We want to know what your guest experience has been at Camp Arcadia. We will post notes on this page periodically. Please send snail-mail or submit your testimonials and memories via this form.
“I love Camp Arcadia because I can truly feel the Lord’s spirit. My soul feels an immediate sense of calm, peace, and “AAAH” as soon as I set foot on the beach. It is truly hallowed ground.” – Family Week Guest
“This summer will be our family’s 7th year at Camp Arcadia. My 5 year old son has been coming since he was in my womb! He recently turned 5 and when asked how he’d like to celebrate his birthday, he responded with “I want to go to Camp Arcadia!” He had a hard time understanding that going in January would be VERY different then going in the summer! He is the same child who talked about Camp Arcadia so much in his 3yr old fall Sunday School class, that his teacher signed up to take her family the next summer saying “any vacation spot that a 3yr. old is still talking about 5 months later (other than Disney) is a place I need to go!” This will be their 3rd summer… My 8yr old daughter asked for walkie-talkies for Christmas this year, saying “we could really use them at Camp Arcadia this summer when Daddy is on the softball field and I’m in the craft shop – we could talk!”
What can we say, it is a slice a heaven, hear on earth. Praise God we found it. Only 138 days until we can go back!”
– 6 Year Campers
“My husband and I thank you most sincerely for a wonderful week at RKD. The program, the Bible study and lectures, the food, the fellowship, the fun were even richer than we expected! And having two of our kids and their families to share it with was an awesome blessing for which we thank you very much!
We thank God for enriching us with Camp’s hospitality and gifts, and we hope that we will be able to participate in your wonderfully unique and uplifting camping experience in the future!” – 2nd Year Campers
“The week far surpassed all of our expectations, and pleasing the different personalities of our four separate family units is not an easy task. I think my husband said it best, ‘You can do as little as you want or as much as you want – it’s up to you!’
The weather was unbelievable, the food was fresh and tasty, the bathrooms IMMACULATE and the activities varied. There truly was something for all age levels. We had FUN – and we all have wonderful memories to share again and again for years to come!” – 1st Time Camper
“Camp Arcadia is one place where [my wife] and I can go and know that we’ll truly have an opportunity to relax and get away from the daily grind. We also know that we’ll be tired in a good way at the end of the day from playing softball or flying gliders or swimming or what have you…. My daughter can hardly wait until she’s old enough to work on the staff!From candle-making to carnival, from swimming to softball, from square dancing to sail planes, from tie-dying to teaching — you helped us have another wonderful vacation at Camp Arcadia. As we head back [home] we’ll savor the memories created this week and look forward to our next visit.” – 7th Time Camper
“Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful Christian atmosphere – the lecturers, the singing, the worship, the friendliness of all the guests. – 1st Time Lutherhostel Guest
“We arrived at Camp Arcadia for the first time in August 2000 from the hustle of the Chicago suburbs. It didn’t take long to realize that RKD is not a place to have to hustle about!
Although meal times are set, there is the overtone of anticipation for Kurt’s culinary delights. No one is late for dinner! Meals are served family style, with everyone seated for prayers at the same time and with extra helpings upon request. Kids’ alternatives are offered for picky little ones, but we found that our kids (ages 8, 6, and 4) were perfectly happy with the delicious meals. And I LOVED IT! A true mom’s vacation… no meal planning, no cooking, and no cleanup!
The first day we arrived I was determined to lock our room to keep our vacation money and other valuables safe… We soon adapted to camp ways, and left our room unlocked. I cannot think of too many scenarios where this is possible.
