Cedar Lake Ministries’ Winter Camp

 
Our Winter Camps offer three great weekends for high school, middle school, and elementary school groups. Engaging bands, challenging speakers, and caring staff help youth leaders connect with their students as they connect with God.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

High School/Middle School Winter Camp | February 7-9, 2020

Speaker: Andy Smith

Andy Smith is the Managing Director of Program Operations for By The Hand Club for Kids, in Chicago. Each day, By The Hand meets the spiritual, social, emotional, educational and physical needs of over 1,500 young people in some of the most under-resourced and under-served neighborhoods. Andy is an Associate Pastor at Living Word Church in Lansing, IL. He has worked with youth for more than 20 years and loves communicating God’s word to youth and having a lot of fun while doing it. He holds an M.Ed in Educational Psychology and a BA in Christian Education. Andy loves football, fishing and can’t stand olives of any color. Andy lives in Lansing, IL with his wife Michelle and their two children.

 
Band: The Birdsongs
The Birdsongs are a Christian rock band originally from Seattle, WA, now living near Knoxville, TN, composed of three brothers and a sister. They began playing music together with their family at a very young age and started touring North America with a simple message of hope, and a love for Christ and people. Two decades later, The Birdsongs are more passionate than ever about the music God has given them to share.
 
 

Middle School Winter Camp | February 14-16, 2020

Speaker: Jeff Stallinga
Jeff Stallinga is a middle school Bible teacher at Crown Point Christian School. With his Bachelor and Master of Education, Jeff has spent the last 30 years teaching in Christian schools. Jeff has also been a youth pastor at three different churches over the past 20 years. His passion is challenging middle schoolers in their walk with Christ and encouraging them to live out their faith in all areas of their lives. In his spare time, Mr. Stallinga enjoys biking, grilling, and cheering on the Blackhawks and Bears.
Band: Coming Soon!
Worship band info coming soon!
 
 
 

Elementary Winter Camp | February 21-23, 2020

Speaker: Kurt Alber
Kurt Alber has been the Detroit Partnerships Pastor for Oak Pointe Church in Novi, Michigan, since 2014, and leads their Cody Partnership to help improve the beauty and safety of neighborhoods in Detroit. Having been born in Flint, Kurt considers southeast Michigan his home. After graduating from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, he married Tammy (Helms) Alber. They have two adult children, Andrew and Daniel. Kurt has been a pastor since 1992. He loves Coca-Cola, Christmas music, table games, the beach, all Detroit sports teams, wrapping gifts, and hanging out with people.
Band: At The Well
At The Well is an Olivet Nazarene University worship team.  They are comprised of students who are student leaders with a heart for worship and a passion for spreading the Gospel.
 
 

Activities

  • Tubing
  • Climbing Wall
  • Human Foosball
  • Rocket Wars
  • Laser Combat
 
  • Black Hole Slide
  • Broomball
  • Dodgeball
  • Rec Room
  • Human Curling
 
  • 9-Square-In-The-Air
  • Tomahawk Throwing
  • Gorilla Ball
  • Kandy Kabin
 
 
 

Rates

 
Student Rate
$135.00/student, includes all activities and sessions, comfortable lodging, great food, a t-shirt.
 
Leader Rate
Youth leaders get to come free of charge – only if the group reservation deposit is received by the early-bird date of December 1st. One youth leader can come free of charge for every seven students. The first male and first female leaders can come free, regardless of group size. (Additional leaders beyond ratio are charged the student rate. Leaders must have either graduated from high school or be over 20 years old. Groups must have a minimum leader-to-student ratio of 1 to 10. A ratio of 1 to 7 is recommended. Leader rate includes all activities and sessions, comfortable lodging, great food, and a t-shirt.
 
 

Group Registration

 
To make reservations for your groups, submit the group reservation form and a non-refundable deposit of $35 per attendee. If you submit your group reservation by December 1st, your group is eligible for the free leader discount.
 
