15 Amazing Christian Camps for Kids of All Ages
May 10th, 2010
Ah, summer camp. Whether it’s a week in the woods or two months by a lake, there’s something about the experience that’s a rite of passage for a lot of young people. That’s definitely the case with Christian camps, where middle schoolers and high schoolers learn more about their faith while also experiencing nature and growing closer together. There are many wonderful Christian camps available, but here are some of the best:
1. Pine Cove
With seven camps in northeast Texas and another three farther south, Pine Cove offers a variety of youth camps as well as family camps designed with a Christian emphasis. The youth camp locations are divided up by age, with some targeted for broad ranges like 3rd through 9th grade, while others are for more narrow age groups like students entering 10th through 12th grade.
2. Forest Glen
Another Texas outfit, Forest Glen is located in the Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, about an hour north of Houston. They’ve been operating annual summer camps for churches and youth groups since 1971, and they’re also available for weekend retreats
3. Carolina Creek Christian Camp
Also near Huntsville (Texas is big on summer camps), Carolina Creek Christian Camp is a newer camp that’s only been around since 2000, but in that time it’s come to serve the needs of many youth throughout the state.
4. Hume Lake Christians Camps
Located in the Sierra National Forest of central California, about 90 minutes east of Fresno, Hume Lake Camps offer a gorgeous scenic backdrop for their spiritual events. Most camp sessions are a week long, with 10 sessions available throughout the summer. There are also a pair of men’s and women’s retreats in the fall, as well as family camp offerings for father-son and mother-daughter pairs. The location also means that Hume Lake runs winter camps as well, letting students play in the snow while also reminding them of their larger spiritual purpose.
5. Kanakuk Kamps
Based in Branson, Missouri, Kanakuk Kamps traces its roots to 1926. The coeducational camps are split by rough age groups, like 7-13 or 13-18, and they’ve even got a Facebook page set up for camp alumni to stay in touch.
6. The Wilds
Like a lot of camps on this list, The Wilds operates sessions for adults and families as well as the more common youth camps. That makes it ideal for church retreats and family getaways as well as a fun spiritual destination for teenage campers. The campus is located in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina.
7. T Bar M Camps
Located near New Braunfels, Texas, a tiny town south of Austin, T Bar M Camps use great outdoor activities like rope courses to help teach campers to rely on each other and show humility, courage, and other Christian disciplines. The camp has been a favorite of teens statewide for years, and the weeklong sessions fill up quickly.
8. Hartland Christian Camp
Located in the Sierra Mountains of California, Hartland is a nondenominational camp and conference center that runs summer and winter camps for middle schoolers and high schoolers. Sessions run the typical week, and activities on hand include canoeing, hiking, archery, outdoor sports, and even a zip line.
9-11. Christian Camps and Conferences in New England
There are several outfits overseen by this northeastern outfit, including Brookwoods Camp for Boys, Deer Run Camp for Girls, and Moose River Outpost. Spread through New Hampshire and Maine, the camps offer teens the ability to spend up to eight weeks in the woods, though shorter programs are also available for campers interested in one-weel, two-week, or four-week adventures. The isolated beauty of the region is ideal for spending time with nature and developing spiritual relationships with fellow campers.
12. Woodland Christian Camp and Retreat Center
Nestled in the hills of western Georgia, Woodland Christian Camp was founded in 1969 and has since grown to include four campuses on 120 acres. Weekend camps are available for elementary schoolers, while teens in high school typically spend close to a week at the facility.
13. Thousand Pines Christian Camp
Running eight week-long sessions throughout the summer, Thousand Pines features guest speakers, group devotionals, and tons of outdoor activities for its campers. The camp is located in Crestline, California, north of San Bernardino and adjacent to the Los Angeles metro area.
14. Ironwood
Located north of Barstow, California, Ironwood Camp offers Christian teens a Western twist on the classic camp set-up, with activities like horsemanship and shooting ranges with lessons designed to complement their devotionals and spiritual growth.
15. Warm Beach Camp
People don’t often think of the Pacific Northwest as a camp destination, but Warm Beach Camp is changing that. Located at Warm Beach in Stanwood, Washington, the camp offers sessions for 4th-6th graders and another for 7th-9th graders. Offering activities like hiking and nature exploration, as well as some carefully monitored target practice with BB guns, the camp is a great choice for younger campers just beginning to develop spiritually.
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