Be a Camp Volunteer!

►Camp Deans and Volunteer Camp Counselor
►Be a Shepherd

Camp Dean and Volunteer Camp Counselor

We are so excited to work alongside you for what promises to be another great summer at your camps!  Thank you so much for your gifts of time, commitment, leadership, and love with the children, youth and adults of the Dakotas and Minnesota UMC  Conferences.  There are a lot of exciting things happening in camp and retreat ministries and we're eager to share some highlights with you. 

All persons interested in serving as a camp deans/volunteer counselors in the Dakotas-Minnesota Area Camp and Retreat Ministries program are required to complete a Volunteer Application and an annual background check.  Simply Register Online for the camp you will be assisting with.  Once registered, the Volunteer Application will be available in the Online Forms section of your registration Dashboard.  This application should be completed a minimum of two weeks before camp to allow time to complete background checks.  Thank you for serving in this ministry! 

Below are  forms and helpful resources for a positive experience  at camp for you and the campers. 

Dean/Volunteer Counselor Required Documentation

The forms listed below must be completed online in order for deans and adult volunteers to serve at camp. They may be found in the Forms section of your Campwise online registration dashboard. An annual signature is required for each document.

• Volunteer Application 
  • Volunteer Dean/Leader Agreement (Signature required in the Volunteer Application via Campwise.)
  • Social Media and Communication Guidelines (Signature required in the Volunteer Application via Campwise.)
  • Child Abuse & Neglect Policy Statement and Appendix (Signature required in the Volunteer Application via Campwise.)
• Annual Background Check (Link located in the Volunteer Application)
• Dakotas-Minnesota Area ADULT Camper Medical Information Form
• Dakotas-Minnesota Area Release of Liability Waiver

Dean/Volunteer Counselor Helpful Information 

• ONLINE Program Expense Reimbursement Form or PAPER Program Expense Reimbursement Form
• Camping Mission, Core Values, and Outcomes
• Dean's Job Description
• Volunteer Camp Counselor's Job Description
• Parent-Camper Handbook
• LGBTQIA2S+ Guidelines

Be a Shepherd

Come experience the joy of camping firsthand by serving as a camp shepherd. Shepherds work alongside our camp staff and help ensure all campers have a great camp experience. Shepherds should plan to participate in all camp activities, help watch over all campers including supervising cabin time, and assist staff and deans as needed. Whenever possible, shepherds will be placed in overnight cabins with the child/children they’re bringing to camp. However, when moms come with sons and dads with daughters, or if additional staff of the same gender is needed to meet required supervision ratios, shepherds may be placed in sleeping rooms away from their own child/children.

Questions? Please contact the site at which you would like to serve as a shepherd. 

All shepherds must register at least seven days prior to the beginning of camp to ensure all necessary documentation is complete, including a required annual background check.

There are a maximum number of shepherds for each camp. So, please register early. The fee for shepherds is $110.00.

2026 Summer Curriculum - In the Wilderness

Wilderness is a time or place where we encounter what is new, strange, scary, lonely, unknown or mysterious. The wilderness is a wild and beautiful time and place where we can discover the sacred within each person and all creation. The wilderness can inspire us and guide us, assuring us of God’s constant presence. As the Spirit guides us through the wilderness, we find what we need to face our fears and the very real challenges that impact our world. The wilderness teaches us the importance of community and the ways we navigate challenges together. The wilderness reveals our strengths, growing edges, and potential as God equips us for the unknown still to come. The wilderness awaits us all, and God meets us there. 

What you will find in In the Wilderness 

In the Wilderness all-inclusive summer camp curriculum includes materials for a full week's worth of activities for different age levels. You'll find:

• Bible study and community building activities for five age groups
• Separate worship resources designed specifically for children and youth
• Activity sheets to send home with campers for engaging families
• “Letters from Camp” – templates you can adapt and send out to campers and families all year long
• Crafts, games, science and nature, multi-day projects, challenges and group building, and much more!

