What an amazing summer of learning and growth this has been for Camp Onomia. In many ways, this was a new summer for all of us: a new site and role for me, an almost entirely new summer staff, new partnerships, the growth of Day Camp, and so many new campers experiencing Onomia for the first time.
And yet, through all that was new, we were reminded that this ministry is 77 years strong. What a legacy! Generations of campers, families, volunteers, and leaders have shaped this place into what it is today. We are grateful to be part of that story while also imagining what comes next.
This summer also brought a new way for us to walk together, literally! Our first Annual Walk-A-Thon brought people together from near and far and raised more than $3,000 to support the ministry of Camp Onomia. It was a wonderful reminder that this ministry is sustained not only by the people who come to camp, but by the many people who believe in what happens here.
Of course, there were some bumps along the way. Heat, wildfire smoke, changing plans, and all the other surprises that come with a Minnesota summer kept us on our toes. But overall, we are coming out of this summer with many happy memories, strengthened ideas, new relationships, and a deeper sense of where God is calling Onomia next.
Most importantly, we saw God's love being worn all summer long, in the laughter around the campfire, in a counselor sitting beside a homesick camper, in new friendships formed, in meals shared, in the patience of volunteers, and in the many ways people made room for one another.
Thank you for being part of this ministry. Whether you spent a week at camp, volunteered for a day, joined us for an event, walked miles for Onomia, prayed for us, or made a gift, you are part of the Onomia story. Here's to all that God has in store for the years ahead!
-Stephanie Engel, Executive Director
Stories from Camp Onomia
Giving Camp a Chance
One of our favorite parts of summer is seeing campers discover that they are capable of more than they thought.
In our newest Stories from Camp Onomia video, two first-time campers share what it was like to give summer camp a try for the very first time. They talk about their counselors, the food, new experiences, and even facing some fears along the way.
Most of all, they share something we love to hear: they are proud of themselves for giving camp a chance.
These are the moments that make summer camp so special. A new camper arrives unsure of what to expect and leaves with new memories, new confidence, and a reminder that trying something new can lead to something wonderful.
We’re grateful to these campers for sharing their stories, and grateful to everyone who helps make moments like these possible at Camp Onomia.
WOW! We Walked in Love!
The totals from our first annual Walk-A-Thon are in—and they are pretty incredible! $3,042.70 raised for the ministry of Camp Onomia!
And our walkers logged more than 1,378 miles this summer. That’s roughly 3 million steps. THREE MILLION. Three million little steps taken by our community to support children, youth, and families as they find space to grow and connect with Christ, Community, and Creation. That feels pretty incredible.
More than 50 people gave to this effort, and every single mile and dollar mattered. Whether you walked, donated, encouraged a participant, or simply cheered us on, thank you for being part of this first Walk-A-Thon.
We’re already excited to see where our feet take us next year! Thank you for walking with us!
Meet Marlys, one of Camp Onomia’s Evergreen Society members, and hear why she chooses to support this ministry month after month.
The video was recorded at our annual Donor Dinner, where Evergreen Society members gather alongside other generous donors to share a meal, hear about Onomia’s ministry, and celebrate the impact of their support.
When we started the Evergreen Society nearly a year ago, just 2 households were giving monthly. Today, we’ve grown to 5 households!
And we’re dreaming bigger.
Our 2027 goal: 15 Evergreen Circle households.
Monthly giving is a simple, steady way to invest in Camp Onomia’s future. Recurring gifts help us plan ahead, care for this special place, and continue creating meaningful experiences for people of all ages.
Will you join Marlys and help us grow from 5 to 15?
We’re excited to share that Kristal, our Head of Housekeeping, has been promoted to Director of Hospitality, a new full-time role beginning September 8!
Kristal will oversee the guest experience at Camp Onomia, with a primary focus on housekeeping and the kitchen. Her hard work, leadership, and attention to detail have already made a noticeable difference in the quality of our housekeeping, and we’re excited to see that same dedication extend across our hospitality operations.
And now, we’re hiring! Kristal’s Kitchen Team is looking for dependable, hardworking people to join our kitchen staff. Know someone who would be a great fit? Learn more and share the opportunity.
Please join us in congratulating Kristal on this exciting new chapter at Camp Onomia!
Join the Onomia Hospitality Team!
Camp Onomia is looking for Retreat Hosts—volunteers who help welcome retreat groups, make guests feel at home, and attend to their needs during their stay. Training is provided, and when lodging and meals are offered as part of the retreat, they are included for our hosts.
We’re also hiring for our kitchen team! If you enjoy serving others, working as part of a team, and helping create a welcoming camp experience, we’d love to hear from you.
Interested in either opportunity? Contact Stephanie at onomiaexec@gmail.com to learn more or get connected.
Camp Onomia is updating our fleet of watercraft, and that means some of our camp canoes are available for purchase! Canoes are priced at $150–$400, depending on condition. Interested in giving one a new home? Contact the Camp Office for availability and details.
Proceeds from the canoe sale will help us purchase paddleboards and kayaks, which are better suited to the current water levels and conditions on Shakopee Lake.
And don’t worry, canoe trips aren’t going away! Canoeing will continue to be part of Onomia programming. As water levels, wild ricing, and other conditions around camp continue to change, we’re also exploring opportunities to take canoe trips to other nearby waterways. We’re excited to keep getting people on the water, outside, and connected to Creation, just in some new ways!
As we approach the end of the month, it’s a good reminder to think about something we don’t always like to talk about: what do we want our legacy to look like?
Making a will is one of the simplest ways to care for the people and causes that matter most to you. And for many of us, our legacy isn’t just about what we leave behind—it’s about the values, communities, and places we want to help carry forward. Camp Onomia can be part of that legacy.
By including Camp Onomia in your estate plans, you can help ensure that generations to come have a place where people of all ages experience community, faith, nature, and radical hospitality. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Resources are available to help you explore your options, including the ELCA Foundation, ELCA Mission Investment Fund, Thrivent, and your own attorney or financial advisor.
A planned gift can take many forms, including a gift through your will, beneficiary designation, retirement account, life insurance policy, or other assets. You can make a difference today and help make sure Camp Onomia is here for tomorrow.
Interested in learning more about including Camp Onomia in your legacy plans? Contact Stephanie at onomiaexec@gmail.com. We’d be happy to help you take the next step.
