"Lookout is like an alternate universe, where junior high schoolers embrace difference and meld together into one big group hug. My daughter's camp experience can be summed up by the look of disgust she gave me when I was among the first parents to pick up their camper. Being that she's our fifth child, I have grown used to the eye rolls and such, and my interpretation of her body language was-- wow, you had a truly great experience-- and she did. "
"I think the best part of camp is the sleepover at Lake Michigan and the free time we have each day. I also loved Jumanji, Jurasic Park and Zorch games."
"We are extremely pleased with our daughters' Lookout experience and wish that we had started earlier with you, instead of wasting time elsewhere. Both kids are looking forward to returning next year. My younger daughter is a very sweet girl but also very shy and sometimes has a hard time meeting new people and finding friends. She is also anxious in new settings-- so the fact that she did well at Lookout is I think evidence of your excellent staff. "
"I am always surprised at the amount of caring the counselors show to the campers. I teach high school and I would be hard pressed to find so many students who are so attentive to the minute needs of an 8 year old. Everything was wonderful. My daughter wants to come for 3 weeks next year. You do a wonderful job creating an atmosphere that is both safe and encouraging. The friendships that are developed are amazing. "
"This was my son's first sleep-away camp and he had a wonderful experience. The most memorable thing about camp for him was sleeping on the beach and counting shooting stars. "
"Our son went to another camp for four years and Camp Lookout is superior in terms of size, how nice the kids and staff are and the fact that there are no cliques. I love the aspect of stressing cooperation and having the kids pick out their own activities. And the beauty of the camp is wonderful. "
"I think I over-scheduled my daughter with camps this summer. Since leaving Lookout, she has been to two others (and had been to one prior). Lookout was her favorite of the 4. She loved being in the 4th of July parade; the food was very favorably commented on; she even thought the beds were comfortable. . . In addition, Lookout is small enough to really get acquainted with a number of kids-- both boys and girls."
"My daughter loves Lookout. She had a very sweet cabin, the girls were supportive and kind to each other, she liked her counselor and the art director very much. Her entire cabin became close and had a wonderful time together. She loves the "family feel" of camp and enjoyed going to the Maples to interact with the seniors at the festival there. She has become a vegetarian and remarked that there were always enough veggie options so she could eat well. She loves pierogi night especially! She and I both love the sweet natured, slightly eccentric/funky feel of Lookout. "
"Most Memorable-- how dirty our daughter was at pick up! But that means she had a blast. She remembers the hike to Baldy as the best, longest, most fun activity-- challenging but fun-- with a run into the lake at the end as a great reward.
Our daughter is a picky eater, but she says the food was "really good" and she even came home and made eggs in a nest for breakfast the next morning. it was a hit!"
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2012 camp literature MAILED
The 2012 registration materials have been mailed-- and 2010 and 2011 campers should have received the packet in the US mail sometime during the week of November 28th.
Included was information about two new CrystalaireAdventures WINTER trips:
#1 Winter Camping Trip- February 10-12 at the Waterloo Recreation Area in Chelsea, MI
While spending the weekend in a traditional Mongolian yurt complete with a cooking stove and propane heat, participants will have a great time hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Six campers maximum; ages 12-17. $200.
#2 Everglades National Park Canoe Trip-- February 20-25 in the Florida Everglades. of course. This is not a Disney World or Miami Beach trip! Imagine instead a flat water river canoeing through a lush tropical forest with manatees, sea turtles and alligators. Six minimum/eight campers maximum; ages 13-17. $950 plus flight.
Phone the office for more details-- 231 352-7589.
2011 session photos available
Photos of all sessions have been posted-- check them out-- and if you have photos of camp you'd like to share, let us know.
What happened to Crystalaire Camp?
Although the Crystalaire resident site on Crystal Lake has closed, Crystalaire Camp has morphed into Crystalaire Adventures. Click on the Crystalaire tab for detailed information and schedules. If you think you may have "aged out" of resident camp, perhaps one of these trips is for you!
Of special interest for former Crystalaire campers-- check out a brief video on U-Tube-- "Crystalaire final bell ring". The ringing was recorded on October 10, 2007, at closing ceremony attended by about 150 former campers and friends. Former Crystalaire campers will instantly recognize the sound! A history of Crystalaire Camp can also be found on the CrystalaireAdventures website.
