Parent info

Camp Harvest is an independent conservative bible believing Christian camp. Here, students get to experience a place that not only thrives on fun and adventure, but also encourages them to learn and grow in their faith, cultivating an environment where Christ is at the center and forefront of everything that we do.

We’re honored to partner with your church in your child’s camp experience and thank you for allowing them to be a part of such a special ministry. This page is designed to clearly outline what you can expect regarding safety, supervision, logistics, and spiritual programming during the week.

Who We Are

  • Camp Harvest exists to create life-changing experiences through extended trips and intentional relationships rooted in Jesus. Our camp week is designed for unplugging from everyday distractions, giving students space to:

    • Build meaningful relationships

    • Engage deeply in worship and teaching

    • Reflect, rest, and grow spiritually

  • We operate under our Christian statement of faith, centered on the authority of Scripture, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and salvation by grace through faith

    Faith formation happens in large-group worship, Bible teaching, and small group/cabin devotion times, emphasizing discipleship and an atmosphere of spiritual care and growth.

  • Camp Harvest operates as a ministry of Cultivate Churches, partnering closely with local churches to provide an enriching, safe camp experience.

    Camp Harvest provides:

    • The property, meals, logistics, and activity leadership

    • Trained summer staff and safety systems

    • Worship and programming support

    • Supervision of camp activities and water time

    • Fun, energetic, and enthusiastic staff who create exciting experiences that engage campers and set the stage for meaningful spiritual growth

    Your church provides:

    • Worship and Bible teaching during camp sessions

    • Cabin leaders who are responsible for the supervision of students at all times, overseeing their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being during all camp hours, ensuring someone always knows their location

    • Spiritual follow-up and ongoing discipleship

    This partnership ensures that Camp Harvest is not just a week away from home, but a catalyst for ongoing spiritual growth. Camp Harvest brings the fun, energy, and adventure that draw students in, creating the space for their church leaders to focus on building relationships and nurturing faith that lasts all year.

A day at camp

Our structured daily rhythm

It balances fun, adventure, and spiritual growth:

  • Morning gathering

  • Activity rotations led by trained staff

  • Team competitions & large group games

  • Supervised waterpark time

  • Evening worship & teaching

  • Evening activities

  • Mandatory cabin time & lights out

Activities

Activities For All Ages:

Archery, Splat-Ops (inflatable course w/ gel blasters), Arts & Crafts, Canoes and Kayaks, Tubing, Zipline, Rock Wall, Basketball, Volleyball, 9-square, pickleball, Gaga ball , Fishing, and RC cars

Additional Activities Offered to HS Students:

Mountain Bike Course and Paintball

Faith & Spiritual Formation

Generally, there are two intentional worship and/or teaching sessions per day. The morning is often tied to some individual reflection time and the evening session is followed up by small group discussion time.

These sessions are planned in advance and led by the church staff and cabin leaders.

arrival day & departure logistics

Many churches manage the student drop-off and pick-up at their own church facility as they bus students to and from camp. In that instance, follow the instructions laid out by your church youth leaders. For parents dropping off students at camp, here is what you can expect:

  • Follow these instructions:

    • Enter through main gate

    • Follow signs to brown barn

    • Park as directed

    • Drop luggage at trailer

    • Health check-in (forms + medications required)

    • Electronics remain with parents

  • Follow these Instructions:

    • Enter through main gate

    • Follow signs to brown barn

    • Park as directed

    • Bring your photo ID to show your identity as the authorized adult listed on registration for pick-up. 

    • Sign your child out on the release log

    • Pick up luggage at trailer

    • Pick up medications at Health Station

  • There are some rare instances where a student has to arrive or depart at a time that is different from the rest of the group. Here is what you can expect in such a situation: 

    • Entrance: You will enter camp through the big Camp Harvest gate. The gate will be closed upon your arrival and you will need to call for entrance. It is helpful if you call in advance and someone can meet you there as you arrive. Phone number: ????

    • Check-in Process: ???

    • Medications: ???

    Missed Orientations: ???

child safety

  • Our summer staff and church volunteers are trained, vetted, and committed to providing a safe, caring and Christ-centered environment:

    • All staff and church volunteers are background-checked, reference checked, and actively involved in a local church

    Staff complete far more than the state required 30 hours of training, including first aid, CPR, AED, lifeguard certification, and mandatory reporter training.

