Counselor Resources
You’re going to do a great job this summer!
At the end of the day if you just remember to show God’s love through kindness and respect, your cabin will have a fantastic experience. To provide you with a larger toolbox, here are some resources that might help:
Games/Activities
Mini Farm Activities
Indoor Games
Aquatics
Parent Letters
Camper/Parent Evals
Overnight Camp
We are on a mission of great importance. Serving kids from around the world between the ages of 8 and 15, we understand that the campers we work with today will grow up to lead the next generation. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Composed of nine one-week sessions, our overnight camp experience is intentionally built to ground our campers in core values. Creating a better world is a long road, but we’re helping our campers take the most important first step in a pursuit that will last the rest of their lives.
Do you know someone who should work at Camp? Send them this page!
The first words out of my son’s mouth were, “Camp Tecumseh was the best thing that ever happened to me.” – Camper Parent
Before you arrive, and once you’re here
We need everyone’s help to protect the health and safety of Camp
We are working diligently to provide the safest and healthiest experience we can. With that in mind, these are our expectations and guidelines to maintain health and safety at Camp. The following procedures are based on guidance and consultation from the American Camp Association, the CDC, our local health department, and our supervising physician and camp nurse. They are subject to change based on the most up-to-date information and recommendations from these entities.
Before you arrive
Campers should monitor their symptoms for the 10 days leading up to their week of camp. If a camper exhibits any symptoms or tests positive during this time period, please call camp. Please limit exposure, avoid large group gatherings, and take appropriate precautions during this time.
Arrive at Camp with a negative test or up-to-date vaccine verification
We are requiring that all campers arrive at camp with proof of up-to-date vaccination, or a negative test within a 72 hour period prior to arrival (Check your local health department and pharmacies for free or low-cost testing). If you had COVID in the last 3 months, you don’t need a negative test, but must bring proof of your positive test as well as documentation of the end of your quarantine. Schedule a test at a CVS near you.
Temperature Checks at Check-In
We will be checking the temperature of every camper upon arrival at camp. If a camper has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, they will be asked to speak with our nurses. If the temperature does not go down after a reasonable amount of time, the camper will be asked to go home and have a physician discover why the temperature is high.
Ongoing Health Screening During Camp
All campers and staff will be screened throughout each week via temperature checks. Additional screening will take place by the nurses if a temperature is elevated, or other symptoms are present. We are asking that families plan to pick up their camper within 6 hours of the decision to send them home, if applicable.
What Happens if There is a Positive Case
If a rapid test of a symptomatic camper or staff reveals a positive case of COVID, the camper or staff will be sent home and families of the entire cabin duplex will be notified.
We’re on a mission of great importance
Our Business is Growth
Summer Camp is fun. While our campers often talk about how much fun they have at Tecumseh, fun isn’t our business. Our business is growth. Every activity and every location has been intentionally designed to help our campers grow in core values. At Tecumseh, we focus on developing six key characteristics in our campers.
Respect
We build kids who understand how to get along with and love those who are different from them. We build kids who know how to listen, communicate, compromise, and stand up for what’s right.
Trust
We build kids who can be counted on, and hold themselves accountable. We build kids who understand the importance of giving their word, keeping their promises, and doing what they say they will.
Initiative
We build kids who aren’t afraid to work hard even when no one is looking. We build kids who don’t expect everything to be handed to them and don’t give up when it’s not easy.
Friendship
We build kids who invest in friendships and strive to make new ones. We build kids who don’t just talk to people who look, act, and sound like they do. We build kids who show empathy and caring, who work with others, and who realize that they have more in common with the people around them than they have differences.
Joy
We build joyful kids. We build kids who don’t just smile for the selfie so everyone thinks they have it all together, but strive to bring joy and happiness to situations where it’s easier to grumble. We build kids who speak well of others when they aren’t there instead of gossiping and slandering.
Faith
We build kids of faith. Not faith that divides and segregates, but faith that God loves us and wants us to love others. Faith that a relationship with God is more important than all the money in the world. Faith that no matter how much we mess up, God is standing there ready to forgive, and nothing can separate us from him.
