About Us
        Welcome to Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya!

Our mission is to provide Christ Centered Camping that will enrich the lives of men, women, boys and girls mentally, physically and spiritually. This is accomplished by providing year round retreats and summer resident youth and family camps. Our facility on Stony Lake near Shelby, Michigan is available for rental  to groups who are in agreement with this mission. Browse the site to learn more about this ministry.

If there is something you need to know that you cannot find here, please e-mail the director from the contact page or call 616-813 8330

Thanks for visiting!
Our History

Established in 1954 through the vision of Rev. Richard and JoAnn Gordon, Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya exists to give young people a Christ centered camping experience. The name, "AO-WA-KIYA" was the winning entry from a special name the church camp  contest held for campers in its early development. "AO-WA-KIYA" is a word that means "Banded Together for a Purpose". This very clearly describes how the camp was founded and continues to exist today. The camp organization is made up of churches in and around West Michigan. They have come together to see their students know Jesus Christ in a very real way. The members of supporting camp churches are  given the opportunity to use their  talents and gifts from God as they come together to minister in our all volunteer, Christian youth camp.   Thousands of volunteers have "band together" over the past 52 years and worked along side others to give  campers a Christ-centered camping experience.
Doctrine
As an organization, we are members of the Independent Fundamental Churches of America and hold to the same doctrinal statement. This statement can be read in its entirety by clicking "Distinctives/Doctrine" at   www.IFCA.org
 
Staff In Training
Campers develop a great sense of ownership in Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya. There are many examples of campers attending elementary and Jr. high camp weeks, and when they reach high school age, after attending one of the Sr. high camp weeks, return to serve as Jr. staff for a week or two each summer.   They work along side adult volunteers as they learn to serve God and campers. We have found that this promotes cooperation, dedication, and great relationships as those Jr. staff learn and become very competent counselors for many summers to come. The Jr. staff members are  able to take  leadership skills home with them as they serve God and others within their local church.
Our Facilities
God has blessed Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya with a beautiful facility on the shores of Stony Lake in Shelby, MI.
The Cabins
Our cabins are of rustic wood/stone construction with cement floor and electricity.   Most cabins have two twin beds for counselors and five camper bunk beds. Nine  cabins  provide housing for 88 camper boys while ten cabins are available to house 104 girl campers each week.
 
   
Heated Housing
We are able to accommodate up to 198 people in heated facilities for cold weather/winter retreats and special events. There are 12 motel style units which can accommodate 4 or 5 people in bunks and  twin size beds. There are  two dorms with bunk  and twin beds for 20 in each dorm and 9 heated cabins which sleep 12 each.
Gordon Hall                          
The upper level of this building is the dining room/kitchen facility which seats 300 quests and is located on the waterfront with a large patio deck overlooking beautiful Stony Lake.   The small Fireside Chapel is  at the east end of Gordon Hall  with a seating capacity of 100.  A snack/canteen, recreation/game room, two long sleeping dormitories and four motel units are on the lower level

 
The Challenge Course
If you think this picture is cool, wait until you see the rest of the challenge course. It's a beautiful thing! Perfect for any group to work on building trust, communication, overcoming fears, and working together as a team.   Our 675' double ZIP LINE was completed in 2004 and many have responded in many different ways as they have stepped off the 40' high tower embarking upon the thrill ride of a lifetime!!  An experience not soon forgotten!   Zip line activities include nighttime zip lining and water balloon/zip line target practice.
   
Camp Fire
The camp fire area is placed in a beautiful wooded area and seats up to 300 people for outdoor events.
Athletic Areas
Pictured here is our beach volleyball courts. Camp also has an outdoor basketball court, softball diamond, and a large irrigated soccer field.   Indoor basketball and volleyball are now available in the gymnasium along with large group games and activities Back in place for  summer and family camp weeks>>>>>>>>375' waterslide located on the winter tubing hill.   With the aid of an air mattress and a little "rocket fuel" , you will slide swiftly to SPLASHDOWN at the bottom!