Camp Okoboji - LCMS

08/26/2026

Hi all! As we begin the school year and think about the year end already, I thought I would share some important tax information for the year 2026 as you begin thinking about your final charitable contributions for this year. Some taxpayers who don't itemize may be eligible for a charitable contribution deduction of up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly). As always, be sure to consult your tax professional. If you are looking for a place to make a gift to take advantage of that deduction (if eligible), please consider Camp Okoboji! Thank you! - Adam

Here's the technical info, if you're curious: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc506.

08/24/2026

There may be some confusion about the needs of Lutheran camps around the Okoboji area. Some of you may have heard, particularly if in the Northern part of Iowa, that Lakeside Lutheran Camp (ELCA) is in an urgent fundraising campaign to help them replace their water and sewer lines, something that was mandated by the County in order for them to continue to operate. That is not us! There are a number of Christian camps around the Okoboji area, and at least three of them are Lutheran, including us. If you ever have any questions, please always feel comfortable reaching out to Adam at [email protected]. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ at Lakeside Lutheran as they raise the necessary funds to continue their ministry.

08/23/2026

As we wrap up another incredible summer at Camp Okoboji, we want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of our amazing counselors, volunteers, and campers! ❤️

To our counselors and volunteers—thank you for giving your time, energy, talents, and hearts to serve our campers. To every camper who joined us this summer—thank you for being part of the Camp Okoboji family and helping make this summer so special!

We are grateful for the memories made, friendships formed, lessons learned, and most importantly, the opportunities we had to grow together in faith and share the love of Jesus.

As a new school year begins, we wish each of you the very best! May God bless you in your classrooms, activities, friendships, and all the new adventures ahead. Go into this school year with confidence, knowing that God is with you every step of the way!

Thank you for making Summer 2026 at Camp Okoboji one to remember! We can’t wait to see you again next summer! 💙

God bless you all, and have an amazing school year! 🙏📚

08/22/2026

We are so glad to have with us this weekend about 62 young Lutheran single adults from all over the country and even Canada. We pray God’s blessings on their time together! Thank you all for joining us!

📷: Rev. Dr. Keith Schweitzer

08/09/2026

We will be welcoming some special guests in a couple weeks for the 4th annual LCMS Single Adults Retreat! This is intended for single adults in the LCMS, ages 21-41, to come together to learn and connect. Please share with others!

Register here: https://www.faithwinterset.org/

08/07/2026

As we wrap up the summer programs with the end of Family Retreat 2, check out this blast from the past that showed up in my memories today! Recognize anyone? Many of these people featured are attendees of Family Retreat 2 still. —Adam

https://youtu.be/xbiXkUajQ9k

08/07/2026

We look forward to seeing the youth and adult leaders from congregations across Iowa District West in a couple months at Camp! We are excited to host you!

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 IDW Senior High Youth Gathering to be held October 3-4 (with option accommodations Friday, October 2) at Camp Okoboji.

This year's theme,"Unshakable Light," is inspired by Jesus' words in John 8:12:"I am the light of the world." Join us for worship, fellowship, fun, and faith-filled encouragement with guest speakers Pastor Ryan Roehrig and DCE Hailey Jo Miller.

Get your youth registered today!
https://iowadistrictwestlcms.regfox.com/2026-iowa-district-west-senior-high-youth-gathering-

08/03/2026

The summer is coming to an end soon. Some of our summer staff are already beginning to depart. This was our summer staff this year, just 6 of them, plus 2 discipleship interns (not pictured). They all worked so hard. We were/are so understaffed but they all made the best of it and joyfully served God and his people at Camp Okoboji. We are so thankful for each one of them! Some are headed back to their “normal” jobs, some back to school, and all of them have a special place in our hearts.

Our prayer is that God would continue to bring to us willing servants for his Gospel work here at Camp Okoboji, and hopefully, in the future, a handful more! 😁 As we know, many hands make light work! Lord, please send us more young adults like these willing to see how they can serve you by serving our guests at Camp Okoboji.

07/31/2026

Recently, our Cub Week campers spent the week growing in their faith, building friendships, and making memories together. 💙

From Bible studies and crafts to music, games, and a variety of fun camp activities, there was something exciting happening around every corner! Most importantly, our campers had the opportunity to learn more about Jesus, praise Him through music, and experience the joy of Christian fellowship. 🙏🎶

We are so thankful for each camper, counselor, and staff member who helped make Cub Week 2 such a special week.