It Starts with Exceptional Staff
Our Counselors Change the World
Coming from the world’s great universities, Camp Tecumseh counselors become doctors, lawyers, teachers, business executives, pastors, scientists, engineers, public servants, and so much more. Expertly trained, exceedingly friendly, and extraordinarily creative, they are masters of forging friendships, teaching new skills, leading adventures, and instilling kids with the confidence to take on the world. We put two of them in every cabin so your child has unparalleled access to great role models who complement the lessons you’re already teaching at home.
Carefully Selected
Tecumseh counselors are the best of the best. Every year, hundreds of college students from around the world apply to be Tecumseh counselors. Our rigorous interview and selection process identifies those best suited to serve as role models to your children.
Expertly Trained
Whether they are operating high ropes elements like the zipline, lifeguarding at the waterfront, or leading devotions in the cabin, our counselors undergo extensive training prior to summer to ensure all of our campers stay safe while growing in core values.
Role Models
Our counselors aren’t just role models here at camp. They are role models back at home. As leaders of clubs and organizations, captains of sports teams, diligent students, and members of churches, they demonstrate Tecumseh values all year long.
The Cabin Experience
Two Amazing Counselors. Ten New Best Friends.
The cabin is home base for the Tecumseh experience. It’s where lasting friendships form, great adventures begin, big ideas develop, and side-splitting laughter ensues. Cabin groups eat together, play together, and pray together. They spend most of the day together. Send your child alone to meet new friends, or request a friend to join along. Either way, your child will come home with new friends who encourage each other to be their very best selves all year long.
Inside the Cabin
With 97 years of experience, we’ve mastered the camp cabin. Comfortable and spacious, our cabins feature 15 bunk style beds, attached restrooms and showers, and carpeted floors. Cozy enough for devotions, tough enough for rainy-day games, our cabins are ready for anything. Take a virtual tour.
Cabinmates
Few things are harder for kids than moving into a cabin where everybody knows each other already. That’s why our extensive cabin placement process is perfect for building unique cabin groups full of campers from different places with different experiences. Whether coming alone, or bringing a friend, your child will be loved, respected, and included.
Cabin Activities
Campers spend the majority of the day with their cabin. After breakfast, cabin groups go to Chapel together. After lunch they have a rest hour back in their cabin together. In the afternoon and evening, they often pair up with other cabin groups for activities ranging from dodgeball, to friendship bracelets, to blob time.
Meals
Cabin groups eat together for every meal. Seated at a big circular table perfect for conversation, we serve our meals “family style,” meaning the food comes out from the kitchen on a large tray and is then passed around like Thanksgiving dinner.
Villages & Units
Our Progressive Programming provides growth year after year
The Camp Tecumseh experience evolves as our campers get older. With two villages, and four age units, each step complements the values being taught at home and enhances the camper’s social, emotional, and spiritual development.
River Village
Since 1924, River Village has served as Camp Tecumseh’s base of operations. During the summer, River Village hosts the Brave and Blazer units as well as the CILTs and Day Camp Program. Home to the main lodge, camp offices, Barbara Kampen Green Cathedral, Mt Wood, Creative Arts Center, Pine Forest, and Oregon Territory, the River Village overlooks the Tippecanoe River.
Lake Village
Established in 2004, Lake Village hosts the campers of the Warrior and Pathfinder units during the summer. Home to Kampen Lodge, Scheumann Lodge, the Kettelhut Chapel, The Lookout Tower, the suspension bridge, and the Skywalkers high ropes course, the Lake Village overlooks the Richard G. Marsh Lake.
Braves
8-10 years old. Braves are our youngest campers. This specially designed unit features exclusive programs like tea parties and nature center sleepouts perfect for campers experiencing their first overnight adventure.
Blazers
11-12 years old. Blazer campers enjoy cookouts and overnight camping trips to specially created outdoor sites. In addition, we feature a number of Blazer-only clinics like rocketry and climbing on Mt. Wood.
Warriors
13 years old. Warrior campers coming to Lake Village for the first time can take advantage of all Lake Village has to offer including clinics like mosaics and guitar. Activities like float trips down the Tippecanoe River, and sleep outs at the Gish Adventure Outpost are available for the first time. Warriors attend specialty workshops that challenge them to think about issues specific to their age group.
Pathfinders
14-15 years old. Campers round out their Camp Tecumseh experience in the Pathfinder unit. The zip line over the lake and specialty team building activities like Survivor are available. In addition to evening passages to discuss age-specific issues, Pathfinders attend ceremonies where they learn how to be young men and women of God. 15-year-old campers finish their time as overnight campers as Torchbearers in a special ceremony at closing campfire.
A note about ages: These ages listed above are a general parameter for the make-up of each unit. Based on the number of campers registered each week in a particular age range, it is possible that campers be placed into a different unit – typically one unit “up” from where they would otherwise be placed.
Faith at Tecumseh
God is First. The Other Person is Second. I’m Third.
Camp Tecumseh YMCA is a Christian camp that welcomes kids from all backgrounds. It’s not our primary goal to convert kids while they are at camp. Instead, we believe it’s our job to plant the seeds of Christianity by providing Christian role models and exposing our campers to the core values of faith, friendship, joy, initiative, respect, and trust.
We’re guided by the I’m Third motto: God is most important to me. The other person is second only to him, and I’m third. Through daily chapels and cabin devotions, campers explore how much God loves them, how they can love others, and how they can love themselves for who God created them to be. No matter your child’s background or upbringing, they will be immersed in an atmosphere of love, care, and respect.
Chapels
You’ve never seen a service like this. Regularly cited as a camper’s favorite part of the week, Tecumseh chapels are relatable, interactive, and intentional. Led by our counselors at the Barbara Kampen Chapel or Kettelhut Chapel, our chapels are based on the I’m Third motto and build meaning throughout the week. Centered around enthralling skits that introduce concepts like sharing your gifts and talents, trusting in God, and loving others back home, and featuring a wide range of sing-a-long worship songs, chapels are a bedrock experience for facilitating growth.
Devotions
Devotions are the last thing every camper does before bed. Gathered around a candle with their counselor and cabin mates, devotions are a special time where campers talk about their day, their lives, and learn about faith. Starting with the I’m Third devotion on Sunday night where campers learn about the Tecumseh motto, through the closing “bead” devotion on Friday night where campers choose a character trait to work on for the rest of the year, every devotion is a unique, age-appropriate opportunity to explore faith in a safe, respectful environment.
Camp Tecumseh is where I feel closest to God. – Camper
Clinics
Try new things. Learn new skills. Experience accomplishment.
We’re committed to giving campers opportunities to try new things, and develop new skills. From sports to arts and crafts and everything in between, our skill development clinics are designed not only to teach skills, but also to foster a love of learning and an appreciation for hard work and perseverance. At the beginning of the week, campers will choose three skill clinics to participate in for an hour every morning. Whether they are making friendship bracelets or tackling the Skywalkers high ropes course, we hope every camper goes home knowing the joy of accomplishment.
Arts & Crafts
Beads
Cartooning
Drawing & Painting
Duct Tape
Embroidery
Friendship Bracelets
Gymp
Mask Making
Mosaics
Origami
Performance
Brazilian Dance
Country Line Dance
Drama
Guitar
Hip Hop Dance
Improv Comedy
Irish Dance
Show Choir
Step
Stomp
Swing Dance
Synchronized Swimming
Ukulele
Sports
Archery
Basketball
Cricket
Disc Golf
Diving
Flag Football
Peteca
Quidditch
Rugby
Tennis
Tumbling
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Unique
Canoeing/Kayaking
Creative Writing
Farm Discovery
Fishing
Fire Building
French Braiding
Mountaineering
Photography
Stand Up Paddle Boards
Wilderness Survival
Not all clinics are available every week, and not all clinics are listed.
Dates & Availability
Your Camp Tecumseh adventure is right around the corner.
Next summer is closer than you think. Browse our calendar to learn more about session dates, session availability, and current pricing. If a session is open, we have a spot for your child! If it is waitlisted, it has already filled. However, join our waitlist and you’ll be notified of availability as spots open up. If you wish to join our waitlist, please fill out our registration form. We can’t guarantee spots will become available for campers on the waitlist.
We want the Tecumseh experience to be available to all. With the generous support of donors through our annual fund, endowment, and our Tecumseh Society, we provide partial and full camperships to those who qualify. Apply for a campership today.
