A guide for parents and campers
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Prepare for Camp

Our goal is to ensure a seamless transition into camp life, providing you with everything needed to confidently prepare your camper for a profound encounter with Jesus Christ.

View The Parent Handbook
Camper Forms 
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What Do You Need?

Getting ready for camp is easier when everything is in one place. Find the forms, packing information, arrival details, and resources your family needs for the week ahead.

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    For Check-in

    Camper Forms

    Download the three required forms you'll need to complete and bring with you to camper check-in.

    Download Forms →
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    For Preparation

    Parent Handbook

    Your complete guide to preparing for camp, including policies, health information, communication, and arrival procedures.

    View Handbook →
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    What to bring

    Packing List

    Make sure your camper has everything they need—and knows what should stay at home.

    View Packing List →

  • Coming & Going

    Arrival & Departure

    Find check-in and pick-up information so you know what to expect when you arrive at The Ranch.

    View Details ->
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A person wearing a helmet climbing a ropes course with a safety harness, surrounded by a climbing net and trees under a clear blue sky.
Colorful kayaks lined up on a rocky shore by a body of water with trees in the background and a cloudy sky overhead.
Person climbing an outdoor wooden rock climbing wall wearing a safety helmet and harness.
Group of children wearing helmets and standing with bicycles outdoors on a grassy area, smiling and making peace signs.
Three smiling young adults standing outdoors with trees in the background. They are wearing casual clothing, backpacks, and have face paint and accessories, indicating they are at a sports event or festival.
People in swimsuits playing and splashing in a lake near a waterslide and a water trampoline under a clear sky.
Two glass bottles, one filled with red liquid and the other with clear liquid, are placed on a wooden surface next to a gold bowl filled with sliced white cheese.
A brown horse with a black mane stands in a fenced outdoor riding arena, wearing a saddle and purple bridle, with trees and a building in the background under partly cloudy skies.
A person creating a blue and white artwork, with art supplies and paper on a checkered red and white table.
Child girl aiming an arrow at an archery target outdoors, with other targets set up on stands and a woman standing in the background.
A band performing on stage with multiple musicians playing guitars and drums, in front of a crowd making heart shapes with their hands, inside a wooden-paneled room with windows and outdoor greenery visible.
Two smiling young men standing on a sandy beach at a lake, wearing life jackets and swim trunks, with water and trees in the background. People are in the water and on a floating platform in the distance.
White marble sculpture of a woman, a man holding a stick, and a child, set against a dark background.
Two young girls in pink T-shirts with a logo, wearing bike helmets, standing with their bicycles outdoors on a sunny day, smiling at the camera.
Two girls sitting outdoors under a large tree, smiling and enjoying each other's company. 
HERE FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Help Them Arrive Ready For Adventure

A great week at camp begins before your camper arrives. A few simple conversations at home can help them feel confident about the week ahead and ready to embrace everything camp has to offer.

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Talk About the Week Ahead

Ask what they're excited about—and what might make them a little nervous. Remind them that it's normal to feel both. Talking about those feelings ahead of time can help your camper arrive with confidence and know that they're ready for the experience.

Practice Independence

Campers will have caring counselors nearby, but they'll also have opportunities to make choices, care for their belongings, meet new people, and try things on their own. Giving them opportunities to practice that independence before camp can make being away from home feel more natural.

Encourage Openness

Some of the best moments at camp begin with trying something new. Encourage your camper to participate fully, welcome new friendships, and be open to how God may work during the week. They don't have to be good at everything or love every activity—the invitation is simply to enter into the experience and give it a try.

camp rhythm

A day at Camp Tekakwitha

While every single day at Camp Tekakwitha brings new surprises, theme days, and activities, our daily rhythm balances powerful prayer, high-energy adventure, and intentional community rest.

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    Faith and Adventure

    The Morning

    We start our day together in prayer before heading to the dining hall for breakfast. Mornings are packed with energy, alternating between deep-dive faith formation sessions and high-adventure outdoor activities like rock climbing and ropes courses.

