Camp Emmaus
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Camp Emmaus is an outdoor ministry that seeks to create a welcoming space where all can experience the healing powers of 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.
November 14-16
Fall Leaf Raking Youth Retreat Leaf Raking Day Memorial Day Weekend Counselor Training (CIT) Elementary Camp Target Sports Camp Senior High Camp Survivor Camp Intermediate Camp YAAYAH Camp Middle School Camp Women's Camp Labor Day Weekend ONLINE CAMP REGISTRATION
Check the schedule page for rates and other details.
While we can’t say camp is awash in cash, our donors did come through in a big way for the campaign to replace our aging commercial dishwasher as it was on its last legs. More than $25,000 was raised in a little over eight weeks to meet and exceed the need. The new dishwasher will be installed before the 2026 summer season. Thank you!
October 18th
12pm - Bring a Picnic Lunch
1pm - Hay Rack Ride
2pm - Hay Rack Ride
3-4:30pm - Campfire and S'mores
Raking will take place on Saturday, November 15th.
Donuts will be available at 8:30am, raking will begin at 9am.Bring your own rake;
leaves will be provided.
November 14–16, 2025
We are excited to offer the youth an opportunity to return to Camp Emmaus for a weekend of fellowship, worship, games, and serving the camp by raking leaves.
The camp rakes leaves each year so that the campgrounds are in the best shape to be used next summer. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with camp friends and introduce people to the camp community.
We gather on Friday evening at 7 pm and will be dismissed at Noon on Sunday following a short worship service. You can come late or leave early so long as you are at the retreat on Saturday morning.
Adult (Age 21 and above) advisors are welcome to come with their youth groups. Bring a rake, snacks to share, sleeping bag, towel, and work clothes. We recommend dressing comfortably and in layers - it can be chilly in the morning, and you may warm up while raking leaves.
Alissa Clark will be facilitating the retreat.Cost: $50
there are times when we must get away –
like a deer started by sudden movementwe feel the need to bolt
as the world grows too loud too fast
our nervous system waves the white flag to retreat
to find stillnessand if we don’t listen if we don’t honor our need for solitude
we burst at the seams.—Scott Stillman
As autumn is upon us, it is meant to be a time for slowing down. The rush of spring and summer now give way to the crisp air that invites us to gather around a campfire and reflect on the blessings and challenges of the past few months and what remains for 2025.
As I begin to slow down and shift gears towards a season of reflection, these words by Scott Stillman are resonating in my heart. And I am reminded that his words echo the sentiment and reason that we have a sacred place like Emmaus.
For the times when the world gets too loud or too fast, come to camp for quiet and stillness. When our nervous system begins waving a white flag, it’s time to surrender to the pace and chaos of brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible aspects our lives and rediscover how camp provides a robust, tranquil, reliable, and clear sense of connection to Christ and Creation (by disconnecting from the world).
Autumn is a season for retreat, a time for stillness, a time for solitude. Because if we do not honor our need for solitude, we will surely burst at the seams. And if your heart and soul are like a deer started by a sudden movement and you feel the need to bolt, then do so knowing you can find solace on these sacred grounds called Emmaus.Respectfully in Christ,
Randall Westfall
Manager, Camp Emmaus
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.
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.
Sara Garner, chair
Gary Baisden
Patrick Benassi
Michelle Bowman
Amanda Burch
Shannon McNeil Smith
Monica Rice Frye
Mike Sondgeroth
Jonathan Stauffer
Callie Surber
Daniel Radcliff, interim financial secretary
Randall Westfall, camp manager
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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
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