By Sarah May
Sarah May is working with Camp to collect stories and memories of the Camp Arcadia experience all season long. She has seen that everyone has a Camp story to tell – no matter whether they’re a generational guest or a first-time camper! Sarah lives in Arcadia, MI, with her husband Chip and their three children.
Are you longing for just a few more Camp Arcadia days before the 2025 season ends? Do you miss the spectacular sunsets, delicious meals, and TP treats? Well, I’ve got great news for you: Registration is now open for Closing Weekend (October 24-26), and we need your help!
Closing Weekend is a wonderful opportunity for you to give back to the Camp we all love best. For this volunteer weekend, meals and lodging are FREE of charge in exchange for your time and effort as we prepare the Camp buildings for the winter.
Teens, families, retirees, cottagers, former staffers, and college students come together to serve for the weekend as Camp shuts down for the season. Pastor Marcus Nelson of St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, IL, brings his youth group each year to help.
The high schoolers enjoy spending time in the outdoors, cleaning staff quarters, and, of course, taking the polar bear plunge. Pastor Nelson recommends this weekend to others because of the flexibility of the schedule, the opportunity to serve, and the price can’t be beat.
The Delta Chi fraternity at Trine University has also made this weekend an annual service event for their organization for over 25 years. These college students provide Camp with the necessary youthful strength and energy to complete various tasks.
Beyond volunteering, Closing Weekend offers some delightful surprises you may not necessarily experience during the summer retreats.
5 Delightful Surprises of Closing Weekend:
- Stunning Fall colors: Soak up the beauty of Northern Michigan’s vibrant autumn colors as you clean up around the grounds.
- The Joy of Leftovers: Volunteers can take home discounted TP merchandise, remaining candy bars, extra staff shirts, kitchen must-gos, and more.
- Endless Ice Cream: Closing weekenders get treated to FREE ice cream all weekend! Plus, you can take home any unfinished open tubs at the end of the weekend. Yum!
- The Best Cold Plunge: Don’t you want to join the most exclusive Polar Bear Club—the October Edition? The cool waters of Lake Michigan will refresh you and give you a boost of energy for your day.
- The Sweetness of Service: Nothing can compare to the satisfaction of serving in our shared love of Camp Arcadia and its ministry alongside other dedicated volunteers. This weekend is a time to work together with old and new friends to ensure that the Camp buildings and equipment are ready for the winter months. In addition to cleaning up and putting things away, volunteers share time together in meals, worship, and fellowship. It’s the official goodbye to the 2025 season!
Please join us in closing Camp and delighting in all that the weekend offers!