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 1 | June 11-17 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 2 | June 18-24 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 3 | June 25-July 1 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 4 | July 2-8 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 5 | July 9-15 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 6 | July 16-22 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 7 | July 23-29 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 8 | July 30-August 5 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Overnight Camp Week 9 | August 6-12 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 1 | June 11-17 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 2 | June 18-24 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 3 | June 25-July 1 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 4 | July 2-8 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 5 | July 9-15 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 6 | July 16-22 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 7 | July 23-29 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 8 | July 30-August 5 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Girls Overnight Camp Week 9 | August 6-12 | Waitlisted | $800 |
| Boys Equestrian Camp Week 1 | June 11-17 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Boys Equestrian Camp Week 2 | June 18-24 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Boys Equestrian Camp Week 3 | June 25-July 1 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Boys Equestrian Camp Week 4 | July 2-8 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Boys Equestrian Camp Week 5 | July 9-15 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Boys Equestrian Camp Week 6 | July 16-22 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Boys Equestrian Camp Week 7 | July 23-29 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Boys Equestrian Camp Week 8 | July 30-August 5 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Girls Equestrian Camp Week 1 | June 11-17 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Girls Equestrian Camp Week 2 | June 18-24 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Girls Equestrian Camp Week 3 | June 25-July 1 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Girls Equestrian Camp Week 4 | July 2-8 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Girls Equestrian Camp Week 5 | July 9-15 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Girls Equestrian Camp Week 6 | July 16-22 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Girls Equestrian Camp Week 7 | July 23-29 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Girls Equestrian Camp Week 8 | July 30-August 5 | Waitlisted | $890 |
| Boys CILT Session 1 | June 11-24 | Waitlisted | $1,700 |
| Boys CILT Session 2 | June 25-July 8 | Waitlisted | $1,700 |
| Boys CILT Session 3 | July 9-22 | Waitlisted | $1,700 |
| Boys CILT Session 4 | July 23-Aug 5 | 4 Spots Available | $1,700 |
| Girls CILT Session 1 | June 11-24 | Waitlisted | $1,700 |
| Girls CILT Session 2 | June 25-July 8 | Waitlisted | $1,700 |
| Girls CILT Session 3 | July 9-22 | Waitlisted | $1,700 |
| Girls CILT Session 4 | July 23-Aug 5 | Waitlisted | $1,700 |
| Whitewater Rafting 1 | June 18-24 | Waitlisted | $1,250 |
| Colorado | July 9-22 | Waitlisted | $2,500 |
| Whitewater Rafting 2 | July 30-August 5 | Waitlisted | $1,250 |
| Day Camp Week 1 | June 19-23 | Waitlisted | $175 |
| Day Camp Week 2 | June 26-June 30 | Waitlisted | $175 |
| Day Camp Week 3 | July 3-7 | Waitlisted | $175 |
| Day Camp Week 4 | July 10-14 | Waitlisted | $175 |
| Day Camp Week 5 | July 17-21 | Waitlisted | $175 |
| Day Camp Week 6 | July 24-28 | Waitlisted | $175 |
| Day Camp Week 7 | July 31-August 4 | Waitlisted | $175 |
Camp Registration & Preparation
Overnight Camp: $800/week
Registration Fee: $100 for each week your child is enrolled (fee is included in $800 price).
From registration forms, to packing lists, to check-in day, there is a lot to get ready. Don’t worry though, we make it as easy as possible to prepare for your child’s week at camp.
Overnight Camp Themes
When you’re packing for camp, don’t forget your Theme Dinner clothes! Friday Theme Dinners are among the great activities campers look forward to. Most dress up in simple costumes, often creatively coordinated by counselors so it makes the cabin group feel special.
