fbpx

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in Catholic Youth Summer Camp!

Frequently Asked Questions

Catholic Youth Summer Camp

CYSC 2023 Details

Where is CYSC located?

CYSC Main Campus: Located in Centerburg, OH, the first campus has been the home of CYSC since 2016 and will host over 4,500 campers throughout 9 weeks in the summer of 2023.

CYSC Northwoods: This location in Trego, WI is hosted at Heartwood Resort and Conference Center has been serving the Minnesota-Wisconsin region since 2022.

CYSC Great Lakes: The newest location in Brighton, MI will be opening in 2023 at a newly renovated Our Lady of the Fields camp.

When does registration open?

Registration for 2023 will open on Monday October 3 for CYSC Main Campus, Tuesday October 4 for CYSC Northwoods, and Wednesday October 5 for CYSC Great Lakes. 

For exact times, steps to register, and more, please visit the Registration Hub.

The Big Question

How do I know my child will be safe at CYSC?

 

There is no more pressing question that parents could ask than for the assurance of their child’s safety at camp.  We hold every child’s physical, emotional, and spiritual safety as our highest priority.  As a result, we are committed to partnering with families in providing the same degree of care that you show at home in your children’s time away.  In order to do this effectively, we have adopted policies around providing a safe environment to which we hold every staff member personally responsible.

Organizational policies and procedures have been crafted through careful consultation with four key organizations:
1. The policies and procedures, particularly safe environment policies of our local diocese.
2. The best practices advised by the American Camping Association.
3. The policies and procedures of the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT).
4. The Redwoods Group, our insurer and partner in risk assessment and safety implementation and training.

Implementation of all policies and procedures is made possible by thorough individual staff oversight and management, a strict adherence to proper training, certification and licensing, and the intentional establishment of an organizational culture of safety and accountability.  Damascus maintains a two-deep strategy with all interactions with minors and maintains head counselor positions who specifically monitor camper/counselor interactions. In addition to enforcing safe environment policies based on those of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus Ohio, all missionaries and staff receive additional training beyond what would be offered in any typical parish or school environment.  They are trained in the observance and implementation of Damascus policies from the day of their application through their interview weekend, 10 days of dedicated staff training prior to camp, and through ongoing pastoral and activity leadership supervision.

As a campus with emphasis on high adventure activities, we have a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to risk in our facilities, equipment, and operation. Every one of our adventure activities undergoes annual third party inspection or recertification and all of our staff are trained by a certification body approved by the ACCT, or American Red Cross in the case of lifeguards. Their training and certification is kept current and tested regularly.

Additionally, Damascus holds an organizational liability policy to specially address not only accidents and injuries, but also sexual abuse by both staff members and other campers.

A full copy of our policy manual, notably, policy 100.63, on risk management is available here.  All of our safe environment training is recorded and available upon request.

Thank you for the trust that you place in us.

Finances

How much does CYSC cost?

Main Campus (OH): $570.00 per camper

Northwoods (WI): $520.00 per camper

Great Lakes (MI: $520.00 per camper

 The cost includes all activities, meals, lodging, and a camp t-shirt.

Do I need to pay in full at registration?

No! Payment information and a $150 initial deposit are required when you reserve your spot, and you may select a payment plan that divides the remaining cost across 4 installments paid every other month (December 1, February 1, April 1, June 1). Please note that once a payment date has passed, that amount will be added to the amount due at registration. There is a $5 fee for the payment plan.

Is financial assistance available?

The leadership, staff, and benefactors of Damascus want to see families, schools, and parishes experience true and lasting revival through encounter with Jesus. Through the generosity of our benefactors and ministry partners, income-based scholarships are available and the application may be found during the registration process. Our team will hold your reservation while they review the request and respond within the week. Please reach out to financialaid@damascus.net with any questions.

How do I update my credit card or payment information?

Please log in to your account by clicking here. From the menu in the top left corner, choose “Finances” and from that page select “Payment Accounts” > “Manage Payment Accounts” to add or update a payment method. Make sure to select for the rest of your scheduled payments to be withdrawn on the new payment method.

To speak to a member of our Guest Experience staff, call 740-480-1288.

