By Tara Knudson Carl, Director of Operations
At Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, we are about to usher in the era of the yurt!
We have purchased four yurts from Freedom Yurt-Cabins in Sidney, Nebraska for The Grove site. These yurts will replace the tipis previously utilized
during summer camp at this site.
The yurts are made with solid-insulated wall panels and will have both air-conditioning and heat, allowing them to be used all year.
After being assembled this spring, they will house campers for the first time in summer 2025, with approximately seven campers and one Summer Ministry Team member in each unit.
So, what exactly is a Yurt?
A yurt is a contemporary form of a round tent-style shelter that originated three thousand years ago in Central Asia.
The word yurt meant ‘home’ or ‘dwelling’ in many ancient nomadic languages, as yurts allowed for shelter but were fairly portable.
Tribes in Asia that traveled with their herds found yurts worked well, given they were fairly mobile and provided both suitable housing and protection against the harsh climate.
According to Praveen Krishnaiah in The Out Factory, Genghis Khan and the Mongol empire were responsible for the subsequent increase in yurt use in Asia and Europe, as Khan’s armies used collapsible yurts as they moved from location to location.
The yurts used in early years were typically made from natural materials such as wood, felt, and animal hides.
Vaani Sai in Outdoor Guide indicates that yurts are sturdier and more durable than tents due to their wooden lattice-wall frame and circular shape.
They have maintained their general design and structure over the years, though most modern yurts are now permanently built on a wooden or
concrete platform.
In fact, in recent years, as yurts have become more popular for both camping and for “glamping,” (glamorous camping) some even include bathrooms as well as multiple rooms.
Their affordability and practicality have kept them relevant, and in addition to camping, they sometimes serve as vacation houses and tiny homes.
Here at NLOM, we are excited to share that we will be taking reservations for our yurts outside of summer camp for those who want to experience this kind of adventure at Carol Joy Holling Center. We are currently working on the plans and details to make this happen starting this August, so stay tuned!