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Our camp is small enough for everyone to know each other, yet large enough to offer diversified and interesting programs. Campers and staff plan daily activities together and share the responsibility for establishing many of the necessary policies and rules of the camp. This community of campers and staff share the necessary camp chores-- assisting with meal preparation, washing dishes, helping with the garden, cleaning cabins, and helping with simple construction projects.
Camp Lookout is an informal, non-competitive, non-sectarian and, most importantly, people-centered environment.
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Camp Lookout & Crystalaire Camp Office
PO Box 1129
Frankfort, MI 49635
PHONE (231) 352-7589
info@lookoutsummer.com
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A recent research study released by the American Camp Association and done by an independent research group which surveyed over 5000 families found...
- 96% of campers said that camp helped them make new friends
- 92% of campers said that camp helped them feel good about themselves
- 74% of campers said that at camp they did things they were afraid to do at first
- 70% of parents said their child gained self-confidence at camp
- 69% of parents said their child remains in contact with friends made at camp
- 63% of parents said their child continues to do activities they learned at camp
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Stop by to see us in these cities this winter. Never been to Lookout or Crystalaire before? Come to a camper reunion or camp fair to meet new campers, former campers, have fun and talk with us about coming to camp!
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Sat Jan 7, 2012 |
Glen Ellyn, IL Meet and Greet- stop by for a snack/coffee, meet representatives of the camp and talk over possibilities at Lookout and CrystalaireAdventures for this summer
Saturday, Jan 7th at Caribou Coffee 10AM-12 noon 495 Roosevelt Rd, Glen Ellyn, IL |
Sat Jan 7, 2012 |
Chicago, IL Meet and Greet-- stop by for a snack/coffee, meet representatives from the camp and talk over summer possibilities at Lookout and CrystalaireAdventures,
Saturday, January 7 at Panera Bread, downtown Chicago, 635 N. Fairbank Ct, Chicago, IL |
Sat Mar 3, 2012 |
Ann Arbor Michigan Camper/Staff reunion Saturday, March 3 at Burns Park. More details to be posted late in January. |
Sun Feb 12, 2012 |
Southfield, MI MetroParent Magazine's Camp & Activity Fair -- Super Summers for Kids -- Sunday, February 12th, Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield, MI noon- 3:30PM
Stop by and talk with camp representatives, pick up brochures and get all your questions answered about Camp Lookout and CrystalaireAdventures trips. |
Sun Feb 5, 2012 |
Ann Arbor Michigan Spring into Summer: Camp Expo. Briarwood Mall, Ann Arbor, MI Saturday, February 5, 10AM - 3:30PM
Stop by and talk with camp representatives, pick up brochures and get all your questions answered about Camp Lookout and CrystalaireAdventures trips. |
If you would like to host or help plan an event let us know.
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Staff are the cornerstone of any camp. We select staff from enthusiastic college students and graduates, primarily from the Midwest, but also from all over the world. Each summer at Lookout has a strong international flavor!
When hiring staff, we look for people who possess interest and experience in a variety of fields, who have a good measure of flexibility, and have solid communication and listening skills with a healthy respect for the viewpoints of others. We look for creative, people-centered staff embers who are willing to take on the responsibility to be solid role models. We strive for about 50% of the staff to hold lifeguard certification and, as part of our staff training, offer CPR and first aid training to everyone.
and , the owners/directors of Crystalaire Camp and Camp Lookout have been working in camps for over 30 years, directing Crystalaire since 1976, owning Crystalaire since the mid 80's and owning Lookout since 1995. They met while working at YMCA camp in Pennsylvania in the early 70's, were married at Crystalaire and, in general, have had camping as a central focus of their lives.
Email Dave (dave@lookoutsummer.com)
Email Kathi (kathi@lookoutsummer.com)
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According to research by Sivert Glarum in this 1983 book "Our Land and Lakes", the site where Camp Lookout presently stands had its "camp" beginnings in 1917 when the land was purchased from the Stubbs family by the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Christ's Church, Winnetka, Illinois....
Click here for the rest of the story....
If you have historical information, photos, brochures about the camp and would be willing to share them with us for an eventual donation to the Benzie Area Historical Museum, please contact the camp office.
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