Bair Lake Bible Camp Frequently Asked Questions

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At Bair Lake Bible Camp, or BLBC, we are excited to provide a fun, safe, Christ-centered program.  Rock solid teaching, combined with great activities make Bair Lake a place where your child will be nurtured and encouraged in their own relationship with Christ and in their relationships with others.  Your child will return home telling of new friends, new experiences and how Bair Lake is different because Christ is central in everything we do.  We believe in providing strong Christian role models and train our staff to understand the importance of being a good example. We take the responsibility of caring for your child very seriously and are honored that you would allow us to input into their lives.

Who will be my child’s counselor?
Twenty-six college age students work over the summer as lifeguards, counselors, and auxiliary services. All applicants complete a written application, references are checked, interviews are given and training applied by Bair Lake. In addition, former campers, staff and BLBC friends volunteer their time to serve as counselors. Your child will be surrounded by people who have a love for the Lord, children, and for serving others.

What about safety?
All staff and volunteers meet the standards for clearance required by the State of Michigan.  An application is submitted and references checked. The majority of our workers are longtime friends and associates of Bair Lake. Weekly program directors primarily work in Michigan schools. Bair Lake practices the two adult rule - your child will never be alone in an enclosed area with only one adult. The State of Michigan has extensive guidelines that all camps must meet and we happily comply.

Medical care 
A qualified health officer will be on site 24 hours a day for each camp to manage all medical issues. The nearest medical facility is Three Rivers Area Hospital. Should serious injury or illness occur every attempt will be made to contact the parent/guardian.  Upon registering your child for camp you will be required to complete a health history form, which gives additional information.

What about the pool and waterfront?
Red Cross trained lifeguards will monitor all waterfront activities. The lake is used primarily for boating and during the younger age camps, a counselor must be in the boat with the campers. For “in water” activities all campers will wear lifejackets. The pool is also monitored closely.

Can I pick my cabin mates?
Overnight campers can anticipate being with 8 to 10 other cabin mates as well as with two counselors in his/her cabin. You will be able to request two cabin mates, and we do our best to comply but cannot guarantee.  Large groups may be split to encourage campers to meet someone new.

What are the cabins like?  
Two facilities house campers. The cabins are recently renovated, have air conditioning and share a common bathhouse located a short distance from the cabins. The Sunrise Lodge is a self contained building with shared bathhouse within building. To view click here.  (LINK TO PICS CABIN AND SR)

How about the food?
We strive to provide balanced appetizing meals. Should your child have special needs you need to contact the director of food services. Fun food and events make meal times an enjoyable part of our camp program.

What is there to do at Bair Lake?
In short….tons!  Ninety seven acres offer many activities for your pleasure, such as disc golf, mini-golf, children's playscape, broom hockey, and soccer. An outdoor game area includes horseshoes, 4 square, gaga ball, corn hole toss, and tetherball. Water activities include a pool, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, tubing and the water mat. Crafts, outdoor education, Bmx bikes, archery and wristrocket paint ball are also great fun. An indoor game room offers pool and table tennis, foosball and carpetball. Adventure activities include a high and low ropes course, 35’ Rock Climbing Center, double zip line, and the Stand. New is the Pineview Adventure Center, which hosts a game room and gymnasium. And, of course there’s great people waiting to build lifelong friendships with you.

While fun activities, new experiences, and developing relationships are important, the main goal of Bair Lake Bible Camp is to introduce young people to Christ, to develop a relationship with Him and to then challenge them to grow in their Christian walk.  Our daily Bible sessions will be in keeping with this goal, as will the evening chapel services.

Check In and Check Out
Check-in begins Sunday from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Upon arrival proceed to the main entrance. You will be greeted and your luggage tagged and taken to your camper’s cabin. Be sure to keep all medications with you. You will be directed to the registration table where all owed monies are collected including snack bar deposit, camp photo or DVDs. All campers must visit the health officer at this time where medications are collected. Junior campers will have a head check. Next, you move on to the cabins where you will be greeted by your child’s counselor. Please help your camper adjust to their surroundings, take time visit the gift shop and you can also purchase a gift pack to be delivered to  your camper any time during the week they are here.

