Castaway Club Trip Leader Info

We are so glad you and your high school & middle school friends will be joining us for camp this summer! THANK YOU​ for the countless hours you have spent chasing after, loving on and speaking truth to kids in your town.

The details below were put together to be a "one stop shop" for your camp trip. As we get closer to summer, we will continue to update this site; please bookmark the link and refer back to it frequently.

If you have any further questions, please call (218-325-3550) or send Sierra (smacfarlane@castaway.younglife.org) or Lexie (asegura@castaway.younglife.org) an e-mail. We look forward to hosting you this summer!

Arrival & Departure

Arrival on Day 1:​ 2:00 - 4:00 PM (CST). Our office will be in touch by 9am to get your ETA & hear your final arrival numbers.

Departure (Senior High): 2:00 PM (CST). Your bus can be scheduled to arrive at the front gate no earlier than 1:00PM (CST)

Departure (WyldLife):​ 1:00 PM (CST) at 12:00PM (CST). Your bus can be scheduled to arrive at the front gate no earlier than 12:00PM (CST)

Packing List

Check out our PACKING LIST!

Linens:​​ Please have your leaders and campers bring their own twin-sized bedding and towels! Camp will provide pillows, pillow-cases, mattress pads & blankets. If this is a hardship for your area or if you are traveling, please contact Lexie at asegura@castaway.younglife.org

Please check out the Session Specific Links below to see recommendations from the Program Teams on what to pack! This will be updated in the Spring.

Dates & Tasks

10-Day Report:​Due 10 days prior to your arrival by 10:00am CST.

48-Hour YLCC Arrival Form:​​ Due 2 days prior to your arrival by 9:00am CST.​ Please ensure all campers/leaders are registered, update the required fields for each guest (health form status, housing preference, leader orientation, # of times at summer camp)​ AND click the "48 Hour Complete" button. Refer to section 4 of the YLCC User Guide​ for more details.

Day 1 Arrival Time Text:​ We will send you a message to the cell number given on your 10 Day Form by 9:00am CST​ the morning of your arrival day to get any last minute changes & to set your arrival time.

Arrival & Welcome:​ Arrive at St Mary of the Lakes Church - 20996 Co Rd 20, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501. Head leaders will greet you & you will turn in electronics, medications & any paper health forms. After turning everything in, you will drive into camp for a big welcome!

Health Form (YL-6007)

Send the Health Form to parents/guardians:
  • Using YLCC - From the arrival form in YLConnect Camp, go to Send Individualized Email​ and select the HC Form Invite, which has now been updated to include the Summer 2025 Health and Consent Form, as well as the necessary area information needed to complete the form. You will then be able to select which registrants should receive the email & click send!
  • If these e-mails aren't sending for you, you can use this method.
  • You can also send parents & leaders these instructions​ for completing a health form.
ALL Guests (campers and leaders) will need to get a signature from a medical professional​ after completing their health form:
  • The page to be signed will be created after submitting the health form online.
  • This signature can be from a MD, PA, NP, RN, LPN, or BSN for Castaway Club!
  • After completing the form, you can “fax” it the number on the form using faxzero.com.​ It may be easiest for your area office to collect all completed forms & then "fax" them.
Tracking Submissions and Preparing for Travel:
  • To view completed health forms and reports, visit these Managing Health Forms​ resources. ​ ​
  • Please track and ensure all forms are completed. In YLConnect Camp, as forms are submitted, they should automatically update to show "completed online" if campers used the individualized link.
  • Print the "travel" forms for use during travel to and from camp.
  • If a camper arrives without a completed health and consent form, the trip leader and camp team will work together to have parents/guardians complete a form as soon as possible.

Session-Specific Links

​ We will update this with Program team letters/theme night specifics in the Spring!

