Choose a camp at the grade level that your camper will have just completed this past spring.

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At Camp Fontanelle some campers begin the day with morning watch devotions. Each full day typically also has a small and/or large group Bible study or two as well as an evening worship.  The campers will enjoy 3 meals a day as well as snacks.  There is variation in schedules depending on your session. Campers enjoy some activities (such as crafts, tree climbing, or archery) in family groups of 8-12 campers while other activities like gaga ball, group games, laser tag, swimming, etc. might be spent as all camp.  Depending on the camp session, age, and size of camp, other activities might include pony rides, jumping pillow, slip-n-slide, hiking, 9-square in the air, sand volleyball, basketball, zip lines, corn maze, petting barn, or initiatives/low rope course.  Specific camps take an overnight trip to the zoo, do service projects, visit a water park and ice rink, go to Worlds of Fun, or have horse trail rides.

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There is no need to send extra money.  Meals and snacks are provided.  If there is a field trip associated with that week of camp there is an opportunity for youth to buy a souvenir, money is checked in on registration day and staff will give money to the campers at designated time for such a purchase.  Camp Fontanelle will have souvenirs for purchase when you come to pick up your child.  The camp will not be responsible for money any camper holds on to themselves.

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If you need to reach your child while they are at camp, please write or call the address and phone number listed on the contact page.  We will get the message to them ASAP.  Please do not send cell phones to camp with your child.  Campers are not allowed to have electronics and phones at camp.  You can send emails you your camper under the “Contact Us” button at www.campfontanelle.com

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The family or individual policy is the primary coverage for accidents and injury.  The camp policy is secondary with a $15,000 maximum benefit.  The health information form must be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian before admission to the camp.  All medications must be turned in to the camp health officer upon entering the camp and will be dispensed by the health officer.  Medical emergency vehicles are housed 4 miles away at Nickerson and a modern hospital is only 12 miles away in Fremont, NE.

We encourage all students to attend with the age group to which they belong, which is based on the grade just finished in the spring.  Exceptions will only be made by the deans of these weeks on a case by case basis.  Please contact the camp for inquiries.

Volunteers are welcome to help at Camp Fontanelle.  Contact the program director for details for working with summer camp program.  Kitchen help is always appreciated.  Needs for help varies from week to week.  For summer camp season, ideally volunteers must be at least 16 years or older.  Minors who volunteer need to be 5 years older than the campers with whom they work and attend a camp session which will help prepare them as leaders.  All summer program volunteers must take the Safe Gatherings training.  This training requires an online course and has a cost.  Background checks and references must be completed.  Plan ahead as this process can take some time.  When summer camp programs are not in session, anyone could help with various tasks around the camp.  Contact the site director for details.  Many youth groups, volunteer in mission groups, and even NOMADS volunteer.  Camp Fontanelle has 5 full service camper hook-ups for volunteer groups.

Camp Fontanelle is owned by the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church of Nebraska and Kansas.  It is led by a site council which is composed of up to 6 clergy and 12 laity from local churches.

Camp Fontanelle has a trained staff with CPR & First Aid Training.  Staff must take Safe Gatherings which educates staff on creating a safe environment for children and performs background checks.

There are typically 2 sessions of camp each week.  One group is usually in the basement of the Main Lodge while the other group sleeps in A-frame cabins or the camping caves.   Some nights with appropriate weather, campers might have the opportunity to sleep under the stars in a treeboat.  Survivor campers build a shelter where they stay the last few nights of camp.

Storm shelters exist in the basement of the lodge (where one session of campers sleep) and under the restrooms near the entrance to the camp.  Both structures have poured concrete walls and ceiling.  Storms are monitored and campers seek shelter if appropriate. A large bell is rung to alert staff and campers to seek shelter in the event of bad weather.

Experienced cooks using a modern kitchen prepare 3 tasty meals a day.  Be sure to list all food allergies on your health form.

Some younger or first time campers occasionally get homesick.  Camp Fontanelle encourages families with preschool through 2nd graders to attend Guardian Angel camp (for preschool-kindergarten) or Sonshine camp (for 1st-2nd graders).  These campers attend with a trusted adult (parents, grandparents, older sibling, aunt, uncle, etc) and only stay for 24-48 hours.  Most often campers who have visited camp as a young child and now know how the camp operates have a better time adjusting.  For campers who struggle with homesickness, bringing a friend to attend at the same time is helpful.   Those with fear at the beginning of the week are often those that do not want to leave by the end of week.  Staff keep campers busy and engaged which helps prevent homesickness.  We recognize that coming to camp is an important step in growing up, and it’s natural for some kids to feel anxious. We always work with campers and families including making contact with Parents as needed.  During the first conversation around homesickness we encourage the camper to try to work through their anxiety.  If the problem persists, we collaborate with the child in allowing the Program Director to talk directly to their Parent/Guardian.  This conversation can be helpful for both the camper and parents as they work through the week of camp.  Finally, if the problem still persists we invite the camper and parent to talk with one another over the phone.  We want kids to become more independent, grow in their faith and make it through the week, but we also understand that sometimes campers grow at different rates.  Staying just one day at camp maybe the first step in a series of steps to helping a child make it through an entire week.  We want to collaborate and accommodate families when it comes to these kinds of issues.

No camper will be turned away! We encourage you to contact your local pastor/church and inquire about help.  Many churches have scholarship funds for camp.  Other groups within the church, such as United Methodist Women, also provide assistance. All United Methodists churches are allowed TO SEND ONE FIRST TIME CAMPER AT 1/2 PRICE PER PASTOR through the ‘Hope & Promise’ Certificate.  Talk to your pastor/church for details.  If you have exhausted all other avenues, please contact Site Director Trent Meyer at 402-459-0686.