Family Camp
Join us for a family vacation your whole family will love- one that’s full of fun and excitement and one that will create lasting memories for years to come! It’s an opportunity to grow in faith in Jesus Christ as a whole family through chapel times, prayer, family devotions, mealtimes, and all the fun activities.
Each day the kids will divide up into their age groups for “Two Hours of Power”, which includes Bible study, recreation time, snacks, crafts, and singing. During this time the adults will enjoy two hours in the chapel digging deeper into the summer’s theme or another topic selected by the week’s speaker. Each family will be paired with one of our well-trained, enthusiastic, and Christ-Centered summer counselors for the week.
Our kitchen prepares hearty menus with a well-balanced diet in mind. Please contact us regarding special dietary restrictions or allergies so we can accommodate you to the best of our ability. Meals included are supper on Sunday through lunch on Friday. Wednesday supper is on your own as Wednesday afternoons are free for families to enjoy the attractions of the wonderful OKOBOJI area.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get away and experience camp as a whole family. Not only will this impact your kids, but your whole family, your church, and your whole community can experience transformation. So grab your neighbors, relatives, friends, and anyone you consider family, and make your reservations for one of our family camp weeks right away!
We know the last year has been challenging for many, filled with disappointments and uncertainty due to COVID-19. Know we have been praying for you, and will continue to do so. At Ingham Okoboji, safety is a top priority. We have already made many adaptations due to COVID-19, and as we move forward we want to assure you we will continue to follow the current recommendations and guidelines of state and local health officials. We are planning on having camp this summer with some modifications for safety. We hope that as often as you think ahead to summer plans, you will remember to include camp. Today, people are hungry for the eternal hope found only in Jesus Christ. That's why the mission of IOLBC remains unwavering, "To know Jesus Christ and to make Christ known to all."
HOW TO REGISTER FOR FAMILY CAMP!
1. Choose a Week!
2. Call Sara, our friendly Registrar, @ 712-337-3306 and ask about available housing.
3. Reserve housing and pay housing deposit.
4. Complete Registration Form and email it to registrar@okoboji.org OR mail it to 1203 Inwan Street, Milford, IA 51351
PLEASE NOTE: Online Registration is available ONLY by clicking the link on this page. It is NOT Available through our youth camp registration system.
Call 712-337-3306 to see what available housing will best fit your family's needs today!
Family Camp 2021 -
scroll down for 2022 Speakers!
Family Camp #1 - Rev. Brian King
June 20-25, 2021
Pastor Brian has served as the senior pastor of Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls for over 11 years, following calls in Iowa Falls, LaCrosse and serving as the first president of the ELCA Churchwide Youth Organization. A graduate of Wartburg College and Wartburg Theological Seminary, Pastor Brian currently serves on the Board of Regents for Wartburg College and as the Vice Chair of the Board for Lutheran Services of Iowa. In his 25 years of ministry he has been honored by the State of Iowa Jaycees as an "Outstanding Young Iowan," been a multi-time site coordinator for TeenServe summer youth workcamps, and served on numerous churchwide, synodical, college and civic boards and committees, including the Board of Directors for Augsburg-Fortress Publishing, the National Council of Churches in Christ, and the ELCA Boards for Church in Society and Congregational Life. He is passionate about sharing and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he and his wife, Jen, are the proud parents to three adult sons and an 18-year old daughter who fill their days with great love, pride, and joy!
Family Camp #2 - Rev. Scott Rains
June 27 - July 2, 2021
Scott began his ministry as a youth pastor in Des Moines and has since served in multiple churches and earned his M.Div. from Greorge Fox Evangelical Seminary in Portland, OR. Currently Scott serves as the campus pastor for Lutheran Church of Hope – Ankeny which he describes as an “incredible opportunity to lead a congregation that is Christ-centered, culturally relevant and exploding with creativity.” Married to Wendy since 1997, he keeps busy with the activity which raising six kids brings to life.
Family Camp #3 - Rev. Jeremy Johnson
July 4-9, 2021
As Executive Pastor at Lutheran Church of Hope, Jeremy Johnson is focused on preaching and overseeing many of Hope’s ministry areas. He came to Hope as an intern in September, 2009, and served as a teaching pastor before being named Executive Pastor. An avid runner and marathoner, Jeremy and his wife Briget have two children, Trey and Jade.
Family Camp #4 - Rev. Dr. Steve Turnbull
July 25-30, 2021
Steve Turnbull is the senior pastor at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ohio and an adjunct professor of New Testament and Biblical theology at Sioux Falls Seminary and The Master’s Institute. He and his wife Amy have been married for 20 years, and they have two children, Evangeline and William.
Family Camp #5 - Rev. Dr. Dave Denzer
August 1-6
Dave is married to Linda and is the Lead Pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church in Canton, Michigan. He earned his doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University in 2014. Dave dreams of one day building a house by himself from the ground up, enjoys his kids and grandkids, sharing a laugh, discovering new gems in scripture, and going fast on anything from skis to his small motorcycle. But most of all, he loves to see people’s lives transformed by the living Jesus.
