FAQs

Check out our independent or family camp Parent Packets for more information or contact us and we’d be happy to help!

In addition to the medical staff meeting your child's physical and medical needs, CCK also has dedicated and caring program staff who focus on engaging and participating with your child while supporting their social and emotional well-being.

CCK offers 24/7 medical coverage for campers, with an on-site care center equipped with exam rooms, wellness rooms, and medication storage. CCK is also located about 5 minutes from the nearest Emergency Department. Upon arrival, families check in with the staff. For independent camp check-in, the medical team will review all medications and camper needs. If there are any physical or mental health concerns or illnesses during independent camps, CCK staff will contact the family.

Our meals are kid- and family-friendly, with a variety of options, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free choices. Make sure these needs are indicated in your application! Review the menu that you will receive prior to camp to help with planning. We offer a fruit and cereal bar in the mornings, and a salad bar at lunch and dinner, along with various drink options. Families can bring pre-made meals, but containers must be labeled with the child’s name and preparation date. Additionally, we provide fruit and a sunbutter & jelly sandwich station for snacks between meals.

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When families arrive at CCK, they will be greeted by our staff and checked in. During independent camp check-in, the medical team will meet with families to review medications, camper needs, and program details. Campers will then move into their lodges, where they’ll meet excited staff and volunteers who will help them build confidence, gain independence, and meet their new best friend! 

During their camp experience, campers will enjoy activities like fishing, horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, theater, mini golf, and more. Fun all-camp events such as messy games, stage nights, and campfires are also planned! 

During independent camps, campers will be busy having fun and won't be able to contact you during the week. We ask that children leave phones and tablets at home, but parents/guardians can bring mail or care packages for campers to open throughout the week. For updates on your camper, you can contact our Senior Director of Camping Services or our Medical Director.

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Our staff is trained in helping campers through homesickness and transition challenges. If necessary, we’ll reach out to you to partner on the best solution.

Absolutely. Trained staff and volunteers are assigned to each lodge and provide overnight supervision. The camper-to-staff ratio is intentionally low to ensure safety and personal attention.

Room capacity can serve up to 8 campers per den. Each lodge also has common areas for socializing and group activities.

Yes, all camper housing is ADA-compliant and designed to accommodate campers with mobility challenges, including wheelchair access, roll-in showers, and accessible restrooms.

During summer camp sessions, campers stay in lodges with other campers in their assigned den. They share living and bathroom space with a small group of peers, creating a supportive, community-centered environment. Campers are assigned to lodges based on their gender and age group. Each camper has their own bed and space for personal belongings. Common areas in lodges include seating, games, books, and decor that reflect the lodge’s unique theme.

For family weekend retreats, each family is assigned their own private room—much like a hotel setup. Your family will have exclusive access to your sleeping area and a private bathroom, so there's no need to share with other families.

All meals are served on our hot serving lines. Each lodge has its own serving line and campers are served meals by their camp counselors or CCK year-round staff members. If your child requires allergen-friendly foods they will be accompanied by their counselor to our kitchen service window to get the allergen-free food choices provided for each meal. We also provide the following at each meal:

• Breakfast – Self-serve cereal and fruit bar
• Lunch – Self-serve fruit and salad bar and when applicable a toppings bar for burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs/brats and tacos/nachos.
• Dinner – Self-serve salad bar and when applicable a toppings bar for burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs and tacos/nachos.

Our daily menus include the following options at each meal:

• Gluten-free
• Vegetarian meals
• Milk alternatives
• Silk soy milk (vanilla and chocolate flavors)
• Vanilla rice milk
• Orange and apple juice
• A cereal bar at every breakfast

Options that CCK does not provide are the following:

• Vegan meal options (a fruit and/or salad bar will be available at every meal)
• Specialty diets such as ketogenic, paleo, etc.

CCK works with parents to ensure their child is well prepared for their meal needs. To ensure that you are able to assist us with this, we offer the following resources and options:

For Summer Sessions

• Please review the menu that will be sent to you prior to your child’s session. This will provide knowledge of what we will be serving, and what your child will enjoy.
• Guardians are allowed to provide pre-made meals. Please ensure that the containers have your child’s name on them. A member of the food service team will store and warm the food prior to each meal.
• CCK provides fruit, sun butter and jelly sandwiches as a between meal option.

Please note that CCK is a nut-free facility. The following items are not allowed on camp to ensure the safety of our guests:

• Tree nuts, peanuts, or any item containing tree nuts or peanuts
• Peanut or tree nut butters or anything containing peanut or tree nut butters.
• Nut milks (coconut milk is acceptable as it is not a nut)
• Nutella spread

CCK understands that a healthy, nutritional, and kid-friendly menu is an important part of the camp experience. Each summer, we strive to meet our campers’ dietary needs and restrictions.

Our Volunteer Recruiter will verify all service hours. She will greet you when you check in. Please have the form available at that time. She will accept it at check-in and return it to you via e-mail or fax the week following the retreat.

Departure will be around 2:00pm CT for weekend retreats.
Departure will be around 1:00pm CT for summer sessions.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at CCK:

• Family Weekends: requires a three-day commitment including attendance at volunteer orientation at the start of the weekend, Friday-Sunday.
• Summer Sessions: requires a six-day commitment. (Saturday-Thursday)
• Day Volunteers: Day volunteers are needed for all weekend retreats and summer camp sessions. Overnight housing is not required or provided for these positions.  
• Corporate: Organize a volunteer opportunity for your team of employees to partake in the CCK experience together.

Yes, we provide meals during our weekend retreats and our summer session alternative meal options are provided for those with specific dietary restrictions. We also have a fruit and salad bar that are options for each meal as well.

To volunteer as a day volunteer you have to be at least 16 years old. To volunteer for our family weekend retreats or summer camps you have to be at least 18 years old.

All medical volunteers can receive verification of volunteer service hours upon completion of their time at CCK. Receiving clinical credit for volunteering at CCK is dependent on the requirements of the medical volunteer’s school or clinical program. If a medical volunteer would like more information about receiving clinical credit, please reach out to CCK’s Medical Director, Hannah Reckart, at hreckart@courageouskids.org.

We always welcome medical volunteers with prior experience working with the illness group served, however it is not required. We do encourage volunteers to do research at home and we will send information about the primary diagnosis served prior to the camp session. Additionally, the camp medical staff will provide a medical orientation prior to the campers’ arrival. CCK medical staff will be available on camp to answer any specific questions as they arise.

Medical volunteers are provided with on-site housing and meals during their time at camp. Medical volunteers should include any dietary needs, including allergies or dietary restrictions, on their application.

Medical volunteers will complete an online application and background check as part of the application process. After the application process is complete, medical volunteers will receive information about their registered camp session including arrival and orientation times, a packing list, a menu (including gluten-free and vegetarian options), and information about the primary diagnosis served.

Medical volunteers, including nurses, nursing students, nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, and medical students (in their 3rd and 4th years), play a vital role in ensuring a safe camp experience. Their responsibilities include assisting with camper arrivals and departures, managing daily medical needs, providing care for emergencies, helping campers with medical procedures and activities of daily living (ADLs), and administering medications. Medical volunteers will arrive at camp the day prior to camp beginning for an orientation and stay until campers depart at the end of the week.