Camper Application

Camp Tall Turf Background Information

Background Information

Since 1969 Camp Tall Turf has been seeking to provide culturally diverse and inclusive camp experiences for participants. Now in our 43rd summer we continue to be excited about serving over 500 campers a year. In addition to youth camp sessions and an adventure camp session, Tall Turf also offers a Latino Family Camp. Additionally, a weekend session of Single Parent Family Camp is hosted and run by volunteers from area churches. Contact our Grand Rapids office at (616) 452-7906 for more information on these programs. Located on the shores of Lake Campbell (about 7 1/2 miles northwest of Hesperia, MI), the camp has 243 acres of forests, fields, and beaches. The main camp area consists of several newer buildings including: a nature center, activity hall, dining hall, youth and family center, health office, and 16 cabins equipped with individual toilets, showers, sinks, electric heaters, and fans. The fee for Camp Tall Turf covers only a small part of the actual cost. We can only do this because God has provided for Camp Tall Turf through many people who have faithfully given their time, prayers, and monies.

Youth Camp

Structure: During each session of youth camp, cabins (groups of

eight campers and a counselor) spend five to eight days together

eating, playing, sleeping, praying, and learning new skills. While

the children will spend most of their time with this cabin group, each

day also provides supervised free time for campers to pursue their

own interests. All campers are carefully supervised 24-hours-a-day.

A Typical Day at Camp includes cabin activities, independent

activities (camper chosen), and special evening programs. Our pro-

gram director plans and coordinates these activities with the counsel-

ors to insure that each camper can experience a variety of camp’s

activities. Some of our activities include: swimming, archery, arts

and crafts, an overnight campout, canoeing, cookouts, drama, dance,

fishing, exploring, choir, Bible study, and outdoor sports. Some of

our eight day sessions may also include a trip to Ludington State

Park on Lake Michigan. Special activities such as kayaking and a

challenge course are reserved for the older youth at camp.

Staff: A staff comprised of 35 or more individuals, ages 18 and

older, is carefully selected and trained during a 10-day orientation

each summer. The training equips staff to help children learn about

themselves, others, nature, and God through the camp experience.

All applicants must pass two background checks and a central regis-

try clearance through the State of Michigan before they are eligible

for employment. The counselor to camper ratio is 1 to 8 while the

overall staff ratio is 1 staff to 4 campers.

Cost: We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to have

the beneficial experience of attending summer camp. Therefore, we

have established a payment system with a sliding scale based on

family size and income. This scale balances a family’s ability to pay

against our actual costs for operating the camp. Full payment must

be made at least one week prior to the first day of the session

your camper(s) is/are attending. (Add this sentence)

Special Concerns: Camp is a structured educational setting. If

your child takes medication for ADD, ADHD, or other behavioral or

emotional considerations during the school year, the medication

must be sent with your child to camp. If your child’s physician indi-

cates that there is a compelling medical or other reason to have the

child’s medication discontinued during your child’s stay at camp,

please submit the physician’s statement to us along with your appli-

cation.

Phone Calls: In case of any emergency, physical or otherwise, the

parent or guardian of the involved camper(s) will be notified imme-

diately. We do not permit outgoing phone calls. If you have any

questions, please call our Grand Rapids office at (616) 452-7906 and

they will contact camp as needed. Additionally, you are welcome

and encouraged to write your child during their stay at camp.

Structure: During each session of youth camp, cabins (groups ofeight campers and a counselor) spend five to eight days togethereating, playing, sleeping, praying, and learning new skills. Whilethe children will spend most of their time with this cabin group, eachday also provides supervised free time for campers to pursue theirown interests. All campers are carefully supervised 24-hours-a-day.

A Typical Day at Camp includes cabin activities, independentactivities (camper chosen), and special evening programs. Our pro-gram director plans and coordinates these activities with the counsel-ors to insure that each camper can experience a variety of camp’sactivities. Some of our activities include: swimming, archery, artsand crafts, an overnight campout, canoeing, cookouts, drama, dance,fishing, exploring, choir, Bible study, and outdoor sports. Some ofour eight day sessions may also include a trip to Ludington StatePark on Lake Michigan. Special activities such as kayaking and achallenge course are reserved for the older youth at camp.

Staff: A staff comprised of 35 or more individuals, ages 18 andolder, is carefully selected and trained during a 10-day orientationeach summer. The training equips staff to help children learn aboutthemselves, others, nature, and God through the camp experience.All applicants must pass two background checks and a central registry clearance as required through the State of Michigan before they are eligiblefor employment. The counselor to camper ratio is 1 to 8 while theoverall staff ratio is 1 staff to 4 campers.

