FORMS & FAQ

Check-out is at 11:30 AM on the last day of camp.  When you get to camp, park in the parking lot, and you will meet your camper at the ballfield.  Camper’s luggage will be sorted by cabin by the gym. Be sure to stop by the health table to pick up your camper’s medications if needed.

For camper safety, campers will only be released to individuals listed on their account as authorized pick-up people. Please ensure all parents or approved adults are listed in advance.

After picking up your camper, you are welcome to walk around camp and visit the gift shop.

We ask that you not check out your camper early or arrive late unless absolutely necessary. Please contact the camp office to make arrangements.

Campers will only be released to someone listed on their account as an approved person to pick up the child.  If you are not personally picking up your child at camp, make sure that you have listed the person picking up your child on your child’s record.  PARENTS WHO ARE PICKING UP THEIR CHILD MUST ALSO BE LISTED ON THEIR CAMPER’S RECORD.  To add an approved pickup person, log in to your family account, click your camper’s reservation, then click “Pickup Authorization,” and make your changes.

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Children are typically placed in cabin groups of 10 campers who are in the same grade or close to it.

Cabin assignments are made 10 days before each camp session, and we don’t disclose cabin names to campers beforehand. Please refrain from making online cabin mate changes within 10 days of your camp session. Typically, there are 10 campers and 2 staff per cabin.

• If you have a request not to be housed with a specific camper or have questions about another camper’s account, you must contact that camper’s family directly.
• If your camper’s cabinmate request is in a different grade but they are attending the same camp session, we will house them together and do our best to place them in a cabin with other similar multi-grade pairings.

For campers attending on their own, we will place them in a cabin with others of similar age or grade. Rest assured, they won’t be the only ones; several campers in their cabin will also be joining us independently, making it a great opportunity to build new friendships right from the start!

The maximum number of friends that will be housed together in a cabin is 5.

1. Groups larger than 5 friends will need to be divided. Parents will be contacted regarding recommendations on how to divide the group.
2. If a group of friends fills a cabin, they can be housed together. A cabin typically holds 10 campers. (Filling a cabin on the island is 9 campers; filling a cabin for Encounter Senior High camp is 11 campers; filling a cabin for the Boundary Waters Trip at Rock Ridge is 7 campers.) 
3. To add a cabin mate, log in to your family account, click on your child’s reservation, and click on “Additional Information – Cabin Mates”.
4. Please do not make changes to cabin mate requests within 10 days of camp. We cannot guarantee placement of any last-minute cabin mate changes.

If your group of 6–9 friends needs to be split between two cabins, we will do our best to keep them connected throughout the week. Their cabins will be located near each other; they will share the same free-time schedule; and their counselors will be informed so they can help coordinate some shared activities during the week.

Please do not send cell phones to camp. Campers will not be allowed to keep cell phones. Camp Shamineau is designed to be a place where campers step away from the noise of everyday life and into something different. We ask that phones stay home so that every camper can be 100% present for the friendships, faith, and the memories waiting for them here.

Campers are only permitted to make or receive phone calls in emergency situations. For emergencies, please call the camp office. After 5:00 PM, our answering machine will provide an after-hours emergency number.

We have the same expectations of our summer staff, and they do not carry their devices either. We want them to be working with your kids, not distracted by their devices.

During the week, campers can go to the camp store during free time to buy snacks, Camp Shamineau souvenirs, and clothing. The store features t-shirts (from $20 to $25), sweatshirts (from $35 to $50), and much more! 

The camp store account is for our younger camps ONLY (Tenderfoot, Trailblazer, and Cowpoke). You can choose to add money to your camper’s store account online. Campers with an account will stop by a “bank” during free time to withdraw money. All funds not spent will be refunded in cash on Thursday. A typical amount to add to your camper’s store account is $25-$50. A camp offering will be received each week.

Our store accepts all major credit/debit cards, as well as cash. Older campers and those without a camp store account will be responsible for their own funds.

To add spending money to their camp store account (Tenderfoot, Trailblazer, Cowpoke only), click on your camper’s reservation, then click the EDIT button next to “Store Deposit.”

Please DO NOT add any spending money to the camper’s account after check-in on Sunday night, as it will not be credited to their spending account for the week.

The Camp Store is located in the basement of the Dining Hall and it will be open during check-in and check-out.

