Frequently Asked Questions
How can I contact Lake Ellen Camp?
Mailing address:
Lake Ellen Camp
212 Baptist Camp Road
Crystal Falls, MI 49920
Telephone: 906-542-3529
906-542-CAMP (2267)
Fax: 906-542-7111
Internet: www.lakeellencamp.org
E-mail:
Office Hours: 8 am-5 pm (CST) Monday through Friday
How can I contact Lake Ellen Camp’s full-time staff?
Garry Cropp-- Executive Director
Phone-906-542-3529
Email:
Mark King—Office Manager
Phone-906-542-3529
Email:
Mike Willig--Maintenance Supervisor
Phone: 906-542-3529
Email:
Dave Helwig—Director of Operations
Phone: 906-542-3529
Email:
Andy Fillizetti—Program Director
Phone: 906-542-3529
Email:
Bonnie Johnson—Registrar
Phone: 906-542-3529
Email:
Chris Ann Edberg—Ranch Manager
Phone: 906-542-3529
Email:
How do I request a bunkmate?
Fill in the name of the person you wish to room with in the space provided on the registration form. You may request two roommates, however, depending on availability of space, we can only guarantee that you will be placed with one choice.
What if my child takes medication?
All medications (in their original prescription bottles) are required to be turned in to the camp nurse upon arrival, who will then distribute them at the appropriate time. Our camp infirmary is sufficiently stocked to meet the general needs of headaches, coughs, and scrapes. If you have any questions about a specific medical situation, please call the camp office.
Can I bring food to camp?
Lake Ellen discourages bringing food to camp. Three delicious and nutritious meals are served daily. The canteen has a variety of snack items available for sale.
How much money should I bring to camp?
The average amount of money brought by campers is $20-$30. Canteen money is not only spent on snack items (such as ice cream bars, soda and candy bars) but also on clothing, craft projects, and horse rides.
Spending money is banked upon arrival. Any unused money is returned before departure. Please bring money with you when you register.
Parents are encouraged to shop at the canteen on Sundays when they drop off their campers and on Saturdays when they pick them up.
What is the housing like?
Unique housing units are part of the Lake Ellen camping experience.
· Dorms—indoor plumbing, electricity, cement floors, bunk beds
(sleeps 10 campers and 1 counselor)
· Cabins—electricity, cement floors, bunk beds
(sleeps 10 campers and 1 counselor)
· Platform Tents—wood platforms, canvas walls, bunk beds
(sleeps 10 campers and 1 counselor)
· Ojibwa Village Tee Pees—Canvas covered Tee Pee, cement floors, bunk beds
(sleeps 10 campers and 1 counselor)
· North Point Cabins—wood cabins, bunk beds
(sleeps 7 campers and 1 counselor)
The units without indoor plumbing or electricity use bathhouses, privies and freshwater spigots for personal needs.
What if I lose something at camp?
Lost and Found:
· Labeled items are sorted and returned to campers each day.
· Unmarked items are left in the dining hall for campers to identify and claim.
· Items not claimed are put on the lost and found table on Saturday morning for one final chance to be reunited with their owners.
· All unclaimed items left after camp is over will be kept for a period of two weeks, and then donated to charity.
If you are missing an item, please call the camp office as soon as possible. We ask for a $5 donation to pay for shipping charges if we need to mail an item to you.
What if I want to stay the weekend between camps?
We do not encourage stay-overs. The only time our staff has off is from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
(An exception to that is during our two-week Teen Service Team program, during which campers stay for a full two weeks including the weekend.)
Do you have a camper scholarship fund?
Yes, we have a scholarship program to assist campers under financial hardship.
We have a special “Scholarship Week” in which campers who qualify can receive a substantial discount. To apply for this assistance, call the camp office during regular business hours.
Anyone who would like to donate to the scholarship fund can to do so by sending a tax-deductible gift to our mailing address: 212 Baptist Camp Road, Crystal Falls, MI 49920.
Do you offer family discounts for your camps?
Lake Ellen offers a family discount for our youth camps only (not family camp). The first child pays full price. Each additional child from the same household receives an $8 discount. Campers do not need to attend the same week to receive the family discount.
What are your cancellation and refund policies?
Cancellations:
Lake Ellen camp reserves the right to cancel any camp before the starting date. If cancellation should occur, campers will receive a full refund, or may transfer to another camp.
Refunds:
The registration deposit is non-refundable.
No refund will be made for dismissals due to disciplinary action, late arrival, or early departure.
When is arrival and departure?
Check in:
Registration is from 2-4 pm central time on Sunday.
Check out:
Camp ends following the parent/camper closing rally starting at 9 am. Parents are encouraged to attend and enjoy the closing ceremonies with their campers.
Early check out:
Early check out is available with prior notification and arrangements. We encourage all campers to stay the full week.
How do I register and pay for camp?
Registration:
Because many of our weeks fill quickly, register your camper early! A $75 registration fee (part of the total camp fee) is required to process each application. Make your check payable to Lake Ellen Camp. After receipt of your registration form and fee we will secure your reservation and notify you.
Payment:
A $75 deposit in needed to register and reserve a place for each camper. The remaining balance is due upon arrival. We accept personal checks, money orders, and payments by credit card.
Camper Confirmation Packet:
After receipt of your registration form and deposit, Lake Ellen will send you a confirmation packet containing important information including the remaining balance and a list of what to bring.
How Do I Send Mail?
1) You can send mail through the US Postal Service. Make sure you include the camper’s full name, and program they’re attending: Homestead, Trailblazers, Trackers, etc. Please address mail to Lake Ellen Camp, 212 Baptist Camp Road, Crystal Falls, MI 49920 Allow several days for postal delivery.
2) You may email your camper by visiting www.lakeellencamp.org.
Click on “Contact your Camper” and follow the instructions.
3) You may send your camper a fax: Make sure to include you camper’s name and send fax to 906-542-7111.
[Note: Campers cannot send email or faxes.]
What do I need to bring to camp?
· Sleeping bag
· Pillow
· Bible
· Notebook and pen
· Flashlight
· Insect Repellant
· Sunscreen
· Socks & shoes ( tennis shoes, sandals, flip-flops)
· Underwear
· Pants & shorts (must be modest)
· T-shirt and sweatshirts (no tank tops, halter tops or short shirts, please)
· Jacket
· Swimsuit (must be modest)
· Beach towel
· Bath towel & washcloth
· Toiletries
Optional but recommended:
· Riding boots—especially for horsemanship camps
· Light backpack—especially for Trailblazers
Please DO NOT bring: Game boys, Headphones, CD/Tape players, Walk/Disc-mans, Walkie-Talkies, Fireworks, Tobacco, Drugs or alcohol.