The comfort, happiness and health and safety of your child is of utmost importance to us.  We strive to keep our facilities extremely clean and welcoming at all times.  We believe in providing the same experience for your child as we would want for our own families.  We maintain a high level of cleanliness and organization throughout our buildings and grounds and restroom facilities.  We expect our staff to assist in maintaining our culture and in turn expect their campers to be good stewards of camp and the environment as well!

Lodging

Much of the growth and development children experience at Camp Lakotah comes through the experience of living together in a cabin with their counselor and peers. Camp allows children to develop new found confidence in dealing with real-life situations throughout the day!  Friendships with cabin-mates give each camper a feeling of belonging to a special group and campers love the sense of validation, belonging, and self-respect they gain from living together in their own cabin.

Campers are assigned cabins by gender and age. Each cabin group typically ranges from 4 – 8 campers with a full-time counselor and often an LLT.  The counselor and LLT live and sleep in the cabin with the campers to build community and insure inclusion and supervision.  All cabins have electricity and are located just a short walk to the main bathhouse.   A grouping of cabins is known as a unit – and all the units of a gender collectively are known as the Girls Unit or the Boys Unit.

Campers may request to bunk with a friend and we will do our best to honor the request, but no cabin requests are guaranteed.  The final cabin placement is a complicated process and will be made at the director’s discretion.

Cabin activity time is an important daily part of camp life. After participating in individual skill choices each morning, the cabin group comes back together in the afternoon for a cabin activity time. This is when the cabinmates & counselors all work together to plan and then enjoy activities as one!  Some of the cabin group activities include: talent show rehearsal, camp-outs (preparing a camp site and returning at night to camp-out), creating a special craft, baking, or playing a game!

Each night, counselors or LLT’s lead an informal discussion or “vesper” with their cabins.   Counselors use this special sharing time to connect with individuals and build the cabin community.

Just before lights-out, Ad staff members and camp directors visit units and cabins to check-in with staff and campers and assure all is well.

Meals

Our licensed kitchen and experienced food service staff assure healthy wholesome delicious meals!

Eating together as a “cabin family” three times a day in a society where families rarely eat together anymore is comforting to a child. During mealtime, campers enjoy A LOT of singing, chatting and entertainment.  Our nourishing and creative meals are served with counselors and hoppers there to assist with proper meal-time etiquette.

We give “thanks” at each meal and good manners are emphasized.  Campers are encouraged to at least try our menu options, but if a substitute is requested we are happy to accommodate with an alternative.

Camp Lakotah offers a fresh salad bar at both lunch and dinner and fresh fruit and yogurts at breakfast in addition to our planned meal and we make most of our selections from scratch!  We serve orange juice and milk at breakfast, and juice for lunch and dinner. And, we always have pitchers of water on the tables for all three meals and milk available.  We offer hydration stations around camp and campers are encouraged to return for many drink refills to stay hydrated throughout the day!

Snack time is held each afternoon under the pavilion .

If your child has special dietary needs or food allergies it is very important that you notify us prior to the start of camp.  We are happy to make accommodations but appreciate some time to prepare.  Vegetarian options can also be made available with advanced notice.

Health & Safety

The health and safety of each camper is of utmost importance to the entire Camp Lakotah team. Every safety and health precaution is taken to protect campers from sickness or accident. A nurse or person trained in CPR & first aid is on duty at all times, and emergency care is available a short distance away.

If your child requires medication they will be assisted by our health care staff.  All medication is kept under lock and key in our health center and will be distributed as prescribed by your doctor under the supervision of our health care staff.  Campers are allowed to carry with them their asthma inhalers and epi-pens as prescribed by their doctors.  The camp complies with all local and state health and safety requirements, as well as with the standards of the American Camp Association (ACA).

In the rare event your child becomes ill or injured at Camp, health care is nearby with the local clinic being only 3 short miles from camp, and our health care professional on staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You will be notified if your child becomes sick or needs any kind of medical attention.

A typical day at Lakotah includes participating in three activity areas of personal choice in the morning, cabin activities in the afternoon, and all camp activities in the evening. This schedule provides campers a chance to grow both independently and as a member of a group. Our weekly theme days and special events add a twist to the normal camp routine and give campers and staff the chance to show off their creativity!

