MENNO HAVEN CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER
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Volunteer with SOOP

Another way you can volunteer at Menno Haven is through SOOP.  Service Opportunities with Our Partners (SOOP) is part of the Mennonite Mission Network and it offers flexible service terms at 60 locations for individuals ages 25+ and families of all ages. As of 2023, Menno Haven is now one of their service locations! 

August 2023 - Enos & Carolyn have taken the 2023 calendar year to serve at SOOP locations across the United States for a month at a time. We were blessed to have them come to Menno Haven for the month of August.  They brought much joy and care during the month.....for guest groups, the facilities, and staff. Hear a little bit about their time from Carolyn below. 

"Try it. You'll like it." - Carolyn Tice

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Carolyn & Enos watching GrandCamp participants.
Our Time @ Menno Haven - by Carolyn Tice

We have been serving at a variety of church-related entities for eight months so far. Generally, we move to a different location every month. We want to explore different areas of the USA and learn about/experience different cultures while serving others. Our sites are generally chosen according to their locations and the entity’s need of the skillsets we have to offer. Menno Haven came highly recommended to us by our son who previously served here.

So, our time here has been richly filled with wonderful relationships and a great variety of tasks. Some tasks have been more simple ones like raking debris from the playground, and general housekeeping. Others have involved problem-solving, such as trying to determine why an appliance doesn’t work and what can be done to make it work properly. Cooking for a crowd could have been overwhelming had it not been for careful, sequential coaching from the regular staff working alongside us. Staff has been very accommodating to our particular skill set and interests. Each day brought variety. Whether splitting wood, cleaning light fixtures, performing pool maintenance, repairing broken chairs, building a fire for guests, assisting with children’s activities, or sharing in worship, we felt loved, needed, and appreciated!

We also had time to do our desired exploring of cultural/historical sites around the area. From boating on Lake Menno Haven and hiking around the camp to visiting a variety of local parks, we were able to connect with nature.

The fellowship we’ve had here at Menno Haven is special. We learned to know new friends and renewed acquaintances with old ones. It was easy to connect! We ate together, laughed together, worked together, and worshipped together. What a rich and rewarding experience Menno Haven has been for us. As an “ancient” TV ad used to say, “Try it. You’ll like it.”
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Enos, the Facility Director's right-hand man for the month of August
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Carolyn, the deep cleaner extraordinaire.
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Out for ice cream after a month of work and fun.

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​April 2023 - Bob  King has been serving through SOOP at Mennonite camps across the midwest for the last 9 years. We were blessed to have Bob come to Menno Haven for the month of April. As a retired arborist Bob spent his time taking care of the trees around the property - trimming them to promote growth and vigor, taking down trees if needed for health reasons, and generally beautifying the property. Bob's servant heart, fun loving spirit, and tree knowledge/expertise were such a blessing! 
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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 >
      • 2025 Summer Camps
      • 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