Pine Creek Camp has 336 acres of beautiful woodland along the banks of Big Pine Creek. For over fifty years, the property has been a vital part of the camping ministry of the United Methodist Church in Indiana. Not only does Pine Creek Camp serve the UMC in Indiana, but also has a mission to show God’s love to all who come and visit.
General Info:
Address: 2218 EAST 700 WEST
Website: pinecreek.camp
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (765) 385-2260
Dates: March – November
Hours: On request
Ages: All
Activities: Pine Creek Camp has programming for middle school and elementary students, as well as for families. Year round, the camp site is rented out regularly for retreats, corporate and staff outings, camps, family events, banquets, weddings and more.
Q&A with Pine Creek Camp:
What makes your camp unique?
We offer creative options for you to find time away at our Retreat spaces with modern amenities. Our Calendar has openings that many other similar camps do not. We can typically fit any size group from 50-250 into a summer slot.
What activities are offered at your camp?
Staff led activities
Zip Line
Giant Swing
Jacob’s Ladder Climbing Tower
Pool
Water Activities
Slip N Slide
Knife throwing
Adventure Trail (staff led team building time)
Nature/Creek Stomp
Night Hike/Stargazing
Geocaching
Self led activities
Muddy Creek Walk
Volleyball
Fire Circle
Recreation Zone
What is the camper-to-counselor ratio?
5 campers to every counselor — Campers are always within eyesight, or earshot or our counselors.
How much time do the campers spend outside?
Less than 11 hours per day will be spent inside including meals, and bedtime. We are outside as much as possible.
Does the camp provide lunch/snacks or do parents need to provide them?
All meals and snack are included. We will do our best to work with food allergies as best we can to serve your child.
What is the typical daily schedule for campers?
SUNDAY (or first day of camp)
3-4 pm
Check In
4:15-5 pm
Settle in Cabins/Devotions
Get to know each other
5:15-5:30 pm
Hoppers/Rec Zone
5:30-6 pm
Dinner
6:15-7:15 pm
Evening Fun/Swim Tests
7:30-8 pm
Evening Worship
8:15-9:15 pm
Cabin Beautiful/Cabin Devotions
8:15-9:15 pm
Emergency Drills
9:30-9:45 pm
Snack
10:00 pm
Lights Out
MONDAY – THURSDAY(or middle days)
6:45-7:15 am
Wake up
7:15-7:30 am
Cabin Beautiful/Cabin Devotions
7:45-8:00 am
Hoppers/Rec Zone
8-8:30 am
Breakfast
8:45-9:15 am
Morning Worship
9:30-9:45 am
Cabin Beautiful/Cabin Devotions
10-11:30 am
Activity Rotation 1
11:45-12pm
Hoppers/Rec Zone
12-12:30 pm
Lunch
12:45-1:30 pm
BOB Time
1:45-3:15 pm
Activity Rotation 2
3:30-5 pm
Activity Rotation 3
5:15-5:30 pm
Hoppers/Rec Zone
5:30-6pm
Dinner
6:15-7:15 pm
Evening Fun/Swim Tests
7:30-8 pm
Evening Worship
8:15-9:15 pm
Cabin Beautiful/Cabin Devotions
9:30-9:45 pm
Snack
10:00 pm
Lights Out
FRIDAY (or last day of camp)
6:45-7:15 am
Wake up
7:15-7:30 am
Cabin Beautiful/Cabin Devotions
7:45-8:00 am
Hoppers/Rec Zone
8-8:30 am
Breakfast
8:45-9:15 am
Morning Worship
9:30-9:45 am
Cabin Beautiful/Cabin Devotions
10-11:30 am
Activity Rotation 1
11:45-12 pm
Hoppers/Rec Zone
12-12:30 pm
Lunch
12:45-1:30 pm
Cabin Beautiful/Pack up
1:45-3:15 pm
Activity Rotation 2
3:30-5 pm
Activity Rotation 3
5:15-5:30 pm
Hoppers/Rec Zone
5:30-6 pm
Dinner
5:45-6 pm
Journal/Shirt signing (as an activity during Dinner)
6-6:45 pm
Celebration
How old are the counselors and how are they trained?
