Youth Camps

Campers have the opportunity to spend money on a variety of items around camp. They can choose to buy snacks, ice cream or pop from the Snack Shop. The Gift Shop has many items such as sweatshirts, water bottles, blankets, and other various small gifts available. Campers are also able to purchase additional craft activities in the Craft Shop such as tie-dye! For each person, the amount of spending money brought will vary. Campers are encouraged to deposit most of their spending money in the camp bank. This helps keep their money safe and allows them to charge all purchases directly to their account. Campers should have a coin purse or wallet with their name on it for loose cash.

Cabin assignments are made one week before camp and are not released until check-in time. This enables us to grant most requests for cabin mates. It's important to us that each cabin group has a positive and accepting atmosphere. It's also important to us that campers become acquainted with other campers outside their current circle of friends and those individual campers feel comfortable and accepted even though they may not have come with someone they know. Friends who wish to be together should request each other. Friend requests are made through the registration process.

Suggested Packing List

• Bedding: pillow, sleeping bag and/or twin-size bedding
• Towel, beach towel, shampoo, toothbrush, soap, etc.
• Tennis shoes and sandals
• Clothes for both warm and cool weather – Be careful with the clothes you pack. Leave inappropriate clothing at home (t-shirts with inappropriate printing, low cut and midriff-baring tops, and the like).
• Pajamas
• One piece swimsuit or a modest two-piece swimsuit that covers the entire midriff
• Plastic bag for dirty or wet clothes to bring home
• Missions offering
• Bible, notebook, pens, or pencils
• Camper's medications in their original container, if needed
• Inexpensive camera
• Extra spending money for the Gift Shop, Snack Shop, and Craft Shop
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Wallet or coin purse
• Flashlight

Stuff to Leave at Home

• Cell phones
• Personal music equipment
• Expensive, small items
• Alcohol, tobacco, or any non-prescription drugs
• Pocket knives or other weapons
• Fireworks
• Skateboards and rollerblades

Registration will be held from 4:00-5:00 PM on the first day of camp. This is when campers move into their cabin, meet their cabin counselor and get acquainted with their cabin mates. The closing rally will begin at 9:00 AM on the last day of camp. Parents are welcome to attend this rally, and campers will be ready from pick-up around 9:30 AM. Please remember to bring a photo ID for pick-up.

Campers have the opportunity to spend money on a variety of items around camp. They can choose to buy snacks, ice cream or pop from the Snack Shop. The Gift Shop has many items such as sweatshirts, water bottles, blankets, and other various small gifts available. Campers are also able to purchase additional craft activities in the Craft Shop such as tie-dye! For each person, the amount of spending money brought will vary. Campers are encouraged to deposit most of their spending money in the camp bank. This helps keep their money safe and allows them to charge all purchases directly to their account. Campers should have a coin purse or wallet with their name on it for loose cash.

All medications need to come to camp in their original packaging. Daily medication is dispensed according to printed instructions. All medication must be turned in to the camp nurse upon arrival. Medication is typically dispensed at meal times and before bed, or as needed.

Camp is not a fun place to be when you are sick. If a camper becomes ill, they will be monitored closely. If they are too uncomfortable to stay or have not improved in 24 hours, arrangements will be made for your child to return home.

Campers are allowed to use phones only when they have a significant need or problem. It's simply not practical to give campers access to phones. Camp staff will contact parents immediately if a camper has a problem. We do not encourage homesick campers to call home without our staff first calling the parents to determine the best course of action. Parents who need to contact their child should call the camp office and set a time when your child can be near the phone.

Cabin assignments are made one week before camp and are not released until check-in time. This enables us to grant most requests for cabin mates. It's important to us that each cabin group has a positive and accepting atmosphere. It's also important to us that campers become acquainted with other campers outside their current circle of friends and those individual campers feel comfortable and accepted even though they may not have come with someone they know. Friends who wish to be together should request each other. Friend requests are made through the registration process.

If you need to cancel your registration, please contact us quickly since some camps are full and do have waiting lists. Keep in mind that a portion of your fee is non-refundable. Big Sandy Camp does not issue refunds for campers who leave because of homesickness or illness.

Laundry is not available for campers. Enough clothing should be packed for the entire week. Of course, in emergency situations, cabin leaders are happy to wash sleeping bags or other clothing. All clothes and a bag for dirty laundry should be labeled with the camper's name and phone number.

