2024 Dates
Logging: May 28-June 3
Camp Set-up & Construction: June 4-14
Kids Camp: June 17-22
Teen Camp: June 24-30
Family Celebration: June 30
Packing / Storing days: July 1-2
Kids Camp
Watching the kids at our Kid’s Camps (ages 9-12) make new friends, swim, play basketball, volleyball and much more is thrilling. Oh their energy! There is such anticipation in their eyes as the boats pull up the bank at the camp and they are met by the camp workers. Many of the workers will have been to the camp before and the kids will be looking to see how many they remember – and then the hugs are on! The kids find their way to their respective dorm tents to cache their personal belongings, meet their group coach and then it is off to explore the camp.
Kid’s Camp is specifically designed with their age in mind in regard to activities, crafts, recreation and ministry. They each are given their own Bibles and are encouraged to read them. Together they learn new songs that tell of God’s love for them and Bible stories and lessons that they can readily understand. One of the great wonders of camp is how much food these little guys can consume. We’ve always had great cooks who volunteer for the camps, and the campers eagerly await the announcement that it’s time for seconds. The final day is always a time for trading autographs and phone numbers As the campers load into boat, there is a new spring in their step, new friends have been made and they’ve gained a greater and more personal knowledge and relationship with God.
Teen Camp
If Kid’s Camp is exciting and full of energy, then Teen Camp is off the charts! Many of the teens began coming for Kid’s Camp and are growing up with the camp. They have made many friends over the years with other campers and workers. Others are new to the Camp AN experience, but they will soon have their own memories. The teens also begin by finding their dorm tents and the coaches that will be with them for the week and then it is off exploring the camp or shooting hoops. And can these teens ever devour the food! Many of these teens come remembering what great times they had getting to know God personally for the first time, or maybe at a deeper level. The morning chapel and evening services are distinctly marked by God’s presence through worship, singing, the ministry of God’s Word and the time around God’s altar. Several young adults have come through Kid’s Camps, Teen Camps and Teen Discipleship Camps and today are leading ministry in youth groups in Alaska’s villages. These teens know how to play hard during the afternoon recreation time: swimming, basketball, volleyball, other games and activities. Hanging out at the “Moose Canteen” is a favorite place to visit and grab a favorite soft drink and candy bar. Each day’s activities and spiritual devotion time is designed to help the teens learn there is a God in heaven that loves them and wants a personal relationship with them. As these teens begin to make their way to the banks on that last day to load up in the boats, it is a mix of joyful tears, hugs, exchanges of email addresses and phone numbers and a promise to see each other again next summer.
Family Camp Service
The last night of Teen Camp is a special service called Family Camp. Families come from the local villages come to enjoy the presence of God and Christian fellowship. After first sharing a hearty meal together, the service begins. The service is full of congregational singing and special music by groups and individuals. The songs vary from the traditional Yupik language to English. Many testimonies are shared and there is always a powerful time of ministry of the Word of God and at the altar afterward. After the service there is time to catch up with old friends and make new ones.