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    Activities & Rest

    The Afternoon

    After a community lunch filled with camp songs and skits, campers head into afternoon recreation—swimming, kayaking, and archery. We wrap up the afternoon with "Flat on Bunk" (FOB) time, a camp-wide quiet hour to rest and recharge, followed by open free time to check mail and hang out.

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    Praise & Community

    The Evening

    Following dinner, the campus transitions into powerful evening sessions with vibrant talks and worship at the Grotto. We cap off the night with high-energy camp-wide events, followed by cabin "Highs & Lows" to process the day together before lights out.

Being Fully Present

Camp Communications

Camp gives young people something increasingly rare: the chance to be fully present to the people and experiences right in front of them. Campers leave their cell phones and personal devices at home so they can enter more fully into life at camp.

Send Some Encouragement
Parents can send one-way messages or leave letters for their camper. Check out the Parent Handbook for more information.

We’ll Care for Them - And Keep You In The Loop
Our counselors and camp leadership are attentive to how campers are doing throughout the week. If your camper is struggling, becomes ill, or something happens that we believe you should know about, we’ll reach out so we can care for your camper together.

View Our Parent Handbook
View Our Parent Handbook 
Required for Check-in

Don’t Forget Your Camper Forms

Every camper must bring three completed forms to check-in. Download and complete them before you arrive so our team has the information we need to care for your camper throughout the week.

Camper Information
Health Information

Health Information Form

The Camper Health Information Form includes a medical professional's signature, so don't wait until the last minute to complete it.

Medication Information

Medications at Camp

The Med Core team receives and documents medications at drop-off. Throughout the week, the Med Core team handles and distributes camper medications and approved over-the-counter medications according to the directions parents provide at check-in.

Getting to and From Camp

Arrival & Departure

Knowing when to arrive—and when we'll welcome you back—helps the beginning and end of camp go smoothly. Find your camper's session below, and plan to allow enough time for check-in, luggage, medications, and a good goodbye.

CHECK-IN: FOR EVERY YOUTH CAMP

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. for Kateri, Junior High, and Extreme Camps. When you arrive, our team will guide your family through check-in, collect required camper forms, receive and document any medications, and help get your camper and their luggage where they need to go. Once check-in is complete, it will be time to say goodbye and let the adventure begin.

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    5th & 6th Graders

    Kateri Camps

    Closing Session

    6:00 p.m. - Luggage pick-up begins

    7:00 p.m. - Parent Program begins

    7:30 p.m. - Camper pick-up

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    7th & 8th graders

    Junior High Camps

    Closing Session

    8:30 a.m. - Luggage pick-up begins

    9:30 a.m. - Parent Program begins

    10:00 a.m. - Camper pick-up

  • Two young men smiling and wearing life jackets while standing in a lake, with trees and a dock in the background.

    9th-12th graders

    High School
    EXTREME Camp

    Closing Session

    8:30 a.m. - Luggage pick-up begins

    9:30 a.m. - Parent Program begins

    10:00 a.m. - Camper pick-up

View Parent Handbook

“Come and you will see.” So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day.

— John 1:39

Children swimming and playing in a lake with a floating water park and trampoline, surrounded by trees. 
The Place of Encounter

The Ranch: Home of Camp Tekakwitha

Set across the hills, woodlands, and open prairie of Northeast Kansas, Prairie Star Ranch boasts 291 acres of natural beauty.

Since 2000, this sacred space has provided a beautiful backdrop for the ministry of Camp Tekakwitha. The Ranch offers intentional devotional spaces, climate-controlled lodging, and outdoor adventure—the perfect setting to help transform every moment at camp into an encounter with Jesus Christ, his Church, and his creation.

Explore The Ranch
Explore The Ranch 
good to know

Common Questions

  • If you have a question before your camper’s session, our team is happy to help. Contact us at registration@psrcatholic.org for questions about your camper, registration, forms, or preparing for camp.

