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What is a Fast Pass and how do I get one?
A Fast Pass allows you to go right to the housing table when
you arrive at camp, and to move right into your cabin. You will
be able to bypass the office registration line. ALL CAMPERS must
receive a health screening but Fast Pass campers will receive
their health screening later. To receive a Fast Pass, all
three of the following things must be true (there will be no
exceptions):
- Lakeside must receive your
full tuition payment at least two weeks before you are
scheduled to arrive at camp.
- Lakeside must receive a camp
store deposit at least two weeks before you are scheduled to
arrive at camp.
- Lakeside must receive your
properly completed health form at least two weeks before you
are scheduled to arrive at camp AND the form must be
cleared by our nurse (meaning there are no medications,
significant allergies or other health issues that are items of
concern to the nurse).
If any of these things arrive at
Lakeside less than two weeks before you arrive at camp, you will
need to go through the usual registration procedure. Be assured
we're doing all we can to make registration go smoothly and
quickly but please understand that it may take some time,
especially during our larger sessions.
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How do I get a copy of the
summer camp brochure and registration card?
If you have been to Lakeside in the past two summers, you
will automatically receive a brochure in the fall. You can
also give us a call (800-444-0253), or
send an e-mail note, and we'll be happy to mail one out
to you. You can also download
a Youth Camp registration form or a Family Camp registration
form.
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How
can I come to camp for free?
If you are
a returning camper and you recruit a first-time
camper, we’ll reward you with a $30 credit toward your
camp tuition. Recruit enough friends, and you could
come to camp free! To qualify, you must be a returning
camper, the person you invite must never have attended
a Lakeside youth camp in the past, and he or she must
give us your name at the time they submit their
registration whether by phone, in writing, or online.
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How can I register for camp?
You have several options.
- Parents may register campers
online (our preferred registration method).
- A registration form is
available on our downloads
page. You can print the form and mail it to us with a
check or credit card information.
- You can also fax the form to us
(413-447-8934). Remember to provide credit card information
for your deposit.
- You can also register by phone
(800-444-0253). Be prepared to provide the necessary
information including the week you wish to attend, name,
address, home phone, daytime/work phone, birthdate, grade
next fall, cabin partner request, and your home church. If
you call, you will also need to provide credit card
information for your deposit.
A deposit is always required
to hold your place. The deposit is $100 (or $65 for Pioneer
Camps). Please remember that $65 of the deposit is
non-refundable.
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Can I register online?
You can register for summer youth camps online by
clicking
here.
You may also download a
registration form and then mail or fax it to us along with
your deposit. You can also register by phone if you have a
credit card available.
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Is there any tuition assistance available?
Lakeside has a limited amount of funds available for tuition
assistance. To be considered for assistance an
application form must
be submitted.
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How can I get a free Lakeside
t-shirt?
To encourage campers to register early, we will give a free
Lakeside shirt to all those who register for camp AND pay
their full fee by April 15. Your registration and full camp
fee must be postmarked no later than April 15 to qualify.
This offer is limited to campers in our youth camps (does
not include family camps) and is limited to one free shirt
per camper. If you are registering for two weeks of camp,
you must pay the full fee for one week and at least $100 for
the second week to qualify for a free shirt. You can mark
your shirt size on your registration card.
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Can I request to be in the same cabin as
my friends?
When you register, you may request one or two friends as
cabin partners. There is space for this information on the
registration form. Both you and your friend should request
each other. Please note that we will not honor requests for
more than one or two friends. Some campers try to "chain"
together a number of friends in an effort to get them all
into the same cabin. If you do this, you will be
disappointed. Although sharing a cabin with a friend can be
a lot of fun, you will also be making many new friends at
camp. In addition, there are times throughout the day when
you will be able to spend time with campers who are not in
your cabin. The process of assigning campers to cabins is
often very complicated. For that reason (and several other
reasons) we will not honor requests for more than one or two
friends.
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What should I bring to camp?
Please mark everything you bring with your name! Bring
changes of clothing for six days, towels, swimsuit (modest,
one-piece suits only), two pairs of shoes, sleeping bag and
pillow, Bible, pen or pencil, insect repellent, flashlight,
toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, shampoo, camera and film,
completed health form (if you forgot to send it earlier),
and money for Taste & See, Lakeside's camp store which
carries snacks, t-shirts and other Lakeside gear (about $30
per week).
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What should I leave at home?
The following items need to be left at home. For the comfort
and safety of everyone, and to ensure a positive camp
experience for all, we reserve the right to inspect your
luggage and personal space. If you have a question about
something that is not on this list, call or
e-mail us. Radios, CD players, tape players (Walkmans,
iPods, etc.), electronic games (Gameboys, etc.), tobacco in
any form, alcohol, nonprescription drugs, inappropriate
reading material, clothing with potentially offensive words
or graphics (we get to decide what is offensive), fireworks,
firearms, anything that could detract from a positive camp
experience for you or others.
What is the
camp menu like?
Go here to see
all of the menus for our summer camps.
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Can people send me mail and stuff while
I'm at camp?
We will be happy to receive mail for you while you are at
camp. Your counselor will pick up your mail for you in the
office at least once a day. Packages are also acceptable,
but please be aware that we discourage large amounts of
snacks. The main reason for this is that food should not be
kept in your cabin. Your mailing address while you are at
camp is:
(Your Name)
Lakeside Christian Camp
195 Cloverdale St.
Pittsfield, MA
01201
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Can people send me faxes and
e-mail while I'm at camp?
Friends and family are welcome to send e-mail (we strongly
prefer this over faxes). To send email
to a camper:
Click Here. Be sure to sign your letter in the body of
the email. Faxes and e-mail will be printed and delivered with each
day's regular mail. You will not have access to a computer
while you are at camp, so you will not be able to send
replies to e-mail. Please be aware that you will not be able
to receive electronic greeting cards or other web-based
items. You are limited to plain e-mail messages.
