A SUMMER CAMP FOR EVERYONE

Register Today for a 2026 North Dakota Farmers Union Summer Camp!

Every year, over 1,000 young campers from across the state of North Dakota flock to our summer camps in Elgin and Jamestown, ND. Register your child or teen (completed grades 3-12) and learn why NDFU summer camp has been thriving for over 90 years. Early bird pricing ends May 15th, 2026!

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LET’S TALK CAMP

Have questions about Farmers Union Summer Camp? We’d love to answer them! Fill out the form to be connected with out team!

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ABOUT OUR SUMMER CAMPS

Our cooperative-focused leadership camps will be taking place in June and July 2026 with a variety of dates available in Elgin and Jamestown. Click the dropdowns to learn more about our 2026 camp details – and don’t miss out on Early Bird Pricing (good until 5/15/26!).

Is a North Dakota Farmers Union Membership Required for Camp Registration?
  • Yes, a membership with NDFU is required for the NDFU Camp registration. The membership is $30 annually and comes with great perks! Such as discounts to restaurants, hotels, automotive, and more. Click here to learn more about the North Dakota Farmers Union Membership.
What is the difference between Junior Camp and Senior Camp?
  • Junior Camps are for completed grades 3-6, and Senior Camps are for completed grades 7-12.
  • Junior Camps are also 4-day, 3-night camps, while Senior Camps are 5-day, 4-night camps.

 

2026 Camp Dates

Junior Dates:

  • June 8–11 – at James River (Jamestown, ND) – Junior 1

  • June 9–12 – at Heart Butte (Elgin, ND) – Junior 1

  • June 22–25 – at Heart Butte (Elgin, ND) – Junior 2

  • June 23–26 – at James River (Jamestown, ND) – Junior 2

  • June 29 – July 2 – at James River (Jamestown, ND) – Junior 3

  • June 30 – July 3 – at Heart Butte (Elgin, ND) – Junior 3

  • July 13–16 – at James River (Jamestown, ND) – Junior 4

  • July 14–17 – at Heart Butte (Elgin, ND) – Junior 4

  • July 20–23 – at James River (Jamestown, ND) – Junior 5

  • July 21–24 – at Heart Butte (Elgin, ND) – Junior 5

Senior Camp Dates:

  • June 15–19 – at Heart Butte (Elgin, ND) – Senior 1

  • June 16–20 – at James River (Jamestown, ND) – Senior 1

  • July 6–10 – at James River (Jamestown, ND) – Senior 2

  • July 7–11 – at Heart Butte (Elgin, ND) – Senior 2

  • July 27–31 – at James River (Jamestown, ND) – Senior 3

  • July 28 – August 1 – at Heart Butte (Elgin, ND) – Senior 3

 

Where are the Summer Camps located?
  • Heart Butte Camp is in Elgin, ND (5585 Farmers Union Rd, Elgin, ND 58533). For more information on getting to this camp, visit here.
  • James River Camp is in Jamestown, ND (4187 NDFU Camp Dr, Jamestown, ND 58401). For more information on getting to this camp, visit here.
What does Summer Camp Cost?
  • Junior Camp costs $199, but $175 if you register by May 15th.
  • Senior Camp costs $249, but $225 if you register by May 15th.
  • Register here today to take advantage of early bird pricing!
  • We also offer Camp Scholarships for any eligible individuals that are looking for discounted or free camp tuition. Learn more about that here.

WHY FARMERS UNION SUMMER CAMPS?

Summer’s over before we know it in North Dakota. That’s why we’re even more pleased to hear, year after year, how much the kids and teens who attend an NDFU Summer Camp list it as a highlight of their summer.

Here are a few things that set our camp apart from the pack:

Affordable for All

With an early bird rate of $175 for junior camp, an early bird rate of $225 for senior camp, and camp scholarships for anyone in need – we never want costs to keep someone from attending.

Free Transportation Available

We pick children and teens up across the state in our NDFU buses to make sure that driving to Elgin or Jamestown never becomes a reason someone can’t join.

Camp Options Available for Completed Grades 3-12

With Junior Camps serving completed grades 3-6 and Senior Camps serving completed grades 7-12, we have overnight youth camp options for almost every grade level.

