News

I am excited to introduce myself as the new Site Director of Wesley Woods. My name is Sean Gundersen, and I am originally from Hamburg, Iowa, in southwest Iowa. I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with degrees in Parks and Recreation Management and Administration. Since then, I have been working professionally in camp administration since 2014. I have had the pleasure of working at various organizations such as Camp Fire Iowa, Nebraska 4-H, and, most recently, at the Des Moines...

Written by Mark Slocum, Director of Camping and Spiritual Formation It is with mixed emotions and a heavy heart that I share the departure of Chip and Laura Hutler from our Wesley Woods UMC Camp. Laura has been offered an opportunity of a lifetime and as Chip begins to explore retirement and his next steps, they have chosen to accept this new opportunity and follow where they are being called next. My emotions range from sad that they are leaving, so glad that they have been called by God to ...

The mission of Iowa Methodist Camps is to allow our youth to explore Christ’s love in a safe and welcoming environment. Our annual campaign has become vital to the sustainability of our outdoor Christian faith experience for both our youth and adults. The annual campaign celebrates relationships both with God and with one another. It is an opportunity to share a camp story and the importance of continuing this ministry for our youth. Over the past three years, these stories have been shared ...

After 20 years in the camping program, the Iowa Conference announces the resignation of Bryan Johnson. Johnson has served as the Director of Camping and Retreat Ministries since 2016. His last day will be December 30, 2022. “My first position with Iowa United Methodist Camps was as a Summer Staff member in 2002,” said Johnson. “I’ve been blessed to serve as a seasonal staff member, Program Coordinator, Site Director, and now as the Director of Camps for Iowa. So much of who I am today is a ...

More than 100 volunteers and staff worked together on the phones this spring to raise over $345,000 for Iowa United Methodist Camp and Retreat Centers. This is the third year that the ministry has held a successful capital campaign.   “We're grateful for all the campaigners who made phone calls and in-person visits,” said Camp Registrar Shannon Bardole-Foley. “We’re extremely grateful to all the folks who made a gift and care so much about camps and getting kids to camp. We're just very grateful...

Written by Nancy Stockade, Iowa Conference United Women in Faith Iowa Conference United Women in Faith has awarded $200,000 in major grants —  $50,000 each to Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill in Des Moines, Shesler Hall in Sioux City and Iowa United Methodist Church Camp and Retreat Ministries. The grants are made possible by major funds from the estate of Barbara Csomay (SO-may) that were designated to Iowa Conference United Methodist Women (now United Women in Faith). Csomay, a ...

Are you looking for a summer job that gives you plenty of time outdoors, great fun with new friends, and an opportunity to impact the lives of children and youth? Apply for a camp job! If you are 18 years old or older and want to have the best summer of your life, we want to talk to you! Summer staff serve in areas of cabin leadership, activity leading, kitchen, multimedia and maintenance support. All seasonal staff receive salary, room, board and additional certifications!” Lake Okoboji ...

Submitted by Laura Hutler, Barnum Team Leader - Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center In mid-February, the United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries Association (UMCRM) received word that it was granted one million dollars to distribute to United Methodist Camps & Retreat Ministries in the U.S. The goal of the gift was to enable individual sites and ministries to take one significant step in the 2022 calendar year toward long-term impact and sustainability. The staff received word on March 24...

“100% of your pledge goes directly to helping a young person attend camp, or goes towards creating a state of the art ministry program to share Christ with young people right here in Iowa.” While there are only a few days left in the Annual Campaign to support kids attending camp there is a renewed sense of urgency with the announcement of a match gift challenge. What is a match gift challenge? Director of Camps Bryan Johnson explains that the idea is that whatever pledge you or your church ...

With a tremendous summer ministry program lined up, Iowa United Methodist Camps (iaumc.org/camps) is entering into the final week of their Annual Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness and support for the ministry of Okoboji and Wesley Woods UM Camps. “We anticipate sharing Christ with at least 1,500 youth this upcoming summer,” said Bryan Johnson, Director of Camps and Retreats. “The support of individuals and churches across the state enables us to provide timely and relevant...