The morning adult program was stimulating and a unique opportunity to bond with other Christians. Sometimes we get accustomed to our ‘church circle’ and we don’t realize the many others are walking with Christ. It was a wonderful way to expand our viewpoint of the kingdom. The children were well cared for in their morning programs, and they admitted they were having FUN. Learning about Jesus in this setting adjusted their attitudes toward their walks of faith as well. Life became simple again. Deciding between the afternoon on the beach or making a tye-dye shirt were about as heavy as the decisions got. Softball games, nature walks, archery, basketball, volleyball, family relays, the staff talent show, crafts and much more kept the days full. …The game room completely blew me away. I, being a 21st century mom, expected having to say ‘no’ all week to requests for quarters to flush away into video games. Not so. The game room features wholesome fun: ping-pong, billiards, board games and the neatest wooden duck-pin bowling game. The kids were enchanted, and surprised, I think, at how much fun ‘old-fashioned’ entertainment could be.” Beth Ruehrdanz – Illinois
“As we end our first week at Arcadia, we want to be sure to stop and thank you for all you do to provide a restful, beautiful, safe place for us to be with God and with people who also love Him. We were so impressed with the PLACE, the PEOPLE, the CARE, the FOOD…All your hard work gave us a wonderful week to relax and be filled up again with worship and God’s word. – 1st Time Camper
“Camp Arcadia has become a family institution for the Maiers. A week of natural beauty, stimulating lectures, delightful friendships, great sports and delicious food is a “must” on our calendar each year. To miss it would cause a rebellion at our place!” – Paul L. Maier – Michigan
“Thank you so much for all the work you did this week, making our stay: tasty, beautiful, fun, clean, healthy, athletic, joyous, and filled with the beauty of God. – Lifelong Camper
“On the way home from our first week at RKD we asked our six and eight year old daughters if they wanted to go back the next year. Their response was immediate and definite…they absolutely wanted to go back as soon as possible. They were disappointed when we said it would be a full year before we were able to return. From that day forward we count the days between trips to RKD!
Camp Arcadia is the only vacation we have ever taken where Jean, wife and mother, gets a vacation too. There are no meals to prepare, no rooms to clean, and the kids can be allowed to be on their own in the safe, Christian environment without having to be watched all the time. And yet, they seem to want to do things with Mom and Dad even more at RKD.Now that our children are grown we enjoy Arcadia in some new ways…we see the local sites or sometimes just sit outside, listen to the waves and read. There are many interesting shops to visit or sites to see.
Camp Arcadia is the only place we see 10 year-olds square dancing with 60 year-olds, teenagers the first in line for square dancing, volleyball games every evening with teenagers, people in their thirties, and people in their fifties on the same team and all having fun.” – J. Thomas Morrical – Illinois
Arcadia – a place for:
Watching sunsets over Lake Michigan
Hiking along the beach and in the woods
Playing volleyball after supper
Being spiritually refreshed
Finding a quiet spot to read a good book
Eating delicious family style meals
Making new friends
Meeting old friends AND
Falling in love – I know because it happened to me – 53 years ago!! – Lois Breimeier – Michigan
“It’s not like a camp where you would stay in a tent or camper, but it’s more like a family vacation spot. It is a Christian place, but that doesn’t make it not fun or boring. It makes it more fun! Everybody there is so incredibly nice, and everybody has such a great time. The camp is right up next to [Lake Michigan] and has an awesome beach. The food there is great too. It’s some of the best food I ever had. There is also an awesome soda fountain and snack shop.
Every morning after breakfast everybody gets together in their age group to have what we call morning program. It is like Bible study/Sunday school/singing and games and stuff, and it’s so much fun! I don’t know how to describe it, but when you’re there praising the Lord with all of your heart with so many Christian people you just feel so incredible! And you want to be there! If the staff said to the kids, “No morning program today,” we would all complain and whine.” – Jonathan Carnehl, 8th Grade – Illinois
“Once again our family experienced a “mountain top week” at Camp Arcadia. What a blessing and haven for each and every family who has the opportunity to spend a week here.” – 5th Time Camper
“I have more memories from Arcadia than I do of anywhere else in the world. I had a surprise birthday party in the Trading Post when I was six with my summer friends. I remember going to kindergarten you group in the Ark. I’ve gone to confirmation camp with about 100 other high school kids, and even got married once! Granted, I was seven and I don’t remember my husband’s name anymore, but still. Every week at camp there is a talent show. Two, actually; one for the campers and one for the staff. Skits and music and more…They never fail to be hysterical. But on top of everything, it is a place for me to grow closer to God.
“Arcadia is the perfect place, full of beauty, friendship, and security. When I go there, it is soothing to know that everything will be the same as last time and will be the next. It is my comfort place, and my favorite place to be.” – Lifelong Arcadia Cottage Colony Association Member
