02/25/2026
Stepping into a New Season of Grace Outside Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat: Important Update
Dear Wesley Woods Families and Friends,
Grace and peace to you.
There are moments in the life of every ministry when we pause, listen for God’s plan, and step forward in faith. Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat is entering one of those moments.
For generations, this sacred space of Wesley Woods has helped young people and families encounter Christ in the beauty of creation, campfires, water activity laughter, late-night conversations, and quiet prayers under the trees shaping disciples and strengthened faith.
This mission remains unchanged. What is changing is how we carry it forward.
Beginning in the 2026 season, Wesley Woods will transition into a Family Camp and Retreat Center, focusing on creating space for families, churches, schools, and organizations to experience God together through Let’s G.O. — Grace Outside.
Rather than directly operating traditional youth summer camps, we will:
Host UMC High School, Middle School and Elementary Youth Camps, facilitated by UMC volunteer teams. These volunteers have been with Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat for many years.
Please contact those listed below for your camp this summer.
High School Youth Camp
2026 Dates: June 14-19, 2026
Contact: Ellen Shirreffs at 517-281-8860, email: [email protected]
Middle School/Elementary Youth Camp
2026 Dates: July 19-24, 2026
Contact: Janell Kebler (Elementary at 517-420-4448)
Pastor Scott Marsh (Middle School at 517-279-8402)
Email for both elementary and middle school: [email protected]
Host and facilitate Grand Camp and Teddy Bear Camp
2026 Dates: June 28-July 1, 2026
Contact Kelley McKivitz, 989-534-6587 or email [email protected]
Host the UMC Urban Camp from Detroit.
Welcome retreat opportunities for school, church, adult, and family groups.
Continue to provide lifeguards for the pool and waterfront, as well as a lead archery for camps and retreats
Provide scholarship funding for campers to attend one of the UMC camps email [email protected]
We will operate seasonally from April through October and will be hiring a new Site Director (or director couple) to lead this next chapter with a focus on retreat and family camping ministry. If interested in this position email [email protected]
This transition has not come lightly. In recent years, Wesley Woods has faced significant financial pressures, declining youth camp numbers, increasing scholarship needs, and challenges securing sustainable outside funding. We believe this new model allows us to steward the camp wisely, operate with fewer staffing demands, and create broader opportunities for partnership and impact. Most importantly, it allows Wesley Woods to remain open, not just for today, but for future generations.
We believe God is not finished with this place. In fact, we believe this shift opens new doors: more families growing together in faith, more churches hosting transformative retreats, more communities gathering in God’s creation to build disciples of Jesus Christ.
Wesley Woods has always been about more than programs. It is about sacred encounters in our Grace Outside Let's GO site and this new path allows us to continue.
Thank you for walking with us into this new season. Your prayers, support, and belief in this ministry matter more than ever.
With hope and expectation,
Erik Bengston, Interim Site Director
Stuart Smith, MAUMC Board Liaison
Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat
269-721-8291
[email protected]
Let’s G.O. — GGrace Outsidewww.graceoutside.org
