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 24-hour 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, campers with medical requirements must check in with the medical personnel, as part of our registration process, to ensure proper storage and distribution of medications during their 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. 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, 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. Our Program Director, Food Service Director, or Camp Nurse may contact you prior to camp, if necessary, to ensure proper care will be provided.
 
Insurance
 
To keep our camp tuition to a minimum, 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 guardians 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.
 
Camp activities involve the waterfront, which is the most high-risk area on the grounds; 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 the 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 Program Director and Summer Staff Program Assistants who manage all summer staff. 
 
Summer staff, including program assistants, counselors, and support staff, typically consist of college-age students. Hiring practices include an application process, references, interviews, and criminal and sexual offender background checks.
 
Summer staff receive 40-80 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 present campers. Further training includes Child Protection Policies regarding modesty, reporting, appropriate behavior and touch, and securing a bully-free environment.
 
 

What to Bring to Day Camp

 
Clothing
 
  • Shoes – tennis shoes and water/beach shoes
  • Modest Swimsuit (one piece or tankini for girls)
  • Casual, Modest Summer Clothing (shorts, pants, sweatshirt, t-shirts, hat, etc.) – campers are encouraged to leave their favorite clothes at home
 
Other
 
  • Bible 
  • Beach towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Plastic Bag (to transport wet items after swimming)
  • Backpack or Bag for personal items
  • Water Bottle
  • Regular or emergency use prescription medications (e.g. inhalers, EpiPen®, solid or liquid meds)*
 
*Prescription Medications and aids (such as an inhaler, EpiPen, etc.) should be brought in the original container with current prescription label attached. Medication will be checked in upon arrival and will be dispensed by the Camp Nurse as prescribed. If camper is taking the medication against the methods prescribed on the label, a signed note from the camper’s physician will be required. The Camp Nurse will be available to dispense over-the-counter medications, provided by the camp, as necessary (such as pain medicine, bandages, etc.).
 

What NOT to Bring

 
To avoid damage to valuable items and to limit distractions while focusing on the purpose of their time here, Cedar Lake Ministries asks that campers leave the following items at home:
 
  • iPods/iPads, laptops, video games, portable DVD players or similar electronics.
  • Valuable items or additional cash should be left at home to avoid loss or damage in the midst of the high-energy activities common at camp. Kandy Kabin Gift Cards can be purchased in advance.
  • Clothing or items with questionable, suggestive or misleading slogans, logos, etc. Clothing must cover midriff and undergarments.
  • Non-prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, fireworks, weapons (knives, guns, tasers, lighters) or other items deemed harmful.
  • Cell Phones – Cedar Lake Ministries holds a “no cell phone” policy for campers to allow them to “unplug” from normal distractions, to safeguard valuable items, and to alleviate homesickness challenges. Parents are asked not to call unless there is an emergency.
 
Please be aware that this is not a comprehensive list of what your camper should not bring to camp. It provides a list of the obvious items to avoid when packing. Cedar Lake Ministries reserves the right to confiscate any inappropriate items, in addition to those listed above, to be returned to the parent when the child is picked up from camp.
 
 

Arrival & Departure

 
Drop-Off
 
Day Camp standard check-in time is each weekday morning at 8:30 AM, Central Time. Please allow extra time on your first day of camp to make final payment (if necessary), for a brief health screening, and to meet your camper’s Camp Counselor.
 
Pick-Up
 
Each camp day ends at 5:00 PM with pick-up between 5:00 and 5:30. Promptly pick up your child from 5:00 to 5:30 PM each evening. Please remain in your vehicle. You will be directed to line up for our convenient, “drive-through” pick-up system. If someone other than yourself will be picking up your child, notify us at drop-off. Unless otherwise notified, your child will only be released to the person(s) whom you identify. If you need to pick up your camper early, let us know in advance. We will have your camper ready for pick-up at the office at the time you requested.
 
Closing Session
 
The camp week ends with a short closing session starting at 5:00 PM on Friday after which the campers will be dismissed. Parents are encouraged to attend and enjoy photos, music and memories from the week! If you are not able to attend the closing session, you will pick up your child in the “drive-through” between between 5:30 and 6:00 PM.