STRAWBERRY POINT, IA – Ewalu Camp & Retreat Center is participating in the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s “Great Give Day” event on Wednesday, May 21, to raise funds for a new high school program called True North. Past and present board members are kicking in $15,500 through special challenges for the day, including a dollar-for-dollar match from 8 to 10 a.m. that morning, to encourage donations. The camp’s goal is to raise $30,000 through online donations in one day.
Great Give Day is a 24-hour online giving day established by the CFGD to celebrate and support area nonprofits and build a stronger community. Last year, the annual event raised over $450,000 from more than 1,300 gifts, attracting hundreds of first-time donors to support over 200 nonprofits in a seven-county region of northeast Iowa.
This year, donations to Ewalu through the website www.GreatGiveDay.org/CampEwalu on May 21 will go toward launching True North, a new service and high adventure program designed with the goal of building resiliency in high school students. True North will feature adventurous activities like rappelling and cave exploration, alongside service projects and reality game show-inspired challenges that focus on team-building and character development. Participants in grades 9-12 can take part in a weeklong True North summer camp at Ewalu in July 2026, or attend an action-packed one-day event at Wartburg College in Waverly next March. Students can come as part of a youth group or as individuals. A daily mission briefing will present each cabin with that day’s challenges and opportunities, as trained counselors help navigate the experience.
“True North will offer high schoolers a unique blend of high adventure, meaningful service to the community, and faith-based character development programs,” said Ewalu Executive Director Frank Johnson. “We believe this program will have a deep impact on the lives of those who serve, and we are thrilled to launch True North this Great Give Day and build momentum the rest of the year.”
On Great Give Day, donors who make a gift of $10 or more at the CFGD website will also help Ewalu earn bonus dollars for the camp’s endowment from the Clayton County Foundation for the Future and CFGD corporate donors. Ewalu supporters can make gifts in advance beginning May 19 at the special link as well.
Camp Ewalu will also have a booth on May 21 at the Great Give Day Live Event in downtown Dubuque. The in-person celebration will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with food trucks, music, and information booths from participating nonprofits. The public is welcome to attend in Dubuque’s Washington Park, and special bonuses will be awarded to nonprofits in the park.
On Great Give Day, monetary prizes throughout the day funded by area sponsors will fuel excitement and friendly competition. Anyone can view the prize schedule at www.GreatGiveDay.org to see when their donation will make the most impact on their favorite nonprofits. Camp Ewalu is especially encouraging donations during the Money Match period from 8 to 10 a.m. May 21 to take advantage of matching dollars from friends of Ewalu.
Since 2014, Great Give Day has raised over $3.6 million for local nonprofits in seven counties in Eastern Iowa. Last year, Ewalu raised just over $36,000 from 140 donors in one day for its Cedar Lodge renovation project, and earned an additional $34,000 from friends of Ewalu for meeting specific challenges. The camp finished the Great Give Day in the top spot for dollars raised and in number of donors among all 212 nonprofits participating. At the end of 2024, Ewalu reached its $2 million campaign goal for Cedar Lodge and will begin construction just after the summer camp season this August.
ABOUT EWALU: Camp Ewalu is a year-round Christian ministry that serves over 200 Lutheran congregations in Eastern Iowa with over 800 youth participating in its summer programs and hundreds more through traveling Day Camps that serve throughout the region. The camp also serves hundreds of environmental education students each year and nearly 6,500 additional youth and adults who come to renew and grow in their faith.
The camp’s mission is to serve all people as a place to connect the Word of God with the world of God, with its main site and office located just west of Strawberry Point and the Stone Center retreat space just north of Strawberry Point. Register for summer camp or book a retreat at www.Ewalu.org.