Daily Overview for In the Wilderness 

Day 1    Psalm 139:7-14     Wilderness Is     Fearfully & Wonderfully Made                         

• Ponder what wilderness is and all the ways that it intertwines in our lives.
• Proclaim God’s presence in the wilderness.
• Foster a nurturing and brave community space for exploration.
• Celebrate that all are wonderfully and marvelously made!

Day 2    Job 12:7-10 (NRSVUE)     Wilderness Awes     Creation Teaches       

• Welcome everyone into the sanctuary of camp, a holy and wild place.
• Invite each other to listen for the wisdom of wilderness, allowing this sacred space to teach us.
• Celebrate the beauty and power of the universe, including ourselves and others.
• Call each other to express awe at the beauty of creation.

Day 3    Exodus 13:17-22     Wilderness Leads     Pillars of Fire & Smoke          

• Consider our own individual and collective wilderness experiences.
• Be assured God is with us in our wildernesses.
• Explore signs of God’s guidance and provision around us.

Day 4    Matthew 14:22-30     Wilderness Frightens     Jesus Walks on Water            

• Honor the tradition of Jesus entering the wilderness to reconnect, refuel, and be renewed.
• Hold safe space to acknowledge that wilderness may be disorienting or even frightening.
• Explore what it means to take bold steps, facing our fears and doing awesome things through God.
• Affirm that no matter what our wilderness moments may bring, God is always with us.

Day 5    Esther 4:12-17     Wilderness Unites     Help in Such a Time as This          

• Assure one another that we are not alone.
• Bravely share our hopes, dreams, and fears.
• Listen for God’s voice through the wisdom of those who have been or are in the wilderness.
• Imagine ways to connect with our communities for help and support.     

Day 6    Luke 10:25-37     Wilderness Reveals     The Broken Road  

• Consider the Good Samaritan story from a fresh perspective.
• Discuss how systems can help or harm people, and how we can respond.
• Recognize the different roles necessary to create lasting change.
• Reflect on how wilderness experiences and choices shape our lives.

Day 7    Jeremiah 29:11-14     Wilderness Awaits      A Future with Hope              

• Affirm that we are equipped to face wilderness moments.
• Remind each other to seek God, who is always accessible and present.
• Commission one another to pursue mountain top experiences awaiting us in our wildernesses.

If you would like the current curriculum and resources, please contact the site where you will be volunteering!

InsideOut Church Camp Curriculum is an annual, ecumenical resource designed to help camps and retreat centers create meaningful, faith-based summer programs for all ages. Published since 2011 by Chalice Press, InsideOut offers biblically grounded themes, creative activities, worship outlines, and experiential learning tools that connect faith with everyday life. The curriculum emphasizes inclusion, environmental stewardship, and spiritual growth through outdoor experiences. Each year’s theme encourages campers to explore God’s presence in creation, community, and self, inspiring transformation long after camp ends. 

Partners from the Presbyterian Church USA, Church of the Brethren, United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) collaborate to support InsideOut, joined by representatives of the Episcopal Church, the Lutheran Church (ELCA), and Baptist communities. 

What is a Camp Ambassador?

A Camp Ambassador is a key partner in the ministry of camp—helping children, youth, and families in their local churches connect with life-changing experiences at Dakotas United Methodist Camps and throughout our camp and retreat ministries.

Ambassadors are the link between camp and church, serving as a spokesperson, connector, and encourager. They help spread the word, answer questions, and make sure everyone hears about the opportunities to grow in Christ, Creation, and Community through camp.

Ways to share as a Camp Ambassador:

- Host a Camp Sunday with your church - share stories, invite campers to speak, and celebrate what God is doing through camp. 
- Set a goal for camp participation and help find ways to support campers financially. 
- Share camp news in bulletins, newsletters, announcements, and conversations. 
- Talk about camp during Sunday School, youth group, or wherever people gather. 
- Answer questions, offer encouragement, and help families register for camp.

Camp Ambassador Resources

We want being a Camp Ambassador to be easy, meaningful—and fun! That’s why we’ve created a collection of helpful tools to support you:

• Camp Ambassador Guide – Your roadmap to success! Includes tips, timelines, conversation starters, and Camp Sunday planning resources.
• Camp Sunday Worship Resources – Ready-to-use materials to make your Camp Sunday inspiring and fun.
• Ambassador Contact Form – Let us know who you are so we can support you all year long.

Camp Ambassador's  Hang TEN! Incentive

Take camper Experiences to the Next level and receive TEN percent off the cost of camp!

For every *new camper you help register, you can earn 10% off one camp! Use the discount for yourself, a family member, the new camper or a different camper from your church.

There’s no limit to how many *new campers you can count – just complete the “Hang TEN!” Incentive Form to claim your discount. If you have any questions, please contact info@dakcamps.org.

* New campers are defined as those who have not been to any Dakotas United Methodist Camp events in the past three years.

Camp changes lives. As a Camp Ambassador, you’ll help others step into experiences full of joy, growth, and faith. We’re so glad you’re part of the team!

Camp Sunday: Where Church Meets Camp!

Get ready to bring the joy, adventure, and spirit of camp right into your church! Camp Sunday is a day to celebrate all things camp—think campfire-style worship (minus the actual fire, of course), energetic music, and real stories of how camp changes lives. Deck out your church with campy décor, serve up s’mores or trail mix, and dive into fun activities that showcase everything camp has to offer. Plus, it’s the perfect time to share info on camp registrations, financial support, and exciting opportunities for all ages. Whether it’s Sunday school, youth group, or the whole congregation, everyone gets a taste of that unforgettable camp magic—right at home!

Camp Sunday Worship Material

Camp Sunday Worship Service
The worship program includes call to worship, hymn suggestions, children's message, scripture, sermon ideas, prayers, invitation to communion, Invitation to offering, and a benediction. Use this program or change it to make your own! This worship service is based on Acts 2:42-47 and the 2026 Camp Curriculum, In the Wilderness. Using stories from both the Old Testament and New Testament, the curriculum explores daily themes ensuring God is with us in any wilderness in which we find ourselves.

Decoration Ideas

Promotional Materials and Social Media images​
Click on the image title to open. Once opened, to save PDF's, simply click on the download icon in the upper right-hand corner. For JPEG images, right click on the image and choose "save image as."

• Camp Sunday Talking Points
• Church Bulletin Cover (PDF) (8.5 x 11, Portrait)
• Church Bulletin Cover (JPEG)
• 2026 Camp Sunday - Social Media image - Banner
• 2026 Camp Sunday - Social Media image - Square
• 2026 Camp Sunday - PowerPoint - Slide Cover Image
• 2026 Camp Sunday - PowerPoint - Slide Background Image

Music Ideas

Complete list of Song Suggestions

Lent/Wilderness Songs:

• In the Garden (UMH 314)
• Lord Who Throughout these 40 Days (UMH 269)
• My Lighthouse (Rend Collective)
• I Want Jesus to Walk with Me (UMH 521)
• How Can I Keep from Singing (FWS 2122)

Songs we sing at camp:

• Sanctuary (FWS 2164)
• This Little Light of Mine (traditional)
• Pass it On (UMH 572)
• Lean on Me (Bill Withers)
• All God’s Critters got a Place in the Choir (Traditional)
• God of Wonders (Third Day) 

Spotify 

• Spotify Playlist - for In the Wilderness. This playlist includes contemporary Christian and secular music to play before, during, or after worship. These songs tie in with the worship program above.

Dakotas United Methodist Camps Promotional VIDEO!
Play this during announcement times at worship, on Camp Sunday, and/or during Sunday School classes! Or play the camp video of the location your campers are planning to attend by clicking on one of the following links: Lake Poinsett Camp, Wesley Acres Camp, or Storm Mountain Center.

Preparing for Camp Sunday

Set a Date

Work with your pastor(s) and education staff to find a date that works best for you. Get it on your church calendar and start promoting! Some churches make the whole service (scripture, children’s message, message, hymns) about changed lives and opportunities at camp. That is ideal, but your church may choose instead to simply make announcements, pass out information, and extend invitations.

Whatever the case, be sure to choose a Sunday when you anticipate a strong turnout.

