Frequently Asked Questions
Camp Life
. . . Summer Camp at Covenant Harbor
If there is something not answered here, please call our main office (262-248-3600) to be directed to the right person. For questions about Pier 30 or Alpha and Element programs, contact Rob Scott at extension 336. For questions about Day Camp, Kishwauketoe or Day Camp Counseling, contact Hannah Foss at extension 337. For questions about Family camp, contact Sarah Augustson at extension 329.
CLICK HERE to return to the main FAQ page.
How will my camper be supervised?
Overnight campers sleep in the cabins with their assigned counselors. Most cabins have a counselor to camper ratio of 1:8. Some cabins have 1 counselor with 9 campers and some cabins have 2 counselors with 10-12 campers. Day campers are assigned to teams, with a maximum counselor to camper ratio of 1:9. Each of these ratios well exceed minimum state requirements. Throughout the day, all campers will be with their counselor or a summer staff member. Safety is a primary concern and we take that responsibility seriously. All campers have some free time options throughout the day where they can choose from several activities with a partner. Counselors do have limited time off throughout the week, and during that time, non-counseling staff supervise each cabin in the same ratios mentioned above.
How structured is the day?
Each program balances the daily schedule so that there is play time, down time, large group games and meetings, as well as cabin fun and individual rest time. Each age group is considered in planning the day and we allow time for campers to make decisions on how they'll spend their time which helps build their decision making skills.
What activities will my camper do?
Covenant Harbor has two main activity areas, the waterfront and the big field.
The waterfront is a highlight for many campers and includes swimming, the water playground (2 aqua jumps, slide walk and aqua launch and a rolling log), banana boating, tubing and boat rides.
The big field is another camper favorite and includes the skate park, batting cage, archery pit, mountain boarding hill and arts and crafts.
The Snake Road Adventure Center offers the climbing tower; high ropes course and zip line. Team 13 and Kishwauketoe Pathfinder campers do not get to participate in the Snake Road Adventure Center. Other programs will spend (or have the option to spend) at least part of a day at Snake Road.
Other activities include carpetball, gymnasium, bounce castle, playgrounds, and sand volleyball. Check out activity descriptions and photos here.
How will my camper participate in the various activities?
Campers enjoy activities is a variety of ways throughout the camp experience.
Large Group activities
- Kish and Day Camp will enjoy some activities with their entire camp program. These are assigned on the schedule. Pier 30 Explorer campers enjoy most of the traditional activities in teams. Campers will rotate through a variety of activities in a pre-assigned group of 5-6 cabin groups.
Cabin activities
- There are several times when cabin groups are given the opportunity to choose from a variety of activities. Cabin groups choose the activity that suits them best.
Individual activities
- Free time is an opportunity for each camper to choose what they'd like to do. Campers are given their options and can choose which activity they'd like to participate in, then can travel between those activities as they choose. Campers are encouraged to travel with partners and each activity area is fully staffed.
Skill options
- Pier 30 Navigator campers participate in a pre-chosen skill each morning at camp. Click here to view skill options.
Is there an extra charge for the activities?
Most activities are included in the camp fee, with only a few exceptions. There are additional charges for some of the skill options. Each camper gets to do one boating activity at no charge. Additional boating activities are $3 per ride, which is taken directly out of the camper's canteen account. Some special crafts may charge a small fee.
Does my camper need spending money?
While spending money is not necessary at camp, most campers bring $20-$40 for the week. This money is deposited in the "bank" at check-in. Campers are discouraged from having cash on their person. Campers may choose to spend money in our camp store and on extra boat rides (first one is free, additional rides are $3). There is a daily snack limit of $3.00 on food, candy or soda, but campers can spend above that on hydrating beverages (water or gatorade), camp merchandise, extra boat rides ($3 each), special crafts and the mission project. Our candy ranges from 25 cents to $1.00. Harbor merchandise ranges from $1.00 -$45.00. Most parents deposit $20-40 for overnight campers and $10-$20 for day campers. At check-out, the balance can be refunded to you or donated to Covenant Harbor.
