Camp McDowell - Elementary I
Camp McDowell offers a faith-based overnight camp experience for elementary-aged children, focusing on outdoor activities, community, and spiritual growth in...
▌ Editor's read The Camp McDowell website (mcdowellsummercamp.org) loads successfully and provides detailed information about their programs. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, indicating adherence to industry standards for safety and program quality. The camp is owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, making it a church-affiliated organization. They offer overnight programs for various age groups, including Elementary I, with a focus on outdoor activities, community building, and spiritual growth. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and receive extensive training. Google reviews for 'Camp McDowell' show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 250 reviews, with many reviewers praising the beautiful natural setting, caring staff, and positive impact on campers. Social media handles found are @campmcdowell on Instagram and 'campmcdowell' on Facebook, both actively updated.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
Who thrives here Ages 8–9
Camp McDowell - Elementary I fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given religious program.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- Not listed
- Operator
- Faith-based organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Religious
- Ages: 8–9
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 105 Delong Rd, Nauvoo, AL 35578
Runs 24-hour residential, 11 sessions (11 one-week), from May 22 to Jul 31.
Sessions
Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.
- Session 1 May 22 – 24, 2026 · 1 week · $200
- Session 2 May 24 – 28, 2026 · 1 week · $150
- Session 3 May 25 – 28, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 4 May 28 – 31, 2026 · 1 week · $300
- Session 5 May 30 – Jun 6, 2026 · 2 weeks
- Session 6 Jun 5 – 8, 2026 · 1 week · $300
- Session 7 Jun 13 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $600
- Session 8 Jun 25 – 29, 2026 · 1 week · $400
- Session 9 Jul 7 – 12, 2026 · 1 week · $500
- Session 10 Jul 17 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $200
- Session 11 Jul 24 – 31, 2026 · 2 weeks · $700
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp McDowell - Elementary I
- What ages does Camp McDowell - Elementary I accept?
- Camp McDowell - Elementary I is open to children ages 8–9. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp McDowell - Elementary I cost?
- Camp McDowell - Elementary I publishes $300/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp McDowell - Elementary I's hours?
- Camp McDowell - Elementary I runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Camp McDowell - Elementary I accredited?
- Yes — Camp McDowell - Elementary I is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Camp McDowell - Elementary I?
- Camp McDowell - Elementary I is operated by a faith-based organization. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp McDowell - Elementary I provide lunch?
- Camp McDowell - Elementary I does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Camp McDowell - Elementary I compare to other religious camps in Nauvoo?
- Camp McDowell - Elementary I is one of 12 religious camps in Nauvoo that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp McDowell - Elementary I with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp McDowell - Elementary I.
- Camp McDowell - Bethany's Kids Campers · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 9–13
- Camp McDowell - Primary I · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 6–8 · $200/week
- Camp McDowell - Primary II · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 6–8 · $200/week
- Camp McDowell · Nauvoo, AL
- Camp McDowell - Elementary II · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 10–11 · $300/week
- Camp McDowell - Junior High · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 12–13 · $500/week
- Camp McDowell - Middler · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 11–12 · $400/week
- Camp McDowell - Senior · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 16–17 · $700/week