Summer Camp Overview
Camp Kidwell is an American Camp Association (ACA) accredited and state of Michigan licensed camping program and facility set on 150 beautiful acres on Eagle Lake in Bloomingdale, Michigan. Our facilities and programs allows children to explore the outdoors in a safe, fun and exciting environment! Our facility features single room cabins which sleep 11, a central dining hall, central bathhouse and many great and up to date activity areas.
Below are details about summer camp program as a whole. For specific details about Day Camp or Overnight Camp, please click the button above or use the navigation bar.
Below are details about summer camp program as a whole. For specific details about Day Camp or Overnight Camp, please click the button above or use the navigation bar.
Our Philosophy
We use a wide variety experiences and activities we help our campers learn to make choices and decisions for themselves, interact with other campers and staff members and enjoy all the great opportunities we offer. Through discovery of the great outdoors, skill development and guidance in the importance of building healthy relationships, campers leave with a renewed sense of achievement, belonging, confidence and courage to try new things. Camp Kidwell is an inclusive organization that welcomes all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion or disability.
We use a wide variety experiences and activities we help our campers learn to make choices and decisions for themselves, interact with other campers and staff members and enjoy all the great opportunities we offer. Through discovery of the great outdoors, skill development and guidance in the importance of building healthy relationships, campers leave with a renewed sense of achievement, belonging, confidence and courage to try new things. Camp Kidwell is an inclusive organization that welcomes all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion or disability.
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Safety
The health of our campers, staff, volunteers, and families is always our #1 priority. Camp can not happen if our campers and staff members do not feel safe. Of course, as we are working with children and offering a huge variety of activities, so we can not take away all risk. That is the simple truth of living on this earth.
Here are a few other details we used to minimize risk.....
We work very, very hard to minimize the risks present. Our activities are chosen to be age-appropriate. We work to eliminate as many obvious risks as possible and to lessen the effects of risks that can't be eliminated. Example: horses are a huge camper favorite, but they are one of the highest risk areas of camp.....So we do everything we can to limit those risks. Campers wear helmets, long pants, heel-footwear, staff is trained, horses are tested, emergency plans are reviewed and practiced and much more. This doesn't mean an accident won't happen, it simply means they will be few and far between and if they do happen, we will be ready to handle them in the most appropriate way.
Our staff is carefully selected, trained, supervised and coached. Our staff members go through a rigorous character-based interview process. They are carefully screened through the highest standards of child safety practices, including background checks and reference verification. Each staff member is selected for their personality traits, hands on skills and concern and care of our campers. Professional program staff work directly with counselors to provide guidance and support. All staff are certified in first aid and CPR. We are accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed by the State of Michigan.
The health of our campers, staff, volunteers, and families is always our #1 priority. Camp can not happen if our campers and staff members do not feel safe. Of course, as we are working with children and offering a huge variety of activities, so we can not take away all risk. That is the simple truth of living on this earth.
Here are a few other details we used to minimize risk.....
We work very, very hard to minimize the risks present. Our activities are chosen to be age-appropriate. We work to eliminate as many obvious risks as possible and to lessen the effects of risks that can't be eliminated. Example: horses are a huge camper favorite, but they are one of the highest risk areas of camp.....So we do everything we can to limit those risks. Campers wear helmets, long pants, heel-footwear, staff is trained, horses are tested, emergency plans are reviewed and practiced and much more. This doesn't mean an accident won't happen, it simply means they will be few and far between and if they do happen, we will be ready to handle them in the most appropriate way.
Our staff is carefully selected, trained, supervised and coached. Our staff members go through a rigorous character-based interview process. They are carefully screened through the highest standards of child safety practices, including background checks and reference verification. Each staff member is selected for their personality traits, hands on skills and concern and care of our campers. Professional program staff work directly with counselors to provide guidance and support. All staff are certified in first aid and CPR. We are accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed by the State of Michigan.
Covid Preparedness
We will be implementing site/program specific COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan. Our plan has been created through thorough research and guidance from local, state and federal officials as well as the American Camp Association, fellow camps and other experienced camping professionals. and we will apply that concern as we navigate the challenges that COVID-19 will bring. Here are a few important details from our preparedness plan. We will publish the full plan when it is finalized.
We will be implementing site/program specific COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan. Our plan has been created through thorough research and guidance from local, state and federal officials as well as the American Camp Association, fellow camps and other experienced camping professionals. and we will apply that concern as we navigate the challenges that COVID-19 will bring. Here are a few important details from our preparedness plan. We will publish the full plan when it is finalized.
