Camper Frequently Asked Questions
Getting ready for summer camp can be exciting—and you might have a few questions before you arrive. Our Camper FAQ is here to help you know what to expect and feel ready for your time at LOMIK. You’ll find answers about what to pack, what a typical day is like, meals, staying healthy and safe, keeping in touch with home, homesickness, and more. Whether this is your first summer at camp or you’re coming back for another adventure, we want you to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to have a great time.
Camper FAQs
Everyone is welcome at LOMIK! You don’t have to be Lutheran or even attend church to come to camp. We welcome children and youth from many different backgrounds and invite everyone to experience friendship, adventure, God’s creation, and a faith-filled camp community.
LOMIK offers camp experiences for kids entering 1st through 12th grades, with programs designed specifically for different ages. Younger campers have opportunities to discover camp and build confidence, while older campers take on greater challenges, independence, leadership, and adventure.
Yes! When you register, you may request a cabin buddy who is the same age and grade level. We’ll do our best to honor cabin buddy requests, although we cannot guarantee every request. Grab a friend and get ready for an adventure together!
Bring clothes and shoes that are comfortable for playing, exploring, swimming, getting dirty, and being outside! You’ll also want toiletries, a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, bug spray, a water bottle, and other items listed on the packing list for your camp session. Be sure to label your belongings!
Camp is a great time to unplug and be fully present, so leave things like gaming systems and other unnecessary electronics at home. You also should not bring anything that could be unsafe or interfere with the camp experience. Your registration materials will include a complete list of items to leave at home.
LOMIK is a place to unplug! We want campers to have the opportunity to step away from screens and notifications and be fully present with their cabinmates, counselors, and the world around them.
Overnight camps begin Sunday afternoon between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. When you arrive, you’ll check in with our camp team and then get settled into your cabin. Your counselor will help you get started and introduce you to your new camp community.
You and your parent/guardian will check you in, meet with our Health Officer to verify we have all of the paperwork we need and safely check in your medications. Then it’s time to move into your cabin, meet your counselor and cabinmates, and get ready for the week say “I hope you have as much fun as I will” to your family and begin your adventure!
That’s completely normal! Trying something new can feel a little scary even when you’re excited. Your counselors are there to help you feel welcome, get to know you, and find your place at camp. Before long, you’ll be playing games, meeting friends, laughing, and discovering that you can do more than you thought you could.
A LOT! Each week of camp is a little different, your week will include some of the following: swimming, archery, rock climbing, low ropes, games, crafts, nature activities, campfires, worship, Bible activities, singing, special programs, and plenty of time to hang out with your cabinmates and friends. Activities are designed to grow with you, so as you get older, you can take on new challenges and develop new skills.
We encourage everyone to get involved, try new things, and be part of the community. You don’t have to be the best at something or even know how to do it yet. Camp is a place to learn, encourage one another, and discover what you’re capable of.
You can take it one step at a time. Your counselors and activity leaders are there to encourage you and help you feel safe. You might surprise yourself by trying something you never thought you could do! And remember, there’s a difference between being challenged and being unsafe. Our staff will help you know the difference.
That’s okay! We encourage campers to give new things a try, but we also want you to communicate with your counselor if something is making you uncomfortable or you have a concern. Camp is about discovering new things not forcing yourself into situations where you don’t feel safe.
Yes! Camp isn’t scheduled every minute of the day. There will be opportunities to rest, relax, talk with friends, play games, enjoy the outdoors, and simply be together. Sometimes the best camp memories happen during the moments in between activities!
Homesickness happens to lots of campers even campers who have been to camp before. If you’re missing home, talk to your counselor. They’re there to listen and help you through it. Give yourself some time to settle in, meet people, and get into the rhythm of camp. You may find that once you get involved, the week starts feeling like home too.
Camp is designed to help you build independence, so regular phone calls home are generally not part of the camp schedule. If you have an important need or are having a difficult time, talk with your counselor or another staff member. We’ll work with you and your family to make sure you are safe and supported.
That’s one of the best parts of camp you’re about to meet new people! Your cabin and activities give you lots of opportunities to make friends. You’ll laugh, play, learn, worship, and experience new things together. You may arrive not knowing anyone and leave with friendships you’ll remember for years.
Living together means you may not always agree and that’s part of learning how to be in community. Talk to your counselor if you’re having a problem. Counselors can help you listen to one another, work through disagreements, and find a healthy way forward. Camp is a place to learn how to solve problems and navigate differences together.
Campers are placed in cabins based on age, grade level, program needs, and other factors. You may request a same-age, same-grade cabin buddy, and we’ll do our best to honor that request.
Your counselor is there to help! If you need something, feel sick, feel uncomfortable, have a bad dream, or simply need someone to talk to, let your counselor know. You’re never expected to handle a problem by yourself.
Camp meals are designed to give you the energy you need for busy days of adventure! You’ll have regular meals and opportunities for snacks, depending on the camp schedule. Meals are also a great time to sit together, talk, laugh, and enjoy being part of the camp community.
Please let us know when you register. We want to know about food allergies and dietary needs before you arrive so our team can plan appropriately. If you have questions about whether we can accommodate a particular dietary need, contact the LOMIK office before camp.
When you arrive at camp, your medication will be checked in with our Health Officer. The Health Officer will review your medications and make sure they are safely managed during your stay. Please follow the instructions provided to your family before camp.
Tell an adult! Our staff are trained to care for campers and respond to injuries and illnesses. The camp Health Officer and other trained staff are available to help. If you aren’t feeling well, don’t try to tough it out—let someone know so we can take care of you.
Your safety is one of our highest priorities. LOMIK staff and volunteers are carefully selected and trained, and staff, pastors, and volunteers are required to complete background checks and training. Specialized training includes areas such as lifeguarding, first aid, and camper safety practices. Our goal is to create a place where you can take healthy risks, try new things, and have fun while knowing there are caring adults looking out for you.
Tell someone you trust. You can talk with your counselor, another staff member, the Health Officer, or camp leadership. Whether it’s something happening to you or something you see happening to someone else, we want you to speak up. Your voice matters, and we want camp to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
You are welcome at LOMIK! You don’t have to be Lutheran to come to camp. Children and youth from many different backgrounds come together at LOMIK to have fun, build friendships, explore God’s creation, and experience a faith-filled camp community.
Come to camp anyway! You don’t have to attend church to be part of the LOMIK community. Camp is a place where you can ask questions, explore faith at your own pace, build meaningful relationships, and discover what it means to be part of a caring community. You belong here!
Ask them! Camp is a great place to wonder, explore, and have conversations about faith. You don’t have to have all the answers. Through Bible stories, worship, conversations, activities, and time in God’s creation, you’ll have opportunities to explore what you believe and what it means to follow Jesus.
The closing program is a chance to celebrate everything you experienced during your week at camp! You may sing songs, share stories, show something you created, or participate in other special moments. After the program, families can pick up medications, check lost and found, gather camper creations, and talk with counselors about the week.
Don’t panic! Check with your family and the LOMIK office about anything you may have left behind. We’ll do our best to help reunite you with your missing belongings. And remember labeling your things before camp makes this much easier!
Absolutely! Summer camp doesn’t have to be your only LOMIK adventure. Look for opportunities throughout the year, including special retreats and other camp experiences. There’s always another adventure waiting for you!
You do! Camp is more than activities, cabins, campfires, and adventure. It’s a place where you can unplug from your everyday routine, be yourself, make friends, try things that challenge you, ask hard questions, grow in faith, and discover more about who God created you to be.
