Nebraska Youth Camp
About Nebraska Youth Camp
At Nebraska Youth Camp, kids from kindergarten through 12th grade get a week, or a few days, that looks a lot like camp should: Bible instruction, recreation, cabin life, and campfire time. It also makes room for families, dads and sons, and adults who want to gather during the camping season. For donors, the appeal is simple, this is a place where faith and group life are built into the day instead of added on later.
What sets Nebraska Youth Camp apart is how clearly it serves different ages, from Beginner Camp through Senior Camp, with family and retreat offerings alongside youth sessions. Everything centers at Trail Junction near Kearney, and the whole experience is led by volunteers under Christian supervision.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Beginner Camp
Two 3-day, 2-night sessions for campers who have completed kindergarten through age 9, with chapel, Bible, nature, crafts, swim time, canteen, cabin activities, campfire, and games.
Junior Camp
Two one-week sessions for campers in grades 3-6, with Bible, crafts, nature studies, paddle boat and canoeing lessons, swimming, boating, games, and themed special events.
Intermediate Camp
Two one-week sessions for campers in grades 6-9, with prayer, scripture, meditation, classes, chapels, campfires, cabin devotionals, swimming, boating, fishing, and nightly activities.
Senior Camp
Two one-week sessions for teens in grades 9-12, with optional devo breakfast, flag raising, personal devotion time, chapel, classes, covenant groups, and camp-wide activities.
Family Camp
A family retreat offered at the camp.
Men's Retreat
A retreat for men during the camping season.
Dads & Lads
A camp gathering for fathers and sons.
Youth Rally
A youth gathering held during the camping season.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
The mission of Nebraska Youth Camp is to provide God's people a wholesome environment, recreation and instruction in the knowledge of God's word in order to strengthen their walk with God. To fulfill these objectives, the board of directors shall arrange appropriate activities, under the guidance and supervision of Christians, during the course of each year for the Nebraska area.
Who they serve
Children and teens from kindergarten through 12th grade, plus families and church groups.
Their impact
- Approximately 1,064 youth participated in camps.
- 190 campers attended seven weeks of camp.
- 104 people attended Family Camp.
- 101 people attended Dads & Lads.
- 50 people attended a Men's Retreat.
How your donation helps
- Maintenance and upkeep on buildings, grounds, and tractors
- New construction
- Scholarships for campers who cannot afford the full fee
- Insurance costs
- Service fees
- Chapel construction fundraising
- Water fill stations
- Bathhouse decking replacement
- Nurses station expansion
- Replacement cabins
- Volunteer housing
Our story
Nebraska Youth Camp was incorporated on March 3, 1962, by Royce Blackburn, Colis Campbell, Howard Gurganus, and Roger W. Hawley. The camp started with early sessions at York College, Camp Kiwanis in Milford, and Fremont before acquiring the Trail Junction site near Kearney in 1965. Church support helped make the land purchase possible, along with early donations that included a first $50 gift toward the property.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Nebraska Youth Camp’s services.
Campers register by mail or online, and a health form is completed shortly before the session and brought to camp. Registration includes a deposit, and sessions are organized by age group from Beginner through Senior Camp.
In their words
We want to ensure a safe, happy camping experience for the kids in which their love for God, others, and NYC will flourish in the years to come…and that they will want to come back for more!
Our goal is to give the children a good introduction to camp life by giving them role models and structured opportunities to learn about God and the Bible, about living and working in a group setting, and about being responsible.
Ultimately our goal is to bring these kids to God through baptism and provide examples of how to accomplish this.
Events
Camp Work Weekend
annualA work weekend for camp projects and upkeep.
Annual Meeting/Dinner
annualThe camp holds an annual meeting and dinner for members.
Youth Rally
recurringA recurring youth gathering during the camping season.
Men's Retreat
recurringA retreat for men held during the camping season.
Family Camp
recurringA family retreat at the camp.
Dads & Lads
recurringA gathering for fathers and sons at camp.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Nebraska Youth Camp has shared.
Current needs
- Chapel construction funding
- Bathhouse decking replacement
- Nurses station expansion
- Two water fill stations
- A newer tractor
- Replacement cabins for girls and boys
- Volunteer housing
- A camp vehicle for transporting items and camper transport in emergencies
Volunteer opportunities
- Session staff positions
- Camp work weekend help
- Board service as a volunteer director
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What age groups can attend Nebraska Youth Camp sessions?
Beginner Camp is for campers who have completed kindergarten through age 9. Junior Camp serves grades 3-6, Intermediate Camp serves grades 6-9, and Senior Camp serves grades 9-12.
What kinds of activities are included in camp sessions?
Camp sessions include Bible classes, chapel, devotions, crafts, nature studies, swim time, boating, canoeing, fishing, campfires, and group games.
Does Nebraska Youth Camp offer programs for families or adults?
Yes. During the camping season, the camp also offers Family Camp, Men's Retreat, Dads & Lads, and Youth Rally gatherings.
How long are the youth camp sessions?
Beginner Camp sessions last 3 days and 2 nights. Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Camp each offer two one-week sessions.
Similar nonprofits
Other youth development programs nonprofits in NE.