Broken Arrow Ranch: Kansas’ Premier Christian Summer Camp and Retreat Center near Tuttle Creek Lake

Introduction / Overview

For families and youth across the Sunflower State, finding a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for personal growth and adventure is paramount. Broken Arrow Ranch, nestled near the scenic Tuttle Creek Lake in Olsburg, KS, has been a cornerstone of youth ministry and development for over 50 years. This establishment is not a typical public campground for RVs or casual tent camping; rather, it is a dedicated, Christ-centered camp and retreat facility owned and operated by the Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The primary focus of Broken Arrow Ranch is its renowned Summer Camp Program, which provides a wholesome, fun-filled, and faith-based experience for children and young adults from the age of 8 up to 17. The program is specifically designed to encourage personal growth, skill development, lifelong friendships, and a deeper exploration of faith, all while enjoying the natural beauty of the Kansas landscape. Parent testimonials consistently highlight the positive impact of the staff, noting how counselors helped children overcome homesickness and provided a fun, supportive, and engaging atmosphere.

Beyond the summer months, Broken Arrow Ranch serves as a year-round retreat center, welcoming various groups, including church affiliations, schools, and clubs. The facilities are perfectly suited for spiritual retreats, outdoor educational programs, and family gatherings. Kansas locals seeking a dedicated, managed, and facility-rich environment for a structured experience—be it a week of summer adventure for a child or a weekend retreat for a group—will find Broken Arrow Ranch to be a comprehensive and supportive destination.

Location and Accessibility

Broken Arrow Ranch boasts a prime, expansive location at 1950 Sagebrush Road, Olsburg, KS 66520, USA. The rural setting of Olsburg provides a peaceful, natural environment, essential for the immersive experience of a retreat or summer camp. Despite the tranquil, secluded atmosphere, the Ranch maintains excellent accessibility for families traveling from across Kansas and the surrounding states. It is strategically located near the city of Manhattan, placing it approximately two hours east of Kansas City, two hours south of Lincoln, Nebraska, and two and a half hours north of Wichita.

The camp sits on a substantial 422 acres of land, a property size that ensures campers have ample space for a wide array of outdoor activities and adventure programs. Crucially, the Ranch is situated directly on the shores of Tuttle Creek Lake. This proximity is a major advantage, providing easy access to the lake’s 10+ square miles of open water, including a natural, sandy beach—a rare and coveted feature in this part of Kansas. This unique location allows the camp to offer extensive aquatic programs, making it a standout facility for water sports enthusiasts.

The road access to the property is straightforward, guiding visitors off the main thoroughfares and onto Sagebrush Road. This ensures that while the environment feels remote, it remains practical for drop-off, pick-up, and organized group transportation. The location itself emphasizes connecting with God's creation, offering beautiful natural backdrops, including breathtaking sunsets, which are frequently enjoyed during worship and devotionals.

Services Offered

Broken Arrow Ranch provides a specialized array of services centered on youth programming, group events, and facility rental, rather than individual campsite reservations.

Residential Summer Camps: Structured, week-long programs for distinct age groups, including Adventure Camp (ages 8-10), Junior Camp (ages 10-12), Earliteen Camp (ages 12-14), and Teen Camp (ages 14-17).
Specialized Camp Sessions: Offering camps tailored for specific communities, such as Hispanic Youth Rally, Family Camp (all ages welcome), Blind Camp, and a Parenting Solo retreat.
Staff Support and Care: Professional, well-trained, enthusiastic, and caring staff and counselors who are noted for effectively connecting with campers and providing support for emotional needs, such as homesickness.
Parent Communication: An excellent service feature allowing parents to email their children and receive daily photos of their activities, providing peace of mind and staying connected to the camp experience.
Group Retreat Facilities: Availability for church-affiliated groups, schools, and clubs to reserve the facilities for retreats, meetings, and organized gatherings, complete with cabin lodging, meal service, and recreational equipment rental.
On-Site Lodging and Dining: Providing comfortable cabins (each with showers and restrooms, sleeping 7-9 campers plus a counselor), a main lodge with a dining room, kitchen facilities (with vegetarian meals provided), staff quarters, and a medical building with guest rooms. All lodging units are equipped with both heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort.

Features / Highlights

The Ranch’s defining features focus on its comprehensive programming, robust facilities, and unparalleled access to outdoor recreation, creating an environment focused on adventure and spiritual development.

Extensive Water Sports: Direct access to Tuttle Creek Lake, offering a natural sandy beach and aquatic activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing, and jet ski rentals.
Diverse Land Activities: A broad spectrum of recreational options including sports, music, crafts, archery, gymnastics, go-karts, and the recent addition of mountain biking. The facilities also include a camp store and a basement recreation room.
Dedicated Facilities: On-site buildings include eleven fully furnished cabins, a lodge, a fully equipped staff cabin, a pool, a nature and craft building, visitor restrooms, an office, and a medical building, ensuring all needs are met within the campus boundaries.
Commitment to Faith and Community: The foundation of the camp is a Christ-centered experience, fostering a supportive and communal environment where campers can explore and grow in their faith, which is often cited by parents as a key benefit.
50+ Years of History: With a legacy dating back to 1972, the Ranch has a long history of serving the youth of Kansas and Nebraska, demonstrating a commitment to quality programming and facility upkeep.

Contact Information

For Kansas families and organizational leaders interested in learning more about summer camps, retreats, or facility usage at Broken Arrow Ranch, please use the following contact details:

Address: 1950 Sagebrush Rd, Olsburg, KS 66520, USA

Phone: (785) 468-3638

Mobile Phone: +1 785-468-3638

E-mail: brokenarrowranch@ks-ne.org (Recommended for detailed inquiries)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Broken Arrow Ranch is an exceptionally suitable destination for Kansas residents and groups seeking a structured, safe, and enriching camp or retreat experience. The camp's suitability is rooted in its proven ability to combine high-quality outdoor adventure with robust, faith-based programming. For parents, the facility offers complete peace of mind, as evidenced by testimonials praising the caring staff for their support with homesickness and the communication system that provides daily photo updates and email contact with their children.

The geographical advantage of 422 acres situated directly on Tuttle Creek Lake distinguishes it from other Kansas facilities, providing a unique platform for water-based activities like water skiing and tubing, in addition to the diverse land-based programs such as mountain biking and archery. It is an ideal setting for Kansas youth to step out of their comfort zone, develop new skills, and form lasting friendships in an environment dedicated to spiritual and personal growth. For local churches, schools, and non-profits, the year-round capacity and comprehensive facilities (heated/AC cabins, dining lodge) make it a highly practical and reliable location for hosting immersive, multi-day retreats.