Walcamp Outdoor Ministries provides a wealth of adventure and experiences for campers, grades 6-12.
We believe that lives are shaped and transformed by Jesus Christ, and that there is no better way to grow and learn than to experience Jesus in nature, adventure, relationship, worship, and fun. Our programs are specifically designed to help campers unplug from their busy life, and experience God in nature. As they canoe down the Rock River, climb a rock wall, help their teammates solve a challenge, or sit around a campfire, campers grow in independence, leadership, and their relationship with Jesus.
Junior High Happenings — Water Park (grades 6 – 8 )
Get wet and wild during this week of water insanity! Enjoy yourself this week by cooling off in the lake, splashing around in our river, and taking a trip to Magic Waters Water park in Rockford, IL while learning about water and the role it plays in God’s Word.
Junior High Happenings –Rock Climb (grades 6 – 8 )
You’ll be climbing the walls during this week of rock climbing madness! Participate in all of your favorite summer camp activities while also taking time to learn about rock climbing safety and spend an afternoon climbing at Vertical Endeavors in Warrenville, IL.
NEW! HALF WEEK SESSIONS
Junior High Happenings (grades 6 – 8 )
Would you like to come to camp but are having trouble fitting it into your busy summer schedule? Try our new half week of camp for Junior High. Step away from your usual summer activities and unwind during this three day, two night session of camp fun and God’s word. Weekend sessions are available.
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Owl Night (grades 4 – 8 )
Live it up like you are nocturnal during this week of midnight madness! Sleep all day and stay up night while you learn about the night life of animals. Go behind the scenes at a late night restaurant, and learn about the stars and God’s creativity on an AWE-stronomy hike.
Theater Camp (girls only grades 6 – 8 )
Express yourself in theater camp this summer! Participate in improv games, acting classes with a theater expert, and write your own play to act out for the entire camp at the end of the week. Actors will also go to a professional theater production in Chicago/Rockford!
Art Beat Camp (grades 4 – 6 )
Express your inner artist at Art Beat camp! Spend the week creating masterpieces using “out of the box” creative mediums. Learn how to use nature the Lord provided as your paintbrush with natural art including pottery Native American style!
Block Heads Camp (grades 3-5) and (grades 6 – 8 )
Be the king of your castle, that you built yourself! Come to Block Heads camp for an awesome week of LEGO® construction. Learn about architecture while building bridges, skyscrapers, and entire cities. 6-8 graders play with LEGO® robots as well! Not affiliated with LEGO®
NEW! Guitar Camp (grades 6 – 8 )
No experience needed! Be a real life guitar hero at Walcamp during this week of Guitar camp. Get lessons from a professional guitarist. Rock out with basic chords and strum patterns and perform a concert at the end of the week. (Campers must bring their own 6 string acoustic guitar)
Horseback (girls only, grades 4 – 8 )
Hold onto your hats because this week at Horseback camp is a wild ride! Spend time every day at Eagles Wings Equestrian center getting to know your new trusty steed, and learning how to ride like a champion.
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Tree House Village (grades 3 – 8 )
Climb to new heights in this camping adventure. Campers grow in community and find skills they never knew they had in this week of exploration and discovery. Allow God to transform you as you live and play in His amazing creation.
Tree House + Canoe Trip (grades 6 – 8 )
Live in Tree Houses and take a one day canoe trip down the Kishwaukee River. Learn about cooperation and adventure while “navigating” God’s plan for our lives.
Survivor Village (grades 6 – 8 )
Campers scope out a site somewhere in the untamed parts of Walcamp, and set up camp for the week! Campers will learn life skills, independence, team work, and experience a new adventure. Take time out from our busy technology-driven world to live, listen, and experience God in His true creation.
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Rock River Canoe Trip (grades 7 – 9 )
Spend three days canoeing down the beautiful Rock River. Campers grow in Christian leadership by working together as a team, building self-esteem, taking safe risks, and learning to “paddle through” challenges and discover the great navigator, Jesus Christ. Let Him guide you in this exciting adventure that you will never forget. Increase both canoeing skills and friendships as you work together to set up camp, cook meals, and canoe the Rock River accompanied by trained Walcamp staff will lead you on this memorable adventure.
Porcupine Mountains Adventure (grades 8 – 11 )
Campers will travel to the picturesque Porcupine Mountains in Michigan. A 21-mile hike over 4 days will be the highlight of this adventure. Basic hiking and camping skills will be taught.
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
Service Project ( grades 6 – 8 )
Does your school require you to do service hours? Why not have fun at Walcamp while serving those in need? Help people out in the community by working with the elderly and hanging out with our special needs campers during this week for people with servant hearts. (Specific projects are subject to availability.)
NEW! Senior High Mission Trip – St. Louis (grades 9-12)
Reach out and serve in St. Louis, working with local youth and helping paint houses on this week long mission trip. Campers, chaperoned by Walcamp counselors, will meet and work with other kids their age from all over the country while enjoying some of the attractions St. Louis has to offer. Most importantly, campers will learn about God’s heart for service, and grow in leadership and teamwork with each other.
CIT — Counselors in Training (grades 8 – 11)
You’ve been a camper, now develop your servant leadership skill through this intensive Christian leadership training program, and see what it takes to make camp happen. Come back for a second week to work with a cabin group. Campers who complete this program may be invited back to be a Junior Servant volunteer for at least one more week of the summer.
(Campers interested in being Junior Servant volunteers are required to participate in this program.)