Frequently Asked Questions About Kid's Camp
Q. Who are the people who will be responsible for your child?
A. The first person responsible for your child is their counselor. Our counselors are young, usually in high school (they must be going into 9th grade at minimum). Most are experienced counselors, and have several years of experience either as a counselor, or for our youngest counselors, as counselor-in-training. They are in that position because they have proven themselves to be the best of the best of our youth across the West Michigan region.
The next person responsible for your child is their Lead Counselor, who is the most experienced and mature person with your child's group. For some kids, the Lead Counselor is also their child's counselor. The Lead Counselor is usually at least a senior in high school or college student.
Finally, our trio of Camp Directors are responsible for the overall well-being of the kids and the staff. Pastor Tony Schering, the children's pastor at Impact Church in Lowell, is the Director of Spiritual Development. Nicole Herrema at Radiant Life Church in Sturgis is the Worship Director. Courtney Smit at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is the Staffing Director.
All staff, 18 and older, have been background checked, and new staff that we don't know well yet have received glowing recommendations from their pastor.
A. The first person responsible for your child is their counselor. Our counselors are young, usually in high school (they must be going into 9th grade at minimum). Most are experienced counselors, and have several years of experience either as a counselor, or for our youngest counselors, as counselor-in-training. They are in that position because they have proven themselves to be the best of the best of our youth across the West Michigan region.
The next person responsible for your child is their Lead Counselor, who is the most experienced and mature person with your child's group. For some kids, the Lead Counselor is also their child's counselor. The Lead Counselor is usually at least a senior in high school or college student.
Finally, our trio of Camp Directors are responsible for the overall well-being of the kids and the staff. Pastor Tony Schering, the children's pastor at Impact Church in Lowell, is the Director of Spiritual Development. Nicole Herrema at Radiant Life Church in Sturgis is the Worship Director. Courtney Smit at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is the Staffing Director.
All staff, 18 and older, have been background checked, and new staff that we don't know well yet have received glowing recommendations from their pastor.
Q. What do the kids do all day?
A. Here is a general schedule for the kids:
Morning - starting at 8:30am
BREAKFAST
RALLY
DAILY ROTATION ACTIVITIES, which include:
Swimming in our beautiful pool (supervised by a certified lifeguard)
A fun activity with the entire group
Snack shop (afternoon only)
Small group games - with their counselor and small group
Odyssey (a large group learning activity)
Craft
Afternoon - starting at NOON
LUNCH
CONTINUE DAILY ROTATION with 4 more activities
Evening - starting at 5:30pm
DINNER
RALLY and small group time
EVENING ACTIVITY, which includes counselor hunt (a gigantic hide-and-seek game) and our annual bonfire
BEDTIME DEVOTIONS
The kids are moving almost the entire day. By the end of the week, they (and the staff) will be ready for hibernation.
A. Here is a general schedule for the kids:
Morning - starting at 8:30am
BREAKFAST
RALLY
DAILY ROTATION ACTIVITIES, which include:
Swimming in our beautiful pool (supervised by a certified lifeguard)
A fun activity with the entire group
Snack shop (afternoon only)
Small group games - with their counselor and small group
Odyssey (a large group learning activity)
Craft
Afternoon - starting at NOON
LUNCH
CONTINUE DAILY ROTATION with 4 more activities
Evening - starting at 5:30pm
DINNER
RALLY and small group time
EVENING ACTIVITY, which includes counselor hunt (a gigantic hide-and-seek game) and our annual bonfire
BEDTIME DEVOTIONS
The kids are moving almost the entire day. By the end of the week, they (and the staff) will be ready for hibernation.
Q. What are camp's covid precautions?
A. As a general rule, hand washing with soap is strongly encouraged and hand sanitizer is available around the campground.
A. As a general rule, hand washing with soap is strongly encouraged and hand sanitizer is available around the campground.
Q. What is this option “Day Camp”?
A. Day camp is designed to give kids who might not be ready for a full camp the option to enjoy all the fun of camp. Parents can plan to bring their child to meet their counselor at breakfast each morning at 8:30am, in the Dining Hall, and then pick their child up each night in the Tabernacle, after the evening activity, at approximately 8:30pm. (On Friday, we will likely run late, as we will be having our bonfire out by the pool, weather permitting).
First grade children are especially encouraged to come as day campers. However, day campers are often any age. It depends on the needs of your child and your family.
Parents who live nearby, staying at a hotel nearby, or camping onsite, can be there to help their child through the toughest time of camp for kids – nighttime. But please limit your contact with your child during the day, to help minimize homesickness in them and other children.
We’re trying to make the camp experience available to all kids! Note that there is a very minimal discount for these campers since the camper is using the same resources as an overnight camper.
A. Day camp is designed to give kids who might not be ready for a full camp the option to enjoy all the fun of camp. Parents can plan to bring their child to meet their counselor at breakfast each morning at 8:30am, in the Dining Hall, and then pick their child up each night in the Tabernacle, after the evening activity, at approximately 8:30pm. (On Friday, we will likely run late, as we will be having our bonfire out by the pool, weather permitting).
