Our Story

Nebowa Christian Service Camp was formed in 1950 by a group of Independent Christian Churches from Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa wanting a place where their youth could attend camp. Blue Lake, an old oxbow of the Missouri River located just west of Onawa, Iowa was the perfect location. The camp got it’s name from the area that it served when the ministers decided to combine names of Nebraska and Iowa.

Over the years, the camp expanded its facilities and programming, incorporating a range of activities that promote both faith and community. Thousands of campers have called Nebowa home with many of them giving their lives to Christ and being baptized in Blue Lake.

Today, Nebowa continues to serve as a beloved destination for summer camps, retreats, and year-round events, fostering a deep sense of connection to God and one another.

Our Mission

Nebowa Christian Camp exists to provide a camp experience that

inspires people of all ages to take the next step in their relationship with

Jesus, educate them through biblical teaching, and connect them to

other believers through lasting friendships and the local church.

Our Values

Inspire: By Fostering a sense of community and encouraging spiritual growth through engaging activities, heartfelt discussions, and the beauty of nature.

Educate: By blending biblical teachings with hands-on experiences, helping campers deepen their faith while developing important life skills and values.

Connect: By creating lasting friendships that nurture faith journeys through shared experiences, group activities, and a supportive environment.

Worship: By providing a vibrant atmosphere of praise and prayer where campers can express their faith through music, reflection, and communal worship experiences.

Fun: By offering a variety of exciting activities from outdoor adventures to creative crafts, all designed to foster joy and fellowship in a Christ-centered environment.

Our Beliefs

  1. We believe God is the Creator of all things and intentionally created people for a reason.
    Acts 17:24-28

  2. We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and the final authority on all matters of faith.
    2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21

  3. We believe there is one God, yet a trinity of persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
    Matthew 3:16 & 17, John 14:9 & 10

  4. We believe Jesus, God's only son, is fully God, was a born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died on a cross.
    Galatians 4:4, Philippians 2:6-8, Hebrews 4:15

  5. We believe that all have sinned and can be saved only by the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.
    Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Hebrews 9:14, Ezekiel 18

  6. We believe that those accepting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized (immersed) into Him.
    Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-7

  7. We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
    1 Corinthians 15:3-7

  8. We believe in the literal return of Christ and the coming judgement as promised in God's word.
    1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 14:12