  • The Program Director oversees all camp operations

    • Church cabin leaders are responsible for constant supervision of their assigned campers, caring for their physical safety, emotional health, and spiritual growth throughout the day and evening.

    • Camp activity leaders oversee campers during programmed activities

    • Certified lifeguards supervise all water activities

    • No alcohol, drugs, or tobacco 

    • No inappropriate contact or unsupervised off-property departures

    • Only PG/family-approved media content

    • No exchange of personal contact info or sharing of social media

    • Cabin groups: Approx. 1 leader per 8–10 campers

    • Activity supervision: Approx. 1 staff per 10–12 campers

    • Water activities: certified lifeguards for all swimming or water-based activities

    • We serve three meals daily: breakfast (~8:00 am), lunch (~12:00 pm), dinner (~5:30 pm)

    • Meals are served buffet style

    • Menus are reviewed annually by a licensed nutritionist

    • Special dietary needs are accommodated under guidance from parents or physician

    • During registration you will have the opportunity to specify special dietary needs, specifically Gluten free, Dairy free, Nut free, Vegetarian, or Vegan. 

    • Any dietary accommodation beyond that should be discussed with our Kitchen Manager directly via email: kitchen@campharvest.com

    • All medications being sent to camp (prescription and non-prescription) should be detailed during registration and given to health officers upon arrival. 

    • No medications, even those belonging to leaders, are to be stored in cabins. Campers should never have access to any medications while at camp.

    • All medication must be sent to camp in its original packaging or we cannot distribute it to your child 

    • Medications are securely stored in a locked Health Center cabinet

    • Campers with inhalers or Epipens may carry them if approved by parents. This is done during the registration process.

    • Medications are distributed by certified health officers at meal times and bedtime as needed. 

    • Health officers log each time the camper receives the medication and stores those logs according to state regulations.

    • All Program Staff are trained in CPR, AED, and First Aid; emergency procedures are practiced weekly

    • Health Officers are trained and certified above and beyond these certifications each summer to manage illness and injury they may encounter in a camp setting

    • Health Officers have access to on-call RN and doctor who can assist by phone with information and directives. 

    • Every camper meets with the Health Officer at orientation within 24 hours of arrival to confirm all information we have is accurate and up to date. 

    • Health forms are reviewed and any special health needs addressed

    • Health records are confidential and securely stored

    • Cabin leaders monitor daily health and hygiene

    • Ill or injured campers are referred immediately to the Health Officer

    • Parents are contacted for serious illness or injury. This includes any sickness that requires additional medication or a recommendation of a trip to urgent care.

    • Nearest hospital: Gerber Memorial Hospital, Fremont, MI (231.924.1122)

    • Transportation by ambulance or camp vehicle depending on the situation

    • Staff are trained in CPR, AED, and First Aid; emergency procedures are practiced weekly

Health, food & special needs

Camp

Logistics

    • Campers do not have personal phones or devices during camp. Devices are collected at check-in by the church leadership and securely stored; may be accessed for emergencies

    • Parents can reach campers through their cabin leaders or through the Camp Admin in case of emergency

    • Mail is received daily; late mail is forwarded to the camper’s church

    Address: Camp Harvest

    Student’s name

      6829 E 72nd St

    Newaygo, MI 49337

  • No laundry facilities for campers; special requests may be accommodated

  • During registration you will be given the opportunity to add money to your child’s canteen money account. Here is what that money is for:

    • Camp Store: Located in the dining hall and open during meal times. Here they can purchase a sweatshirt or stickers or general camp merch.

    • Canteen: Located at courtside and open usually during evening activities. Here they can purchase chips, candy, ice cream and sodas, etc.

    • “Moo”: This is our ice cream truck located at waterpark and open during waterpark time. Here they can purchase chips, candy, ice cream and sodas, etc.

    Summer staff will track the use of their canteen money until it is gone and give students many chances to use their balance. Remaining balances at week’s end are considered a donation to camp.

    Students CAN use cash, but it is not recommended to bring valuables including cash to camp, which is why we recommend the canteen money option.

  • The packing list for each Student is: 1 medium sized bag, 1 bedroll, 1 backpack.       

