By Dave Thompson

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – The North Dakota Farmers Union will be building a new youth camp on the shore of the Jamestown Reservoir.

The Farmers Union owns a camp on Lake Tschida near Glen Ullin.

Bri Sorensen is the Farmers Union Education Director.

Sorensen adds that they will break ground this fall on the new youth camp facility on 19 acres of land at the Jamestown Reservoir.

Sorensen says in a normal year, around 1200 kids attend Farmers Union Camp. Sessions run from June to August.

“Kids in grades 3-6 and 7-12 attend three- and four-day camps, where they experience everything you’d expect at summer camp – outdoor fun in the sun and water, games, sports, dress-up nights, singing around the campfire and more,” she said. “But they also gain valuable leadership and team building skills, study a specific topic such as this year’s ‘cultures around the world,’ and learn how cooperatives operate and function.”

She says this camp will be more centrally located

And Sorensen expects this will attract even more kids to camp.

“Farmers Union Camp has a rich history in our state,” noted Sorensen. “From 1937 when we held our first camp on the shores of Spiritwood Lake to now, 83 years later, we’ve had thousands of North Dakotans who have been to Farmers Union Camp. We’re hoping some will want to partner on specific elements of this facility, in terms of naming rights and donations, to give the next generation of campers an unforgettable experience.”

The plan is to have the new camp ready for next summer.

For more information, contact Sorensen at bsorensen@ndfu.org or 701-952-1404.