This beautiful camp truly embodies the motto "God's Backyard," and has since ~1947. Camp McDowell is a ministry of the Episcopal Churches in the Diocese of Alabama and is open to all! With over 1,140 acres and 834 beds, McDowell is one of the largest Episcopal Camp and Conference Centers in the U.S. It borders the edge of the Bankhead National Forest in Winston County, Alabama, and consists of breathtaking canyons, waterfalls, forests, and is known as the "Beautiful Queen of Clear Creek." Lodging ranges from group cabins such as Martha's Cabin, to the rustic cabins on the "boy's side" of camp beside the steps down to Clear Creek, to the hotel-style double rooms at Miller's Commons and the even bigger, newer cabins at Bethany Village. Camp is home to a wide range of programs year-round! Our Episcopal Diocesan Council meeting is held here every Feb., and is attended by over 400 delegates, and the dedicated staff runs the entire 4+ day event better than a well-oiled machine! There are live music performances, "special session" camp weeks for those who are differently abled, various church's retreats and learning opportunities at "Mark's Farm." Amenities include a camp store, a swimming pool, a covered basketball/gym with a stage, where we used to hold camp dances, at least one full service commercial kitchen, outdoor grills, a soccer field, tons of hiking trails, two chapels, a beautiful old bell that would be rung every morning around 0600 when I was a "midget camper," a multi-purpose field, an art studio, a fully functional animal farm, a produce farm, a nature center a welcome center, softball field, rowboats and canoes, among many, many more. There are also challenge ropes/obstacle courses, an amphitheater, picnic tables, various playgrounds, fire pits, word burning fireplaces with cut wood available to burn, and a fully accessible St John's swimming pool complex in Bethany Village! Dining is available at Stough Hall, served family style, or more often, buffet style. Doug Carpenter Dining Hall in Bethany Village would be lovely for a wedding reception and can seat 500-700 based on the table configuration. Eppes Hall is where we grew up eating and can seat up to 200 people. Again, grills, and covered grill areas are sprinkled throughout camp. Also, common use refrigerators are available, especially in the lodging in Miller's Commons. Among the biggest draws at camp are the swinging bridge over Clear Creek and the beautiful cross, and the fun short hike to arrive at the base of the cross! There truly is something for everyone at Camp McDowell. I highly recommend the camp for attending group sessions in the summertime, or renting whatever type of facility you desire for a best friend's/girl's getaway weekend, the lodging on All Saint's Road is primarily 4 double rooms that share a common living room/full-service, fully stocked kitchen with refrigerator, fireplace, and beautiful large back porches with rocking chairs. If you get the opportunity to visit Camp McDowell absolutely do! If you would like to send a person to summer camp, nearly all, if not all Episcopal Church's in AL offer scholarships - that's how I got to go to my first summer camp at Camp McDowell, thanks to my church at the time, The Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, AL! read more

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If you love nature and lots of outdoor activities this is the perfect place to visit. There are a variety of lodging options and outdoor activities to choose from. I had the pleasure of visiting with a large group and had a wonderful time. The staff were very friendly and there's plenty of meal options available. The prices are very reasonable and the scenery was amazing. I would recommend. read more

What a great place to gather and share our love of educating young people in nature! We had the 1st annual ANTS (Alabama Nature Teachers and Schools) conference last summer with David Sobel as our keynote! Planning our 2nd gathering now. Camp McDowell is an amazing place with great welcoming staff and facilities. Good and lodging are epic! read more

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not good,the soccer frield is filled with ants!! :( and the shower is so small :(. also food is amazing.

We recently had our wedding at Camp McDowell. It was amazing! The grounds of the camp are well maintained and very clean. Whitney who helps direct the weddings for the camp was fantastic! She knows her stuff and is willing to go above and beyond! I can't say enough about the staff as a whole. It was just great. I recommend anyone thinking of getting married in North Alabama or sending your kids to camp for the educational camp to do it. read more

I love this camp and I've been going since 3rd grade and I'm actually going now and this is gonna be my 22nd session and shoutout to Strat and Lee read more

Camp McDowell - I'm the 1 in the middle - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Nauvoo, Alabama

Der camp gis Dot and the doctor tomorrow Khaty baeihm w can can you come over real quick read more

I held off writing this for a long time, but who am I protecting? These are the things that come to my mind every May, as I pick out a camp for my own children... The camp itself is gorgeous, but that's about it. I went for over 10 years, and never had any disciplinary issues or an outstanding balance. Again and again I tried to just get somebody - anybody - to teach me about Jesus, about how to live in real peace. But they held Him at arms length from me, like some ball cap in a stupid game of "keep away". In what would have been my very last year to attend before I aged out - the year that I would've been able to go to the long-awaited "senior camp" that I'd heard of for so many years - I was late turning in my sign-up paperwork because I went to be with my grandfather while he was dying. I talked to the camp at length, literally in tears, and they would do absolutely nothing to try to accommodate my circumstance and give me a chance to attend, not even let me be placed on a cancellation list. Because loneliness alone wasn't enough, somebody decided that year (I found out later through a staff person) that it would be funny to do an entire stand-up routine making fun of me while I wasn't there to defend myself and, big surprise, no one did anything to stop it. Literally a room full of people laughing at me while I sat at home, crying and grieving the death of my beloved grandfather. Because, hey, I guess that's what "Christianity" looks like for these people? Don't give up on Jesus. He's worth it. But these people won't help you find Him. read more

Beautiful, loving, "free to be me" place! There is a reason they call it wonderful wonderful! Camps for typical children at Clear Creek as well as camps for those with special needs. There's something for everyone. read more

My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her stay with Camp McDowell for summer camp! We hope this will a tradition with our children for years to come. read more

Mark- I stopped by the AL Folk School today (1/3/16) to pick up a container that I had left of my work from a class. It had been arranged with the previous director that I could stop by and get in on my next visit to nearby Dora, Al. My husband and I could not find the office. I flagged down a car, and met Brian, who helped me locate my belongings from the Folk School Office. I appreciate his willingness to stop and eagerly assist me. It has always been a pleasant experience to visit this camp and school. Thanks! Winki Allen from Mississippi read more