Our waterfront has a dock system that divides the shallow part of the swim area from the deeper part. All campers may swim in the shallow areas, and those who wish to swim in the deeper sections must wear a life jacket.
Certified lifeguards supervise all swimmers and waterfront activities. Lifejackets are provided by Camp Shamineau for all necessary activities. Tubing and various other boating activities are meticulously organized and conducted under the supervision of certified lifeguards and highly trained personnel.

We prioritize the health and safety of every camper, making it our staff’s top concern. Our goal is to keep campers healthy and happy so they can enjoy an incredible week at camp!

• A well-equipped Health Center is located on-site and staffed by medical personnel. We have “over the counter” medications in stock, so please do not send any ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or benadryl-type products with your camper.
• Clinics and emergency room care are located within 12 miles of camp, and many of our staff are Emergency Medical Responders. Should your camper require off-camp care, every attempt will be made to contact you first.
• Camp Shamineau carries secondary medical coverage for campers. Medical bills resulting from injury while at camp must first be submitted to the camper’s personal medical insurer. Illness treated at camp must be covered by the patient.
• To make changes to your camper’s health form or medication list, click on your camper’s name, then scroll down and click on “My Forms” or “Medications” and make any changes.

Please bring meds in original containers. All medication (prescriptions, vitamins) must be turned in to the nurse during check-in and will be administered as scheduled.  Campers with inhalers or epi-pens should bring two, one to keep in their cabin and one to leave with the nurse.  Bring an anaphylactic kit for severe allergies.  Medications can be picked up at the Health Center table in the ballfield on check-out day.

Camp Shamineau caters to the following dietary needs:

• Gluten Allergies: The Camp Shamineau kitchen offers gluten-friendly options at every meal. Please note that gluten-friendly meals are prepared in areas that also prepare non-gluten-free meals. (For example: A gluten-free pizza will be cooked in the same oven as a non-gluten-free pizza.)
  • Gluten-friendly items will be labeled and served in the general buffet line. A limited selection of gluten-free options (individually wrapped products produced by a certified gluten-free company) will also be available at the kitchen service counter. These may include muffins, cookies, and dessert bars.
• Nut Allergies: The kitchen does not serve any peanut- or tree-nut products. However, some products may be manufactured in facilities that also process nuts.
• Dairy Allergies: Lactose-free milk will be available at the kitchen service counter.
• Other Allergies: Please contact the kitchen to discuss available options. Unfortunately, the kitchen may not be able to accommodate all special diets. Food storage space is available for guests who wish to bring their own food.
• Camp Shamineau Kitchen Contact Information:
  • Email: foodservice@shamineau.org
  • Phone: (218) 575-2240

With summertime always comes the possibility of severe weather.  Our directors monitor the weather constantly during any weather alerts, and the Morrison County Sheriff’s department is always in direct contact with us at those times as well.  Counselors are trained in procedures of safety in case of severe weather and we have a number of buildings on site with basements that campers are sent to.  Island campers shelter in the lodge on the Island.

Camper Emails

To send an email to your camper, click on “Summer Camps” in the top bar, then click on “Email a Camper.” Emails will be printed off each morning at 9:00 AM (Monday-Thursday) and distributed to campers during mail time. Due to system constraints, campers will not be able to respond to emails, and office staff will not reply to emails directed to your camper. We also request that you don’t send multiple emails each day.

Mail

We recommended that parents drop off letters for their camper at check-in. Please label them with your camper’s name. We’ll store and deliver the letters throughout the week. If you’re sending mail through the post office, allow at least 3-4 days for delivery.

Send mail to: PO Box 244, Motley, MN 56466

*No visitors are allowed during the week. 

Due to the high volume of campers, we are not able to accept packages for campers.  We just don’t have a place to store or sort all of the packages that could come in for campers each week.  If you have a special treat you want your child to have please put it in their suitcase ahead of their arrival.

Yes, please let your campers know that poison ivy grows abundantly in our area. Help them learn to identify it and encourage them to stay on well-traveled paths. Campers should always wash their hands with soap and water after being in areas where there may be contact with poison ivy or use an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer.

Preventing homesickness begins at home with you! While at camp, we’ll support campers through any feelings of homesickness, but here are some helpful tips:

• Encourage your camper to bring a good friend; supportive friends can be a great help.
• Consider an overnight stay before camp to gauge readiness.
• Send cheerful, frequent letters or emails to keep their spirits up.

If your camper experiences significant homesickness, staff will reach out to discuss the situation.

We’ll keep you updated by email and text. Be sure to check your spam folder so you don’t miss anything!