I'M NEW TO CAMP!

Each camper is assigned to a cabin composed of 6-10 campers, which is led by at least two counselors. Cabin groups explore our lakes, forests, trails, garden, buildings, chapel and outdoor play areas together and with other cabin groups during the week. All campers have the option to try classic camp activities such as swimming, archery, and arts and crafts.

We work to ensure each camper leaves with a greater sense of self-love, confidence, spirituality, and creativity from a week of being accepted as they are in a compassionate community. We believe that by exploring together in a group they develop a greater sense of empathy and responsibility to others and ready to face new challenges in the future.  We hope that they feel inspired by their time in nature and have a deeper desire to become stewards of the earth.

Our overnight camps are residential programs featuring outdoor activities, crafts, games, and more. Campers will join our Christian Formation team in exploring their faith through age appropriate, engaging, and self-led program. Throughout the week, our campers build leadership skills, gain independence, and form lifelong friendships.

Counselors-in-Training is a residential program focused on leadership development, skills building around child-care and development, and program planning. CITs shadow counselors in their cabins and learn from our star team of trainers. And they have fun too! The majority of our counseling staff are alumni of our CIT program. Capacity is limited to 10 campers, so register quickly.

Pioneer Trip Camp is new this year! Campers will spend their week camping out at Camp Chickagami. Their primary lodging units will be our Pioneer Units which are screened in enclosed platforms in our woods. Campers will spend their week exploring the woods around camp and may also take an off-site camping trip mid-week. The campers will canoe and camp, learning wilderness skills along the way. They will join our staff in exploring their faith through storytelling and engagement with creation. Throughout the week, our campers build leadership skills, gain independence, and form lifelong friendships. Capacity is limited to 10 campers, so register quickly.

Traveling Trip Campers will spend most of their week on the road and on the water, conquering a Michigan river. Campers will start their week at camp learning basic canoe and camping skills, hit the road for team building and a ropes course and head out for canoeing and camping. Campers will finish their trip with a visit to Ocquoec Falls before heading back to camp. Trips are led by experienced staff and guides so challenge yourself to try something new, or participate in a favorite adventure.  Capacity is limited to 10 campers, so register quickly.

Local Day Camp is offered for kids heading into first grade in Fall of 2023 through fifth grade are invited to spend their summer days at Camp Chickagami! We spend time in Christian Formation, at the lake, doing crafts, playing games, singing songs and countless other activities. Depending on the number of campers we have participating will determine if our activities all take place with a large group of all ages or if we will break the group into smaller groups by age. Lunch and snacks will be provided by Camp Chickagami. The day starts at 9:30 and ends at 4:00.

Regional Day Camps are hosted at churches around the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan in our youth regions. Our Camp Chickagami summer staff take camp on the road! Membership at an Episcopal Church or the host congregation is not required for participation. All are welcome.

You and your family are welcome here! As an Episcopal camp, we are passionate about being a brave space for all campers. We celebrate a rich diversity of campers and staff including national origin, creed, religious belief, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, family structure, and ability.

The Camp Chick experience enriches young people's relationships with one another, with creation and with God. Campers are encouraged to embrace a sense of adventure and cultivate spiritual awareness as they take healthy risks, share responsibilities and engage in outdoor life with one another.

Camp Chickagami is open to all children, regardless of religion, race or origin, who wish to have a fun filled experience in the loving environment of God's beauty. However, it is not possible for us to offer one-on-one care.

Camp Chickagami’s goal is to enable our camp participants to relate to God; as a recipient of God’s gifts, as a steward of creation and as a member of a Christian community.

