We are excited to announce that ASCENT 2026 will take place at The Crossing Retreat Center in Lexington, Nebraska, June 27 – July 1 (Saturday–Wednesday).
For the past two years, we’ve been grateful for our time at Camp W.O.W., but a few weeks ago, we were informed that they could no longer host us on the dates we needed. This was never in the plan, but this began a month-long journey of exploring countless camps all across the nation and praying for the right fit. Out of that search, God opened the door to The Crossing—and we couldn’t be more excited.
Why The Crossing?
We chose The Crossing for several reasons:
- Activities Galore – Along with classics like basketball, volleyball, disc golf, ladderball, and 9-square, The Crossing also offers unique options such as arrow tag, water slide, and an indoor gym with rock climbing, pickleball, and more. Plus, they have an indoor pool, a 5-car go-kart track, and a massive field for water games, football, and more!
- Comfortable Housing – No rooms have more than 16 beds, and every bed comes with a thick, comfortable mattress. Most rooms are for four people (2 bunk beds). Which means the cabins of 50 beds with no charging space are just a memory…
- Great Food Experience – A spacious cafeteria, all-you-can-eat portions, unlimited Pepsi products, and a variety of food options keep students fueled and happy.
- Top-Notch Worship Space – The worship center features a state-of-the-art stage and sound system, giving us everything we need for powerful worship gatherings.
- Room to Grow – Each building has plenty of space, and we won’t be sharing the campus with other groups. There are a lot of great “hang out” spaces both inside and outside.
- Cell Phone Signal – No more “signal rock” to stand on just to check in through the camp.
- Central Location – Compared to Oklahoma, Nebraska puts ASCENT closer to churches from the Central and Southern districts, making travel easier for many.
- Later Date In June – By having a date later in June, more churches (whose school gets out later) have a better chance of joining us.
- Affordable Pricing – Even with all these upgrades, The Crossing keeps costs steady, with only a minimal price increase expected.
Moving Forward
While we’ll miss the momentum we built at Camp W.O.W., but we believe The Crossing takes everything we loved and adds even more opportunities for connection, growth, and fun. We’re confident this move sets ASCENT up for our best year yet.
So mark your calendars for June 27 – July 1, 2026, and get ready for an incredible week together. More details—including speakers, band, and pricing—will be coming soon.
👉 Learn more about The Crossing Retreat Center here: crossingretreat.org
👉 Stay updated on ASCENT here: usmbnextgen.com/ascent
Here are some of the pictures of The Crossing:
