FAQS


Dickson Valley Camp & Retreat Center is a Christian facility covering 160 acres along the Fox River in Northern Illinois. Our core purpose is to serve churches in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and ministries from across the country. Our property is mostly wooded with open activity areas, lodges are year-round very comfortable dorm style housing, and our activities are focused on providing young people with new and challenging opportunities. Our staff lives out our core value of service as we take care of the needs involved in running retreat and camp ministries.

Please review these answers with all your leaders and group members.

Check-In
Please check in with your host at the program office upon arrival (located in the upstairs level of Chrouser Lodge).

Parking
For the safety of both campers and your vehicle, please park only in the guest lot except when loading and unloading vehicles.

Camp Map

Camp-Map.jpg

Set Meal Times
Breakfast – 8:30 AM / Lunch – 12:30 PM / Dinner – 5:30 PM
*Please Note: After Memorial through Labor Day, breakfast is at 8:00 AM.

Group Leadership And Supervision
At least one adult must stay in each dorm room and be in attendance at all activities.

Pets
For safety and cleanliness, pets are not permitted on camp property.

Quiet Hours And Curfew
Quiet hours on camp property are from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Everyone must be in lodges by 1:00 AM unless an approved supervised program is scheduled.

Gym
Wear appropriate gym shoes (no cleats), no food, gum, or drinks in the gym. Gym closes at 1:00 AM.

Lodges
No food, gum, or drinks in dorm rooms; these are allowed only in meeting rooms.

Conduct And Dress
We are thankful that our life in Christ allows for many freedoms as well as constraints. We also realize that individuals throughout the world make decisions differently to partake in some areas and limit themselves in others. To create the healthiest environment for everyone, both physically and spiritually, we have chosen to set some restrictions for your time at Dickson Valley.
We ask that you adhere to this list of prohibited items while on camp property. There shall be no:

  • Alcoholic beverages, Illegal drugs, Illegal firearms, cannabis, or any tobacco products.

  • Smoking, Including vaping devices, or e-cigarettes (DV is a smoke free campus inside and outside).

  • Fireworks, candles, incense, or stage smoke.

  • Dogs or any pets except documented service animals.

  • Water balloons or sillystring possessed by campers.

  • Skateboards, rollerblades, snowboards or other hard slides.

  • Air-Soft guns & pellets.

  • Swearing & crude language.

  • Questionable clothing with suggestive logos or exposed skin that would offend others.

  • Anything else that the Dickson Valley leadership sees as being damaging and/or disruptive to the setting or the program.

Phone
A phone is available in the upper level of Chrouser Lodge. Dialing an internal extension will reach your host at any hour.

First Aid And Prescription Medications
DVC does not have an onsite nurse. Each group must bring their own first-aid kit and designated coordinator. All medications must be in the care of an adult.

Lost & Found
Clothing and similar items are kept for one month before being donated to charity. Electronics and film are saved for two months after camp/retreat. Contact the camp office as soon as you are aware of a missing item to schedule arrange its return.

*Dickson Valley reserves the right to charge a facilities fee for any irresponsible or negligent behavior resulting in damage to camp property. Airsoft guns, paintball guns, and snowboards are not allowed on camp property.