Even though coronavirus has disrupted youth camp programs across the country—along with many families’ vacation plans—more and more folks are finding refuge in a different place: the great outdoors. And what better place to do that than at Camp Calumet on the shores of Ossipee Lake.
At Calumet, we believe that spending a few days in nature, waking to the sounds of birds singing, and enjoying a beautiful change of scenery can do wonders for the mind, body, and soul. In accordance with guidelines limiting group gathering size, we are now offering alternative ways for people to safely continue to use Calumet to find respite and explore God’s wonderous creation. We are inviting individuals, families, and small groups to rent our lodging facilities and temporarily suspending all minimum group size requirements to stay.
Camp stands out from the same old, same old of hotel accommodations. This fall Calumet is offering a whole variety of new opportunities for Happy Campers of every age to enjoy the beauty, comfort, friendships, and recreational opportunities. At Calumet we believe that time set apart in God’s awesome creation is one way to center your mind, soul and body. The sight of beautiful Ossipee Lake or the sounds of loons calling to one another and the leaves rustling in the wind can offer peace and renewal.
In accordance with state guidelines, Calumet is able to offer our heated cabins, our village cabins, and rooms in our Conference Center to families and individuals. Some accommodations even have a fridge, a microwave, and a coffee maker. We are following guidelines including hand washing, wearing a facemask in public spaces, and physically distancing. All our guest cabins and rooms meet or exceed the Social Distancing Guidelines set forth by the CDC, and are regularly cleaned and sanitized by on-site housekeeping staff.
Come and walk along the beach and throughout camp, read a book, take photos, visit our prayer labyrinth, go on a prayer walk using our new prayer posts throughout camp, meditate in the Outdoor Chapel or the Memorial Chapel, take a walk up to Jackman Ridge (except during hunting season!) or just sit on a porch and relax.
Check with our registrars, Alice (ext. 220) or Julie (ext. 219) at 603-539-3223 for availability and room descriptions. Or, you can send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Keeping everyone safe this fall will be a partnership. We will do our part, and we ask that you do your part to follow guidelines and adhere to the pre-arrival agreement that will be in place this fall. It will be important that you not come visit if you are sick or showing symptoms. We ask that you act responsibly to demonstrate care for others. Per existing NH Guidelines, if you are coming to Calumet and do NOT live in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island, Calumet requires a copy of a driver’s license or a signed document from the guest(s) attesting that the person(s) staying at the lodging facility remained at a home for at least 14 days before arriving in New Hampshire, only going out for essential items and when outside of the home maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks when within less than 6 feet of another person during this 14 day “quarantine”.
• All guests should be fully paid prior to arrival
• Admittance to Calumet will not be allowed before the scheduled check-in time.
• All Guests will be required to self-screen when coming to Calumet.
1. Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
2. Have you had a fever or felt feverish in the last 72 hours?
3. Are you experiencing any respiratory symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath?
4. Are you experiencing any new muscle aches or chills?
5. Have you experienced any new change in your sense of taste or smell? If all answers are no, guests are allowed to come.
If anyone in party answers yes, guests will be asked to reschedule their time at Calumet. COVID-19 Response Plan for Guests: When A Guest Displays Symptoms: We request that the guest immediately return home and seek medical attention and/or testing.
Thank you for your partnershp in keeping everyone safe.
We are actively following data and recommendations from regulatory agencies related to COVID19 with a focus on camper and staff safety. Due to the rapidly changing situation of COIVD-19, Calumet’s leadership has made the decision to delay the opening of our family campground. We continue to listen to guidance received from federal, state, and local authorities.
Looking ahead we know this summer will be different for us all — including Calumet’s awesome Resident Camp for Kids. The safety of Calumet’s campers, their families, and our staff is our first priority. We want you to know that the Board of Directors is learning from the medical experts and the camp professional organizations to understand the impact of this pandemic. We will update you as we have more information and our goal is to communicate the summer plan to you by June 1. But here’s what we know today:
First thing’s first. Due to Emergency order #40 pursuant to executive order 2020-04, an update to emergency order #17, Calumet has suspended all guest operations through the end of May. We are regularly monitoring all that comes from the State of NH as it relates to our work as a campground, a Resident Camp, a hotel (Conference Center), and a Restaurant (the Dining Room).
We continue to prepare for Resident Camp at Calumet to open this summer. Depending on the guidance of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Camping Association (ACA), and the NH Health Department (DHHS), we may be able to figure out a shortened season starting later in the summer.
Our goal is to decide in the beginning days of June, but it may be even later. We promise to keep you in the loop as decision making unfolds. We have the ability to get Calumet open very quickly.
We are watching closely as the CDC develops COVID-19 guidance for camps for this summer. The CDC’s guidance will help state public health authorities to utilize best practices in health screening and camp operations. We are monitoring the availability of quality testing for families and staff. Excellent hygiene, social distancing, and significantly increased cleaning standards will need to be part of our plan.
Yes. If your annual physical exam date is after the due date or your usual pediatrician visit has been postponed related to COVID-19, please leave ONLY the physical exam section and immunizations incomplete in the record until you have the documentation and signed form(s). Once you have completed the physical exam and form, send it in to Julie here at Calumet. In the meantime, we ask that you please complete the rest of the camper health questions so that the Calumet’s Health Team can review and prepare for the summer.
