Saint John's Camp Programs

Don't Miss It For The World!

Join a Christ-centered community where faith deepens, friendships grow, and lives are transformed.

Register For Summer Camp 2026
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Saint John’s Camp Programs exists to share the Kingdom of God through Orthodox Christian community – loving and serving everyone as Christ loved and served us, helping them to see themselves as Christ sees them, teaching them to love and respect the image of Christ in all creation, and nurturing the development of lifelong friendships – so that they may grow in the fullness of the Christian faith and discover the depth of God’s love.

Our camps & retreats

Programs designed for faith, fellowship, and lifelong growth.

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Summer Camp

A weeklong experience for students entering 4th grade through high school graduation, filled with prayer, fellowship, teaching, games, and unforgettable moments in the beauty of Southern Indiana.

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Emmaus Retreat

A one-day retreat for all ages featuring a guest speaker, shared meals, and time for reflection and community—with childcare available during teaching sessions.

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Winter Retreat

A New Year’s weekend retreat for high school and college students to step away from stress, reconnect in faith, and recharge through prayer, fellowship, and fun.

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Our History

A Legacy of Faith, Community, and Transformation

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Born out of a small community of young believers in the 1970s, Saint John’s Camp has grown into a decades-long tradition of faith, fellowship, and transformation. What began as simple retreats centered on prayer, learning, and community has become a lasting ministry that continues to shape generations—inviting young people to experience life in Christ, build lifelong friendships, and grow in the fullness of the Orthodox Christian faith.

Scholarships

Every Child Deserves the Camp Experience

We believe no camper should miss out because of financial need. Scholarships and flexible support are available—apply today and take the first step toward an unforgettable, faith-filled experience.

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Testimonials

A day in the life of a Saint John's camper...

These reflections come from campers after their very first experience at Saint John’s Camp, capturing the kind of faith, joy, and connection we strive to nurture in every participant.

Finding Something More

What started with hesitation quickly turned into a week of faith, friendship, and unforgettable moments. Surrounded by a welcoming community, campers discovered joy in prayer, connection, and simply being present. By the end, something had changed in a lasting and meaningful way.

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A Week to Remember

Thanks to generous scholarship donors, this camper experienced one of the best weeks of their life. What began with homesickness quickly became a sense of belonging, supported by caring counselors and a welcoming community. A place they were excited to return to each year.

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Contact Us

We’d love to connect with you. Whether you have questions, need more information, or just want to learn more about our programs, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help.

Jon Beecham

Summer Camp

director@saintjohnscamp.org

Brian Pletcher / Ethan Rucker

Emmaus Retreat

director@saintjohnscamp.org

Brian Deubner

Winter Retreat

director@saintjohnscamp.org

Fr. Josh Coolman / Fr. Joel Weir

Camp Priests

priest@saintjohnscamp.org

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A Week to Remember

Dear Mr. Beecham and scholarship donors,

I am writing to thank you and the people who donated toward the cause of scholarships for St. John’s camp, for generously gifting me one. I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend camp, as it was one of the best times of my life. Thank you so much! I think my favorite part of camp was the feeling of freedom that came with going to camp.

All my counselors in the Junior High boy’s cabin were extremely friendly and understanding when it came to me being homesick on my first day there, and all they wanted to do was help in any way they could. On my second day, I felt right at home. From that point on, everything went smoothly, and I never wanted camp to end. If possible, I plan to enroll and attend next year, as it is now one of the highlights of the year for me.

I also want to thank the staff, because they were very cheerful and helpful, and they too did anything they could do to help. When we had pizza for dinner (and I couldn’t eat it because I am gluten-free), I told them my problem, and they specially made me a burger on a gluten-free bun. I will never forget how understanding and friendly they were to me.

This is why I am grateful for camp. Again, thank you so much!

Finding Something More

When my mother first announced that my brother and I would be packing up and heading off to summer camp, we were initially far from eager. But St. Johns’ wasn’t just any camp; it was a church camp. And that meant praying. Lots of praying. And that also meant no technology. Not exactly our idea of a “fun” summer, although after giving it a try we were soon proven wrong.

