ABOUT US
MAKING MEMORIES. CHANGING LIVES.
ABOUT CAMP SONSHINE
What We Do
Camp Sonshine is a non-profit, Christian camp and events center with headquarters just minutes south of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Our passion is to UNLOCK & UNLEASH kingdom builders through leveraging camp experiences to provide a place to BELONG & BECOME.
Day Camps
Overnight Camps
International Camps
Leadership Development Programs
Camp Sonshine’s camp programs give kids a safe place to experience personal growth, make new friends, and overcome challenges. Camp Sonshine offers day camps and overnight camps with a unique environment for families to experience the love of God through innovative programs, fun activities, and genuine relationships with committed and loving, Christian role models.
Where We Started
“Have a vision so big that unless God intervenes it will fail.” These were the words that motivated the founding directors to start camp. The vision of Camp Sonshine, Nebraska is the result of Jeff & Trisha Keiser seeking God’s heart in how He desired to use their strengths and experiences.
The couple’s call to fulltime children’s ministry began during their college years and continued as they married and moved to Maryland to serve at Camp Sonshine together. After having spent a combined total of 10 years on staff at Camp Sonshine in Maryland, and having seen many lives transformed, they felt led to extend the impact of that day camp ministry to the growing number of families in and around Lincoln, Nebraska.
Milestones
2006 – The Keiser family stepped out of the boat and moved to Nebraska.
2007 – After nearly ten months of planning and preparation, Camp Sonshine, Nebraska opened its doors to its very first campers on July 9, 2007. Four weeks of camp were offered the first summer and by the end of those weeks well over 100 children had experienced the love of God through the staff and volunteers serving at Camp Sonshine.
2024 – Fast forward to 2024 where we served over 4,000 campers between three sites in Nebraska and almost 1,000 campers at two international camps.
WHAT MAKES CAMP SONSHINE EXPERIENCE UNIQUE?
ACTIVE SUPERVISION
Campers are put into groups led by a counselor who are engaged and actively involved all day. Counselors take on being responsible to direct play and be playful themselves. When the counselor is fully involved in the activities and conversations within the group, any notion of undesired behavior is addressed right away. This leads to an environment free of bullying and worry for all!
ACTIVE IMAGINATION
In today’s world, it’s sometimes tough for a kid to be a kid and it is important for us to provide them with a safe and accepting place to do that. As we are created by God and in his image, we also believe that part of that image is evident in that children have a desire and ability to create. Imagination unlocks the door to creativity and allows children to hope and to dream.
ACTIVE COMMUNITY
We are also made to be relational beings. Because of that, everything we do at Camp Sonshine revolves around building relationships with others. Each group is a small community (or family) that build relationships with each other starting the minute they arrive and all week long. It’s the active connection that builds trust and allows for counselors and campers to talk about God in ways that relates to them! Plus, building these relational skills translates to all areas of life!
OUR CORE VALUES
Buying into and living out the core values of Camp Sonshine is not something that we hope our staff members will just accidently fall into. While certain values may manifest themselves more naturally in different people at different times, we recognize that adhering to these values and allowing them to formulate a grid by which to filter all actions and decisions is a choice that each person has to make on a daily basis.
WE CHOOSE TO…
BELONG
Although our programs are designed for the children and teens who attend camp, our desire is to minister to the entire family as well as to the various individuals who comprise the greater camp community. Each person has value because they are created and loved by God and as such will always find a place where they are accepted and belong. Everything we do is designed to create or maintain a community where the love of God is experienced by all.
BECOME
We want to see each camper and staff member become more of who God created them to be and to promote positive growth in all arenas of life: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. In order for those who are connected with camp to leave more in line with God’s plan for their life than when they arrived, it is imperative for all to live with a heart of teachability and openness to the lessons and challenges presented to us.
BELIEVE
God is always up to something good regardless of the circumstances we face. We believe the best about others and what God is up to all around us. This belief provides the foundation for the positivity that permeates our community through our attitudes and actions.
GO BEYOND!
We seek to offer unbelievably amazing customer service. We believe that through exceeding expectations, our ministry to staff and families will be enhanced. We do not settle for the minimum standard, but with hearts of selflessness and servant leadership pursue the flourishing of our community and the benefits of its members regardless of the cost.
CAMP SONSHINE’S LONG TERM MISSION
B.I.G. Picture
Recognizing that it is through a positive and powerful camp experience that God connects with and changes the lives of campers, counselors, families and volunteers, we are setting out to create 100,000 camp experiences annually through a network and association of Camp Sonshine camps throughout the world. This “Bold In God” (B.I.G.) Dream is only possible through continued reliance upon God to open doors, develop leaders and to direct the steps of those He calls to join Him in this mission. This will continue to occur as we seek to UNLOCK & UNLEASH Kingdom Builders through creating a place to BELONG & BECOME.
UNLOCK & UNLEASH
The memorable and life-changing camp experiences that we provide are the tools we use to help campers and staff better understand their unique place in God’s story and to passionately pursue a calling devoted to helping others do the same.
Leadership Development – We believe camp is more than just a fun getaway—it’s a transformative journey that equips individuals to embrace their God-given potential and step into their purpose. Our leadership development programs empower youth and young adults with essential life skills and confidence, while our team of over 100 staff members, hired and trained each summer, ensures a safe, life-changing environment for all.
Launching Leaders – Camp Sonshine is on a mission to make a global difference. We partner with people and organizations locally and worldwide to help launch and support camp programs that inspire hope, joy, and transformation in their communities.
BELONG & BECOME
Our work is to build a physical and emotional environment where every individual is fully accepted for who they are. We believe that out of a deep connection with an authentic grace-filled community each person will desire to grow and become more of who God created them to be.
Camp Programming Philosophy – At Camp Sonshine, we’re passionate about making a lasting impact in the lives of children, teens, and young adults. Through our dynamic camp programs, we create a unique environment where campers can experience authentic community, personal growth and the love of God.
Whether you’re a camper, a parent, or someone who dreams of making an impact, Camp Sonshine is where adventure meets purpose. Together, we’re shaping the future—one life at a time.