FAQ

  1. Camp Cost:​ Go HERE​ to find out all about camp fees, contracts, and accountability for summer 2025.
  2. Adding/Dropping Spots:​ Email Sierra (smacfarlane@castaway.younglife.org) or Lexie (asegura@castaway.younglife.org) to ask about availability in adding or dropping spots! We will do everything we can to help get as many kids to camp as possible this summer.
  3. Adult Guest Program: All Adult Guest questions can go to Sierra Macfarlane (smacfarlane@castaway.younglife.org). You can register an adult guest through this FORM. All spots are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
  4. Campers Leaving Early:​​ Every camper departing from camp early or separate, requires a completed Permission to Leave Early Form.
  5. Medical Professional's Signature: ALL guests at Castaways (campers, leaders, adult guests, etc) require a medical professional's signature -- no exceptions. This signature can be from a MD, PA, NP, RN, LPN, or BSN for Castaway Club!
  6. Medication:​ All camper medication is collected upon arrival to camp. It will be collected at the top of the hill. All emergency medications (ex: EpiPens) will be returned to individuals once it has been logged (by the first leader meeting on night 1). Please use these instructions for collecting medication.
  7. Want to see other camp trips in your Week?​ On your camp trip in YLCC, click the dropdown arrow in the top right and select Camp Trips by Week. ​ This will show you every trip at the camp you are attending organized by week. This is also where you can see if an area has Requested to Add/Drop spots.
  8. Food Allergies: All allergies should be listed on the health form, & with any special circumstances or concerns, please contact our Food Service Manager, Christine Miller, at cmiller1@castaway.younglife.org ​
  9. Catholic Mass:​ We understand that Mass is important and that while every Catholic kid/leader may not respond, we extend an invitation to celebrate Mass while they are here. ​ St. Mary of the Lakes is the closest Catholic church. ​ Please contact the Castaway office if you would like to make arrangements for someone from your group to attend Mass.
  10. NOTE on Camp Attire: ​As you are helping your campers and leaders prepare for the trip, please consider sharing a word of modesty regarding beach attire.

Required Documents

  • Area Camp Trip Survey:(due May 27) This survey is to help our camp staff & assigned team prepare well for you & your friends to be at camp!
  • YL Connect Camp (YLCC): YLCC is required for summer 2025. Training materials​ on YL Connect Camp are available through Learning Guides as well as a Quick Guide with videos. Specific information on the Arrival Form can be found here.
  • Leader Screenings:​ Please ensure that your leaders are up-to-date on the mandatory screenings on YL Connect (background check, faith & conduct, Child Safety, etc.).
  • Summer Camp Leader Orientation​​ - required for all leaders
  • Health, Consent and Release Form (YL-6007):​​ Please see above "Health Form (YL-6007)" section for more details.

Additional Resources

Summer 2025 Activities

  • Zip Line
  • Climbing Wall
  • Giant Swing
  • Tubing
  • Banana Boat
  • Swimming
  • Sailing
  • Kayaking
  • Hot Tub
  • Game Room
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Pickleball
  • Octo-ball
  • 9 Square in the Air
  • Soccer
  • Whiffle Ball
  • Frisbee Golf
  • Store, Snack Bar, Coffee Shop, Craft Cabana

Questions?

We are so grateful for ALL you are doing to bring kids to the foot of the Cross this summer.

If you have any questions or need anything at all, please contact our office: CastawayC@castaway.younglife.org;​ 218-325-3550

Praying with you as you prepare!

Due Date Timeline Summer 2025

2025 Camp Dates

10-Day Form​ Due
YLCC Housing Due

GroupMe text Arrival Time

Week 1: June 15 - 20

06/05/2025

06/13/2025

06/15/2025

Week 2: June 21 - 26

06/11/2025

06/19/2025

06/21/2025

Week 3: June 27 - July 2

06/17/2025

06/25/2025

06/27/2025

Week 4: July 6 - 11

06/26/2025

07/04/2025

07/06/2025

Week 5: July 12 - 17

07/02/2025

07/10/2025

07/12/2025

Week 6: July 18 - 23

07/08/2025

07/16/2025

07/18/2025

Week 7: (WL) July 25 - 29

07/15/2025

07/23/2025

07/25/2025

Week 8: (WL) July 30 - Aug 3

07/20/2025

07/28/2025

07/30/2025

Week 9: (WL) Aug 4 - 8

07/25/2025

08/02/2025

08/04/2025

Week 10: (WL)​ Aug 9 - 13

07/30/2025

08/07/2025

08/09/2025