Despite our reluctance, we felt right at home within St. Johns’. I was one of 90 sweaty campers, all of whom were looking to strengthen their faith and to have a good time. From late night swim parties to joyously singing during praise time, it was a week full of dedication, friends, valuable teachings and fun experiences.

Our mornings would start at 6:00 for those of us whom were restless enough to go out running. For the rest, it was morning exercises at 7:00. Afterwards, we went to Third Hour prayers and breakfast. First Teaching, counseling groups and Second Teaching were next, followed by a long-awaited lunch. Free time for things such as canoeing, swimming and zip-lining happened before dinner, and the day was then completed with Small Compline and praise time.

When the moment came to leave, I probably wasn’t the only one who felt a change. It’s when you find yourself gawking at the sky – just the sheer, beautiful blueness of it – that you know something has changed. A change that allows you to appreciate the little things, to stay awake and to be grateful.

And as we stood together in the last few minutes of camp, we sang our final song of praise together; tears rolled down cheeks and farewells were exchanged. But this wasn’t to be the end, of course. Next year we will be reunited with friends both new and old, and in the meanwhile we will take what we have gained in knowledge, and use it to grow closer to God.

Saint John's History

The roots of St. John’s Camp date back to the 1970’s with a growing community of young adults who held frequent retreats together. These retreats focused on community building, studying the early Church fathers, fellowship, prayer, teachings, singing, and games, as they desired to cultivate their life in Christ.

As this community of young believers grew, along with their interest in the ancient Church and liturgy, they eventually became members of the “Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC)”. They began raising families of their own, and soon – as “being fruitful and multiplying” will do – there was a growing number of young children. With an eye towards this next generation, they wanted their children to have the same experience of life in Christ through community and koinonia, thus the camp and retreat tradition continued. Summer camp was held annually in various locations before settling in 1992 at Camp Rivervale in Mitchell, Indiana (where it remains to this day). The summer camp and seasonal retreats drew youth from across the United States as well as Canada. 

In 2002, many members of the Holy Trinity EOC parish were brought into the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) under Archbishop Job of blessed memory, in the Diocese of the Midwest. That summer was the first summer as “Saint John’s Camp”. With the same energy and desire to share the experience of community and fellowship in the Kingdom of God, Saint John’s Camp has continued to hold an annual summer youth camp, a fall family retreat, and a winter high school and young adult retreat, still drawing youth from across the United States.

In the words of one of the camp’s original founders, Fr. Joseph Gibson of blessed memory, “One of the main purposes of these gatherings is [and always has been] to bring together people that represent the diversity of the Christian experience, focusing on the lived experience of our young people in the Church in order to create an intensive, Spirit-filled, Life-giving, life-changing community of love, acceptance, non-judgmentalism, and safety.”

By the Grace of God, these camps and retreats have continued for over 40 years, maintaining the same Christ-centered focus on community and fellowship, and nurturing the development of lifelong friendships so that our participants may grow in the fullness of the Christian faith and discover the depth of God’s love.

Glory to God for all things!

Winter Retreat

Saint John’s Winter Retreat takes place over students’ winter break. The retreat typically is a long weekend that falls over the New Year’s holiday. Students who are high school and college age may attend to retreat from the stresses they may be facing at the end of the semester and recharge before starting their spring semesters at school. The retreat includes fellowship, prayer, teachings, singing, games, karaoke, and some good old fashioned pick-up football games – don’t miss it for the World!

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Emmaus Retreat

Saint John’s Emmaus Retreat is a one day all-ages, all-parish family & adult retreat. A guest speaker is brought in to speak on the theme for the year. A meal and recreation time are shared together throughout the day as well. Free childcare is available to parents during the teaching sessions. Don’t miss it for the World!

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Summer Camp

Saint John’s Summer Camp is a weeklong camp aimed toward students going into 4th grade through those who just graduated from high school (“grade 13”). These age groups are divided up among the campground with special programming geared toward developmentally appropriate themes for each age. The week includes fellowship, prayer, teachings, singing, games, a climbing wall and zip-line, refreshing pool and water slide, pick-up football, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball games, and a talent/no-talent show – all in beautiful Southern Indiana! It is a week filled with wonder and one you won’t soon forget – don’t miss it for the World!

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