FAQs

REGISTRATION FAQs

How Do I Register For Camp?

Many families utilize our great online registration system.  First-time users can create an account for your family, register online, complete your required forms, store your health information, make payments and send camper emails.  To use this system simply click on the “REGISTER NOW” button at the top right hand of this page. You will create an account and follow the step-by-step instructions.  Returning users can simply login to the system and begin the registration process.  You can also request a paper registration form by contacting our office. 

Is Financial Aid Available?

Camp is a great experience for many children.  It is an opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment.  Calvin Crest works hard to provide a camp experience for every child that wants one.  We offer tiered pricing, which allows families to choose the price point that works for their family. Tier 1 represents the true cost of providing the camp experience. Tier 3 is a subsidized rate supported by generous donors. No matter what rate you choose, your child will receive the same great experience. If further assistance is needed, we work with individual families to design a plan that works for their situation and budget.  Payment plans, a further reduction in fees or other options are all possibilities.  There is some paperwork involved in receiving financial aid. 

What Do I Bring To Camp?

There is a great list of needed items in our parent’s guide that can be found here:  PARENT’S GUIDE

What Is Included In The Fee?

The fee for camp includes the programming, food and lodging for your camper for the time they are here.  It also includes a t-shirt and a group photo. 

Is There A Parent’s Guide? How Do I find It?

There is a Parent’s Guide that gives you helpful information about the camp experience.  You should receive it as an attachment to your confirmation email.  You can also find it here: PARENT’S GUIDE

Health and Wellness

Is There a Nurse On Site?

Calvin Crest has been accredited by the American Camp Association since 1969.  Maintaining our accreditation requires us to meet or exceed standards in a variety of areas including health and wellness.  Because of the type of camp we run and our proximity to emergency personnel and in consideration of the time it takes to get to a major medical facility, we are required to have a dedicated staff member who is certified in First Aid and CPR.  We make every attempt to fill our Health Care Supervisor position with a college student who is working towards a nursing career. 

My Child Takes Medicine. How Does That Work?

Our Health Care Supervisor will ensure that your child takes their medication on the proper schedule.  All medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, must come in original packaging and turned in to the Health Care Supervisor at check-in.  Prescription medication must include dosage information.  The Health Care Supervisor is able to administer pills, liquids and sprays.

What Happens When It’s Really Hot?

As you know, the weather in Nebraska ranges from cold and rainy to hot and dry during the summer months.  We care about your child’s health and well-being.  If the weather is really hot, we reduce the amount of heavy physical exertion that occurs in the heat of the day.  We also take extra water breaks and monitor campers closely.  One nice aspect of Calvin Crest is that there are several indoor air-conditioned meeting spaces and the dining hall is climate-controlled as well.  This allows campers a chance to cool off before heading on to their next adventure.  Our cabins are air-conditioned so our younger campers do sleep in relative comfort.  The A-Frames and Bunkhouses have plenty of screens to allow breezes to blow through.  Most nights, these facilities cool off quite nicely. 

How About Severe Weather? What’s The Plan?

Severe weather does happen during the summer.  We are notified in a number of ways for the potential for severe weather.  We receive phone calls from local law enforcement when the potential for a life-threatening storm is imminent.  All onsite permanent staff have weather apps on their smart phone and a weather radio at night.  If severe weather is predicted, our staff monitors it closely.  For tornados and high-wind weather events, we can seek shelter in the lower area lodge, which is a large meeting space built into the side of a hill with a cement ceiling and heavy wooden drapes to cover the glass windows. 

What About COVID-19?

The recent Pandemic has affected all of us in so many ways. In 2020, the Calvin Crest Board decided to not run summer camp for the first time since opening in 1958. They did this to protect campers, families and communities from a virus that was mostly unknown. In consultation with local and national health experts, Calvin Crest has strengthened our Communicable Disease Plan, which includes prevention, mitigation and communication efforts for before, during and after camp. For the plans specific to Health and Safety, please click here.

Lodging

Where do Campers Stay?

Campers of all ages will likely stay in the air-conditioned cabins. These cabins are a short walk from our dining hall and other central meeting spaces and feature indoor plumbing, bunkbeds, air-conditioning and foam mattresses. Each cabin sleeps between 14-16 people. Some cabins have two sleeping areas and some cabins have an open floor plan. Each cabin has two showers, two toilets and at least two sinks. Each cabin has private bathrooms.

Can My Child Request to Stay with a Friend?

Yes.  We want campers to feel comfortable at camp.  Campers can request up to two cabin mates at least one week prior to camp.  We make every attempt to assign friends together in a cabin.  Cabin mates should be of the same gender and attending the same camp. 

My Child Occasionally Has Accidents at Night. What is your Process?

Accidents happen.  We’ve all been there.  Our primary concern is to take care of the matter as quickly and unobtrusively as possible.  If your child is prone to accidents, please encourage them to tell their counselor if it happens.  They can whisper it to them in passing, give them a note or whatever way makes them comfortable.  Our counselors are trained to launder the bedding and clothing and while that is happening provide a temporary sleeping bag so that it is not noticeable to other campers.  This is all taken care of while the campers are away from the cabins.  Most times, no one notices anything and the camper is able to carry on.  If the camper does not notify his or her counselor, it becomes a bit more of a challenge and often the odor is what tips folks off. 