Suggested Packing List

• Bedding: pillow, sleeping bag and/or twin-size bedding
• Towel, beach towel, shampoo, toothbrush, soap, etc.
• Tennis shoes and sandals
• Clothes for both warm and cool weather – Be careful with the clothes you pack. Leave inappropriate clothing at home (t-shirts with inappropriate printing, low cut and midriff-baring tops, and the like).
• Pajamas
• One piece swimsuit or a modest two-piece swimsuit that covers the entire midriff
• Plastic bag for dirty or wet clothes to bring home
• Missions offering
• Bible, notebook, pens, or pencils
• Camper's medications in their original container, if needed
• Inexpensive camera
• Extra spending money for the Gift Shop, Snack Shop, and Craft Shop
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Wallet or coin purse
• Flashlight

Stuff to Leave at Home

• Cell phones
• Personal music equipment
• Expensive, small items
• Alcohol, tobacco, or any non-prescription drugs
• Pocket knives or other weapons
• Fireworks
• Skateboards and rollerblades

Camps start on Sunday afternoon (with the exception of Sprouts Camp, Senior High Camp, and Senior High Wakeboard Camp) and wrap up Sunday morning. Registration for each camp session, with the exception of Senior High Camp and Senior High Wakeboard Camp, will run from 2:00-5:00 PM on the first day of each camp session, and dinner will be served at 5:30 PM. Registration for Senior High Camp and Senior High Wakeboard Camp will run from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM on the first day of camp, and lunch will be served at 12:30 PM. Camp will end with a closing rally at 10:20 AM on the last day of each session, which parents are welcomed to attend! Campers will be ready for pick up at 10:45 AM. Please note that Sprouts Camp begins on a Friday and Senior High Camp and Senior High Wakeboard Camp both begin on a Tuesday.

Campers are each assigned to a “cabin,” which is actually a lodge room in one of our three main buildings, Oak, Birch, and Lakeview. Our counselors are carefully chosen young adults, many of whom are launching into ministry. Several of our campers return to Big Sandy Camp as counselors, program staff, and volunteers in an effort to give something back and ensure that campers have the same awesome opportunities that they did.

Our summer activities are well supervised, fun-filled times with friends, both new and old. Most importantly, Big Sandy Camp continues to be a place where God is near. Big Sandy Camp often serves as a mile post for faith decisions and ministry commitments. Big Sandy Camp continues to be a place where hearts are touched and lives are changed. Make the investment in your child’s life by sending them to camp. It will be the experience of a lifetime!

Our registration day, the first day of each camp session, has been specifically designed with families in mind. When you get to camp, our staff will check if the campers in your vehicle have paid in full. If they are, you’ll be directed to their rooms to meet their counselors. No lines, no waiting! If your camper still owes money or needs to complete forms, we’ll send you into the office first to finish payment and any last minute details. Then you will be directed to your child’s cabin.

If your camper has medications, they’ll need to meet with the nurse after they get settled into their cabin and meet their counselor. All medications brought to camp must be in the original container and in a plastic bag with the child’s name on it. If you have any questions or concerns regarding medications, please call our office at 218-426-3389.

Roseville Location

Rose Hill Alliance Church
2105 Roselawn Avenue West
Roseville, MN 55113

For the trip to Big Sandy Camp, please arrive at 1:15 PM

*For Senior High Camp and Senior High Wakeboard Camp, please arrive by 8:45 AM

The bus will return between 12:30-1:00 PM

Coon Rapids Location

Word of Life Church
10730 University Avenue NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55448

For the trip to Big Sandy Camp, please arrive at 1:45 PM

*For Senior High Camp and Senior High Wakeboard Camp, please arrive by 9:30 AM

The bus will return between 11:15-11:45 AM

Waconia Location

Parkside Church
9560 Paradise Lane
Waconia, MN 55387

For the trip to Big Sandy Camp, please arrive at 12:00 PM

*For Senior High Camp and Senior High Wakeboard Camp, please arrive by 7:30 AM

The bus will return between 2:15-2:45 PM

Sprouts Camp is a shorter session that helps get kids acclimated to camp life and being away from home. Members of our staff are with your campers 24 hours a day. Age appropriate activities and programs keep our young campers busy at every turn. Chapel sessions are tailored to short attention spans and are seasoned with traditional camp songs, entertaining theatrics, and relevant Bible stories that can be applied to today’s kids. Sending your children to Sprouts Camp is a wonderful way to establish a week at camp as a priority for every summer. The results are significant and often eternal!

