Camp Emmaus
Mount Morris, IL



   

Camp Emmaus is an outdoor ministry of the Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren since 1948.
Nestled on nearly 100 acres of rolling woodland in the Rock River Valley, we invite you to connect with creation, experience God, and ignite your faith.


   

   


  FALL NEWSLETTER  


  2024 CAMP DATES  

emoji-timeline October 26  
Escape to Emmaus: Primitive Shelter Day
emoji-timeline November 8-10   Youth Leaf Raking Retreat
emoji-timeline November 9   emoji-timelineemoji-timelineLeaf Rakingemoji-timelineemoji-timeline
     
Check the schedule page for more details.

  PRIMITIVE SHELTER DAY  


  LEAF RAKING RETREAT  

NOVEMBER 8-10

Rake leaves. Have fun. Learn. Worship. Eat. Campfire. Catch up with friends from camp.

That's what the Camp Emmaus fall senior high youth leaf raking retreat is all about. Join us in the retreat lodge for a fantastic fall weekend!

The retreat begins at 7 p.m. Friday and wraps up by 12 p.m. Sunday. Late arrivals and early departures are permitted, but you must be there for the leaf raking Saturday morning.

Michelle Bowman is organizing the retreat, and Walt Wiltschek will be leading sessions on the theme “Big Questions,” thinking about how we think about our faith. Bring a sleeping bag, towel, snacks, and whatever else you need. Cost: $50. Questions: email MichelleKBowman@gmail.com.

RegisterHERE   


  LEAF RAKING WORKDAY  


  CAMP MANAGER'S CORNER  

My family and I have now been here at Camp Emmaus for one year. And I’ll admit that there is much about this landscape at camp that I have not fully explored yet. So much of my time on the property has more to do with work than with the opportunity to truly be present to the abundant beauty of creation around me. And I look forward to discovering the hidden gems and niches that I’ve yet to unearth. 

In doing so, I am scouting for a “green couch” location. The green couch is a place to be present to what is happening in the landscape, both externally and internally. It’s a place for contemplation, worship, naturalist training, journaling, scripture reading and simply being present to God’s Spirit amongst creation. For me it means cultivating and tending to that space in a way that allows me to be prayerfully attentive to what God’s Spirit might be speaking to me. It must be a space that is inviting and yet conjures up the mystical and otherworldly. Wherever it ends up being… there will be a bench and a natural threshold, and a prayer labyrinth/circle. It will be a space where I can “green” my soul when I notice my spirit is drying up.

This isn’t just a dream for me, but also for the land here at camp. I envision that we would have more intentional, designated prayer spaces (green couches) scattered throughout the property. Places for rest, renewal, release and reliance on the Spirit. A little sanctuary within a sanctuary. We have a few of those space already (lakeside sanctuary/altar, ‘come meet God” bench, peace pole, new council circle) and I’m excited to see how we might tend to those little sanctuaries together to enhance the Emmaus experience by continuing to “green” up the souls of all who encounter God in this blessed
sanctuary.

Respectfully in Christ,
Randall Westfall


  2025 CAMP DATES  

emoji-timeline May 23-26   Memorial Day Family Camp
emoji-timeline June 13-14   CIT Training
emoji-timeline June 14-15   Elementary (K-Grade 2)
emoji-timeline July 6-12   Survivor Camp at Camp Mack (Grade 6-8)
emoji-timeline July 13-19   Senior High(Grade 9-12)
emoji-timeline July 20-26   Middle School (Grade 6-8)
emoji-timeline July 27-31   Intermediate (Grade 3-5)
emoji-timeline August 1-3   YAAYAH (Age 18+)
emoji-timeline August 3-6   Target Sports Camp
emoji-timeline August 7-9   Women’s Camp
emoji-timeline August 22-24   Men’s Camp
emoji-timeline Aug. 29-Sept. 1   Labor Day Family Camp  
     
Check the schedule page for more details.

  CAMP'S GIFTS  

Camp Has Given Me...


  PLANTING SEEDS: GIVE A GIFT FOR GROWTH  

A gift of any size to Camp Emmaus can make a big difference! In addition to its regular annual fund, the camp is also building an endowment to secure camp’s ministries for the future.

Give online at: https://campemmaus.churchcenter.com/giving, or contact treasurer Dan Radcliff at Dev.Chair.CampEmmaus@gmail.com.


  CAMP BOARD MEMBERS  

 Sara Garner, Board Chair
 Patrick Benassi, Vice Chair
 Dan Radcliff, Treasurer
 Elizabeth Patterson, Secretary
 Amanda Burch, Program Chair 
 Elizabeth Patterson 
 Callie Surber
 Michelle Bowman, Property Chair 
 Gary Baisden 
 Mike Sondgeroth
 Shannon McNeil Smith, Development Chair 
 Patrick Benassi 
 Dan Radcliff
 Michelle Firebaugh (ex officio) financial secretary 
 Austin Weaver (ex officio) recording secretary 
 Randall Westfall (ex officio) camp manager

MOUNT MORRIS WEATHER

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