Final Camp Payments due May 1st.
Log into your Campwise account to Make Payment
REGISTRATION OPENS ONLINE FOR 2024 CAMPS AS FOLLOWS: (Use Register Here buttons on this site to register for camp on the following dates.)
CAMP BALANCE DUE MAY 1ST. LOG INTO YOUR CAMPWISE ACCOUNT TO MAKE PAYMENT.
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. cst.
High School Extreme Camp (campers entering 9th-12th grades Fall 2024),
Women’s Retreat (women campers 18+)
All Family Camps
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. cst.
Jr. High Camps 7th-8th Grades (campers entering 7th-8th grades Fall 2024)
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. cst.
5th-6th Grade Kateri Camps (campers entering 5th-6th grade Fall 2024)
See details for each camp go to https://archkck.org/camp-tekakwitha/dates/
Please note, if a camper is registered in one camp sessions, they cannot waitlist for another session.
If this is your first time registering any of your children for camp, you will need to create a Campwise account to complete the registration process. You can do so by clicking on the button to the side. If you have registered a child before, just log back into your Campwise account to complete registration.
When registration opens, to secure your camper’s spot in camp, a $100 nonrefundable deposit or full payment with Visa, Mastercard or Discover is required. Final balances are due May 1, 2024, by credit card through your Campwise camp account. Final payment can be made through your camp account online or by check, mailed to Camp Tekakwitha, 12615 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66109.
Full payment is due with registration after May 1st.
In addition to registering online, camp forms are required at camp on opening day. Forms should be downloaded and turned in at check in on opening day at camp. Forms can be found under the Parents tab in the Forms to Bring to Camp link.
For general camp registration questions, email Jennifer at camptekreg@gmail.co
The spiritual experience of camp is our top priority.
It has been the camp’s experience over the past 20 years that most kids do best with a friend by their side, but it is important to note that a group of friends changes the dynamic of the small group.
How do I request a cabinmate for my child?
Please note that the camp works diligently to help kids meet new friends, create community in small groups, as well as with the entire camp.
Other Cabinmate FAQs
All special needs requests can be made through Campwise account.
If you need to discuss the specific dietary and/or medical needs of your camper with our camp staff, you can do so by calling Camp at 785-746-5693 after the camp season begins at the end of May.
If you have any additional questions regarding special needs requests, please contact Jennifer at camptekreg@gmail.com.
We wanted to let you know what to expect this year concerning camper drop off, camp time, and pick up and the end of camp.
A camper is not allowed to come and go from their camp session. A camper can leave camp with a parent or guardian, if needed, but cannot return to the session.
We thank our Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity to host your child this summer and we thank you for your trust.
Camp Kateri Tekakwitha is held at Prairie Star Ranch:
Address: 1124 California Road, Williamsburg, KS 66095
Summertime Phone: 785-746-5693
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required with each registration or full payment can be made. Registrations submitted after May 1st require full payment. FINAL PAYMENTS DUE MAY 1ST.
There is a $100 nonrefundable fee for all cancellations.
After May 1, all refunds will fall under our normal refund guidelines below:
Financial Scholarships are awarded to campers who are in financial need and would not have the opportunity to experience a faith-based camp without financial support from our generous donors.
If you are experiencing financial struggle, please request help from our scholarship fund to help your camper enjoy camp with us this summer.
We require a scholarship application to be filled out and signed by the applicant as well as your parish priest or youth minister. You must include specific information regarding your financial situation and the reason for this request for camp tuition. This information is necessary to determine the specific scholarship award.
We will receive many applications from families within our Archdiocese who have financial struggles. Please give us enough information to help us determine your specific situation and financial needs for your applicant..
Download the scholarship application below and follow the application process:
Scan your signed scholarship application to a PDF format and email signed application to camptekreg@gmail.com.
or Mail to Camp Tekakwitha, c/o ArchKCK, 12615 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66109. Email camptekreg@gmail.com that it has been mailed.
