Frequently Asked Questions

Some questions come up often, and we’ve taken a crack below at the ones we hear most. Keep ‘em coming, there’s no stupid question. And we love questions we have never heard before!

Curriculum

What happens each day?

Our days at camp are flexible, and many of our decisions are made based on camper preference and weather. Here’s an example of how a typical day might go:

Each day, we get up and enjoy a hearty breakfast before packing our lunches and gear for the day. Depending on group interest, we might top-rope, boulder, learn technical skills, rappel, etc. We’ll spend most of the day on our chosen climbing activity (enjoying lunch and snacks along the way), then return to camp. 

After returning from camp, we might enjoy some downtime at the campsite, head to the lake to swim, or prepare for an activity (like a drive-in movie). We’ll eat dinner at our campsite, prepared by a team of campers and an instructor. We often end the day with a campfire or some games. 

Is all camp time structured? 

Some of the most common feedback we receive from campers is about how much they love the collaborative nature of our schedule at camp. Our daily schedule is flexible, based on the weather forecast and what our campers are most excited about. 

Each day, we set aside some free time, which campers may use to rest, enjoy some private time in their tent for journaling, reading, etc., or for hanging out around camp with other students. Those seeking more social outlets might want to bring a favorite game to share. 

Will I be able to keep up?

Yes. We don’t leave anyone behind! However, this camp involves challenging outdoor adventure pursuits, including hiking steep grades, swimming, and rock climbing. We are active every day and expect all kids to be comfortable and excited about putting forth a strong effort.

Will it be too easy?

Probably not. We typically have a wide range of climbing abilities amongst our campers, from beginners to competitive climbing team members. If you do find your abilities are well above the group’s, there are always ways we can provide extra challenges.

Do you stay at Devil’s Lake all week?

Typically, yes. Occasionally we venture to another destination. For example, if campers are really excited about bouldering, we may head to Governor Dodge State Park to check out the plentiful boulder problems. Or, if it’s really rainy, we may drive to Madison to climb indoors at Boulders Climbing Gym. 

What happens at drop-off and pick-up?

Drop Off: We meet at our campsite in Devil’s Lake State Park, and check in with parents about any outstanding forms, medications, or special needs. Campers and their families vary in how they handle getting settled. Some parents stay to help their student set up their tent, and other teens are perfectly comfortable flying solo to set up their home-away-from-home. Instructors will be present and happy to lend a hand to campers who need it. 

Pick Up: We meet parents at Ski Hi Fruit Farm on Friday at 4:30 PM, which allows us to have ample parking and more reliable cell phone service. Camper gear is already packed up, so all you need to do is pick up your camper and their stuff, and prepare to hear about all their awesome adventures on the drive home. Don’t forget to stop inside Ski Hi’s shop to pick up some tasty treats for your drive!

Equipment

What should I wear?

Prepare for a wide range of weather conditions when packing for camp. Mornings and evenings are often chilly enough for puffy jackets, while warm summer afternoons frequently rise above 80 degrees or surprise us with a rain storm. In short, we recommend lots of layers and advise campers to avoid cotton.

If you choose to bring or wear shorts, a longer inseam (5”+) will help avoid chafing with a harness. Close toed athletic shoes or hiking boots are a must. For more in depth recommendations, check out our packing list. 

Registration

Is financial assistance available?

If you want to attend camp but tuition is beyond your family’s budget, please submit a financial aid application. 

Can I cancel my camper’s enrollment?

Per our cancellation policies, enrollment in our camps is non-refundable, unless we can find another student to take your place. 

Policies

Since TCC is a co-ed camp, do you have specific policies to address this?

We welcome students of all gender identities at camp, and we don’t have specific policies related to gender for our campers. We emphasize respect for each other’s identities and personal spaces. Teens are not allowed in each other’s tents, unless the parents of both campers have specifically consented in advance. 

We take care to have staff members of multiple genders represented at each session of camp and avoid situations in which a single camper is alone with a single instructor. 

Is tent sharing allowed? How does that work?

In short, yes, but we need permission from both campers’ parents in advance, and we won’t rearrange sleeping situations during the week unless there are extenuating circumstances (if a tent breaks, sick tent-mate, etc.). If your camper and a friend want to share a tent, please email us before the first day of camp to let us know. 

Can my student drive themselves to camp?