    While camp is in session, we ask parents to allow campers to be fully present to their experience rather than contacting them directly. If an important situation arises at home or you need to reach your camper during the week, contact the Camp team and we’ll help you determine the best way to connect.

    Camp Tekakwitha
    Phone: 785-746-5693
    Email: camp@psrcatholic.org

  • Homesickness is a normal part of being away from home, especially for younger campers or those spending their first extended time away. Our counselors are trained to know their campers, pay attention to how they’re doing, and help them work through those feelings while becoming comfortable in their cabin community.

    Often, a little encouragement, a new activity, or simply a glass of water is all a camper needs to settle in. If homesickness becomes persistent or our camp leadership believes your involvement would help us care for your camper well, we’ll reach out and work with you.

  • Campers love hearing from home! Parents may bring letters to check-in for us to distribute during the week. You can also send one-way emails through your CampWise account.

    One-Way Camper Emails

    Log into your CampWise account and find One-Way Email on your account dashboard. The service costs $6 per camp session and allows you to send messages to your camper throughout the week.

    Emails must be submitted by 8:30 a.m. to be delivered that day. Emails are not delivered on the final day of the camp session.

    Because part of the gift of camp is being fully present to the people and experiences around them, this is a one-way service—campers do not send email responses home.

  • Severe weather is something we prepare for well before campers arrive. Our staff are trained and drilled on severe-weather procedures, and weather conditions are monitored by multiple members of camp leadership throughout each session.

    When severe weather threatens, outdoor activities are suspended as needed and campers and staff move to designated storm shelters across The Ranch. Our emergency plans also include coordination with local emergency response agencies should additional assistance be needed.

    Kansas weather can change quickly, but our team is prepared to respond, communicate, and keep campers safely cared for while conditions pass.

  • We want to understand your camper’s needs before they arrive so we can determine how we can best support them at camp. Please provide relevant information during registration and on your camper’s health information, and contact our team in advance if your camper needs a particular accommodation or has significant dietary, medical, accessibility, or other support needs.

    Camp is an active, outdoor environment, and not every accommodation is possible in every activity or setting. Talking with us ahead of time gives our team the opportunity to understand your camper’s needs and work with your family on an appropriate plan.

  • During registration, families may request one cabinmate for their camper. Mutual requests—when two campers request one another—give us the best opportunity to place those campers together, although cabinmate requests cannot be guaranteed.

    Our team builds cabin communities thoughtfully, balancing requests with age, group size, available space, and the overall needs of the session. Cabin assignments are shared when campers arrive at camp.

  • Campers should leave cell phones, smart watches, and other personal connected devices at home. Camp offers young people a rare opportunity to unplug from everyday distractions and be fully present to their cabin community, outdoor adventures, prayer, and the people right in front of them.

    If your camper needs to communicate with you during the week, our camp team will help make that happen. And if something arises that we believe you should know about, we’ll contact you.

