"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. "
"Lookout was one of our kids most favorite parts of the summer-- a close tie with our trip to Peru! You guys are amazing."
"The food is delish!!!!"
"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 though the beds were comfortable. . . In addition, Lookout is small enough to really get acquainted with a number of kids-- both boys and girls."
"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."
"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. "
"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. "
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Get ready for camp information
In late April or early May, families of registered campers will receive an email outlining:
---camp fee payments-- amounts due, dates due
---forms (health form, permission and release forms, etc) which need to be completed and returned to camp
---mail, email and UPS addresses to use to contact campers and staff
---general information about visitors, care packages, etc
Posted on this website, you'll find:
---a health form, required of all resident campers and staff, which requests a health history and a report of recent physical exam
---what to bring (and not bring) information-- how to pack for camp, whether or not an iPod or cell phone is a good idea and information of that sort
---map and directions to camp, along with opening and closing day arrival/departure times, information on when the boats will be running
AND we will still be sending you a "get ready for the summer" mailing, reminding you of what needs to be completed and where information can be found
Two new programs at Lookout
Camper for a Day returns. For several summers, we offered this one day/overnight, FREE, program to "try out" camp at Crystalaire and we think it is time to do it at Lookout. Arrive early afternoon Wednesday, June 10, do afternoon and evening activities, sleep on the Lake Michigan beach (weather permitting) and leave on Thursday morning, after breakfast. Ages 7-11 with a maximum of 12 participants. Register online by going to this website's schedule page; registration starts Monday, APRIL 6.
For those folks looking to extend summer one more weekend, consider Family Weekend at Lookout over Labor Day weekend. No cost to families-- food and lodging provided. BUT we will need participants to help us close camp for the winter. Last year, participants worked Saturday and Sunday mornings-- and spent the rest of the weekend playing, enjoying the sun, sailing, exploring Frankfort and relaxing. Interested? Contact the camp office for more details!
Openings Available
Registration for Lookout Summer '09 began January 1st. Many of our sessions have filled for girls, however, we do have a few openings available for boys in most sessions and a few openings available for girls in one-week sessions. Check the schedule page on this website for an up-to-date listing of openings available.
At CrystalaireAdventures, we have openings in almost all trips. Is this the summer you do an adventure-- hike in Isle Royale National Park or Lake Superior Provincial Park, canoe the Sand River in Ontario or explore either North or South Manitou Island? Or do you want to collect a group of friends and plan an adventure with us-- at least one group has finalized a trip for themselves with us for the summer! If any of these options appeal to you, check the CrystalaireAdventures website for details.
What happed with 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!
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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 Feb 21, 2009 |
Chicago, IL winter reunions--
The Blake & EB Traveling Camp Reunion! They took to the road, delivering Northern Michigan cherry goodies to 25 camp families in three locations in Chicagoland. Campers played the Lookout Ultimate Trivia Game and (everyone was a winner) winners left with Cherry Republic cherry gumballs. |
Sat Jan 10, 2009 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan winter reunions--
East Side of the Lake (Lake Michigan, that is!) Camper & Staff Reunion
"Camp Games in the Park" Gallup Park, Ann Arbor, MI January 10, 2009
Blake & EB and 50 campers and staff from the Ann Arbor area braved a stormy 14" of snow for a fun afternoon of Capture the Flisk, followed by a campfire, smores and hotdogs. A great, snowy time was had by all!
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Sun Jan 11, 2009 |
Cleveland, OH Winter reunions--
Blake & EB enjoyed a Sunday afternoon
open house sponsored by Liza Grossman with 10 of Shoshi and Avi's friends. |
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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