Camp · Religious · Ages 16–21
Directory · United States · Alabama · Nauvoo
▌ Religious · Ages 16–21

Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff

Nauvoo, AL

Camp McDowell offers a variety of summer camp programs, including a Special Session for campers with special needs, focusing on Christian formation and outdo...

▌ Editor's read Camp McDowell's website loads successfully and provides information about its summer camp programs, including a dedicated 'Special Session' for campers with special needs. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, with its accreditation expiring in 2024, as confirmed by the ACA directory. The website states that Camp McDowell has been operating for over 70 years, indicating a long-standing presence in youth camping. The camp is owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, classifying it as a church-owned entity. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and extensive training. Camp McDowell has a Google review rating of 4.9 stars based on 299 reviews, with many reviewers praising the positive impact on campers and the supportive staff. The program type is primarily overnight, offering various sessions throughout the summer. Social media handles include @campmcdowell on Instagram and 'campmcdowell' on Facebook.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 195670+ years operating
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 16–21

Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in religious, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
1956 (70 years)
Operator
Faith-based organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Religious
  • Ages: 16–21
  • 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 - Special Session Staff

What ages does Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff accept?
Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff is open to children ages 16–21. 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.
What are Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff's hours?
Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff 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 - Special Session Staff accredited?
Yes — Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 70 years. 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 - Special Session Staff?
Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff is operated by a faith-based organization, with 70 years of operating history. 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 - Special Session Staff provide lunch?
Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff 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 - Special Session Staff compare to other religious camps in Nauvoo?
Camp McDowell - Special Session Staff 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

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Camps near here

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