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FAQ's - Summer Camp

  • What does it mean to be ACA accredited? +

    Being accredited by the American Camp Association indicates that Camp Henry meets or exceeds industry-accepted and government-recognized standards and best practices for our programs, facilities, and staff.

  • What are your Camper to Staff Ratios? +

    We believe in low camper to staff ratios and all of our ratios meet or are below what are required by the State of Michigan and the American Camp Association. Day campers — 1 staff to 5 campers; Mini Week (3 nights) campers — 1 staff to 6 campers; Full Week campers — 1 staff to 8 campers.

  • What ages does Camp Henry serve during the summer? +

    Camp Henry serves campers ages 5-17.

    • Day Camp is for campers ages 5-8
    • Mini Week is for campers ages 7-11
    • Full Week camps are for campers ages 8-17
  • Every camper is unique! How can Camp Henry support my camper? +

    Our hope is to try to support and accommodate as many campers as possible. Yet, we realize that sometimes parents have questions about whether or not Camp Henry will be the right fit for their child and whether or not the appropriate level of support and accommodations can be provided. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you to discuss your individual camper and explore what might be possible. So whether you have questions about medication delivery, anxiety or emotional support, LGBTQIA+ accommodations, dietary needs, homesickness, bed wetting, or something else, please reach out to Leigha, our Camper Experiences Director, to see how we can potentially support your camper's needs. You can reach her by calling 616.717.5566 or emailing leighao@camphenry.org.

  • Does Camp Henry offer financial assistance? +

    Scholarships are based on a Sliding Scale - that accounts for household income and the number of children in the home. To request a scholarship, please connect with us and we will work with you to create a plan that best fits your family. A minimum $50 payment or a payment plan is required to secure your application for a scholarship

    In order to serve as many campers as possible, we can only extend one scholarship week per child. Scholarships and camp session availability fill quickly as summer approaches, so please inquire as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

  • How do waitlists work? +

    • Once a camp session is full, you can be added to a waitlist by registering online through your account or over the phone | 616-459-2267
    • A $25 waitlist deposit is needed to secure the waitlist spot. No further payment is needed until the space opens up for your camper. The $25 deposit can be transferred when a space opens for your camper.
    • We will reach out to you if a space is available by phone or email.
    • Change of plans? If you need to cancel your waitlist registration, the $25 deposit will be refunded to the original method of payment. You can call or email to remove your camper from the waitlist.
    • Each camper can be on up to 2 weeks of waitlists
  • How does Camp Henry assign cabins? +

    Campers are assigned to cabins by age and grade level - our goal is to have no more than one year of age difference in a cabin. Cabins are intentionally placed with a mix of new campers and returning campers. Groups of more than three campers (requesting each other) are split into two groups and placed in two different cabins. You can request a cabin partner by logging into your account or calling/emailing our main office. While we hope to accommodate every cabin partner request, requests are not guaranteed.

  • Who are Camp Henry staff members? +

    We hire a staff of fun-loving, servant-minded, and hard-working Christians. Each staff member has a strong desire to provide outstanding camper experiences and is committed to helping make the world a better place and changing lives. We welcome brand new faces each year – yet, many of our staff grew up along the Shores of Old Lake Kimball – looking at their own counselors and staff members with stars in their eyes. All of our staff are honored and thrilled to have the chance to work and serve at Camp Henry.

    All counseling staff must be at least 18 years old and have completed at least one year of college. They come from all over the world. After being carefully screened and selected, all summer staff members take part in an extensive pre-camp training program.

  • What if I'm nervous that my camper might get homesick? +

    Parents can help the adjustment of their campers by leaving them on a positive note. Make sure to set your camper up for success by letting them know you expect them to have fun. Help them to set some goals for camp (meeting people, learning something new, etc.) before you leave and be enthusiastic about their time at camp. "Childsick" parents often lead to homesick campers.

    It is best to not promise a camper they can come home if they do not like camp. Camp Henry Staff are well trained to help campers adjust to camp by immediately involving them in goal setting, team building, and fun activities. Parental support and encouragement are crucial to the happiness of the child. Camp Henry has an extremely high success rate of working with campers when parents work with us.

    A leadership staff member will contact parents if a child is homesick to let them know that we are working through the challenge. Encouraging comments in letters ("we know you are having a great time at camp," "we look forward to hearing about everything you are doing," "have fun at camp because you are not missing out on anything here") are also helpful in this process. Though homesickness is common in first-time campers, it is usually short-lived due to all the fun people and dynamic activities at Camp Henryl

  • What is the role of the Camp Health Center? +

    Campers who are not feeling well have the opportunity to visit the Health Center at any time. The Health Center is staffed with our Health Director, who meets all State of Michigan and American Camp Association guidelines, as well as a volunteer RN – and a doctor is always on call. Health Center staff are on-site 24 hours a day.

    Calls are placed to parents when:

    1. A camper has a health-related concern and requests a call home.
    2. A camper has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher.
    3. A camper spends more than four hours in the health center.
    4. A camper goes to the hospital.

     All OTC and prescription medications are checked into the Health Center on Drop off day. Please refer to the Camper Guide for medication guidelines.

