Family Camp

To grow, to learn, to have fun with your family and friends! For those who have sent their kids to camp, it is a great way for your children to share camp with you! For those who have been on the fence about sending your kids, it is a wonderful way for both parents and kids to preview and experience a slice of life at camp. Even though it is a different camp site than our Summer Camp, kids get an idea of what it is like to be at a camp with their church friends.

It is a beautiful facility on a Minnesota lake, only 1-1.5 hours away from the Twin Cities! Beside having dorm rooms for each family, most with private bathrooms, the camp has a game room, swimming pool, outdoor sporting facilities, walking trails, fire pits, a dining hall and chapel for families to eat and pray together. Because it is a camp for children with disabilities, everything is accessible!

In fact, if you know someone who would benefit, share the news! Families will be grouped in cabins that have bedrooms and bathrooms for each family. The cabin may have a small kitchenette and sitting area that will be used by all families. Visit Camp Courage’s website for more details!

While most of the participating families come from Orthodox churches in the Twin Cities, we have attendees from Duluth, Rochester…near and far!

All are welcome!  However, parents have told us that it is more relaxing once the kids are preschool aged or older.  We listened to that feedback and have planned activities for kids 4 years and older.  The last few years, we have had a great group of elementary, middle and high school kids.

The kids have one session and the parents have two sessions. The kids are in supervised activities during the parent’s second session. We often have a fun family session in the evening. You are welcome to attend as few or as many as you like.

Swimming, hiking, sporting games, carpet ball, ping pong, indoor cards and game room.  You name it, you can probably do it!

We eat all meals together as a group.  All meals are held in the camp dining hall.  It is a wonderful relaxed setting to visit with other families.

Most rooms have sleeping spaces for 4-8 people and include a private bathroom with a shower.  You must bring your own bedding (sleeping bags are most common) for twin style beds.  Sometimes, small families choose to share a room with another family they know.

While many of the buildings are different, rooms are centered around a common sitting room.  These common areas have a refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot.  Don’t worry about packing food for the weekend…the food is great and plentiful.

In most cases, you will have your own bathroom.  However, some years we have had overflow cabins with bathrooms that are shared…a great reason to get your registration in early!  You would be notified if this is the case.

We are excited that we have sessions that are divided by age.  We have had up to 4 different age-based workshops at one time for kids 4 years and older. During the second parent session, fun activities with our young adult counselors are planned for the children. The smallest children are kept together.

This is a casual weekend…jeans, sweatshirts…whatever you feel most comfortable.  With the permission of our priests, even church is casual.  Please see the packing list for more ideas.

While our program begins at 7:00 pm, check-in begins at 5:00 pm in the Lakeside Dining and Rec center, so come to the check-in desk to get your room assignment. There will be no dinner on Friday night, so feed your family before you come. You and your family are invited to spend time after brunch on Sunday, too!  The camp has graciously allowed families time to enjoy nature once our time together has ended.

No worries!  Get there when you can!  Let us know if your delay may mean a Saturday arrival so we will know not to worry.