Family Weekends

    Labor Day Weekend                      October                             New Years

Life Action Camp has been on the cutting edge of family ministry for many years. We were among the first to operate exclusively as a Family Camp, and have been the industry leaders all along, pioneering such concepts as family assistants and date night. People from all over the United States and Canada fill nine weeks of Family Camp early... often a year in advance.

We have seen God meet with His people and alter the course of their lives in a single Family Weekend, and feel that God is compelling us to expand this ministry throughout the year. Family Weekends are designed as an opportunity for you to experience a short-term, affordable escape from the daily grind, without the need to use vacation days from school or work. We will take care of everything so that you can take a deep breath and focus on those things that are really important.

We are offering Family Camp Weekends in three distinct seasons:

Labor Day Weekend is Summer's last hurrah. We'll help you squeeze in every last bit of swimming, blobbing, and boating. We will pack the weekend with many of the favorite activities from Summer Family Camp. But we will also give you the opportunity to slow down. This weekend comes at a critical time. We want you take time to reconsider your walk, and to make sure you're on track spiritually before school begins.

October is a great time to pause and consider your journey. Life has settled into a familiar routine. You can draw in a breath of cool air, tinged with the sweet scent of harvest mingled with a hint of burning leaves. The trees are practically exploding with color. With more than ten years of Fall Family Camp experience, we will have lots of fun planned for you. This may well become your favorite time to attend Life Action Camp.

Resolution is a celebration during the New Year's holiday (even if it's not on a weekend). The kids are anxious to get out of the house after Christmas week. We often have plenty of snow for playing outside, we always have lots of fun activities, and we all get together for a big New Year's Eve party. More importantly, this is a great opportunity to retrace the past year and lay out some family goals for the new year to come.

The dates are all set for Fall 2013.
Check back here later for more information about speakers.

Labor Day Weekend - Aug 30 - Sept 2

October 11-14, 2013

Resolution - Dec 30 - Jan 1

Cottage

The cottage is our finest offering. It is a centrally located, 1800-square-foot home with 3 bedrooms (1 king, 1 queen, 1 queen w/ bunk), 2 full baths (1 with tub), a full kitchen, a living room with fireplace (and sofa bed), a screened porch, and a washer and dryer.

 Flat rate (for as many as ten people)

Chalet

Also centrally located, each chalet offers 3 bedrooms (1 queen, 1 full w/ bunk, 1 single w/ trundle), a loft with a twin bed, 2 full baths (1 with tub), a full kitchen, a living room (with sofa bed), a washer and dryer, and a sunroom overlooking the lake.

 Flat rate (for as many as ten people)

NEW!!  Hilltop Suites

Now under construction, these centrally located suites will offer 2 bedrooms (1 queen bedroom and 1 bunk room), 2 full baths, a kitchenette, a living room (with sofa bed), a washer and dryer, and a screened porch.

 Flat rate (for as many as ten people)

Hilltop

These centrally located rooms sleep 2 adults and up to 3 children. Each room has a queen bed, bunk bed, single bed, climate control, private bath, mini-refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, and screened porch.

Price per person based on age

Guest Room

These rooms sleep 2 adults and up to 10 children. Each room has a queen bed, bunk beds, climate control, private bath, mini-refrigerator, and microwave.

Price per person based on age

Cabin

These units sleep 2 adults and up to 6 children. Each cabin has a queen bed, bunk beds, climate control, mini-refrigerator, and microwave. A shower house is nearby.

Price per person based on age

RV Site

Our sites have full electrical, water, and waste hook-ups. A shower house is nearby.

Price per person based on age

Tent Site

Pitch your tent in our grassy, shady areas near the shower house.

Price per person based on age

The Lodge (Resolution Only - No Children)

The Lodge is a 1921 French country estate hidden away on 82 acres. It has eight bedrooms, each with a queen-size bed and private bath, and features a common great room with fireplace, sofas, piano, and a beautiful view of the St. Joseph River. The Lodge is located about 10 minutes from the camp in Buchanan, Michigan.

The following schedule is a sample only and is subject to change.

Friday
            2:00 – 6:00                Arrival and registration
            6:00                          Supper is served in the lodge                
            7:30                          Session in the tabernacle
                                                followed by a snack in the lodge
Saturday    
            8:30 – 9:30                Breakfast is open
            10:00                        Session
            12:30 – 1:30               Lunch is open
            1:30 – 5:30                 Free time with optional family activities
            6:00 – 6:45                 Supper
            7:30                          Session
                                                   followed by a snack in the lodge
Sunday

            9:00 – 10:00              Brunch is open
            10:00                        Session

Do we need to bring our own bedding?

You will need to bring bedding and pillows for bunk beds (children). We will provide bedding and pillows for the queen beds (parents). We also provide sheets for cribs. Upon request we can provide bed rails for the bunk beds as a protection for your children.

We also ask that you bring bath towels for everyone. Please consider bringing additional towels for use at the lake.

