Summer Camp FAQs
Commonly Asked Questions from Parents and Campers:
- How do I register?
- Are there early registration discounts?
- Can we request cabin buddies?
- How do I know I'm registered?
- What forms do I need to fill out and by when?
- Will I be billed? How do I find my balance?
- How do I make payments? When do I pay? Can I pay when I show up?
- When do I send money for canteen? How much should I send?
- Is there any help to pay for camp?
- What should we bring?
- When are drop-off & pick-up times?
- What is Express Lane check-in?
- When can we buy Camp apparel and souvenirs?
- How do I get to camp?
- What about medications?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- What about camp pictures?
- What do I do if my child has a special diet?
- Who owns Camp Omega?
- Do I have to be Lutheran to come to Camp Omega?
- How will my child be supervised while at Camp Omega?
- How are the pool and lake activities supervised?
- What has Camp Omega done about safety?
- Is it alright to bring a fan to camp?
- Where will my child sleep while at camp?
- What is the counselor to camper ratio for the programs?
- What medical services does the camp offer?
- What are some of the camp’s activities?
- What is the daily schedule?
How do I register?
Register on-line or return a completed registration form by mail or FAX (507-685-4401) along with the required $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit or full payment per camper. Personal Check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover Card are accepted forms of payment. Please include card type, account number, signature, validation code, and expiration date
Are there early registration discounts?
To receive the $10 early registration discount, camp fees must be paid in full prior to March 1.
Can we request cabin buddies?
Participants may list up to two other campers they wish to have as cabin mates. All buddies must be registered for the same camp program session and dates in order for the request to be honored. Friends are a valuable aspect of summer camp, and every effort will be made to honor your requests.
How do I know I'm registered?
Upon receipt and processing of your online or mailed registration and required $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit, a Registration Confirmation will be sent by email, confirming the registration, acknowledging payment and including information on how to prepare for the camp session. Those registering online will also receive an automated email acknowledging that the registration was received in our office. Please save and refer to all emails for future payment information.
What forms do I need to fill out and by when?
A Health Form and Camper Information Sheet must be received AT LEAST 14 DAYS PRIOR to camp session, along with final payment to secure your registration. Please note that some camp sessions require additional permission forms. See forms link to access this informaiton.
Will I be billed? How do I find my balance?
You will not receive invoices or payment reminders. When initial deposits or payments are made, a confirmation email will be sent showing payments, discounts, and balances due. Please save and refer to this information. Balance of camp fees must be received 14 days prior to the start of your camp session to secure your registration.
How do I make payments? When do I pay? Can I pay when I show up?
A minimum $50 deposit is required with all registrations. Additional payments can be mailed, or charged to a credit card by contating the Camp office by phone between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm weekdays. Upon processing your payment, you will be sent an email confirming the transactions and stating any balances due. You will NOT receive reminders or invoices regarding balances. In order to speed up the check–in process, our policy requires full payment of camp fees AT LEAST 14 DAYS PRIOR to the camp session. We encourage you to send canteen payments and make Photo CD payment (optional) prior to the first day of camp to qualify for
When do I send money for canteen? How much should I send?
Every day, campers have the opportunity to purchase items such as candy, crackers, ice cream and drink items at the Canteen. Campers will visit the Canteen once in the afternoon and once in the evening. They may purchase up to three items per visit. Items range in price from $.75−$1.50. We recommend depositing $20-30 for a full week and $10-15 for weekend camps into their camp bank account. Purchases are deducted from the account that is deposited at the time of registration or check-in. Any remaining funds can be refunded at the conclusion of the camp session or donated to the Camp’s mission project. Clothing merchandise may be purchased only during check-in and departures days. Call the Camp office between 8:30 am t0 5:00 pm weekdays to make camp fee or canteen payments via credit card. Checks can be mailed to the camp office. Canteen deposits may be made at registration, however Express Lane Check-In requires canteen deposits be received prior to arrival.
Is there any help to pay for camp?
Please don’t let finances prevent your child from experiencing a
What should we bring?
For a complete listing of what to bring as well as what NOT to bring, locate the “You’re Registered: Everything You Need to Know” under the “forms” link at the top right of this page. Here you'll find the above mentioned brochure as well as answers to other questions and other required forms.
When are drop-off & pick-up times?
Check-in for sessions that begin on Sunday is from 4:00-5:00 pm. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday registration is from 6:30 –7:00 pm. Please do not arrive before check-in time as
What is Express Lane check-in?
Prior to check-in, all campers who have 1) camp balances paid in full, 2) submitted canteen money and, 3) submitted required Health Form and Camper Information sheet AT LEAST 14 days prior to start date of the camp session, will qualify for Express Lane check-in. In the
When can we buy Camp apparel and souvenirs?
Camp Omga apparel and souvenirs are available for purchase during check-in and check out days only.
