Summer Camp at Camp Mack
Adventure, Faith, & Friendship All Summer Long
Summer at Camp Mack is packed with opportunities to explore God’s creation, grow in faith, and make memories that last a lifetime. Each program is designed for a specific age group, helping campers take on new challenges, build lasting friendships, and experience the joy of camp life in a safe, welcoming environment.
From lakeside activities and campfires to hands-on learning and creative exploration, every day brings something new.
What to Expect
Arrival at Camp
Check-in runs from 2–4 p.m. for all camps except Samplers, which is from 3–4 p.m. Upon arrival, follow the posted instructions for the check-in process and use safe driving practices while on camp property. Watch for children at play.
Check-In Requirements
If your child has not received immunizations for most communicable diseases, a Medical Release and Exemption Form (available for download from our website or by request from the camp office) needs to be filled out and submitted.
Campers cannot be admitted if a compromising health condition is present.
Activities
Campers will enjoy a variety of activities designed to support multiple learning styles. On-site camps may include:
- Bible Study, Cabin Devotions, Morning Watch, Vespers
- Rowboating, Canoeing*, Kayaking*, Sailing*
- Crafts, Group Games
- Campfires, Cookouts
- Hikes, Nature Study
- Service Projects
- Swimming, Morning Dip
- Challenge Course*, Climbing Tower*
*These activities are available only in certain camps as part of our progression of programming. Camps held off-site will have a different list of activities and require special permission slips, which will be provided.
Behavior Expectations & Camper Readiness
Camp offers structure but also requires flexibility to adapt to a dynamic, active environment with significant daily walking.
Campers should be able to:
- Sleep in a room with 5–7 other people without assistance such as music or lights
- Maintain personal hygiene independently
- Demonstrate self-control, self-regulation, and the ability to calm themselves after frustration, sadness, or anger
- Avoid wandering from their group
- Use respectful language and behavior toward themselves, others, the environment, and camp property
Health & Safety
Parental Consultation
Our intent is to work with you child to keep him/her involved, encouraging him/her to try new experiences and to have a meaningful week at camp. There are times when it becomes necessary for staff to talk with parents. The Program Director, Health Care Provider, or Team Leader will notify parents/guardians in the event of personal conduct issues, illness, or accident. In the event of an illness, injury, or acting out of behavior that is deemed detrimental to the overall atmosphere of the camping experience for your child and others, you will be invited to help find a solution that works for all parties involved.
Health Concerns
One of the realities of being in the out of doors is insects. While campers and staff have a greater exposure to the risk of mosquito bites than the general population, the actual likelihood of infection in low. Your assistance is needed in educating your child in the use of insect repellent (containing 10-30% DEET). Repellent should be sprayed on clothing rather than on the skin when feasible. We encourage body cover (long pants, shirts, socks, hats) as appropriate for the weather and activity.
In the event of an accident or illness, the parent/ guardian shall be contacted by the Health Care Provider or Program Director to advise of the situation or concerns. Please provide accurate information on health forms so parents/ guardians can be easily reached in case of an accident or illness.
Camper Safety
The safety of your child is of utmost importance for us. We work at this in several ways. The first is the personnel whom we hire or who volunteer for us.
- We check references and conduct background investigations on all employed staff and volunteers.
- We train all staff and volunteers in appropriate behavior when working with children.
- We provide supervision in all levels of operation.
- We review and evaluate staff on their performance.
Our second way of working at safety concerns is by providing a program that meets the standards of the American Camp Association. The ACA is the primary professional organization that provides operational standards contributing to a quality experience for your child. Camp Mack has been a continuously accredited camp since 1985.
Homesickness
Homesickness is a natural part of a child’s experiences away from home. It is a known fact that 95% of all children have some level of homesickness. The intensity is affected by four factors: EXPERIENCE, which is related to age and previous separation experiences; PERSONALITY, which is related to children’s control over their emotions and how attached they feel to their caregivers; FAMILY, which is related to whether they feel they are being forced to come to camp, whether parents have expresses anxiety or doubt about them coming to camp and/or worries over situations at home; and ATTITUDE, which is related to low expectation about camp, negative first impressions of camp or thinking their homesickness will be strong.
We encourage you to consider these ways to help reduce the impact of homesickness in your child:
- Visit camp prior to your child’s week of camp.
- Visit our website to get a view of the facilities and see pictures of other campers.
- Talk with your children about the normal feelings of missing those things that they love.
We also discourage you from getting caught up in the “pick-up” promise. Even though you mean to be supportive, you may be sending the opposite message that you don’t believe they can be successful. As a last case scenario, we will work with you to negotiate a shortened stay if all other options fail.
Camper Health Form
To assist us in providing for the health of your child please complete the Medical Information and Release as accurately and completely as possible. Please note: It is not necessary for a camper to have a physical prior to coming to camp, but it is encouraged.
