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.
October 26
Escape to Emmaus: Primitive Shelter Day November 8-10 Youth Leaf Raking Retreat November 9 Leaf Raking Check the schedule page for more details.
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.
Register: HERE
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
May 23-26 Memorial Day Family Camp June 13-14 CIT Training June 14-15 Elementary (K-Grade 2) July 6-12 Survivor Camp at Camp Mack (Grade 6-8) July 13-19 Senior High(Grade 9-12) July 20-26 Middle School (Grade 6-8) July 27-31 Intermediate (Grade 3-5) August 1-3 YAAYAH (Age 18+) August 3-6 Target Sports Camp August 7-9 Women’s Camp August 22-24 Men’s Camp Aug. 29-Sept. 1 Labor Day Family Camp Check the schedule page for more details.
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.
Sara Garner, Board Chair Patrick Benassi, Vice Chair Dan Radcliff, Treasurer Elizabeth Patterson, Secretary Amanda Burch, Program Chair
Elizabeth Patterson
Callie SurberMichelle Bowman, Property Chair
Gary Baisden
Mike SondgerothShannon McNeil Smith, Development Chair
Patrick Benassi
Dan RadcliffMichelle 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