Camp Egan Retreat Center
Contact: Dave Perrin
26633 Highway 62
Tahlequah OK 74464
918-456-6489
campegan@intellex.com
Wesley Woods Camp
Contact: Ron Knutson
1700 Clear Lake
Dowling MI 49050
269-721-8291
wwumcamp@aol.com
Jensen Woods Camp
Contact: Bob Dykman
RR1 Box 150
Timewell IL 62375
jwoods@jensenwoods.com
217-773-3714
Pine Canyon Camp
(in the heart of the incomparable Chiricahua Mountains!)
MaryLou Chopelas, site manager
11701 S Downing's Pass Rd
Willcox AZ 85643
520-824-3553
pinecanyon@vtc.net
www.pinecanyoncamp.com
Yes, we offer Family Camps and Retreats at our facility. These are done in the Spring and Fall, outside our Summer Camping Season. We just completed our Second Annual Spanish-speaking family camp with great success. Family Camps are a vital part of our ministry:
Ocean Park Retreat Center and United Methodist Camp
PO Box C
Ocean Park WA 98640
360-665-4367
opretreat.programs@willapabay.org
Contact: Joan Huber
PO Box 1061
Ocean Park WA 98640
jrhuber@willapabay.org
California Nevada Conference
Carol Kern (Shasta Family Camp)
1766 Plumas-Arboga Rd
Marysville CA 95901
cskmusic@succeed.net
Rev. Doug Norris (Adult and Family Camp)
douginorris@aol.com
Overlook Lodge Conference Center and Camp Comeca
Contact: Mary Garner
75670 Road 417
Cozad NE 69130
mary_comeca@cozadtel.net
Canyon Camp, Hinton, OK
Two churches that do a great job with family camps held at Canyon Camp:
McFarlin United Methodist Church
Contact: Kathy Mash
PO Box 6390
Norman, OK 73070
405-321-3484
Mayfair Heights UMC
Contact: Rev. Michael Fletcher-Taylor
3131 N.W. 50th
Oklahoma City OK 73112
405-942-5929
michaelfl4@cox.net
Wesley Woods Conference Center
Contact: Bruce Nelson
200 Stam Street
Williams Bay WI 53191
1-800-642-2267
niccamp@aol.com
Camp Lakewood
Contact: Angie Niccum
aniccum@impact-2818.net
PO Box 162
South Milford IN 46786
260-351-2331
lakewood@impact-2818.net
Horton Center on Pine Mountain, Gorham, New Hampshire
NHC-UCC
Contact: Gregg Pitman
140 Sheep Davis Road
Pembroke NH 03275-3711
603-225-6647
gpitman@nhcucc.org
www.hortoncenter.org
The North Georgia Conference
is exploring a means to have family camps.
Contact: Rev. Gary Greenwald
865 Camp Glisson Rd
Dahlonega GA 30533
706-864-6181
Director@CampGlisson.org
Camp Aldersgate in East Ohio Conference
Contact: Eric Dingler, Director
Camp Aldersgate
3276 Dyewood Rd
Carrollton OH 44615
866-627-4369
alders@raex.com
Asbury Hills Camp and Retreat Center
Contact: Doug Moore, Program Director
150 Asbury Dr
Cleveland SC 29635
program@asburyhills.org
We offer several types of family camps:
- Weekend Family Camps
- Weeklong Family Camps
- Father/Child Weekend
- Creation Vacation — Family Camps for underprivileged families
Casowasco, Camp, Conference and Retreat Center
Contact:Heather Withrow, Program Director
Heather@casowasco.org
Contact: Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Vol Dean
158 Casowasco Dr
Moravia NY 13118
315-364-8756
info@casowasco.org
Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center
PO Box 367
7961 Brantingham Rd
Brantingham NY 13312
315-348-8833
315-348-4279
Contact: Jackie Cordon
jackie@aldersgateNY.org
First United Methodist Church, Portland OR
Contact: Cheryl Luce
1838 S.W. Jefferson St
Portland OR 97201
503-228-3195
