Youth Camps

• 9:00 AM – Day Camp Begins
• 9:15 AM – Big Group – Songs, skits and devotional
• 9:45 AM – Small Group by Age – Dive deeper into the devotional with your counselor & fellow campers
• 10:15 AM – Morning AFA Block (Awesome Fun Activities!)
• 11:30 AM – Lunch & Change for Pool!
• 12:30 -2:00 PM – Swimming/Water Activities – Pool time, water games, and maybe even a camper car wash!
• 2:30 PM – Siesta Time – A chill moment to rest, recharge, and reset
• 3:00 PM – Afternoon AFA Block – More awesome activities to finish the day strong
• 3:30 PM – Wrap Up – Highlights, smiles, and a look back at the day’s best moments
• 4:00 PM – Dismissal – Campers head home—tired, happy, and ready for tomorrow’s adventures

Spiritual learning and growth can happen informally throughout the entire day as campers and their counselors build healthy relationships and enjoy lots of outdoor fun together! Campers participate in a wide variety of activities including sports, arts, outdoor games, and more.

In the mornings, there is a time of singing and a brief devotional, and then counselors and campers have a follow-up Bible study or devotional time together.

We strive to have a Counselor: Camper ratio of 1:8. This ratio is adjusted according to the number and age of the campers enrolled in the program.

Your camper’s wellbeing is our highest priority. Below is an overview of the measures we take to ensure every child feels secure, supported, and ready to enjoy their day with confidence.

Team Members

A quality team makes all the difference. Spruce Lake Day Camp selects, screens, and trains all team members with great care and attention.

Team Selection – We seek to find dependable Christian men and women who are living their faith authentically and with integrity who possess the skills and gifting for the roles they are seeking. We hold our team members to a high standard to ensure a high quality of care.

Team Member Screening – Each team member is carefully screened. We require each summer team member to go through the application process annually, even if previously hired. We review applications, screen confidential references, review employment/education history, and conduct personal interviews. All team members complete the clearances required by PA state law for working with children.

Team Training – Team members attend a training event that covers both general subjects and subjects specific to their roles. Our training involves sessions on Health and Safety, Risk Management, Age Group Characteristics, Organizational Mission, Supervision and more. Key team members are trained in CPR and First Aid.

Supervision – All team members are trained in appropriate camper supervision. Spruce Lake Day Camp closely follows the rule of 3, which requires that no team member is ever alone with a camper.

Outside of extenuating emergency situations, the only exception may be if a camp shuttle driver is picking up/dropping off one camper at the first/last stop – shuttle arrival times at camp are monitored to provide accountability.

Counselors and leadership are equipped with radios to ensure timely communication and support.

Water Safety

Lifeguards are on duty when the pool is open, and counselors provide additional supervision for campers.

A swim test is required for campers to go in the deep end of the pool, and colored bands are used to identify swim levels.

Campers who are not confident swimmers are encouraged to bring and wear flotation devices/life jackets.

Life jackets are required for all pond activities (kayaks, paddleboats, etc.).

Emotional Safety

Spruce Lake cultivates a community grounded in mutual respect for campers and team members alike. Our team is trained in active supervision so they can recognize, prevent, and address harmful behavior—whether physical or emotional. When issues occur, we prioritize restoring relationships between campers and/or team members whenever possible. Campers who show repeated or escalating misconduct will receive clear warnings and appropriate interventions. These interventions are designed to de-escalate the situation, redirect the camper(s) involved, and create a clear path to rebuild healthy connection whenever possible. Interventions may include taking a break from activities, meeting with camp leadership, calling home to inform parents, or, in the case of serious/repeated offenses, being sent home.

Camper Pick-Up Procedure

Campers will only be dismissed to authorized adults. If an adult who is not on the list of authorized adults attempts to pick up a camper, we will contact the parents/guardians on file to confirm before releasing the camper.

Photo ID is required if the team member is not familiar with the adult doing pick-up.

Emergency Procedures

There is an emergency action plan in place that team members have received in writing and reviewed in training. This plan provides detailed guidance for a variety of potential scenarios, tailored to their camp location.

In the event of an emergency at camp, we will do everything in our power to contact the guardians as quickly as reasonably possible.

Please rest assured that in the event of a communications breakdown, such as a power outage, regional crisis, or national incident, we are doing everything in our power to care for your child.