experience the Magic of Camp together
Do you want to experience something new with a special child in your life? Share your love for the outdoors with a child here at Gretna Glen, and watch as the memories grow during this two-night stay! Parents, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Guardians, and family friends are welcome to join in on the adventure with their camper(s). Led by our camp staff, and with the support of local UMC Pastors, this program will give both child and “Grown-Up” a chance to play, learn, and make new friends throughout their stay.
We will provide unique opportunities for campers and their grown-ups, including a dedicated pool party, and special times of worship where you will be encouraged to share a blessing with your little one. Because the Grown-Ups will remain in the caretaker role, they will have freedom to participate at the level that is comfortable for them and their camper. Adults and children must register separately. Housing is in our 6-bedroom lodge. We often pair two similarly gendered Grown-Ups sets with their camper(s) in a room for this experience.
Our Goals for every camper
Our goal for all overnight campers is to create an environment where they can THRIVE:
Try new experiences
Camp is great exposure to new people, news skills, and new challenges.
Hear Good News
We are here to share in the joy of knowing and following Jesus Christ!
Reset and Renew
We work hard to create a place where campers can be themselves, unplug from devices, and rest.
Inspire One Another
Community experiences and culture creation are intentional, key aspects of every week.
Value Themselves
Campers learn they can do more than they thought possible by learning and growing all week long.
Explore Possibilites
Campers are encouraged to ask questions about their faith, their future, and their world.
The Right Length, the Right Setting
Two nights is the sweet spot for this kind of experience. It's long enough to settle into the camp rhythm, try a full range of activities, and have genuine campfire conversations. It's short enough to fit into a busy summer schedule without feeling like a major commitment for families with younger children.
The Raab Retreat Lodge makes it work for the age group. Instead of traditional cabins, families stay in a 6-bedroom lodge with bunk-style housing and restrooms in the building. Grown-up and camper pairs (or small groups) share a room, so little ones have their person close by all night. It feels more like a family adventure than roughing it.
WHERE YOU'LL STAY
Families stay in the Raab Retreat Lodge, a two-story lodge on Gretna Glen's main campus. The Lodge has 6 bedrooms with bunk-style housing and restrooms in the building. Two grown-up/camper sets are often paired in a room for the experience.
This is a mainsite program. Families eat meals in the Dining Hall and have access to all of Gretna Glen's main campus facilities.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
This program runs two sessions:
- GL30 (July 4-6) - Sunday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon.
- GL61 (July 28-30) - Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
Adults and children must register separately. Each person needs their own registration. The cost shown is per person.
Grown-ups remain in the caretaker role throughout. Camp staff lead all programming, but you're responsible for your child during the stay. Participate in activities at whatever level is comfortable for you both.
Who Can Be the Grown-Up?
Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, guardians, and family friends are all welcome. Any caring adult who wants to share this experience with a child ages 4-10.
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR
- Adults who want to experience camp alongside a child they love
- Families looking for a short, shared outdoor adventure
- Grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends seeking a special bonding trip
- Young children (ages 4-10) who aren't ready for camp alone but are ready for camp with their person