Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands Camp Nakomis is located on 35 wooded acres in Carter Lake, IA. Miles of hiking trails, numerous campsites and a fishing dock give campers countless opportunities to enjoy themselves, all in a safe and positive environment. Camp Nakomis is the perfect place for youth ages 6-14 to enjoy the outdoors. Camp Nakomis is open to the public.
We have several outdoor activities for your child/ children to enjoy. We have 9 campsites, a beach, fields, swimming pool, a fishing dock, canoes, a pontoon boat, archery site, outdoor billiards, race car track and a basketball court. Throughout the course of the day, we rotate through the different areas and sites enjoying the outdoors and participating in group games and activities. Day to day we will fish, hike, shoot bows and arrows, make friends, swim and of course have fun. Our weekly themes will be incorporated throughout those activities.
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$185 per week
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands and Camp Nakomis observe Juneteenth. Reduced weekly fee $148.
Campers may sign up for one week or up to all seven weeks. Parents may sign up multiple campers at the same time, but must be the parent/guardian of all campers they enroll. Registration will remain open for all weeks as long as spots remain.
Registration Notes: - Please only register for weeks you intend your camper to attend. - Payment must be made in full for all weeks registered. Weekly payments will not be accepted. - Refund requests will only be granted prior to May 1st, 2023. - No refunds will be granted after May 1st, 2023. - Upon completing payment, you may print a receipt with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands’ Tax ID number included for your records. - Registration and payment information will be sent directly to Camp Director, Courtney Comfort.
*Completed application and checks can be mailed to:
BGCM Carter Lake, c/o Evelyn Taylor 4101 N. 17th Street Carter Lake, IA 51510
REGISTER FOR CAMP ONLINE: Must use Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater
Week 1 (June 3rd -7th ) – Hello Summer! Welcome to Camp Nakomis and hello summer! This week we’ll be learning new games and engaging in all the activities Camp Nakomis has to offer while meeting new friends and getting to know your camp counselors! Get ready for an exciting summer full of swimming, canoeing, finishing, archery, gaga ball, and so much more!
Week 2 (June 10th -14th ) – Sensational STEAM Week Science is fun for everyone! This week, campers will have the opportunity to learn how to build a robot, create and test a DIY water balloon launcher, conduct science experiments, and make scented slime. These activities foster valuable 21st-century life skills like problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and more.
Week 3 (June 17th -21st ) – Camp Nakomis Circus Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls… join us under the big top for sweet treats (cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn), fun crafts (balloon animals and face painting), wide life encounters and a variety of traditional carnival games. Don’t miss out on the fun! There will be no Camp on Wednesday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth.
Week 4 (Week 24th -28th ) – Olympic Games Week Join us for a week of minute to win it games, sports, and competitions here at Camp Nakomis! This week, campers will take part in opening and closing ceremonies, compete in various summer sports, create their very own Olympic rings, and have the opportunity to go for the gold!
Week 5 (July 8th -12th ) – Camp Nakomis’ Got Talent Join us for one of our most infamous weeks at Camp Nakomis! This week, campers will have the opportunity to prepare for our end-of-the-week talent show! Acts will range from singing and dancing to musical performance and showing off your athletic abilities. Every camper is encouraged to partake in the fun as part of a group performance or as a solo act. Groups will also create skits and perform them at the end of the week. Show us what you got!
Week 6 (July 15th -19th) – Splish Splash Water Week Come make a splash at Camp Nakomis and join us for a week of water fun! This week will be all about cooling off with a cardboard boat competition, water relays, and all sorts of other water games!
Week 7 (July 22nd - 26th ) – Spirit Week
It’s the last week of camp, so join us and show your Camp Nakomis spirit!! It’ll be a week full of team spirit team-based activities! Dress for the daily themes, create team flags, create a Camp Nakomis parody song, and compete in activities and relay races against other teams!
Please Note:
Please note: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is observing Juneteenth on June 19. We will not be having camp on this day. Rates have been adjusted to reflect this.
No Camp week of July 4th.
*Please use Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater to register online*
8 am – 9 am: Arrival & Breakfast 9 am – 10 am: area 1 10 am – 11 am: area 2 11:30 am – 12 pm: Lunch is provided 12 pm – 1 pm: area 3 1 pm – 2 pm: area 4 2 pm – 3 pm: area 5 3 pm – 3:30 pm: area 6
All camper groups will get to swim every day.
8 am – 9 am: Arrival & Breakfast 9 am – 10 am: Counselors will greet kids and get groups ready: area 1 10 am – 11 am: area 2 11:30 am – 12 pm: Lunch is provided 12 pm – 1 pm: Water Inflatables 1 pm – 2 pm: Inside the club for games 2 pm – 3 pm: Pool 3 pm – 3:30 pm: Inside the Education Building
Campers will get lessons from counselors on how to appropriately use a bow and arrow. They can play with a variety of targets and learn different games to play. Their favorite thing to do is get a bullseye!
Husker Campsite has a pool table, foosball table, giant connect four, and card games. The campers get their own outdoor billiards area.
Campers will get to go fishing at this site. Once a week, we will give boat rides on our very own pontoon boat. Camp Nakomis will provide all sizes of Coastguard approved life jackets.
