The Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji seeks to be a sacred space where all can come experience God and be a center for Presbyterian Christianity. The camp serves North Central Iowa, Prospect Hill, and Minnesota Valley presbyteries and is associated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Each summer we employ 18-20 high school and college aged staff who are trained to minister to campers of all ages and backgrounds. In a typical camping season, we offer camping opportunities to children ages 5-18 and children at heart ages 55 and older. Camp activities include archery, art and crafts, canoeing, kayaking, swimming in West Lake Okoboji, camp outs, cookouts, challenge course elements, Bible studies, worship, etc. and are carefully designed and selected to enhance community among cabin groups as well as develop the self – image of our campers. Because we are concerned not only about our camper’s faith journey, but also their personal safety, we are accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA). The ACA is an organization which sets standards in the areas of site and food service, transportation, health and wellness, programming, and personnel. We are visited by the ACA every three years to ensure that we are in compliance with these standards.
Jason and Melissa McDuffie serve as Executive Directors of the Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji. They grew up in northeast Mississippi and worked at a Presbyterian camp, Camp Hopewell, in Oxford, MS where they met, dated, and eventually married. In 2005, they moved to Iowa and took program positions at the Presbyterian Camp on Okoboji.
Jason grew up in Nettleton, MS where he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He graduated from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 2002 with a degree in Education. For three years, he was a math teacher in rural Mississippi while still making it back to Camp Hopewell to work during the summer.
Melissa grew up in Tupelo, MS (only 15 minutes from Nettleton) and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Belhaven College, Mississippi’s lone Presbyterian College with a degree in Biblical Studies.