Adventure Camps offer sleep-away camps for children and teenagers that foster community, social connection, and personal growth while discovering respect and reverence for the natural world.
Mornings
Our campers’ mornings begin with a song as our staff moves from cabin to cabin, or tent to tent, gently waking everyone with a familiar camp tune. Counselors stay with their groups, helping everyone get ready for the day—brushing teeth, showering, and putting on fresh clothes. We take a moment to stretch, breathe, and hear an opening verse or poem, allowing everyone to ease into the rhythm of the new day. While mornings are filled with excitement, we focus on starting slow, giving everyone a chance to settle into themselves.
When the camp bell rings, it’s time for breakfast—our homemade, comforting meal that brings us all together. It’s a time to share stories, talk about any dreams we had, and laugh with friends, all while looking forward to the day ahead. During breakfast, we also hear the day’s announcements: activity plans, the weather, and any special updates.
After the meal, each group helps with a quick cleanup or camp chore, ensuring our camp stays neat and ready for the fun ahead. Then, we gather for our morning assembly, where we sing our camp songs, hear about the year’s theme, and listen to ongoing stories. These assemblies are lively and full of energy, setting a positive, lighthearted tone for the day.
After the morning assembly, we dive into activities—crafting, outdoor games, or camp traditions. The day is filled with opportunities for fun, growth, and connection.
Mornings
Our campers’ mornings begin with a song as our staff moves from cabin to cabin, or tent to tent, gently waking everyone with a familiar camp tune. Counselors stay with their groups, helping everyone get ready for the day—brushing teeth, showering, and putting on fresh clothes. We take a moment to stretch, breathe, and hear an opening verse or poem, allowing everyone to ease into the rhythm of the new day. While mornings are filled with excitement, we focus on starting slow, giving everyone a chance to settle into themselves.
When the camp bell rings, it’s time for breakfast—our homemade, comforting meal that brings us all together. It’s a time to share stories, talk about any dreams we had, and laugh with friends, all while looking forward to the day ahead. During breakfast, we also hear the day’s announcements: activity plans, the weather, and any special updates.
After the meal, each group helps with a quick cleanup or camp chore, ensuring our camp stays neat and ready for the fun ahead. Then, we gather for our morning assembly, where we sing our camp songs, hear about the year’s theme, and listen to ongoing stories. These assemblies are lively and full of energy, setting a positive, lighthearted tone for the day.
After the morning assembly, we dive into activities—crafting, outdoor games, or camp traditions. The day is filled with opportunities for fun, growth, and connection.
CAMP COMMUNITY
Community is at the core of everything we do at camp. Each summer, we come together as a unique group of children and staff to create a supportive space where both individuality and collaboration thrive. It’s a place where every camper can explore their unique talents while contributing to the shared spirit that makes camp so special.
Our mission goes beyond activities and adventures—it’s about building a community where all feel seen, valued, and inspired to grow. The connections formed here become the foundation for unforgettable memories and meaningful personal growth.
OUR APPROACH
At Adventure Camps, our daily rhythms, combined with the beauty of the natural world, ignites a deep sense of wonder and gratitude in the campers. We blend beloved traditions, such as our camp songs, recipes, and daily assemblies, with opportunities for new, creative experiences each year. Through storytelling, teamwork, and adventure, we provide a nurturing environment where children can thrive, grow, and build meaningful connections. Every year brings fresh songs, new games, a new camp theme, and unique experiences, ensuring that each camper feels seen, supported, and inspired. We are committed to creating a safe, joyful space where your child will build lifelong memories and friendships.
Camp History
Adventure Camps were formalized in the summer of 2020, evolving from the long-standing tradition of Camp Greenwood Lake, which had been organized and sponsored by The Christian Community in Chicago for over twenty years. Motivated by a desire to offer more camps, tailored camp experiences, and, above all, the need for a dedicated organization to provide support, structure, and longevity, a team of young adults took on Adventure Camps as an independent entity with the goal of expanding these beloved traditions under a fresh name and vision. This shift marks an exciting new chapter, honoring the camp’s rich history while forging a unique path forward.
For over fifty-two years, The Christian Community has fostered a rich tradition of outdoor summer camps across the United States — even longer in Europe — with programs on the West Coast in California, the East Coast from Pennsylvania to Maine, the Midwest in Wisconsin, and even in Ontario, Canada. This transformation was inspired by passionate outdoor enthusiasts and young adults and came partly in response to challenges posed by the pandemic. Faced with the possibility of suspending camps, which hold immense value for countless children, a creative solution was sought. The camps were reimagined to better serve our communities, making them more accessible and varied in their offerings while providing the framework and support to continue them well into the future.
With these changes, a new identity naturally emerged, leading to the birth of Adventure Camps. While our name and organizational structure have changed, the spirit of our camps remains deeply rooted in over fifty years of cherished traditions, lively songs, engaging games, and a profound connection to nature and youth. Adventure Camps proudly carry forward this legacy into a new era, building on a foundation of treasured experiences and community bonds. The Camps are now independently organized under their own non-profit status and board of directors. We welcome and affirm campers and staff of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, gender identities, and sexual orientations."
OUR ORGANIZATION
We are a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit. Beyond camp planning, much of our behind-the-scenes work has focused on the very early stages of looking into establishing a permanent home and center for our camps and other activities in the Midwest. We are currently gathering the necessary paperwork and talent to dive into grant research, applications, and visioning.
