The new yurts were a hot topic of conversation around The Grove site at Carol Joy Holling Camp this summer. Installed this spring, the circular cabins were a major upgrade from the canvas tipis used in past years. And campers noticed.
“The yurts are pretty good compared to last year’s tipis,” said Kenny, an upper elementary camper. “They keep all the rain and stuff out… I love them!”
Built by Freedom Yurts, a Sidney, Nebraska-based company, the yurts feature solid walls, secure doors, and air conditioning—a game-changer for campers in the thick of Nebraska’s summer heat and thunderstorms. “I really like that you don’t have to turn on the lights when it’s sunny out because of the glass dome,” said Paisley. Deacon agreed, “If it’s dark outside, I can see…light outside, I can see.”
In years past, summer storms or high humidity would force staff to relocate The Grove campers to Hazel Dillon Lodge at the TrailHead site to sleep. But this year, thanks to the sturdy new shelters, campers were able to stay safe and dry in their own beds.
The new housing option seems to be an all-around hit, as attendance at The Grove was up 63% this summer compared to the summer of 2024.
The yurts mark the first phase of a two-part enhancement for The Grove in the current Sustaining Sacred Spaces capital campaign. Next up: a brand-new shower house, restroom, and multi-purpose building. It is scheduled for construction after next summer and opening in time for the 2027 camp season.
If you’d like to learn more about the Sustaining Sacred Spaces campaign, visit NLOM.org/sustaining.
