Elementary Overnight at Cedar Lake Ministries
Open to campers entering 4th–6th grades. June 22–27, 2025. $490 for the week.
About Elementary Overnight
Elementary Overnight is specifically designed for campers entering 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. This week is full of fun camp activities like archery, laser combat, arts & crafts, climbing wall, kayaks & canoes, and camp games. This week is led by crazy fun counselors, and focuses on who Jesus is. Campers will attend chapel twice a day and have an opportunity to spend Time Alone with God on a daily basis.
Activities at Cedar Lake Ministries
Chapel Sessions
Worship
TAG Time
Archery
Climbing Wall
Team Building
Slacklines
Crafts
Laser Combat
Black Hole Slide
Group Games
Kayaks & Canoes
Rec Room
Kandy Kabin
Playground
Swimming
Tubing
Gaga Ball
Typical Overnight Camp Schedule
This schedule is subject to change.
- 7:00 AM – Rise and Shine
- 7:45 AM – Morning Devotions
- 8:00 AM – Breakfast
- 9:00 PM – Morning Session
- 10:30 PM – Activities
- 12:00 PM – Lunch
- 1:00 PM – Time Alone with God
- 1:30 PM – Swimming
- 2:30 PM – Kandy Kabin & Rec Room
- 4:30 PM – Cabin Clean Up
- 5:00 PM – Dinner
- 6:00 PM – Evening Session
- 7:30 PM – Evening Game
- 8:30 PM – Devotions
- 9:00 PM – Lights Out
- 10:00 PM – Lights Out
Cabin Information
Campers will stay with their counselors and bunk mates in an air-conditioned cabin with bathrooms close by. There are typically 8-10 campers to one counselor in a cabin group. You may make up to 3 cabin mate requests for this session.
Arrival & Departure
Arrival: Check-in time is Sunday from 4:00-5:00 PM.
- Be prepared to pay the final balance if you have not paid in full.
- Bring your camper’s regular or emergency use prescription medication in its original container. You will give this to the camp nurse for the week. See “Packing List” below for detailed information.
- After you check in, you will be directed to your camper’s cabin to meet their counselor for the week and get them settled in a bunk!
Departure: Parents are encouraged to come at 10:00 AM on Friday for a 30-minute closing ceremony with their campers. Campers are dismissed at 10:30 AM.
- Remember to bring your ID – we’ll check that with our approved list.
Packing List
Click here to download a printable version of the Day Camp Packing List.
- What to Bring
Clothing
- Tennis Shoes (with closed backs and heels)
- Water Shoes
- Shorts (modest)
- T-Shirts – camp can get messy so we encourage you to leave your favorites at home!
- Modest Swimsuit (one-piece swimsuit or tankini for girls)
- Pajamas
- Jacket, Rain Coat
- Sweatshirt/Sweatpants for evenings
Other
- Bible – we would be happy to give you one if you do not have one
- Notebook, Pen/Pencil
- Sleeping Bag and Pillow
- 2 Towels – Bath & Swim
- Washcloths
- Personal Toiletry Items, Sunscreen, Bug Spray
- Flashlight
- Water Bottle (With camper’s name)
- Regular or emergency use prescription medications (e.g. inhalers, EpiPen®, solid or liquid meds)
**Prescription Medications and aids (such as an inhaler, EpiPen, etc.) should be brought in the original container with current prescription label attached. Medication will be checked in upon arrival and will be dispensed by the Camp Nurse as prescribed. If camper is taking the medication against the methods prescribed on the label, a signed note from the camper’s physician will be required. The Camp Nurse will be available to dispense over-the-counter medications, provided by the camp, as necessary (such as pain medicine, bandages, etc.).
- What NOT to Bring
To avoid damage to valuable items and to help limit distractions while focusing on the purpose of your time here, Cedar Lake Ministries asks that campers leave the following items at home.
