MENNO HAVEN CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER
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Winter Retreats

Menno Haven Winter Retreats are a time for:
• Quality worship and Biblically based input
• Meaningful faith development
• Fun times for youth groups and their youth sponsors
• Relaxation with friends
2022 Information 
Young Adult/High School - January 7-9*
High School - January 14-16*
Junior High - January 21-23*

* We are planning and preparing for these events
but due to COVID-19 these dates/events are dependent on the
Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC recommendations. Email program@mennohaven.com for our guidelines for the weekend.

Registration Closed
High School:
Speaker: Thavisth Mounsithiraj
Topic: The me I want to be:  How God calls us and shapes us through the events of our lives
Worship led by: Menno Haven Band
​​
 Registration Fee: $125 per individual ($5 off before December 21st)
Picture
Thavisith or Mr. T. Mounsithiraj is a longtime lover of camp ministry and teenagers. Ashley originally met him and his beautiful family while on a summer staff together back in 2012 and CAN.NOT. WAIT. for y'all to meet him.
He was born in Laos and his family of 8 immigrated as political refugees to the United States when he was 11. He received his Bachelor degree in Psychology from Goshen College and Master Degree in Counseling from Indiana University. He is a member of Toastmaster International. He had spoken in front of a 3500 people audience as well as a small group gathering with diverse backgrounds and life experiences. His compelling life story and humor make him a very captivating and inspiring speaker. He is a gifted storyteller that connects very well with his audience. When not spending time with his awesome family and telling story, he can be found pacing sidelines coaching soccer. ​

Junior High: 
Speaker: Kim Litwiller
Topic: IMPACT
Everyday we are impacted by what we encounter AND everyday we make an impact on those we encounter. But, what kind of impact does Jesus call us to make AND what kind of impact does He warn us to avoid?

​Worship led by: Menno Haven
​​
Registration Fee: $125 per individual ($5 off before December 21st)
Picture
Kim Litwiller is no stranger to rough edges of faith. She has a heart for bringing the Word of God to those on the outskirts and loving God's people back to Him. She has been a youth pastor, lead pastor, as well as a former IMC conference minister. Kim lives in Hopedale, IL with her husband, 4 kids, and beloved pups Sadie, Samson and Jesse. She craves lake time with the family and delights in working out, sewing, and hiking if it's nice out.


​Young Adult: Defined as for anyone post high school and up. This is a great retreat to come and hangout with young people - single or married - and young at heart people!
​There will be 4 worship times with input from the speaker and times for group discussions. There will be a variety of planned activities as well as free time to experience all Menno Haven facilities and outdoors has to offer. 
​

​ Speaker: Cyneatha Millsap
 Topic: Make Me An Instrument of Peace
Worship led by Ashley Litwiller & Wesley Herschberger
​

 Registration Fee: $125 per individual ($5 off before December 21st)
What is "Winter Retreat"?
Menno Haven's Winter Retreats are an opportunity for youth  and young adults to experience a weekend of faith and friendship building with other youth and young adults in a retreat setting. High School and Junior High Winter Retreats are also a time for individual youth groups to grow closer together and to relate with other youth groups. 

What happens at Winter Retreats?
Time at Winter Retreats is centered around worship, discipleship, and fun. There are 4 times of worship with speakers and time for group discussion. (One on Friday, two Saturday, and one Sunday morning.) Between worship times there is plenty of time for fun. Much of the time is left unstructured for games and outdoor winter adventures. Often youth leaders organize tournaments during this time. We have an indoor climbing wall, basketball, volleyball, and game room, as well as equipment for ice skating, tubing, and cross country skiing, weather permitting.  

Why should my youth group come to a Winter Retreat?
One of our main objectives at Menno Haven, in regards to youth and young adults, is to partner with churches to help encourage the faith development of today's youth and young adults. Our speakers for winter retreats are encouraged to speak on topics related to discipleship, deepening faith and Christian identity. And as well as offering a place for spiritual growth, we recognize that as our society continues to become increasingly non-Christian, it can be refreshing for youth and young adults to be able to spend time with other youth and young adults who share their faith and beliefs. Our winter retreats provide for that opportunity. 

Do I have to be Mennonite to come?
No! For many decades we have been doing winter retreats specifically for churches that have had ties to the "Mennonite" faith tradition, but the content is not necessarily denomination specific. 

Do I need to be with a youth group?
Yes. All youth attending High School or Junior High Winter Retreats must have chaperones or adult sponsors. We ask at least 1 chaperone for every 5-10 youth and that each gender has at least one chaperone.

If you are coming to the Young Adult Winter Retreat, you can come on your own or bring a group of young adults with you. 

What should I bring?
You should bring:
- Sleeping bag or bedding, including towels, pillows, etc
- Toiletries 
- Flashlight
- Note taking materials
- Bible
- Warm clothes
- Other items your sponsor recommends 
Picture
​Cyneatha Millsaps is the executive director for Mennonite Women USA. She has served as the lead pastor of a multicultural congregation just outside of Chicago and has been a columnist for The Mennonite. She is a community activist and advocate, focusing on the needs of women and children in the areas of violence, education and spiritual development. She is married to her loving husband of 25 years, Steven. Together they have seven children and 20 grandchildren.

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!


Winter Hours

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

Telephone

(815) 255-4649
​
Fax: (815) 290-0043

Email

info@mennohaven.com
  • 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
    • Two Week Report
  • Programs
    • Family Programs >
      • Family Getaways
      • Family Camp
      • GrandCamp
    • Adult Programs >
      • Summer Staff Reunion
      • Women's Retreat
    • Summer Camps >
      • Summer Camp Speakers
    • Summer Staff
    • Rally Day
    • 5k/2k
    • Youth Leader Retreat
    • Winter Retreats
    • Program Calendar
    • Haven At Home
  • Adventure Education
    • High Ropes
    • Initiatives
    • Climbing Wall
    • Cooperatives
    • Facilitator
  • Trading Post
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer >
      • 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 >
      • 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 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