You will receive an email with your award information within two weeks of application. Please make sure a current email address is included on your scholarship application.
If you wish to donate to our scholarship fund, please send checks to Camp Tekakwitha, 12615 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City Kansas 66109.
If you wish to establish an endowed fund or would like to discuss other giving options, contact Dcn. Dana Nearmyer at (913) 721-1570 or dnearmyer@archkck.org
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, with the help of the endowment funds listed below, are honored to extend this financial support.
Thank You to Our Generous Scholarship Donors:
*In Memory of Antoinette “Toni” D. Berkel (December 24, 1924 – January 18, 2006) Antoinette “Toni” D. Berkel Memorial Fund. Toni Berkel was born in Chicago, IL., the daughter of Antoinette and Stanley Strauss. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She was the Treasurer for Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc. for over 46 years. In her spare time, she volunteered for many years in the ICU at Providence Medical Center and was at her husband’s side for many charitable events throughout the Archdiocese. Toni was a vibrant, beautiful, fun-loving, and caring woman who truly enjoyed life to its fullest without ever complaining – she was one in a million. She was a very graciously giving and thoughtful person. It brought her great happiness and pleasure to give to others, not only those less fortunate than her, but also those whom she loved. She was a very talented artist, a beautiful musician, a wonderful cook, and animal lover and she loved to shop. She enjoyed laughing and having a great time and always had a smile. She brought joy to everyone around her. She was extremely devoted and loyal to the Sacred Heart Parish and was a Lady Commander of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. May all who apply for this scholarship say a little prayer in honor of Toni for her kindness to this organization.
Our safeguards and protocols for severe weather are focused on the safety of each camper. Our first line of defense includes constant monitoring of several weather resources. Our team is looking to the skies, the national weather service, emergency weather radios, as well as other weather outlets so as to have the very best and latest weather updates.
We have a rainy day schedule, which we use for both ordinary rainy days and in the event of an approaching threatening storm system, which moves all staff and campers indoors and into close proximity of our two storm shelters. This transition also clears most non-weather communications from the camp radio channels so that the camp directors and leadership can communicate more quickly with all of camp.
In the event that an approaching weather event has had tornado warnings issued in adjacent counties, or we anticipate severe straight-line winds, etc. we will, as conditions permit, move the staff and campers to the two main underground reinforced storm shelters before tornado warnings are issued in our area. We certainly move to those storm shelters anytime a tornado warning is issued. The staff and camp leadership will confirm that all campers are safe with their counselor and will continue to monitor the developing weather situation.
Our severe weather procedures include communicating with our camp parents. As our first responsibility is to your child, we will focus our energies on making certain every camper and staff is secure during severe weather and then will communicate with you as quickly as possible.
At Camp Tekakwitha we understand the great privilege and responsibility that we take on when caring for your camper.
During severe weather, as with any safety concern at camp, our team is devoted to the care, health, and safety of your child.
As the parents of five, we understand that it is hard to leave your children, but we can assure you that our trained staff will make every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of your child during his or her stay. Our staff goes through a thorough screening process, receives training in their areas of responsibility, and they are backed up by a professional administrative team that evaluates and educates them throughout the summer. All staff is VIRTUS trained. A 1:8 counselor-to-camper ratio is used. Specific procedures are in place for campers to easily communicate concerns directly to the camp directors. To ensure the integrity of the camp, staff members will check all baggage as you arrive. Food, gum, candy, jewelry, phones, MP3 players, and valuable items are not allowed.
If a family emergency occurs, or special circumstances require you to check on your child during camp, call Camp Tekakwitha’s office at 785-746-5693.
Thank you for allowing Camp Tekakwitha to be a part of your child’s summer. At Camp, our community is committed to the safety and well-being of each camper. As camp professionals, we know we are entrusted with your children, and we take this responsibility to protect your children very seriously. Camp Tekakwitha is a secure place. Our camp staff works with campers and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders and hospitals, weather services and others) to mitigate any emergency. Our camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, which requires that we have risk and crisis management plans in place and that we conduct periodic reviews and drills of those plans.