What is CYSC’s cancellation/refund policy?
Cancellation Policy:
Every CYSC registration includes a $150 non-refundable deposit. Any additional payments are eligible for a refund up to 1 month before your session, after which point our costs are committed and we are no longer able to provide refunds.
We are sorry, but this policy also applies to cancellations that may arise as a result of illness, injury or other unforeseen circumstances as our contracted expenses are also binding. All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to registration@cysc.com.
If possible, transfers to another session can be made without charge.
If cancellation is motivated by financial hardship, please inquire about financial aid before seeking cancellation.
Beginning in the 2023 season, a camper protection policy through Travel Insured International will be available to purchase at checkout. View their brochure for more information.

Registration 

How do I update my camper's cabin buddy request?

Log in to your account. Click on “My Reservations” and select the reservation you would like to edit; click “additional information” to see the current buddy request and select “edit information” to make changes.

How do I edit my camper's t-shirt size, medications, or personal information?

Log in to your account and select the name of the camper from the home page. To edit personal information, choose “Edit My Bio Information”.  Click “Manage Medications” to add or update medications. To update camp t-shirt size select “My Forms” and then “Camper Personal Information.”

Can I move my reservation?

Our registration team can move your reservation to any open session at no cost. If the session you would like is full, you can join the waiting list. You may maintain your reservation while on the waiting list for another session(s).

How do I get off the waiting list?

You will receive an email letting you know when space has become available. You will have 72 hours to complete your reservation before the spot is automatically offered to the next person.

If you already have a reservation, you may reach out to our office to transfer your reservation to the new week; otherwise you can make a new reservation and cancel the first.

Do I need additional physicals or medical forms?

All forms can be found on your account if you click on your camper’s name and go to the “My Forms” and “Medications” tabs.  No additional physicals or forms are needed.

Camp Experience

What high adventure activities will my camper experience?

Every camper will have the opportunity to participate in every activity throughout the week. We encourage campers to conquer fears and step out of their comfort zone, but will never force campers to participate in any activity. Please refer to each camp location’s page for a description of the activities available there!

What should my camper pack?

Check out the packing list!

Does Damascus accommodate vegetarian or special dietary needs?

Damascus is able accommodate dairy free, gluten-free/celiac, and vegetarian diets; and all of our food is prepared nut-free! Please make sure to include this information in the camper’s medical form. With any additional needs, we invite you to request a menu from our food services team (foodservices@damascus.net) to determine an alternative plan.

Can I send mail or email to my camper?

Please visit Bunk1.com to view the options for sending notes to your camper while at camp.  USPS letters or packages can be labeled with your child’s name and session and sent to the main address of your camp location:

Main Campus: 7550 Ramey Rd. Centerburg, OH 43011

Northwoods: N10884 Hoinville Rd. Trego, WI 54888

Great Lakes: 1391 Kellogg Rd, Brighton, MI 48114

We recommend sending your mail earlier in the week to ensure that it gets delivered on time!  All mail and email will be delivered at lunch (last call for mail/email to be received is Thursday at 10am).

How do I see photos of my camper?

All of our photos are posted at Bunk1.com each day. There is an option to view the gallery for free, in addition to paid packages. Parents of registered campers will receive an access code in an email prior to their week of camp.

Who is invited to closing mass?

Everyone! Friday’s Closing Mass is open to family, friends, grandparents, etc. to join the celebration. Come at 12:15 to hear camper testimonies prior to the 1pm Mass.

What if my camper is flying in from out of state?

For CYSC Main Campus, the closest airport is John Glenn International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, about 45 minutes south of the camp. CYSC can send a shuttle to pick up and drop off for a fee of $50 each way or $100 round trip. You will have the opportunity to indicate this in your registration, and our staff will reach out to confirm details. When booking flights, please select flights that arrive between 12-2:30pm on Sunday, and depart between 3-5pm on Friday.

The closest major airport for CYSC Northwoods is the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP), approximately 2 hours south of the camp. The closest major airport for CYSC Great Lakes is the Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), about 45 minutes away from the camp. If you are interested in arranging transportation from the airport for either of these locations, please inquire at registration@cysc.com.