What is included in my camper registration?
Your camp registration is all-inclusive! Your tuition fee covers all housing, food and activities during camp. Unless otherwise specified by your dean, the only additional costs are optional expenses for missions offerings and camp store times.
Campers have the opportunity to meet and learn from a missionary during their week of camp. After learning about that person's ministry, they are given the opportunity to donate if they would like to financially support that cause. Campers typically donate anywhere from $5-25 on average should they choose to donate. This is entirely optional.
For the camp store, that is open during recreation time for campers starting with our 3rd-4th grade sessions. Campers have the opportunity to purchase snacks and souvenirs at that time. Again, this purchase is entirely optional. Most snack items cost $1-2, and clothing typically starts at $12. Souvenirs start around $5. We recommend sending about $20-50 for a full week of camp if your student plans to purchase a souvenir as well as daily snacks from the camp store.
What does housing look like?
Main Camp housing is dormitory-style, meaning your camper will typically stay in a dorm room with about 10-14 other campers and at least two adult volunteers. Dorms are air conditioned, so there is no need to pack a fan. Campers sleep in twin-sized bunk beds. Campers must provide their own bedding, towels, toiletries, etc. Restrooms with showers are located in each hallway.
Wilderness Camp housing is in primitive camping cabins. There is no air conditioning. Bunk beds are set up in the cabins. Please see the packing list FAQ for more information. There are two flush toilets plus outhouses at Wilderness Camp. Showers are taken in the river with swimming suits. There are no running showers at Wilderness Camp.
I'm concerned about my child growing homesick. What can I do?
It is true that some children experience homesickness. This is a normal response to spending time away from home in a new environment, especially for young campers or for those attending for the first time. Children who have experienced recent or significant life-changes can also be at a higher risk of experiencing homesickness. Parents, too, can exhibit these emotions as they may be away from their child for the first time. It is extremely rare, however, that a camper will grow so homesick that they will need to return home before the end of camp. As you prepare to send your child to camp, here are a few tips:
1) Positive talk: In the days and weeks leading up to camp, emphasize how much fun your child will have. Show your child that you are excited they are having this experience and that you look forward to hearing about their adventures when they return home. Avoid asking your child if they will miss you as posing this question can increase the chance of homesickness through suggestion.
2) Mail: Prepare letters or a care package for your child to receive while at camp.
3) Friends: In our experience, camp is most enjoyable when attending with a friend. Churches often encourage their students to sign up for the same camp sessions as other church members, so you may want to contact your church to see if a group is attending a particular week.
Our staff and volunteers also strive to help campers feel secure and connected so that they can have a positive camp experience. Here are a few things we do to help your child be successful:
1) Camp grows with your child: We offer day camps for our youngest campers (1st-2nd grade) so that they can experience all the fun of camp without the anxiety of spending a night away from home. We then transition to one-night (2nd-3rd grade) and two-night (3rd-4th grade) camps before graduating campers to a full five-night session (5th grade and up). For our youngest sessions, there is overlap in the session duration available to each grade, giving parents the opportunity to decide which session is the best fit for their camper. If in doubt, we recommend sending your child to the shorter session available to their grade.
2) Initial programming: In our experience, children are most likely to feel homesick during the first few hours of camp. Our staff and volunteers intentionally strive to get each camper involved and connected during those initial hours to ease homesickness. Campers are engaged in programming and fun activities from morning to evening, helping most campers to quickly forget about their homesickness amidst all the fun of camp! Camp is very active, meaning your child will likely be quite tired by bedtime, especially on the first night. An busy first evening of camp helps campers to sleep well the first night, reducing the chance of homesickness while struggling to fall asleep.
3) Connecting with friends: Whenever possible, our deans work to keep campers in the same dorm room and/or family group as their friends or other campers from their church. Seeing a familiar face can put campers at ease.
What activities happen at camp?
Below are just a few examples of activities your camper may experience at Round Lake! Not all sessions participate in all activities.
| Teaching |
Canoes, Kayaks and Row Boats |
Waterslide |
| Worship |
Aqua Cycles |
Fishing |
| Bible Memorization |
Paddle Boats |
Rock Wall (7th-12th grade) |
| Campfire |
Pontoon Boat |
Archery (5th-12th Grade) |
| Games |
Laser Tag (7th-12th grade) |
Pottery Classes (7th-12th grade) |
| Swimming |
Sling Shot Range (4th-6th grade) |
Group Initiatives |
| Carpetball |
Jet Ski Rides (7th-12th grade) |
Hiking (Wilderness) |
| Small & Large Group Activities |
Tubing (7th-12th grade) |
Rappelling (Wilderness) |
| Devotions |
The "Blob" (7th-12th grade) |
Zip Line (Wilderness) |
My child is interested in a Wilderness Camp program. How does Wilderness Camp differ from a program at Main Camp?
