Menno Haven's StoryA Brief History of Menno Haven written by Dennis Zehr Menno Haven History Timeline PDF with Photos Year Events Prior to 1957 Church Camp Committee formed 1943 Summer camps held at various locations Various camp grounds and study committees over the years 1957 April 25: Illinois Mennonite Camp Association organized & chartered June 7: Constitution adopted and first Board of Directors elected: Pres: Joe Massanari, V. Pres: Lawrence Horst, Sec: Howard Mellinger, Treas: Elton Ulrich, Other: Clayton Eigsti, Donald Shoemaker, Tilman Smith 1958 September: 80 acres of rough land purchased near Tiskilwa, IL for $8,000. Memberships in Association sold for $100 October 4: First Association meeting held November 22: 100 people participate in first work day 1959 “Camp Menno Haven” named. See page 31. April 30: Rally Day tradition begins, called “Camp Rally” June 27: Camp Menno Haven dedicated July 27-Aug 1: First week of summer camp, sleep in tents, cost $15 Original Menno Haven logo designed by Vernon & Eric Schertz Swimming at Kaufmann farm pond 2000 trees planted August: an additional 152 acres purchased for $37,500 1960 First 5 rustic cabins built by Illinois Mennonite churches: East Bend, Metamora, Morton, Roanoke, Willow Springs 3 metal buildings moved to and reconstructed at Menno Haven August 15-21: First Family Camp held September: “Ministers Retreat” - first adult retreat held October: Boat Dock built Village bath houses added 1961 Work on dam and swimming area completed First year for BBQ chicken at Rally Day celebration Entrance drive constructed $3 requested from each church member in Illinois Mennonite Conference 1962 Gravel/sand (150 yds) spread on ice on north side of lake to create beach front 1963 Four weeks of summer camp planned 1964 3,000 evergreen trees planted on the grounds Harrison and Ripple engaged for long range planning 1965 Illinois Mennonite Conference approved a site development plan 3,000 additional trees planted 1966 Construction of Assembly/Dining Hall begun 1968 July 24: Alton Horst arrives to becomes the first full time Administrator May 10: First Senior Citizen Camp held May 30: Assembly/Dining Hall dedicated, now named Lakeview Lodge 1970 Adirondack shelters built Canoe trip camping introduced on Vermillion River 1971 Wilderness canoe trips to the Boundary Waters begin 1972 Campground well dug. Connected to the main well in 1975 12 passenger van purchased for canoe trips Two wedding ceremonies performed and at least one baptism done on campus 1974 First Homesteaders Canoe (Couples) trip to Quetico Provencial Park Original ropes course constructed 1975 Illinois Mennonite Conference approves further development plans Storage and conference room added to Main Lodge 1976 Construction of Oak Lodge and Hickory House began with aid of Mennonite Board of Mission Mobile Builders Unit April 2-4: International convention of Mennonite Camping Association held at Menno Haven 1977 Pine Grove Staff House construction begun Fall: Oak Lodge & Hickory House ready for use Tent and trailer area with bath house completed 1978 Swimming pool completed 1979 “The Prairie People” a memorial to Melody Gerig sculpted by Paul Friesen and installed near the entrance 1981 Debt liquidation fund drive initiated 1983 June 20: Alton Horst suffers serious back injury in fall 25 years of operation celebrated. 1985 Remaining debt from late 70’s expansion retired 1986 Name changed to Menno Haven Camp & Retreat Center 1987 Harvested 1000 pounds of honey from bee hives on MH property Large LP tank installed 1988 Summer camps begin on Sunday evening and end Friday evening 1989 Alton Horst retires as Administrator after 21 years Rod Detweiler becomes Administrator/ Executive Director(1996) Illinois Mennonite Conference rents office space in Lakeview Lodge Initial oak and walnut trees planted as part of reforestation project 1990 Ball field ready for use Lake renovation project planning underway Foundation for Excellence drive underway 1991 Walk-in freezer completed Pavilion at campground in memory of Mark Horst completed 1992 Lakeview Lodge became handicapped accessable 1993 Boy’s Village bath house replaced 1995 Adopt-a-room program begun to refurbish and remodel hotel rooms 1996 Menno Haven Cookbook published Current ropes/initiatives course begun 1997 State of the art Adventure course constructed Lake renovation begun 1999 Lake renovation completed David Horst, son of Alton, becomes Executive Director in April 2001 Boat House built Faith in Action $1,300,000 Capital Campaign launched 2002 Farm House upgraded 2003 Eagle Wing Activity Center construction begun Stairs on east end of Lakeview Lodge replaced with deck and stairs 2004 Eagle Wing Activity Center dedicated Rally Day, May 31 David “Doc” Johnson becomes Executive Director in November Deer Run Staff House completed and occupied in December 2005 Main Lodge renamed Lakeview Lodge Geothermal heating and cooling system installed in Lakeview Lodge David “Doc” Johnson licensed for ministry at Menno Haven 2006 Lakeview Lodge west stair well enclosed Lakeside Stairs dedicated November 18 2007 David “Doc” Johnson ordained for Ministry at Rally Day, May 27 2008 50th Year Celebration: Theme: Seeds of Faith, Seasons of Flowering -IMC annual conference held at Menno Haven -Extended Rally Day event with over 100 participants in a work day -Reunion Family Camp held -Former Board members recognized at Association Meeting in November -Founders Grove dedicated on Rally Day, May 26 2009 Geothermal heating and cooling installed in Farm House Lakeview Lodge kitchen, handicapped bathroom, guest service room remodeled 2010 Deck between Oak Lodge and Hickory House constructed 2011 Volunteer housing finished in lower Deer Run 50th Anniversary Book completed |
50th Anniversary Book
In commemoration of Menno Haven's 50th Anniversary, we assembled a book full of stories and photos from our first 50 years. If you would like to purchase a book for $10, please contact the office.
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