The health care staff will review your child’s health information at registration. It may be shared with other staff on a need-to-know basis in effort to safely support your child’s participation. We can only be effective if you share information with us. We are not responsible if you fail to disclose something.
If your child is on behavioral modification medications during the school year, we encourage that your child remain on these meds during his/her camp experience. Please talk with your physician regarding dosing requirements which may be different for camp than for school.
In an effort to protect campers from unauthorized use of medications, all medications, both prescribed and over the counter, are turned in to the health care staff at registration. Please send your child’s medication in their original packaging so the physician’s directions are available.
The health care staff dispenses medication according to written instructions on the containers.
The Over the Counter Medication Form lists those medications that have been authorized for use through standing orders issued by our physician. A parent’s signature is necessary for those items to be dispensed to your child by the health care staff.
Insurance
Your family’s health insurance will be the first insurance used to cover the cost of any necessary medical treatment for your child during camp.
Finances
Deposits
To be fully registered for a camp, a non-refundable deposit of $75 must be received. If a deposit is not received, your spot for the camp is not reserved. Full payment is expected by June 1st. Church payments do not count as a deposit, unless they are a full payment.
Refund Policy
Any cancellations received 30 days prior to your camp start date will receive a full refund minus the $75 deposit. Cancellations received less than 30 days prior to your camp start date will receive a refund of ½ of the registration minus the $75 deposit. If a child does not arrive for camp, all registration fees are forfeited.
First-Time Camper Discount
Summer Camp only. Campers coming to summer camp at Camp Mack for the first time can receive a $50 discount on their camp fees. Campers must be registered by May 1st to be eligible for the discount. Once the discount is reviewed, it will be approved and applied to your account.
Camperships
Summer Camp only (this does not apply to Grand Camp, Women’s Camp or Family Camps). Camperships (camp scholarships) for half of the registration fee are available through the camp for families needing financial assistance. During the online registration process, answer yes to “Are you applying for a campership?”.
To finish the application for a campership, we require a letter written from a non-relative adult in the campers’ life. The letter needs to state their connection to the camper and that the family would benefit from a campership. The non-relative adult can be a youth leader, pastor, social worker, teacher, coach, etc.
The letter can be emailed to brittany@campmack.org or mailed to Camp Mack P.O. Box 158, Milford, IN 46542.
Once the letter is received and approved, the campership will be changed from pending to applied on your account. Camperships do not count towards a deposit. Limit one campership per child.
Payment Plans
Payment plans break down the cost of camp into automatic monthly payments ending on June 1st. Payment plans are available in the online registration process. A $75 deposit is required to be registered.
Communication
Telephone Calls & Visitors
We believe an integral part of growing up is the extended experience away from home. For this reason, we strongly discourage phone calls to campers and visits to camp. If there is need for coming to the camp, please come to the camp office in the John Kline Welcome Center first for your ID badge.
If there is an emergency, please call the camp office at 574-658-4831.
Mail
Campers look forward to hearing from family and friends. Write letters early in the week to allow for the time it may take mail to reach camp. Parents of Samplers or Beginners many wish to leave letters on the day of registration for delivery the next day.
Mail should be addressed to the camper with the name of the camp sessions he/she is attending and then the camp address at PO Box 158, Milford, IN 46542.
Example:
Chris Camper
Seekers
PO Box 158
Milford, IN 46542
Bunk 1
Use Bunk1 for summer camp photos. View photos for free.
Send your camper(s) bunk notes (one-way emails) for only $5. Enhance them by attaching photos, puzzles, borders and more. Option to purchase images and photo gifts. Bunk1 is a password-protected site. You will receive information about Bunk 1 at check-in
*Note: Bunk Notes are emailed by Bunk1 once per day. Please send all notes before midnight on their last day of camp.
Internet Communication Policy
We see many positive ways in which your child can grow from the benefits of the Internet. We also see the potential for unhealthy activities on the Internet. Camp Mack views social networking sites (e.g. Facebook), personal websites, and blogs positively and respects the rights of campers and staff to use them as a medium of self-expression. During the registration process, you will find a Camper Contact Permission that allows you to choose whether leaders share email addresses, etc. with your child. We encourage you to go over these documents with your child as they prepare for their experience at camp.
Policies
Camp Check-Out
During the registration process you will list those people who are authorized to pick-up the camper. Only those authorized may pick up the camper. Photo ID and a signature will be required at check-out.
Personal Property
Indiana state law prohibits the use of tobacco, cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol on camp property during summer camp. We ask you to please abide by this law.
Camp Mack is not responsible for injuries from or the loss of personal sports equipment brought by campers.
Any animal brought on site during registration must be restrained or kept in a vehicle.
Only personal assistance animals are able to be on the property during camp.
Any handgun brought on site must be licensed and remain in a locked vehicle. All firearms must remain in a locked vehicle.
