Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should my child attend Riverside?

• We believe Jesus changes lives for the better. Camp is an amazing opportunity for your child to grow in faith, build life-long relationships, and have a whole lot of fun along the way.

Q: What does Riverside do to promote camper safety?

• We have all staff participate in Ministry Safe awareness training.
• We have two cabin leaders in every cabin.
• We run background checks on all staff and adult volunteers will be on camp during youth events.
• We obtain references for all potential staff members.
• We have a series of declarative statements in the application and interview process about child safety and proper interaction with youth.
• When sensitive conversations arise from campers, we encourage our staff to have these conversations in groups that include at least two staff members. If there needs to be a 1-on-1 interaction, then we ask for this to happen in an open and public area, for the safety of both our campers and our staff.

It is our desire for camp to be a safe place for kids to thrive and learn about Jesus. It is our hope that through thorough interviews and training that we, with our summer staff, can manage risk and create a safe environment for youth to experience Jesus.

​Q: Who goes to camp?

• We have camp for anyone entering grades 3-12 and your summer after high school. We also offer a family camp for people of all ages.

​Q: What if I registered for an event/retreat and now I cannot attend?

• For non-summer retreats and events hosted by Riverside, if you need to cancel within two weeks of the start of the event, your deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable. If cancellation occurs within 48 hours of the event, you forfeit all registration fees paid. 
• For cancellations that occur two weeks or more before the event, the deposit can be transferred into a voucher that must be used before the end of the calendar year. Any remaining registration fees paid can either be refunded, placed in a voucher, or could also be transferred to an alternative camper.

​​Q: What if something comes up and my child can’t come to summer youth camp?

• If your child becomes ill and is not able to attend camp because of a potentially contagious illness, with correspondence from your healthcare provider, Riverside will transfer the deposit into a family payment voucher for use at a Riverside camp or event in the same calendar year. Any other registration fees paid can be refunded to the original form of payment.
• Cancellations or withdrawals: If your child cannot attend camp (for reasons not related to a contagious illness) the deposit will be transferred to a family payment voucher for use at a Riverside camp or event in the same calendar year. Transfer of the deposit may only take place if the family member is in the same household. Any fees paid beyond the deposit may be refunded to the original form of payment. Voucher monies not used before the end of the calendar year will not transfer to the next year.
• Cancellations or withdrawals not related to contagious illness in the seven days before camp begins will result in forfeiture of all registration fees paid.
• Special circumstances: If you feel your situation is unique and you need to visit with camp staff about it, please call camp and ask for the Director or Associate Director.

Q: What will we do at camp?

• Play games, daily Bible study, campfires, swimming, canoeing, worship during chapel, arts and crafts, meet our amazing and caring staff, make new friends, ride horses, and so much more!
• Check out our sample schedules for Junior High and Junior Week.

Q: What are the cabins like?

• All our cabins are air-conditioned, have indoor plumbing, and bunk beds. They house approximately 10 campers, and there are always two cabin leaders each week. Explorer and Pathfinder Adventure campers will stay in platform tents in Adventure Village.

​Q: What is the food like?

• We get a lot of compliments about our food! Our menu, planned by our kitchen staff, has a lot of variety and is well-balanced.  We are able to accommodate different dietary needs (gluten-free, vegetarian) and our hospitality coordinator, Paige, is happy to visit about individual situations that campers/families may have questions about. 

​Q: Can my camper come with a friend?

• Of course they can! Camp is a great environment to build healthy friendships! If a camper comes with a friend, we will always try to put them together in a cabin. Please indicate this desire when completing online registration. There will be a place where you can enter cabinmate requests. 

​Q: Will I talk with my camper while at camp?

• You can always write letters to your campers. In fact, we find that they love it when they get a letter from their parents and friends! It works best if you stick your letters in the mail the week before they attend camp so that they are sure to receive it while here. Click here to learn how to stay in contact.

Q: What should my camper bring?

• Please see our information on what to bring.

Q: What if I’m not Lutheran?

• All are welcome to come! Campers from all denominations as well as youth who do not have a church home have been enjoying Riverside for 80+ years!

Q: What if we can’t afford it?

• We will never turn a camper away for financial reasons. Please go to our discounts page to see information on payment plans and/or financial assistance.

​Q: What if my camper takes regular medication?

• We have a medical volunteer on-site whenever we have campers. They are in charge of taking care of the health and well-being of our campers and staff. When completing online registration, there will be a section where you enter the medication/s along with administration instructions. You can also make changes to that at any time by logging back into your account.  If your camper has medication, please bring it to check-in in its original bottle and the medical volunteer will take care of everything. Rescue inhalers and EpiPens are the only medications a camper may keep with them, but the medication forms still need to be completed online during registration.**NOTE: Medications refer to all prescription and over-the-counter products, including vitamins and supplements.

​Q: My camper has a food allergy. What will they eat?

• If your camper has a food allergy, we will help in creating meals for your child to enjoy while they are at Riverside. Please indicate on your registration what allergies your camper has. If you have specific questions about food at Riverside, please feel free to contact our hospitality coordinator, Paige.

Q: My camper had a wonderful camp experience. How can we help other children have the same opportunity?

• There are tons of ways to get involved. From attending one of our supporting events, to helping care for the grounds, to helping sponsor a camper, there is a way for everyone to help spread the Gospel through Riverside. Go to our support page to see how you can get involved.

​​Q:  Where do I find the Welcome to Camp packet?

• Youth Camp Welcome Packet – follow this link!