Group of five smiling young people outdoors in a park, wearing casual and colorful athletic clothing, with green trees and other people in the background.
A white statue of Jesus Christ holding a heart, situated outdoors in front of green trees and grass, with children and an adult seated in front of it on a bench.
A group of children cheering as two kids high-five on top of a wooden obstacle during an outdoor event in a wooded area.
A group of young students sitting in blue plastic chairs inside a dimly lit room, smiling and posing for the camera. Some students are wearing casual t-shirts, and a few are making peace signs.
Person practicing archery outdoors aiming at a row of target targets.
A group of people practicing outdoor yoga or stretching in a park on a sunny day, with trees and a clear sky in the background.
Two boys hugging outdoors near a large tree on a grassy area, with children wearing backpacks nearby, during daytime.
Nighttime outdoor scene featuring a decorative metal arch with hanging white tags or lanterns, adorned with small lights and green foliage.
Group of teenagers at an indoor event, smiling and posing for a photo, wearing red sports shirts with 'Prince of Peace Track & Field' logo.
A group of young boys dressed in athletic clothing and face paint, standing outdoors on a dirt field, some with backpacks and a dog puppet, with trees in the background.
Two young men smiling, with one having his arm around the other, in an indoor setting with mirror and exit signs visible.
Two children wearing white masks in a backyard, one is holding a bow and aiming an arrow, surrounded by scattered golf balls, trees, and a shed in the background.
A large group of young people gathered in a dimly lit room with wooden paneling, some raising their hands and clapping, with a few appearing to sing or shout.
People wearing helmets and harnesses crossing a ropes course with swings and a netted obstacle, outdoors against a cloudy sky.
Children wearing helmets climbing a rope bridge at an outdoor adventure park during daytime, surrounded by tall trees.
Group of five young women wearing helmets and holding bows outdoors.
Two individuals wearing helmets and sunglasses pointing at the camera during an outdoor event in a park, with trees and other people in the background.
Two children in life jackets slide down an inflatable water slide into a lake while others swim and float nearby, with a background of trees and a clear sky.
Two smiling young men standing close together by a lake, wearing life vests, with a dock and a person sitting on it in the background.
Two young women standing outdoors in front of green foliage, smiling at the camera, wearing casual t-shirts with bandanas tied around their waists.
Group of young people lying on the carpeted floor, smiling and making playful gestures.
Group of young men dressed in casual and athletic clothing, some with face paint and accessories, posing together in a dimly lit indoor setting with a mountain-themed mural in the background.
Two young girls wearing pink t-shirts with the words 'Camp Takawhita' and helmets, standing outdoors with bicycles, smiling and holding hands, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.
People wearing safety helmets walking on ropes and wooden platforms high above the ground, part of an outdoor adventure course or zipline activity against a cloudy sky.
Young person in helmet climbing a wooden rock climbing wall outdoors.
A group of girls sit around a table, working on a craft project with blue string, in a wooden interior room. One girl is smiling at the camera, revealing braces, while the others focus on their work.
Two young men standing together in a rustic indoor setting with a stone fireplace, wooden beams, and decorative lamps. One is pointing at the other, who is wearing a YETI cap and a blue t-shirt.
Two young women smiling and standing close together inside a rustic wooden building, wearing yellow bandanas. They are holding knitting yarn and supplies, with the woman on the right wearing a black T-shirt with a graphic design.
A person wearing a white protective mask and a blue bandana is practicing archery outdoors on a grassy field, surrounded by trees, with several other people in the background also wearing masks.
Group of children and teenagers outdoors, some wearing helmets and sunglasses, gathered under trees on a sunny day.
A group of young people sitting and standing inside a room with large windows, with a view of green trees outside. Some of them are wearing red bandanas and some have backpacks.
A group of young women at an outdoor event, smiling and giving thumbs-up. The woman in the center has purple face paint, wears a purple shirt and a purple bandana, and has ear jewelry. The women are dressed casually and are surrounded by trees.
A group of people on a large inflatable water slide outdoors, with one girl in the front wearing a life vest, smiling and holding onto the slide, surrounded by greenery and trees.
A young girl with long brown hair, wearing a red shirt and pink shorts, smiling and sitting on muddy grass after sliding down a blue tarp water slide on a sunny day, with other children in the background.