With a mission of sharing Christ with kids, Iowa United Methodist Camps will once again be launching their Annual Campaign this February. The Camps Annual Campaign has become vital to the sustainability of outdoor Christian faith experiences for youth and adults in Iowa. As the apportionment system continues to change and financial support for extension ministries isn’t as readily available as it once was, the Iowa Board of Camps implemented an aggressive fundraising strategy to offset ...

We are excited to welcome Kali Tomlinson to the Lake Okoboji UM Camp Staff! Kali was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. She has a BA in Social Sciences from Michigan State University and a MS in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University. When Kali isn’t working, she enjoys cooking, reading, kayaking, trivia, exercise and writing letters. She especially enjoys spending time with family, friends and my kitty, Clover. Some of her favorite camp activities include campfires and tie-dye. ...

Dear Friends and Colleagues in Ministry, What an exciting time of year it is! As the weather begins to turn colder and Christmas decorations begin to pop up my heart is filled with gratitude for the amazing people that I have had the opportunity to partner with at the Iowa Annual Conference. Being your colleague is a joy and one that neither I nor the Iowa Camps Team takes for granted.  In 2019 Iowa United Methodist Camps started off on a journey to sustain itself apart from apportionment ...

In 2020, Okoboji and Wesley Woods United Methodist Camps suspended on-site programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this upcoming summer, plans are in place to have youth on-site so they can learn about Jesus Christ and make new friends.  “Sharing Christ with young people at camp is what we do best. We are thrilled to welcome back youth and adults to camp,” said Bryan Johnson, Director of Camps and Retreats.  The Iowa Camps Team consulted with the American Camp Association and the ...

As the Iowa Annual Conference transitions from eight districts to five, the districts will be renamed to honor the legacy of the Iowa United Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren Camp and Retreat Centers. The discernment of the new district names began in March 2020, and a small task force was officially named by the Bishop in March 2021. The new district names will be in effect on July 1, 2021. Central District will become the Riverview Park District Northeast District will become the ...

In preparation for having youth on-site in summer 2021, Iowa United Methodist Camps completed their second Annual Campaign at the end of February. This year over 100 volunteers campaigned for one month on behalf of the Okoboji and Wesley Woods United Methodist youth camping program.  As apportionment funding through the IAUMC continues to shift, Iowa United Methodist Camps are shifting as well to continue sharing Christ with kids. The Annual Campaign is a big part of that model as a primary ...

Laura Hutler, Equestrian Coordinator at Wesley Woods United Methodist Camp, has received the Distinguished Service Award through the Great Rivers chapter of the American Camp Association. This award is presented to an individual who has given “outstanding and distinguished service” to a camping program within the Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri area.    Laura was nominated by a group of camping professionals within the Midwest who recognized the value of the work that she has done this past ...

Halfway through an Annual February Campaign to support youth attending camp, Iowa United Methodist Camps have raised over $100,000 to share the love of Christ with young people. Now, an exciting announcement has been made.  “We’ve been incredibly blessed by a couple of generous families who have been positively impacted through Iowa’s shared United Methodist Camping Ministry,” says Bryan Johnson, Director of Camps and Retreats. “Any pledge made to Wesley Woods United Methodist Camp this ...

Okoboji and Wesley Woods United Methodist Camps are excited to launch their second annual campaign this February in preparation for offering youth programs on-site in summer 2021.    Director of Camps and Retreats, Bryan Johnson, views youth camping as a way to support youth and the future of United Methodism, “The sustainability of any church relies upon developing and growing the Christian faith in as many as possible. In that vein, Iowa United Methodist Camps are proud to be places where ...

Epiphany Address Transcript: WATCHING OVER ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE   January 4, 2021, Bishop Laurie Haller Epiphany Address  Iowa Annual Conference Bishop Laurie Haller:   Good evening, friends. Grace and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am deeply grateful that you have chosen to participate in this time of reflection and celebration of where we have been as United Methodists in Iowa and how God is leading us into a future with hope. This is a very tender time in the life ...

