Welcome Back, Summer! It’s time to Camp!   

6/1/22

We’re excited for summer at Lake Poinsett Camp, Storm Mountain Center, and Wesley Acres Camp because summer is better with camp!  We can’t wait to share summer and camp with you soon! 

Registration is open and information on all 2022 events is available on this website.

Camper, guest, and volunteer safety remains your camping ministry team’s top priority. Our staff continues to pay close attention to COVID-19 conditions, knowing that CDC safety guidance and recommendations can shift at any time.  At present, we do not anticipate significant changes to the most current CDC COVID-19 safety guidance. Updated COVID-19 safety information for the 2022 camping season will be shared through social media, email, and website updates. Please check back often for the most current information. 

Important information about summer camp and COVID-19:

The CDC COVID-19 Community Level designations (low, medium, or high) will be used to determine current COVID-19 protocols at camp. Camper sleeping arrangements will be safely spaced apart. Activity spaces, dining tables, and common areas will be arranged to accommodate physical distancing. Many activities and meals will take place outdoors. Campers will have the opportunity to wash or sanitize their hands before each meal. Depending on the COVID-19 Community Level in the county where your camp is located, along with regional and state-wide COVID levels, campers may be asked to wear masks in high density/mixing settings including indoor mealtimes or when gathering with other cabin groups.

• COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures are based on current local, state, CDC, and camping industry information and are subject to change as new professional guidance becomes available.
• We highly recommend that everyone who is eligible stay up to date (vaccinated and boosted) on theirCOVID-19 vaccines. Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.
• If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms, please get tested and only attend camp with a negative result.
• We ask that during the two weeks before you arrive at camp, you limit your time/exposure to large gatherings, especially those held indoors. If this is not possible, we ask that you please test for COVID-19 prior to camp.

• Please consider the following questions:

1. Within 10 days of the start of camp, will your camper or household members travel outside of the US and/or travel by airplane?
2. Within 10 days of the start of camp, will your camper attend a large indoor gathering (such as wedding, party, funeral, family reunion, etc.?)
3. Within 10 days of the start of camp, will your camper attend or participate in a group program (such as sporting event, YMCA, or after-school program?)
4. Has your camper or any household member recently displayed symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms?
5. Do you live in a congregate setting (immediate household greater than 8 people, apartment/condo complex, shelter, transitional housing, etc?)

If you answer YES to any of the above, we strongly recommend your camper test for COVID-19 within 48-72 hours before arriving at camp. It is fine to use at-home antigen tests. 

You will be asked the above questions when you arrive at camp for camper check-in as part of our COVID-19 safety screening process.

• Camp staff will closely monitor COVID-19 community levels using the latest CDC tracking data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. If COVID-19 community levels are high locally when you arrive at camp for your event, you may be asked to wear a mask when indoors, maintain 6 feet of distance between attendees, and meet in large/open spaces or outdoor settings only. If COVID-19 community spread levels remain low, then masking, social distancing, and remaining in camper pods will be limited. However, camp staff will encourage and facilitate camper groups of all sizes to gather outdoors when possible, including mealtimes, worship, and all-camp gatherings. 
• It is strongly recommended that camper families review and follow the COVID-19 community levels in your home community. While at camp, consider following the CDC recommendations for your home community level. 
• What if my child gets sick while at camp? At-home COVID-19 testing is available at camp if your child starts to show any symptoms that might indicate possible COVID-19 while at camp. Camp staff will call you first to discuss and receive permission to administer a test. We will also call and stay in close contact with you if we need to follow our standard protocol of sending your camper home – this includes if they have a fever, vomiting, or other symptom of any other contagious illness.
• Campers and guests are required to sign and return a COVID-19 Release of Liability Waiver.
• Please notify the Camping office if you/your camper tests positive for COVID-19 within two weeks after camper participation in Camping activities or events.
• If a campsite or the Camping office receives notification that a camper who attended your camp session tests positive for COVID-19 within two weeks after the end of camp, you will be contacted.

All 2022 camping participants will receive COVID-19 information, based on real-time data and guidance, two-weeks prior to the start of camp.

Masking, social distancing, camper pods

If COVID-19 community spread levels remain low, then masking, social distancing, and remaining in camper pods will be limited. However, camp staff will encourage and facilitate camper groups of all sizes to gather outdoors when possible, including mealtimes, worship, and all camp gatherings. Masking and social distancing may be required in special circumstances or if CDC COVID-19 community spread levels are high. 

We're grateful for the chance to share Christ, Creation, and Community with the churches and families of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Your trust in us is a gift that we do not take for granted.  Keeping our campers and staff safe is at the heart of all we do.  Thank you for making us part of your summer adventures.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@dakcamps.org or 855-622-1973. 

See you soon at camp, 
Dakotas United Methodist Camps staff 

Your Dakotas United Methodist Camps are OPEN for small group gatherings and retreats, personal/family time away, or volunteer group work projects!   

Need some time away from your own four walls these days?  Is your small group or ministry team looking for a place to gather that’s quiet, safe, and immersed in the beauty and peace of creation?  Your United Methodist camps would LOVE to be that place!  Come stay with us for a time apart to experience Christ, Creation, and Community.  Each camp

follows COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures that meet guidelines set by each state and the CDC.  These include requiring masks and social distancing in common areas, limiting space in individual bedrooms to family groups, minimal to no contact with other onsite groups or staff, reducing group sizes as needed, and maximizing time outdoors when possible. 

A reminder that all clergy and their household families are welcome to stay at any of our United Methodist Camp and Retreat Centers at no cost.  Discounts may be available, as well, for those groups doing volunteer work projects at the camp. There are always special projects to do around camp that could use your help!  

For questions or information about getaway options for your family or group, opportunities for work teams, safety concerns, and availability, please contact the campsites directly.