During the week campers have an opportunity to give to our annual Mission Project. This donation, if they choose to give, comes out of their spending account. The mission project details are in the parent's handbook (given upon arrival).
What are the accommodations (cabins) like?
Each cabin varies in design. Kishwauketoe campers get to stay in an area all to themselves! The 4 Kish cabins and the Treehouse have 4 bunk beds, plus a counselor bed. Our covered wagon sleeps up to 7 campers plus a counselor. There is a separate bathhouse in the center of Kishwauketoe. CLICK HERE to learn more about Kishwauletoe housing.
Pier 30 campers stay in a variety of cabins, each with indoor restrooms. Campers are housed according to how they fit with their cabin mate requests and by age. We cannot honor specific cabin requests. Generally, the oldest campers each week are housed in the newest housing. CLICK HERE to learn more about Pier 30 housing options.
What kind of food is served?
Our food service staff serves a balanced menu that kids enjoy. Each meal provides options. In addition to an entree and at least two side dishes, cold cereal is available at breakfast, sunnut butter and jelly sandwiches are available at lunch and dinner and a salad bar is available at dinner.
Milk, water and juice are available at every meal.
Past breakfast menus include: pancakes, sausage and hash browns; French toast sticks, bacon, potatoes O'Brien; waffles, eggs, polish sausage.
Past lunch menus include: individual pizzas, veggie tray, breadsticks; sandwiches, chips; taco bar.
Past dinner menus include: spaghetti, broccoli, French bread; chicken tenders, mashed potatoes with gravy, mixed vegetables, biscuits; roast beef, potato wedges, mixed vegetables.
Can I contact my camper?
Campers can receive letters, emails, packages or faxes during the week. Mail is delivered ONCE per day (at lunch) so be sure to send communications before noon. Campers do not have access to phones to make or receive calls. When sending letters or packages, consider bringing them to check-in and we will deliver them on whatever day(s) you indicate.
Is there health staff on duty?
Each week of camp we have an on-site volunteer RN on duty 24 hours per day. The volunteer RN works with our student nurses, who are hired for the entire summer.
How is the waterfront run?
We have specially trained lifeguard certified waterfront staff. The waterfront staff supervises all waterfront activities including swimming and boating.
At the beginning of the week, campers must take a swim test to determine which waterfront activities they can safely participate in. Campers must swim 25 yards in the front crawl, tread water for 30 seconds and swim another 25 yards in a different stroke. Campers who swim proficiently throughout the test are called 'deep end swimmers'. They are allowed to participate in all boating activities, the water playground and swim in the deep end.
Campers can opt to take the swim test with a lifejacket, which allows participation in boating activities and the water playground, but not swimming in the deep end.
All campers are allowed to swim in the shallow end.
Lifejackets are required on all boats and on the water playground, even for campers who have passed the swim test.
When swimming, campers must check in at the buddy board. Each camper has a tag, and must swim with either one or two buddies. Buddy checks are called every 15 minutes, and waterfront staff counts the campers and checks that against the number of campers checked into the buddy board. At the conclusion of a successful buddy check, waterfront staff members rotate posts to stay fresh and alert.
An unsuccessful buddy check, when the number of campers swimming doesn't match with the number of campers checked in, results in a lost swimmer drill. Our staff members are well trained in operating this emergency procedure, and campers are instructed at the beginning of the week to know what they should do. Most unsuccessful buddy checks are either tests or the result of a camper not checking out at the buddy board.
Does my camper have to take the swim test?
We will not force any camper to take the swim test. Our staff will encourage campers to try and will give them the option to take it with a life jacket but will not force them to do something they are not comfortable with. If a camper chooses not take a swim test they will only be able to go to the shallow end and will not be allowed to go on any boating activities but may try again later in the week if they choose to.
