Summer Camp at Covenant Harbor

Our camps, Our Philosophy and Our Staff

Our Camps

Covenant Harbor offers several summer camp programs to choose from. With programs for different ages and camps of different lengths, you're sure to find the right fit for everyone in your family.

Day Camp

Day Camp serves our local community with two different programs: Team 13 and Club 46. Team 13 is for campers currently in Kindergarten through 2nd grades and Club 46 is for campers currently in grades 3-6. We offer alternating weeks of each camp with an opportunity at the beginning of the summer for all ages in Endless Summer camp. Day Camp is a great opportunity for campers to experience camp without staying overnight. Each day of the Day Camp program is unique. Special activities for each age group and a new Bible lesson everyday make Day Camp the perfect choice for one week or four. Some highlights for Day Campers are the parent's night for Team 13 and an optional overnight for Club 46 campers. Learn more about our Day Camps here.

Kishwauketoe

Kishwauketoe (affectionately called Kish) is a smaller camp of about 40 campers. Kish is intentionally designed for a camper's first camp experience. The program has a cozy feel, helping campers to feel right at home. Kishwauketoe Pathfinder is a 3 night option for campers in grades 1-3. Kishwauketoe Trailblazer is a week long camp for campers in grades 2-3. Learn more about Kishwauketoe here.

Pier 30

Pier 30 is our largest and most traditional camp with about 200 campers. Pier 30 builds the schedule upon the campers desire to explore and try new things. Pier 30 Explorer serves campers in current grades 4-5 with either a week long camp or a 3 night option. Pier 30 Navigator serves campers currently in grades 6-8. Campers choose a skill to "major' in for the week. These skills offer our older campers a chance to branch out and learn new things or fine tune something familiar. Learn more about Pier 30 here.

Odyssey Program

Our Odyssey Program is tailored just for high school students. Several options allow them to choose the depth and commitment of their program. Odyssey Excursion is a week long trip camp for students in grades 10-12. The brand new Odyssey Element program is a traditional camp experience for grades 9-11. The Odyssey Alpha program is for students 15 and older who are ready to transition into summer staff. Two week programs balance fun and service, while focusing on personal development. The Day Camp counseling team is for Alpha graduates (or others with proven experience) to spend the summer at camp counseling for our day camp program. A rigorous application and acceptance process is required to be a part of the Day Camp counseling team. Learn more about our odyssey program here.

Request Brochure

Click here to request a brochure. The Summer 2008 brochure lists all of our summer programs, dates, prices and includes registration forms. The dates and prices are also listed on the individual program pages.

Our philosophy

Covenant Harbor is a Christian camp, owned and operated by the Evangelical Covenant Church. We exist for the purpose of introducing people to Jesus Christ. The mission statement of Covenant Harbor is to "Draw people from their routines into opportunities to enjoy creation, recreation and relationships so that all will experience God through Jesus Christ." Our primary goal with the campers is to love them, have fun and build relationships with them so the love of Jesus Christ can be made known to them. We do this by building a Bible program that presents Biblical truths in both large and small group settings. We incorporate drama, songs, skits, games and more into the presentations to make the process of learning about Jesus fun and meaningful. Each truth is presented in an age appropriate manner.

Our goal is not to force campers to agree with us or to make campers decide what to believe. We simply want to make them aware of a God who loves them and desires a relationship with them.

Our philosophy is clarified in more detail in a document titled, "Making Waves". Click here to learn more.

Our Staff

Covenant Harbor seeks only the most highly qualified high school and college students to serve on our summer staff. The majority of our staff comes from the Midwest, some of whom grew up coming to Covenant Harbor as a camper.

Hiring Process

We have a fairly rigorous application and hiring process to ensure that each staff member will be a good fit for our team. Each staff member fills out a lengthy application, including several self-evaluation questions and four references. Applicants then have their first interview. Those who are deemed qualified have a second interview and their references are contacted. Only those who are the most qualified are offered positions. Upon accepting the position, summer staff members must agree to strict expectations and also undergo a background check.

Training

Our leadership staff arrive mid-May in order to plan the Bible program and prepare programs and activity areas for camper use. Counselors spend 10 days in training prior to the arrival of our campers. Training topics include team building, small group leadership, evangelism, age characteristics, daily role expectations, discipline, cabin group dynamics, severe weather and emergency preparedness and more. Training is also an important time to build our summer staff community and sense of team. We take staff training seriously and strive to create a team of summer staff that desire to serve campers and their families with excellence.