Group of young people at an outdoor water activity, with one person sitting on a blue tarp holding a ball, others standing around, and buckets of water in the foreground.
Children enjoying a summer day on an inflatable water slide set up on a lake, with some climbing up the slide and others jumping and playing in the water.
A young man with paint on his face and a red bandana covering his eyes, smiling, holding a wooden ladder with a plastic bag on top.
Girl climbing a wooden outdoor rock wall, wearing a helmet and harness, against a blue sky with clouds.
Girl in a purple shirt and bandana blindfolded, smiling as she reaches forward with her hands on a wooden floor, participating in a game involving a small green ball.
Children participating in an outdoor archery activity, aiming bows at large colorful target boards on wooden stands in a grassy area with trees in the background.
Child climbing a wooden outdoor rock climbing wall with harness and helmet on a sunny day, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
Group of children participating in an outdoor activity, some dressed in pink and casual clothes, standing on a gravel surface near a wooded area, with game or obstacle elements visible.
Group of young girls smiling outdoors on a grassy field during evening, some wearing camp or event lanyards and casual athletic clothing.
A large group of young people sitting on grass outdoors, surrounded by trees, engaging in conversations and activities on a sunny day.
People kayaking on a river with green trees in the background.
Person wearing blue helmet and harness climbing a tall wooden outdoor rock wall with multicolored handholds and footholds, secured with a red safety rope.
A group of six young women in life jackets standing in water at a lake or river, smiling and posing for the photo.
Smiling girl in pink t-shirt and purple life jacket standing outdoors near a lake, surrounded by children and adults.
Group of young people smiling and posing outdoors near a lake, with trees and picnic tables in the background.
Children playing on a high ropes adventure course with a large net, platforms, and safety ropes, against a cloudy sky.
Children with kayaks and paddles by a lake shore during daytime.
A person with blonde hair creating a blue art piece on a sheet of textured white paper, sitting at a table covered with red and white checkered tablecloth, with various art supplies and candies nearby.
Group of young women standing on stage in a wooden hall. Audience seated in front, some visible at the bottom of the image. Stage has a white projector screen and lighting equipment hanging from the ceiling.
Group of six smiling young girls sitting on a ledge against a wooden wall, holding bricks, with some wearing bracelets and wearing casual athletic clothing.
A group of smiling young girls sitting in chairs at an indoor event, making peace signs and wearing white T-shirts with handwritten messages, some holding snacks.
Smiling young man taking a selfie at a casual gathering, surrounded by others, seated in chairs.
Four children kayaking on a calm river, with trees lining the shore in the background.
A group of children and teenagers gathered in a circle on a grassy field during daytime, with a soccer goal and trees in the background.
A group of people in white T-shirts with writing on them huddle together in a circle outdoors during daytime, celebrating after a volleyball game on a grassy field with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Group of young girls at an outdoor event, smiling and posing for a photo. Some girls are making peace signs and holding water bottles. In the background, there are other people and large orange water coolers, with trees overhead.
People enjoying a party with colorful laser lights illuminating the dark room.
A large group of people, mostly young females, are gathered outdoors underneath trees, raising their hands and appearing to sing or cheer. Many are wearing casual clothes and some are wearing lanyards.
Two young girls smiling, standing outdoors, wearing helmets and harnesses, with a group of children in the background at a park or playground.
A young boy wearing a blue helmet and pink shirt riding a zip line while an adult man, wearing a yellow helmet and blue staff T-shirt, holds the zip line rope. The background consists of green trees.
Children and adults playing on a sandy beach by a lake, with some kids swimming in the water and others filling buckets with sand, during daytime.
Person lighting candles at a religious shrine with framed icons of saints and candle holders.
Group of children playing a game outdoors in a wooded area on a sunny day.
A group of young girls are sitting and kneeling on a wooden deck outside, with one girl braiding another girl's hair. In the background, a person is standing and holding a book, and another person is standing near a cooler. Various objects like water
A young girl with long hair wearing sunglasses and a pink T-shirt sitting on the ground near a campfire in a forest. Other children are partially visible standing nearby.
Children climbing a large outdoor wooden rock climbing wall, surrounded by trees.
