Music, Arts, & Drama

Grades
  • 4-6
Pricing
  • $530
  • $580
  • $630
Dates
  • June 22-27
  • July 20-25
Do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti, do! Whether you like to draw, paint, tap dance, sing, or play the drums, this camp is for you! MAD campers will have the chance to participate in all of the camp activities that they know and love with some art, dance, and drama thrown in. Take a painting class, learn a new dance, and have some fun doing theater games while you also enjoy cookouts, archery, challenge course, and more. This is the perfect camp for those art and music loving campers!

At camp, we’re all about exploring our gifts and talents. MAD camp is your chance to let your light shine! Perform a skit, sing some karaoke, play a ukulele, or paint a sunset. We do it all here at MAD camp. Plus, you’ll participate in the best of the best camp activities like kayaking, nature hikes, and launching rockets. We do it all right here at MAD camp!

A group of kids at summer camp running through a river in Iowa.

Dates & Rates

We know that every family has different abilities and resources to pay for camp, which is why Camp Bear Creek has a voluntary three-tiered pricing program. Choose the price that best fits your family’s budget. No matter which price is selected, all campers receive the same camp experience.

DatesTier ITier IITier III
June 22-27$515$565$615
July 20-25$515$565$615

It’s showtime!

Camp Life

Art is really about sharing yourself with the world, whether that’s through drama, music, or drawing. At Bear Creek, we want to know you – the authentic you! Come to MAD camp and delve into the creative and the crazy. Paint a portrait, launch a rocket, play GaGa ball, perform a dance, and watch the sunset with your friends. You’ll get to live in a cabin, participate in Bible study, and enjoy worship every night with your friends.

Camp Meals

Meals at camp are about more than just filling our bellies. When we gather around the table, we build community, engage in conversation, share ideas, strengthen relationships, and cultivate empathy. All of our meals are served family style, and we are intentional about taking this time to share food, conversation, and laughter with each other. We do our best to make sure our meals are kid-friendly and nutritious, and we can accommodate most dietary restrictions or needs. At MAD camp, campers will eat most of their meals in the dining hall, but they’ll also have the opportunity to cook one meal over a fire during the week!

At a summer camp in Iowa, two girls are holding paint brushes.

“The opportunities for her to grow as a child of God and to be around adults supporting this and her made a difference for her and her confidence in herself, as unique as she is.”

A girl enjoying a slide during summer camp in Iowa.

“I send my kids every year because of how much my kids LOVE the time there – away from parents and school. They have the ability to be themselves without judgement.”

A kid holding up a painting of an American flag at summer camp in Iowa.

“I send my kids to camp because of the amazing memories I have as a camper. It’s about being able to experience the love of Christ and growing in my faith while creating memories with friends.”

A young boy paddling a kayak in Iowa during summer camp.

“The prayers and worship songs are always great, fun ways to build a child’s faith, plus being in nature where God’s workmanship is so clear. Camp is an awesome place to have a positive, fun faith experience.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions by parents about Music, Arts, & Drama camp at Bear Creek. If you still have questions after reading this information, please call the Camp Office at (563) 488-3893 or email us at office@bearcreek.camp.

Check-in is on Sunday at 3pm at Deer Center (the dining hall). Don’t worry! Even if you’ve never been here before, staff will be stationed at the entrance of the camp to make sure you know where you’re going. We do our best to get everyone checked-in and moved in as efficiently as possible. You can help us out by making sure your camp fees are paid and paperwork is completed two weeks before you arrive. Bring any medication your child needs (it must be in the original container) to check-in in a bag labeled with their first and last name. Leave all other belongings in your car until you’re ready to move into your cabin. Every camper will get a new camp shirt to wear for their first day of camp!

Check out is on Friday at 3pm at Deer Center. First, we begin with a closing ceremony. Parents, this is your first glimpse into your camper’s week. We’ll sing some songs, celebrate some special people in our camp community, hand out milestone awards, and watch a video with photos and highlights of their week at camp. After the ceremony, you’ll be able to sign out your camper, talk with their counselors, meet their new camp friends, purchase items from the camp store, and load up all their belongings before you head for home.

MAD campers stay in cabins! Our cabins have eight bunk beds per cabin, are air-conditioned, and have private changing rooms. Bathrooms are a short walk away at a nearby lodge. Camp counselors stay in the cabins with the kids. If you want more information, check out this video where our Program Director, Jake, sets up his own bed in a cabin!

Of course! Camp is always better with friends! When you sign up for camp, you’ll notice a spot on your registration form that asks if you would like to be placed in the same group with a friend. Make sure you write their name down, and tell them to write yours!

There’s so much adventure and excitement to be had at camp. Of course, you’ll get to do things like meet new friends, play games, and try new things. Some camp activities are daily (like Bible study or swimming) while other things might be done just once or a few times during the week (like kayaking or archery). Activity Hour is the time when campers get to choose what they would like to do from a list of options. Color Wars are our all-camp games that we play together every evening. Of course, things like weather can impact schedules and activities that we are able to run, but in general, MAD Campers can look forward to archery, dance, human foosball, arts & crafts, nature, corcls or kayaks, challenge course, painting class, Bible study, swimming, skits and drama, cooking out a meal, improv band, activity hour, karaoke, sling shots, Super Wacky Adventure Time (SWAT), GaGa, 9-Square, and color wars.

It’s total normal to miss home a bit while you are at camp, but don’t worry! Our staff are specially trained to help you through all the feelings and emotions that come with being away from home. Our counselors are compassionate, understanding, and will be right by your side the whole time. Generally, campers are not allowed to call home due to homesickness unless a director deems it necessary for the emotional well-being of the child. While it might seem like calling home would help, we find that most often, it just makes the problem worse. Instead of focusing on camp and all the possibilities for fun, it pulls our minds away to home and what is happening there. We have some tips for how to prevent and overcome homesickness in this video!

Join Summer Camp 2025

Registration opens January 2nd!