Camp Calvin Information

What Are The Dates Of Camp Calvin?
Where Is Camp Calvin Located?
Why did Camp Calvin Move?
Why Spencer Lake?
What is Housing Like at Spencer Lake?
Can I Bring a Friend?
What if my child has dietary restrictions or food allergies?
Is Transportation Available to Camp Calvin?
What Is Canteen Money Used For?
Registration Process
Late Registration Fee
Late Health Form &/or Late Final Payment Fee
NSF (non-sufficient funds) Fee
Cancellation Policy
What to bring to Camp Calvin
Do not bring to Camp Calvin
Check-in Process
Departure Process
Early / Mid-week Departures
Sending Mail to Campers
Medical Care
Dietary Restrictions / Food Allergies
Emergency Contact
Discipline Procedure
Lost & Found

Camp Calvin will continue to be the third full week of June. For 2021, we will be starting on Monday, June 21, and departing on Saturday, June 26, as this is how our schedule fits in with Spencer Lake’s camp schedules.

2019 was the first year that Camp Calvin was held at Spencer Lake Christian Center in Waupaca, WI.
Click here for driving directions to camp.

We needed more room to grow! We exceeded capacity at our former camp venue.

Spencer Lake Christian Center is a 178 acre retreat facility in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Set on the shores of beautiful, spring fed, Spencer Lake, this camp has room for Camp Calvin to more than double in size, with plenty of cabins, meeting/activity rooms, dining hall, and an auditorium building for worship. They specialize in hosting youth camps, providing many fun activities including an amazing waterfront, mini-golf, large greenspaces for team games, trails to hike and beautiful nature to enjoy! We can’t wait to see how God will use this space to grow Camp Calvin!

Spencer Lake Christian Center is a Bible-based, Christian camp whose ministry is to make all of the behind the scenes activities flow seamlessly into the important work of our Camp Calvin staff. They take care of the camp, we take care of the campers.
Visit their website to view pictures and learn more about Spencer Lake Christian Center.

The facilities at Spencer Lake, including campers’ cabins and worship auditorium, are all air-conditioned, and well-maintained! Campers sleep on bunk beds and all cabins have easy access to showers and restroom facilities.

Yes! We encourage you to invite your friends, and now we have much more room for you to do so! Camp is also a great time to make new friends, so you can always come on your own!

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS / FOOD ALLERGIES

In the past, some churches have organized bus transportation to Camp Calvin for their students. If this is something you might be interested in, please talk with your church and your friends to see if this is an option. Carpooling has always been a great way to share the drive with one family dropping off and another picking up!

Your camper may want to bring spending money for Canteen and the Special Mission Offering. The special mission offering is an opportunity to contribute towards a special Christian mission that is selected each year. Canteen money is used for the campers to purchase snacks, candy, or beverages. Money for both the Special Mission Offering and Canteen will be collected upon arrival at check-in. The camper will be asked to designate how much money should go to each. Up to $15 may be designated for canteen and the price of each item purchased at canteen will be deducted from the camper's account. At the end of the week, any unused Canteen money will go towards the Special Mission Offering.

Please visit our Registration page to register online or to view information on registration fees. A Health & Authorization Form must also be completed for each camper. A minimum of $50 non-refundable deposit, per camper, must accompany all registrations.

Late registrations require many last minute changes in staffing, supply purchases, and administrative work, which creates extra costs for us to accept these registrations. The $10 Late Registration Fee will be charged for any registrations made after May 1.

All final payments and Health & Authorization Forms must be received by June 1. After June 1, a $25 Late Fee will be added to your balance due. If your church or another donor is providing any portion of your payments due, it is still YOUR responsibility to make sure this is paid on time, or the Late Fee will be added to your balance.

$25 + bank charges. Any checks that cannot be honored due to insufficient funds will require a $25 fee, plus any additional charges from our bank.

Cancellations for any reason that are received before May 20 will receive a full refund minus the $50 Deposit. Cancellations received after May 20 will not receive a full refund except for medical or other emergency reasons (death in the family, etc.). No refunds will be made for dismissals due to disciplinary action, late arrivals, or early departures.

Campers should bring enough weather appropriate clothing for one week. Please print the camper's name clearly on all luggage, clothing, towels, Bible, footwear, flashlight, etc. with labels or permanent marker.

• Towel & Swimsuit (Please wear upon arrival for swim test. Girls must have a one-piece swimsuit.)
• Money for Special Mission Offering & Canteen (see What Is Canteen Money Used For?)
• Prescribed Medications (see Medical Care)
• Bible, Pen, & Notebook
• Sleeping Bag & Pillow
• Bath Towel, Toothbrush, Soap, Etc.
• Flashlight
• Appropriate Clothing & Footwear (shoes or sandals must be worn at all times)
• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent
• Rain Jacket
• Cheerful Smile
• Cooperative Attitude
• Desire to Live for God

• Parents (Parents are strongly encouraged not to visit while camp is in session)
• Over-The-Counter Medications (Camp provides all OTC medications for common ailments)
• Cell Phones
• Portable Electronic Devices (smart watch, music players, gaming devices, laptops, etc.)
• Valuable Items
• Pocket Knives / Weapons
• Lighters, Matches, Explosives
• Any Illegal Items (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc.)
• If any of these items are brought to camp, they will be confiscated by staff and, if appropriate, returned to them at departure. If any illegal or dangerous items are brought to Camp, authorities will be notified and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Camper check-in is on Monday, June 21, from 3:00 - 4:45pm. There will be Camp Calvin staff on hand to greet you, help you find the check-in area, and direct you to your cabin.

