Below you will find several questions that parents often ask regarding their child at camp. If you find that an answer does not fully help you, please let us know.

What if my child needs special foods or is on a special diet?
Normally, all eat the same meals.  However, for medical or religious reasons, the kitchen staff is able to prepare some special foods -- provided that we are notified in advance.

What if my child needs to arrive late or leave early from camp?
We do expect that all campers observe our time schedule.  The camp’s director may make exceptions if there are special circumstances.  The site manager should be informed of any changes in arrival or departure times for a camper.

Can I visit my child at camp?
We strongly discourage this because it interrupts the development of camp community.  If you do need to stop in at camp, please check in at the camp office upon arrival.

What if I want to take my child out of the camp for a special event during the week?
Again, we expect all campers to remain at camp for the duration of the event.  This is a judgment call on the part of the event director, and we ask that you communicate directly with him or her.  Please inform the site manager if a camper is leaving the site, with whom, and when or if they will return.

Can my child request to be in the same cabin as a friend?
Camps vary in their policies, but most are happy to accommodate these requests, provided that they are received at least two week prior to the beginning of camp.  It is not possible to honor requests for cabin mates after you arrive at camp.

What if my child becomes homesick?
Generally, it is best for the camper to stay.  If it is necessary, we will co-ordinate times for the camper to talk with his or her parents at home—sometimes, this is all the camper needs.  Sometimes the decision to send the camper home will have to be made in phone conversations between the parents and a member of the Outdoor Ministry staff.  (No refunds will be given if a child goes home because he or she is homesick.)

What if it turns out that camp is not what my child expected, and he or she wants to go home?
We will do our best to make sure that your child has a good experience and hope that your child will work with us to make it so.  The Outdoor Ministry staff will be in touch with parents, if this is necessary, to try to work things out.  If it is decided that the child should go home, we will certainly make these arrangements.  However, no refund will be given.    

Why isn’t my child allowed to call me/can’t I call my child?
It is very important that your child be fully involved with the camp.  Experience has shown that telephone calls to parents frequently inhibits the camper's adjustment and disrupts the camp.  Please rest assured that if there is a real need for you to be contacted, it will be done.

What if my child gets sick or is injured at camp?
The camp has health care personnel they rely on in town, and they know the contacts and procedures.  There is a first aid staff person on duty at the camp during the entirety of your child’s stay at camp.  This staff person is certified in CPR and American Red Cross First Aid training.  All accidents, no matter how minor they seem, are reported to the camp first aid staff.  We will certainly notify you of any illnesses or serious injuries!  It is our policy to notify parents if off-site medical attention is required.

What if my child wets the bed?
The camp has laundry equipment and will be happy to launder your child’s bedding and pajamas.  This is a very common occurrence at camp and will be dealt in a caring and confidential manner.

What if I must send medicine to camp with my child?
All prescriptions, whether prescribed or over the counter must be in their original containers.  Parents are required to leave clear instructions about any medication the child is to receive.  All medications, with rare exceptions, are to be placed in the care of the first aid staff and kept in the first aid room.  We will not countermand physicians’ instructions with regard to any prescribed medication.  The child’s physician must authorize any changes in a dosage, frequency, etc., of medication in writing.

What happens if my child takes something to camp that is prohibited?
There are some things that will be confiscated: radios, food, cigarettes, matches, lighters, aerosol cans, etc.  Please do not allow your child to bring valuable watches, jewelry, money, radios, CD players, televisions, etc. to camp!  They can prove to be too great a temptation to other campers, or they can be broken, or simply misplaced and lost.  We also ask that you not send food (candy, snacks, soft drinks) with your child to camp.

The camp kitchen provides healthy, balanced meals, so your child will have enough to eat.  Because the camp is located in a rural, wooded area, food in the cabins attracts insects, mice, and raccoons, and we don’t want your child to be spending the week with these critters any more than you do!

If your child brings alcohol, fireworks, weapons or drugs to camp, he or she will be immediately dismissed.  Other causes for immediate dismissal are violent behavior that is threatening or dangerous to the camper or others, or if the camper’s behavior is such that it disrupts the camp, and the camper cannot or will not make the necessary changes in his/her behavior.  Campers who defy camp policy, break into the swimming pool area, and swim without a lifeguard present, will be sent home.

Will my child be supervised at camp?
Counselors are with the campers 24-hours a day.  There are also counselors-in-training, directors, program staff, and site staff — all who will be making sure that your child is well supervised and safe while at camp.  

Campers are not allowed to swim, canoe, or ride paddleboats without a lifeguard present — in fact, he or she will be sent home if this happens.  We are very strict about the safety of our campers in or near the water.

Can anyone pick my child up at camp, even without my permission?
Each camper is sent a “Parental Consent Form” or a “Camper Release Form.”  On this form, we ask for specific information about who will be allowed to pick your camper up at the end of his or her stay at camp.  We also ask whether there is someone who is specifically forbidden by you to pick your child up.  Please note, that everyone picking up a camper will be asked to show ID.

If an emergency occurs and you find that you are not able to come to camp to pick up your child, please notify the camp office in writing and let us know who will take your child home.  We will let your child know whom he or she will be riding with.

    Camp office phone numbers are:   Tower Hill    269/426-3881
                                                            Pilgrim Park    815/447-2390


If you have any further questions or concerns, we urge you to call the Outdoor Ministries office at 815/447-2390 or email us via the Contact Us page, and we will be happy to help  you.