Campers can play volleyball, beach volleyball, tag in the sand or create sand castles with water tunnels. Take your pick at this two-court sand volleyball area.
Circle games, theater games, or obstacle challenges. This area has trunk like bleachers and an open spot for campers to learn and play new circle and/ or theatre games.
Triangle Ball, card games, basketball, chalk drawings, and of course a camper favorite gaga ball is played here. The campers have a choice of gaga ball or various different pavilion games.
Take a break from the heat inside the Boys & Girls Club. Video games (XBOX & Wii) or even watch a movie. Campers can draw, color, make art projects and play board games.
Whether it is kick ball, duck duck goose, peanut butter and jelly tag, relay races, or soccer. This huge green space has a lot of possibilities.
Water games, group games, world cup soccer, or team soccer. This green space is a bit more shaded and a camper favorite as well.
Pick up at First National Tower near the corner of 16th & Capitol. Directly across from the Double Tree hotel. 1620 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68102 Pick up at 8:00 am Drop Off at 4:15 pm
Parents have until 5:00PM to pick up campers.
On the East side of 34th Street between Dodge & Farnam Streets 34th St. & Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68131 Pick up at 8:00 am Drop off at 4:30 pm
North side of Dick's Sporting Goods 10000 California Street, Omaha, NE 68114 Pick up at 8:00 am Drop off at 4:45 pm
*** Pick up after 5 pm from bus locations will result in a $20 late fee. Campers will not be able to return until that fee is paid.**
Parents can join us for lunch every Friday at 11:30. An awards ceremony will also take place at 3:15 every Friday and is open to parents.
*Lunch will not be provided for parents
Water Sunscreen Bug Spray Breakfast Lunch
Campers are encouraged to bring the following:
Water bottle Hat or baseball cap Extra sun block if desired Mid-afternoon snack if parents feel campers will need one Swimsuit or old clothes that can get wet/muddy and a towel every day for water activities
Campers MUST bring tennis shoes and socks. (Sandals are permitted for water activities, but must not be the only footwear campers bring for the whole day) *Please note – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands encourages every parent to put camper’s names on all personal belongings. BGCM is not responsible for any lost or stolen property.
Campers will be put into groups each Monday. These groups will remain the same throughout the week. We put campers into age-appropriate groups that will work for both staff and campers. Requests to be with friends or with/without siblings will be handled accordingly on an as needed basis.
No. Camp Nakomis is a fee-based program and scholarships are not available.
Your child will receive a Camp Nakomis shirt as a thank you for registering. They will receive this on the first day of camp or at the parent meeting.
Heat Advisory Days: We will combine camp groups and make sure they are outside where there is water, or inside where there is air conditioning for 45 minutes of time and then we will rotate. Each campsite/location will be visited by campers at least twice a week to ensure a successful camp experience.
Inclement Weather: If there is light rain without thunder or lightning, we will continue our camp day as normal. We will bring campers inside until thunder or lightning have been clear 30 minutes. We will provide themed rain day activities.
Camper safety and well-being are of utmost importance; however, kids get bumps, bruises and the like. Non-emergency first aid issues are handled by trained camp staff. Parents will be immediately notified of any major injuries. In cases of emergency, the camp has a fantastic relationship with the Carter Lake Fire Department, and any emergencies involving major injury will be handled by their Fire & Rescue Squads. Camp has complete insurance coverage but requests that all campers have personal medical insurance as well. The closest hospital is Nebraska Medical Center 4350 Dewey Ave, Omaha, NE 68105
All counselors are certified in CPR & First Aid. All water activities are supervised by our Aquatics Team, who will carry a Lifeguard Certificate on top of the CPR/First Aid Training. The American Red Cross facilitates training.
No. The Camp Nakomis fees only cover access to the camp itself. Normal club program fees are separate. To learn about Club program fees, hours, and locations please visit www.bgcomaha.org and contact the Club you are interested in visiting.
You may drop off at the Carter Lake Club as early as 8:00 AM and pick up as late as 5:30 PM. Please contact Evelyn Taylor, Club Director, to set up drop off and pick at the Carter Lake Club.
Yes. The Jr. Counselor Program is back. Youth ages 14-15 may interview to become Jr. Counselors. Interviews with Courtney Comfort will be held by appointment 3/1 – 5/1. Jr. Counselors will assist staff in working Camp Nakomis and learn many important job skills. All Jr. Counselors will receive end-of-year assessments and recommendations. Jr. Counselors must pay half price camp fees. All Jr. Counselors will be asked for a minimum of 2-week commitment.
Yes. It is very important that you only register for the weeks you intend your camper to attend, but if a scheduling conflict arises you may change the dates of camp attendance – you can substitute a week for another week, but cannot cancel any weeks after May 1.
No, Camp Nakomis does not accept Title 20 at this time.
The summer is a time for kids to let loose and enjoy themselves in a safe, positive environment. However, any camper who engages in behavior that is dangerous or disrespectful to themselves, fellow campers, camp staff or the campgrounds runs the risk of being sent home for the day or suspended from camp for the duration of the summer, regardless of any amount of fees already submitted.
Please note:
Evelyn Taylor Camp Director
etaylor@bgcomaha.org Phone: 712.347.5687
4101 North 17th St. Carter Lake, IA 51510