Overnight Camp Daily Schedule

7:15 a.m. Rise & Shine
7:55 a.m. Flag Raising
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Password
8:45 a.m. Cabin Clean Up
9:15 a.m. First Activity Period
10:15 a.m. Second Activity Period
11:15 a.m. Third Activity Period
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. Rest Period
2:30 p.m. Cabin Activities
3:30 p.m. Snack
5:25 p.m. Flag Lowering
5:30 p.m. Dinner
6:15 p.m. Free Time
7:30 p.m. Evening Activities
10:00 p.m. Lights Out

Day Camp Daily Schedule

8:00 a.m. Drop Off/Sign In
8:15 a.m. Icebreaker/group game
8:30 a.m. Password
9:15 a.m. First Activity Period
10:15 a.m. Second Activity Period
11:15 a.m. Third Activity Period
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. Swim
2:00 p.m. Cabin Activities I
3:00 p.m. Snack
3:30 p.m. Cabin Activities II
4:45 p.m. Clean Up
5:00 p.m. Pick Up/Sign Out

Camp Activities

Activities (skills) are the tools we use to help develop independence, communication, a sense of self-worth, camaraderie, and life skills in our campers.  Campers are allowed to select up to six age-appropriate activities per week.  The following is a sampling of the skills that we offer with a brief description of the skill, and what you should expect your camper to achieve by participating in them.

Swim Band Requirements

Within 24 hours of arriving at camp each camper is taken to the waterfront for their swim assessment.  Campers are allowed to deny taking their swim assessment with the understanding that they will have very limited access to waterfront related activities due to the fact we do not know their comfort in deep water nor swim ability.  For the swim assessment, campers are asked to jump feet first into chest deep water, submerge and grab a handful of sand, resurface without panicking.  If they can do so they are asked to exit the water and jump into the swim lane and begin swimming using any recognized stroke to the other dock.  If the camper can swim to the other dock, they exit the water and then as a small group jump feet first into deep water and must tread water for 2 minutes to achieve the top-level swim band.

Swim bands are used to identify swim abilities.

Red Band – Participant is unable to complete minimum requirements.  Allowed to participate in shallow water swimming and canoe/kayak with a staff member or LLT demonstrating advanced swimming skills.

Orange Band – Participant completes initial comfort assessment, and able to swim a least a half length of swim lane. Allowed to participate in shallow water and intermediate depth swimming with lifejacket. Canoe/kayak with an adult or advanced swimmer.

Yellow Band – Participant completes full length of swim lane and demonstrates comfort in doing so, but unable to complete the treading assessment.  Allowed to participate in shallow and intermediate swimming and deep-water swimming non-open swim times only.  Canoe/kayak with advanced swimmer.

Green Band – Participant completes full swim assessment demonstrating comfort in shallow, intermediate and deep water.  Allowed to participate in all waterfront activities.  Canoe/kayak with another advanced swimmer or yellow bander.

Archery

Campers learn proper safe handling of archery equipment while perfecting their marksmanship skills.  More experienced campers will have the opportunity to learn about compound bows and strive to achieve a Robin Hood Award.

Arts & Crafts

Allows campers to express their young, creative minds through a wide variety of artistic activities.  Campers work on several different projects that they are encouraged to take home and share with friends and family members.  Project examples:  candles, lanyards, nature art, tie dye, dream catchers, and more.

BB Guns

Campers learn firearm safety, gun care, and the principles of marksmanship under the direct supervision of well-trained staff.    Restrictions:  9 years and older.

Canoeing/Kayaking

Under the guidance of our certified lifeguards, campers learn proper equipment selection, sizing and fastening of lifejackets, boarding and exiting of vessel, paddling, and other safe canoe /kayak handling techniques.  Campers take their skills to the challenge by exploring Little Hills Lake.

Fishing

Campers learn to set up their own fishing pole from knot tying, to hook selection and setting the proper depth with a bobber.  Campers are encouraged to bait their own hook and remove their catch from the hook.  Campers will be able to identify the fish that reside in Little Hills Lake.  The practice of catch and release is emphasized in this program.

Disc Golf/Ultimate Frisbee

A camp favorite, campers learn about aerodynamics and how to throw a disc for accuracy.  They learn how to play these fast-growing sports while improving their skill level.

Geocaching

Camper participates in a modern-day treasure hunt using a global positioning unit.  Geocaching is a great way to explore the world around us, sharpen their sense of direction and estimating distances, all while getting some exercise and fun.

Knife Skills

Campers learn how to select the proper pocketknife for a specific use, care, and sharpening.  Under the guidance of our staff each camper will learn how to safely use a pocketknife to whittle their own walking stick to take home.       Restrictions: 10 years and older.

Outdoor Living Skills

Campers learn various camping skills such as safe knife handling, fire building, outdoor cooking, and shelter building. 

Paintball

Under the guidance of our well-trained staff, campers learn proper safety equipment selection, sizing, and firearm safety.  Campers participate take aim at our paintball target range and advance to our team paintball challenges.   Developed for the older camper.    Restrictions: 10 years and older for target range   12 years and older for field play

Nature Skills

Campers learn about and care for the world around them as they explore our grasslands, forests, and lake.  They will learn about the various trees, insects, birds, and other animals that call Camp their home.

