FAQS

Agawak is situated on 200 private acres in the beautiful north woods of Wisconsin. Most of the buildings are original with minor upgrades made over the years. Campers live in 26 rustic wooden cabins. Each cabin has bunk beds, ceiling fans, heat and electricity. Cabins are a short walk away from three centrally located shower houses. All shower houses have private showers and toilets. Camper cabins have individual bathrooms with sinks and toilets. Several cabins which house our older campers have their own showers.

Many camp activities take place in Happy Camper Hall, The Lodge, Alumni Hall as well as our Rec. Hall. These buildings accommodate large numbers of campers for indoor camp events. Agawak is located on breathtaking Blue Lake, a private 450 acre lake with no public access. You will find our facilities and equipment are beautiful and well maintained. Please take the virtual tour on our website which will give you insight into some of our well kept facilities.

There are many factors to consider when determining whether or not your daughter is ready. It is crucial that your daughter’s first overnight camping experience is a positive one, so that a solid foundation is laid and a love of camping is instilled. Camp Agawak prides itself in working with first time campers.

A few questions to consider are:

1. Is your daughter comfortable and happy sleeping over with friends or family?
2. Has your daughter expressed any desire to attend overnight camp?
3. How does your daughter adapt to new situations without parents?
4. Is your daughter fairly independent or dependent for her age?
5. Are the parents emotionally ready for their daughter to be away?
6. Does your daughter have siblings at camp?
7. Does your child consistently stay dry through the night without needing assistance?
8. Can your daughter effectively self-regulate when it comes to her feelings and emotions?

Our campers range in age from first through tenth grade, and are usually between 7-16 years old. They live in cabins according to grade completed assuring cabin mates will be approximately the same age. For special programming campers are divided into three age groups: Juniors (1st-4th grade), Intermediates (5th-7th) and Seniors (8th-10th grade).

We serve well-balanced, nutritional meals in our main dining lodge where campers eat “family style” with their cabin mates and counselors. Along with the main entrée at breakfast, there is always fresh fruit, yogurt and cold cereal available. During lunch and dinner we serve a main entree, side dishes, a full salad bar, as well as fresh fruit.  In addition there is a separate area with a peanut butter and jelly station. Throughout the day we open up our “snack shack” for campers to refuel themselves.

No. However, this does not mean that there is a “clothes competition” at our camp. The dress is very casual, without emphasis on who is wearing what or how much it costs. Agawak promotes a “down-to-earth” culture without undue emphasis on clothing and “who has what”. We URGE campers and mostly parents to be mindful about sending up-scale clothing. Please remember when packing…..less is always more! We do provide a suggested clothing and equipment list to help you in your packing. There is a modest amount of required uniform for sports games, trips, special events, etc.

No. Camp Agawak is a non-denominational camp. We have no religious services but enjoy a non-denominational all-camp Camp Fire on Sunday evenings. Camp Agawak welcomes and accepts campers and staff from all backgrounds, religions and faiths.

Camp Agawak is on spring-fed pristine Blue Lake which is a 450 acre private lake. A private lake provides less boat traffic than a public lake which makes Blue Lake a very safe lake. The water quality is crystal-clear and average temperatures range from 72-80 degrees during the day.

Camp Agawak is not a “hang out” do-nothing camp! We offer a dynamic, fun and fast-paced program. We are not a “one-size fits all” overnight camp. The whole issue of structured/non-structured and competitive/non-competitive is one that is destined for a great deal of misinformation. So much depends on each individual’s camper’s personality. Some children are born with a more competitive nature right from the start while others tend to be less competitive.

In most ways, Agawak is a “structured” camp…meaning we “pack-in” a lot on any given day! We have set schedules for every day, children know what they will be doing each day and are expected to participate in their activities and special programs. On the other hand, we know all children need “down-time” which is woven into our daily program. Our campers love Lazy Breakfast on Sunday where they can order homemade pancakes, wear their favorite PJ’s and relax while watching a movie steaming in the Lodge.

Competitive vs non-competitive is another issue subject to much distortion in the camping community. Agawak celebrates this dichotomy. Every camper is different!! We have found we can operate our amazing camp in a manner that will challenge campers looking for sports competition yet we provide a home for campers who are not “the best athletes” and who have more of an interest in creative activities. Our program offers all campers an atmosphere in which they can discover who they are and achieve success in ways not related to athletics. We recognize each camper’s strengths and encourage the pursuit of positive growth in those skills.

