Frequently Asked Questions

PLC conducts all our registrations online. If you need help or would like us to arrange for a paper registration, you can contact us at (641) 849-1066 or office@pinelakecamps.org

If you cancel your camper’s registration on or before May 31, you will receive a refund less the $25 non-refundable deposit. If you cancel on or after June 1, you can transfer your registration to another camper, a different week of camp, or receive a refund less a $100 cancellation fee. 

No refund will be given if your child leaves camp early due to illness, homesickness, or behavioral issues.

We would like to help make PLC accessible to all. During registration, you will have the option to select Monthly Payments, and it will automatically calculate the monthly payment amount in order to have your total paid in full by one week prior to your child's arrival at camp. Payments will automatically be withdrawn from your payment account on the 15th of each month. 

If you have questions, please call camp at 641.849.1066 or email office@pinelakecamps.org

If family finances would prevent your child from attending camp, you can apply for financial assistance. Free Grace United has a limited amount of need-based scholarship funds available, that, combined with a payment plan, may help make camp possible for your kiddo.

You will need to fill out a scholarship application HERE.

Each camper is permitted to request ONE cabin mate. Please ensure that your camper and their cabin mate EACH request to room together. Cabin assignments are made one week before camp. 

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 included even though they may not have come with someone they know.

To protect this type of 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. Please e-mail office@pinelakecamps.org.

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

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
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Camp Activities
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
12:30 - Lunch
1:30 - Camp Activities
5:30 - Dinner
7:00 - Evening Rally
8:00 - Camp Activities
9:00 - Night Game
10:00 - To Cabins
10:30 - Evening Devos
11:00 - Lights Out

• Crafts

• Boating

• High Ropes/Zipline

• Swimming

• Fishing

• Court Games

• Riflery

• Archery

• Sling Shots

• Disc Golf

• Worship & Chapel Classes

• Ga Ga Ball

• Gopher Ball

• 9 Square

• Game Cabin

• Large Group Games

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. Ladies, no bikinis, please. Tankinis are ok. No super short-shorts or crop tops.  If the belly is showing, the camper will be asked to change. 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. Closed toe shoes and pants are required for the ropes course.

Fireworks, non-prescribed drugs, alcohol and tobacco products, vapes, and weapons of any kind are not allowed at Pine Lake Camps. Camp is a NO PHONE ZONE! No screens, please. 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 on the medical form 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.

Program Access - PLC will accommodate special needs into existing programs to the extent that financial and physical resources permit.

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. 

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.

Camp must be informed of all prescription medications and instructions (via PLC medical forms) PRIOR to your child’s arrival at camp. All meds must 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 the original prescription bottle. Any camper with multiple prescriptions will be required to send a doctor’s note including all prescriptions, in order to ensure that PLC dispenses safely.

Over the counter medications (i.e., Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl), are available for campers as needed under nurse supervision. Campers may not have ANY medications in their possession, but are allowed to give their own to the nurse at registration if they expect to need them.

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, campers will be given a sealed envelope containing the remaining money in their account. NEW THIS YEAR! Upon depositing money in your camper’s account, you can choose to donate any remaining funds at the end of the week to Teresa Missions, an orphanage in Kenya. (teresamissions.org)