Fax: 503-273-8711
djenkins@fumcpdx.org
Moon Beach Center United Church of Christ
lots of Family Camps
www.ucci.org
info@ucci.org
715-479-8255
Camp Alta Mons
a United Methodist Centers offering a New Family Camp
2842 Crockett Springs Rd
Shawsville VA 24162
540-268-2409
Fax: 540-268-1308
altamons@aol.com
www.altamons.com
Asbury Hills UM Camp and Retreat Center
Asbury Hills is owned and operated by the South Carolina Board of Camps and Retreats Ministry of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
150 Asbury Dr
Cleveland SC 29635
C. Russell Davis, Director
864-836-3711
Fax: 864-836-5522
www.asburyhills.org/family.html
The Texas Annual Conference Division on Family Ministry
offers Annual Family Camp
Contact: Malcolm Monroe
281-820-2670
mmonroe@airlineumc.org
The Oregon-Idaho Conference
offers several Family Intergenerational Camps
1505 SW 18th Avenue
Portland OR 97201-2599
(503) 226-7931
(800) 593-7539
info@gocamping.org
Trinity UMC
offers an Annual Family Camp Weekend for their congregation
416 East 1st St
Kannapolis NC 28083
704-933-1127
Fax: 704-932-9265
First United Methodist Church of Seattle
offers a annual New Year Family All Church Retreat at Camp Indianola
www.seattlefirstchurch.org/activities/camps.htm
811 Fifth Ave
Seattle WA 98104
206-622-7278
206-689-8912 (voicemail)
Fax: 206-622-5770
Weekday Office Hours: 9 a.m. - Noon, 1-4 p.m.
mainoffice@firstchurchseattle.org
Hopewell UMC
offers an annual family campout/retreat
20 Blackwell Ave
Hopewell NJ 08525
609-466-0471
The California Pacific Annual Conference
offers an annual Family Camp
www.cal-pac.org/camping/
Brochure in PDF
St. Marks UMC
offers all church family retreat each year
1431 West Magee Rd
Tucson AZ 85704
520-297-2062
info@umcstmarks.org
www.umcstmarks.org/foryouth.htm
First UMC of Austin, Texas
has a Church Family Camp
512-478-5684
Fax: 512-478-6169
First United Methodist Church
PO Box 1666
Austin TX 78767-0166
John McMullen, Senior Pastor
john@fumcaustin.org
Lake Lucerne UM Camp and Retreat Center
sponsors a family camp
Brad Sherman, Site Director
Wisconsin Annual Conference United Methodist Church
W6460 County YY
Neshkoro WI 54960-9329
920-293-4488
Fax 920-293-4500
St. Marks Church in Georgia
offers an Annual Congregational Retreat at Camp Glisson UM Camp and Retreat Center
Helen Pearson was the Retreat Facilitator
404-873-2636
781 Peachtree St, NE
Atlanta GA 30308
office@stmarkumc.org
Lake Washington UMC
has a Family Life Group that offers a family retreat for the congregation
Lake Washington United Methodist Church
7525 132nd Ave N.E
Kirkland WA 98033
425-885-3311
office@lwumc.com
Sebastopol UMC
joins together with several UM churches to offer a Family Camp
500 North Main St
Sebastopol CA 95472-3498
707-823-7971
Fax: 707-823-5841
www.sonic.net/~sebumc/events.htm
sebumc@sonic.net
First UMC Evanston, Illinois
offers an all church family retreat
firstumc@firstumc-evanston.org
www.firstumc-evanston.org
Contact: Sara Webb Phillips, Pastor of Discipleship
1630 Hinman Ave
Evanston IL 60201
847-864-6181
Marysville UMC
holds a Family Camp at Lazy F UM Camp and Retreat Center
Contact: Shannon Donovan
360-653-1202
Marysville United Methodist Church
5600 64th St. NE
Marysville WA 98270
360-659-8521
Preschool: 360-658-0111