All clergy and laypersons in the Iowa Conference are invited to Bishop Laurie’s Epiphany Address: Watching Over One Another in Love, Livestreamed on Monday evening, January 4, 2021, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The address will be recorded for future viewing.   The address is based upon the Gospel Lesson for the Epiphany of Jesus Christ, Matthew 2:1-12. She intends to offer both a word of hope for the New Year and share reports on the formation of Circuit Ministry, church finances, a process for ...

Wesley Woods United Methodist Camp in Indianola, IA is continuing to impact lives in the name of Christ this fall season. October 17, 2020, from 1-4 pm is the annual Fall Festival at camp, and Gracie Green, the Program Coordinator at Wesley Woods, is excited to host youth and families.    “It’s going to be so great having people back on grounds in this new way,” says Gracie. “With COVID-19 we have been looking for different ways to be flexible while still keeping people safe. The Fall Festival ...

To pick your camp, download the 2021 Summer Camp Brochure and register today for an adventure of a lifetime!  

Registration for Backyard Camp can be found at www.iaumc.org/camps. The Summer of 2020 is just around the corner and with it comes opportunities to connect in different ways than ever before. Iowa United Methodist Camps are proud to announce “Backyard Camp”, a one-of-a-kind summer program offering from the combined staff at Wesley Woods and Okoboji United Methodist Camps.  Bryan Johnson, Director of Camps and Retreats says “connection with friends old and new is one of the best parts of the ...

To supporters of the Iowa United Methodist Camping Ministry: The Iowa United Methodist Camping Ministry has adopted core values which guide our values, principles and decision making. Our first core value is to “ensure guests feel safe, secure and loved”. As a result, today we are announcing that due to ongoing concerns regarding the safety and health of our campers, families and staff due to COVID-19 we will be cancelling all summer programs at Okoboji and Wesley Woods United Methodist Camps ...

It is an exciting week as we welcome Phil Bargfrede as the Program Coordinator at Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center (LOUMC).  Phil, and his wife Theresa, are moving to Spirit Lake from Grimes, Iowa where Phil served as the Children’s Director at Grimes United Methodist Church for ten years. Phil was also a member of the Iowa Board of Camps, a volunteer-based team working to better Iowa UMC Camping Ministries.  Phil is passionate about youth ministry because, “…it is not ...

Before you know it, summer will be here, and with it, an opportunity for kids of all ages to enjoy the unique experience that only an Iowa United Methodist camp can bring. Naturally that includes fun stuff like swimming, hiking, canoeing, archery, and crafts – but there’s so much more to it.  Click here to listen to the Iowa Conference Conversations podcast with Bryan Johnson  “We have three core values,” states Bryan Johnson, Director of Camping and Christian Formation.  “We want to make sure ...

The first-ever Iowa United Methodist Camps Annual Campaign is in its third week with positive results. “We are thrilled that people are saying yes to outdoor youth ministry,” says Duane Daby, campaign chair. “For young people camping is so often the catalyst for faith formation and discipleship. The Iowa Board of Camps and Retreats is positioning itself to thrive not just this year, but future years.” Through the first two full weeks of the campaign over 150 people have made pledges to either ...

“At the end of the week there’s a 99% chance that you’ll be crying because it’s so fun that you won’t want to leave” — Rodney, 9 years old, talking about his time at the Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp The Iowa Board of Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries (BOCCRM) is thrilled to launch its first Annual Campaign in beginning in February to support Iowa United Methodist Camps. This annual campaign is a direct fundraising campaign that will support Wesley Woods and Lake Okoboji United ...

See the 2020 Camping Catalog United Methodist Camps are at an important time here in Iowa. They are envisioning a loss of funding through the Conference via apportionment funds. Although losing all of their funding through the church can be seen as an intimidating challenge, they find themselves excited about the possibilities this opens up for them. Starting in February of 2020, they will be holding their inaugural Campaign to raise funds to support Iowa United Methodist Camps! In order for ...