- Our program will consist of Cabin Groups of up to 8 campers and two staff members, who will navigate their date together
- Cabin groups will enjoy all of our amazing camp activities from years past, as well as many new ones.
- Cabin group based activities is new and we are very excited about this change. We believe it will create a new level of connection for campers and staff.
- All campers, families, and staff will be asked to do a pre-arrival screening
- The screenings will consist of temperature check, health check, exposure check, etc.
- Visitors will be limited to only
- We will install new check-in and check- out procedures to minimize exposure risk
- We will be implementing changes to our food service procedures to facilitate cabin group dining.
- We will be making changes facility wide to ensure the most out-door based programming possible
- Campers and staff will be required to wear masks for any indoor based activities. Outdoor activities will be reviewed on an individual basis, when risks are higher, masks will be required.
- Will will post more as we move closer to the summer and finalize the plans.
Please contact KJ Kelly, our director at (269)521-3559 or kj@campkidwell.org if you have questions about our COVID-19 Preparedness plan.
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Activities & Programming
Our campers have so many opportunities to do many activities they love as well as try new things. Campers will have the chance to do most activities at least once during their time with us. Our age appropriate programs allow campers to learn and grow while learning to interact with others.
Our campers have so many opportunities to do many activities they love as well as try new things. Campers will have the chance to do most activities at least once during their time with us. Our age appropriate programs allow campers to learn and grow while learning to interact with others.
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Core Activities
Swimming Archery Arts and Crafts Drama Canoeing Horseback Riding Sports and Games Ropes and Teambuilding |
Traditions and Specials
Water Trampoline Nature Exploration Campfires Singing Personal Growth Friends Memories Tent camping on Kidwell Island and much more..... |
Weekly Themes
Weekly themes add fun and excitement to each week. Campers always have the opportunity to participate in our core activities of swimming, archery, drama, team-building, crafts, canoeing, horses and recreation games but the theme enhances these activities and makes each week unique, fun and memorable. The weekly theme is created by specific activities in each of the core activity area, as well as in staff led skits and role play and special and creative activities and events. Choose the theme your camper like best, but know you will have a GREAT time no matter which week you choose!
Weekly themes add fun and excitement to each week. Campers always have the opportunity to participate in our core activities of swimming, archery, drama, team-building, crafts, canoeing, horses and recreation games but the theme enhances these activities and makes each week unique, fun and memorable. The weekly theme is created by specific activities in each of the core activity area, as well as in staff led skits and role play and special and creative activities and events. Choose the theme your camper like best, but know you will have a GREAT time no matter which week you choose!
Meals
We work hard to provide balanced meals our kiddos will enjoy. Along with the main course examples below we always offer alternate/additional items. Each meal includes fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, toast, yogurt, as well as vegetarian options. PLEASE NOTE: We are happy to ensure camper with special dietary needs have their needs met by working with parents/guardian to be sure we have the items they need. If you have a camper with a special diet need such as gluten free, religious-based diet, etc. Please contact us about any of these special needs and we will gladly work with you to develop a menu for your.0 Here are a few examples of main course meals.....
We work hard to provide balanced meals our kiddos will enjoy. Along with the main course examples below we always offer alternate/additional items. Each meal includes fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, toast, yogurt, as well as vegetarian options. PLEASE NOTE: We are happy to ensure camper with special dietary needs have their needs met by working with parents/guardian to be sure we have the items they need. If you have a camper with a special diet need such as gluten free, religious-based diet, etc. Please contact us about any of these special needs and we will gladly work with you to develop a menu for your.0 Here are a few examples of main course meals.....
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Breakfast
Pancakes and sausage Scrambled eggs, hash browns and ham Breakfast burritos and fruit Waffles and bacon French toast and sausage links |
Lunch
Hot dogs and chips Sloppy joes and tator tots Corn dogs and vegetables Hot ham and cheese and chips Hamburgers and french fries Pizza and fruits and veggies |
Dinner
Spaghetti and Green Beans Tacos and Spanish Rice Chicken Parmesan, carrots, seasoned noddles Ghoulash, veggies and garlic bread Macaroni and cheese and peas Chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes Beef enchiladas and brown rice |
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Registration
Our goal is to provide a camping experiences to all people regardless of the ability to pay established fees. We accomplish by setting fees at rates as affordable as possible by offering discounts, payment plans, as well as providing financial assistance to those for whom the camp fees my not be affordable.
How to register
#1 Online Registration - Click to Register Now!
