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!
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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 |
Carolyn & Enos watching GrandCamp participants.
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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.”
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.”
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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