Frequently Asked Questions – Retreats/Rentals
General
Q: How do I make a reservation?
A: Contact Dede (office@hacamps.org or 515.547.2751) to check availability. Once dates have been agreed upon, you will be penciled in and sent a contract. Your dates are guaranteed upon receipt of your signed contract and deposit.
Q: Do you have wireless internet?
A: Yes, it is available in the Welcome Center and Family Life Center. There is spotty coverage in the Inn and Main Lodge. You do NOT need a password for access.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Bedding (sleeping bag or blankets & sheets), pillow, towel, wash cloth, toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste), modest swimwear (no speedos for guys, no stomachs showing for girls), and gym shoes.
If you are staying in the Inn AND make a request in advance, we can provide bedding and towels. Toiletries are not provided.
Family Life Center
Q: Can we have a party in the Family Life Center? How much does it cost?
A: Yes. The Family Life Center is most often available Sunday afternoons and weekdays. The minimum charge for 4 hours is $200. Please contact Dede (office@hacamps.org or 515.547.2751) for more information.
Q: Is the use of the Family Life Center included in the cost of lodging?
A: Yes. If you are spending the night with us, you are welcome to use the Family Life Center. If you have guests that will be visiting during the day and not staying overnight, there is a $10 day fee.
Q: Can we reserve a part of the Family Life Center during our stay?
A: No. The Family Life Center is a common area for all guests to share. We are willing to post your schedule for other groups to see, but you are not guaranteed exclusive use of any particular area. Your meeting room is the space reserved solely for your use.
Meals
Q: What time are meals?
A: Breakfast 8a, lunch 12p, and supper 5:30p. We can usually arrange different times in advance.
Q: How much do meals cost?
A: Breakfast $6.50, lunch $7.00, supper $8.00, brunch $8.50. Children 3-11 are half price. Children 2 and under are free.
Q: Can we cook for ourselves?
A: Yes. There are kitchens in the Inn Meeting Room, Welcome Center, Family Life Center Good Room (Party Room), and Johnson Lodge. These kitchens have a sink, household refrigerator (the Inn has a commercial sized cooler), stove, microwave. The kitchen in the Main Lodge can only be used if you are the only guests.
Q: Can we provide some of our own meals and have some Hidden Acres meals?
A: Yes. Anything is possible. We need to know a week in advance what meals you would like to have with us and how many people will be eating.
Activities
Q: What can we do for free?
A: Family Life Center: The building contains a gym, 70’ x 30’ pool 3’ - 5’ deep, hot tub, game room with ping pong, pool, and foosball, lobby with a fireplace and big screen TV with cable, large room for parties, and an outdoor firepit.
Shooting Range: You can borrow our BB guns and bows & arrows and shoot targets outdoors.
Blob: This 35’ long inflatable waterfront toy can be found in the lake. One person lays on the far end of the blob and another jumps off of a platform and lands on the near end of the blob, which launches the first person in to the air and out in to the lake! It is available Memorial Day thru Labor Day.
Toboggan Run: A 400’ run that ends on the lake. We provide sleds. It is available when the lake is frozen.
Q: What other activities do you offer?
A: For an additional charge you can play a game of paintball, scale the climbing wall, go down the zip line, or ride a horse. Contact Michelle (kin.mich@gmail.com or 515.547.2751) for scheduling of these activities.
Climbing Wall & Zip Line: There is a minimum charge of $100 each for the climbing wall and the zip line. The cost per person is $7.50. If there is time, the participants may go up the climbing wall or down the zip line twice, but there is a separate charge for each activity. Must be big enough to fit securely in to harness, usually age 8.
Paintball: The charge of $25 is for 2 games lasting approximately 15 minutes each. Minimum 10 players, maximum 20. Must be 12 years old.
Horseback Rides: An hour long ride on trails in our timber costs $15. Participants must be at least 10 years old. Minimum 10 per ride, maximum 14.
Lead Me Rides: Kids (under age 10) are led on a horse by a parent around the arena next to the barn. Cost is $4.