- Cell phones – CLM holds a “no cell phone” policy for campers to allow them to “unplug” from normal distractions
- Smart Watches
- Electronic Games
- Radios, iPods, iPads, laptops, video games, or similar electronics.
- Clothing or items with questionable, suggestive or misleading slogans, logos, etc.
- Valuable items or additional cash
- Non-prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco
- Weapons of any kind: knives, firearms, tasers
- Fireworks
- Lighters
**Please be aware that this is not a comprehensive list of what your camper shouldn’t bring to camp but is a list of some of the obvious things to avoid bringing to camp. Also, Cedar Lake Ministries reserves the right to confiscate any inappropriate items, to be returned to the parent when the child is picked up from camp.
Refund Policy
All registrations must be paid in full 14 days prior to the event.
A $50.00 Non-Refundable deposit is due per registration. Any cancellations will forfeit the deposit.
Cancelling a registration(s) within 45 days of an event, you are obligated to 60% of your event fee.
Cancelling a registration(s) within 14 days of an event, you are obligated to the full event fee.
In the event that Cedar Lake Ministries is not permitted to host an event due to legal reasons or restrictions imposed through Executive Order, Local Health Department Order, or any similar legal restriction or circumstance of similar effect, Cedar Lake Ministries will retain the deposit. The deposit may be transferred toward ANY future Cedar Lake Ministries Program event or guest. Additional fees paid may be requested as a refund. In all other circumstances, Cedar Lake Ministries’ cancellation policy outlined above will apply.
Financial Assistance
Through the generosity of thoughtful and caring donors, we are able to provide the camp experience to those that otherwise would not be able to attend. If you are in need of financial assistance, you may apply for a scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions(Summer Camp):
If you have any additional questions after reading through our Frequently Asked Questions, please contact us via phone or email.
How much money should I bring to summer camp?
The Kandy Kabin will be open at designated times every day for campers to purchase candy, pop, or a souvenir. During the registration process, you can pre-load money onto your child’s account. At any point during the week, you can log on and see their current balance and add more if you would like.
We will also accept money at registration. Campers should not have cash on them during their week of camp.
Most parents put between $15 and $30 on their camper’s account to use at the camp store.
We will also accept money at registration. Campers should not have cash on them during their week of camp.
Most parents put between $15 and $30 on their camper’s account to use at the camp store.
Will my child be able to call home or accept calls?
Campers will not have access to phones while they are at camp. In order to provide an optimal experience for your camper, parents are asked not to call unless there is an emergency. The main reason for our “no cell phone” policy is to help alleviate homesickness and distractions during the week.
You may call our office (during regular office hours: 9am-4pm) and ask for a ‘Camper Check’ in which our staff will find your camper, ask how they are doing, and we’ll call you back within a half hour! This option gives you peace of mind and doesn’t interfere with their camp experience. We ask that you limit camper checks to 2 per week.
You may call our office (during regular office hours: 9am-4pm) and ask for a ‘Camper Check’ in which our staff will find your camper, ask how they are doing, and we’ll call you back within a half hour! This option gives you peace of mind and doesn’t interfere with their camp experience. We ask that you limit camper checks to 2 per week.
What about my child who has food allergies or other medical conditions?
We are accustomed to working with campers with food allergies or other medical conditions (food intolerance, asthma, behavioral issues, diabetes, etc.). Inform us on the registration form of any allergies or medical conditions so we can prepare effectively. If upon review we have further questions, our Program Director, Food Service Director or Camp Nurse will contact you prior to camp to ensure proper care will be provided.
What if my child gets sick or injured?
While sickness and serious injuries are rare and we do our best to keep camp a safe and pleasant experience for everyone, campers may develop a sickness or incur injury. If a child develops an illness which restricts participation and puts other campers at risk (flu, high fever, COVID, etc.), we will contact the parent or guardian to pick up the child and provide care at home.
In the case of an incident in which your child needs medical treatment (outside that offered by the Health Officer), every effort will be made to contact the parent or guardian, listed on the registration form, prior to treatment at a local hospital.
