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Transportation

The following transportation information is for full-week overnight sessions at Camp Sweyolakan.

 Outbacker Day Camp & Mini Camp transportation information is available here.

 

Camp Sweyolakan is a boat-access only property! Our longtime partnership with Coeur d’Alene Cruises allows us to transport out campers conveniently from Independence Point in Downtown Coeur d’Alene to our camp on Mica Bay. Campers can prepare for a 45-60 minute boat ride to reach camp. Please review the boat ride guidelines found near the bottom of the page with your camper prior to boarding.

Boat from Coeur d'Alene-Drop Off

This year, to minimize large numbers during check in we have staggered arrival times; please do not attempt to check in prior to your designated time. Check in times are as follows:

• 7:40am – 9th-12th graders (includes CITs)
• 7:50am – 7th-8th graders
• 8:00am – 5th-6th graders
• 8:10am – 1st-4th graders

If you are checking in more than one camper, please arrive at the youngest camper’s check-in time. Adults will be asked to leave immediately once their camper has completed the check in process to reduce the gathering of large numbers on the dock.

The last check-in time is 8:10 am. The boat will depart at 9:00 am, if you miss the boat, please call the Camp Fire Office at (509) 747-6191.

When you arrive at Independence Point you will park your car and pay for parking.

• We request that only one (1) adult, and no other persons, accompany the camper for the check-in process to limit the number of interactions for our campers and staff. Please leave all others at home or in the car. Grab a mask for both you and your camper. We will ask that you wear these during the check-in process. (Subject to change based on local, state, federal and ACA guidelines.)

• Approach the table to the left of the gangway to be screened by a staff member. Please maintain 6 ft distance from other families as you wait in line.

          • Head down the gangway with your child to check in with a staff member to get group assignments and say final goodbyes.

 

Boat to Coeur d'Alene-Pick Up

On the last day of each session, the “Big Boat” will transport all campers from Camp Sweyolakan to the Independence Point Dock in Coeur d’Alene. Our staff will ask to check your photo identification and verify that you are listed on our Authorized Adults list. You will be asked to present your ID at pick-up, so please be prepared.

We are staggering pick-up much the way we did at drop off. Those specific times will be announced closer to the start of camp season.  We ask that you arrive within the following times to pick up your camper(s). Please do not arrive prior to your designated pick-up time. If you arrive too early your campers’ luggage will not be available and you’ll be asked to stand aside until your designated time. If you have campers in multiple age groups, please arrive during the OLDEST child's pick-up time.

Pick-up times are as follows:

Session 1 & Session 8 (Arriving Friday): Around 1:00pn. 

Sessions 2-7 (Arriving Thursday): Around 1:00pm.

 

Directions: From I-90 take NW Boulevard south all the way downtown, turn right at Lakeside Drive into the parking lot.

Do NOT enter "Camp Sweyolakan" into your GPS. Enter "Independence Point, Coeur D'Alene"

Please review the following guidelines with your camper to prepare them for a fun and safe boat ride:

No running on the boat

No standing on the rails, hanging on the rails, or throwing anything over the rails

Please do not touch the luggage in the middle of the boat

Save your lunch to eat later at camp with your counselor

You must be going into 7th grade or above to ride on the upper deck

Please respect the boat and our environment by putting all trash/litter in appropriate receptacles

Missing the Boat

If you miss the boat on arrival day, call 208. 664.9327, as soon as possible. Late arrivals will be approved at the discretion of the Camp Director as several factors must be considered; these factors include, but are not limited to, schedule and boat availability.

At the end of the session, if you have missed pickup without prior communication with our office, your camper will be taken tot he Camp Sweyolakan landing where 2 counselors will stay with your camper until you arrive. In these cases, you will be invoice $15 for childcare fees.

Delays

Delays are not common but do occasionally occur. In the event of delays, camp will be in communication with the Camp Fire Office and a notification text will be sent to the Primary Account Holder with details. Depending on the nature of the delay, every attempt will be made for a staff member to be stationed at the pick-up/drop-off location(s) to inform the authorized grown-ups of the situation and the estimated time for the boat to arrive.