Pirates

Grades
  • 3-5
Pricing
  • $530
  • $580
  • $630
Dates
  • June 15-20
Shiver me timbers, matey! I see an adventure a-brewin’ on the horizon. This is one of our most unique camps where kids will dress, talk, and role play like pirates. Campers will participate in treasure hunts, build cardboard boats, walk the plank, make Pirate crafts, and sleep under the stars for a night. Arrrrr you ready to give up being a land lubber and come be a pirate for a week? The adventure awaits…

Ahoy, Matey! Pirates camp is all about mixing adventure, imagination, and camp. Instead of swimming, walk the plank into the pool. Instead of kayaking, build your own cardboard boat. Instead of a nature hike, go on a treasure hunt. Of course, campers will still participate in traditional activities like archery, creek stomping, hiking, and more. Grab your eyepatch and your hook – it’s time to start adventuring!

A boy sliding down a water slide at a summer camp in Iowa, holding a toy sword.

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 15-20$515$565$615

Adventure’s a-brewin’!

Camp Life

Our days at Pirate camp are filled with fun, from challenge course to arts & crafts to sling shots to exploring Horsethief Cave. You’ll stay in a cabin at camp, although, for one night, campers will get to move outside and sleep under the stars! That’s an experience reserved just for the Pirates! Launch a rocket, shoot a bow and arrow, paddle a corcl, go down the mud slide…there’s more adventure to be had than we can fit in one week at this camp!

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 Pirate 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!

A young boy in blue shorts at summer camp in Iowa showing soap bubbles on his hands.

“My son made some very close friendships there and is still in touch with and gets together with peers he met at camp. It’s not just a social thing. They all made a close connection because God was a part of their camp experience. They were all able to share and practice their Christian values.”

A group of kids walking on a wooden bridge during a summer camp in Iowa.

“My boys really liked the overall experience. They enjoyed their peers and counselors and the activities. We are not your typical family of faith but we are finding our way together. The boys didn’t even have bibles coming into the week but they do now and asked for them so we could study together as a family.”

Three kids at a summer camp in Iowa standing in a river with mud on their faces.

“Katelyn hates the outdoors every other week of the year, but her favorite week of the year is Camp Bear Creek!”

Two girls in glasses posing for a picture at a summer camp in Iowa.

“Our child had an awesome experience and time. She was so excited to share all the great activities and experiences she had without being intimidated by peers. She shared so many memories and was so enthused.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions by parents about Pirates 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.

Pirate 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! Don’t forget! Pirates campers will get to spend one night sleeping in their sleeping bags out under the stars!

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, Pirate campers can look forward to archery, human foosball, arts & crafts, nature, corcl boats, challenge course, Horsethief Cave, creek stomping, treasure hunts, Bible study, swimming, launching rockets, walking the plank, cooking out a meal, slip ‘n slide, supersoakers, activity hour, sling shots, cardboard boat race, Super Wacky Adventure Time (SWAT), GaGa, 9-Square, color wars, and sleeping under the stars.

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!