First grade children are especially encouraged to come as day campers. However, day campers are often any age. It depends on the needs of your child and your family.
Parents who live nearby, staying at a hotel nearby, or camping onsite, can be there to help their child through the toughest time of camp for kids – nighttime. But please limit your contact with your child during the day, to help minimize homesickness in them and other children.
We’re trying to make the camp experience available to all kids! Note that there is a very minimal discount for these campers since the camper is using the same resources as an overnight camper.
Q. Do you offer a shortened version of kids' camp?
A. Long story short, not really. In the past, we have offered a three day option, but we found that a child doing a three day option isn't ready to leave the group. So we can be flexible to the needs of your family, but we don't offer this as an official option. However, if you do need to pick up your child early, please communicate this with our directors (Tony, Nicole, or Courtney), and we can work out the details.
A. Long story short, not really. In the past, we have offered a three day option, but we found that a child doing a three day option isn't ready to leave the group. So we can be flexible to the needs of your family, but we don't offer this as an official option. However, if you do need to pick up your child early, please communicate this with our directors (Tony, Nicole, or Courtney), and we can work out the details.
Q. Why is this camp so much less expensive than other camps?
A. Most of our staff is volunteer. Our staff is not here because they’re paid to be here, but they’re here because they love the kids, love Jesus, and love camp. In fact, we have had counselors take a week of vacation from counseling at another camp to come serve at our camp! It is true that other campgrounds have fancier toys and gadgets; however, we find that kids just plain don’t need the fancier toys to have an amazing week and grow closer to Jesus. In the end, there is NO BETTER bang for your buck in terms of building memories and experiencing a life-changing week!
A. Most of our staff is volunteer. Our staff is not here because they’re paid to be here, but they’re here because they love the kids, love Jesus, and love camp. In fact, we have had counselors take a week of vacation from counseling at another camp to come serve at our camp! It is true that other campgrounds have fancier toys and gadgets; however, we find that kids just plain don’t need the fancier toys to have an amazing week and grow closer to Jesus. In the end, there is NO BETTER bang for your buck in terms of building memories and experiencing a life-changing week!
Q. Are there discounts or scholarships available for camp?
A. This question has multiple answers, so please read the entire explanation.
First, camp staff receives 50% off the camp fees for their children or grandchildren. This is a good way for parents to reduce their costs, but also join in on the fun! A lot of staff returns every year, because it is such a good experience for kids and adults.
To people needing scholarships to attend, we suggest a couple of things. First, try family or your church. Often a church, or a grandparent, will send a child to camp with a partial or full scholarship because they know the high value of camp. Foster children will sometimes be covered by their fostering agency. If that doesn’t meet the need, we suggest you contact the camp director for additional suggestions. While we don't officially offer scholarships, in the end, it’s our heart that this camp experience is too valuable to allow money to get in the way, so if there’s a way to make it happen, we will work with you to do it!
Bottom line, money will not be the reason someone misses camp. While we still have to pay the bills, we often have 15-20% of our kids on some sort of partial or full scholarship from the campground.
A. This question has multiple answers, so please read the entire explanation.
First, camp staff receives 50% off the camp fees for their children or grandchildren. This is a good way for parents to reduce their costs, but also join in on the fun! A lot of staff returns every year, because it is such a good experience for kids and adults.
To people needing scholarships to attend, we suggest a couple of things. First, try family or your church. Often a church, or a grandparent, will send a child to camp with a partial or full scholarship because they know the high value of camp. Foster children will sometimes be covered by their fostering agency. If that doesn’t meet the need, we suggest you contact the camp director for additional suggestions. While we don't officially offer scholarships, in the end, it’s our heart that this camp experience is too valuable to allow money to get in the way, so if there’s a way to make it happen, we will work with you to do it!
Bottom line, money will not be the reason someone misses camp. While we still have to pay the bills, we often have 15-20% of our kids on some sort of partial or full scholarship from the campground.
Q. How do you handle homesickness?
A. Homesick kids are a part of camp. It happens. Especially on the first night at bedtime. We have several tactics for helping homesick kids that we have found helps immensely:
1) Distraction - get the kids talking about other things that they like
2) Writing - write a letter home
3) Talking - get them talking about why they are here
4) Busy - just keeping them busy, another form of distraction
Sometimes kids want to call home. We have found this is the worst way to help with homesickness, and is very hard on both the parents and the child. Therefore, we do not encourage calling home at any point during the week (and remember, kids should not bring electronics to camp).
Usually, by the second night of camp, kids have been having such a great time, and are so tired, they fall asleep quickly and are fine for the rest of the week. We regularly see homesick kids who struggled through the first night want to stay at the end of the week and keep camp going.
