Investing in Improvements
November 9, 2020
Your Prayers and Support Will Lead Us in 2021 Over the...
Welcome to Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat Center
Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat is now closed for the winter and will reopen May 1, 2021. Group contracts for the summer are now being accepted. Individual camping reservations for 2021 will open Jan. 4.
One of God’s special places, with cool green woods, warm sand dunes, and a beautiful shoreline. Offering cabins, canvas platform tents, and a wide variety of activities. RV and tent campground sites are available for group, family, or individual camping open to the public. See our calendar page for special events. Contact us for year-round retreat options.
A half mile of pristine Lake Michigan waterfront is calling your name – and Lake Michigan Camp gives you the opportunity to enjoy one of Michigan’s greatest natural treasures. Set just south of Pentwater in the beautiful woods along the sand dunes, Lake Michigan Camp offers a unique camping experience.
At Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat you can:
- Stand at the top of the dunes and gaze out over the Lake – morning or night!
- Sit or lie out under the sun or stars.
- Stroll along the beach all the way to Pentwater Channel.
- Walk along the ridge of the dune in the company of beautiful trees and bushes.
- Attend youth summer camps, family camp or reserve part or all of the camp for your group.
- Experience the many different kinds of trees, plants, birds, and animals throughout the camp.
- Explore several long trails while cross-country skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
Director, Dana Hunt
Office: 231-869-5627
lakemichigancampdirector@umcamping.org
Events
View All
Title
Cost
Grades
Dates
Event ID
Title
Cost
Grades
Dates
05/01/2020-10/15/2020
Event ID
Beautiful, wooded sites just on the other side of the dune from Lake Michigan.
Season: To be determined. We are waiting for governmental restrictions to be lifted. Please check our website for updates.
Please call for post-season sites without hook ups.
Max RV size: 35ft. Most sites are for RVs under 30ft.
Platform canvas tents & cabins: Available by reservation
- Our campground is open to the public and offers a positive Christian camping experience for individuals, families, groups and churches.
- Reservations are strongly encouraged, though walk-ins are possible, especially weekdays.
- Pavilion with kitchen facilities attached is available for group use.
- Large gathering area with seating for campfires and worship services.
- Restrooms and shower facilities convenient to campsites.
- Bikes and kayaks available to registered campers.
- Calendar of Events
Individual and Group Reservations: Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat Office, 231-869-5627 or lakemichigancampdirector@umcamping.org.
Title
Cost
Through 4/15/21: $449
4/16/21 and on: $470
Grades
9 - 13
Dates
7/11/2021-7/17/2021
Event ID
LM21KAYAK
Your summer adventure includes kayaking, hiking, biking and camping to a stunningly beautiful part of our great state: the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula. You will explore spectacular cliffs, arches, sea caves by water, as well as beaches, forests, and miles of trails by land.
Deans: Rev. Chris Lane and Rev. Dan Duncan
Check in: 1 pm Check out: 12 pm
Title
Cost
Through 4/15/21: $449
4/16/21 and on: $470
Grades
6 - 8
Dates
7/18/2021-7/24/2021
Event ID
LM21TRIWAT
The perfect beginner backpacking trip in the Manistee National Forest. Campers learn basic backpacking skills while hiking the North Country Trail Manistee River Loop. One day spent canoeing or kayaking the Pine River.
Deans: Tom Jackson and Connor Jackson
Check in: 1:00 pm Check out: 12:00 pm
In The News
View All
Site Improvements – Lake Michigan
November 7, 2020
Good things continue to happen here at Lake Michigan Camp...
New Executive Director Hired
September 25, 2020
Camping Ministry Hires New Executive Director Michigan Area United Methodist Camping...
-
We love this campground. Quiet, well run, and beautiful setting. You will love the sand dunes, walks on the beach and astounding sunsets. We come here every year and are extremely excited about the new camp director and how they are working so hard to make such positive improvements to the entire camp. Will continue to come back every year!
Brenda, Google Reviewer
-
My relationship with God has definitely grown throughout this week. I was able to know what a good friend is and now I can strive to be one.
Jamee, Summer Camper
-
Nice big campground with wooded shady sites and beautiful Lake Michigan beach frontage. very friendly and helpful staff, we will definitely be back.
Cody, RV Campground Camper
-
"I never get homesick at camp, but the rest of the year I get campsick almost every day."
Summer Camper
-
"Opened my mind to what is going on in the world and how the bible can help us understand it with an open mind/heart."
Kenneth, Google Reviewer
-
"Opened my mind to what is going on in the world and how the bible can help us understand it with an open mind/heart."
Lucy, Summer Camper
-
The campground is open to the public for individuals, families and groups. The retreat center is available year round.
Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat
-
We stayed here for 2 nights and it was super peaceful being back in the woods. Great hosts and a great property. There are around 160 acres and 110 campsites that range form tents up to RV's. They even have tents that you can rent out that are already set up. They state that 35 feet is the max but my rig is 37 feet and had no issues at all. Water was good and the power only surged once but it was during a storm. GREAT place to stay if you want to be local to Mears, Silver Lake, Pentwater or even Ludington. With how busy some of the campgrounds can get in those cities, this one is perfect. Updated play-set and dump station this year as well. We will be back for sure.
Journey with the Jakes, Google Reviewer
-
“It's one of the best places to take your family camping, so very peaceful, and the view of the lake is breathtaking.”
Camper
-
"Watching the sunset from the deck on the beach is my favorite place in the whole world."
Youth Camper
-
“This is a place that makes it easy to connect with God and His family of souls and saints. A place of regeneration of mind, body, and soul. It is a great part of who I am!”
