Northern Pines is the premier non-denominational Christ-centered family conference in the Midwest. Started in 1974 to provide a life-changing vacation experience for families, Northern Pines has helped thousands of conferees see the difference Jesus can make in their lives and their homes.
Over 1,000 people come together each summer to learn from inspiring speakers and musicians and to enjoy the dynamic and caring children, youth, and young adult programs that are offered. They truly do experience “A Vacation with a Purpose!”
So, what does a week at Northern Pines look like?
We offer solid, Biblically based, age-appropriate programming for everyone in your family. Each week is created to offer a wide variety of teaching, activities, and time with family and friends.
Families with children birth through 3rd grade stay together for the week. Each morning, while the adults enjoy Biblical teaching and social time with other adults, your children will be learning Biblical truths from our loving teachers. Your children stay with you for the afternoon—unless you hire a CCA for afternoon childcare. There are a wide range of afternoon activities: hiking, golfing, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, disc golf, a children's fishing contest, pottery, stone polishing, stained glass making, other crafts, a beach, swimming area, and peaceful places around the lake! After dinner your assigned CCA plays with your children and puts them to bed while you enjoy more teaching and quality time with your spouse and other adults.
Children 4th grade and older stay with their age-based programs and enjoy age-appropriate games and Biblical lessons. All the program directors and staff stay with the campers; they eat together and play games together as well as lead the small groups and Bible studies. Every day in the mornings, staff from the Wilderness will come to the Adult program to share a brief update. "Family Day" is on Wednesday, and your children in the youth programs join you for the afternoon. On Thursday afternoon, parents will have an opportunity to meet the Junior High and Senior High program directors and speak one-on-one with each of their children's counselors.
Children's Program
The morning portion of our Children's program provides age-appropriate activities and lessons while their parents enjoy their own programing with the other adults. Younger children (birth–age 2) are in nurseries, staffed with teachers and CCA assistants who play, sing, and walk with your little ones as they share God's love. Those in our older classes get to experience a God-filled week learning about His love for them through music, games, hikes, crafts, and playtime.
In the afternoon, children stay with their parents, or you can hire afternoon childcare. There are various crafts and activities available, including a fishing contest!
In the evening, each family has an assigned CCA—babysitter—for the week. This teenager will play with your children and then put them to bed and wait with them until you return for the evening. You will have an opportunity to share instructions and specific requests for your CCA before you arrive at camp.
The Wilderness
Students 4th to 6th grade join our Wilderness program which is less than a quarter mile up the road from the main campus. They stay in their own cabins and enjoy a fun 'away from home' camp experience while being just a quick walk away from mom and dad.
A day in the Wilderness is highly structured with many creative activities. They enjoy Biblical teaching that weaves the story of Moses and the Israelites wandering in the desert seeking God throughout the week. They have small groups, lots of fun and games, some free time with their tribe (students are never without their cabin leader), meals together and end each day at Tabernacle—sitting around the fire worshipping, praying and learning together before they head to their cabins for small groups and bed. The Wilderness is an exciting and creative way to allow your children to experience a week at camp without being far from Mom and Dad!
In the Wilderness, the staff all go by Biblical names. The campers enjoy trying to figure out their real names!
Junior and Senior High
Students 7th to 9th and 10th to recent graduates are part of our Junior High and Senior High programs. They stay in the Robbins Youth Centers and experience God through engaging worship, relevant teaching and small group discussions, games, activities, and afternoon free time.
The Junior and Senior High program directors are Northern Pines alumni and most of the counselors have grown up attending Northern Pines as well. Each week is filled with an active schedule full of time for fun and friendships all the while learning more about the God who loves them. Campers are engaged in a variety of activities such as field games, games at the lake, some time at the climbing tower and ropes course as well as sneaky night games. Make sure you pack some dark clothes!
Northern Pines Statement of Faith
The following statement is a representation of the beliefs of Northern Pines camp, our staff, and our Board of Directors.
- We believe in the Bible as the Word of God, a divine revelation, in the original language verbally inspired in its entirety. We accept the Bible as the final authority in all matters.
- We believe in the Deity of the Triune God: God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit
- We believe in the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His substitutionary atonement for sin, His bodily resurrection and His personal, visible return to earth to reign in righteousness and glory.
- We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit and His Word of conviction, regeneration and sanctification and who indwells every believer.
- We believe in the necessity of the New Birth, in Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
- We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, a spiritual organism of born again believers who publicly confess Christ, and remember His death in the sacrament of communion.
- We believe in the importance of a life wholly committed to the will of God, in Christ.
The bylaws of Northern Pines require that staff members and members of the Board of Directors sign this statement each year.