Yes, we do allow campers to drive themselves to camp, as long as we have space at our campsite for the vehicle. We do not allow campers to transport themselves while at camp. 

Do you allow students to leave and return during camp?

No, we do not allow students to leave and return during camp. Once students arrive at camp and check in, they are expected to follow instructor directions and participate fully in camp for the duration of the session.

Special Needs

Can campers with physical, social, or emotional special needs attend?

If you have specific concerns, the best course of action is to give us a call or send us an email. We typically see a wide range of campers each year, and we are happy to make any accommodations to support your climber, as long as those accommodations don’t interfere with staff’s ability to support the group as a whole. 

Food

How do meals work?

We collaborate with campers on meals at every step - from meal selection, to grocery shopping, meal preparation, and clean up. Instructors often handle food prep for breakfast, unless campers express a desire to participate, and campers pack their own lunches from a variety of options laid out each day. 

We typically form cook teams the first night of camp, and each team is responsible for one dinner. We find that participating in meal preparation fosters teamwork and helps our campers build valuable outdoor living skills. Plus, our campers typically really enjoy having some agency on what they eat during the week. 

We frequently accommodate dietary preferences (vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, etc.) and allergies. If your camper has a severe allergy, or you have other concerns about meals, please let us know. 

Should campers bring supplementary food/snacks?

We don’t like our campers to be hungry, and we make daily grocery runs so we can provide fresh food all week. We strive to have high-quality snacks on hand for students to eat at any time, but we recognize that many teens have favorites they simply can’t live without.

We discourage students from bringing lots of personal, unhealthy snacks. Not only does it prevent your body and mind from performing during the week, but it creates awkward social conditions if/when you don’t want to share.

We welcome campers to bring additional food or snacks with them, and we are happy to provide critter-safe storage for them. If you choose to send food with your camper, please provide some sort of labeled container (bag, tupperware, etc.). 

Safety

What if my student takes medication?

We handle medication needs on a base-by-case basis in collaboration with campers and their guardians. Please send your camper's medications in a safe container labeled with the camper's name, medication name, dosage, and the time it is to be administered. 

If your camper is comfortable handling their own medication, great! We are happy to provide regular reminders and safe storage as needed. If your camper has more specific medication needs, please reach out to us and explain how we can best support them. 

How do you handle medical emergencies?

All TCC lead instructors are certified Wilderness First Responders, so they will act in accordance with their training to stabilize an ill or injured climber and contact emergency medical services (if necessary). We contact a student’s parents as soon as possible during any medical emergency.  

Do students get homesick?

Not often in our experience, but it has happened. For kids who have never slept away from home and/or away from their families, the first time doing so can be surprisingly emotional. We are comfortable helping kids work through the emotions, but we ask families to practice with some shorter sleep-away experiences in advance of camp.

What if there is bad weather?

Someone once said, “There is no bad weather, only bad equipment.” We try to follow this philosophy and bring equipment to deal with rain, wind, and hot/cool air and water temperatures. We spend as much time outside as possible.

That said, sometimes the weather DOES get bad enough we are unable to remain outside. If we choose to give up on recreating outdoors, we may end up indoors at Boulders Climbing Gym.

In more intense conditions (100-tear rain storms, tornados, etc) we will seek shelter as the weather dictates. This could be less dramatic, like hunkering under our tents or gathering under a pavillion, or seeking shelter in Rosie The Bus along the protected West Bluff. In even more serious conditions we will make use of the public tornado shelter in Baraboo.  

Communications

Are cell phones and/or electronics allowed?

Cell phones, iPads, laptops, and other personal electronic devices are not permitted at camp. If your camper needs a cell phone to coordinate drop-off and pick-up, we will store it for them during the week, however we do not provide any means for students to charge devices. They are welcome to borrow instructors’ personal phones at any time to reach family.

Will we be able to communicate with our student during the week?

Cell service is variable throughout the park, and we encourage students to unplug from their devices while at camp. Instructors keep phones charged at all times, but may not be reachable 24/7 due to poor reception in the park. Instructors make sure to check in with emails and phone notifications daily. 

Instructors will send out a mid-week update letting parents know what we’ve been up to. They also provide their cell phone numbers to parents, who are welcome to call if they need to speak to their camper. Campers are welcome to use instructors’ phones to call home at any time.