Camper info is kept confidential and is only viewed by those who provide direct care to an individual. This includes:

• Camp leadership, and/or staff assisting with registration.

• Camp Medic and Head Chef as needed to provide for medical or dietary needs.

• Your camper’s Buddy or camp counselor.

• Other Buddies (usually in their color group or bunk room) who assist with your camper.

At no time is your camper’s information shared with other campers or families. We may call the Primary Caregiver (including a camper’s group home staff or social worker,) to address specific care situations or questions, as outlined by the information provided during registration.

Please share any and all information that will help us provide your camper with a safe, quality experience.

Camp Luther does not discriminate based on needs or diagnosis. We seek to provide a quality experience to each individual who attends... and we have learned that some needs are beyond our abilities to provide a safe or comfortable experience.

There are some details that we do not need to know. Others can seriously alter an experience if this information is withheld.

• Blind or deaf diagnosis.

• Extremely limited mobility or use of a wheel chair.

• Requires injections or disposable undergarments.

• Extreme verbal or physical aggression towards self or others.

Our goal is to keep an open dialog that ensures Camp Luther is a good fit for new campers, and so we can provide for the changing needs of returning campers.

If you are uncertain, or want to limit access to certain care details, please contact our Director of Discipleship and arrange for a private, confidential conversation to address your needs/fears and to help us provide the best possible care for your camper. discipleship@campluther.org

His Kids provides persons with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy camp, going outside to explore nature and to experience the love of Jesus and the friendship of other campers and their "camp buddies."

Our goal is to provide as close to a 1:1 camper to Buddy environment as possible. This varies by year, the number of attending Buddies, and the needs of our campers. It is not unusual for campers to be in a group of 2:1 or 3:1.

Our camp environment works best for campers who are either independent or semi-independent.

Camp Luther does not discriminate based on needs or diagnosis. We seek to provide a quality experience to each individual who attends... and have learned that some needs are beyond our abilities to provide a safe or comfortable experience.

Please consider the following as a guide when discussing your camper’s needs with our team.

The independent camper can care for his or her self. They are reasonably mobile on flat terrain, and ideally can navigate rough terrain with minimal assistance. This camper can use the restroom, shower and dress completely on their own, with perhaps a little verbal prompting. This camper requires minimal supervision and does not require more one-on-one attention than might be expected of any other person interacting in a group setting.

The semi-independent camper can care for his or her self with minimal assistance from a care giver. They are reasonably mobile on flat surfaces but may require help on rough terrain or stairs. Assisting this person may include verbal prompts to remember a certain item or specific tasks. This camper can use the restroom, shower and dress completely, although they may need verbal reminders to wash their hands, or to remember which article of clothing to put on next. This camper requires closer supervision, but can still function within a group setting.

The semi-dependent camper requires assistance when caring for his or her self. This person may be verbal or non-verbal. They may require help when moving over flat surfaces. This camper can use the restroom on their own, perhaps with verbal prompts or mirroring actions such as hand-washing, and may need minimal assistance in the shower, such as pouring soap onto a wash cloth, or with dressing, such as being handed clothing items or getting into shirt sleeves or shoes. They can feed themselves at meals and may require assistance carrying things to the table or cutting up things into smaller bites. The semi-dependent camper may also be physically independent but require individual attention for emotional support or for closer supervision due to behavioral challenges.

The dependent camper requires assistance when caring for his or her self. This person may be non-verbal. They may be visually impaired or hard of hearing. They may require transportation assistance. This person may require help using the restroom, putting on disposable undergarments, showering or dressing. They may require assistance at meals. This individual may also need help getting into and out of a wheelchair. In some cases, a physically able person may be considered dependent for emotional or other needs.

Please Note: Some campers with higher care needs might succeed better if they bring a caregiver who is familiar with their needs along as their buddy. There is currently no charge for Buddies to attend, although donations to help cover meal costs are appreciated.

If you are uncertain if His Kids fits your situation, please ask us! We evaluate the needs of each individual on a case-by-case basis and can help you determine the best fit for your participant.

Please visit our "What to Bring" page.

For His Kids, we provide a little more freedom if there are items that will enhance your camper’s experience.

• Adaptive communication devices. We have had success with non-verbal campers who bring word-picture books or devices they use at home to help communicate with their buddies.

• Custom art supplies. What we have is available for use, but supplies may be limited.

• Fishing pole. We have these available, yet some campers prefer their own.

• Cell phone. We permit the occasional cell phone for His Kids adults who need that connection. They can become a distraction to the program so we set limits on when calls can be made. It may be used to take pictures. Web browsing or watching videos are not permitted, and access to WiFi is not available. Camp is not responsible for lost or broken equipment, or for charging a device’s battery if the power cord is forgotten. If possible, helping your camper unplug for the week is always the best option.

