Rental Policies and other details for
Retreat and Conference Groups
at Crossways

So that all may enjoy their time at one of our camp facilities, we ask our guests to follow these important policies and guidelines. As group leader, it is your responsibility to share these policies with your group and to manage the conduct and behavior of your participants while at Imago Dei Village, Pine Lake Camp, or Waypost on Mission Lake.

Please note: Due to new state codes, for the safety of youth on youth retreats, and for your protection...
ALL youth groups using Crossways Facilities are required to bring with them a signed heath history form which includes medical release and insurance information. Please don't forget!

1. CAMP STAFF: Your group will be greeted by a retreat host. S/he will assist you with any special needs you may have and will be available to help make your event a pleasant experience. After 11:00 p.m., please contact her/him for emergencies only. Program assistance is available between the hours of 9 AM and 11 PM if you are willing to make arrangements in advance. Some program services require additional fees. Please contact the Crossways office for details and fees.

2. LEADERS: It is the responsibility of the group leaders to maintain proper conduct of the group. You must provide at least one adult supervisor per six youth (a minimum of two adults are required on all youth retreats). It is our experience that youth groups need direction and supervision to have a successful retreat. Youth with significant "free time," left to their own choices can sometimes make bad choices (we suggest planning group activities, leaving a maximum of one hour chunks of free time—we are glad to assist with activity times if you contact us ahead of time; see program assistance section below). Damages will be the responsibility of the contracting group. Unwarranted discharge of a fire extinguisher will result in a $500 fine and violators will be turned in to the authorities as required by state law for public facilities.

3. INSURANCE: The camp or its staff will not be held responsible for accidents or personal injuries arising from the use of camp facilities. Should an accident arise, insurance matters will be covered first by your personal insurance carriers, then by the sponsoring organization's insurance carrier. Group leaders will want to have permission slips/medical release forms complete with parents' signatures and insurance information for all minors in their group (as well as the sponsoring organization's insurance information).

4. FACILITY AND GROUNDS: Please keep your activities to assigned areas. You will be expected to clean up the areas you use before you leave (floors swept or vacuumed, paper and trash picked up inside and out, windows closed, equipment returned, etc.). Please separate recyclables. All outdoor campfire locations must be approved by camp staff. Groups leaving buildings excessively dirty, in the opinion of camp management, will be charged for additional cleaning.

5. MEALS AND DINING: Food service is provided at Pine Lake for all retreat groups. Groups at Pine Lake share in meal times in the Pine Lake Dining Room. Groups (especially youth) often help with set-up and clean-up of prepared meals.  At Imago Dei Village food service is required of large groups and when multiple groups are in camp.  A group wishing to prepare their own meals will be assigned Long Lake Gathering (formerly the Mini Retreat) as it is equipped with a domestic kitchen. Groups preparing their own meals will bring their own food and thoroughly clean the kitchen, dining area, tables and utensils. Groups using Waypost may either cook their own meals or request food service by the camp staff.

Please let us know of any dietary needs in advance

6. EMERGENCIES: Please report all emergencies immediately to camp staff. Fire extinguishers are located in all buildings. Appropriate emergency phone numbers are located at camp phones. Your retreat host has a first aid kit.

7. SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited, except in designated areas, when minors are present on site in any retreat group. Smoking is not allowed inside buildings and we ask that no trace of smoking be left behind.

8. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS: The camps of Crossways are alcohol free environments. The possession or use of alcohol or other drugs for other than medical/sacramental purposes by any person on camp grounds is not allowed.

9. PETS: Due to previous nuisance problems, pets are not allowed at any retreat or family camping events.

10. HUNTING: No hunting, use of firearms, or use of fireworks is permitted on camp grounds unless written permission has been granted on outlying properties during times not scheduled for retreat use.

11. SNOWMOBILES, ATV'S & MOTOR BOATS: The camps function primarily as low impact, non-motorized areas. To preserve the quality of the wilderness, motorized vehicles such as ATV'S, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles are not permitted on camp property. The camps of Crossways do not have public launching ramps for boats.

12. WATERFRONT: The waterfront, when weather permits, must be supervised by a qualified lifeguard provided by or approved by Crossways. There is no swimming without a lifeguard on duty. A fee may be charged for this service and arrangements must be made in advance. Lifeguards must submit evidence to Crossways staff of current lifeguard and first aid certifications approved by the state of Wisconsin Department of Health for residential camps and will abide by camp aquatic policies and safety standards provided upon your arrival. The camp staff reserve the right to close the waterfront at any time it deems behavior of participants or conditions to be unsafe.

13. CURFEW: For the consideration of neighbors and other retreat guests, outdoor activities in the evening should be done quietly and end at a reasonable hour. Snow sledding, skiing, running games, and tubing are allowed during daylight hours only. Staff persons are not available to conduct programs later than 11:00 p.m.

14. PROGRAM RESOURCES: Sports and audio/visual equipment are available at each site. Please make your special needs known as soon as possible. There are often other groups on site at the same time, so please coordinate with your retreat host for times you may be using common facilities or equipment.

15. BEDDING & AMENITIES: Upon request, the camps of Crossways will provide bedding and other group amenities which require additional fees. Such services may include airport pickup, special arrangements for group celebrations (birthdays or recognitions), bedding and laundry services, and equipment rental. Please ask for assistance for any special requests well in advance of your stay.

** Please contact the camp you are attending at least 7 days prior to your event with final numbers attending and special needs or requests.