What kind of clothes do we need to bring? Is there a dress code?  

Please feel free to dress as casually as you like for all meetings or activities. As for a dress code ... we desire to provide an atmosphere of modesty and decency that is in line with biblical principles, but we also recognize it is the husband/father's responsibility to determine his family's dress standards. While we rejoice in the freedom that we have in Christ, we ask that discretion and deference be the ruling factors in your choice of clothing worn at camp.

Around Labor Day the weather is usually warm (upper 70s and 80s) during the day, but sometimes cool (50s) in the mornings and evenings, so you'll want to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt. You may want to bring some old sneakers and clothing for some activities or for a rainy day.

In the fall, the days are pleasantly cool (60s during the day and 40s at night). You'll want to bring clothes you can layer, like sweatshirts or jackets. Once again, you may want to bring some "grubbies" in case of inclement weather.

For Resolution, you should expect cold and (hopefully) snow.

You can click here to see Buchanan's normal climates presented by the Weather Channel.

For your convenience, we have coin-operated laundry facilities on the property. 

Will the waterfront be open?

For Labor Day Weekend, our beach is open in the afternoon for the entire family to enjoy together. We ask that ladies wear modest swimsuits at the beach and cover-ups when not around the lake. Although the beach is sandy, some people prefer to wear water shoes or sandals when walking in the lake.

On our sample schedule you will find that Saturday afternoon is open for family recreation. Many people choose to spend this time around the waterfront. We have a beach, inflatable slides, a BLOB, and a ski boat (you can sign up for one of our drivers to take you).

The waterfront activities will not be available for October or Resolution retreats.

What about bikes?

You are welcome to bring your bikes. (Don't forget your helmets!)

Can I bring my laptop?

Many times the laptop can be a distraction, pulling your mind back to work or hobbies that normally steal time from your family. Therefore, we have not wired the guestrooms for Internet access, and we ask that you prayerfully consider leaving behind your computers as well as your pagers and hand-held games. However, we understand that there are some situations that require being accessible for contact. You can ask at the office for a password that will give access to our wireless network.

What about pets, tobacco, alcohol?

Of course, service dogs are always welcome, but to ensure the comfort and safety of all, please leave your pets at home. Our entire campus is also alcohol- and smoke-free.  

Should we bring any food?

Our food service staff prepares meals that are nutritious, tasty, and kid friendly. Besides the chosen menu for the day, we usually offer a salad bar, and a variety of Coca-cola products, fruit juices and hot beverages. There is also a snack shop on site with hand-dipped ice cream, candy bars, and bottled drinks; as well as camp clothing and other miscellaneous items.

If you have special dietary needs, we are equipped to help you. Please contact us before your week of camp so that our food service staff can properly take care of you.

Is there anything else that might cost extra?

You can enjoy the entire weekend without spending anything beyond your camp fee.
The only things with extra cost are optional.
* As previously mentioned, there is a snack shop and coin laundry.
* There is a new line of Life Action Camp apparel each year.
* Most of the local attractions have entry fees.

There are a lot of actvities on the schedule. What is required?

Family Camp is designed so that you can pick and choose what you would like to do. We schedule many things simply to provide a wide range of options. Some families even leave the campus for the afternoon to visit local attractions. The only thing we ask is that you attend the chapel sessions.

What do our kids do during sessions?

Fifteen minutes before each session, our nursery (0-24 months) and Sonshine Club (ages 2-3) will open. Even at the Sonshine Club level, we believe that your children are learning many things. Going beyond baby-sitting, your children will hear a Bible story, then play games, have snacks, and sing songs that keep reminding them of that story, reinforcing the lesson with all of the senses.

Happy Heart City (ages 4 through 1st grade) and Base Camp (2nd through 6th grades) attend the first part of the service with you. It is important for them to see Mom and Dad give honor to God, and it's good for them to enter into worship with you. Before the teaching begins, they will be dismissed to their clubs, where our children's ministers will use their gifts to engage your children with age-appropriate skits, games, and Bible lessons.

The youth are usually dismissed at this same time for teaching that addresses their needs and shows them the answers that are contained in Scripture. Sometimes they are invited to remain in the adult sessions, depending on the material being covered.

What is a family assistant?

Depending on the number of volunteer staff on hand, we make every attempt to help families with young children. They great role models and encourage children to obey their parents.

When are check-in and check-out times?

Your family may arrive after 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. The first thing on the schedule is Friday's supper at 6:00. Sunday's session is the final official family camp activity.

May we arrive early?

Yes, you may arrive an entire day early if you like. The cost for early arrival is $75 for all lodging units, and $65 for RV sites. You will be responsible for your own meals until Friday's supper. Please call and let us know that you are planning to arrive early.

If you would like to register for any event, you may contact our office by calling 269-695-2191 or emailing info@lifeactioncamp.com for details and availability. Office hours are 8:30 - 5:00 Monday through Friday.