We hope that our campers will:

• Discover a previously unknown aspect of oneself
• Develop a positive self-image
• See oneself as an important part of a Christian community
• Discover and appreciate individual gifts and talents
• Try new activities
• Learn to take responsibility for behavior that affects the environment
• Develop good judgment that enables safe participation in activities
• Develop and deepen an appreciation of nature
• Discover a new aspect of their relationship to the natural world
• Participate in conservation projects at camp
• Develop respect for the camp grounds
• Participate in camp activities
• Show an awareness and sensitivity to others’ needs
• Enjoy being at camp
• Accept others as they are
• Show an increased interest in the Christian life
• Learn to develop trust in self and others
• Learn and develop individual leadership skills
• Cooperate and share with others
• Learn to resolve conflicts constructively

Campers participate in Christian Formation each morning. Themes vary by session but typically campers explore through crafts, games, music, dramatics, team-building exercises and small group discussions. Each day also brings plenty of opportunities to participate in a variety of recreational activities including swimming, boating, sports, hiking, fishing, exploring nature, working on even more crafts and joining in all camp evening activities. Each day’s events are sandwiched between youth-friendly worship experiences

A Typical Daily Schedule:
7:00 Wake Up
7:45 Camp Chores
8:00 Breakfast
8:45 Cabin Cleanup
9:25 Morning Worship
9:40 Christian Formation
11:15 Campers Choice Activity Time
12:30 Lunch
1:15 Afternoon Activity Time
2:45 Waterfront and Swim Time
4:15 Flat on Bunk (Rest Hour)
5:30 Dinner
6:15 Campers Choice Activity Time
7:30 Evening Community Time
8:30 Compline and Night Prayer
9:00 Campers Get Ready for Bed
10:00 Cabin Closing and Reflection Time
10:30 Quiet in the Cabins and Lights Out

Camp Chickagami staff and counselors are selected for their creativity, energy, kindness, and maturity. Each counselor and staff member participates in staff training that focuses on group management, conflict resolution, bullying prevention and response, child development, creative programming, equity and inclusion, and activity leadership. Our staff-to-camper-ratio is one to five. Certified Lifeguards supervise all swimming and boating activities.

Nurses, Chaplains, and camp leadership staff provide additional layers of support and guidance to ensure your camper’s physical, emotional, and spiritual safety. Learn more about the ways we work to keep camp safe and up to current standards here.

Interest in working with children, dedication to the camp's philosophy and programs, and a mature sense of safety are key factors in the staff selection process.  Counselors are college age and many staff are former campers who have grown up in the program. Camp Chickagami offers high school and college aged young people the opportunity to work with campers in a Christian setting. Staff members come from all walks of life making lifelong friends as they share experiences and work in this unique environment.  Camp will gladly work with college programs for credit.  Administrative, service, and supervisor positions are available as well.  Camp Chickagami is an equal opportunity employer.

For summer job information click here.

Christian Education
Canoeing
Paddle Boating
Tie Dye
Archery
Arts and Crafts
Swimming
Dancing
Cooking Out
Environmental Education
Hiking
Fishing
Team-Building
Music
Painting
Field Games

Delicious, well balanced and kid-friendly meals are prepared by our excellent cook and kitchen staff. Most meals are served buffet style in our dining hall. We work hard to be hospitable and accommodating to our campers, staff and volunteers with dietary needs and restrictions.

We have a garden on site and grow fresh herbs and some veggies that we serve at camp. We also have chickens that help provide some of our eggs for our baking and other goodies. Camp Chickagami strives to care for creation through minimizing food waste and composting what we are able. We hope to be able to educate our campers on where their food comes from and how the waste of our food can be used for good.

Our camp is licensed by the State of Michigan, meaning that we hit all of their standards for health, safety, and programming to run a summer camp. 

Additionally, we are accredited by the American Camp Association. This means we hit additional standards and goals for summer camps beyond that which is required for state licensing. 

The American Camp Association is the only nationwide organization that accredits children’s camps.

The ACA Accreditation process is a voluntary commitment by camps to the highest standards of health, safety, and program quality. 

One purpose of the ACA Accreditation program is to educate camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and the health and safety of campers and staff.  The standards establish guidelines for needed policies, procedures, and practices.  

ACA standards have been recognized by courts of law and government regulators as the standards for best practices in camp.

Learn more about our licensing and accreditation process here.

We are inspected yearly and licensed by the State of Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and uphold their policies and requirements for a safe and healthy camp.  The inspector checks almost 100 items, including our health center, staff training, and behavior management policy. They interview staff members, our health supervisor, Camp Director, and campers.

Our updated licenses can be viewed here. To search, type in "Camp Chickagami."

Learn more about our licensing and accreditation process here.

