Whether this is the first or tenth time your child is attending Portage Lake, we want you to know that we will do everything we can to make sure your camper is safe and cared for.
Portage Lake is a community that invests in the lives of children and families. We believe that our unique camp environment is an ideal setting for a child to experience Christ-centered living. We emphasize that each child is valued solely because they are made in the image of God, and not for their physical attributes or athletic abilities. It is our desire that each camper would not only see that they are valued and loved, but that they would experience it through activities, fellowship and fun! Our hope is that Portage Lake will become an uplifting and integral part of your child’s development and spiritual growth.
Tiered discounts:
New this year is an extra registration tier! Register in the month of December for super early bird discount, or in the months of January and February for early bird savings. Regular registration fees run from March 1 to May 15, and after May 15 is our late registration tier. The earlier you register, the more you save! Visit each page to learn more about tiered pricing at PLCBC.
Food Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
Portage Lake is NOT a peanut free facility. Our cooks are used to catering to individual needs and do our best to accommodate all allergies. However, some allergies, especially the more unusual ones, we are not always able to fully accommodate a guest or camper. We do strive to accommodate all camper needs, but if your child has extreme food allergies, please call the PLCBC office at (231) 889-5911.
If you have more than two of the following eight common allergies, we may ask that you bring your own food for your stay at camp: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat/gluten, and soybeans.
PLCBC will make different food for allergies or dietary restrictions, but not for pickiness. Peanut butter and jelly is available at every meal.
About the Summer Staff:
Here at Portage Lake we take great care in hiring our staff. Your child’s experience is highly dependent on the quality of our staff. All staff members are hired because of their spiritual maturity and personal integrity. The young men and women who work here are truly dedicated to being positive Christian role models for your son or daughter. (They are also a lot of fun!) All staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR certified. To learn more about our staff click here!
Safety:
Safety is our number one priority. All camp facilities and activities are inspected and regulated annually by the State of Michigan. (See information about medical care, policy on bullying and swimming below.)
All waterfront staff are lifeguard certified. All ropes equipment (including carabiners, harnesses, ropes and cables) is inspected annually by Experiential Systems. The summer ropes staff, as well as all full time staff are certified through Experiential Systems on all high adventure elements.
Arrival & Departure:
Check in begins at 3:30 pm in the gym on arrival day on Sunday. On the last day of camp, please arrive between 12:30pm and 1pm for departure, to sign sign your child out. There is a short closing rally at 1:30 pm on closing day. The last day of camp is Friday. (Pathfinders is slightly different: arrive for pick up at 9am and rally at 9:30am on Sunday.) This is a time for you to hear and see what your child has been learning and doing at camp. We will also show an end-of-week slideshow and video, so you will get a sneak-peak into your camper’s experience.
Swimming at PLCBC:
We take the waterfront very seriously. Every camper takes a swim test on the first day of camp. (Except Pathfinders, who go in the lake, but not for open swimming.) Cabin groups test together. Each camper swims out and across the deep end and then treads water for 2 minutes. Four lifeguards are in the water with the groups while the waterfront director watches from the raft. If a camper cannot swim the entire distance or complete the treading, they are allowed to swim in the deep end while wearing a life jacket.
Scholarships:
Scholarships are available. Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp believes every kid should be a camper! Every year we get more requests for scholarships, so we ask that you pay as much of your camper’s fee as possible. To get a scholarship application, simply call camp at (231)889-5911 and talk to our office manager Ruth. To learn more about donating to the scholarship fund, click here!
Camp Nurse:
Each week there is a Registered Nurse on site at Portage Lake. At registration, parents must must turn in all prescription medications to the nurse. There is no need to bring any over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, etc.), the nurses station is well stocked to meet any aliments your camper may have. Emergency rescue medication like inhalers or Epi-pens may be kept with the camper, but all other medicine (prescription or non) must be checked in with the nurse.
PLCBC Policy on Bullying:
Portage Lake is designed to provide outreach programs, challenges and opportunities for kids to be encouraged while learning about Jesus Christ. For this to be successful, kids need to feel safe. This means bullying is unacceptable. The way kids treat each other at camp can make or break a camper’s week. We give rules and expectations to kids as they arrive. Our staff is trained in handling discipline and bullying so that every camper is safe physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Have more questions?
If you have any additional questions or concerns, check out our resource for parents! You can always call (231) 889-5911 as well. Thanks!
What to Pack:
Below is a rough packing list. Clothing needs vary with weather. Northern MI is typically warm during the day and cool at night.
– 7 t-shirts
– 3 pairs of shorts
– 2 pairs of jeans
– 2 sweatshirts
– raincoat
– 2 pairs of closed toed shoes (sneakers for games, climbing, etc.)
– socks
– undies
– flips flops/shower shoes
– modest swimwear (girls must wear a one piece, boys no Speedos)
– bath towel
– beach towel
– sleeping bag (cabins may sleep at “out camp” and need a sleeping bag, not just sheets and blankets)
– pillow
– flashlight
– bug spray
– sunscreen
– shampoo
– soap
– toothbrush
– toothpaste
– Bible
– notebook
– pen/pencil
– clothes & shoes to get messy/muddy
– water bottle
– camera
What NOT to Pack:
NO ELECTRONICS! If iPods, video games, cell phones, etc. are brought they will be confiscated for the week (and returned at the end of camp). No valuables-meaning anything you are not willing to have damaged or lost. No cash – all money should be put on a Canteen Cash Card. No bicycles or “hover boards”.
Camper Mail:
We will have mail baskets for each cabin set up on registration day in the gym. Write intended delivery day on each piece along with the camper’s name. Mail is delivered Monday-Friday. (Delivered all three days for Pathfinders.) You can also send mail to your camper. Please be sure to put your camper’s first and last name on any letter or package.
Send mail to:
4158 Camp Delight Rd.
Onekama, MI 49675.
Roommate Request:
If your child has a friend, sibling, etc. they would like to be with in the same cabin, we do our best to accommodate these requests.
Roommate requests need to be in one week prior to the first day of the camp session. There will be no changes made to cabins after that.