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 e-mail Sierra (smacfarlane@castaway.younglife.org). We look forward to hosting you this summer!
*Updated 2/2/2026
Arrival & Departure
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Arrival on Day 1: 2:00 - 4:00 PM (CST). 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!
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). Your bus can be scheduled to arrive at the front gate no earlier than 12:00PM (CST)
Packing List
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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 Sierra at smacfarlane@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
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- 10-Day Report: Due 10 days prior to your arrival by 9:00am 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.
- Area Camp Trip Survey: (sent in the spring, due in May) This survey is to help our camp staff & assigned team prepare well for you & your friends to be at camp!
- 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.).
Camp Week
10-Day Form Due
YLCC Arrival Form Due
Day 1 Call-In Due Date
Week 1: June 9 - 14 (YL)
May 30 by 9am CST
June 7 by 9am CST
June 9 by 9am CST
Week 2: June 15 - 20 (YL)
June 5 by 9am CST
June 13 by 9am CST
June 15 by 9am CST
Week 3: June 21 - 26 (YL)
June 11 by 9am CST
June 19 by 9am CST
June 21 by 9am CST
Week 4: June 30 - July 5 (YL)
June 20 by 9am CST
June 28 by 9am CST
June 30 by 9am CST
Week 5: July 6 - 11 (YL)
June 26 by 9am CST
July 4 by 9am CST
July 6 by 9am CST
Week 6: July 12 - 17 (YL)
July 2 by 9am CST
July 10 by 9am CST
July 12 by 9am CST
Week 7: July 21 - 25 (WL)
July 11 by 9am CST
July 19 by 9am CST
July 21 by 9am CST
Week 8: July 26 - 30 (WL)
July 16 by 9am CST
July 24 by 9am CST
July 26 by 9am CST
Week 9: July 31 - August 4 (WL)
July 21 by 9am CST
July 29 by 9am CST
July 31 by 9am CST
Week 10: August 5 - August 9 (WL)
July 26 by 9am CST
August 3 by 9am CST
August 5 by 9am CST
Updated Health Form
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We are excited about the new unified Health Form that is now live in YLConnect! See below & click the links for more information!
- One-Page Summary of Updated Health Form
- Staff Resources Page on how to use/send the Updated Health Form
Castaway-Specific Information
Medical Professional Signature
- The state of Minnesota requires a signature from a medical professional for all campers, leaders & YL staff at Castaway.
- This signature does not need to be from a doctor - it can be from any “licensed practitioner of the healing arts” (MN Rules 4630.4300) meaning a PA, nurse, EMT, etc. can sign the form.
- After a parent/guardian completes the online health form, they will receive a confirmation email with a PDF to print & get signed as well as a secure upload link (no more faxing!)
- If a parent/guardian cannot locate the participant-specific form or the upload link, the local area or camp can resend the link from YL Connect Camp. The Connections Team can also assist in providing either link if needed.
Immunization Records - The state of Minnesota also requires immunization dates for campers/leaders. These can be submitted in three ways:
- While filling out the form, enter (approximate) dates of each immunization.
- While filling out the form, upload a photo of immunization records.
- After completing the form, using the generated link to upload a photo/PDF of the immunization records (can be completed by parent/guardian OR area staff).
- No one is required to be immunized to attend camp in Minnesota, so there continues to be the option to choose “No” to all or specific immunizations.
Paper Forms - As much as possible, we encourage you to use online health forms. This new system should be easier to use/access on cell phones.
- If you must use a paper form, they are now campaign specific and can be found on your arrival form. Any old versions of the 6007 form will not be accepted at camp this summer.
- If a paper form is needed, be sure to use the correct, current version for your trip.
- Because Minnesota requires a medical professional signature, every camper/leader using a paper health form will need to complete both the campaign specific health form AND the campaign specific medical professional signature form.
- Both of these forms will then need to be uploaded & attached to the individual’s registration.
Other Items
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- Camp Cost: Go HERE to find out all about camp fees, contracts, and accountability for summer 2026.
- Adding/Dropping Spots: Email Sierra (smacfarlane@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.
- Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: Please ensure campers and leaders list food allergies/dietary restrictions on their health form. If a health form is completed without those details, email Sierra (smacfarlane@castaway.younglife.org) and we'll make sure they are included on our internal tracking list. For questions about how special diets are handled in our kitchen, please reach out to our Food Service Manager, Christine (cmiller1@castaway.younglife.org)
- Retail Gift Card: There will be a new process for gift cards this year & details will be sent out soon. These gift cards can be used in the store, snack bar & coffee shop.
- Summer Camp Leader Orientation: Prior to arrival, please ensure your leaders have completed the Summer Camp Leader Orientation. This will be updated in early March to be completed through YLConnect.
- Early Departures: If a camper needs to leave separate from the rest of your area, a completed Permission to Leave Early form (YL-1853) must be completed online before the camper is able to leave camp.
- Campers Driving/Riding in Personal Vehicle: If a camper needs to drive their personal vehicle to/from camp OR a camper is riding to/from camp with another minor in their personal vehicle, a completed Permission to Drive To and From Camp (YL-1854) must be completed online before the camp trip. (Keep in mind that the Permission to Leave Early form (YL-1853) is also required when a camper rides home with another minor in their personal vehicle.)
- 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.
- Medication: All camper medication is collected upon arrival to camp. It will be collected at the church. All emergency medications 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.
- 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.
- Controlled Substances: Use, possession or distribution of illegal and non-medical authorized drugs and/or alcohol is not allowed on camp property or in connection with any Young Life event. Young Life can send individuals home from camp or an event at their own expense and without refund for violating this policy. Young Life may also report violations of this policy to law enforcement as well as to a minor’s parent/guardian. Please refer to the Controlled Substances policy (AS-802) for more information.
- 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.
- 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.
Housing Layouts
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We have several different housing layouts to fit cabins of many sizes. Here are the details of our dorm/cabin sizes:
- Cutter (can be all male or all female depending on the week): 4 cabins with 10 beds each
- Carrick (typically male): 5 cabins with 12 beds, 1 cabin with 10 beds
- Galleon (male): 8 cabins with 6-12 beds each (shared bathhouse)
- Sloop (typically female): 8 cabins with 12 beds each
- Schooner (typically female): 2 cabins of 14 beds, 2 cabins of 10 beds, 5 cabins of 8 beds
Assigning housing each week is a puzzle; we will do our best to accommodate your "Housing Preference 1", but please know that is not always possible. Thus, when entering housing in YLCC, please be sure to also list a secondary housing breakdown in the "Housing Preference 2" field. This allows us to see different options for all the areas, in order to best house every camper/leader. We also work hard to minimize use of floor mattresses & to stay within our required building occupancy limits. At times, we may need to flex to "Housing Preference 2" or combine multiple areas in one cabin. We will do our best to communicate housing assignments out before arrival, particularly with combined cabins.
Session-Specific Links
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- Session 1 (Coming April 2026!)
- Session 2 (Coming April 2026!)
- Session 3 (Coming April 2026!)
Additional Resources
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- WyldLife Camping Policies
- Capernaum Accommodations
- Charter Bus Agreement (recommended)
- Camping Handbook
- Permission to Leave Early Form - required for any campers leaving separate from the YL area!
- Map to Camp
- Castaway Retail Gift Card Form
Summer 2026 Activities
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- 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
- Wiffle Ball
- Frisbee Golf
- Store, Snack Bar, Coffee Shop, Craft Cabana (Crafts available as possible with Summer Staff)
Questions?
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We are so grateful for ALL you are doing to bring kids to camp 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!
