Parent Information

Whether your camper is coming to Nebowa for the first time or has been coming for years, we want your family to feel prepared for camp. Use this page to find the practical information you need before arrival, including packing, check-in, medications, communication, and camp rules.
Jump to:
Getting Ready Packing, preparation, and what to leave at home. Arrival & Check-In What to expect when you arrive and when it's time to go home. Health & Safety Medications, food allergies, medical care, and emergencies. Staying Connected Cellular devices, parent contact, and mail from home. Camp Rules Camper expectations, dress code, and important camp rules.

Getting Ready for Camp

A little preparation goes a long way toward a great week at Nebowa. Use these lists as you get your camper ready to arrive.

Before Camp

  • Make sure your camper's registration and health information is complete and up to date.
  • Review any medications, allergies, or dietary needs before arriving at camp.
  • Pack medications separately so they are ready to be given to the Health Officer at check-in.
  • Label important belongings with your camper's name.
  • Review Camp Nebowa's phone and electronics policy with your camper before arriving.

What to Pack

  • Bible
  • Notebook and pen or pencil
  • Twin-size bedding or sleeping bag
  • Pillow
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Jacket or sweatshirt
  • Modest swimsuit
  • Water shoes
  • Towel
  • Toiletries
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Laundry or trash bag for dirty clothes
  • Optional spending money for the missionary offering

Leave at Home

  • Personal electronics
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or vaping products
  • Clothing that does not meet camp expectations
  • Pets
What about cell phones? Campers may turn their phone in during check-in or send it home with a parent. Phones that are checked in are kept during camp and may only be accessed with permission from the dean. We'll explain the full phone and communication policy below.

Arrival & Check-In

Know what to expect when you arrive. Check-in is designed to take care of the important details quickly so your camper can settle in and start enjoying camp.

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Campers may begin arriving at 3:30 PM. When you arrive, head to the Dining Hall to begin the check-in process.
Step 1

Check In Your Camper

Start in the Dining Hall to confirm your camper has arrived and complete the check-in process.

Step 2

Turn In Phones

Campers who brought a cell phone will turn it in during check-in. Parents may also choose to take the phone home with them. Phones kept at camp may only be accessed with permission from the dean.

Step 3

Visit the Health Officer

Meet with the Health Officer to turn in medications and discuss any medical information, allergies, or other health needs that should be known during camp.

Step 4

Move Into the Dorm

Once check-in is complete, help your camper take their belongings to the appropriate dorm and choose a bed. Nebowa uses open dorms rather than assigned cabins, so campers do not receive a cabin assignment before arriving.

Picking Up Your Camper

Pickup times vary by camp, so be sure to check the scheduled pickup time for your camper’s week. All campers must be picked up within 60 minutes of the scheduled pickup time.

When you arrive, the adult picking up the camper will need to sign them out and collect any remaining medication in the Dining Hall. They can then collect the camper from the Chapel and their belongings from the dorm.

Health, Safety & Medications

Helping us care for your camper. We want every camper to have a safe and healthy experience at Nebowa. Each camp has a Health Officer available to care for campers and help manage medications and other health needs. Complete and accurate health information during registration helps our team be prepared before your camper arrives.

Medications

All camper medications should be brought to the Health Officer during check-in in the Dining Hall. Medications should be in their original bottles.

The Health Officer will keep and administer medications during camp. Any remaining medication should be collected from the Dining Hall when your camper is picked up.

Food Allergies

Please include your camper’s food allergies when completing their health information during registration.

If there is anything our Health Officer or food-service team should understand about your camper’s needs, please make sure we know before camp begins.

Medical Care During Camp

A Health Officer is available during each camp to care for campers who become sick or injured and to oversee their health needs. Campers are required to have their own health coverage while attending Nebowa.

While we hope emergency medical care is never needed, we're fortunate to have a hospital with an emergency room less than five miles from Camp Nebowa if the need should arise.

Severe Weather & Emergencies

Camp leadership monitors weather conditions and has procedures in place for severe weather and other emergencies.

The Chapel serves as Nebowa’s designated storm shelter when campers and staff need to take shelter.

Staying Connected

Even without personal devices, there are still several ways for campers and families to stay connected during camp.

Unplugged. Connected. At Nebowa, we believe some of the best connections happen when we put our phones away. Our phone-free environment gives campers the opportunity to be fully present—to build friendships, participate in camp activities, and focus on growing in their relationship with Jesus.

Cellular Devices & Electronics

Campers may not keep devices with cellular service during camp. This includes cell phones, cellular-enabled smart watches, and other devices capable of connecting to a cellular network.

These devices should be turned in during check-in or sent home with a parent. Devices kept at camp may only be accessed with permission from the dean.

Medical Device Exception

If a camper requires a phone or other cellular-enabled device for the operation or monitoring of a medical device, the device may remain with the camper for that medical purpose.

Parents should identify this need in the camper’s health information and discuss it with the Health Officer during check-in. The device should be used only as needed for the medical purpose while at camp.

Contacting Your Camper

If you need to contact your camper while they are at Nebowa, call the camp at 712-423-3313.

Camp staff will help connect you with your camper or the appropriate camp leadership when needed.

Mail From Home

Campers love getting mail! Parents, grandparents, church families, and friends are welcome to send letters while a camper is at Nebowa.

Traditional mail can take several days to reach camp, so letters should be mailed well in advance if you want them to arrive during your camper’s stay.

If mail arrives after a camper has left, Camp Nebowa will do its best to return it to the return address.

To ensure proper delivery, please address camper mail like this:
Camper Name: Camp
PO Box 222
Onawa, IA 51040

For example, if Jane Smith is attending Junior 1, the first line would read Jane Smith: Junior 1.

Camp Rules & Expectations

At Camp Nebowa, we want every camper to have a safe, enjoyable, and Christ-centered experience. Our camp rules help create an environment where everyone can grow in their faith, build friendships, and enjoy their time together.

Parents and guardians: Please review these rules with your camper before arriving at camp.

Camp Rules

  1. Each person is expected to act like a Christian at all times by respecting others including campers, adults, and camp property.
  2. Campers must follow the camp schedule unless excused by the Dean.
  3. Campers may not leave the campgrounds without the permission of the Dean and a parent or guardian.
  4. The use of alcohol, tobacco, non-prescribed drugs and profanity is not permitted at any time.
  5. No driving of cars or motorcycles without the consent of the Dean.
  6. Sickness and injury must be reported to the Camp Health Officer. All medications are to be given to, and distributed by, the Camp Health Officer.
  7. All participants must follow the dress code as defined below.
  8. No cell phones, iPods, TVs, radios, handheld gaming devices, knives, guns, or pets are allowed at camp.
  9. Food and drink, except for water, are not permitted in the dormitories.
  10. Proper restraint should be exercised in the display of affection toward the opposite sex.

Dress Code

  • Shoes must be worn at all times.
  • Clothing must have no inappropriate advertising or messages.
  • Clothing and swimwear must be modest.

If Camp Rules Are Not Followed

Our goal is to work with campers when problems arise and help them make choices that allow them to remain at camp. Sending a camper home is a last resort. However, if a camper repeatedly or seriously violates camp rules, Camp Nebowa may determine that they are unable to remain at camp.

If a camper is sent home for disciplinary reasons, their parent or guardian is responsible for arranging for the camper to be picked up from Camp Nebowa. No refund will be provided.

Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their camper understands these expectations before attending camp.