Every Cabin of 10 campers has at least two counselors. Those roles are filled by at least one Senior Counselor – 18 years or older, and one Junior Counselor – 15 – 17 years or older. Counselors are all trained prior to each event by our staff and have the support of our Directors and Staff to provide ample direction and assistance as needed. Training is a requirement for all paid and or volunteer leaders. Paid staff are trained at the beginning of each summer and will have multiple inservice trainings as necessary to keep them prepared. All Program volunteers will arrive at camp on the day prior to their campers’ arrival for a detailed training segment. The Camp Manager, Summer Program Manager, Medic, and the Volunteer Leadership Team will review and highlight the Impact 2818 Volunteer Handbook, In Locos Parentis training, along with additional information. All Evangelism and Discipleship volunteers must sign an agreement stating that they have read and understand the Handbook before serving as a volunteer.
During the training, the information to be covered includes things like OM – Volunteer Training Outline
Mission
Medical
Safety
Dining room procedures and family-style dining
Impact 2818 Procedures
Camper concerns & behavior
What not to do
Counselor responsibilities and interactions
Leading Campers to Christ
Curriculum and Schedule
Site Tour
Program Features
Opportunities will be given to each group to participate in team-building exercises, decorate their cabins, and prepare for the week.
What accommodations are made for campers with special needs?
Reach out to us and we can talk it out. We do our best to accommodate all those wishing to participate. That said, our facility is over 50 years old and we have some limitations. TRust that we will be upfront and transparent as to what we can and cannot offer.
Is this an overnight camp?
Yes
Overnight Camp Questions:
What does the camper’s living situation look like?
Each Cabin sleeps a total of 10 campers and 2 counselors. Beds are bunk style with plenty of shade and fans to keep the July heat down. The cabins all have a fire ring, picnic table, and large porch to provide space to connect with your cabin mates. Each Cabin is arranged around a central bathhouse making necessary evening trips convenient!
How do parents and campers communicate?
We encourage parents to send letters and or arrive with prewritten letters to be distributed each day of the week. Campers stay very busy so letters home are rare but possible as long as the camper brings a pre addressed stamped envelope. Sometimes letters home are best handed to parents at the end of the week!
How does your camp handle homesickness?
Homesickness does occur at camp, even among experienced campers. We encourage homesick campers to stay through the end of the event to allow them to truly experience camp. This helps to build independence, self-confidence, and courage. Our staff and volunteers are trained to help children through homesickness so that they have a fun, positive camp experience. In the event that a camper becomes homesick, parents will be called by the Spiritual Director or the Camp Manager or someone designated by the Camp Manager (ie. Summer Program Manager or Medic) so that the best decision can be made regarding their child.
What are the meals like at camp?
Mealtimes are an important part of the camp program. It provides opportunity for relationship building and offers campers an experience that they may not get at home. Most meals at Impact 2818 camps are served in what we call a family-style setting. This means that when we get together, the same group gathers around the same table each meal with a few large bowls containing enough food for everyone. Meals are not “downtime for counselors. Counselors should sit among campers, encouraging manners and leading conversations. Mealtimes are an opportunity to model serving one another.
Impact 2818 only offers a standard menu. We do not offer celiac friendly or vegetarian menus at this time. If you have special dietary doctor-directed meal concerns, please contact the Camp Manager at the site you are attending to make arrangements for sending food to supplement our menu. Any meals sent to the camp to be prepared by our staff for your child will need to have a doctor’s note explaining the needs and allergy. We cannot prepare raw foods. Please refer to our allergen information online at impact2818.org/camps/faq.
Can parents visit the camp?
Parents or guardians are discouraged from visiting and phoning a camper during their week of camp.
Personal contacts from parents can have negative effects regarding homesickness and community building times.
If there is a problem with a child, parents will be contacted.
Is the schedule highly structured, or do kids have a lot of free choices?
Highly structured days keep homesickness down and allow us to share as much of our site as possible. Kids will go home tired and fulfilled. Free choices are often limited to “cabin time” and revolve around a base schedule that allows us to best serve your child.
Is transportation available to and from camp?
No, unfortunately we do not offer this currently.