Fax: 360-658-9728
Msvlumc@aol.com
www.marysvilleumc.org
Camp Lakeside
offers a Wilderness Family Camp
Camp Lakeside
300 East Scott Lake Dr
Scott City KS 67871
620-872-2021
Fax: 620-872-3023
camplakeside@wbsnet.org
Eugene First United Methodist Church
holds a Family Camp at Suttle Lake UM Camp and Retreat Center
First United Methodist Church
1376 Olive St
Eugene OR 97401
541-345-8764
Fax: 541-485-5025
eugenefumc@qwest.net
www.eugenefumc.org
Commack UMC
Evangelism Committee offers an all-church family camp and intergenerational retreats at Camp Quinipet
486 Town Line Rd
Commack NY 11725
631-499-7310
www.commack-umc.org/index.htm
mail@commack-umc.org
Dobbins Memorial UMC
has a Church Family Retreat
330 Union Ave
Delanco NJ 08075
856-461-0058
www.delancometh.org/index.html
First United Church of Christ
526 West Main Street
Sugarcreek OH 44681
330-852-2632
Rev. Carlan Helgeson, Pastor
firstucc@bright.net
www.firstuccsugarcreek.org
Offers a family camp at Dunkirk Retreat Center
Aldersgate UM Camp and Retreat Center
offers a family camp
Contact: Lee Padgett, Camp Director
125 Aldersgate Camp Rd
Ravenna KY 40472
606-23-5078
aldersgate@irvineonline.net
First UMC of Hudson
has a Church Family Retreat
home.fiam.net/hudsonumc/
34 Felton St.
Hudson MA 01749
978-562-2932
hudsonumc@fiam.net
Maple Springs UMC
offers a Family Camp at Camp Tekoa UM Camp and Retreat Center
Contact: Kim Snipes, Activities Coordinator
336-722-7563 x124
kim@maplesprings.org
www.maplesprings.org/flwship.htm
2569 Reynolda Rd
Winston Salem NC 27106
336-722-7563
Fax: 336-722-7093
First UMC Lexington
holds a family Camp at Loucon UM Camp and Conference Center
200 West High St
Lexington KY 40507
859-233-0545
Fax: 859-254-2083
1stumc@1stumc.org
Camp Tanako
The Little Rock Conference offers a Family Camp at Camp Tanako
www.arumc.org
www.gbgm-umc.org/outdoorministries/
Contact: Lu Harding, Director of Outdoor Ministries
935 Beal Road
Clinton AR 72031
501-723-4580
lharding@hypertech.net
Camp Magruder
17450 Old Pacific Highway
Rockaway Beach OR 97136
503-355-2310
program@campmagruder.org
Contact: Brian White, Program Director
Judson Collins Center
Contact: Larry Kalas or Simon Burchill
1000 Hane Hwy
Onsted MI 49265
judsoncollins@umc-detconf.org
517-467-7711
We offer a variety of family-type events in both summer and retreat seasons. Teddy Bear Camp (K-1st grade with parent or other adult), Memorial Day Family Camp, Father & Son Retreat, Blacksmithing Experience, Horse Drawn Hayrides and Sleigh Rides, other events from time to time.
Myers Lake United Methodist Campground
10575 Silver Lake Road
Byron MI 48418
Phone: 810-266-4511
E-mail: mycampguest@onemain.com
http://www.myerslake.com
Contact: Jon Lawrence, C.P.O. Camp Director jonlawrence@onemain.com
Our entire facility is based on the family camping ministry here at Myers Lake. We are a 126-site RV Family Campground operated by the Detroit Conference.
Westview on the James Camp & Retreat Center
Contact: Catherine "Cat" Holbert
1231 Westview Road
Goochland, VA 23063
Phone: 804-457-4210
E-Mail: catholbert@hotmail.com
www.westviewonthejames.org
Cedar Crest United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center
Contact: Gary Wagner
8384 Barren Fork Bridge Rd.
Lyles TN 37098 (near Nashville)
