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Our Story
How Camp Tekakwitha has become one of the crown jewels of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas for over 25 years
Our Story
How Camp Tekakwitha has become one of the crown jewels of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas for over 25 years
The Need
Msgr. Thomas Tank had only been ordained three years when, in the late 1960s, he had an idea about starting a camp for the youth of the archdiocese.
He kept that idea alive, and in early 1998 he approached Dana and Debbie Nearmyer about starting a camp at the rented Kansas State Grange Center. In 1998-2000, the camp grew exponentially at the “Grange.”Msgr. Tank knew that Camp Tekakwitha needed its own, permanent, residential camp property. Joe Falco, a parishioner involved in Scouting, knew of a nearly 300-acre defunct dude ranch in need of refurbishing for sale in Williamsburg.
“The support of Archbishop Keleher was essential for us to begin the project,” said Msgr. Tank, who was an archdiocesan vicar general at the time. “I took Archbishop Keleher and [vicar general] Msgr. Charles McGlinn down there after I first saw the land. Msgr. McGlinn wasn’t very optimistic about it. He thought it was going to be a money pit. But Archbishop Keleher, because it was for our young people, was very supportive.” Msgr. Charles McGlinn quickly grew to be one of Camp and Prairie Star’s greatest supporters and advocates.
Msgr. Tank bought the ranch in August 2000 for the archdiocese.
Breaking Ground
Beginning in 2006, the families and parishes of Northeast Kansas made a capital campaign possible that raised the funds to construct a new dormitory, a giant multipurpose gymnasium, and most importantly the Saint Kateri Chapel.
Archbishop Keleher christened the new property Prairie Star Ranch. Borrowed from the title “Mary Star of the Sea,” our name and patroness became “Mary Star of the Prairie.” Archbishop’s hope was that Mary’s powerful patronage would guide youth and families to the love of Christ, her Son, and to the Church, his body.
There was still a great amount of work to be done before Prairie Star Ranch welcomed its first summer camping season. It was amazing – with the generosity of thousands of individual donors, volunteers, and corporate contractors, we began the process of constructing a high adventure summer camp and retreat center that would serve the Archdiocese for generations to come.
The Growth
The property, which was named Prairie Star Ranch, needed a lot of work and some new construction for dormitories, staff and director housing, and program areas — such as a climbing tower and high ropes course. Archdiocesan consultant for real estate and construction Leon Roberts played a key role in developing and refurbishing the ranch infrastructure. And, of course, a lot of parishioners donated money and volunteer hours.
The program has continued to grow since the first sessions at Prairie Star Ranch in June and July 2001.
Each year during June and July, the camp hosts approximately 1,700 campers in many sessions: Camp Kateri for fifth and sixth grades; Camp Tekakwitha for junior high and high school; Xtreme camp for high school; and three sessions of Family Camp — one being for campers with special needs and Spanish-language Family Camp.
Our Directors
Deacon Dana Nearmyer and his wife Deborah were instrumental in the success of Prairie Star Ranch. They have helped run the camp since it opened.
Deacon Dana and Deborah Nearmyer are still co-directors of the camp. She is now Vice President of Faith and Mission at St. James Academy in Lenexa, and he is director of the archdiocesan office of evangelization.
The Need
Msgr. Thomas Tank had only been ordained three years when, in the late 1960s, he had an idea about starting a camp for the youth of the archdiocese.
He kept that idea alive, and in early 1998 he approached Dana and Debbie Nearmyer about starting a camp at the rented Kansas State Grange Center. In 1998-2000, the camp grew exponentially at the “Grange.”Msgr. Tank knew that Camp Tekakwitha needed its own, permanent, residential camp property. Joe Falco, a parishioner involved in Scouting, knew of a nearly 300-acre defunct dude ranch in need of refurbishing for sale in Williamsburg.
“The support of Archbishop Keleher was essential for us to begin the project,” said Msgr. Tank, who was an archdiocesan vicar general at the time. “I took Archbishop Keleher and [vicar general] Msgr. Charles McGlinn down there after I first saw the land. Msgr. McGlinn wasn’t very optimistic about it. He thought it was going to be a money pit. But Archbishop Keleher, because it was for our young people, was very supportive.” Msgr. Charles McGlinn quickly grew to be one of Camp and Prairie Star’s greatest supporters and advocates.
Msgr. Tank bought the ranch in August 2000 for the archdiocese.
Breaking Ground
Beginning in 2006, the families and parishes of Northeast Kansas made a capital campaign possible that raised the funds to construct a new dormitory, a giant multipurpose gymnasium, and most importantly the Saint Kateri Chapel.
Archbishop Keleher christened the new property Prairie Star Ranch. Borrowed from the title “Mary Star of the Sea,” our name and patroness became “Mary Star of the Prairie.” Archbishop’s hope was that Mary’s powerful patronage would guide youth and families to the love of Christ, her Son, and to the Church, his body.
There was still a great amount of work to be done before Prairie Star Ranch welcomed its first summer camping season. It was amazing – with the generosity of thousands of individual donors, volunteers, and corporate contractors, we began the process of constructing a high adventure summer camp and retreat center that would serve the Archdiocese for generations to come.
The Growth
The property, which was named Prairie Star Ranch, needed a lot of work and some new construction for dormitories, staff and director housing, and program areas — such as a climbing tower and high ropes course. Archdiocesan consultant for real estate and construction Leon Roberts played a key role in developing and refurbishing the ranch infrastructure. And, of course, a lot of parishioners donated money and volunteer hours.
The program has continued to grow since the first sessions at Prairie Star Ranch in June and July 2001.
Each year during June and July, the camp hosts approximately 1,700 campers in many sessions: Camp Kateri for fifth and sixth grades; Camp Tekakwitha for junior high and high school; Xtreme camp for high school; and three sessions of Family Camp — one being for campers with special needs and Spanish-language Family Camp.
Our Directors
Deacon Dana Nearmyer and his wife Deborah were instrumental in the success of Prairie Star Ranch. They have helped run the camp since it opened.
Deacon Dana and Deborah Nearmyer are still co-directors of the camp. She is now Vice President of Faith and Mission at St. James Academy in Lenexa, and he is director of the archdiocesan office of evangelization.
The Heart of Camp
Camp Kateri Tekakwitha combines demanding outdoor activities with powerful, spiritual instruction bringing about a unique encounter with God. Although our adventure activities are memorable, often the love that campers experience through prayer is what they remember most.
Camp Transforms Lives
Powerful testimonies from campers of years past.
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Copyright © The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. All Rights Reserved.