Gulf Plains Family Camp 2026

The Heart of the Weekend

Rest. Reconnect. Refocus.

Our families are busier than they have ever been. Practices, screens, deadlines, and drive-throughs set the tempo of our weeks. Family Camp is a holy interruption: two nights in God's creation where the schedule serves your family instead of running it.

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Rest

Unhurried time outdoors. No rushing, no screens required, room to breathe.

🤝

Reconnect

Play, eat, laugh, and worship side by side with your kids and your church family.

🔦

Refocus

Practical teaching on building rhythms of faith that survive the drive home.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”

Psalm 19:1–2

The Weekend at a Glance

Three days, one pace: God's.

Come for the whole weekend or just for the day on Saturday. Everyone is welcome either way.

Friday, Oct 2Arrive & Unplug

4:00 pmCheck-in, set up camp, explore
6:30 pmCookout dinner together
8:00 pmWelcome campfire, s'mores, and singing
9:30 pmGlow Wars for the kids, coffee for the parents

Saturday, Oct 3The Full Day

8:00 amBreakfast
9:30 amFamily session: Sacred Rhythms
11:00 amCreation scavenger hunt and free time
12:30 pmLunch
2:00 pmFamily Camp Olympics
5:00 pmCast-Iron Cook-Off dinner
7:30 pmLegacy Campfire and blessing letters
9:30 pmThe Heavens Declare stargazing

Sunday, Oct 4Worship & Send-Off

7:30 amSunrise worship and communion
8:30 amPancake breakfast
10:00 amFamily devotional and camp blessing
12:00 pmLunch, pack up, head home renewed

Draft schedule. Times and sessions will be finalized closer to camp.

Signature Moments

The stuff your kids will still talk about at Thanksgiving.

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Legacy Campfire

Parents and grandparents share three-minute faith stories around the fire. We record the audio so every family takes home a keepsake of their own generation's testimony.

Saturday Night

✉️

Blessing Letters

Moms and dads write a sealed letter of blessing to each child on Friday. They are read aloud by firelight on Saturday. Bring tissues, seriously.

Tissues Required

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Family Camp Olympics

Every family is a team with its own flag, made Friday night. Tug-of-war, egg toss, three-legged races, and a medal ceremony with zero athletic ability required.

All Ages

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The Heavens Declare

Blankets out, lights off, eyes up. A guided stargazing devotional straight out of Psalm 19, with a telescope for the curious.

Theme Night

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Cast-Iron Cook-Off

Dutch ovens, secret recipes, and bragging rights. Teams cook, the whole camp judges, and everybody eats the entries for dinner.

Everyone Judges

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Glow Wars

Capture the flag after dark with glow sticks on every kid. Ends with a full-camp glow parade back to the fire.

After Dark

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Golden Hour Portraits

Free family mini-sessions at sunset. Come home with a real family photo where everyone is actually together and actually outside.

Free Keepsake

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The Unplugged Challenge

Optional phone drop-off at check-in. Families who go screen-free all weekend get entered in a prize drawing, and get their weekend back.

Optional, Worth It

Your Weekend, Your Way

Stay the weekend or come for the day.

There is a lane for every family, from full-weekend campers to Saturday day-trippers. Pricing and lodging options will be announced with registration.

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Tent & RV Camping

The full experience. Pitch your tent with your church family and fall asleep to crickets instead of notifications.

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Cabins & Lodging

Indoor options for families with little ones, grandparents, or anyone whose back has opinions about sleeping on the ground.

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Day Trippers

Can't stay the night? Come Saturday morning and stay through the campfire. You will not miss the good stuff.

Good to Know

Questions families actually ask.

Who is Family Camp for?

Everyone. Singles, couples, kids, teens, and grandparents. It is built around families doing the weekend together rather than splitting everyone into separate programs.

Do we have to stay overnight?

No. Overnight is the full experience, but day trippers are completely welcome. Saturday runs morning to campfire and is worth the drive on its own.

What about our little ones and nap time?

Families with small children can step away for naps and breaks whenever needed. The schedule leaves real margin on purpose.

Will our kids be supervised?

Family Camp is a together event, so children stay with their parents throughout the weekend. It keeps everyone safe and it is kind of the whole point.

What should we bring?

A packing list comes with registration. Plan on outdoor clothes, layers for the evening, camp chairs, flashlights, and a Bible. We will handle the rest.

How much does it cost?

Pricing is being finalized and will be announced when registration opens. There will be affordable options for every family size, and cost should never keep a family home. Talk to us.