Thank you for making Camp Tekakwitha a part of your family’s summer and May God bless you.
In Christ,
Deacon Dana Nearmyer
Deborah Nearmyer
Camp Tekakwitha Directors
Our camps require an abundance of physical activity. We want to focus on deepening our faith and enjoying our outdoor adventure, and not on one another’s clothes or lost possessions.
It is important to pack clothes that will be comfortable, safe, and modest and appropriate for athletic activities:
Mandatory Items
Optional Items
Prohibited Items
*All baggage is thoroughly checked upon arrival to ensure a fun, spirit filled, and safe camping experience for all.
Additional Notes
IF NEEDED, clearly label with camper’s first and last name:
Form #1
Signed by parent, should be brought to camp with you and turned in at the check-in desk.
Form #2
Signed by a doctor and parent and should be brought to camp with you and turned in at check-in. A physical, not more than 24 months old, will be accepted in place of doctor signature portion of the form; however, the remainder of the form must be filled out and signed by a parent. If using a physical form, please attach to this form. Please note, the ACA requires us to have signed health information on file for each camper.
To authorize your camper to be picked up by someone other than a parent or guardian, you will fill out a form with person’s name and your signature at check-in. If you will not be at check in, please send a signed note with person’s name authorized to pick up your camper and have your camper turn in at check in. In case of an emergency, please call the camp at 785-746-5693.
Form #3
This form is for the camp nurse and is signed by a parent. The front page is for medications brought to camp for your camper and the back page is questions regarding over the counter medication and your camper. All campers must turn in this form to the nurse at check-in. A copy of the primary health insurance card should be submitted with forms. PLEASE COPY the front and back of the card TO TURN IN AT CHECK-IN ON OPENING DAY! We cannot make copies of all camper’s insurance cards during check-in.
Your camper will need all forms and insurance card to check in on opening day at camp.
Your camper can receive emails from you daily (do not send the last day of the camp session).
Emails will be printed out by camp staff and delivered to your camper with the regular mail handed out to campers each day.
Log into your Campwise account to purchase One-Way Emails. From your account Dashboard scroll down to the One-Way Email information to sign up for One-Way Email to send an email to your camper.
Cost: $6.00 to send emails to your camper during the camp session.
***Be mindful that your email must be sent by 8:30 a.m. to be delivered on that day. No emails will be delivered on the last day of each camp session.***
BEST OPTION: Bring a handwritten cards, notes or letters to camp with you on opening day of camp, labeled with your camper’s name and the date you would like them to receive it during their stay at camp.
There is a basket at the end of the check-in process that you can place you cards and letters in without your camper even knowing that you are leaving them.
Please do not send your camper emails to a camp email address.
We are thrilled that it is time for camp again this summer. As always camp will have safety features to accommodate the health and wellness of our staff and campers. We are confident that we will have a safe, spiritually meaningful, and really fun summer.
Camp Tekakwitha cares deeply about the health and welfare of every camper. We carefully prepare our facilities for our campers. We thoroughly clean and sanitize every day under normal circumstances. All camp buildings have a needlepoint bipolar ionization unit installed in the air ducts. To learn about this ionization system click here.
Safety, faith and fun are always our priorities.
Sincerely Grateful,
Deacon Dana and Deborah Nearmyer–Director
Drew and Allie Foster–Assistant Directors
Medical professionals, the CDC, the American Camping Association and our camp staff are united in creating an adventurous, faith-filled camp environment in which we are committed to preventing the spread of disease, including COVID-19 at camp. We have adventures planned that will build friendships and help continue our mission of connecting youth and families to Christ.
Campers do not have access to phones.
Camp directors will monitor any need for campers to use the phone.
Parents may call office personnel to check on their child’s well-being. 785-746-5693.
We encourage parents to write letters and place in inner-camp mail on opening day of the camp session; they really do enjoy getting your letters. We do not recommend the use of U.S. Mail. Letters received after a camper has left will be shredded.
