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Camp Nakamun is a summer camp and year-round retreat destination.
We host kids, youth and family camps in the summer, and welcome groups of all sizes to join us year-round for a few days to get away from the busyness and every day schedules of life.
Why Nakamun Exists
Our mission is to encounter God, enrich relationships, and experience creation.
Camp Nakamun exists to be an inviting, innovative, and growing summer camp, retreat ministry, and host facility. Our desire is to connect with communities and partnerships with our churches to reach children, youth, and adults with the message of Jesus Christ.
We are a non-profit charitable organization owned by the Western Canadian District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. We operate in accordance with the statement of faith, principles and directives of the Christian & Missionary Alliance of Canada.
Our Location
We are located an hour NW of Edmonton. Not too far away, but just far enough to make it feel like you’re getting away!
Our main site is rests on the north side of Lake Nakamun.
Multiple Sites, one Mission
Up the road from our Main Site is our North Shore property and our Nakamun Ranch.
Our North Shore property is also home to our Nakamun Outdoors program. This is for kids that love being outside. Camping in tents, cooking over the fire, chopping wood, throwing axes and shooting arrows are all part of this experience.
This land also holds our Paintball fields.
We transport both Outdoor and Paintball campers to this site. Registration still takes place at the main Nakamun site.
Just 1/2 mile North of our Main Site is our Nakamun Ranch. Starting in 2016, we began running our Horsemanship and Ranch camps completely on their own at the ranch.
We have a new indoor riding arena and 5 cabins nestled in the spruce trees. Plans are in the works for a dining facility. Staying at the ranch means more time with the horses, just what our Horsemanship campers have been hoping for!
Horsemanship Camp registration takes place at the Nakamun Ranch.
Our Story
The story of Camp Nakamun really begins with the assignment of Jessie Hyde, from Ottawa, to do mission work for the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination in this area, first in Fort Chippewa, then later in Onoway.
In connection with local ministries, the need for a vacation bible day camp and summer camp location was discussed. After running camps around the Lac La Nonne area, land came up for sale on the north side of Lake Nakamun. This was in 1947, and the price tag was $2500.
Children and Family Camps ran over the years, and in 1990, our multipurpose Lodge was built. This allowed ministry to expand even further year-round with school groups coming for band camp and church groups for retreats.
Leadership team
Rob Toews
Executive Director
I have been working at Camp Nakamun since March of 2005. I moved into the role of Executive Director in April 2017.
I am married to Deb and we have four adult children. I love the life-changing impact camp ministry has on children, youth, and families as they attend and serve at camp.
Larry Lindberg
Financial Director
I’ve been involved at Nakamun for many years. I enjoy the community and seeing the impact this ministry has on kids and families.
Luke Henkelman
Operations Director
I started at Camp Nakamun in September of 2006
Camp ministry has been my passion and vocation for all my adult life. God has used camp ministry to help shape me and show me the transforming power of living and playing in community. I am blessed and honoured to be working and raising my family at Camp Nakamun.
Daylene Penner
Program Manager
I’ve been on staff in a year-round role at Nakamun since 2011.
I grew up going to Nakamun and loving camp. I was that camper who would cry when it was time to go home so, I just never left. It is a huge blessing to be apart of this ministry with my family -husband Peter (Maintenance Manager at Camp) and kids, Gerald, Clara and Walter.
Brett Gitzel
Ministry Support Manager
I’ve been on staff in a year-round role at Nakamun since 2013.
Camp Nakamun has always been a special place for me. Even now, when I come to work, I am reminded of how cool it is to be helping create such a unique environment for kids to experience and come to life in.
Debbie Toews
Hospitality Manager
I have been working at Camp Nakamun for 15 years
“I have been part of Camp Nakamun since I was in junior high and I have seen how God works through camp to change lives. I love that in my role I can have a part in helping people feel welcome here as they step away from their everyday lives and enjoy some time at camp.”
Carol Kosman
Bookings coordinator
I’ve been serving here at camp for many years. The people here are like family to me. I love being able to welcome groups to join us, and giving them a chance to have some fun outside in God’s creation.
Peter Penner
Maintenance Manager
I’ve been full-time at camp since 2011. I love the diversity of the role as Maintenance Manager. I also love Nakamun sausages for breakfast!
Getting Here
NOTE FOR 2021: Construction for the 2 miles directly North of Camp Nakamun. Watch for the detour signs.
Google will usually give good directions to camp. However, go the Busby/Dunstable route if you want to avoid gravel roads. The best way to get to Nakmun from Edmonton is to head North on Hwy 44. Turn west at Hwy 651, go through Busby, then after about 20 km turn south at Dunstable school. After 7 km the road will curve to the west. Nakamun’s entrance is on the right.