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 the Special Mission Offering/Canteen Money?
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 2023, we will be starting on Sunday, June 18, and departing on Friday, June 23, 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 to also register! 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!

In the past, Campers would bring Canteen money to purchase snacks at Camp, and any remaining funds were donated to a Christian Non-Profit Organization selected by the Camp Calvin Board of Directors each year. These canteen snacks are now covered by the Camp fees. If you would still like to donate to the selected non-profit, these funds will be collected at check-in when the Campers arrive at Camp.

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.

The minimum $50 deposit must be received within 14 days of your registration to reserve your place at Camp Calvin, or your registration will be cancelled.

The Health & Authorization Form and full payment (including late fees) must be received by June 10th, or your registration will be cancelled. We often have a waiting list of campers eager to be at Camp Calvin!

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 (Girls must have a one-piece swimsuit.)
• Money for Special Mission Offering (see What is the Special Mission Offering/Canteen Money?)
• 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 Sunday, June 18, from 2:45 - 4:30pm. Camp Calvin staff will be there to greet you, help you check-in, and direct you where you need to go from there.

1. Please keep all medication and offering money out of your bag or easily accessible in your luggage, because you will need to turn it in before you unload your luggage.
2. ARRIVAL - Follow our staff’s directions to the check-in parking lot. Do NOT get out of your vehicle and do NOT unload luggage yet! A Camp Calvin Staff member will greet you at your vehicle and ask you a few questions.
3. NURSE - If you have ANY medications, vitamins, supplements, or need to speak to the nurse, you will be directed to the Nurse’s Station.
4. CHECK-IN - Drive through the parking lot check-in area, where your camper will receive their cabin assignment, and you will then be directed to the luggage drop-off area.
5. LUGGAGE & DROP-OFF - Bring your camper's luggage to the designated drop-off area and meet their counselors! It’s time to say good-bye to your campers!
6. LAKEFRONT - To get a wristband to swim in the deep area of the lake, campers must pass a swim test. The swim test is ONLY offered during check-in on the day of arrival. Campers do not need to go to the Lakefront if they do not want to swim in the deep area at all.

Departure is on Friday, June 23 from 9:00-10:00am. Please plan to pick up your campers in the same location where you dropped them off and unloaded their luggage when they arrived at camp. 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 your camper needs to depart early from Camp for any reason, they will NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO CAMP. If you do require an early departure, you must notify us before the week of Camp. We do not check emails during the week of Camp, since we are busy serving our campers. Please use our Contact Camp Calvin page to direct your questions or requests. Early departures are disruptive to our mission as a Camp, so please prayerfully consider making it a priority for your camper to not miss any of what God may be doing in their life at Camp Calvin!

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.