Welcome to our camp history and fun facts page where you get to learn some interesting bits of information about the camp and it's amazing past. ??? Quick Camp Quiz ??? Where did the "Minne" in the name Minne-boji originally come from? "Minne" comes from the name Minnesota. While the camp was originally started back in 1949, it wasn't named Minne-boji until 1963 when it moved to Camp Okoboji in Milford, IA from it's original site of Camp Shetek in Slayton, MN. The "Minne" part of the name comes from the camp's original Minnesota roots, with the "boji" part coming from it's new home on beautiful Lake Okoboji. Minneboji Campers Song Author Unknown found in an old Boji Blabber issue set to the tume of Onward Christian Soldiers Minne-boji Campers Living for the Lord With the Friends we've made here And ones we've known before All this week we'll study Sing, and have some fun "puting on God's armor" to fight the wicked one Minne-boji Campers Living for the Lord Loving, Caring, Christians Now and Evermore An outstanding camp coincidence or a small divine camp miracle? In 1984, of the 15 campers & 1 counselor that were staying in Cabin #21 that year, NINE of them shared the same middle name... Kay! The counselor of that cabin was none other than current camp nurse, Colleen (then Buehner) Johnson. Colleen has been a part of Camp Minne-boji as a counselor (from 1982 to 1984), as the camp's nurse (from 1985 to the present), and even attended as a camper (in 1971 & 1972). Colleen, thanks for fixing all our "boo-boo's" and reminding us to put on our suntan lotion. We think you deserve a golden band-aid award for all you do for us.

Camp Minne-boji themes over the years! 1963 - Creation 1964 - Word of God 1965 - Victory over Temptation : Personal Savior 1966 - the 10 Commandments 1967 - Use Us in Thy Kingdom 1968 - Minne-boji '68 1969 - Symbolism 1970 - A New Song 1971 - the Roman Forum 1972 - Praise that Never Ends 1973 - Touched by the Fire 1974 - Spiritis Gladius : Equiptment Doublecheck 1975 - What a Friend 1976 - We're Free ! 1977 - Son-Kissed Fruit 1978 - His Banner Over Me is Love 1979 - UPS - Up Praise the Savior 1980 - God Opens Doors 1981 - Alive in Christ 1982 - Rejoice in the Lord Always 1983 - Heart-Light 1984 - God's Love Came Down (Christmas in June) 1985 - Fabulous Father's Fantastic Family 1986 - Put on the Full Armor of God 1987 - Flight Plan 1988 - Spirit-Sparked 1989 - Walkin' in the Light 1990 - Kids on the Journey 1991 - Button-Holed 1992 - In His Steps 1993 - Fireworks 1994 - Lead Me to the Rock 1995 - His Banner Over Me Is... 1996 - It Came to Pass... 1997 - Great Faces...High Places 1998 - Angels on Angels 1999 - Fifty & Faithful : Camp Minne-boji's 50th Anniversary 2000 - Y2K - Yahweh's 2000 Kids 2001 - Grounded 2002 - Towering Truth 2003 - Designer Labels 2004 - Forever Friends 2005 - Courageous Faith : Bold Witness 2006 - Awesome God 2007 - Twisting Tales: Tremendous Truths from the Teacher 2008 - Don't Forget His Lyrics! 2009 - He is I AM 2010 - ??? DID YOU KNOW...................................??????????????????????? * Early bird Note! Mark your calendars now. Camp will be June 20th-26th in 2010. * They may not be Noah's Ark... On & off from 1963 to 1986, campers would take a tour around Lake Okoboji on the USS Empress. Then from 1987 to 1993, Minne-boji campers rode aboard the Queen II riverboat. The Queen II still operates out of Arnold's Park. From 1994-2004 we took excursions to the Boji Bay waterpark. Starting in 2005, we have begun to take the camp to the legendary Arnold's Park. Arnold's Park began in 1886 and is one of Iowa's famous family attractions. The amusement park includes many rides including a 63-foot ferris wheel and the "Legend" roller coaster. * The Counselors versus the Staff volleyball matches have been going on since 1973. Before then, they clashed in an annual softball game. Throughout the years though, the results rarely change with the Staff team winning fairly consistantly. * Near as I can tell, the 1st year the "SPIRIT of OKOBOJI" award was presented was in 1981. For a list of all the winners of the past... CLICK HERE! * The coveted Clean Cabin Awards go back as far as 1964. * In 1999, we celebrated our 50th anniversary camp year. Our camp theme was "Fifty and Faithful". The music group Lost and Found were our special guests and performed a concert for us. * The 1st year that we held our Camp Minne-boji Honor's Camp was in 1990. An outstanding program for our older campers, our Honor's camp continues yet today and is a great opportunity for Christian growth. * Formerly called the Minne-boji Minutes, in 1968 the 1st ever issues of the Boji Blabber camp newsletters were distributed at camp. To this day, the Boji Blabber remains an important source of information for our campers throughout the week. This website got it's name from the Boji Blabber. * A longtime camp tradition that dates back to the mid-70's is the "Hula-Hop". * Throughout most of the 1970's, campers raced in the 'Grand National Okoboji Invitational, Sensational Track & Field Meet, an in-camp race for Minne-boji campers. Also, for MANY years through the 70's, 80's, even into the early 90's, campers participated in the Mini-Olympic Games (or was that the Minne-Olympics?)

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