This summer, Broken Arrow Ranch welcomed 287 campers, nearly a 10 percent increase over last year, to experience the theme There’s More.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Tuttle Creek, campers were immersed in nature’s glory: breathtaking sunsets during worship on the hill, peaceful morning devotionals in the woods at our green cathedral where the cicadas never stop singing, and camp music filling the air. Old favorites like I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing blended with new ones, including our popular theme song, That’s Who I Praise.
The spiritual impact was powerful and moving. Forty-eight campers gave their lives to Jesus for the very first time. Fifty-nine recommitted their lives to our Savior. Forty-two said they want to begin baptismal studies. Thirty-nine requested to join small groups. Seventy-nine committed to serve in their churches or communities. Twenty-four signed up to join Adventurers or Pathfinders and keep the momentum going.
Most moving of all were the four baptisms that took place in our lake. Two campers came to Earliteen camp already planning to be baptized. One made her decision during her second week, inspired by friends who had gone before her. Another longtime camper, encouraged by years of attending and the example of his counselors, chose to make his faith public in front of his church district during a special Sabbath afternoon gathering by the lake.
This year also brought the launch of several new initiatives. Our new mountain bikes were a hit, and campers learned water skills such as wakeboarding, kneeboarding and water skiing. One of our lifeguards became a certified Red Cross instructor, which allowed us to train our own staff. This added an extra week of camp for trainees and brought some of us to a full nine weeks of summer training and ministry.
The Hispanic Youth Rally gave young people, many of whom attend our vibrant Hispanic camp meetings, a chance to enjoy the full range of camp activities. Spanish-speaking staff led worship in both Spanish and English, celebrating the beauty of our bilingual church culture.
Our Blind Camp welcomed its first camper this summer. She was accompanied by a nurse and her husband who volunteered to care for her every step of the way. She embraced every bumpy adventure—jet skiing, tubing, go-karts, and boat rides—with joy and enthusiasm. At times her energy wore out her attendant, but our young adult camp staff stepped in to help and support, leaving her in tears of gratitude. Everyone was blessed that she came.
Earliteen camp was so popular that we had to turn away some girls because of limited space in the girls’ village. Thankfully, we expect three new cabins to be ready by summer 2026. If you are one of our generous donors, thank you for helping make that possible.
Young Adult Camp welcomed 20 pioneering participants to this new program, creating space for deeper conversations, stronger connections, and spiritual renewal that can be hard to find outside of large Adventist communities. One young man, attending camp for the first time, was so blessed by the experience that he donated to our Serve More cabin-building campaign.
Our staff were also deeply blessed as they served our campers this summer, and most hope to return next year to continue growing and serving as part of our camp family.
For all who came to our campus and had eyes to see it, there were reminders everywhere that with God, there is always more.
Nick Snell is youth and young adult director for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