Phone: 931-670-3025
E-mail: umcamp@bellsouth.net
Indi-Co-So
1558 Sieboldt Quarry Rd.
Springville IN 47462
Phone: 812-275-6925
E-mail: indicoso@sicumc.org
Contact: Fred & Sheila Horstman (sohorstman@juno.com)
Wallowa Lake Camp & Retreat Center
84522 Church Lane
Joseph OR 97846
Phone: 541-432-1271
E-mail: wallowa@gocamping.org
Contact: Miranda Lovegren, Director
Hope United Methodist Church, Whitehouse OH
Box 2815
Whitehouse OH 43571
Phone: 419-877-5232
E-mail: thoover@accesstoledo.com
Contact: Rev. Tom Hoover
McComb-Portage Chapel United Methodist Churches, McComb OH
204 High Street, Box 220
McComb OH 45858
Phone: 419-293-3350
E-mail: jeffharper@woh.rr.com
Contact: Rev. Jeff Harper
Maize Manor United Methodist Church, Columbus OH
3901 Maize Rd.
Columbus OH 43224
Phone: 614-267-4939
Contact: Rev. Jim Freshour
Waldo United Methodist Church
Rev. Bill and Kimberly Thomas
PO Box 353
Waldo OH 43356
Phone: 740-726-2777
E-mail: billumcpastor@aol.com
Jim and Carolyn Craig
5732 N. CR 1300 E
Charleston IL 61920
Phone: 217-348-0713
E-mail: craig4146@consolidated.net
(Attending Otterbein United Methodist Church, Charleston IL)
Carolyn and Jim Craig recommend the following for training leaders of family camps and retreats:
Topics We Should Cover
Suggestions listed may include, but not be limited to the following:
- Defining the logistics (i.e. choosing a specific type of event, location, lodging, length, season of the year, etc.)
- Selection and recruitment of staff (i.e. building a team leadership skills, communication tools, responsibilities, etc.)
- Selection of a theme and defining the spiritual emphasis of the event (i.e. reason for the retreat)
- Design and development of intergenerational worship experiences.
- Selection of resources for mixers, songs, skits/dramas, devotionals, fun activities, recreational and group-building activities, etc., to correlate with the theme.
- Setting a budget and other money-related topics (i.e. fundraisers, soliciting financial support, tracking income and expenses, etc.)
- Drafting letters, reminders, and development of a daily schedule; as well as designing promotional materials — along with timelines for each piece of communication.
Family Camp Activities
Suggestions listed may include, but not be limited to the following:
- Family Olympics (relay races and games)
- Swimming and Pool Olympics (relay races and games in the water)
- Canoeing, paddleboating, archery
- Volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, ping pong
- Kick-the-Can
- Ice cream making
- Ice Cream Social / Get-Acquainted Time
- Hayrides
- Campfires, smores, and family vespers
- Bicycle Rides
- Scavenger Hunts and Family Hikes
- Table games & puzzles
- Family Crafts
- Family Talent/Variety Show
- Square Dancing/Line Dancing as a family
- Special family-oriented outside entertainment brought in: Christian jugglers, magicians, puppeteers, musicians, drama teams, etc.
Family Camp Theme
Depends on what the group is interested in. Some themes have been easier for us to work with than others. Here are a few suggestions:
- A Family Adventure
- Family Foundations
- Families Under Construction
- Family Treasures
- The House That God Built
- It's A Jungle Out There
- Family Recipe
- Family Legacy
- Family Windows 2003
Resources and materials you recommend for leaders
Unfortunately, there's not a lot of material written specifically for use in a family and retreats ministry setting. However, we have generally taken a theme and pulled in resources from a lot of different places to develop a program. A few books that have been helpful in that process are:
- The Holy Bible (have used several translations)
- The Message Bible is good with families!
- Little House on the Freeway, by Tim Kimmel
- Opening Your Child's Spiritual Windows, by Cheri Fuller
- The Great House of God, by Max Lucado
- How to Keep Your Kids on Your Team, by Charles Stanley
- What Really Matters at Home, by John & Susan Yates
- Building Stronger Families, by Royce Money
- Five Signs of a Loving Family, by Gary Chapman
- Living in God's Time, by Margaret McMillan Persky
(Note: Carolyn is currently in the process of writing a book related to Family Camp and Retreat Ministry. For more information on how you might purchase a copy when it is completed, please see Carolyn and Jim Craig's contact information above.)
