Registration for summer camp is officially open!

"2025 is going to be a really exciting year," said Keith Shew, Dakotas-Minnesota Area director of camp and retreat ministries.  "Each campsite has new programming, new activities, and fresh spins on camping favorites!"

While Dakotans are trying to stay warm amid frigid January temperatures, Dakotas' camp staff are preparing for an unforgettable summer.

"Jesus frequently challenged the world around him with a different perspective, another way of thinking and being, and through his example, we are reminded that God always invites us to redefine our identities and approaches," said Shew. "As campers experience Christ, creation, and community this summer across our area camps, we'll explore living authentically and recognize together that God calls us to embark on a new journey and faithfully forge a different path, another way."

What's new?

"I'm super excited about offering a young adult camp for the first time," said Nicole Anderson, director of Lake Poinsett Camp & Living Waters Retreat Center in South Dakota. The idea for this new camp came about as Nicole traveled to churches for Camp Sundays last year. "I had quite a few young adults ask why there wasn't really anything for them to come back and experience the goodness of what camp has to offer that doesn't hold the responsibilities of needing to be in charge of somebody else."

This new camp, held August 8-10, will be a chance for young adults, ages 21 to 35, to have a space apart to build their relationship with God and with others. "There's an ever-increasing rise among people of all ages of this feeling of loneliness," explained Anderson. "I'm excited to offer a weekend where there will be some 'forced' community activities—like there always are at camp—and a lot of opportunities for people to opt-in as they so choose."

Storm Mountain Center, near Rockerville, South Dakota, will also offer several new camps to engage different demographics and areas of interest.

Water sports at Lake Poinsett Camp & Living Waters Retreat Center.

"On Solid Ground is a camp for high schoolers where you will learn how to traverse important moments in life with a solid faith foundation. Boomer-X is a camp specifically geared towards Boomer & Generation X adults; its relaxed pace will allow you to experience camp in community with others and rediscover old hobbies along the way! God in the Plot, for middle school-aged campers, is stepping into the world of books, where adventure waits around every corner, and seeing just how many stories we know and love mirror God's Word," shared Tanner Clark, director of Storm Mountain Center.

Campers won't just see new listings in the camp brochure. They'll also see new activity opportunities at the camp locations.

"This year, we'll be officially installing our very own Hammock Haven, a space for rest and relaxation outside," said Clark. "Nine hammocks were donated to Storm Mountain last year, and we can't wait to have them be a permanent part of camp!"

At Wesley Acres Camp & Retreat Center in North Dakota, campers will find a variety of new activities to add to their camp experience. "Along with our regular activities of rock wall, zipline, ropes course, archery, kayak, canoeing, pool time, gaga ball, 4- and 9-square in the air, and a full basketball court, we are adding pickleball, ping pong, and other outdoor fun games with some water twists along the way this year," said Lori Faleide, director of Wesley Acres.

New and ongoing relationships

Relationship continues to be the foundation of the Dakotas Camping program. "Many of our staff members have been here for years and were once campers themselves, so they know how to really make the summer fun and exciting," said Faleide.

That relational culture has opened the door for new partnerships that will expand the experience and impact of camping in the Dakotas.

Campers enjoy many different campfire sites at Storm Mountain Center.

"The state park [Lake Poinsett Recreation Area] actually put in an archery range that has varying degrees of distance, so I'll be working with our other campsites to see what we need to do in order to be able to offer that," said Anderson. "I'm also really excited about some new partnerships that we have that are going to reach beyond our churches and into the communities and the lives of the people within our communities to be able to come and to experience Christ, creation, and community."

Generosity also continues to fuel the camp and retreat ministry in the Dakotas.

"Our team remains committed to ensuring anyone who wants to come to camp can do so, regardless of their personal financial situation," said Shew. "There are campership funds set aside to help anyone who needs financial assistance.  Campers and volunteers do not need to be United Methodist to apply for camperships or attend camp."

This generosity is also seen in the ways that people invest in the growth and upkeep of our campsites. One unique campaign combines a love for camp with a love for creation.

"One opportunity we're looking forward to this year is our 2025 Earth Day Fundraiser," said Clark. "We will install multiple water bottle filling stations & fountains throughout camp to be better stewards of creation. We've already raised $1650 of our $4500 goal, but we still have a way to go if we want it installed before summer starts!"

Learning the ropes (course) at Wesley Acres Camp and Retreat Center.

Hopes for campers

Camp directors and staff are excited and committed to making this a great summer of camp for all.

"Kids can look forward to an action-packed summer, with old and new faces returning across the board," said Clark. "As we dive into our 2025 curriculum, Another Way, we invite our campers to reimagine who they are and how they do things. Just by being at camp, we're already setting aside the distractions at home. Campers can be truly and authentically themselves this summer!"

"I hope campers experience a sense of refreshment, growth, and connection to the people, place, and their faith that started at camp," said Faleide. 

"I always really hope that people get to experience what it means to be fully known and loved for exactly who they are in this season of their life and that they're able to cultivate new memories and new friendships and to know how deeply loved they are not just by God our creator by the people who are investing their time to come and be our deans and our counselors and the summer staff," added Anderson.

Don't miss out—register for camp today!