Campers may make a friend request on their cabin request form which is mailed out every spring. We work extremely hard to make sure your request is granted but there are no guarantees. Final cabin assignments are at the sole discretion of the directors.

The research out there and our own experience has shown that communication with home produces more homesickness. It is in the camper’s best interest not to talk with family and friends via phone or internet because it encourages homesickness. Therefore, campers are not allowed to use phones while at camp unless it’s their birthday.

Traditional letter writing is still the best form of communication while at camp. Campers are required to write home during letter writing day twice per week.

We certainly do not want campers keeping track of who receives the most packages in their bunk.  Therefore, Agawak has a no package policy to encourage a non-competitive cabin environment. Please be advised that packages sent to camp will not be given out and will be returned to sender.

Campers are not allowed to have visitors while at camp. Visitors disrupt a camper’s adjustment to camp and are a distraction to our daily program. Visitors typically produce homesickness in a camper.

Almost all campers experience some feelings of homesickness when away at camp. Our staff works hard at keeping the campers busy with fun camp activities to avoid homesickness. You can help prepare your child for camp by: talking to your child about camp and what it will be like; sending with them a favorite stuffed animal, picture, or blanket from home; reminding your child that you have confidence that she will have fun and make friends away from home; and asking her to write you a letter while they are at camp (stick some pre-addressed, stamped envelopes in her bag). Also, if you send out a letter right before camp starts, your child can have mail waiting for her when she arrives at camp.

Please remember it takes several days for a camper to adjust to camp life, especially if it’s their first overnight experience. We will be in touch with any parents whose daughter is experiencing a high degree of homesickness that continues to last.

Agawak has four nurses on staff that carefully monitor and oversee the health of camp at all times. All prescription medication is kept securely in our health center and given out at designated times by our nurses.  If needed, campers receive over the counter medications there and nurses provide general health care. We are blessed to be within five miles of the Howard Young Emergency Center, Marshfield Clinic and Ministry Health Care.

If your child has a birthday during the summer, we will make sure that it is a wonderful and memorable occasion. She will receive a lot of birthday attention from the whole camp, including a unique birthday present from Camp Agawak presented at morning flagpole and a personalized birthday cake. If you would like to send party favors, please call our camp office, and we will give you the number of campers and staff in your child’s bunk. With our package policy, birthday packages should be sent directly to our office to be held until your child’s birthday. In addition, we can supply a pizza party in the evening for your daughter’s cabin. Her SMA account will be billed $90, and we will cover any additional costs. You will also be able to wish your daughter a happy birthday over the telephone. Please call the office in advance to set up a time so that we can have your daughter in the office and ready to receive her birthday phone call.

It is not required, but we offer this opportunity to help answer many questions from Parents and Campers. Usually the New Camper Orientation is held in Chicago in March or April.

For parents with campers that will take the bus from the Chicago area, check in will begin at 8:00 AM at the designated bus site. The buses will depart promptly at 8:30 AM from a Northside location. For campers from Milwaukee the buses will depart at approximately 10:10AM. Please do NOT bring pets to the bus drop off and pick up. When your child checks in, she will be assigned a bus based on her age group. We will do our best to accommodate seating requests, but make no promises that all will be granted.

You should send your daughter with a light lunch, snacks, and a drink for the bus ride up, which will enable the bus to go straight through. The buses are air- conditioned, have restrooms on board, and if videos are available then an age- appropriate movie will be shown.

ALL forms are on-line.  Most can be completed on-line and a few must be uploaded to our camp database, CampMinder.  Pre-camp packets are sent out early in the new year and forms are usually available on-line around the same time (sometimes earlier). This packet contains lots of great information regarding your daughter’s stay at camp.  We recommend keeping it throughout her time with us.  Don’t forget to schedule a physical for your daughter. Forms are due for all sessions by May 1.

You can always access your current invoice by logging into your CampMinder account.  Billing for camp is as follows: First deposit is due with the application. The remaining balance is due March 1st.

Deposits are refundable up until December 1st less a $250 fee.  After December 1 there are no tuition refunds.