Helping Youth and Families encounter christ
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Encounter Jesus Christ.
Live the adventure of faith.

Prairie Star serves youth, families, schools, parishes, and communities through Camp Tekakwitha, Retreat Ministry, and Rural Outreach. Through prayer, community, adventure, and the sacraments, we create environments where encounters with Jesus Christ are likely.

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One Mission, Countless encounters

How Prairie Star Walks With You

Whether you're joining us for a week of camp, a weekend retreat, or partnering with your parish, every ministry shares the same mission: helping youth and families encounter Christ and connect with His Church.

  • Line drawing of a tent with a triangular shape and open entrance.

    Summer Camp

    Camp Tekakwitha

    Through a unique combination of high adventure and high faith, Camp creates environments where encounters with Jesus Christ are likely. On the waterfront, the high ropes course, the climbing tower, around a campfire, in Adoration, or at Mass — campers experience joy, friendship, challenge, and authentic Catholic community.

    Explore Camp Tekakwitha →
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    Retreat Ministry

    Retreats & Rentals

    Retreat Ministry creates opportunities for groups to encounter Jesus Christ through a thoughtful integration of high faith and high adventure. Join a Prairie Star facilitated retreat such as Enkindle, Kenosis, or Emmaus, or design a custom experience led by your group — with prayer, reflection, sacramental life, and meaningful challenge throughout.

    Plan Your Retreat →
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    Parish Partnership

    Rural Outreach

    Rural Outreach extends the mission of Prairie Star into rural parishes and communities throughout Northeast Kansas. By listening to parish leaders, supporting families, and developing young leaders, Rural Outreach strengthens the life of the Church — serving as a bridge between parish life and The Ranch.

    Partner With Us →
A person wearing a blue helmet and black clothing climbing a ropes course with wooden platforms, high above the ground, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
Colorful kayaks lined up along the shore of a lake with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
Person climbing an outdoor rock wall while wearing a helmet and harness.
Group of children with helmets riding bicycles outdoors in a park.
Three smiling individuals standing outdoors in front of trees, dressed in casual sportswear and backpacks, at a park or event.
Group of children playing in the water near a floating water slide and a climbing structure on a summer day.
Two small glass bottles, one filled with red liquid and the other with clear liquid, placed on a wooden surface with sunlight shining on them. A plate of sliced cheese is partially visible in the foreground.
A person creating a blue painted artwork on paper, with art supplies and sketches on a checkered tablecloth
A girl hitting a large colorful archery target with a bow outdoors on a grassy field, with other targets in the background and trees.
Group of people lying on the carpeted floor, smiling, wearing casual clothing, some holding up peace signs, enjoying a fun moment together.
A live music performance with a band playing on a stage in front of a crowd, inside a wooden-paneled room with large windows and trees outside.
Two young men in life jackets standing on a sandy beach by a lake, with a floating water slide and other people in the water in the background, surrounded by trees.
White marble sculpture of a woman, a man holding a staff, and a child, set against a dark background.
Two young women in pink T-shirts with
Two young girls sitting together outdoors under a tree, smiling and enjoying each other's company, one holding a phone.
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Mary, star of the prairie, pray for us

Authentically Catholic

We are intrinsically and boldly Catholic. The sacramental life—anchored in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, regular confession, and Eucharistic Adoration—is the heartbeat of all three ministries. We operate in full fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Our shared patroness is Mary, Star of the Prairie. It is our constant prayer that her maternal intercession guides every counselor, retreatant, camper, and parish leader into a deeper relationship with her Son, Jesus Christ.

A group of five young women smiling and standing close together outdoors during daytime, with a house and trees in the background. They are wearing casual sports t-shirts and shorts, each with a name tag and backpack.
A group of five young women smiling and standing close together outdoors during daytime, with a house and trees in the background. They are wearing casual sports t-shirts and shorts, each with a name tag and backpack. 
The Prairie Star journey
A compass rose with a white circle at the center, four points extending outward in north, south, east, and west directions, all colored in brownish-red, with black background

Every encounter is a step toward mission

Prairie Star believes that authentic community, meaningful challenge, prayer, and sacramental life help people become more open to the work of the Holy Spirit. We accompany people along this journey and help draw them more deeply into the life of the Church.

Discover Camp Tekakwitha
Calendar
Family Day
Sep 20
Prairie Star Ranch
Family Day
Prairie Star Ranch

Bring the fun, faith, and fellowship of Prairie Star Ranch and Camp Tekakwitha to the whole family! Held in the spring and the fall, Family Day is a day-long opportunity for you to spend time and make stories with your precious loved ones away from the distractions of everyday life.

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Prairie Star Ranch
Adoration Shindig
Oct 3
St Andre Orchard
Adoration Shindig
St Andre Orchard

Falling deeper in love with Jesus Christ and serving our fellow neighbor in Northeast Kansas. Prayer and Action (PandA) of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is a service retreat ministry that provides our teens the unique opportunity to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church while serving the local communities of northeast Kansas.

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St Andre Orchard
Adult / Family Enrichment
Oct 11
Adult / Family Enrichment
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Women’s Retreat
Oct 16
Prairie Star Ranch
Women’s Retreat
Prairie Star Ranch

A sacred, screen-free getaway designed to bring your family closer to each other and to God. Enjoy classic camp activities, beautiful liturgies, and quality downtime together on the prairie.

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Prairie Star Ranch

Upcoming Prairie Star Events

View Prairie Star Calendar
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The Place of Encounter
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Experience The Ranch

Prairie Star is the ministry. The Ranch is the place. Set across the hills, woodlands, and open prairie of Northeast Kansas, The Ranch provides the environment where many encounters with Jesus Christ occur.

The Ranch offers lodging, meeting spaces, waterfront activities, and outdoor adventure — the setting, facilities, and hospitality that help transform an event into an encounter.

Explore Our Facilities
Explore Our Facilities
Discover Our Retreats
Discover Our Retreats
A person lighting candles in front of a wooden altar with framed religious icons and photographs of saints and religious figures. The altar has candles and incense sticks.
Group of smiling young girls making peace signs and having fun outdoors near a lake with trees and a picnic area in the background.

Come and see where faith comes alive

Child sliding down a water slide with arms raised and water splashing.
Group of six young friends smiling outdoors during daytime, standing on grass with large trees in the background.

Contact Us Today

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We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions about Prairie Star, our facilities, or our programs, please don't hesitate to reach out. Fill out the form below with your details, and a member of our ministry team will get back to you as soon as possible.