Only authorized guests are allowed on the premises during camp sessions for the safety of all campers.
No pets allowed.
CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS and CONTACT INFORMATION
Regarding sexuality and sexual identity, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "By creating the human being man and woman, God gives personal dignity equally to the one and the other. Each of them, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity." (Catechism of the Catholic Church ("CCC"), 2360-2363). By its very nature, sexuality is orderedto conjugal love of a man and woman within the bond of marriage (c. 1055). And marriage, which is a partnership of the whole of life, is always ordered by its very nature to both the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children (Ibid.).All persons are called to chastity, to be lived out according to one's state in life (CCC, #2337-2359).
As Pope Francis notes, the sacred dignity of each individual person must always be respected, but that does not mean the Church must accept the confused notion of gender ideology. We must not demean or deny the sincerity and struggle of thosewho experience same-sex attraction or who feel their true gender identity is different from their biological sex. Rather, we seek to accompany them on their journey of life, offering them the light of the Gospel as they try to find their way forward. These truths are not merely faith-based; rather, such realities are also knowable through the use of properly functioning senses and right reason (Pope St. John Paul II, Fides et Ratio, #22) We do not serve anyone's greater good by falsifying the truth, for it is only the truth that frees us for the full life that God offers to each of us. Thus, when a person experiences same-sex attraction or some form of gender dysphoria, such struggles do not change the biological fact of how God created that person, and it would be untruthful for the Catholic Church or our Catholic Schools/Camp Tekakwitha to pretend otherwise. The policies of our Catholic Schools/Camp Tekakwitha, therefore, must reflect these fundamental truths.
Schools/Camp Tekakwitha shall consider the gender of all students/campers as being consistent with their biological sex, including, but not limited to, the following: participation in school athletics/Camp Tekakwitha; school-sponsored dances;dress and uniform policies; the use of changing facilities, showers, cabins, locker rooms, and bathrooms; titles, names, and pronouns; and official school documents. If a student's expression or gender, sexual identity, or sexuality should cause confusion or disruption at the school, or if it should mislead others, cause scandal, or have the potential for causing scandal, thenthe matter will first be discussed with the student and his/her parents. If the issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the school/Camp Tekakwitha, whose primary goal must always be to uphold Catholic truths and principles, then the matter shall be treated as any other serious discipline issue, and the student may be afforded a hearing to determine appropriate consequences.
All students/campers are expected to conduct themselves at school/camp in a manner consistent with their biological sex. Students/campers may not advocate, celebrate, or express same-sex attraction in such a way as to cause confusion or distraction in the context of Catholic school classes, activities, or at Camp Tekakwitha. When discussing homosexualityinclinations, the use of the term "same-sex attraction" is preferred, as it is a more appropriate description in accordance with the truths of Catholic faith and morals, which do not define an individual by sex but rather as a human person who is a child ofGod.
Diplomas, transcripts, school/camp records, and any other official documents of the school /camp ("official school documents") shall be issued in conformity with the student's biological sex as based upon physical differences at birth and at thetime of the student's/camper’s enrollment. Official school documents are also historical documents and, as such, must accurately reflect the name and identity of the alumnus/alumna during the time in which he/she was enrolled at Camp Tekakwitha and/orgraduated from the school. If after graduation an alumnus/alumna legally changes his/her name, for whatever reason, and requests new versions of his/her official school/camp documents, the official school documents may be issued in the following format: "Original Name, n.ka. New Legal Name".
*Adapted from Diocese of Little Rock Addenda to the Manual of Policies and Regulations for Elementary and Secondary Catholic Schools of Arkansas
Camp Kateri Tekakwitha combines demanding outdoor activities with powerful, spiritual instruction bringing about a unique encounter with God. Although our adventure activities are memorable, often the love that campers experience through prayer is what they remember most.
Camp Kateri Tekakwitha is a division of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Copyright © The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. All Rights Reserved.
12615 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66109 | (913) 721-1570
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