Camper
Contact
-
5807 Ridge Rd
Pentwater, MI 49449Director, Dana Hunt
Office: 231-869-5627
lakemichigancampdirector@umcamping.org - 231-869-5627
- Send an email
- Directions
Friends of Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat,
Fall has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It is the time of year where nature blooms with beautiful colors for one last finale. This fall at Lake Michigan Camp has been exceptionally busy as we hurry to wrap up projects: the electrical upgrades in North Camp, building platforms for more extended platform tents, getting a new roof on the Welcome Center, and all the many tasks that need completed prior to putting the camp to bed for winter.
As we complete these projects, it has become clear that this fall will be my finale as the Director of Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat.
Leaving Lake Michigan Camp has been a difficult decision, but 2020 has been a difficult year for our family, as I know it has been for many of you and your families. So, after much prayer, Duane and I have decided to move back to Indiana where we will be able to spend more time with our parents, children and our grandchildren.
Thank you, Lake Michigan Camp Family, for welcoming us into your family, for believing in us and for supporting us during the last three summers. Together we have accomplished much: four new family Cabins, a Staff Cabin, a new RV Dump, new extended platform tents, and a Pole Barn! All of this, and so much more was only possible because of YOU! Thank you for giving me this opportunity to work with you and for sharing your camp, your sacred place. Yes, I will miss this camp, I will miss the sunsets, the sounds of the angry lake, the smell of campfires, and the beauty of fall. I will miss looking out my office window and seeing the deer and wild turkeys but the thing I will miss the most are you, those people who we now call friends. So, while it may be my finale as your Director, it will not be the end for those friendships. I look forward to the days of coming back to Lake Michigan Camp as a camper and sitting around the fire with you, as just friends.
I will continue to work and finalize group reservations until the end of the year. The Camping Board and new Executive Director will be in communication with you in the days ahead as they work towards hiring my replacement. I am confident they will find a new Director soon. Please show the new Director the same love and support that you have shown Duane and me.
Our son’s favorite childhood movie was the Fox and the Hound. In the scene with the memories of the Fox and Hound, Widow Tweed says “Goodbye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart is the memory and there you will always be.”
Friends, I wish the absolute best future for each of you, your families, and for Lake Michigan Camp & Retreat.
Dana Hunt
Thank you for everything you’ve done. For being the camps advocate and for caring about us and grounds and remembering us and always making us feel welcome! You’ll be missed. This became our favorite destination over the last 2 years. We made 3 visits this year, and we hope the new director will show the same love for the mission. Take care.
You both will be missed. We will think of you often. When Nomads come back in spring to work on the other stairway to the lake. Enjoy and support your family.
You will be so missed but certainly is understandable. Your love of the camp shone in all you did. I’m glad to have worked with you when we were coming to camp. Prayers for an easy transition and for all great things in your future!
You two are the best. Blessed to call you friends. Safe to and healthy times down the road. Nomads
Oh my goodness I am so very sad to hear this. You and Duane have done so much more for this camp in the past three years than had been done in the past 30! You will be missed, but understand your decisions to do what is best for your family. ❤️😢❤️ I will miss your wonderful updates of our beloved camp throughout the winter months as well. ❤️
We love you both!! Thank you for all you’ve done; it was a blessing to have you as the Director and for all the improvements you’ve made. We will miss you!! God Bless.
You have both done an amazing job at the camp. Hoping we get a chance to reconnect next summer when you return to visit.
You two will be hard to replace. You have breathed new life into Lake Michigan Camp when it was sorely needed. Thank you for your friendship, dedication, and hours a nd hours of hard work to make LMCR the gem that I pray it will continue to be. Godspeed in your move and settling into spending more time with your family. ❤
Dana and Duane, One of the biggest highlights of my NOMADS experiences to date was to help y'all put up the pole barn. It was such an honor to work with you and I cherish time spent with you at LMCRC. You never know when we might be passing thru Indiana! God bless you and your family.
Thank you for being a passionate advocate for the camp so all were encouraged to enjoy God’s beauty. You poured your heart into the camp when we needed to most and your hard work and love has left a lasting imprint - not only on the grounds but in people’s hearts. Your enthusiasm will be missed. I understand your decision and wish you and Duane the very best as you go on your next journey.
You 2 have been amazing camp directors & I thank you! Enjoy the time with your family.
Thank you for all you did for the campground and wishing you the best being back with your family. Sad for the campground and will miss your smiling faces!
Thank you for loving the camp so well. And for loving us, too. I look forward to sharing a campfire with you.
So sorry to hear this! But you will be going “home” to family! I wish you all the best on your next adventure! Shalom! Of all the emoji out there, there is not one camp ⛺️ fire 🔥
I am so sad, you will be missed ♥️😥 But family comes first! I hope I can come camp with you when you visit!!
You have done a wonderful job. We will miss you! Enjoy the precious time with your family. 💗
Dana, Good luck on your move home and your next adventure.
Enjoy the next chapter of your life. God has good things in store for you! You will be missed.
Dana and Duane - you are dearly loved. God be with you in your next chapter.
Well done good and faithful servant. You've made an impact that the camp will forever feel.
Thanks for all you have done for the camp and for all of us who love it so much. You will be sorely missed.
Sorry to see you go but glad George MP and I had the opportunity to meet you this year ( Labor Day weekend) . Hope you and your family stay safe and know you are loved. Thanks for all you did today and always.
Thank you for all you guys did at the camp. Peace and comfort for you.
You both truly served us all and our beloved camp well. Thank you for honoring the rich history of the camp and for improving it in ways that will keep it going for years to come. God bless you both as you transition close to family ♥️
Thank you for all you have done at camp, prayers for your family.