John Vandervelde - Program Director

As a Wheaton College student I spent the summer of 1999 at HoneyRock leading wilderness trips.  It was one of the most formational experiences of my life.  I learned a tremendous amount about myself, my strengths, and my weakness, and I gained a vision for how I wanted to spend my life in ministry.  My faith and knowledge of the Lord also grew that summer.  After leaving HoneyRock I would reflect back on the setting and my experiences there with great fondness.  I had a perfect picture in my head of what HoneyRock was all about: kids learning about Jesus while canoeing, waterskiing, backpacking, and riding horses, all in the beauty of a Northwood's summer.

When I returned to HoneyRock 6 years later to join the staff team, I quickly realized that my vision of HoneyRock and what the ministry was all about was incomplete.  The winter ministry of HoneyRock that takes place from late November to early April each year was missing.  This winter we will host approximately 2,500 people at HoneyRock in a variety of different programs.  About half of these people are Wheaton College students.

If you've never been to HoneyRock in the winter, you need to come!  This place transforms into a winter wonderland full of cool activities (like broomball), warm fires in fireplaces, and ridiculous amounts of hot chocolate.  Our ministry philosophy on life transformation remains the same, but the tools we use and  our setting are drastically different.

So if you're able, I encourage you to come up to HoneyRock this winter and "expand your vision" for what we're all about.  We love hosting volunteers, or you can rent a cabin with your friends and family.  Give us a call: 715-479-7474

Upcoming Events:

January 15-18, 2010:  Martin Luther King weekend - nearly every single guest bed at camp will be full.  A very fun and busy weekend here at HoneyRock!  Pray with us for safety and great learning to take place.

February 6, 2010:  Partners Banquet in Wheaton.  All HoneyRock parents, friends, and supporters are invited.  6:00pm - 8:00pm at Anderson Commons on the Wheaton campus.  Contact Liz Henderson at liz@honeyrockcamp.org for more information.