Camp Emmaus is a Christian outdoor ministry that seeks to create a welcoming space where all can experience the transformative powers within God’s creation and be called to live a life of service, peace and deep connections with one another.  Emmaus is an outdoor ministry of the Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren since 1948.

  CAMP DATES  

May 22-25, 2026    Memorial Day Weekend   June 1    Early Bird Deadline   June 12-14    Counselor Training (CIT)   June 13-14    Elementary Camp   June 14-17    Target Sports Camp   July 5-11    Senior High Camp   July 12-18    Survivor Camp   July 19-23    Intermediate Camp   July 24-26    YAAYAH Camp   July 26- Aug. 1    Middle School Camp   August 6-8    Women's Camp   September 4-7    Labor Day Weekend    ONLINE CAMP REGISTRATION Check the schedule page for rates and other details.

  2026 REGISTRATION IS OPEN  

Camp Emmaus 2026 Summer Camp Registration is now open!   We are using a new online registration platform that we hope will be simpler than our previous platform. We're using the same platform (Zeffy) that many of you are already familiar with as we use it for our Camp Store.   To view the registration form please click the link below and follow the directions for each of the camps.   You will select the camp that you are registering for by clicking the green Add + button and then follow the directions for the deposit ($25) or to see the full amount for the camp click on the "More Details" portion of your camp.   If you have any questions about the new system please contact us via FB Messenger, email or phone.

  CAMP MANAGER'S CORNER  

The first snowstorm of the season hit this past weekend, and some 10+ inches later we’re clearing paths and shoveling around entrances to camp. It was the first significant snowfall that we’ve had here since January 2024.                                          Snow has a way of quieting camp. Trails that rang with summer laughter now lie hushed, waiting. The lake rests beneath its frozen veil, and the trees stand bare yet steadfast, reminding us that even in stillness, life endures. Winter is not absence; it is preparation. Beneath the frost, roots deepen. Beneath the silence, renewal stirs.        At Camp Emmaus, we know that ministry is not only about the busy seasons of programs and gatherings. It is also about the quieter rhythms—those moments when we pause, breathe, and listen for God’s whisper in the wind. Winter invites us to embrace Sabbath, to trust that rest is holy, and to believe that transformation is already underway, even when unseen.        This season also reminds us of the warmth we share in community. A fire in the lodge, a song lifted in worship, a story told around the table: these are embers of belonging that glow against the cold. They remind us that Christ’s light shines brightest when we gather, even in the darkest nights.        The lyrics of an old-time tune written by Molly Mason captures winter’s essence beautifully:        Darkest days, brightest nights      Mother nature got it right      Silver sky, full moon light      Darkest days, brightest nights        As we step into these darkest days and brightest nights of winter, may we carry both the hush and the hope. May we honor the gift of rest, and may we kindle the fire of community that sustains us until spring. And may we discover, in the waiting, that God is already at work— shaping us, renewing us, and preparing us for the seasons yet to come.    Respectfully in Christ, Randall Westfall Manager, Camp Emmaus

  WINTER NEWSLETTER  

  2026 CAMP CURRICULUM  

The 2026 Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) “InsideOut” camp curriculum will be titled “In the Wilderness.” An introduction to the theme notes: “Wilderness is a time or place where we encounter what is new, strange, scary, lonely, unknown or mysterious. The wilderness is a wild and beautiful time and place where we can discover the sacred within each person and all creation. … The wilderness reveals our strengths, growing edges, and potential as God equips us for the unknown still to come. The wilderness awaits us all, and God meets us there.” The annual InsideOut curriculum is a partnership between the Church of the Brethren and a variety of other denominations for use in outdoor ministry. Learn more at https://insideoutcurriculum.com/.

  YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE 2026  

Young Adult Conference 2026 Registration is OPEN! May 22 - 24, 2026 Camp Blue Diamond (near Petersburg, Pennsylvania) Are you between the ages of 18 and 35? Come join us for YAC! www.brethren.org/yya/yac

  NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE  

The next Church of the Brethren National Youth Conference (NYC) will take place July 18-23, 2026, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo., with the theme “Light Within Us.” Because it will be a new location for many of the advisors who will bring youth, it seemed helpful to offer a chance to experience the location prior to bringing youth. Thus, an NYC 2026 Advisor Preview will take place Oct. 11-13. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the campus, check out the food and lodging, and see what recreation options are like.  Additionally, participants will have a learning opportunity with Charles (Chuck) Hunt, who will lead sessions based on the book Faith Beyond Youth Group. The sessions will build on work by the Fuller Youth Institute, where Hunt is senior director of training, all while inspiring participants and providing new tools to help in various ministry contexts. Continuing education credit will be available.  Early bird registration is $300 and is available until July 31. Regular registration is $375. Registration includes two nights’ double-occupancy lodging, four meals, and all sessions. All registrants will be responsible for their transportation to and from the YMCA of the Rockies. (Denver International Airport is the most convenient, and there is shuttle service to the YMCA.) For more information, go to www.brethren.org/yya/advisor-preview-weekend-for-nyc-2026 or contact Becky Ullom Naugle, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at bullomnaugle@brethren.org or 847-429-4385.  Registration will open in January. Learn more about NYC 2026 at the National Youth Conference page.

  RETREAT FACILITIES  

About Emmaus Camp Emmaus is so named because it was on the road to Emmaus that the disciples encountered the living Christ. Because of this experience, the disciples continued on in their lives with a new vision, a new message, and a new hope for those back home. In this outdoor setting, Board programming seeks to strengthen our faith in Christ, develop stewardship of God's creation, strengthen future Christians by nurturing mature decision making, look beyond ourselves independently in intercultural experiences, and develop strong Christian leaders. We seek to provide good quality year round facilities for use by a variety of groups, both religious and secular as a service to the local community and region. May God guide our direction! Enjoy the beauty and serenity of creation at Camp Emmaus. Located on 97 acres of rolling wooded countryside, Camp Emmaus is surrounded by nature's splendor. The seasons dictate the color and characteristics of the camp, as well as the activities such as swimming in the outdoor pool, hiking, cross country skiing, fishing, bird watching, picnics and campfires. Opportunities are provided for family tent/trailer camping with a nearby picnic shelter and the retreat lodge are available year round. Note that there are no RV hookups and no facilities to dispose of trailer waste at this site. The camp is utilized during the summer for Church of the Brethren sponsored youth camps. These camps include Elementary through Senior High, as well as separate family camps. The Brethren camps are during July and August and the camp is otherwise available to be rented by other groups. In addition to Church of the Brethren camps, Camp Emmaus accepts various groups, both religious and secular. Contact the camp manager at 815-734-4268 for more information. Facilities There are four girls' cabins and five boys' cabins. In addition to the cabins, there are the main lodge, craft cabin, retreat lodge and log cabin. Overall capacity of the camp is 185 campers. The kitchen, dining hall, and camp store are located in the main lodge. The retreat lodge, with its kitchen facilities, and the log cabin are available for use year round. Recreational facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, basketball court, volleyball court, tetherball, ping-pong, and four-square.

  CAMP BOARD  

Gary Baisden Patrick Benassi  Andy Brooks Monika Pandya Burchfield  Sara Garner Melyssa Otake Monica Rice Frye Mike Sondgeroth Jonathan Stauffer Callie Surber Daniel Radcliff, interim financial secretary Randall Westfall, camp manager

Camp Emmaus

send mail to:
P.O. Box 128
Mt. Morris, IL 61054

ship UPS to:
3011 W. Camp Rd.
Oregon, Illinois 61061

To make a reservation or ask the Camp Managers a question please call 1-815-734-4268;
for summer camp related questions please contact manager.campemmaus@gmail.com