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Can I send or receive phone calls at camp?
The short answer to this question is generally "no." Part of
the value of summer camp is getting away from things like
the telephone. We want you to focus on your camp experience
while you are here. We normally have as many as 160 campers
here at a time (in addition to about 60 staff members).
There simply is no way to allow access to a limited number
of phone lines. Of course, if your parents need to reach you
with an urgent message, they can call the camp office and we
will convey the message. If, for some reason, you simply
must call your parents while you are at camp, you may speak
with your counselor and he/she will come to the office and
make arrangements.
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Can people visit me while I'm at camp?
Again, the answer is generally "no." Since our camp sessions
are only one (or perhaps two) weeks long, we find that
parent visits are usually not necessary, and may even be
disruptive. At the same time, we're not here to deny parents
access to their children! If you feel it is important, we
will accommodate visits by parents. It is very important
that all visitors check in at the office when they arrive.
When a parent arrives to visit a camper, we will ask the
parent to wait while we send a staff member to locate the
camper and bring him/her to the office. Visitors may not
mingle with campers.
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When should I arrive at camp?
Registration begins at 2:30 on Sunday afternoon (Wednesday
afternoon for the second Pioneer Camp). We ask that you do
NOT arrive early since we will still be preparing for your
arrival. But do plan to arrive no later than 3:30 so you
won't mss the first scheduled events, including orientation
and skill class registration. You will check in at the
office, visit the
nurse for a brief health screening, and move into your
cabin. Next on the list is a swim test at the waterfront.
Then the all-camp orientation will be held in the chapel.
Parents are asked to be on their way by 4:00 so campers may
settle in and begin participating in the program with their
cabin group.
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When does camp end?
You will be ready to leave at about 9:00 on Saturday
morning. Your parents must be here to pick you up at that
time. Our staff (including your counselor) will have other
responsibilities for the remainder of the morning, and will
be off duty at noon. Therefore, it is very important that
your ride arrives on time. We will charge additional child
care fees for campers who remain past 10:00 am.
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Does Lakeside
provide transportation to camp?
No, we don't . Transportation to and from camp is your
responsibility. Often, there will be others coming from your
church and you may be able to share rides.
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How do I find the camp?
From the Mass Pike (I-90), take exit 2. Follow Route 20 west
(actually you'll be driving mainly north) for about 8-1/2
miles. You'll drive through Lee and Lenox. Just after
entering Pittsfield (watch for the Dakota Restaurant on the
right) you'll come to a stop light. This is Dan Fox Drive.
Turn left onto Dan Fox (toward the Pittsfield airport).
Follow Dan Fox for almost 3 miles, until it ends at Barker
Road. Turn left on Barker, and then an immediate right onto
Cloverdale Street. Follow Cloverdale for about 1/2 mile.
Watch for the camp sign on the left. Turn left onto the camp
road. For more complete driving driving from various
locations, check our Driving
Directions page.
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How do I sign up for skill classes?
Skill classes are activities you choose. Most weeks we offer
two skill class periods per day. You will take two different
skill classes (each class will meet once each day, for five
days). Beginning November 1 we keep track of the order in
which we receive camp registrations. On the first day of
camp you will be able to sign up for skill classes
(activities like arts and crafts, canoeing, sailing,
archery, sports, waterskiing, etc.) in the order your
registration was received. That means those who registered
earlier (in November, for example) will choose skill classes
before those who registered later (i.e. April or May). Skill
class registration is part of the Sunday orientation
program, following dinner.
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If I sign up late will I still get to take
skill classes?
Absolutely! There are plenty of skill classes for everyone.
However, your choices may be more limited if you register
for camp later. Keep in mind that skill classes are just
part of the fun at Lakeside. There are plenty of other
activities, so even if you don't get your first choices,
you're sure to have a great time. And you may just discover
some new interests as a result of the skill classes you
take!
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Can I do laundry while I'm at
camp?
Our very limited laundry facilities are used for staff and
our own facility needs. Laundry service will be provided for
Max Campers (two-weekers).
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What is the daily schedule
like?
A typical day will go something like this: Breakfast,
Morning Prep (some lively worship in the chapel, followed by
a speaker), and then two morning skill classes. Lunch is
next, usually followed by FOB/FOB (flat on back, feet on
bed). Then there may be another skill class period. Then
comes afternoon free time. The camp store will be open, as well as the waterfront, arts
and crafts, and recreation area. There are often optional
tournaments and events in the afternoons. Before supper you
will have a cabin activity (you and your cabin mates decide
together what you would like to do). Supper is next,
followed by an all-camp activity. This could be a wide-area
game, a counselor hunt, or another special activity. The
camp store may be open for some evening refreshment, and
then we head to Chapel for some great music and a speaker.
Just before bed you will spend a few minutes with your cabin
wrapping up the day with evening devotions.
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Do I have to participate in all
the activities?
You will be expected to participate fully in the planned
activities, including skill classes, all-camp activities,
Chapel, cabin activities, meals, etc. If you are not feeling
well, you'll need to see our camp nurse and might be excused
from active participation. Otherwise, we'll expect to see
you involved.
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What can I buy in Taste & See, Lakeside's
camp store?
Taste & See is loaded with all kinds of Lakeside gear.
You'll find t-shirts, sweatshirts and caps, as well as other
fun stuff. We have posters, postcards, Lakeside logo
merchandise, books and more. In addition to Lakeside
apparel, we have a great collection of Christian t-shirts.
The selection is always growing and changing. We also have a
variety of snacks and beverages. The store is located next
to the camp office.
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