    Cabin counselors check-in with campers daily and remind them of the importance of utilizing sunscreen and bug spray and are available to help campers with any health related concerns that might arise.

  • What if my camper has food allergies or dietary restrictions? +

    We want everyone to be able to have a fantastic camp experience and that includes the dining portion of their time at Camp Henry. Food allergies and other special dietary needs should be indicated on the Camper Health Form. Please feel free to email any food allergies and/or dietary concerns to our Food Service Team at foodservice@camphenry.org or call 616-717-5568. Click here to view our Food Allergies and Special Diets page.

  • When is drop off and pick up? +

    Opening Day is an exciting time for everyone! When you arrive, you will be greeted by a staff member in the parking lot. You will be directed to one of the registration tables, where the check-in process will begin.

    There will be a short closing program at the beginning of each Pick up day. When parents arrive, they will be directed to the theater for the closing program. Campers will be packed and ready to go following the ceremony. Please be prepared to sign out your camper with their counselor. A photo ID is required in order to sign out your camper.

    Mini Camp 1 | Drop off -Sunday at 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Pick up - Wednesday at 10:00am 

    Mini Camp 2 | Drop off - Wednesday at 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Pick up - Saturday at 10:00am

    Weeks 1-8 | Drop off - Sunday at 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Pick up - Saturday at 10:00am

    Week 9 | Drop off - Sunday at 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Pick up - Friday at 4:00pm

    *Please refer to the Day Camp Guide for drop off and pick times and location.

  • Do campers need to bring any money? +

    Campers can deposit money in their store account in advance or on Opening Day. Store items range in price from $0.50 to $35. Any money remaining in a camper’s store account at the end of the week can be donated to the Camp Store Scholarship Fund.

  • When do I need to pay for my child's camp? +

    Deposit/Payment Policy for 2024

    • $25 per registration will reserve your camper's spot if registered before October 4
    • Each registration should reach $100 paid October 4, 2023
    • 50% of your household balance is due by February 7, 2024
    • Full payment of your household balance is due by May 1, 2024
  • What is your cancellation policy? +

     

    2024 Cancellation Policy

    • Cancellations made anytime after registration will incur a $25 administrative fee through October 4
    • Cancellations made anytime after October 4 will incur a $50 administrative fee through May 1
    • Cancellations made after May 1st, our final payment deadline, will incur a 50% administrative fee unless we are able to fill your camper's spot. If we are able to fill your campers spot in camp, we will ask for a $100 administrative fee. 
    • Cancellations made within 48 hours of the start date of the camper's registration are not eligible for a refund.
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FAQ's - Plan a Retreat

  • Why would we choose Camp Henry over the other camps in the area? +

    Camp Henry's intentional programs are designed to allow campers and guests to connect, refresh, learn, and grow. While many camps offer exceptional programs and activities, we take our services to the next level by providing you the opportunity to customize your experience to meet the needs of your group. Our trained staff are service-focused, attentive to details, and are looking forward to creating an excellent experience. Many leaders in the past have shown appreciation for the fact that all they needed to be concerned about during their time at camp was building relationships with the others in their group – we took care of the rest!

  • What types of programming options may we choose from? +

    Depending on the length of your stay, the ages and numbers of participants you have, we will assist you in putting together the optimal experience for your group and your desired outcomes. We offer a wide array of activities - we've got everything from the classic camp activities of canoeing and archery to more intensive team building sessions that will challenge and improve group dynamics. Most of our school groups that come are hoping to create class cohesion and have a blast learning about the natural world. Subsequently, they tend to enjoy teambuilding sessions, a climbing activity, and exploring our amazing wetland trail. Some retreat groups also choose to incorporate some of their own programming into the schedule. The Program Director can assist you in putting together the best schedule for your group.

  • How do you put a schedule together? +

    We typically divide guests up into groups of about 15 to participate in activities. Activity lengths are typically about 90 minutes long – allowing us to devote attention to everyone involved and still have time to debrief at the end of each activity. We always have meals together and love to schedule our evenings with some large group programming after a day of fun activities in smaller groups.

  • What if we have participants who have food allergies or dietary restrictions? +

    We want everyone to be able to have a fantastic camp experience and that includes the dining portion of their time at Camp Henry. Food allergies and other special dietary needs should be indicated on the Group Assessment Form and individually completed waivers. Please feel free to email any food allergies and/or dietary concerns to our Food Service Team at foodservice@camphenry.org or call 616-717-5568. Click here to view our Food Allergies and Special Diets page.

  • What does it cost to come to Camp Henry? +

    We work with your budget to design an incredible program that will exceed your expectations. Call us for more information at 616-717-5571.

  • How do we hold a date? +

    Once you have decided on a date, program length and content, you will receive a contract to use Camp Henry. A signed contract as well as a deposit amount of 25% of your estimated cost will be required to hold the date you've selected.

  • What if our group cannot afford the entire 25% deposit? +

    Please inquire with us about options for deposits. 616.717.5571

  • What if we have participants who cannot afford to pay for camp? +

    Scholarship funding is available. It is a limited fund, however. Please inquire with us at 616-717-5571 about scholarships.

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