1. PARKING - Follow our staff's directions on where to park. PLEASE DO NOT UNLOAD ANY LUGGAGE YET! If a parent is dropping off their camper, they must still park first and check-in their camper to find out where their luggage will need to be unloaded.
2. CHECKLIST - Before proceeding to the Check-In Area, each camper should have the following:
   1. Swimsuit & Towel - Campers should have their swimsuit on when they come to camp if they want to take the swim test to be able to swim in the deep area throughout the week.
   2. Medications - All prescription medications must be in their original prescription bottle labeled exactly as it is to be administered.
   3. Canteen Money - Maximum of $15. Canteen money is used for snacks and beverages at camp. Any remaining money at the end of the week will be added to the special mission offering.
   4. Special Mission Offering Money - Offering is designated each year to a special Christian mission.
3. CHECK-IN - Proceed to the Check-In Area where campers check-in, receive cabin assignment, and where Special Mission Offering and Canteen money will be collected. Their cabin assignment will be written on a slip of paper labeled "WHAT DO I DO NEXT?" which will walk your camper through the check-in process.
4. NURSE’S STATION - After a camper receives their cabin assignment, if your camper has medications they will be directed to the Nurse's Station. Campers must give all medications to the Camp Nurses.
5. LAKEFRONT - All campers must proceed to the lakefront, where they will receive a colored wristband from the Lifeguards (whether they choose to take the swim test or not). The swim test is not required if the camper only wants to swim in the shallow area for the week, but they still need to get a wristband. Those who wish to swim in the deep area will need to pass the swim test.
6. LUGGAGE TO CABINS – Campers should get their luggage and proceed to their assigned cabin (written on their “WHAT DO I DO NEXT” checklist). Parents may accompany their campers to their cabins to see where the campers will be living for the next week. We ask that parents please leave camp after your camper is in their cabin and has met their counselors. All parents must leave camp no later than 5:00pm, as this is when we will begin Camp activities!

Departure is on Saturday, June 26 from 9:00-10:00am. Campers must be picked up at their cabins, where parents will need to sign-out their camper with a staff member, and pick up any of your camper’s remaining medications from the Camp Nurse. Any campers leaving by bus will be departing camp at 9:00am.

If an early or mid-week departure for your camper is needed anytime during of the week of camp, you must notify us before the week of camp. Please use our Contact Camp Calvin page to direct your questions or requests. This includes notification for mid-week sports practices or games. (Early departures and mid-week departures are disruptive to our mission as a camp. Please prayerfully consider having your camper miss a practice or a game and not miss any of what God may be doing in their life at camp!)

There's nothing like a letter from home! You may write your child often, but visits or phone calls are not allowed. You will be notified if a situation arises that needs your attention. With all mail, make sure to include the camper's full name when addressing the envelope. (Note: Do NOT use this address for sending payments or any other general mail for Camp Calvin registration or administration)

Campers Mailing address:
Spencer Lake Christian Center
c/o Camper Name Camp Calvin
N1385 Cty Hwy E
Waupaca, WI 54981

Registered nurses staffed by Camp Calvin are in residence and on duty the entire week of camp. There is no charge for minor medical attention at the Nurse’s Station. In case of accident or illness requiring x-rays, medication, prescription drugs, services of a hospital, physician, dentist, ambulance, or related services, all incurred costs will be billed to the parents or to the parent's insurance carrier. Parents will be notified in the event medical treatment is necessary.

To ensure the best possible experience at camp, campers must maintain their normal medication patterns while at camp. The camp nurses have over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, etc.) for common ailments (headache, diarrhea, cough/colds, etc.). Please do not send these to camp. For safety reasons and by state regulation, any other medications the camper takes must be inventoried, held, and distributed by the camp nurses. All medications must be given to the camp nurses at registration. Campers may not keep any medications (including inhalers) in their cabins. All medications must be in their original packaging or prescription bottle labeled exactly as it is to be administered. If the camper takes the medication differently than the prescription on the bottle, a written physician prescription form must accompany it.

If your child has any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please note this on your child’s Health & Authorization Form, and we will contact you to discuss options. Unfortunately, it is not possible for Spencer Lake to accommodate all requests for Special Dietary Restriction and Food Allergies. During lunches and dinners, salad bar options can be made available to help with dietary options. Campers are welcome to bring their own food to accommodate their needs in case there are menu items that they cannot eat. Any food brought must be clearly labeled with the camper’s name. We will have access to a refrigerator and microwave to store and heat these food items.

If you are planning to be away from home during your camper's stay at Camp Calvin, please make sure our staff has clear information on your registration form about how to reach you in case of an emergency. In the event of an emergency situation, to relay an urgent message to your camper, please call the Camp Registration Office at 715-258-6850. Please do not email/call/text any Camp Calvin staff, as they are busy taking care of your campers!

Campers are expected to act responsibly and respectfuly towards all other campers, all staff, and property. In the best interest of all concerned, and to promote a good camp community experience, any camper whose behavior is, in the judgment of the camp leadership, disruptive or unruly, will have their parents notified and the camper could be sent home early at the parent’s expense, with no refund.

The use or possession of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, non-prescriptive/illegal drugs, or any other illegal or dangerous items is prohibited and will be treated as a serious offense. Authorities will be notified and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken, including Immediate dismissal from Camp Calvin with no refund.

Campers must take good care of their personal things, especially on the morning of departure. Items that end up in our Lost & Found have 2 weeks to be claimed, or they will be donated. If you leave items at camp and would like to pick them up, please fill out the form on the Contact Us page and someone will email you back with more details.