Sprouts Camp is available for campers entering 2nd-4th grade.

Summers are a busy time at Big Sandy Camp. We provide numerous summer camps for youth entering 4th-12th grade. With a maximum capacity of nearly 250 campers per week, there is never a dull moment, and plenty of awesome activities to do and friends to be made. Big Sandy Camp can become your child’s home away from home, just like it has for hundreds of other campers for the last 60 years!

Counselors at Big Sandy Camp spend many days in intense training to keep your children safe. They must all earn certificates in First Aid and CPR, as well as go through our intensive Ministry Safe abuse prevention training program. They are energetic and already getting excited for what God will do during your camper’s week at Big Sandy Camp.

Fun is an essential part of Big Sandy Camp! It doesn’t matter if we’re jamming at the beach, sliding into Big Sandy Lake, or playing favorite games like Capture the flag - fun is a key ingredient to camp! All junior high and senior high campers can ride our 750 foot zip line, everyone can enjoy paddle boarding on Big Sandy Lake, and try out our new low ropes activities.

Pinecone Camps 1, 2, and 3 are available for campers entering 4th-6th grade.

Junior High Camps 1, 2, and 3 are open to campers entering 6th-8th grade.

Senior High Camp is open to campers entering 9th-12th grade.

Wakeboard Camp is the perfect opportunity to mix your camper’s love of wakeboarding and faith together. Wakeboard campers attend chapels and meals with the rest of the camp and still have devotional time and small groups with their counselor. During free time and group games, the wakeboard campers spend their time out on the water of Big Sandy Lake. This year we will have two separate weeks of wakeboard camp, one for Junior High and one for Senior High. Campers’ skill level can range from beginner to advanced... but register soon as spots fill up quickly.

In most cases, campers are able to room with those they’ve requested on their registration forms, although this is not guaranteed. Your camper’s room will never be locked, so we’ll encourage campers to give any valuable belongings to their counselor for the week, or better yet, leave valuables at home. Please feel free to accompany your camper to their lodge room and meet their counselor during registration. Pinecone Junior and Junior High campers will be housed in separate cabins. Please keep this in mind when requesting roommates for your camper.

Fun is a huge part of the Big Sandy Camp experience, but the safety and well-being of your camper is our first priority. We have a camp nurse on staff in the event of an accident or illness. If your camper will be bringing any medications, whether over-the-counter or prescription, they need to be noted on the medial form during the online registration process. The camp nurse will collect and distribute all medications. Big Sandy Camp carries secondary accident insurance on all our campers. Campers that are in need of individualized, acute and serious medical care and are unable to participate in most corporate camp activities should consider a specialized camp that is designed, staffed and equipped to provide those campers with a safe and enjoyable camp experience. If you have questions, contact Jared Jensen at jared@bigsandycamp.org.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding food allergies or dietary issues for your camper, please contact our Food Service Director Trent Larsen by email (trent@bigsandycamp.org) at least two weeks prior to your child’s week of camp. You may also call camp directly with any questions regarding activities, physical restrictions, food or other allergies, etc... at 218-426-3389.

For many of our campers, this will be their first experience completely away from home! We’ll do our best to keep campers having fun at camp! To ensure your camper has the best experience at Big Sandy Camp, we ask that family members and friends do not visit during the week. We do not recommend campers calling home during the week, but in rare cases, may be permitted by our camp director. Please do not send a cell phone with your child. Campers who bring a cell phone will be asked to surrender them at registration to their counselor for the remainder of the week.

*Note for your child’s security, only the person authorized on your registration card will be allowed to pick up your child at the end of the camp session. This person MUST bring a photo ID with them to pick up your child from camp.

Campers love to get mail during the week! Feel free to send packages or letters by using our mailing address with your child’s name (first and last) printed at the top of the address. If you do know your child’s cabin number, you can include it on the letter or package, but it is not required. Feel free to share your camper’s address with friends and relatives that your camper may also enjoy hearing from.

Big Sandy Camp
52511 185th Place
McGregor, MN 55760

If letter writing just isn’t your forte, you may also email your child by using the domain camper@bigsandycamp.org. Emails are printed off and handed to campers at lunch each day.

You may drop off mail during registration for our staff to hand out to your camper during the week. Please note that any mail that arrives after your camper has left will be returned to the sender.