The 2020 Iowa United Methodist Camp registration is now open and our programming has been developed to offer a summer of friendships, faith building at Lake Okoboji and Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Centers. Lake Okoboji Camp Located just off the shores of West Lake Okoboji, generations of campers have enjoyed afternoons at the Lake and evenings around the campfire. Onsite activities include archery, high ropes, go-karts, disc-golf, mountain boarding, canoeing, and so much more. At Lake Okoboji...

The Iowa Board of Conference Camps and Retreat Ministries is excited to announce that Eric Scheve has been hired as Site Director at the Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp. Eric has been a long-time employee of the camp, starting as  summer staff in 2011 and progressing now into his new role. “I have always loved working with people and camp is a perfect place to make that happen,” says Eric. “I am excited for the opportunity to continue making the Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp a place ...

Former campers, employees, camp counselors, board members, and supporters gathered on the grounds of Pictured Rocks United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center for the Deconsecrating Service held on August 25, 2019.  Speaking about the history of Pictured Rocks, Camp Director Gabe Dorrell said, “The reality came to fruition in 1961 when the first campers enjoyed camp here in this sacred space. History goes with us. When we leave this place, the relationships that have been built, that have been ...

A New Way to Support Camping Iowa United Methodist Camps are excited to launch the Kindling Club, a new way to ensure the sustainability of camping across the state for the next generation of youth and adults. Okoboji, Pictured Rocks and Wesley Woods United Methodist Camps have impacted hundreds of thousands of lives over the past 100+ years. Many people, myself included, look at their time at camp as the single most formational faith experience of their lives. If you weren’t already aware,...

The status of Pictured Rocks United Methodist Camp has been a topic of conversation at the Pre-District Conferences around the state. To help provide clarity on the current status, answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions are provided below. Q: What is the status of Pictured Rocks United Methodist Camp? A: The Board of Camps has voted to recommend a sale of Pictured Rocks United Methodist Camp to Camp Courageous. The Board of Camps cannot execute a sale as it is the property of the ...

Bryan Johnson shared with Annual Conference Session attendees Saturday morning about what it means to have an "Adventure of a Lifetime" with the Iowa United Methodist Camp Program.  Drawing from this year's camping theme, Johnson illustrated the fruit born by United Methodist camps, also sharing potential significant changes in the camp program's future. Johnson began with a photo of him as an adolescent around the time he first attended an Iowa United Methodist Camp, saying God became real to...

Camp Hope, a camp for children and youth with family members who are or have been incarcerated, is happening again this summer at Wesley Woods Camp and Pictured Rocks Camp. This three-day camp focuses on having fun in a safe space where campers can just be kids, and also learn about Christ's love for them. The Camp Hope team knows the difference that this program makes in the lives of its campers, so a Camp Hope experience is completely covered through scholarships. The Board of Church and ...

Camp registration for the 2018 season is officially open! Come join us at Lake Okoboji, Pictured Rocks, or Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Centers for an Adventure of a Lifetime! Registration information can be found at www.iaumc.org/camps, or by calling the camp registrar at 1-800-765-1651.   Camp Ambassador Packets will be mailed to churches soon, so watch your mailboxes! These guides help you promote camps at your church with a start-to-finish program including recommended Bible verses and ...

Chip Hutler is the new site director for Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center, located in Indianola, Iowa. He’s been in the ‘camp business’ for nearly 30 years, working at camps and YMCAs from Wisconsin to Arizona. Strangely enough, though, he didn’t grow up as a camper – in fact, he found himself rather unexpectedly falling into his career. Click to watch the interview with the new Wesley Woods site director, Chip Hutler. “I blame my wife,” Chip laughs. “My wife and I met in college in an ...

The Iowa Annual Conference Camping and Retreat Ministry is seeking an experienced professional to lead and manage Wesley Woods United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center in Indianola, IA. Former Site Director Deke Rider and Equestrian Coordinator Suzanne Rider have recently resigned to pursue other opportunities. “Deke and Su have impacted thousands of lives during their time at Wesley Woods and we are thankful for their ministry” says Bryan Johnson, LDM for Camping and Christian Formation. “We ...