    • Packing for Camp Bedroll: Sleeping bag, pillow, blankets/sheets.  We discourage campers from packing these items in a plastic garbage bag. Instead, we prefer that they are in a nylon drawstring laundry bag so they can use it when they pack to leave as well.

    • Suitcase/Duffel Bag: towel (1 or 2 for beach and bath), one-piece modest swimsuit, clothing for 5 days, 2 pairs of shoes, sweatshirt or jacket, rain gear (poncho), a bandana (optional), and a plastic bag for wet/dirty clothing.

    • Backpack: Bible, pen, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, flashlight, reusable water bottle,

    Optional: camera, rainy day cabin games/activities.

camp rules

At Camp Harvest, we strive to create a safe, respectful, and Christ-centered environment where every camper can grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially. The following guidelines are presented to students on the first day to help ensure a positive experience for everyone.

    • Stick to your assigned areas: Campers stay in cabins and bathrooms according to their gender. These areas are clearly marked and easy to follow. Leaders and staff support this structure to keep everyone safe, and campers should not enter spaces assigned to the opposite gender.

    • Respect restricted areas: Kitchens, maintenance spaces, and elevators are for authorized personnel only. Activity areas and water attractions are for use during designated supervised times only. Always follow staff guidance.

    • Use cabins for rest and small group time: Cabins are designated for sleeping at night and small group sessions. At other times, campers remain with their group and activities under the supervision of their leaders.

    • Respect the property of others - just as you wouldn’t want someone to touch your stuff or invade your privacy, please respect their things as well: If it is not yours don’t touch it and no one is to “raid” cabins, 

    • Respect the camp property: Leave cabins, buildings, equipment, and the natural environment as you found them.

    • Be punctual: Arrive on time for meals, activities, and programs to help everything run smoothly.

    • Rest well: Observe quiet hours at 11:00 pm to recharge and respect our neighbors.

    Important: Camp Harvest maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hazing, pranks, games involving punishments, or any activity that humiliates, pressures, or endangers another camper. Violations may result in immediate dismissal and the need for parent pick up.

    • Wear appropriate attire: Shoes and shirts are required at all times. Closed-toed shoes are required for high-adventure activities.

    • Keep food in designated areas: Avoid storing food in cabins to prevent wildlife and maintain hygiene.

    • Clear exits and pathways: Keep all exits open and accessible at all times.

    • Follow identification rules: Campers wear wristbands, leaders wear lanyards, and staff wear uniforms or clearly marked staff badges. Visitors check in and are escorted at all times by a screened leader or staff member.

    Buddy System: Campers should never be alone, and their cabin leader should always know where they are.  Adults are never alone with a camper; for private one-on-one conversations, a second adult must be present or the discussion should happen in a public area.

    • Phones or personal electronics

    • Alcohol, nicotine, or drugs

    • Weapons of any kind (including airsoft guns, pocket knives, razor blades, etc.)

    • Open flames (candles, matches, lighters)

    • Pornographic material or tattoo devices

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Our kitchen staff regularly accommodates several dietary restrictions with guidance from parents or physicians. During registration you will have the opportunity to specify special dietary needs. Please be conscious that our staff takes these very seriously. We ask that you do not request a dietary accommodation that your child does not plan to access as this increases our food costs and labor significantly. 

  • Only authorized adults as listed in registration. Photo ID and signature are required.

  • Campers do not have access to devices during camp. Devices are collected at check-in for safety and focus on community. We suggest swapping phone numbers with your child’s small group leader from church if you feel you need to check-in at any point. They will be the main point of contact with your child all week.

  • We have trained Health Officers who will care for your child for all regular needs. They have access to on-call physicians who can guide them through more difficult situations and advise on when to transport to urgent care if needed. All staff are trained as lifeguards with full CPR and AED certification. The local fire department is only a few minutes away in the case of a serious emergency. Parents are contacted immediately if the situation is serious.

  • Parents may call the Camp Admin, who can answer questions and connect them with Health Officers or leaders as needed. Or you likely already have a personal relationship with the small group leader of your child from youth group who is acting as their cabin leader this week at camp.

  • Phones, electronics, valuables, and items that could distract from the camp experience should be left at home.

    A wider list of items not permitted at camp can be found under the “Camp Rules” section.

Contact us with any additional questions or concerns