Summer Games University

About SGU

Who We Are

Summer Games University is a board-led Christian 501(c)(3) summer camp. Our board is made up laity and ordained United Methodist pastors. We are passionate about reaching youth for Christ, growing their faith, and developing their leadership.

What We Do

We lead an experiential, relational week of camp. During the week of camp students:

Worship together to encounter God’s love
Spend time exploring and studying God’s word
Engage in meaningful peer relationships
Take action steps to grow their faith
Play games and eat food

Testimonies

I am excited about our students attending Summer Games University because of the boost it gives our entire church in its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. It re-charges the students who are already Christians and provides multiple opportunities to begin a relationship with Christ. The students hear a clear call to accept the gift of Jesus' death and resurrection in terms they can understand. From the beginning, they experience how important community is to their faith as they develop a support network from their own churches and from churches across the state. SGU is fun, exciting, and spiritually powerful. It is the kind of atmosphere to which our students feel confident inviting their friends who don't have a church, allowing the Gospel to spread even farther over the years. SGU not only makes disciples of Jesus Christ; it makes disciples who also make disciples of Jesus Christ.

- Pastor Mike Janes

After coming to Summer Games and being a part of the experience, I wanted nothing more than to pass that experience on to another student. Being able to show these young men and women the true effects of God's love made me feel like I'd never felt before. The happiness not only that I felt but could see in their young faces easily changed my life, and I believe it changed theirs.

- Austin Pyrtle, Huddle Leader

I grew up in a very non-religious family, and until 8th grade I had only ever been to church a handful of times on Easter or Christmas; to be honest I didn't even really know if I believed in God. I had a close friend whose dad was a pastor at a church that went to Summer Games, and the summer before 8th grade she invited me to go to camp with her. I was very reluctant to go, but eventually she convinced me. I was expecting it to be some typical boring church camp where you went to a dull worship service everyday and then did crafts and made lanyards and stuff, and I definitely didn't expect to come out of the week changed in any way. I could not have been more wrong. My first Summer Games was an experience unlike any I've ever had; every single person there is loving and accepting of you no matter what situation you're in, where you come from, or what your past is. It's an incredibly unique and amazing place, and the feeling you have during a Summer Games worship is indescribable. Despite having almost never been to church, I accepted Jesus that Wednesday night at camp, and my life has been changed forever. Because of Summer Games I now have lifelong friends, I'm part of an amazing church and youth group, and I have an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. Camp has had a huge and wonderful impact on my life, and I would encourage everyone to try it out!

- Olivia Tobin

Why do I send my kids to SGU?

I truly believe that SGU has played a crucial part in developing and strengthening my children’s faith in God. The relationships and friendships that they have developed thru attending this camp are truly authentic. SGU promotes an environment where kids can gather and share their struggles without fear of being judged or ridiculed; where they can find love and acceptance in each other by learning about Christ’s love for all of us. The people, staff and campers, are what keep my kids coming back year after year (going on about 7 years now). It may have been my idea the first year - but after that it wasn’t even a question. I’ve heard my kids say multiple times that they wish the love and acceptance they encounter at SGU would be true everywhere they go. Because they’ve had the chance to experience it here, I know that the Truth taught at SGU is equipping them with the tools they need in this harsh world and will allow them to shine Jesus’s light even when life gets dark and stormy. That gives me great comfort as a parent. Especially as my oldest heads off to college!

- Janette G, Parent

Registration

Register as a Camper

Camp is open to all students who have completed 6th grade thru 12th grade.

The cost of camp is $295.

Register as a Huddle Leader

Huddle leaders are the heart of SGU, leading a group of 8-10 youth through an amazing week of camp. It is a life changing experience and will be a week you will never forget.

Huddle Leader Application is now closed. To be a huddle leader you need to have a strong relationship with Christ, be active in a Christian community and be able to lead a small group. Most huddle leaders are college students, but high students who have finished their junior year can also apply to be on SGU staff. Huddle leader applicants 19 years old and younger can apply to be a Junior High huddle leader (Graduated 6th-8th graders). Huddle leader applicants 20 years and older can choose to also be considered to lead a Senior High huddle (Graduated 9th-12th graders).

Apply

Register as an Adult Volunteer

Register to volunteer as a worship team memember, tech team member, medical staff, volunteer pastor, or other camp staff.

Check-In/Check-Out Information

Camp Check-in:

Camp check-in is a registration process that allows our campers to get their name tags, dorm room keys, turn in medication and add money to the camp bank (where they can safely store/withdraw money at any time).

This registration process is 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM on Monday, July 10 at the Charles Benson Bear ‘39 Recreation and Athletic Center (a.k.a. Darby Gym) located at 1201 10th Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Here’s what you need for check-in:

Park in the lot across the street from the Bear Athletic Center/Darby Gym.
Leave all luggage in the car
Bring the following items with you to the check-in location:
Camper Health Form - make sure it’s filled out & signed. It’s available online here: http://sgu.camp/#forms
Medication Admin form and all medication, prescription & non-prescription
Any bank money to be deposited in the camp bank (cash only, no checks)
After check-in, your camper will take all of their luggage to their assigned dorm room and you are finished. (Campers will be given instructions as to what to do after they drop off their luggage.)

Camp Check-out:

Camp check-out will occur the morning of July 14 with parents able to pick up their campers at noon. Park in the same parking lot you did for camp check-in.

Campers will have their luggage staged by church/city/region on the lawn close to the check-in area.

In order to leave, campers must have turned in their keys and had their dorm rooms inspected. The cost to replace a key is $75, any camper who has not returned their key will be charged $75 to replace.

Welcome to
Summer Games University

About SGU

Who We Are

What We Do

Testimonies

- Pastor Mike Janes

- Austin Pyrtle, Huddle Leader

- Olivia Tobin

- Janette G, Parent

Registration

Register as a Camper

Register as a Huddle Leader

Register as an Adult Volunteer

Pay for SGU

Check-In/Check-Out Information

Print Forms

Contact us

LEAVE US A MESSAGE

Ministry Scholarship

Welcome to Summer Games University

About SGU

Who We Are

What We Do

Testimonies

- Pastor Mike Janes

- Austin Pyrtle, Huddle Leader

- Olivia Tobin

- Janette G, Parent

Registration

Register as a Camper

Register as a Huddle Leader

Register as an Adult Volunteer

Pay for SGU

Check-In/Check-Out Information

Print Forms

Contact us

LEAVE US A MESSAGE

FOLLOW US

Ministry Scholarship

Welcome to
Summer Games University