2023 Themes
| Week | Dates | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | June 11 – June 17 | Sports Mania: Break out your favorite sport/team colors or come dressed as your all time favorite sports hero. Celebrate to the best “time-out” music we can find on a Jock Jams CD. |
| Week 2 | June 18 – June 24 | Beach Vibes: Break out the grass skirt and flower shirt and get ready to limbo! |
| Week 3 | June 25 – July 1 | Super Heroes: Are you Team DC or Team Marvel… Come dressed as your favorite super hero! |
| Week 4 | July 2 - July 8 | American Spirit: What better way to celebrate the 4th of July week. Come dressed as your favorite American hero. Great fireworks display over Marsh Lake highlights the week. |
| Week 5 | July 9 – July 15 | Country Hoe Down: Pull out your cowboy boots for a foot stompin’ good time as we country line dance (or look like we’re trying anyway) and wear our 10-gallon hats! |
| Week 6 | July 16 – July 22 | Disco Night: Lets travel back to the 70s and the height of Disco Fever. Bring out your bell bottoms, high top shoes and big hair as we get groovy! |
| Week 7 | July 23 – July 29 | Christmas in July: July 25th is the perfect time to celebrate Christmas, why wait for the snow…Let's celebrate now! |
| Week 8 | July 30 – Aug 5 | Night at the Oscars: Dress up in your best formal wear, as your favorite big screen actor or as the paparazzi who follow them! |
| Week 9 | Aug 6 – Aug 12 | Book/Movie Characters: Who are your favorite characters from those books you just can't put down? After leaving the movies, who do you feel a strong connection with? |
2022 Changes & Frequently Asked Questions
The information below reflects our plans at this time. We will be continuously planning for the summer, and some of these details may change.
2022 Changes
We have made the following changes for 2022, some based on the health and safety of campers and staff, and some based on a reimagining of our program.
Testing and Vaccination
All overnight camp staff will be required to be up-to-date on their vaccination against COVID.
All overnight campers will be required to show proof of up-to-date vaccination, or a negative test within the previous 72 hours, when arriving at check-in.
Stay over campers
For overnight campers who are attending multiple sessions, we are only offering the ability for campers to stay over on specific weekends where we are already running other programs. Campers who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination will be required to rapid test at camp prior to joining weekend programming. Camp Tecumseh will supply the testing on site for campers not up to date for the cost of $20. The following weekends are the only weekends where campers will be allowed to stay over between sessions:
- Saturday, June 18 – Sunday, June 19 (between Weeks 1 & 2)
- Saturday, July 2 – Sunday, July 3 (between Weeks 3 & 4)
- Saturday, July 16 – Sunday, July 17 (between Weeks 5 & 6)
- Saturday July 30 – Sunday, July 31 (between Weeks 7 & 8)
Camper choice activities
A modified version of clinics will return in 2022. We are excited for overnight campers to choose from over 25 activities to learn while at camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What safety measures have you implemented?
-Proof of up-to-date vaccination or a negative test.
- Campers are NOT required to be vaccinated to attend a week at camp.
- Check your local health department and pharmacies for free or low-cost testing.
- Those without a negative test result will be required to have a rapid test performed during check-in for a fee.
-Our housekeeping department will increase cleaning and disinfecting of all areas of camp with CDC-approved chemicals.
-We will ask campers and staff to take precautionary measures prior to arriving at Camp.
-Ongoing screening will continue through each session.
Will there be masking at Camp?
Camp is following the masking guidelines from the CDC, and campers and staff will be required to wear masks at certain times during the day. Appropriate masks include a two layer fabric mask or surgical masks. We will not be allowing gaiters as per CDC guidelines. If you do not believe that your camper is able to adhere to these guidelines, we would be happy to refund your paid fees for 2022. At this time a doctors note does not exempt a camper from wearing a mask.
If my camper is staying for more than one week, can they stay over the weekend?
Campers attending multiple sessions can only stay over the weekends where we are already operating other programming (June 18-19, July 2-3, July 16-17, July 30-31). No weekend stay overs on dates not listed here. Campers who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination will be required to rapid test at camp prior to joining weekend programming. Camp Tecumseh will supply the testing on site for campers not up to date for the cost of $20.
Campers choosing to participate in the stay over programming will be required to stay the entire weekend. Should you decide to pick your child up for the weekend instead of staying over, campers should be picked up during normal check out and checked back in through the normal drive-through check-in line at your assigned time. Campers that are checked out after their first week will be provided with a rapid test upon their return for the consecutive second week during the normal check-in time assigned to the family.
Are negative tests required for every camper?
Campers that are up to date on vaccination (See the CDC’s definition of up to date) will not need to arrive at camp with a negative test.
Campers who are not up to date on vaccination are required to arrive at camp with a negative test. Additionally, all summer staff will be required to have up-to-date vaccination and a negative test upon arrival.
What if someone tests positive for COVID?
If a rapid test of a symptomatic camper or staff reveals a positive case of COVID, the camper or staff will be sent home and families of the entire cabin duplex will be notified.