How do I get to camp?
Visit the maps link for direction and printable map information.
What about medications?
The Health Form must list all medications (See above). At check-in, all medications (prescription or over-the-counter) must be turned in to the Health Care Coordinator to be safely dispensed as prescribed. All medications must be in their original packaging, bottle, or containers labeled with campers name. Any concerns can be reviewed with the Health Care Coordinator on duty.
What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be received in writing by mail or email. A refund, minus the non-refundable deposit, will be granted if the request is received 30 days prior to the first day of the camp session.
What about camp pictures?
During every camp session, photos will be taken of cabin groups and campers during their activities. These photos will be made available on a Memory CD/DVD for $9. These CD/DVDs can be ordered at check-in or on the last day of the camp session.
What do I do if my child has a special diet?
Dietary needs must be communicated to the camp prior to arrival, outlined on the camper's Health Form and discussed with the Health Care Coordinator at the time of arrival. Camp Omega is willing to accommodiate needs as able. Dietary needs will be discussed with the camp's Food Service Director.
Who owns Camp Omega?
Camp Omega is non-profit organization that is overseen by a board of directors. The property is owned by the Minnesota South District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Click here to contact our staff.
Do I have to be Lutheran to come to Camp Omega?
Camp Omega is a Christ-centered organization owned by the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Camp Omega is broad in its outreach, welcoming and ministering to diverse denominations and many non-churched families. Our de-emphasis on issues peripheral to the Gospel has enabled us to deeply affect people from many faith traditions.
How will my child be supervised while at Camp Omega?
All counselors are over 18 years old and have completed at least one year of college. Our ten days of staff training covers camper safety and health, program activities, and Bible Study preparation. All counselors are American Red Cross certified in CPR and First Aid. On Main Camp, counselors stay with the campers in the cabins; in the Outpost, counselors stay in a counselor quad. All camp games and activities are supervised by the counselors.
How are the pool and lake activities supervised?
All aquatic activities are under the direct supervision of American Red Cross certified lifeguards.
What has Camp Omega done about safety?
Camp Omega is annually inspected by the State of Minnesota Department of Health and is accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA). Developed exclusively for the camping industry, the ACA is a nationally recognized program that focuses on program quality and health and safety issues, and requires us to review every facet of our operation. Camp Omega voluntarily submits to this independent appraisal done by camp experts and has earned this mark of distinction.
Is it alright to bring a fan to camp?
The cabins can get hot, so fans are OK. Since there is not a lot of extra room in the cabins, please limit the size of your fan. However, remember that there is no electricity in the Outpost Villages.
Where will my child sleep while at camp?
The program descriptions for each camp describe which facility is homebase for the program. Our photo albums offer a tour that may give you a better idea of the camp’s facilities. The cabins each typically hold 16 campers and two counselors. Campers sleep in bunk beds. There are two private bathrooms in each cabin.
Our Outpost Village includes Treehouses, Tepees, Rustic Cabins, and Covered Wagons. Campers sleep in bunk beds in each of these camps. There is no indoor plumbing or electricity at these camp sites. Campers shower once a day, after swim time, at the camp’s Retreat Center. Each Outpost Village has an outdoor kitchen and fire ring.
What is the counselor to camper ratio for the programs?
For the 6–8 year old programs, there is one counselor for every five campers. For 9-18 year olds, there is one counselor for every eight campers. Camp Omega Outpost Villages follow a "decentralized" camping model, with the idea of creating small clusters of living areas where campers are with the same small group of counselors and campers throughout the week, thus making the experience more personal. This way, the campers are able to experience activities and events while still focusing of relationships.
What medical services does the camp offer?
During each camping session, Camp Omega has a Health Care Volunteer on duty. In case of emergency, hospitals in Waseca and Faribault are within 15 minutes.
What are some of the camp’s activities?
Each program’s activities are selected based on the age level of the campers and the goals for that particular program and/or camper group. Core activities include swimming, archery, arts & crafts, and canoeing. Counselors and cabin groups also have the opportunity to select other program options to fill out their daily schedule. These optional activities may include pontoon rides, sailing, kayaking, small group games, soccer, sand volleyball, and nature activities.
What is the daily schedule?
Our daily schedule changes based on program, group, aged, and weather. A very basic, general schedule looks like this:
Cabin Wakeup
Breakfast
Morning Cabin Clean Up
Morning Group Games
All Camp Devotions
Activity 1 (Bible Study, Canoeing, Crafts etc).
Activity 2
Lunch
FOB (Flat on Bunk - quiet time)
Activity 3 (Swimming, Canteen time, Archery etc).
Activity 4
Activity 5
Large Group Game
Supper
Activity 6
All Camp Activity
Canteen Time
Campfire Devotions
Evening Cabin Group Devotions
Lights Out