Field Sports

Campers participate in fun focused organized group games such as soccer, flag football, baseball, kickball, volleyball and so much more.  Focus is on developing skill, sportsmanship, rules of the game and simply having fun with their new friends.,

Swimming

What a better way to cool off with your friends than a dip in the lake.  Depending on your camper’s swim ability they are provided with the opportunity to use a wide variety of water inflatables, dive off the swim raft or enjoy some beach time daily.  Campers are encouraged to work to improve their swimming skills while improving their comfort in deep water.

What is the Camp philosophy?

Our philosophy at Camp Lakotah is to offer a safe, wholesome, fun-filled learning experience to each individual camper.  We do this by hiring mature, responsible and dedicated staff who are genuinely interested in the wellbeing of each individual camper.  We then provide them with an extensive training program which challenges them to provide activities that are not only fun and interesting to the campers, but ones that provide opportunity to gain new skills.

Are you licensed or accredited?

Yes, not only are we licensed by the State of Wisconsin, but we are American Camp Association (ACA) Accredited.  This means we meet or exceed all applicable health & safety standards set by the ACA .  These standards cover all aspects of the camp operation including: staff, health care, facilities, food service, waterfront safety and more.

What makes Camp Lakotah different?

Camp Lakotah focuses on the individual needs of each and every camper.  Our goal is to provide the safest, most fun and memorable summer experience possible.  We offer an incredible number of activities, top notch instructors, and the most caring, nurturing environment you can imagine.

Can my camper choose their own activities?

Our daily schedule is a combination of individual small group and large group choice.  This helps our campers to better understand the democratic process and allows them to try activities they are personally interested in.  Your camper will not have a shortage of activities to choose from since our staff are constantly creating new things to do here at camp.

What are the pick-up & drop-off times?

Overnight Camp – Drop off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on the first day of the session and pick-up is 4:00 p.m. on the final day of the session.    Reminders will also be sent via email.

Day Camp – Drop off is 8:00am and pick-up is at 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Afternoon Day Camp & Minikamp – Drop off is 12:30 p.m. and pick-up is at 5:00 p.m.

What should I pack for my child to attend Camp?

We have a full packing list in our parent handbook to use as a guideline.  Camp is about having fun and being outdoors, so leave expensive clothes at home and come prepared to get a little messy.

What happens if my camper becomes ill while at Camp?

If your camper would become ill while at camp, our health officer or camp director will call you to decide if your camper should return home to see their doctor, or visit our local clinic which is a short 3 miles from camp.  Our health officer is on call 24/7.

What if my camper has food allergies or dietary needs?

Our kitchen staff is happy and prepared to accommodate special dietary or allergy needs, but it is very important for you to notify the camp staff of your special needs prior to arriving at camp so we can be prepared for your child’s stay.  We also provide vegetarian options at every meal.

What if my camper gets homesick?

Many children experience homesickness while at camp, it is natural.  Our caring staff have been trained to help them work through homesickness.  Because of our nurturing, comforting environment, and abundance of fun activities, campers do not stay homesick for long.

Can I send package?

Yes, please do!  In fact, we encourage you to send your camper mail.  There’s nothing more exciting than receiving a letter from home while at camp.  Our counselors encourage their campers to also write letters home and tell their friends and family all the great things they are doing at camp.

Can I call my camper while at camp?

We ask that your do not call and request to have a conversations with your camper.  We do this because it disrupts the flow of camp for your camper, especially since our site is large and it could take a while to locate and get your child to a phone.  On top of this, we find that phone calls tend to make campers miss home or cause other campers to miss home and become upset.

The same rule applies to cell phones.  We prefer that you do not send your child to camp with a cell phone but understand they are beneficial for music or games during rest period.    Any cell phones brought to camp will only be allowed to be used during rest period, and not for texting, emails, or social media.  We think it is important for children to unplug and get away from the constant infiltration of technology.

What are the cabins like and how many campers are in a cabin?

The construction of our cabins varies from simple cabin shells which sleep 4 persons to large cabins with bathrooms and sleep up to 26 persons.  All of our cabins are well ventilated and designed for permanence, comfort, and cleanliness.  We maintain a ratio of no more than 10 campers and 2 staff at all times.

Does my camper need extra money?

No!  In order for your camper to make a purchase at the camp store, we suggest you purchase a store card when enrolling your camper for camp.  No cash will be accepted at the camp store during the session.

What if my campers celebrates a birthday while at camp?

We have the day covered starting out with a special all camp birthday wish to a special cake for your son/daughter to share with their cabin mates.  If you would like to send a special treat for your camper to share with their cabin please contact the camp director for arrangements.