Camper Rewards Can Be Earned

By attending camp and taking part in activities, you can earn rewards that can correlate to prizes like C-store gift cards and more. Our campers love earning their rewards.

High Quality Counselors

Look no further than our testimonials from past campers, they absolutely LOVE the counselors that we employ at NDFU summer camps.

Unique Experiences for Campers

With everything from theme nights to lake sports, dances, skill-building activities, and more – there’s something for everyone.

Camper Referral Programs

You can get perks by simply inviting your friends to camp, too! Earn additional prizes like t-shirts and gift cards by inviting new campers.

Building Future Leaders

Our counselors encourage campers to develop positive and constructive attitudes about their own capabilities and their individuality.

WHAT YOU’LL ENJOY AT CAMP

Summer’s over before we know it in North Dakota. That’s why we’re even more pleased to hear, year after year, how much the kids and teens who attend an NDFU Summer Camp list it as a highlight of their summer.

Here are a few things that set our camp apart from the pack:

Water

Games

Skits

Sports

Campfire

Talent Show

Banquet

Camp Project

Theme Nights

Crafts

Skill Building

Running a C-Store

HEAR FROM PAST CAMPERS & CAMP COUNSELORS

If Farmers Union Summer Camp is new for you and your family – we know that talking about our camps on a website can only do so much. So, we asked a past camper and a past camp counselor what they think about Summer Camp instead. Here’s what they had to say:

Hear From A Camper
Alliana Freund, Cando ND

“Farmers Union Camp has been more than just a summer tradition for me—it has played a huge role in shaping the person I am today. From the moment I arrived, I felt a sense of belonging and purpose.  It gave me the courage to be myself, the confidence to lead, and the friendships that continue to shape who I am today. I’ll always be grateful for the experiences and people that made camp feel like home.”

Hear From Our Counselor
Riley McFarland, Gwinner ND

“There’s a chance you’re gonna meet your best friend, it’s a great way to connect with other people and make life-long friends. It’s very rewarding to me knowing that I am impacting them, and they’re also impacting me!”

FAQS ABOUT NDFU CAMPS

If you’ve made it this far on the page, you’re probably very close to registering – perhaps you just have a few final questions. That’s what this section is for! Review some of the most commonly-asked questions from campers and their families below:

Tell me more about your counselors

Approximately 25-30 individuals are hired and trained each year by NDFU as camp counselors, kitchen staff, and facility maintenance workers. If you’re interested (or know someone who would be), have them go here to apply. 

What should I bring to camp?

Water bottle, pillow, summer clothes, tennis shoes… okay, this will be a sort of lengthy list. So, instead let’s just have you check out this pre-made list detailing what we’d recommend bringing to camp!

What do kids and teens learn at camp?

They will learn about the cooperative business model by organizing and operating their own store and selling snacks, beverages, and camp souvenirs. All of these help impact real-life issues affecting their generation, such as volunteerism, government, cultural diversity, legislative process, mock trials, patriotism, and more.

How does the bus schedule work?
  • Bus schedules will be locked in seven days prior to camp. If you are driving your child(ren) to camp, all camps run on central time (CT). They start at 4 pm on the first day of camp, and conclude at 8:30 am on the last day of camp.
  • Busstops are scheduled based on previous years’ camp attendance. If there are several youth signed up in an area not listed on the bus schedule, we may add a bus stop.
What are the theme nights like?

This year, our Seniors selected “Country Club vs Country” and “Favorite Holiday” for the theme nights. Our Juniors selected “Disney Day” for their theme night.

Other questions?

Contact our Youth Team at youth@ndfu.org for more information! Or visit our full page of FAQs at https://ndfu.org/youth/youth-camps/ to learn more.

WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US AT CAMP THIS YEAR!

We can’t wait to see all of our returning campers at Junior and Senior Camps this summer – but we’re also very excited to meet our first-time campers! If you have any lingering questions or you’d like to learn more about the registration process by talking to an NDFU staff member, please fill out the form and we’ll be in touch soon!

LET’S TALK CAMP

Have questions about Farmers Union Summer Camp? We’d love to answer them! Fill out the form to be connected with out team!

Name(Required)