MENNO HAVEN CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER
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      • 2016 Summer Camps >
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        • 2016 Family Camp
    • Winter Retreat Photos >
      • Winter Retreat 2025
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Picture

Resources 

This page exists to help you! 

Here you will find information about
  • Questions people have about coming to Menno Haven
  • How to help your youth prepare for camp
  • What your children will experience at camp
  • How to talk about camp when they come home
  • Other helpful parent resources
What is your ​Lost and Found Policy?



​
Do you allow pets?
We hold onto lost and found items for 3 weeks after your group leaves. For summer camps, we hold onto lost and found for all camps until 3 weeks after the end of the last summer camp. After the 3 weeks we donate the remaining items to the local thrift store. Because of the volume of lost and found that we have we do not have time to find and contact the original owners. It is up to you to contact us. 
​
Because of concerns for other people's potential allergies, the extra work of deep cleaning rooms, and a desire to preserve the sounds of nature at Menno Haven we do not allow pets on site with the exception of service animals. 
Preparing for Summer Camp
Check out our Summer Camp FAQ page. ​
What Happens at a Week of Camp?
All weeks of camp are slightly different, but they all have a few similar parts. 
Morning Praise: This is a short time for singing active songs before breakfast to wake people up, get people moving, and set the tone for the day!
Chapel: After breakfast, a more formal time of singing and worship with either a speaker or skit on the theme for the day.
Cabin Bible Study: Time spent looking at a passage of scripture related to the daily/week theme. See the "Resource" section below for more details.
Cabin Activity: To help build cabin bonding and teamwork we set aside time each day for cabins to play games or do activities together.
Free Time: Time to play games, swim in the pool, or relax in the shade. This is unstructured time for campers to mingle and spend time together.
Instructionals: Instructionals are skills or activities where campers can sign up to learn a new skill or do a craft, such as archery, soccer, wood-burning, Frisbee, bracelets, and more!
All Camp Activity: Each day we spend time playing large group games such as Capture the Flag, Barrow the Balls, Staff Hunt, Ozzie's Nature Game, and more!
Evening Campfire: Each day ends with a campfire where we sing worship songs and an evening devotion is given by a staff member.  

Asking your Campers about Camp







​Resources 
Going to camp is like going to another country. There is a special language and vocabulary, there are different social norms (like dressing wacky on Wednesday!), special songs, and a different rhythm to the day. Since camp is like going to another country there can sometimes be some culture shock when leaving. Suddenly the people don't want to sing silly songs anymore, or build a campfire every night. It is important to remember that sometimes it takes time to process the experience at camp. Parents, you can be sure that the campers will be thinking about their time at camp long after they return. Stories may come slowly, or all at once! Be patient with them as you wait to hear about their experience. Remember, listening and asking questions can go a long way in helping them feel open to talking about camp.  

Follow along with the Menno Haven summer Bible Studies! Each day our campers spend time looking at a passage of scripture related to our summer theme. You can follow along with them with the Parent's Guide to the Bible Studies! This resource has the Bible studies that the cabin counselors will be making age appropriate for the campers, along with commentary from our Program Director, Jacob for the parents. Find the Parent's Guide Here  

For Parents and Youth Leaders:
Anabaptist Faith Formation Network - full of helpful resources for all levels of faith formation, including devotional materials, mentor program resources, bible studies, and more!  

The Gathering Place - A place for conversation and networking about faith formation. Features regular blog posts on various topics of ministry, book study groups, video discussion groups, webinars, and more!

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!


Fall Office Hours

Tues-Fri: 8:30am - 5pm
Sat-Mon: Limited Office Hours

Telephone

(815) 255-4649
​
Fax: (815) 290-0043

Email

[email protected]
  • Plan Your Retreat
    • Map of Grounds
    • Activities
    • Facilities >
      • Lodging >
        • Hotel
        • Dorms
        • Cabin
        • Tent/RV Campground
      • Meeting Spaces >
        • Upper Lakeview Lodge
        • Lost Meadow
        • Conference Room
        • Pavilion
      • Dining >
        • Dining Hall
        • Kitchenettes
      • Recreation >
        • Eagle Wing Activity Center
        • Pool
        • Lake
        • Activities
        • Ball Field
        • Hiking Trails
    • Fee Schedule
  • Programs
    • Family Programs >
      • Dads & Lads
      • Family Camp
      • GrandCamp
    • Adult Programs >
      • Women's Retreat
      • Ministry Leader Retreat
    • Youth Programs >
      • Winter Retreats
      • Summer Camps
    • Summer Staff
    • Rally Day
    • Program Calendar
    • Haven At Home
  • Adventure Education
    • High Ropes
    • Initiatives
    • Climbing Wall
    • Cooperatives
    • Facilitator
  • Trading Post
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer >
      • SOOP Volunteers
      • Long Term Volunteers
    • Work Day
    • Donate
    • Wish List
    • Association
    • Camp Medical Provider
  • About Us
    • Full Time Staff/Board of Directors
    • Association
    • Affiliations
    • Menno Haven History
    • Newsletters >
      • Sign up for updates!
    • Directions
    • Contact Us
  • Photos
    • Renovation Projects >
      • Dining Hall Patio Renovation
      • Oak Lodge: Dorm & Hotel Renovation
      • Hickory House: Dorm & Hotel Renovation
    • Summer Camp Photos >
      • 2024 Summer Camps
      • 2023 Summer Camps
      • 2022 Summer Camps
      • 2021 Summer Camps
      • 2020 Summer Camps >
        • 2020 Family Camps
        • 2020 Haven at Home Boxes
      • 2018 Summer Camps >
        • 2018 Family Camp
        • 2018 Blue Jay Camp
        • 2018 Junior High Camp
        • 2018 Cottontail Camp
        • 2018 Adventure Camp
        • 2018 High School Camp
        • 2018 GrandCamp
      • 2017 Summer Camps >
        • 2017 Family Camp
        • 2017 Blue Jay Camp
        • 2017 Junior High Camp
        • 2017 Cottontail Camp
        • 2017 Adventure Camp
        • 2017 High School Camp
      • 2016 Summer Camps >
        • 2016 Blue Jay Camp
        • 2016 Junior High Camp
        • 2016 Night Adventure Camp
        • 2016 High School Camp
        • 2016 Cottontail Camp
        • 2016 Family Camp
    • Winter Retreat Photos >
      • Winter Retreat 2025
      • Winter Retreats 2024
      • Winter Retreats 2023
      • Winter Retreats 2022
      • Winter Retreats 2020
      • Winter Retreats 2019
      • Winter Retreats 2018
      • Winter Retreats 2017
    • Family Program Photos >
      • Family Camp Photos
      • GrandCamp Photos
      • Family Getaway Photos
      • Sunday Concert Photos
    • Rally Day Photos
    • Volunteer Photos >
      • Work Day Photos
      • SALT Volunteers
    • Historical Photos