Family Camp #6 - Rev. Jeremey & Michelle King
August 8-13
Jeremey & Michelle King join us from Shepherd of the Valley Church in Afton, MN where Jeremey serves as the Senior Pastor. Prior to serving in Afton, Jeremey and Michelle worked to plant Radiant Church in Huntington Beach, CA. Jeremey got his start in ministry by working as the youth minister in his home congregation before pursuing a Masters of Divinity through Fuller and Luther Seminaries. A native to MN, Michelle moved to CA with the intention to work just one year at a church before meeting Jeremey and being convinced to stay. She has since received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology and launched The Paved Road, a center for marriage and family therapy. Michelle can be found speaking at various women's events and leading seminars on mental health in the church in additional to co-leading marriage retreat weekends with Jeremey and speaking together in their local church. As a family with their two children, Jeremey & Michelle helped to launch Baja Love Outreach to serve orphans near Ensenada, Mexico and travel there frequently.
Family Camp 2022 -
Housing Reservations Open June 1, 2021 @ 9:00 am!
Family Camp #1 - Pastor Tim and Kris Boettger
June 19-24, 2022
Tim & Kris Boettger live and minister together in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In addition to being a wife, mother & grandmother, Kris runs Barn Happy, a restaurant, coffee shop, and Iowa goods store in a barn on their acreage. Tim now serves as The Director of Spiritual Care in The Western Home Communities in Northeast Iowa where he leads a “Fresh Wind” Sunday worship service that serves a multigenerational, non-denominational congregation. He is also a speaker on the Christian Crusaders radio and internet ministry. The couple has two grown children, Isaac (wife Katie and son Clay) and daughter Adrienne. Tim and Kris share a passion for the Kingdom of God, the importance of strong families & marriages, and the power and grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Family Camp #2 - Rev. Jonathan and Rev. Jana Swenson
June 26 - July 1, 2022
Jonathan and Jana Swenson have served in a variety of ministry settings in their 30+ years as a Lutheran clergy couple, including 17 years in parish ministry and 10 at Mount Carmel Family Camp and Conference Center in Alexandria, MN. Currently, Jana is a Development Consultant with Kairos and Associates, and Jonathan is the Founding Director of Paraphrase Theatre, a one-actor, multiple-character drama ministry on the life of Christ. The Swensons also have an online marriage ministry called More to This Life. They are the proud parents of two adult daughters, Christina and Caitlyn, and their respective husbands, Nate and Nick.
Family Camp #3 - Rev. Mark Brandt
July 3-8, 2022
Mark currently serves as the Digital Outreach Minister for Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines Iowa, helping folks connect physically to the church in a digital world. In the past 6 years, through God, Mark has launched eight small worshiping communities called Hope Local Sites throughout Iowa and Kansas. Before that he was in youth ministry for nearly 15 years. He and his wife live in Waukee, IA and have 3 boys… twins who are 16 and a 12 year old. Mark has a heart for Jesus, enjoys golf, cooking, the movie JAWS, reading and is a high school basketball official. Most importantly he believes that lost people matter to God and so they should matter to us.
Family Camp #4 - Rev. Paul Cross
July 24-29, 2022
Pastor and Bible teacher Paul Cross is a native of Vienna, Virginia and currently serves Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota. Encouraging people to joyfully encounter God’s Word remains one of his chief passions. Prior to ordained ministry, Dr. Cross worked 10 years in the automobile repair industry where he cultivated a love for all things automotive. He and his wife Rhonda have four adult children and one granddaughter. They enjoy visiting National Parks, places of historical interest, and watching NASCAR racing—well, at least he does.
Family Camp #5 - Rev. Nathan Anenson
July 31 - Aug 5, 2022
Nathan is married to Lisa and they have two boys (Luke and Levi) who keep them moving and laughing. Nathan has served Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona, IA since 2012 as Sr. Pastor. He enjoys golfing, hanging out with friends, and going on adventures with his family. Nathan loves seeing Jesus transform lives and is passionate about training leaders to be catalysts for the Church living into God’s mission in the 21st Century.
Family Camp #6 - Rev. Dr. Kyle Fever
Aug 7-12, 2022
Kyle grew up in the Des Moines area. He has been married to Laura for 23 years, and they have four kids: Jaya, Tate, Jude, and Stella. Kyle currently is a pastor in Adair, IA. He and his wife Laura work together in ministry in small town Iowa. Laura homeschools their two youngest, and Kyle spends extra time teaching, reading, researching, and writing about Scripture and Spiritual theology. They are in the thick of navigating life and trying to notice the presence of the Risen Jesus every step of the way. One thing Kyle likes most about ministry is that it allows him to spend time trying to be more attentive to the ways that we can live as witnesses to an alternative reality in this world, and to transform our minds and lives in accord with the ways of Jesus, who is making all things new.
Want to tell others about camp? Check out our promotional materials page for posters, brochures, postcards, videos and more!