Camp Lakeside policies
Camp Lakeside is a Christian community with roots in the United Methodist Church. Lakeside has hosted children, youth, adults, families, church groups, non-profits, reunions from many different backgrounds, faiths and backgrounds.
Group leaders: it is your responsibility to review this information with participants in your group. Please note that neither the Great Plains UMC or Camp Lakeside is responsible for insurance coverage of any individual or group.
before you arrive
Deposits
20% of the total estimated charge is due when the responsible party signs and returns your final contract to guarantee the reservation of group event dates. 90% of the amount given is refundable if canceled 30 days before event. All cancellations require a written notice and confirmation with Camp Lakeside.
services
GUEST SERVICES
A camp host will be on call 24 hours a day for guests. If this person is temporarily not on site, they will provide you with a phone number to contact them with and will designate someone who will be on site to check in on your group. The host will welcome the group as well as provide a safety orientation.
Medical SERVICES
Groups must provide their own adults currently certified in First Aid, CPR and AED who are responsible for the health needs of the group. We do not have a healthcare provider for guest groups (summer camps only). Our AED is located in the office.
Groups are responsible for gathering and maintaining information on all members of the group that includes name, address, emergency contact information, and any allergies/health conditions/restrictions. For minors without a parent on-site, group leaders should also have signed permission forms to seek emergency treatment. Group leaders are responsible for informing the Camp Director of any allergies or restrictions within their group that may affect camp services provided.
The closest medical treatment is the Scott County Hospital in Scott City. The hospital is approximately 20 minutes from Lakeside. Groups are responsible for their own emergency transportation. Phone numbers and locations of local EMS providers, clinics, and hospitals are located in all buildings, and in welcome information in all buildings rented. County emergency services are available by dialing 9-1-1.
Groups are responsible for providing their own first aid supplies, equipment, and medical personnel.
Safety orientation will include updated emergency procedures for camp including information about how to contact camp personnel in an emergency.
FOOD SERVICES
If your group would like Camp Lakeside to provide food services, we have a set meal schedule unless other arrangements are made, in advance. Breakfast is served at 8am, lunch at noon, and dinner at 5:30pm. Meals are served family style.
We understand that sometimes a head count can be difficult. If your group has less people than your confirmation number, we hold the right to charge for the full count that was described in your contract.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Storm Shelter
We have three designated storm shelters at Lakeside. Our staff will keep in contact with your group about any weather alerts and if the shelters needs to be utilized.
Other Emergencies & Lost group members
In most emergencies, it is important to call 9-1-1 FIRST, then contact camp staff.
In case of fire, move away from the fire, call 9-1-1 and notify camp staff. Do NOT go in to a burning building.
In case of lost group members, please notify the Camp Director immediately.
RESTRICTIONS
Alcohol/smoking/weapons/etc.
Lakeside prohibits alcohol use, period. Same goes for drugs and illegal items. Smoking is allowed outside, at least ten feet from doorways, so long as cigarette butts are places in designated cans. Weapons are not allowed on site. Kansas allows concealed carry, however we do NOT. Please keep weapons locked in vehicles and do not send children to camp with anything that could be deemed a weapon.
Lakeside reserves the right to dismiss any individual or group for failure to abide by any policies, illegal activity, or concern for health and safety. Lakeside reserves the right to inspect living areas and personal property once reasonable suspicion of a crime or policy infringement has been established.
Swimming & boating
We do not allow swimming in Scott Lake without Lakeside’s lifeguards on duty. If the lake is in season and you’d like to swim, let us know and we can schedule a lifeguard for you. The same is to be said for canoeing. Sailing is unfortunately not offered to our guests at this time, if you’re interested in sailing, reach out to see what opportunities there are for that at another time.
You are not allowed to “lifeguard yourself.” In the past, we allowed groups to bring their own guards, however we can not offer that anymore. If we find that you used the pool without one of our guards your group may be asked to leave. Please do not take boats out without staff. Sadly, we can’t swim in our side of the lake. If you’re wanting to swim in the lake, we are happy to shuttle people to the Beach House and provide lifeguards, as the State Park requires Park Permits on vehicles.