Wilderness Camp is located at our second property about 50 minutes south of Main Camp. Wilderness hosts smaller groups (about 40 campers or fewer per week) for a closer-knit feel. The Wilderness Camp setting is used to “show off” God’s creativity. Teaching is done in unique places, such as Ott Rock, Star Gaze Hill and Buzzard’s Rock. Housing is provided in primitive camping cabins. Activities include rappelling, archery, hiking, zip line and more, depending on the specific week of camp. Places will be explored such as Gault’s Undercut, Pipes Pond, Mushroom Rock, Alligator Rock, Saddle Club, Turtle Rock, Ott Rock, Pine Bluff, Covered Bridge, Buzzard’s Rock, Star Gaze Hill, Split Rail Fence, Top of the World and Water (Split) Rock. Wilderness Camps are available for grades 4-12.
Can I visit during the camp session?
We love having visitors at Round Lake, but during a camp session is not a good time. Given the spontaneity of each program, your arrival could interrupt a special moment or activity God is using to make an impression on your child. It is best to hear about these activities at home following the camp session. In addition, having a parent/legal guardian visit increases the likelihood of a child experiencing homesickness. Even if your visit would not produce homesickness for your child, it could result in another child starting to grow homesick.
For times when visitors are permitted, we ask that each visitor first contact the camp office or the dean to ensure your visit is scheduled for an appropriate time. When you arrive, you must sign in at the camp office. If the office is closed, you will instead sign in with the dean. Upon signing in, visitors are given a wristband that must be worn at all times on camp property. Should you visit during a mealtime and desire to eat, payment is expected at the dining hall at the time of the meal. Camp rules apply to everyone. Please be respectful of campers and the camp schedule.
Will my child be safe at Round Lake?
Safety is a high priority at Round Lake. Great care is taken to provide a safe space for everyone who attends. All Round Lake volunteers ages 18 and up are required to complete background checks before coming to camp. Several staff members live onsite and are available at all times should a need arise. In the dorms, no fewer than two adult volunteers sleep in each room to ensure your child’s protection. During the day, many more staff and volunteers are available to care for your child’s needs. Volunteers are encouraged to be at the lakefront while campers swim to aid the certified lifeguards with safety issues. The directors of the camp have worked diligently to prepare policies and procedures to care for your child. The Round Lake staff is very competent in handling the day-to-day issues of camp.
What are some of the benefits of sending my child to camp?
“Camping takes people away from the noise, demands, routines and pressures of daily life. It removes them from the constant onslaught of the world’s influence which comes through TV, magazines, family, friends. . . and so on. Unlike church attendance, camp life is a 24-hour-a-day experience of living together over a period of several days. People have time to absorb truth and think through the implications. Trust and relationships are developed. People find time to relax, build friendships and think deeply.”
-Thoughts from Bob McKemey, “Church and Camp Cooperation”
Camp can prepare your child for this life and for eternity. It is one of the most important investments you will make in your child’s life. Campers grow in their faith, build friendships and develop independence.
Medical Treatment, Medications and Insurance
Any significant change or changes regarding a camper’s physical, medical or emotional condition, different from that stated at the time of registration, should be reported in writing to the camp prior to the camp session. Primary insurance coverage is the responsibility of the camper’s personal insurance. All doctor and hospital forms will be completed using patient’s name, home address and personal insurance. Camp insurance will cover no part of a pre-existing illness or injury. All medication for campers must be in original containers with name and specific instructions to be given to the camp nurse at check-in.
How does check-in work?
- Be sure to verify your check-in times. Check-in will begin promptly at the time listed and last no longer than 30 minutes.
- It is the parent’s responsibility to make proper arrangements for transportation to and from camp. Any special dismissal or transportation arrangements must be provided to the office or dean at or before check-in.
- Campers must check in BEFORE going to the dorms.
- All medicine must be in original containers and given to the camp nurse during check-in.
- Each camper will have a wristband placed on their wrist at check-in time. A tab with a matching number will be given to the person checking in the camper. The person picking up the camper at the end of the camp session is responsible for bringing the matching tab (a photograph is also accepted) as proof that they are responsible to pick up the camper. This is done for the safety and protection of your camper.
- After campers have settled into their dorms, parents are free to leave.
How does check-out work?
- Be sure to bring the matching tab to your camper’s wristband (which you received at check-in). If you do not have this, we ask that you provide your drivers’ license to your child’s dorm parent for identification. A photograph of the tab is also accepted.
- Your camper can be picked up ONLY at their DORM room unless otherwise instructed by your dean. (Day Campers will be dismissed from the Multipurpose Building.)
- If applicable, parents may arrive about 30 minutes prior to camp dismissal to join your camper for the closing program and baptisms. Please see your specific session's page for more information.
What happens if my child makes a decision to be baptized at camp?
If a camper desires to be baptized at camp, the Dean will phone parents/legal guardians for permission and may also contact the camper’s home church. Baptism is by immersion. Families are invited to attend baptisms.
Are there any other camp policies I need to be familiar with?
- You are registered to be at camp. Leaving without permission is a safety and liability risk. Campers are not permitted to leave the grounds during a camp session unless prior permission has been granted.
- Accidents happen and things break. Intentional destruction will be paid for by the camper.
- Wristbands are for safety – keep them on.
- No one may record/store/send/transmit the spoken word or visual image of any person, including the individual, campers or staff members in the dorms, showers, restrooms or dressing rooms for any purpose.
- Volunteers/campers who drive to camp must park their vehicles in designated parking lots.
