Students: Middle & High School
2026 Summer Camp FAQs!
Where is the Middle School Summer Camp?
Olivet Nazarene University
1 University Ave
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
What are the dates?
Both Camps are 4 days and 3 nights
Middle School Camp: Thursday, June 25 to Sunday, June 28, 2026
High School Camp: Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19, 2026
What is the cost for students?
$379 Early Registration to May 15th
$425 Late Registration after May 15th
Is Financial Aid available for my family?
We never want finances to prevent a student from attending camp. If your family requires financial assistance, please contact Mike Lee PRIOR to registering.
Why are we changing from Christ in Youth (CIY) to attending Willowcreek Community Church camp?
This year, Hope Student Ministry is working with Willow Creek Community Church to plan and coordinate our summer camps. While we’ve had great experiences with Christ in Youth (CIY) in the past, this collaboration allows us to shape programming and activities specifically to the needs of our students. Our new summer camp program allows students to experience a full camp, while volunteers miss less work, as the dates now overlap with weekends. Additionally, this change allows us to add an extra day of camp while keeping overall costs the same as previous years. Please contact Mike Lee if you have any questions.
How do I get a camp t-shirt for my student?
You can order your student a t-shirt during registration. All t-shirts are adult sizes
Is transportation provided?
Bus transportation will be provided for camp to and from Hope Community Church. Details regarding departure and arrival times will be sent as we get closer to camp.
What if my student needs to arrive late or leave early?
We understand that students have a lot of commitments that might interfere with camp. A student will have the best camp experience if they can participate the entire weekend without interruption. If there are any extenuating circumstances, please contact Mike Lee in advance of camp departure.
Where will students sleep?
Students will stay in dorm rooms. Girls and boys will be roomed in different buildings. Girls are not allowed in boys’ dorms and boys are not allowed in girls’ dorms. Your student’s leader will be located on the same floor. There will also be security personnel patrolling throughout the night.
Will there be adult supervision?
Yes, students will need to stay with their small group leaders throughout the entire camp.
Who will be my student’s Small Group Leader at camp?
Every adult small group leader at camp will be vetted, trained, and have completed background checks. While we hope that most of our current leaders (and leaders for our incoming 6th grade class) will be able to attend camp; there is a chance that groups will have a substitute volunteer for camp. Your student’s small group leader will be included in the informational email prior to camp.
What if my student has dietary restrictions?
You will be asked when you register about any special dietary needs. Please indicate on the form what your student’s dietary needs are, including vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and list food allergies (please indicate severity, cross contamination, airborne, and other concerns). Olivet Nazarene University serves a variety of foods at each meal and can make special plates upon request.
What if my student needs medications at camp?
Please submit all medications your student will need during check-in in a Ziploc bag along with a Medication Form. Medicine will be given out at meal times and bedtimes by our medical team. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), Zyrtec, Benadryl, Pepto Bismol, and other OTC medications will be available from our medical team as needed. Please do not have your student keep medications with them, except for an inhaler or EpiPen (please bring duplicates of these items to leave with the medical team). Please note, students who need to take medications are expected to remember to go to the medical station at their scheduled time.
Will there be medics onsite?
Yes, we will have a medical team staying with us all weekend.
What are your expectations for student behavior at camp?
Our goal is to provide an excellent experience for every student that attends our overnight events and camps. In order to achieve this, it is important that every student knows and follows our expectations for them to be responsible, respectful, and safe. Please read our Code of Conduct and discuss it with your student before camp.
What if my student has special needs?
Our hope is that all students have a true sense of belonging within our Middle School community and are able to attend camp. In order to best ensure the safety and fun of all our camp participants, we are asking parents to find a buddy for their student. A buddy is someone who will provide necessary assistance, in order for your student to have a successful experience. Our desire is for every student to have a safe, fun, and excellent experience over the weekend. Please contact Mike Lee for arranging these case by case situations.
What should my student pack for camp?
Middle School Packing List
High School Packing List
Can my student bring their phone to camp?
Middle School Camp:
We would love for this camp to be an opportunity for students to unplug from their normal routines and to be present without distractions. We are asking that students please leave phones at home. If a parent needs to contact their student during camp, there will be options available. Personal contact information for Mike Lee and small group leaders will be provided prior to camp departure.
High School Camp:
Phones are allowed at camp because there are so many positive uses, like communicating with leaders and other students and sharing fun experiences on social media. However, we will not tolerate any behaviors on phones that hurt another person or include inappropriate content. We will also be eliminating the use of cell phones during overnight hours, which will feel similar to a rule like “Keep your phone in the kitchen overnight and not in your bedroom”. We will have lockable pouches that students will put their phones in, lock, and then keep with them throughout the night. In the morning, the pouches will be unlocked and phones can be used throughout the day. If your student can’t follow this policy, we are asking that students please leave phones at home. We are going to ask that students leave their tablets, laptops, and gaming systems that connect to the internet at home. This will be a weekend to unplug! Contact information for Mike Lee and small group leaders will be provided prior to camp departure.
What if there is an emergency and I need to get in contact with a staff member immediately?
We have a 24/7 emergency number during camp that will go straight to Taylor Nelson-Ward, the Camp Operations Director. You can call or text 224-512-2083.
What is the Cancellation Policy?
The deadline for cancellation requests is June 7 - no refunds will be issued after this date.
Please contact Mike Lee for any cancellation requests prior to June 7.