Submit Forms and Final Payment
Registration forms and final payments are due three weeks in advance of the weekend your group is attending.
  • Middle School/High School Winter Camp – Forms and final payment due on or before January 17, 2020
  • Middle School Winter Camp – Forms and final payment due on or before January 24, 2020
  • Elementary Winter Camp – Forms and final payment due on or before January 31, 2020
 
 
It is our desire that no one misses an opportunity to meet with God at camp due to financial reasons. Full or partial scholarships are available through our scholarship program. Parents or youth leaders can complete a scholarship application on behalf of a student in need.
 
 
 
 

Sample Schedule (subject to change)

Friday
7:00-8:00 PM Check-in (Central Time)
8:15 PM Leaders Meeting
9:00 PM Session
10:30 PM Small Groups
Saturday
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:30 AM Session
11:00 AM Small Groups
11:30 AM TAG (Time Alone with God)
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00-5:00 PM Free Time Activities
 
Saturday (continued)
5:00 PM Dinner
6:30 PM Session
8:30 PM Small Groups
9:00 PM Snack and Activities
Sunday
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:30 AM Session
11:00 AM Small Groups
11:30 AM TAG (Time Alone with God)
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Departure

 Arrival

Groups should plan to arrive and check in at the office between 7-8 p.m. CT on Friday evening.

 Departure

The program ends after lunch on Sunday. Groups usually depart between 1-1:30 p.m. CT after eating and packing up.

What to Bring

  • Bible
  • Modest, warm clothes (long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, pajamas)
  • Winter gear (gloves/mittens, winter coat, hat, boots)
  • Extra shoes and socks
  • Flashlight
  • Toiletries (toothbrush and paste, deodorant, shampoo, soaps, etc.)
  • Money for the Kandy Kabin*
  • Water bottle with owner’s name
  • Regular or emergency use prescription medications (e.g. inhalers, EpiPen®, solid or liquid meds [all medications, including over-the-counter, should be in possession of a leader throughout the weekend]).

What NOT to Bring

  • iPods/iPads, laptops, cell phones**, video games, or similar electronics
  • Clothing with questionable slogans or products
  • Non-prescription drugs, tobacco, alcohol, fireworks, weapons (knives, guns, tasers, lighters, or any other items that may cause harm)
**Part of what makes camp unique is the ability to limit distractions. Therefore, we ask that campers leave their cell phones, music-playing devices, and other electronics at home. We understand that many people use their devices as their Bible, but for this event, please encourage your camper to bring his or her paper version of the Bible. This is not a punishment but an opportunity to limit distractions and open up opportunities for quality conversations and time with God. Plus, expensive devices can get broken or lost at camp.
*The Kandy Kabin is open at designated times for campers to purchase candy, pop, or a souvenir. Prices for items range from approximately $0.50 for candy to $35 for merchandise. For Winter Camp, students keep their money in their possession. We encourage students to bring $10-$50 for the camp store and to leave other valuables at home.
 
Cedar Lake Ministries is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items. Please be aware that this is not a comprehensive list of what your camper shouldn’t bring to camp but some of the obvious things to avoid bringing to camp. Also, remember that Cedar Lake Ministries reserves the right to confiscate any inappropriate items on this list, to be returned to a responsible adult to distribute to the camper upon arrival home.
 
 

Health and Safety

 
Medical Conditions
We are used to working with campers who may have food allergies or other medical conditions (food intolerances, asthma, behavioral issues, diabetes, etc.). To best care for your child, please inform us on the registration form of any allergies or medical conditions so we can effectively prepare to provide great care for your child. If after reviewing your registration form we have further questions, our Program Coordinator, Food Service Director, or Camp Nurse may contact you prior to camp to ensure proper care will be provided.
 
Health Care
Since safety is a priority, 24-hour care by a trained LPN or RN will be available. In case of injury or emergency, the Camp Nurse will be available for basic care and to administer over-the-counter medications. However, the Camp Nurse will not administer prescription medications to campers. Youth leaders and parents should discuss each student’s health needs and plan how to oversee proper administration of prescription medications while at camp. All medications, including over-the-counter, should be kept by a leader.
 

 

 

Cancelations

If cancellation is made eight weeks prior to the event, the deposit is fully refundable. If cancellation is made between eight weeks and the event date, the result will be forfeiture of deposit. However, the deposit may be transferred to another event or guest.