Camp supervision and ratios: There is at least 1 adult staff person for every 10 campers and there will always be a minimum of at least two adults present at any given time and in any given situation.

Camp Chickagami is committed to the health and safety of all campers and staff. Our full-time, on site Health Officer provides first aid and health care according to a licensed physician’s standing orders. Counselors are trained in First Aid, emergency procedures, safety, accident prevention and human awareness skills.  Parents or guardians provide a current health history of their camper. 

The goal of the Health Office staff is to maximize your camper’s experience here at Camp Chickagami and minimize any time they might have to spend in the Health Office.   In order to accomplish this, camp has a residential health officer that is available to the campers 24/7. During staff training each summer, counseling staff participate in Community CPR and first aid training.

If you have specific concerns and would like to contact our staff in advance - please email directors@campchickagami.org.

Some reasons a camper might be admitted to stay at the Health Office:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever greater than 100.0 Fahrenheit
- Extreme Dysmenorrhea
- Heat Exhaustion
- Migraines
- Asthma Attacks
- Head Injury Observation

Upon arrival, your camper will undergo a health screening process. This will include a few simple questions regarding health related issues, a head check for lice, and a temperature check and an observation of any skin conditions (rashes or open wounds). The purpose of this is to provide prompt care that promotes a fun and safe camp season here at Camp Chickagami. We also want to ensure that parents are aware should their child have a concerning health issue.

Following is a list of conditions for which the Health Office would call a camper's guardian:
- Admission to the Health Center
- Any Doctor or Emergency Room Visits
- Suspected Fractures
- Strong Allergic Reactions
- Injury Resulting Facial Marks or Bruising
- Lice Infestation
- Fevers over 101° That Do Not Respond Well To Medication.
- First Time Menstruation
- "Cutting" or Other Self-Injury
- Suspected Eating Disorder Behaviors
- Suicidal Ideation
- Any situation camp staff deems significant

Tick Bites

Tick bites are a common occurrence in the state of Michigan that unfortunately impacts Camp Chickagami. This is important because ticks may carry a variety of diseases. One of the more common diseases is Lyme’s Disease.

We strive to promote tick bite prevention and tick-borne illness by continually screening campers for ticks. Camp Chickagami is not responsible for the prophylactic screening or treatment of Lyme’s Disease.  However, if your child displays any questionable symptoms it is important to notify your primary health care provider that your child may have had a tick bite at camp.

Another Tick Bite Resource

Here are some things you can  do to assure your child has a great summer camp experience:

1. If your child is showing signs of illness before camp, please keep them home until they feel better. This will greatly reduce the spreading of an illness at camp. Be aware of your camp’s criteria for inclusion in camp.

2. Teach your child to sneeze in their sleeve, and to wash their hands often.

3. Fatigue plays a part in injuries. If children are going to day camp, ensure they get enough rest at night. If children are going to resident camp, explain that camp is not like a sleepover. Explain to your child that they should not try to stay up all night!

4. Follow the Packing List.

• Campers are required to to wear closed-toed shoes.  They help avoid slips, trips, and falls, and many injuries. Chacos and Tevas (or sandals that securely strap on campers feet) are acceptable.
• Talk to your children about when and how to use sunscreen and insect repellent - and pack a sufficient amount in your camper's luggage.
• Please emphasize the importance of staying hydrated and send a reusable water bottler with your camper.  Your child can refill it frequently during their camp stay.
• When packing your child's medication please ensure that they are in their original prescription containers and only include the amount needed for their stay at camp. Medications not in their original container will not be accepted. This may seem extreme, but it is of utmost importance for the safety of your child that the health center staff can see the original medication instructions as written by the child’s healthcare provider. Our schedule is very structured and often can reflect that of a school-day; if your camper is prescribed medication to help them be successful in a school environment, please consider that these medications may also be helpful for their success in a camp environment.
• Send enough clothes so your child can wear layers. Mornings and evenings can be chilly and our afternoons tend to be hot. This enables your child to peel layers off as the weather warms.

5. The American Camp Association’s® parent-dedicated website, provides a wide range of educational resources to help parents make good health-related decisions for children.