Camp Experience
Camp Nathanael offers a wide variety of activities for boys of many different interests. You'll get to play awesome games like water polo, Ultimate and Flicker during Cabin Period as well as study the Bible with them during morning devotions and Bible Ex.
There are two free periods during the day with time for carpet-ball or free swim and a wide area game like capture the flag or Wells Fargo each evening. We wind down the day at campfire where we have camp songs, fun skits and a story each night.
Facilities
Our cabins are intentionally rustic. They have bunk beds and house up to 10 campers and two counselors.
Most of the cabins are not wired for electricity and the ones that are don't have it turned on for summer camp weeks.
We have two groups of cabins: Sioux Unit and Algonquin Unit. During weeks when we have both Junior and Senior campers, the older campers stay in Woodland Unit and the younger ones stay in Lakeside Unit, which is closer to the Washhouse.
Campers sit on benches at long wooden tables in our dining hall for most meals.
Our registered nurse runs the Infirmary. She oversees distribution of all medication at Camp and treats scrapes and illnesses.
Private showers, flush toilets, running water.
Spiritual Activities
Each day campers spend time studying the Bible with their cabin, led by the counselors.
Bible Ex is a time for the full cabin to study the Bible and learn lessons from the stories and share questions and thoughts with one another.
Campfire is our end-of-day session. Campers sing songs, watch the counselors put on funny skits, and hear inspiring & spiritually grounded stories each night.
Skills Activities
Campers get to choose two Skill Activities to work on during their week at camp.
Using hand and power tools, under the careful supervision of counselors, campers get to make something to bring home.
Build and decorate your rocket over the course of a week and launch it on Friday.
Build a fire, sharpen and use pocket knives, learn how to build a shelter in the woods.
Ride through the wooded trails at and around Camp.
Enjoy the open water of our private Lake Wilbur. The perfect place to learn to sail and canoe.
Swimming lessons & fun games. The best way to cool off during a hot week.
Our lake is stocked with Bass & Northern Pike. Catch and release.
Learn to shoot a bow & arrow or perfect your technique.
Target shooting: BB Guns for Junior Campers, .22 rifles for Senior Campers.
Shoot clay pigeons and learn how to make your own shells.
Climbing & rappelling at our climbing tower. Older campers go to the 90ft cliffs in Sandstone on Fridays
Use maps, compass and clues to find hidden caches at camp.
Large Group Activities
Challenge another cabin to Water Polo or Ultimate Frisbee, take on the challenge of the obstacle course, or play bubble soccer, or many more options.
Capture the Flag, Wells Fargo, Outpost, Hocker. Each evening the whole camp plays a big game together.
Free Time
The beach is open twice a day with 5 licensed lifeguards on duty to make sure everyone is safe.
Carpetball, Octoball, Tetherball, Foosball, Pool, Basketball.
Frequently Asked Questions
See Packing List.
Skill classes are selected after supper on Sunday in order of each camper’s date of registration. Those who sign up for camp earlier will choose their activities ahead of those who signed up later. Not to worry, there are plenty of great skill areas.
This varies a great deal. All of his spending money will be “banked” in his store/canteen account when he checks in on Sunday, or when you make an advanced store deposit (preferred).
We do not use cash during the week, and having an account keeps cash from getting lost. Most boys bring $10 to $20.
We recommend at least $10 because Canteen time is an important social event for most boys. Canteen is open once each day (Monday through Saturday). The camp store is open at checkin time on Sundays and check-out time on the last day of the session.
Spending money can be used for:
- Snacks and pop (daily spending is limited to help ensure a proper diet)
- Skill award patches (emblems for archery and riflery range in cost from $1 to $3 each)
- Model rocket (if he selects that activity); the cost is $10
- A variety of camp store items including clothing, hats, water bottles, mugs, etc.
Remember your son with a card or letter. Some parents even send mail before their son leaves home so it will reach him early in the week.
(Camper’s Name)
Camp Nathanael
39564 Wilbur Way
Hinckley, MN 55037
Camp Nathanael Summer Office: 320-384-7889, answered in summer only (year-round phone: 888-869-4334).
Email messages may be sent to campers through your online Campwise account. Messages are printed and given to campers. They will not be able to reply to email messages.
We will likely post some pictures on our Flickr page during the week, and you might (or might not) catch a glimpse of your camper.
All campers will take a basic swim check on the first day to determine their swimming ability. This is for their safety during water activities.
A “Green Key” is obtained by swimming the length of the dock and back (approximately 25 yards each way) and treading water for 10 minutes. “Red Key” is for someone just beginning in swimming. All campers have the option of taking swim lessons as one of their skill classes.
Typical Daily Schedule (subject to change):
- 7:00 Reveille
- 7:30 Morning Devotions (with cabin group)
- 8:15 Breakfast
- 8:45 Cabin Clean-Up
- 9:10 Bible Exploration (with cabin group
- 10:00 Cabin Activity
- 11:00 Skill Class
- 12:15 Open Swim/Free Time
- 1:15 Lunch
- 2:00 Rest Time
- 2:30 Cabin Period
- 3:30 Canteen
- 4:00 Skill Class
- 5:15 Open Swim/Free Time
- 6:30 Supper
- 7:15 Evening Special (all-camp game)
- 8:40 Snack
- 9:00 Campfire
All money will be returned except for a $50 registration fee. If there is space in another session, he may choose to switch sessions without penalty.
Contact our Registrar at: register@campnathanael.com, or call 888-869-4334.