Plan a Budget & Arrange Fundraisers

Find out how much money is set aside or available to support campers from your church. Talk to your church leaders about whether your church can contribute a portion of the cost for each child who signs up for camp. Many churches contribute 50-100% of the total cost, while others contribute a set amount per camper. Consider helping your church arrange a fundraiser to support your campers. Camp Sunday may be a great day for it! Fundraisers could involve: a dinner prepared by youth, car washes, bake sales, and any other fun opportunities you can think of.

There are also conference camp scholarships (camperships) available; to learn more about them, click here.

Request a Camp Representative

If scheduling permits, a camp representative would be happy to visit your church to assist with your Camp Sunday celebration. Please contact your closest campsite or the central camping office.

Camp representatives can provide the message/sermon, lead a time of children’s worship, share camp opportunities during a fellowship hour, provide a display in a common area, bring handouts and giveaways, or simply be present to cheer you and your church leaders on!

More posters and flyers are available upon request.

A box of brochures and promotional posters will be sent to each church in January.  For your Camp Sunday, plan to have enough brochures available for each child in your church community to receive one (plus have extras to keep on hand to pass out throughout the spring). Contact the central camping office (855) 622-1973 (toll-free) to request more brochures.

Enlist helpers.

Find a few “camp friends” within your church who might be willing to help with tasks, speak about their camping experiences, and answer questions.

Start getting the word out!

Contact (via e-mail, social media, or postal mail) every family in your congregation to let them know the dates for Camp Sunday and related fundraisers. (Check with the camping office if you would like a contact list for former campers from your church.)

Create a display in a common area where families come and go. The display should include a poster and brochures.

Promote Camp Sunday in these ways:

• Make announcements about Camp Sunday during worship.
• Create an article for church newsletter that talks about Camp Sunday
• Put information about Camp Sunday in the church bulletin and/or on screens during worship.
• Share fun camp tidbits and photos through your church’s social media platforms.

Here’s the information to share in your Camp Sunday promotions:

• Camp Sunday date.
• Need for prayers for families to become involved.
• Need for financial support for campers from your church.
• The opportunity to wear comfortable “camp” clothes to worship on Camp Sunday: jeans or shorts, camp T-shirt or sweatshirts from a previous summer, hats, etc.

Continue sharing with the congregation (through announcements, newsletter, social media, bulletin, or on screens) that Camp Sunday is coming! Remind people to wear camp clothes. Remind people to wear camp t-shirts or other camp clothing.

PREPARING YOURSELF

• Look through a copy of the camp brochure to see a list of all events offered this summer, or check out the camp and events page of our website!
• Feel free to contact Dakotas-Minnesota Area United Methodist Camps staff or staff at a specific campsite to ask questions or learn more about camp opportunities.
• Many churches choose to target 3-4 camps they feel would be a good fit for their congregations that they know would be of interest, are held at a close campsite, or perhaps where someone from their congregation is helping to lead. Targeting a handful of events can allow for churches to arrange transportation more easily and ensures that kids will be going with at least a few friends.

PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY

Work with your pastor(s) and other worship leaders. Share with them ideas for how to incorporate Dakotas-Minnesota Area United Methodist Camps into worship on Camp Sunday through related scriptures, readings, children’s message, prayers, hymns, and songs. 

Enlist youth to read scripture or lead worship in other ways on Camp Sunday. Recruit past campers to share their experiences with the congregation (highlights, what they learned, how they grew in their faith, and what they’re looking forward to this summer.)

Decorate the church in a camping/outdoor theme. A few ideas: set up a tent in the fellowship hall, create a mock fire with a ring of rocks by the main door into the sanctuary, place a crude wooden cross on the altar, or place camp-themed centerpieces in the fellowship hall. The possibilities are endless! Look at the “Decoration Ideas” page in the Camp Sunday Worship Resources on the website for some great ideas!

Plan a camp related snack or activity.  S’more fixings, granola, trail mix, gummy worms for fishing, etc.

Consider holding a fundraiser of some type to raise money to help support campers from your church.

Most importantly, have fun!!