Cost: We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to havethe beneficial experience of attending summer camp. Therefore, wehave established a payment system with a sliding scale based onfamily size and income. This scale balances a family’s ability to payagainst our actual costs for operating the camp. Full payment must be made at least one week prior to the first day of the sessionyour camper(s) is/are attending.

Special Concerns: Camp is a structured educational setting. Ifyour child takes medication for ADD, ADHD, or other behavioral oremotional considerations during the school year, the medicationmust be sent with your child to camp. If your child’s physician indi-cates that there is a compelling medical or other reason to have thechild’s medication discontinued during your child’s stay at camp,please submit the physician’s statement to us along with your appli-cation.

Phone Calls: In case of any emergency, physical or otherwise, theparent or guardian of the involved camper(s) will be notified imme-diately. We do not permit outgoing phone calls. If you have anyquestions, please call our Grand Rapids office at (616) 452-7906 andthey will contact camp as needed. Additionally, you are welcomeand encouraged to write your child during their stay at camp.

Adventure Camp

Ages 14-17 Camp Tall Turf is offering you the opportunity, for 5 days, to make new friends, learn more about God, and most of all have FUN! Our Adventure Camp includes hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, a high ropes course, tubing, horseback riding and a day at Ludington State Park on Lake Michigan. After Camp, you are also welcome to take part in our Grand Rapids weekly meetings, activities, trips, and college university visits, which are held throughout the school year.

Please Note: Applications may be dropped off at our office between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM (Monday through Friday) or mailed to:

Tall Turf Ministries
816 Madison St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Phone: (616) 452-7906
E-mail: info@tallturf.org
Web: www.tallturf.org
Facebook: facebook.com/tallturf

For more information visit the following web sites. www.acacamps.org or www.cdc.gov.

Camp Tall Turf will be working with the campers in the above areas. Campers will receive a FREE t-shirt with registration! Camp Tall Turf is a smoke free environment.

Each Registration MUST include:

A registration Health Form
Proof of Age
A Deposit Proof of Income (W-2), 2012 paystub, Medicaid Card)
Signed behavior agreement
One summer food service program form (Required of EVERY family from all income levels)

Select your Session and Submit Application

Select your Session *

Depending on how many kids you are sending to camp, will determine your deposit amount.

1 child is a $20 deposit

2 children is a $40 deposit

3 children is a $50 deposit

4+ children is a $60 deposit

Click here to view our sliding fee scale and determine the fee for your camper(s).

You must place a deposit to save your place in Camp. We are currently accepting payment at the office of Tall Turf Ministries. In the future we will be accepting payment online. You can still submit your application online, but a deposit is required to reserve your place at camp
Please mail your deposit to

Tall Turf Ministries
816 Madison SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507

If you would like to pay with credit card call or stop in our office and we will take your information.

Refunds and Cancelation: If there is a

need to cancel your child’s registration,

your deposit will be refunded according

to the following guidelines:

• If the cancelation occurs one or

more weeks before the first day of

camp, then 90% of the fee will be

refunded.

• If the cancelation occurs less than

one week before the first day of

camp, no refund will be provided.

If there is a need to cancel your child’s registration, your deposit will be refunded accordingto the following guidelines:

• If the cancelation occurs one or more weeks before the first day of camp, then 90% of the fee will be refunded.

• If the cancelation occurs less than one week before the first day of camp, no refund will be provided.

Behavior Agreement

Camp Tall Turf seeks to provide a safe, peaceful, and fun environment for all participants. So that we can feel confident in reaching this goal, each camper is required to initial that they have read this agreement. Any noncompliance by a camper may result in that individual being sent home.

I will participate in all camp activities

I will obey the rules of Camp Tall Turf as told to me by camp staff

I will respect camp property and other people's personal property.

I will listen to and obey the rules given to me when riding the bus

Permission/Authorization (This completed form may be photocopied for trips out of camp and for use in the health office).

In case of emergency, I hereby give permission to the administration of Tall Turf Ministries (Camp Tall Turf) to secure proper treatment for my child, including hospitalization, anesthesia or surgery and/or routine, nonsurgical medical care, if so needed in the opinion of an available or attending physician at the time. I understand that administrators of Tall Turf Ministries will make every effort to contact me.
I consent to allow Tall Turf Ministries to provide my child with transportation to and from camp and on ﬁeld trips while at camp.
I acknowledge that Tall Turf Ministries is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged personal property that my child brings to camp.
I certify that the above information is true to the best of my knowledge.
I give permission for the use of photographs, videos/DVDs, and recordings including my son or daughter to be used in camp publicity and/or publications.

Each family must complete one copy of the Summer Food Service Program form. These forms are not available yet for 2012. We will contact you and get this form out to you to complete and return as an additional step when they become available.

Camper Name *

Parent or Guardian Name in agreement *

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