• Cash and Wallets. These items are not required - see “Camp Store Money” - however, as adults, some campers prefer to keep their wallets in hand. We encourage campers to leave their wallets with you for safekeeping or to put any cash they brought into their camp account - to be returned at the end of the event. Some campers agree to let us keep their wallet safe for them in the camp store, while others choose to retain full responsibility. If a camper insists, we ask that you count their money with them in private and quietly inform one of our full-time staff how much they are carrying so we can help track spending and avoid/mediate any accusations if anything goes missing. Camp Luther is not responsible for lost or misplaced cash.

Camp Luther's kitchen team is equipped to adapt meals for common dietary allergies or restrictions.

If your camper has food allergies or specific dietary needs, please list them on the registration form and be as specific as you can.

Example, a peanut allergy might mean that a person cannot eat raw peanuts or peanut butter but we can still serve it in sandwiches or cookies to other guests. In an extreme case, it can also mean no contact with others who have eaten or touched peanut products. Knowing the level of severity helps us plan meal options and adapt kitchen practices to keep your camper safe.

All medications are collected and stored in a secure location. The exception is Inhalers, Epi-pens and similar items requiring immediate action - these are kept in the care of your camper's Buddy or activity leader.

Medications are dispensed at meal times and at bed time by our Camp Medic, or by a designated, trained staff member. Medications dispensed outside of these times should be discussed at Check-in so that they are not overlooked.

We publish three dates for His Kids Events, so it can be easy to get confused.

His Kids Summer Camp

Summer Camp is a four day event for campers. in 2026, our first session runs from Monday to Thursday, and our second session runs Tuesday to Friday.

Check-in time for both events is 9:00-10:00am. Check-out time for both events is between 10:30-11:00am.

His Kids Spring or Fall Retreat

His Kids seasonal retreats are two day events. Campers arrive Saturday and depart Sunday.

Check-in time for our weekend events is Saturday between 9:00-10:00am. Check-out time for both events is on Sunday between 3:30-4:00pm.

Buddies - the extra “day”

You may notice different event dates posted for our His-Kids Buddies. Every His Kids event includes an extra evening for our Buddies to arrive, to conduct training, and to prepare for your camper’s arrival.

Buddies are asked to arrive by 7:00pm the night before their event and to be ready for a couple hours of prep work - many choose to bring their favorite source of caffeine or some sharable snacks.

Weekend Retreat Campers do not need to bring money. Snacks are provided and care-givers can assist with desired Camp Store purchases at Check-In or Check-out.

Summer Campers can plan to spend about $9 in snacks.

Campers do not need to carry money with them. Our team keeps a tally sheet for each camper listing what they can spend, based on what you add to their account at Registration (online) or at Check-in.

Campers visit our Snack Shack each day to purchase snack items or a soda. Snack items include candy, cookies, chips, or snow cones, depending on current supplies.

The Camp Store is open during Check-In and Check-Out.

Remaining Camp Store Funds over $10 are refunded at the end of your camper’s stay. Most families tend to donate anything below that, or spend it on snacks for the trip home.

Camp Luther collects the items lost each week. Our team does its best to return these items to their owners while they are still at camp.

One unique challenge with His Kids is that some attending campers can list every item they packed, while others may have no idea whether an item is theirs or not. In the case of some group homes, this often relates to pillows and bedding.

Please double-check your camper’s bunk area and our Lost & Found table before you leave camp. This helps to confirm that you have everything your camper brought to camp, and also that they are not accidentally leaving with items that may belong to someone else.

Please contact our office as soon as you realize something is missing - or if you find additional items - and we will do what we can to help find and return everything to the correct place. We generally do not keep lost underwear or socks. Unclaimed items may be donated following a sufficient period of time.

His Kids serves about 25 campers per event, and our goal is to provide as close to a 1:1 Camper to Buddy experience as possible.

Our greatest need for His Kids is more, and consistent, Summer Camp Buddies.

• Consider attending for a week of Camp alongside one of our campers.

• Consider a teen youth group service event. Bring a chaperone from your church and a few teens willing to serve and to support one another.

• Consider asking your church to adopt a week. Perhaps we can create a schedule where members able to help for a day or two can alternate their schedules and assist Counselors caring for their campers in a 2:1 or 3:1 capacity.

• Share the word! Even if you are unable to help, perhaps you have friends or connections with others who might be able and willing to serve.

His Kids is a blessing to our campers, to their families and care givers, and to the Buddies who serve. Thanks for your support and your prayers!