1. Where do the dogs sleep?
Your dogs will sleep with you in your selected housing. Many of our accommodations will include extra beds in the rooms which may be where your dog decides to hunker down for the night. Or you may decide to let your dog sleep in your bed with you. Rooms with multiple campers or more than 2 dogs will individually determine what is the best way for everyone to sleep peacefully in their shared housing accommodation.
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2. Do I bring my own food?
No, all meals and snacks for people are provided in your camp fees. Many campers do decide to bring along additional snacks and drinks to keep in their rooms, for after-hours snacking. You may decide to bring a small cooler to keep things cold in your room.
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3. Do I bring my own dog food?
Yes! Because all our dogs eat many different kinds of foods, and because there are many different approaches to feeding, Camp Dogwood does not provide meals for the dogs. There will be plenty of treats and cookies at camp, but no formal doggie meals.
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4. How are the rates listed?
Any rate shown on this website or in our brochure is listed per HUMAN camper with up to two dogs joining in. Rates for Double Occupancy or Shared-Housing are listed per HUMAN in that kind of accommodation. All rates include meals, activities and lodging (*except for Daily Camper Fees, which do not include overnight accommodations.)
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5. My dog has no experience in some activities? Can we still participate?
Yes, of course. Camp is designed to both foster skills your dog already has in some areas, as well as to introduce your dog to new activities. Many of our activity periods are built specifically for beginners or those with little to no prior experience. Camp is a great opportunity to get a taste of a variety of dog-related activities.
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6. What if it rains?
If it rains, we get a little wet. Activities continue as scheduled at Camp Dogwood unless it is a downpour or thunderstorm. Many of our sport activities have secondary indoor locations, but we also have rainy day alternative programming-just in case! No one likes the rain, but we're ready!
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7. How big is camp?
The facility where Camp Dogwood is held is over 180 acres of fields, woods and wetlands. There is a lake, which sits up against the property with a beautiful and play-inducing beachfront. The property is NOT fenced in, but most activities are held in the center of the property. A natural boundary of trees and water surrounds camp.
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8. How many people come to camp? How many dogs?
Camp attendance varies from session to session. Our program is capable of holding over 130 campers, although most sessions have had around 100 human campers, with a dog population slightly higher. Many of our 25-30 staff members and presenters also bring their canine companions along adding to the mix.
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9. Is camp right for my dogs and me?
Camp is a place for people who are willing to spend some quality time with their dog in an outdoor setting. Dogs need to be reasonably well socialized and friendly with other dogs and people. We've had a lot of participants who expected their dogs to excel in one area and were surprised to hidden talents of their dog. The dog camp experience will be different from person to person and from dog to dog. If you have concerns or questions about Camp Dogwood being right for your specific dog situation, contact the Camp Dogwood office so can discuss it. At times we will consult with one of our camp trainers or the camp vet in order to determine if a particular dog is appropriate for camp.
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10. What if I'm alone, but want a roommate?
Most camp accommodations are available to house multiple campers. If you and your dog are looking to come to camp solo, and think you'd benefit from Double Occupancy or Shared-Housing (3 or more), you can check the box indicating Roommate Matching on the registration form and we'll do our best to find you a suitable roommate for the weekend!
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11. Are you open year round?
No, camp is only in session during the dates listed. We were lucky enough to find an agreeable (and incredible) facility to house the Camp Dogwood experience while we are "on", but during the rest of the year, this facility is used by other groups and children's camps.
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12. What time should I drop my dog off?
Camp is for your dog AND you. We are not a boarding or daycare facility where your dog stays without you. Our program is designed for dog and person together, a chance to develop and strengthen the bond you share.
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13. What is the food like?
The food at camp is typical, hearty, camp fare. Breakfasts include an assortment of cereals, yogurt, fruit, as well as a hot dish like eggs or pancakes. A salad bar is available during lunch and dinner. Lunch maybe sandwiches, baked potato bar, soup, grilled cheese, or make-your-own wrap. Dinners in the past have included such things as grilled chicken & skirt steak or pizza we order in. A camp favorite is the cookout BBQ the last day of lunch. Our facility will do its best to meet special health dietary needs, but please contact the camp office to discuss specifics prior to coming to camp.
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14. What are the rooms like?
All accommodation options at camp provide campers with twin-size beds and room privacy of their choice (Single, Double or Shared.). The New Lodge rooms are the 'newest' construction, and therefore are the most modern. Rustic Cabins and Lodges are older buildings, with all the charms of children's overnight camp. (We've heard that an air mattress is not a bad bring-along for those with a sensitive back). We strongly recommend campers add the little touches of home to create their camp home-away-from-home for the weekend.
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15. Do I bring my dog's fecal sample to camp?
No! Please don't. Your dog will need to have paperwork completed by their vet prior to camp, including proof of a negative fecal sample. This is a job for your vet, PRIOR to attending camp. Please make sure to plan ahead to get your dog's vet record in order before camp.
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16. What is your vaccination policy?
We require that all dogs be up-to-date on their vaccines (rabies, DHLPP). Bordatella is strongly recommended but not required. We do accept the 3-year rabies vaccine. We also accept titers for those who vaccinate less frequently. Dogs should be free of fleas before attending camp. We recommend some form of tic prevention prior to camp.
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17. Are there any additional fees at camp?
All daily programming is included in your camp fees, however we do offer a few options, which must be paid for at camp. Things like Herding with Shannon Wolfe, Taking the CGC Test, or scheduling one-on-one training sessions with camp staff are not included in your camp fee. You will be able to have a complete and fun-filled weekend without participating in these 'add-ons', but we do offer them for campers with special/focused interests.
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18. Where are you located?
Camp takes place in Ingleside Illinois, which is near Fox Lake in the Chain-of-Lakes region of Illinois. Our mailing address and offices are found within Chicago. View map.
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19. Do you take credit cards?
We can accept a credit card for deposit or balance payments, but prefer a check or money order. If you need to put down your camper deposit, or would like to payoff any outstanding fee balances by credit card, contact the Camp Dogwood office for further details.
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20. Can I see a schedule for the session I'm planning to attend?
Although schedules are preliminarily prepared prior to camp sessions, a lot of variables keep them evolving right up until the weeks before camp. Once at camp, you do not have to pre-select or sign-up for the activities you plan to attend. Because of this, we do not release any schedules before camp to ensure weekend accuracy. You can view a past session schedule on this website for a preview of camp.
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