What to Expect at Nebowa
Camp Nebowa is intentionally simple. Campers step away from the distractions of everyday life and spend their time learning about Jesus, building relationships, worshiping together, and having the kind of fun that makes camp memorable.
The Nebowa Experience
Every camp is a little different, but five things help shape the experience campers have at Nebowa.
Inspire
We want campers to be inspired to take their next step with Jesus. Throughout camp, they are challenged and encouraged to put what they are learning into practice.
Educate
Campers spend time in God's Word through biblical teaching, small groups, conversations, and hands-on experiences that help them understand and apply what they learn.
Connect
Camp is built around relationships. Campers share meals, live together in the dorms, participate in small groups, and spend their days alongside other campers and Christian adults who care about them.
Worship
We worship together through music, teaching, prayer, Scripture, and time around the campfire. Worship isn't limited to one part of the schedule—it's part of how we spend our time together.
Fun
Camp should be fun! Games, recreation, the lake, campfires, free time, and plenty of unexpected moments give campers opportunities to laugh, try new things, and make memories together.
Faith Is Part of the Whole Day
Following Jesus isn't something we save for chapel. Throughout the day, campers have opportunities to learn from God's Word, ask questions, pray together, and talk about what following Jesus looks like in everyday life.
Campers gather for biblical teaching and worship, spend time in smaller groups with Christian leaders, and have conversations that often happen naturally while sharing a meal, playing a game, or sitting around the campfire.
Our goal isn't simply for campers to learn more about Jesus while they're at Nebowa. We want to inspire them to take their next step with Jesus when they go home.
Relationships Matter
Camp is better when it's shared with other people. At Nebowa, relationships are intentionally built into the way camp works.
Campers live together in open dorms, eat meals around the same tables, spend time in small groups, compete and play together, and share the everyday experiences of camp. Without phones competing for their attention, there is room for conversations and friendships to develop naturally.
Those relationships extend beyond other campers. Nebowa's volunteers and leaders come from local churches and invest their time because they care about the campers they serve.
Campers don't just attend a program. They become part of a community for the time they're here.
Plenty of Camp Fun
Campers come to Nebowa to grow in their faith, but that doesn't mean camp is serious all day long. Fun is a big part of the experience.
Depending on the week, campers may spend time swimming, canoeing, playing group games, competing in sports, enjoying open recreation, hanging out around the campfire, or just spending time with friends.
Every camp has its own personality, but the goal is the same: give campers plenty of opportunities to laugh, try new things, build memories, and enjoy being together.
Meals & Dorm Life
Some of the best parts of camp are also the simplest—sharing a meal, talking across the table, getting ready for the day together, or laughing in the dorm before lights out.
Meals Together
Campers eat three homemade meals each day in the Dining Hall. They also enjoy one canteen time each day and a late-night snack before bed, so there are plenty of opportunities to refuel between activities.
Meals and snacks are another part of camp life we share together—a chance to slow down, talk, laugh, and connect around the table.
Open Dorms
Nebowa uses open dorms rather than individual cabins. Boys and girls stay in separate dorm buildings, and campers choose a bed when they arrive rather than receiving a cabin assignment ahead of time.
The open-dorm setup is part of Nebowa's old-school camp experience. Campers aren't divided into small cabin groups for the week—they have opportunities to get to know people throughout the larger camp while still building closer relationships through their small groups.
A Typical Day at Nebowa
No two camps—or even two days—are exactly alike. Each camp's dean builds a schedule appropriate for their campers, but most days at Nebowa include a familiar mix of faith, relationships, and fun.
Wake Up & Breakfast
Get ready for the day and gather in the Dining Hall for breakfast.
Morning Worship & Bible Teaching
Start the day together with worship, Scripture, and teaching centered on the camp's theme.
Small Groups and Devotions
Campers spend personal time in God's Word and in smaller groups where they can talk about what they're learning, ask questions, pray together, and build relationships.
Lunch & Afternoon Activities
After lunch, campers head back out for an afternoon of camp activities. Depending on the day, that might mean swimming in the lake, canoeing or kayaking, playing basketball or volleyball, competing in a large-group game, spending time on the playground, enjoying open recreation, or grabbing a snack during canteen. There is usually a mix of organized activities and time for campers to choose what they want to do.
Dinner & Evening Worship
Everyone gathers for dinner before moving into the evening program, which often includes worship, teaching, games, or other group activities.
Late-Night Snack & Campfire
As the day winds down, campers enjoy a snack and gather around the campfire for worship, conversation, or time together.
Dorm Time & Lights Out
Campers head back to the dorms to get ready for bed, spend a little more time together, and rest up for another full day.
Phone-Free by Design
At Nebowa, putting phones away isn't just a rule—it's part of the camp experience.
For a few days, campers get a break from notifications, social media, games, and the constant pull of a screen. That creates room to notice the people around them, join in what's happening, have face-to-face conversations, and simply be present.
A phone-free environment can also remove some of the tools that make cyberbullying so common in the lives of students. It doesn't eliminate hurtful behavior, but without personal access to cameras, texting, and social media, there are fewer opportunities to take or share unwanted photos, send hurtful messages, or exclude others through online conversations while at camp.
It also supports what we're trying to accomplish spiritually. With fewer distractions, campers have space to listen, think, ask questions, worship, and spend time in God's Word.
We want campers to experience what can happen when they disconnect from their devices and connect with God and the people around them.
Parents: See our Parent Information page for the complete cellular-device policy, including smart watches, check-in procedures, and medical-device exceptions.
What Makes Nebowa Different
Nebowa isn't trying to be a resort. It's camp.
That means shared dorms, homemade meals around the table, games in the field, afternoons at the lake, worship together, conversations around the campfire, and a few days away from many of the distractions of everyday life.
For generations, churches and volunteers have worked together to create this experience for campers. The facilities and activities matter, but they're not the reason Nebowa exists.
We want to create an environment where relationships can grow, God's Word can be heard, and campers can be inspired to take their next step with Jesus.
Ready for Camp?
Find the camp that's right for your camper and get ready for a summer at Nebowa.