Calumet’s communicable disease plan for COVID-19 will be developed using information provided by CDC, ACA, DHHS, and Association of Camp Nursing (“ACN”). Once it is developed, it will help determine whether it is safe and possible for Calumet to operate and, if so, under what restrictions.
Yes, we recognize that COVID-19 will have a financial impact on many families. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if your family now needs consideration for financial aid for the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Our hope is to give every child the opportunity to attend camp regardless of their family’s economic situation.
If Calumet does not operate in 2020, we will provide opportunities for all who had planned on being here this summer to be here in 2021.
Due to excellent work on the part of Calumet Nation for so many years, Calumet’s financial situation has been strong. We have always had generous support from donors and Calumet’s spending plan has always been very careful and conservative. In response to the potential disruption from COVID-19, Calumet:
Immediately froze all spending except for salaries, health benefits, and utilities.
Calumet applied for and secured funding through a low interest loan.
Calumet has some savings which we talk about as our endowment fund. It is incredibly well-managed. A portion of the fund may be available.
Calumet Nation will need to step up again this year and our Development Team is working on what that looks like.
We will explore all possibilities of supporting and connecting our Calumet community this summer in brand new ways.
In closing — Thank you for your patience as we move through this difficult time together. We remain grateful for the strength of our Calumet Nation. Be in touch with the appropriate staff person if you have any questions or concerns. We’re doing the best we can. We put our trust in God who is bigger and stronger than any of the challenges we are facing. God is working through each one’s kindness and commitment toward neighbors. Pray for patience. Have hope. And know that God is with each one of us. Be well, be smart, be safe, be healthy, and make good choices! Boom Chicka Boom!
Karl Ogren, Executive Director
PO Box 236
W Ossipee, NH 03890
Copyright © 2020 Calumet Lutheran Ministries. Privacy Policy
Adopted by the Calumet Board of Directors October 12, 2006
Calumet's primary responsibility is for the safety and security of our campers . To help meet that responsibility, Calumet has adopted certain policies governing the collection and use of personal information.
This document describes how Calumet handles the personal information we learn about you when you contact us by mail, phone, email, or when you access our web site. Any personally identifying information you provide is voluntary. We use it for program registration, to fulfill requests you make, or to assist us in carrying out our mission.
Calumet collects your personal information when you register for a program, make a donation, or otherwise voluntarily provide such information. If you contact Calumet, we may keep a record of that correspondence. If you submit a camp application or registration materials, or an application for employment, we will keep those documents on file for at least seven years.
We will use your information to process enrollment requests, orders, and donations, to provide you with information about Calumet programs and services we believe will be of interest to you, and to ask for your support.
In some cases, a third party may be contracted by us to provide a specific service. We will only disclose as much personal information as necessary. For example, when we use the mailing service of our printer to send a Calumet newsletter, we will share only the information necessary for delivery of the newsletter. Any third party with which Calumet shares information has agreed to maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of the information.
We may share your information with third parties in other limited circumstances, including when complying with legal process, preventing imminent harm, or ensuring the safety and security of our campers, facilities, and programs. This includes confidential medical information that complies with federal statutes.
Calumet does not sell, rent, or otherwise provide information from our database to third parties except for the reasons stated above.
Calumet complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). For more information about this law, visit www.coppa.org.
Calumet's web site automatically collects and stores anonymous data to determine the number of visitors to different sections of the site, to ensure the site is working properly, and to help us make the site more useful. We do not use this data to track or record information about individuals.
Calumet's web site does not use “cookies” or tracking mechanisms to collect any personally identifying user information. Cookies are used for maintaining user sessions only. You can set your web browser to notify you when you receive a cookie. This enables you to decide if you want to accept it or not.
Calumet's web site contains links to web sites not operated by Calumet Lutheran Ministries. These links are provided for your reference and convenience only and do not imply any endorsement of the activities of these third-party sites or any association with their operators. Calumet does not control these web sites and is not responsible for their practices. We urge you to review the privacy policy posted on any site you visit before using the site or providing any personal information about yourself.
Calumet has taken substantial precautions to ensure security for users of online services. Please be aware, however, that no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed secure. Consequently, Calumet cannot ensure or warrant the absolute security of any information that you transmit or provide to Calumet online.
From time to time, Calumet takes photographs and video (film and digital) of campers and retreat groups during their participation in Calumet programs. These photographs and video may be used by Calumet in promotional materials.
Calumet will make its best effort to honor any request from a parent to remove a photo of a camper from the web site.
Upon request, Calumet will provide you with access to all information we maintain about you. It is your right to correct any inaccuracies in that information.
You have the right to opt out of any mailings or other contacts from Calumet.
Parents retain these rights on behalf of their minor children.
If you have questions or concerns regarding Calumet's privacy policies, please contact:
Karl Ogren
Executive Director
Calumet Lutheran Ministries
PO Box 236
West Ossipee, NH 03890-0236
(603) 539-4773 ext. 211
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.