Menno Haven's Story

A 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.