#2 Paper Registration - please call or email us if online registration will not work for you. (269)521-3559 or kj@campkidwell.org
Tuition for each session includes.....
- All activities, room and board
- A t-shirt
- A digital group picture
- A digital copy of our weekly camp video - campers receive a digital copy of the weekly camp video featuring photos and videos set to music. This video will be edited and sent out after the completion of the summer camp season.
- $5 Credit in Camp Store - Parents can add additional money at camp or online
- Access to our Parent to Camper One-way Emails - This services gives parents and invited guests the ability to send one-way emails to their camper(s). Emails are printed each day and given to campers.
- Exclusive Online Photo Gallery - All families with registered children now have access to our exclusive online photo gallery. This feature allows families to see pictures and video of things happening at camp while their children are with us. We try to upload pictures from all of the activities and events that take place around camp and work to include all campers but we can not guarantee that every child will have their picture included.Access to our one-way
Financial aid
We offer financial aid in several different forms. We are blessed to have many generous individuals and organizations who help us fund our Robert "Bob" Geurink Memorial Scholarship Fund so we can offer scholarships each year. We also offer several different discounts.
Click here to learn about our discounts and fundraising opportunities
Click here to learn about camperships
Goals and Outcomes
Providing an EXTRAORDINARY CAMPING experience to EVERY child who attend Camp Kidwell is important to us. To achieve this mission, we have created several specific goals with detailed outcomes. We use these goals to guide our planning and the outcomes to evaluate our success level. An extraordinary experience not only means fun activities and positive memories, but also learning and growth.
Providing an EXTRAORDINARY CAMPING experience to EVERY child who attend Camp Kidwell is important to us. To achieve this mission, we have created several specific goals with detailed outcomes. We use these goals to guide our planning and the outcomes to evaluate our success level. An extraordinary experience not only means fun activities and positive memories, but also learning and growth.
G Provide a unique, exciting, fun-filled and growing experience to all campers.
O Campers learn personal strengths and weaknesses, and how to use them.
G Convey to each camper the feeling that he or she is a unique and worthwhile human being.
O Campers become more confident and outgoing and are able to express themselves more clearly.
G Each camper is a winner if he or she does the best they can with the abilities they have.
O Campers develop willingness to try new things.
G Provide experiences for cooperation and close relationship with campers and staff members.
O Campers develop a healthy respect and interaction level with adults.
G Provide a caring community so campers and staff work together and enjoy each new experience.
O Campers show concern for others and willingness to help each other solve problems.
G Expose campers to activities with which they may not be familiar.
O Campers develop interest in new activities.
G Offer skillfully taught and thoroughly organized individual, small group, and large group activities.
O Campers demonstrate ability to be productive members of any size group.
G Challenge children to treat each other with respect and promote positive communication skills.
O Campers think before acting and work through issues in positive and appropriate means.
G Provide challenging co-educational experiences, promoting a positive feeling between boys and girls.
O Campers demonstrate positive, meaningful relationships with members of the opposite sex.
G Maintain and build meaningful 4-H Camp Kidwell traditions through songs, activities, and camping.
O Campers want to become members of staff and continue to share the positive camp experience.
G Provide a quality overall program in which campers and families are excited about and want to return.
O Campers will want to return year after year.
O Campers learn personal strengths and weaknesses, and how to use them.
G Convey to each camper the feeling that he or she is a unique and worthwhile human being.
O Campers become more confident and outgoing and are able to express themselves more clearly.
G Each camper is a winner if he or she does the best they can with the abilities they have.
O Campers develop willingness to try new things.
G Provide experiences for cooperation and close relationship with campers and staff members.
O Campers develop a healthy respect and interaction level with adults.
G Provide a caring community so campers and staff work together and enjoy each new experience.
O Campers show concern for others and willingness to help each other solve problems.
G Expose campers to activities with which they may not be familiar.
O Campers develop interest in new activities.
G Offer skillfully taught and thoroughly organized individual, small group, and large group activities.
O Campers demonstrate ability to be productive members of any size group.
G Challenge children to treat each other with respect and promote positive communication skills.
O Campers think before acting and work through issues in positive and appropriate means.
G Provide challenging co-educational experiences, promoting a positive feeling between boys and girls.
O Campers demonstrate positive, meaningful relationships with members of the opposite sex.
G Maintain and build meaningful 4-H Camp Kidwell traditions through songs, activities, and camping.
O Campers want to become members of staff and continue to share the positive camp experience.
G Provide a quality overall program in which campers and families are excited about and want to return.
O Campers will want to return year after year.
