Frequently Asked Questions

You can register a camper online or by mailing a registration form to PLC. If you need help or would like us to send a brochure, you can contact us at (641) 858-3284 or office@pinelakecamps.org

If you need to cancel your registration, please contact us quickly since some camps are full and do have waiting lists. Keep in mind that a portion of your fee is nonrefundable depending on the date of your cancellation. Pine Lake Camps does not issue refunds for campers who leave because of homesickness or illness.

Registration date until 1 week prior to the start of camp: $50

6 days to one day prior to the start of camp: $100

1 day or less: Full Fee

*Camp Store funds will be refunded in full.

We would like to help make camp accessible to all. If it would work best for you to pay for camp over time, we can set that up. To receive information about our payment plan, please call camp at 641.858.3284 or email office@pinelakecamps.org

Cabin assignments are made one week before camp. This enables us to grant most requests for cabin mates. It's important to us that each cabin group has a positive and accepting atmosphere. It's also important to us that campers become acquainted with other campers outside their current circle of friends and that individual campers feel comfortable and accepted even though they may not have come with someone they know.

To protect this type of accepting and friendly cabin atmosphere, we will not put more than four campers who know each other together in a cabin. If your child is part of a large group of friends we welcome your input regarding how a large group should be split. Friends who wish to be together should request each other. All cabin requests should be made in writing. Requests can be e-mailed to office@pinelakecamps.org

Requests for a specific type of cabin (modern vs. rustic) will only be considered in situations that involve wheelchair accessibility or extreme medical handicap.

Here are sample schedules for both elementary and junior/senior high students:

Elementary

7:00 - Wake up 

7:30 - Breakfast 

8:15 - Bible Hour 

9:00 - Quiet Time

9:30 - Activities/Games/Skills Classes

12:00 - Lunch 

1:00 - Free Time 

5:00 - Dinner 

6:00 - Evening Rally

7:00 - Night Game

8:00 - In Cabins 

8:30 - Evening Devos 

9:00 - Lights out 

Jr. High/Senior High 

8:00 - Wake up 

8:30 - Breakfast 

9:00 - Bible Hour 

10:00 - Quiet Time 

10:45 - Activities/Games/Skills Classes

12:30 - Lunch 

1:30 - Free Time Activities 

5:30 - Dinner 

7:00 - Evening Rally

8:00 - Evening Free Time 

9:00 - Night Game 

10:00 - To Cabins 

10:30 - Evening Devos 

11:00 - Lights Out

1. Crafts
2. Boating
3. Low Ropes
4. Swimming
5. Fishing Skills
6. Court Games
7. Riflery
8. Archery
9. Disc Golf
10. Worship

Campers should pack comfortable, casual clothing. Check the packing list for specifics. Clothing with negative, inflammatory or inappropriate statements or images are not allowed. We ask that clothing is modest & doesn't reveal underwear. No super short-shorts or bikinis, please. Tankinis are ok. If you are questioning whether something is appropriate for camp, it may be best to leave it at home. Staff may discreetly ask campers to change if needed.

Fireworks, non-prescribed drugs, alcohol and tobacco products, vapes, and weapons of any kind are not allowed at Pine Lake Camps. Please also leave music players, TV, tablets, laptops, and phones at home. Camp is a PHONE-FREE-ZONE! If something is brought to camp that the staff deems inappropriate or unsafe, we will hold the item in safekeeping and return it to parents at pickup.

All of Pine Lake Camps cabins have twin size mattresses - typically on a bunk bed. The best bedding to bring would be a fitted sheet for the mattress and a sleeping bag & pillow. Some campers prefer to bring a blanket and two sheets rather than a sleeping bag, which works as well.

Every case of homesickness is a little bit different. In some cases, it only lasts a moment, and in others it lingers. 

In mid-level to extreme cases, staff will contact a parent to seek advice. We will typically speak with the parent a couple times before putting them on the phone with their child. Once the child adjusts to camp and gets busy having fun, the homesickness usually passes. It is very rare that we have a parent pick up their camper in the middle of the week.

HINT: Never tell your child that they will get homesick at camp, or tell them what you or PLC will do in the event that they are homesick. Every case is a little different. We promise to contact you if your kiddo is struggling. 

You can send mail in two ways:

1. Here on our website, you can message your child! Or...
2. Mail to:

Mail will be delivered to campers once a day.

Items left behind are washed and inventoried on a weekly basis. We are happy to return items, but do ask that you reimburse us for postage costs. The amount due will be included with the item along with a return addressed envelope. Lost and found items are only held for 2 weeks after camp. 

Please make sure to notify us at the time of registration if your child has a food restriction. Appropriate food will be provided for each meal but you will want to pack snacks that your child can eat. 

Pine Lake Camps medical staff are adult volunteers who are currently, or have been employed, in the medical field. These are professionals who give a week of their time to camp. Medical staff are on duty at all times and available by phone for fast response. Additionally, all camp staff are also trained in emergency medical response.

Daily medication is dispensed according to printed instructions. All medication must be turned in to the camp nurse upon arrival. Medication is typically dispensed at meal times and before bed.

Being sick at camp is a bummer.  If a camper becomes ill, they will be monitored closely. If they are too uncomfortable to stay or have not improved in 24 hours, arrangements will be made for your child to return home.

All medications and instructions will be given to the nurse at registration. The nurse will then work with your child's counselor to ensure dispensing at the appropriate times. Prescription meds will not be dispensed without a prescription and/or doctor note.

We suggest that campers do not keep money in their cabins or in their pockets during the week - camp is a busy place, and it's never fun to lose your spending money!

Campers are encouraged to deposit their money in the camp bank at registration. When the camper makes purchases, the amount spent will be subtracted from their account. At the end of the week, they will be given a sealed envelope containing the remaining money in their account.

If you would like your child to remember his/her experience at camp with a cabin photo, or a PLC T-shirt, these can be pre-ordered as you register for camp or at registration on opening day. Pre-ordered T-shirts will be ready upon arrival at camp. Cabin photos are sent home with your camper at the end of the week.

The camp store will have other wearables and souvenirs available for purchase.