Lost and Found
At the end of the summer, there is always a pile of campers’ belongings left at camp. As a way to target the problem of lost belongings and a large lost-and-found closet, we encourage our campers to label all of their belongings.
If, however, your camper does leave something behind, you may inquire about lost items by calling the camp office. If we have found the item, you may then arrange to pick it up. Items not claimed in 6 weeks are donated to a worthy charity.
Candy/ Snacks/ Food Allergies
It is always a temptation to bring candy and snacks to camp. We ask you to resist this temptation for several reasons.
Candy and other snack foods act as magnets for insects and vermin such as mice and can lead to infestations in cabins.
Candy and snacks also present health concerns for children who overeat or have an unbalanced diet. If you are concerned that your child will not get enough to eat, rest assured that we provide all campers with three healthy meals and an evening snack every day.
Each year, more campers come with a variety of allergies. One of the most significant allergies is to peanuts; this allergy can sometimes be aggravated by peanut oils left on surfaces like doorknobs. We are working deliberately to eliminate peanut butter, peanuts, and peanut oils from our foods. Many snacks that campers might bring, however, contain peanut residues in various forms, even when peanuts or peanut oils are not listed ingredients. Please be sensitive to this serious issue and refrain from bringing snacks to camp.
Camp Mack attempts to limit the level of contact with peanuts at our facility. We ask your assistance in maintaining that level of safety for our campers.
Outcomes
Program Outcomes
Campers will be exposed to a variety of experiences aiding them as they continue their journey in life. The following outcomes are guidelines used by program leadership in developing and implementing activities for children and youth.
Faith Outcome:
Campers grow in their understanding of God and the Christian faith while developing a joyful and disciplined practice of prayer, study, and worship.
Each camper will have the opportunity to participate in prayer, worship, meditation, devotions, and Bible Study with the goal of increased knowledge of God’s word and to grow in and experience acceptance of God, others, and self.
Each camper will be provided opportunities to further his/her understanding of God through activities that are focuses in a variety of learning styles.
Each camper will be exposed to Christian values and faith issues through the content of the program and through modeling of those values by the camp leaders.
Service Outcome:
Campers recognize responsible stewardship of God’s gifts includes intentional service and giving.
Each camper will have the opportunity to participate in a service project and/or service offering.
Each camper will experience leaders who live a life of servant leadership.
Adventure/Exploration Outcome:
Campers explore new ideas and challenges with confidence.
Each camper will be offered the opportunity to experience programs that provide personal challenge while being supported by encouraging leaders.
Each campers will be invited to participate in leadership roles while being affirmed by supportive leaders.
Social Interaction Outcome:
Campers develop positive and caring relationships with others, learning how to work and play together in mutually satisfying ways.
Each camper will have the opportunity to create, renew, and develop relationships with peers and leaders in a family and community setting.
Each camper will have opportunities to experience and grow in understanding of sharing with others.
Each camper will be treated with dignity and respect and will, in turn, be expected to treat others in the same manner.
Each camper will have opportunities to develop friendships with other campers and staff while participating in a variety of fun and educational activities.
Safety Outcome:
Campers know they are safe at Camp Mack.
Each camper will be in a safe and healthy physical environment during his/her stay at camp.
Each camper will experience an affirming and accepting community.
Creation Outcome:
Campers appreciate the bounty of creation and make positive decisions in caring for the environment.
Each camper will be exposed to the wonders of God’s creation and ways to live in harmony with that creation.
Each camper will experience environmental activities that can become part of a creation supporting lifestyle.
Forms
Parent Information Booklet (please read- Included information about packing list, homesickness, summer service projects, meals, camp outcomes, registration, and more)
Camper Health Form (required)
Childhood Vaccine Exemption (ONLY fill this out if your camper is NOT immunized or is not up do date on immunizations)
Offsite Travel Form (Only required for certain camps)
Meals
The Camp Mack kitchen works hard to provide a variety of family-friendly food. Here are a few sample meals that may be served at camp.
Breakfast: Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, cereal, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal
Lunch: Spaghetti and meatballs, breadsticks, broccoli, pudding, salad bar
Dinner: Chicken quesadillas, rice, black beans and corn, cake, salad bar
Snacks: Popcorn, fruit, s’mores, popsicles, etc.
Meals
We attempt to have meals that are well balanced. In effort to meet dietary guidelines for childhood obesity, we are serving cereals that do not have sugar as the number one ingredient, providing a salad bar at least once a day, reducing the use of sweetened beverages, and serving fewer desserts and more fruit. We are also providing a basic vegetarian option at each meal.
Food Allergies
We are sensitive to food allergy issues, especially in the areas of groundnuts, such as peanuts. Camp Mack is attempting to be a peanut free area and we ask your assistance in maintaining that level of safety. Any dietary restriction for your child should be noted on the Camper Health Form. We encourage you to contact us ahead of time to discuss any special needs to be sure that we can meet those needs.