How do I send mail, care packages or e-mails to my child/camper?
We encourage parents of overnight campers to send mail or care packages or drop them off during check-in. Campers love to get mail from loved ones, even simple cards. You may also send them an email using the guidelines outlines below. Campers are not able to reply to your email but will enjoy receiving your message. Mail is distributed daily at dinner.
*If you send food, please pack it in sealable containers to ward off bugs and protect campers with food allergies/sensitivities.
*If you send food, please pack it in sealable containers to ward off bugs and protect campers with food allergies/sensitivities.
Mail Letters & Packages:
Cedar Lake Ministries
℅: Camper Name
PO Box 665
Cedar Lake, IN 46303
Email:
info@cedarlakeministries.org
Subject Line: Camper’s Name
Can my son/daughter be with his/her friends?
We love when campers bring their friends. During the registration process, you may request up to three cabin mates for each camper. We attempt to place friends together upon request, but cannot guarantee this if we are not notified during registration.
Will boys and girls be in the same rooms?
During summer camps, housing is assigned by gender. Furthermore, boys and girls are not allowed to be in each other’s rooms or hallways. Boys and girls are either separated by buildings or wings.
Can I stop by to see my child/camper during their week at camp?
In order to ensure the safety of all campers, Cedar Lake Ministries is a “closed” camp. That means that we ask parents and other relatives not to visit during the week of camp if at all possible – this includes cottager families unless they are volunteering with our camps.
If you must stop by camp for some reason, you need to check in at the office first.
If you must stop by camp for some reason, you need to check in at the office first.
Do you have helpful tips for first time parents and campers?
Many parents are concerned about their first-time campers getting homesick. Feeling this way is normal, and our staff are trained to help campers who may be feeling homesick. We want your camper to have the best possible experience at Cedar Lake Ministries, so if a camper is showing signs of homesickness for more than 24 hours, we will contact you to create an action plan which could include your camper going home.
Here are some things that may help prepare you and your camper for their week at camp:
- Have your child spend a night or two away from home to prepare for their first week of camp.
- Practice doing daily routines independently with younger campers
- Dressing, self-care, showering, applying bug spray/sunscreen
- Pack a special stuffed animal in their suitcase or sleeping bag
- Tell them what they are going to do during their week at camp – remind them of how excited they are
- Make sure to have letters and a care-package for them throughout the week
- Remind them how much you love them and how proud you are of them for going to camp for the first time!
- Talk to one of their friend’s parents to see if they can attend camp together. You can make a cabin mate request during registration to ensure they stay together!
Do you have helpful tips for first time parents and campers?
Many parents are concerned about their first-time campers getting homesick. Feeling this way is normal, and our staff are trained to help campers who may be feeling homesick. We want your camper to have the best possible experience at Cedar Lake Ministries, so if a camper is showing signs of homesickness for more than 24 hours, we will contact you to create an action plan which could include your camper going home.
Here are some things that may help prepare you and your camper for their week at camp:
- Have your child spend a night or two away from home to prepare for their first week of camp.
- Practice doing daily routines independently with younger campers
- Dressing, self-care, showering, applying bug spray/sunscreen
- Pack a special stuffed animal in their suitcase or sleeping bag
- Tell them what they are going to do during their week at camp – remind them of how excited they are
- Make sure to have letters and a care-package for them throughout the week
- Remind them how much you love them and how proud you are of them for going to camp for the first time!
- Talk to one of their friend’s parents to see if they can attend camp together. You can make a cabin mate request during registration to ensure they stay together!
Do you provide transportation for my child/camper?
We do not offer transportation to and from camp. If you are part of a group that is coming together, please contact your group leader to learn more about their transportation options.
Can I receive financial assistance or a scholarship?
Our desire is that no child misses out on the camp experience because of financial restraints. Through the generosity of thoughtful and caring partners, financial assistance may be available for your child to attend camp.
