DONATE

Frequently Asks Questions

Commonly asked questions and answers about Gull Lake Ministries.

About Gull Lake Ministries

Gull Lake Ministries exists to exalt Jesus and share his extravagant love with families.

We operate as a nondenominational, Christian summer family camp and luxury year-round retreat center in Southwest Michigan. We cultivate an immersive experience marked by physical refreshment, relational connection, and spiritual rejuvenation.

Our portfolio encompasses gourmet fare, lavish lakeside accommodations, action-packed activities, and strategic family programming characterized by exceptional, Christ-like service.

What if I need to cancel?

For Summer Vacation weeks, if cancellation is unavoidable, the paid fees will be refunded minus the deposit. If the accommodation is re-rented, there will be a $100 administration fee, and the remainder of the deposit will be refunded. Upgrading your accommodation location is not considered a cancellation of the initial reservation and can be done without any fees. Downgrading incurs a fee.

It depends on your housing. Condos and lodges are provided all bed and bath linens. Guests staying in cottages that have not purchased the Cleaning and Linen Service must bring their own towels, washcloths, sheets, pillowcases, and extra blankets (one pillow and one blanket are provided per bed space). GLM provides cleaning rags and cleaning products along with GLM “instructions” on what is to be done before checkout.

GLM does not provide beach towels, and we ask that guests not take bath towels out of the accommodations. Beach towels are available at the Dock Shop for purchase.

Yes, most accommodations come with a washer/dryer but for the few that do not, guests can go to our front desk where they will be issued a one-day key to gain access to our complimentary laundry room.

We have irons and ironing boards in all accommodations. Unfortunately, hairdryers are not something we provide. We offer an indoor jogging track, cardio equipment, and free weights in the Ministry Center for adult guests. Due to the elevated risk of injury, we may allow guests 14 to 17 years of age access to fitness equipment but only with an attentive, supervising parent or guardian.
Yes! For the safety of our guests, Gull Lake Ministries STRONGLY recommends all guests using bikes, scooters, longboards, and similar vehicles wear a helmet while riding. We also STRONGLY encourage all guests to pay careful attention while on our narrow neighborhood streets, as they can be dangerous when bikers are not attentive. Please keep the sidewalks and entryways around the Tabernacle, Dining Room, and Ministry Center free of bikes, skateboards, and scooters for the safety of all guests and wheelchair accessibility.
Yes! However, due to the varying sizes of toddlers, we have a limited number of life jackets for little ones and ask our guests to bring their own properly fitting toddler life jackets, labeled with your last name.
GLM has a boat dock in the bay, near the beach, with 12 boat slips that should be reserved at least two weeks prior to arrival. To protect Gull Lake from invasive species destructive to our lake’s ecosystem, boats must be washed prior to entering Gull Lake, unless they have been out of water for more than four days.
We encourage families to select and prepare an act that involves everyone, including parents and grandparents. While singing and dancing are wonderful, most of the families appreciate creative acts like skits, special skills (taekwondo, baton tossing, tumbling, etc.), family-friendly comedy, magic tricks, or a silly, wacky talent! Due to time limitations, and to allow many different families an opportunity to participate, we can only allow one act per family that lasts about three minutes.
Yes. We offer gluten-free, peanut/tree nut-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian dietary options. Please let us know if you will be choosing one of these options at the time of registration or at least two weeks before your stay. Also, for your convenience, most all our accommodations have fully functioning kitchens, equipped with a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and utensils if you decide to prepare some of your own meals.
Yes. Coffee is available at mealtimes, in the meeting area during mornings/evening adult teaching sessions and standard drip coffeemakers are in the lodges, condos, and cottages. For increased safety during this pandemic season and to eliminate contamination risk from week to week, we are asking guests to bring their own supply of coffee, filters, cream, sugar, and any food seasonings for their accommodation use.
Maybe. To avoid long lines and overcrowding, paying guests’ needs come first and therefore we do not sell day-passes, nor do we allow unregistered guests to attend our theme night dinners. However, if a guest party has unused occupancy in their accommodations (e.g., five people are staying in a six-person room), a wristband is available and may be given to another person for a partial week or just a day. This person must first sign a Covenant Agreement and then the wristband is all we require for access to all on-ground activities. À la carte meals for this person can be purchased in advance. For family trading out during the week, a wristband can be cut off at the front desk and a new one provided to the incoming family member once a Covenant Agreement is signed. Some restrictions apply. For more information, please contact our Guest Services team.
With dozens and dozens of families arriving within the same two-hour window, and everyone desiring a fast and smooth check-in, it is essential that we receive final payment and required forms at least two weeks before arrival.
Yes! GLM has a lengthy fishing dock behind the Dining Room and guests hoping to fish are encouraged to bring poles and tackle. Guests 17 years and older can purchase a fishing license at Captain Mo’s Market just two miles away on the southern tip of Gull Lake or online.

The GLM beach is open each afternoon during free time. GLM does not provide lifeguards so guests choose to swim at their own risk (understandably, GLM assumes no responsibility). The water toys (aqua jump and slide), boats, and canoes are closed and off-limits when our GLM staff is not at their posts. All guests enjoying our beach are asked to wear modest swimwear. A securely fastened life jacket is required for any guest swimming out past our shallow rope buoy to our deep-water toys or using our canoes, paddleboards, or other personal watercraft.

Because we want our guests to rest and get away from the pressures and distractions back home, we do not have TV or computers available for our guests. WiFi is located in our Ministry Center, Dining Room, and in select guest accommodations (look for the WiFi icon in the amenities list on each accommodation page).

Each year, our GLM hiring team travels to numerous colleges and universities to find college-age students who love Jesus and want to serve. Our spiritually mature, biblically-grounded staff stand out among their peers modeling confidence, respect, modesty, and safety. Every GLM staff member has an interview, completes a written application, submits reference forms, and must pass a background check before hiring. Once hired, our summer staff receive extensive training during orientation before they can interact with guests.

The short answer is no. We want to be sensitive to those guests who come with dog allergies, sensitivities, and fears as well as respect all our guests who have placed their pets in kennels or with friends back home. If you need to bring an ADA-certified service dog, please let us know at least two weeks prior so we can discuss and finalize expectations. Regretfully, emotional support animals are not under the ADA certification, lack the extended training, and are therefore not allowed at GLM. We have established an appeal process for extreme cases and can discuss the numerous steps that must be taken for possible consideration. Please give us at least two months’ notice as this process takes time, documentation, and possible animal training courses. We know you love your pets and understand it is hard to part with them.

At GLM, families overwhelmingly experience Christ-like service from our exemplary college staff while reconnecting with one another and the Lord in a fun-filled, comfortable environment. Here are some added measures to help ensure a hassle-free, fun family experience for everyone.

  • Please bring appropriate apparel for activities, including modest sportswear and one-piece swimsuits for the beach.
  • Gull Lake Ministries is a smoke-free and vape-free environment in all buildings and public areas.
  • No alcoholic beverages, firearms, illegal drugs, or fireworks on-premises.
  • Quiet hours are from 11:00 p.m.– 8:00 a.m.
  • Gull Lake Ministries is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.

Thank you for inquiring about your upcoming stay. While this is not an exhaustive list, our hope is that we have given you the needed information you were looking for to ensure you enjoy your time with us. If you still have questions, please feel free to call our Front Desk at (269) 671-5155 or email us at frontdesk@gulllake.org. We are here to serve you and look forward to seeing you soon.