A. Homesick kids are a part of camp. It happens. Especially on the first night at bedtime. We have several tactics for helping homesick kids that we have found helps immensely:
1) Distraction - get the kids talking about other things that they like
2) Writing - write a letter home
3) Talking - get them talking about why they are here
4) Busy - just keeping them busy, another form of distraction
Sometimes kids want to call home. We have found this is the worst way to help with homesickness, and is very hard on both the parents and the child. Therefore, we do not encourage calling home at any point during the week (and remember, kids should not bring electronics to camp).
Usually, by the second night of camp, kids have been having such a great time, and are so tired, they fall asleep quickly and are fine for the rest of the week. We regularly see homesick kids who struggled through the first night want to stay at the end of the week and keep camp going.
Q. Can you handle children with special needs?
A. We are definitely willing to help all children enjoy camp. There are some limitations to the disabilities we can assist with, as this campground does not have ADA facilities. Sometimes we can assign a special person to assist with a child’s special needs. But please be sure to communicate with the camp director early so these arrangements can be made. While our counselors are well supervised and among the best teenagers from across West Michigan, remember that they are still teenagers, and children with severe behavioral issues, or in the middle of med changes, may find a better fit at another camp.
We are happy to provide alternative food for children with allergies and intolerances, if we know them ahead of time. Our kitchen staff is experienced working with various special dietary needs. Typically, though, we expect the child to know that they should not get in the regular line to get their food. Our camp cook will be aware of special needs, and will show them an alternate location to get their food, and we expect the child to go there for food rather than the normal line. If we are aware of special dietary needs before camp, your child will receive a RED WRISTBAND at camp check-in.
If you have questions, please contact the camp directors.
A. We are definitely willing to help all children enjoy camp. There are some limitations to the disabilities we can assist with, as this campground does not have ADA facilities. Sometimes we can assign a special person to assist with a child’s special needs. But please be sure to communicate with the camp director early so these arrangements can be made. While our counselors are well supervised and among the best teenagers from across West Michigan, remember that they are still teenagers, and children with severe behavioral issues, or in the middle of med changes, may find a better fit at another camp.
We are happy to provide alternative food for children with allergies and intolerances, if we know them ahead of time. Our kitchen staff is experienced working with various special dietary needs. Typically, though, we expect the child to know that they should not get in the regular line to get their food. Our camp cook will be aware of special needs, and will show them an alternate location to get their food, and we expect the child to go there for food rather than the normal line. If we are aware of special dietary needs before camp, your child will receive a RED WRISTBAND at camp check-in.
If you have questions, please contact the camp directors.
Q. Can my child call home while at camp?
A. Calls home are strongly discouraged. Normally, if there is a homesickness issue, this will make the problem harder for the child. Our staff deals with homesick children with some regularity, and we have several strategies to help the child. Usually, homesickness is the worst on the first night, but subsides after that.
We also ask kids to leave all electronics, including cell phones, at home. If a homesick child sees a cell phone, the homesickness usually becomes worse.
Typically calls will be made home only if there is a question that requires parental insight or attention. Those calls will not be with the child present.
A. Calls home are strongly discouraged. Normally, if there is a homesickness issue, this will make the problem harder for the child. Our staff deals with homesick children with some regularity, and we have several strategies to help the child. Usually, homesickness is the worst on the first night, but subsides after that.
We also ask kids to leave all electronics, including cell phones, at home. If a homesick child sees a cell phone, the homesickness usually becomes worse.
Typically calls will be made home only if there is a question that requires parental insight or attention. Those calls will not be with the child present.
Q. Can my child request to bunk with a friend, or request a specific counselor?
A. Absolutely. On the registration form, there is a spot to request a bunkmate or counselor. We work very hard to make sure the kids are with the people they want to be with, so please request. The only difficulty is when a child requests to be with a sibling who is in a different age group. For example, if a first grader wants to be with a fifth grade (or older) sibling, putting them together would be very difficult.
If your child gets to camp and isn't with the person requested, please tell the Camp Directors right away. Changes are very easy to make at registration, but much more difficult on day two of camp.
A. Absolutely. On the registration form, there is a spot to request a bunkmate or counselor. We work very hard to make sure the kids are with the people they want to be with, so please request. The only difficulty is when a child requests to be with a sibling who is in a different age group. For example, if a first grader wants to be with a fifth grade (or older) sibling, putting them together would be very difficult.
If your child gets to camp and isn't with the person requested, please tell the Camp Directors right away. Changes are very easy to make at registration, but much more difficult on day two of camp.
Q. How can I find out more about the Winding Creek Campground?
A. Visit windingcreekcamp.org
The camp has many great activities throughout the summer, including (but not limited to) free camping over Memorial Day weekend (for 2018, at least) and Family Camp in early July. They have camp sites and cabins that can be rented, and they also have cabins for sale inexpensively. Check out their website for more information.
A. Visit windingcreekcamp.org
The camp has many great activities throughout the summer, including (but not limited to) free camping over Memorial Day weekend (for 2018, at least) and Family Camp in early July. They have camp sites and cabins that can be rented, and they also have cabins for sale inexpensively. Check out their website for more information.
