking. Water equipment can only be used in a designated area, in compliance with state laws, and when a lifeguard is present.
 
Staffing and Training
 
As a parent, you are rightfully concerned about who influences your child. We believe it is imperative that staff members are properly screened and possess the training, abilities, and passion required to mentor and care for your camper. Cedar Lake Ministries employs a full time Program Team and Summer Program Leads who manage all summer staff. 
 
Summer staff, including program leads, counselors, and support staff, typically consist of college-age students. Hiring practices include an application, references, interviews and criminal and sexual offender background checks.
 
Summer staff receive 40-50 hours of intensive, job-specific training. This includes proper use and safety procedures for activities and equipment as well as emergency action procedures in response to fire, inclement weather, suspicious persons, etc. Additional instruction is provided to adaptation based on the age-group of the campers. Further training includes Child Protection Policies regarding reporting, appropriate behavior and touch, and securing a bully-free environment.