Food

What Will We Eat?

Meals at Calvin Crest are great.  We offer a wide variety of food throughout the week.  Many items are “made from scratch”, while others are kid favorites.  In addition to the main entrée, we offer appropriate sides, vegetables, a salad bar with lettuce and toppings as well as prepared salads and always bread for sandwiches.  Breakfast features a hot entrée as well as cold cereal, fruit, yogurt and pastries.  Water is the main beverage for each meal in an effort to maintain hydration, but milk is available at each meal as well.

Can You Handle My Child’s Special Diet?

We are happy to discuss your child’s special diet with you in advance of your camper’s week at camp.  We are generally able to handle vegetarian and gluten-free diets with advance notice (indicate it on your health form, which is due at least two weeks before your week of camp).  One thing to note is that we are not able to accommodate severe food allergies at this time.  If your child is not able to be in a facility that uses nuts or gluten, we may not be the location for their camp experience. 

Are Snacks Available?

Calvin Crest’s food is great.  And our campers exert more energy during their week of camp than they normally do at home.  We provide well-balanced and plentiful meals.  In addition, we have an afternoon snack.  Occasionally, there is a special treat during the evening campfire as well.  We do not have a “Snack Shack”. 

Check-In/Check-Out

How Do I Get To Camp? What Do I Do When I Get There?

Google Maps or other apps will provide great directions. Calvin Crest is located at the dead-end of County Road 13 (Past Camp Rivercrest). There is a large gravel parking lot to park in when you arrive. Parents will drop their child off in the parking lot and our staff will help the campers get settled in.

What About Lost and (not yet) Found Items?

Throughout the week, we attempt to locate the owners of lost items that are left around camp.  As we attempt to continue your efforts of instilling responsibility, we understand that in a new environment and routine some items are left behind.  On Friday, we attempt to collect all of those items from lodging, pool area, meeting spaces and around camp and display them in a central location for you to claim before leaving.  Invariably, several items are left behind and not missed until later.  We generally keep lost items for at least two weeks and will be happy to send them back to you or hold them for a reasonable amount of time for you to pick up.  If we mail items to you, we ask that you reimburse Calvin Crest for the shipping costs. 

Miscellaneous Items

Is There A Camp Store?

There is a camp store located across from the dining hall.  It is open a few times a week during free time.  We sell Calvin Crest branded items including shirts, water bottles, and other souvenirs.  $10-$20 is usually sufficient. We do not make a big deal about the camp store as some campers do not come with money to spend. 

Will My Child Make Friends at Camp?

Calvin Crest strives to demonstrate, model and encourage campers to make friends.  Many campers find a lifelong friend at camp.  Many of our activities are designed to encourage friendships in a natural and organic way.  Staff are trained to assist those who may be hesitant to reach out to others and are alert to those who withdraw or do not engage.  While there is no guarantee that your child will make friends, our staff tries their best to encourage campers in positive ways to be friendly with everyone and to connect with others in significant ways. 

Will I See Photos Of My Child During The Week?

Calvin Crest staff take pictures throughout the week.  These photos are also used for promotional material and the summer camp brochure.  We also provide a link to the parents for the photos of their week of camp.  We occasionally post a short video or photo on social media throughout the week, but our purpose is to let the kids be kids and not worry about the photographer and how they will look online. 

How Do I Contact My Child? Can My Child Write Letters Home?

There are a few ways for you to write your child.  You can purchase a block of 5 emails (1/day) for $5.  The office staff prints those emails once per day and distributes them with the other mail at a meal.  This is a quick and efficient way to send your love and share news from home.  You may also mail letters and cards to the camp to be distributed to your child.  If there is an emergency, please feel free to call the camp office at (402) 628-6455.  The office hours generally are 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Monday through Friday.  Please leave a message after hours.  We generally do not allow campers to call home.  This is due to the fact that the camp experience is often a busy place and children and youth are involved in activities, Bible study, recreation and friend-making.  If your child would like to send a letter home, they are able to do so.  They can purchase stamps and envelopes in the camp store or you can send them with addressed and stamped envelopes.  To send it out, they can place the letter in the green mailbox outside the office door. 

I Registered For Family Camp. What Are The Details?

Family Camp begins at 10:00 AM on Saturday and ends after lunch on Sunday.  During those 27 hours, your family will have the opportunity to connect with each, fellowship with other families, worship together, grow together and have a blast.  If you don’t feel you’ve had enough time, feel free to stick around for a couple more hours and hike and explore the grounds. 

I Registered For Explorer Camp. What Are The Details?

Explorers Camp begins at 7:00 PM on Friday and ends after lunch on Sunday.  Please eat before you arrive on Friday night.  You’ll have a delicious campfire snack on Friday evening, three meals on Saturday and two meals on Sunday.  Please plan to stay for the entire experience to maximize your child’s learning opportunities.