Camp Peniel

🙏 Introduction / Overview: Adventure With A Purpose in Southwest Missouri

For families and youth leaders across Missouri seeking a safe, engaging, and spiritually enriching environment, Camp Peniel in Neosho, MO, stands as a decades-long beacon. Established with the sole purpose of reaching today's youth for Jesus Christ, Camp Peniel operates as a non-denominational Christian ministry offering unforgettable experiences built on fun, faith, and fellowship. This is not a traditional public campground for casual RV or tent stays, but rather a dedicated, Christ-centered adventure camp and retreat center.

Camp Peniel’s mission is clear: to challenge every camper to strengthen their personal relationship with Christ while engaging in "Adventure With A Purpose!" The name "Peniel" is derived from the biblical account where Jacob wrestled with the angel and met God "face to face" (Genesis 32:30), reflecting the camp's goal to bring people into a face-to-face relationship with God.

Rooted deeply in the community of Southwest Missouri, Camp Peniel is known for creating lasting, life-changing memories. Testimonials often speak to its profound impact, noting the deep friendships formed and the rock-solid Bible training received. Missouri residents choose Camp Peniel for its commitment to high-energy activities balanced with intentional spiritual development, making it an ideal choice for parents who want their children to experience a challenging and fun outdoor environment grounded in Christian values. The camp hosts popular Summer Camps and Weekend Retreats, welcoming young people from Neosho, Joplin, and the wider Missouri region.

📍 Location and Accessibility: A Convenient Hub for Faith and Fun

Camp Peniel is uniquely situated in the town of Neosho, Missouri, a central location in the southwest corner of the state, making it highly accessible to families in the Joplin area and across the Missouri-Oklahoma-Kansas tristate region. The camp’s administrative and operational base is located at:

• Address: 906 N Summit St, Neosho, MO 64850, USA

This address corresponds to the campus of Ozark Christian Academy (OCA) and the affiliated Bible Holiness Assembly of God Church, which plays a key role in the ministry's operations. This co-location ensures the camp benefits from established facilities, professional support, and easy access from major regional highways. The location within a developed campus, rather than a remote wilderness area, provides a measure of accessibility and convenience for drop-offs and pick-ups that is highly valued by local parents. The camp’s blend of developed facilities and accessible natural areas creates the perfect backdrop for adventure activities without sacrificing convenience for Missouri families.

🛠️ Services Offered

Camp Peniel is a full-service ministry camp and retreat center, focusing on organized, structured programs rather than individual public camping rentals. The services are comprehensive and designed to support both youth summer camps and group retreats.

• All-Inclusive Summer Camps: Structured programs catering to various age groups, typically running throughout the summer months.
• Weekend Retreats: Specialized programs offered for youth, families, and church groups during the spring, fall, and winter.
• Group Rentals: Facilities are available for rent to like-minded, Christian organizations seeking a venue for their own conferences, retreats, or large gatherings.
• On-Site Lodging: Comfortable cabin accommodations with varying capacities (e.g., 12-camper single cabins, double-tree cabins, etc.) to host campers and retreat attendees.
• Full-Service Dining: Meals are typically served family-style in the Lodge, accommodating large groups with a focus on warm, timely preparation.
• Dedicated Meeting Spaces: Multiple indoor and outdoor venues, such as The Rec Shed, The Faith Building, and The Lodge, equipped with AV sound systems for worship, Bible study, and discussion.
• Extensive Activity Areas: The grounds are equipped for a wide variety of high-adventure, sports, and water-based activities (see Features/Highlights below).

🌟 Features / Highlights

Camp Peniel is celebrated in Missouri for its dynamic programming and extensive recreational facilities that are used to deliver its core spiritual message. The highlights focus on creating a memorable "Adventure With A Purpose."

• High Adventure Zone: Features designed to challenge campers physically and mentally, including a Rock Wall, Zip Line, Crate Stacking, and a Gym Swing.
• Water Activities: Access to a Swimming Pool and a lake area that features thrilling attractions like The Blob, Water Slide, and Trapeze, along with Canoeing and Fishing opportunities.
• Target Sports: Structured and safe instruction in Archery, Axe Throwing, Riflery, and Skeet Shooting.
• Diverse Sports Facilities: Includes an indoor and outdoor Basketball Court, Volleyball Courts, Pickleball/Tennis Courts, a Disc Golf Course, and fields for games like Soccer/Football/Kickball/Ultimate Frisbee.
• Faith-Based Programming: The core strength of the camp, featuring daily Vespers, Bible Training, small group devotions, and messages focused on developing a strong personal relationship with Christ.
• Trail Access: Scenic Hiking Destinations like the Sunset Lookout and Lakeside Nature Trail, along with the unique feature of The Cave.
• Community & Fellowship: Programs are intentionally designed to foster strong, lasting friendships and a supportive, family-like community among campers and staff.

📞 Contact Information

For detailed information on summer camp registration, retreat bookings, or facility rental inquiries, prospective Missouri attendees and group leaders should utilize the camp's primary contact channels.

• Address: 906 N Summit St, Neosho, MO 64850, USA
• Primary Phone (Office): (417) 451-2057
• Mobile Phone: +1 417-451-2057
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 398, Neosho, MO 64850

✅ What is Worth Choosing: A Spiritual and Adventurous Investment for Missouri Youth

For Missouri families and churches, choosing Camp Peniel is choosing a focused, time-tested ministry dedicated to the growth of young people. What makes it particularly worth choosing over other options is its uncompromising commitment to Christ-centered adventure and discipleship. It perfectly blends the excitement of a high-energy summer camp—complete with zip lines, rock walls, and water blobs—with intentional, foundational Bible teaching. This is a crucial distinction for local users seeking both fun and spiritual impact.

The camp's reputation for building lasting friendships and providing a deeply welcoming atmosphere is another major draw. The sense of community, often described by alumni as a "family," ensures that campers feel secure and supported, allowing them to truly open up and engage with the spiritual material. Reviews consistently mention that campers return home full of great memories and a strengthened faith.

Furthermore, the quality of the facilities and the breadth of activities are exceptional. Few local camps offer such a diverse range of high adventure, target sports, and water-based fun alongside dedicated indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. This ensures that the camp can provide a fresh, engaging program regardless of weather or season, making their weekend and specialty retreats just as valuable as the summer sessions.

In essence, Camp Peniel is the preferred choice for Missouri residents who view their children's summer experience or group retreat as an investment in character, faith, and fun. It provides a unique opportunity for youth to step away from screens, dive into God’s creation, and return home with an "eternal impact," as its mission promises. For over 75 years, Camp Peniel has served as a pivotal spiritual and recreational landmark in Neosho, Missouri, and it remains a premier destination for those seeking adventure with a higher purpose.