Two boys wearing blue helmets and harnesses, smiling and posing outdoors with greenery and a wooden climbing wall in the background.
A young girl smiling at the camera, wearing a colorful lei made of flower leis, with her arms extended, at a beach or sandy area during sunset. In the background, people are sitting and playing on the sand, some with leis, with warm golden light illu
Three people in a lake or river during sunset, including a smiling woman giving a thumbs-up, a young boy with water wings on his arms sitting on the woman's shoulders, and a man in the water giving a thumbs-up.
A group of smiling children and two adults standing in a body of water, with some more children swimming in the background.
People kayaking on a river with a large green tree-lined hill in the background on a clear day.
Child wearing a helmet climbing a rope net on an outdoor adventure course with blue sky and trees in the background.
A woman and a young girl sit in a blue and white tandem kayak on a body of water, each holding a paddle with black shafts and blue blades, enjoying a sunny day. In the background, other kayakers are visible on the water, and the shoreline with trees
Two children, one in a blue helmet and another in a white shirt, are climbing a ropes course. The child in the blue helmet is holding a yellow safety line, and they are both on a wooden platform, surrounded by ropes and safety harnesses, with trees i
Group of young men smiling and posing together indoors, with one person wearing a Kansas City Royals shirt.
People gathered behind a glass window, some are standing, with framed pictures on the wall and a colorful statue visible in the background.
A group of young people dancing indoors in a dark room, with some wearing bright clothing and sunglasses, under dim colored lighting.
A large group of children and teenagers posing outdoors in front of a sculpture of Jesus and two other figures, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Group of children outdoors participating in team-building activity, holding hands and working together
Two girls wearing blue helmets and harnesses stand outdoors, smiling and posing for a photo with trees in the background.
Four smiling girls sitting outdoors on grass with trees in the background. One girl is wearing a red shirt with white text, another in a blue shirt, and two in white striped shirts. They are enjoying a sunny day.
Four young girls sitting outdoors in a shaded park, smiling at the camera. They are surrounded by green trees and grass, with some camping items on a bench beside them.
A young boy aims a bow and arrow towards archery targets outdoors on a sunny day, with trees and a blue sky with white clouds in the background.
A large crowd of people gathered outdoors at night, with some wearing caps and jackets. A prominent illuminated religious image of a Sacred Heart with a cross above it is displayed in the background, decorated with string lights.
A small metallic car sculpture with a shiny, reflective surface, positioned on a textured fabric surface against a dark background.
A campfire with flames burning against a dark night background.
Three girls sitting on a wooden park bench near a lake, smiling and giving thumbs-up signs, with two girls in the background near the water.
Two girls relaxing in blue kayaks on the shore of a lake, smiling, wearing life jackets, with water and rocks in the background.
Child with helmet walking on a high ropes course among wooden platforms and wires, with a blue sky in the background.
Four boys wearing helmets and harnesses standing outdoors on grass with trees in the background.
Group of children sitting on wooden bleachers indoors, smiling and posing for the camera, with text projected on the wall behind them.
Four boys sitting inside a wooden structure. They are smiling and making peace signs with their hands.
Group of children and teenagers wearing helmets and riding bicycles outdoors in a park with green trees and cloudy sky in the background.
Two girls in life jackets sliding down an inflatable water slide into a lake, surrounded by trees.
A band performing live on stage with an audience in front, making heart shapes with their hands.
A group of young boys and teenagers are gathered together indoors, engaging in a group hug or handshake, wearing casual clothing including caps and t-shirts, with wooden walls in the background.
Children at a park playing bocce ball on a dirt court, surrounded by green trees.
A circular wooden plaque with a drawing of a heart pierced by a sword and a fire burning above it, mounted on a white pole outdoors at dusk or night.
Outdoor gathering with a lit lantern on a wooden surface in the foreground, a blurred crowd seated in the background, and trees with a sky during dusk. A person is standing near a red and white tent or structure.
A group of young people celebrating, raising their fists and smiling in a dimly lit indoor space.

Contact Us Today

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We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions about Prairie Star, our facilities, or our programs, please don't hesitate to reach out. Fill out the form below with your details, and a member of our ministry team will get back to you as soon as possible.