Springfield | More than halfway through the 2025 IBSA Summer Camp season God is blessing Illinois Baptists. Of the six camps that have been completed or are taking place this week, each one of them was or is up in attendance. Even better, 34 professions of faith in Christ have been reported!
“So far, we have had 140 more campers this year than last year,” said Michael Awbrey, IBSA Leadership Development Director. “We’re on track to set a record high number of total campers.”
As of June 25, 874 students have participated in IBSA camps. In addition to the 34 professions of faith, 30 have indicated they wish to be baptized in their local church, eight have expressed feeling a call to missions or ministry, and two have re-committed their life to Christ.
Super Summer began Tuesday (June 24) and continues through Saturday (June 28). “It’s the largest Super Summer [attendance] we’ve had in more than a decade,” Awbrey shared. Held on the campus of Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Mo., 240 students and volunteer leaders are participating. More than a camp, Super Summer is designed to help Christian students grow toward their fullest potential as Christian leaders.
Each summer IBSA partners with local Baptist associations to host camps for children and youth at Lake Sallateeska and Streator Baptist Camps. This year’s theme is “The Good Life,” based on Matthew 5:1-11. Awbrey explained the theme, “Everyone is seeking a good life, but the way most seek happiness and fulfillment in life leaves them disappointed and unfulfilled. In the Beatitudes, Jesus shows us the upside-down way happiness is found.”
The two IBSA camp properties, near Pinckneyville and Streator, also host numerous camps and retreats planned by local Baptist associations and churches throughout the summer, adding to the total of young lives changed by the gospel.
See our list below of IBSA summer camps that are completed, ongoing, or upcoming. And watch the Illinois Baptist for summary report on camps at the end of the season.
Completed camps
June 2 – 6
Metro East Summer Camp: Grades 7 – 12
Where: Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp
Directors: Ailee Taylor & Caua Ferreira
June 9 – 13
Northwest Summer Camp: Grades 3-12
Where: Streator Baptist Camp
Director: Jeremiah Bullock
June 15 – 19
Nine Mile Summer Camp: Grades 3 – 6
Where: Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp
Directors: Gayla Bradley & Mark Lee
June 16 – 20
Heartland Summer Camp: Grades 3-12
Where: Streator Baptist Camp
Director: David Van Bebber
Ongoing and upcoming camps
June 23 – 27
Metro East Summer Camp: Grades 3 – 6
Where: Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp
Directors: Marilyn Sones & Ryan Mulvaney
June 24-28
Super Summer: Students entering Grade 7 – entering College
Where: Hannibal La-Grange University, Hannibal, Mo.
Director: Lindsay Wineinger
July 7 – 11
Metro Peoria Summer Camp: Grades 3 – 12
Where: Streator Baptist Camp
Directors: Noah Lee & Aaron Lipe
July 14 – 18
Nine Mile Summer Camp: Grades 7 – 12
Where: Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp
Directors: Scott Slone & Debbie Giacomo
July 21 – 25
Three Rivers Summer Camp: Grades 5 – 12
Where: Streator Baptist Camp
Directors: Jason Magafas & Abdo Ali
Find more information at IBSA.org/camps.