ROOKIE 2 Camp:  Please note that this camp begins on Wednesday and check in is at 3;30PM.  All other procedures are as above.

Check out will begin at 11:30am at the Pineview Adventure Center or PAC. Here you will be required to present a photo ID and then you will be given a ticket for the release of your camper. Any medications will be returned to you. The Rally will start at noon, with your campers showcasing a small part of what this week was about. Following the rally, your camper will line up with their counselor, you will be dismissed to greet them, and at this point you turn in your ticket in order to obtain  your camper. Luggage will be located in the picnic area across from the PAC building.

ROOKIE 1 Camp:  Please note that this camp ends on Wednesday and checkout time is 1:30PM. There will be no Camp Rally.

Spending Money- costs
Spending money will be deposited with the camp office* and a record of campers spending will be kept daily.  We have a lot to offer at the Snack Shop and Bair’s Cove, from sweet treats to Bair Lake clothing and novelties. Hand craft projects are an additional cost, as well as waterfront tubing. Unspent monies will be returned to campers. Spending money must be paid by cash or check. Sorry, no credit cards. We recommend at least $20-$25.

*Family Camps, CIT, Teen Classic and Youth Week will have option of cash basis.

 How can I contact my camper?
For purposes of safety and security, cell phones are requested to be left at home. In situations where parents or guardians feel the phone is needed for the trip to and from camp, the phones will be checked in at registration, locked up and stored during the camp session. They will then be returned to you or them on the final day of camp.

Mail may be sent to 12500 Prang, Jones, MI 49061 and will be distributed daily. In case of an emergency the after business hours contact number is: (269) 506- 7410

Photos of your child’s week at camp are posted daily at www.blbc.com, click on the link to photo gallery.

What should a camper bring to camp?
Bible, notebook and pencil, tennis shoes and sandals, sport clothes/all weather clothing. Modest one piece swimsuit or tankini that covers  the midriff, please, no spaghetti strap tops. Sleeping bag, pillow, towels,  personal care items, sweatshirt/warm jacket, flashlight.  One junk pair of clothes that may get ruined. You may also bring cameras, musical instruments, fishing equipment, sporting items, and other special interest equipment. Bair Lake Bible Camp encourages all campers and parents to carefully consider anything brought to camp. Expensive or sentimental items are often best left at home. Bair Lake Bible Camp cannot be responsible for lost, stolen, or broken items, and it saddens us when this happens.

What should a camper not bring?
iPod, mp3 or CD player, CDs/DVDs, TV, tobacco, video games, firearms/fireworks, radio, expensive jewelry, illegal substances, knives/weapons, water guns/balloons, video cameras, cell phones, and gum.

Are there any scholarships available?
Bair Lake does offer a scholarship for eligible campers. Please contact the Business Manager, Kimberly Mechling at business@blbc.com, or call 269-244-5193 for an application. You may also want to check with your local church or county office to see if they have any scholarship programs as well.

What happens at camp?
Every camp is unique in its schedule and activities. The younger campers, ie: day camp and juniors, run a highly structured program with the cabins moving through the day together. As campers return year after year and go through the older age camps, increased opportunity for individual choice is available, however all activities are strongly encouraged, and meals are required. See the individual camp for sample schedule.

Is a camper allowed to drive to camp themselves?
Yes, as long as the camper has legal licensing and  permission from their parents. When they arrive at camp, they need to park in the designated parking area and turn their keys into the camp office for safekeeping.

Who’s in charge?
The Executive Director is Bob Tissot originally of Owosso, Michigan. Bob has his MA in counseling and was employed as a teacher/counselor at St. Johns High School for a period of 16 years. Prior to coming to Bair Lake 10 years ago, he had already given 10 years to the camp as a volunteer.

The Camp Director is Trevor Wickes, ,formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan.

How do I register?
Online, click register now, or download registration form and mail in.

Do you have a refund policy?
The deposit is refundable 30 days prior to event, at which time a $25 processing fee will be charged. After this time the deposit is non-refundable.

We’re looking forward to meeting and serving you and your child this summer at Bair Lake Bible Camp!