Vehicles
Vehicular traffic is only allowed on designated roadways and parked in designated parking areas. Please do not park where a vehicle may block a driveway or road. The speed limit at camp is 5mph. Please watch for children, pedestrians, and pets. Riding in the back of a pickup truck is prohibited by Kansas State Law. No one shall operate any vehicle without a license or permit. Use of camp vehicles is very strictly prohibited.
Pets
Camp Lakeside has a no-pet policy because some of our guests (whether or not in your group) may have allergies or sensitivities. However, please contact our office if you need to/would like to bring your service animal, therapy animal, or emotional support animal.
We ask that support animals do not enter food preparation/eating areas or go in the pool.
If you really need to play with a dog while you’re at Camp Lakeside, we encourage you to find our resident Camp Dogs — Sage Biscuit, Red, or Phoebe!
GROUP RESPONSIBILITIES
Personal property
Camp Lakeside is not responsible for any personal property or equipment belonging to your group that is lost, stolen, or damaged. Please do a thorough check of all sleeping quarters and meeting spaces for personal belongings before departure. Lakeside will hold lost and found items for up to a month. Personal sports equipment must be approved in the office.
CHILD SUPERVISION
Groups are responsible for their participants’ behavior while at camp. All children/youth under the age of 18 must be under the supervision of a responsible adult from your group at all times during your stay. We recommend that children under the age of 5 be with a legal guardian at all times, a ratio of 1 adult to every 6 children ages 6-8, 1 adult to every 8 children ages 9-14, and 1 adult to every 10 teens ages 15-18. We also recommend that co-ed groups have supervisors of each sex present (in cabins this is mandatory), that your supervisors or counselors are at least 5 years older than your campers, 100% of your staff is 18 or older when serving camps for people with special needs, and that the contact person for each group is at least 25 years old.Never be alone with a camper. Always follow the rule of 3- always three per group, especially in bathrooms, healthcare settings, with special needs campers, and in specific program areas. Please make sure all staff or leaders have gone through background checks.
We urge you to hike in groups so that no adult is ever alone with a child. We normally take groups of at least three.
Building usage
Please help us save energy by turning off all lights and closing doors when leaving buildings. Use only those buildings assigned for your use and stay out of all others. All groups are requested to leave their areas clean. Please sweep out buildings used, put trash and recycling in their proper places, and put away any used items back to their original locations.
Damage/Extra Cleaning
We ask that your group leader report any pre-existing damage to camp staff as soon as possible. Damage inflicted by the group will be charged to the group on the basis of the cost of materials and labor.
Food & Snacks
We love all God’s critters, just not in our beds. Therefore, food and beverage are prohibited in sleeping quarters. Please keep all food and snacks in sealed containers in your group’s meeting space.
Campfires
Because of the amount of moisture we get out here (or don’t get), we often find ourselves in a Fire Ban. Please check with our staff before burning ANYTHING. If you’d like the Lakeside staff to build your fire, we’re happy to if you let us know.
If you do have a campfire, please make sure your fire is always watched carefully. It is the group leader’s responsibility to make sure the fire is extinguished completely before leaving the fire pit.
CAMP PROPERTY
Equipment
Feel free to use our sports equipment while you’re at camp, but please remember to return it. Please do not intentionally damage our property. If something accidentally gets damaged, no worries—just let us know. Equipment can be found in the Flowers Shelter or checked out at the Office.
Camp Lakeside is not responsible for any personal equipment you or your group members bring to camp with you. Please use your best judgement when selecting equipment to bring to camp. Please label all equipment (especially sporting equipment) with your first and last name along with your group’s name in case of lost items.
Linens
At this time, bedding is not provided. However, we do have a small number of extra bedding and towels in the lodge in case anyone forgets anything. Our beds are almost twin size.