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.
May 23-26
Memorial Day Family Camp CIT Training Elementary (K-Grade 2) Survivor Camp at Camp Mack (Grade 6-9) Senior High(Grade 9-12) Middle School (Grade 6-8) Intermediate (Grade 3-5) YAAYAH (Age 18+) Target Sports Camp Women’s Camp Men’s Camp Labor Day Family Camp Check the schedule page for more details.
In the winter, camp can be a lonely place. In nearly two decades in outdoor ministry, I’ve come to observe that folks spend most of their time at camp from April to October. It’s the November through March months when we who live at camp get to experience the unique gift of camp when it’s quiet.
The spirit of God does something new when camp is quiet. And I can only liken it to an archaic word, apricity. It’s derived from Latin, meaning “the warmth of sunlight during the winter.” There’s something invigorating during the cold, wintry days when you get a day where the sun breaks forth from the gray sky, and you can feel the warmth of the sunlight as it reflects off the snow and creates silhouettes amongst the bare trees. I’ve had times where the sunlight on a midwinter’s day was so luminous that it felt as though I was swimming in it—or better yet, that I entered another realm within winter’s wonder. So, lonely yes; but not alone.
It’s in those glimmers of warmth where I can be transported into another realm that holds the mystery of what God has in store for the ministry at Emmaus. This is the time of year where we begin dreaming about what the coming year will be. Our camp board will be meeting again this month to better clarify our vision and mission so that we may continue the work of providing apricity to a cold, and broken world.
In the coming days, we’ll be posting on Facebook and the camp website some seed questions for the camp community. Those questions will invite us to “hivemind” the possibilities for Emmaus’ future. So be on the lookout for that. And in the meantime, in your prayers, keep Emmaus in your hearts and minds and give space for the Holy Spirit to cultivate some new dreamings for the next chapter in Emmaus’ story.
Respectfully in Christ,
Randall Westfall
With the start of 2025, the Camp Emmaus board members are curious about what your hopes and dreams are for the ministry at camp.
- What do you imagine and envision as you think about camp in 2030 or 2048?
- What programs would you like to see camp providing?
- What partnerships do you think would be good for camp?
- What kinds of updates or new facilities/amenities would you hope to see?
- What kinds of outreach do you see camp making in the local communities (Oregon, Mt. Morris, Ogle County)?
What new thing is God doing in our midst that we can co-create with the Spirit?Dream big people!We're looking forward to reading your responses. Just post.As always, your gifts help support the ministry at Emmaus and we look forward to partnering with you in 2025 and beyond.
NEWS & NOTES
- The third annual Illinois/Wisconsin District campfire took place Oct. 12, bringing together about two dozen people from half a dozen congregations for singing, snacks, and s’mores.
- Firewood is available for sale at the camp. For information, contact the camp at 815-734-4268.
- Volunteers are always needed for camp cleanup. Contact your church’s camp representative or a camp board member to help.
- Give to camp: https://campemmaus.churchcenter.com/giving.
Sara Garner, chair
Gary Baisden
Patrick Benassi
Michelle Bowman
Amanda Burch
Shannon McNeil Smith
Monica Rice Frye*
Mike Sondgeroth
Jonathan Stauffer*
Callie Surber
Austin Weaver, recording secretary
Randall Westfall, camp manager* new board members for 2025.
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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
