News

Life is hard, but Summer Camp with GRACE OUTSIDE empowers campers to rise to the challenge. Families can now register for the 2025 Summer Camp schedule at GraceOutside.org/Summer-Camps.

Virtual Workshop for Local Church Camp Coordinators Camps, retreat ministries and churches need each other. Many people name summer camp as formative to their faith journey. Together we offer far-reaching, long-lasting faith formation. You are a vital part of connecting the camp and retreat ministry to your local community and church. To help resource you […]

Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat, a Grace Outside destination, has received American Camp Association® (ACA) ACA-Accredited® Camp status. “ACA accreditation means that Wesley Woods/Grace Outside submitted to a thorough review (up to 266 standards) of its operation by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management — and complied […]

Scrapbooking at Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Wesley Woods is pleased to invite scrapbookers and crafters to two Spiritual Scrapbooking Retreats in Dowling, Michigan: • Oct. 18-20, 2024 register ALL CRAFTERS WELCOME Enjoy time for scrapbooking or crafting in Wesley Woods’ spacious Upper Room in the Main Lodge. Each participant will get their own table space […]

Volunteers Shine at Camp We are grateful for scores of volunteers who helped clean up all three sites this spring! Volunteers are still needed for several summer programs. Consider being part of a meaningful summer camp experience, sharing God’s love and Grace Outside: God’s Treasures Camp (for adults with mental/physical challenges), weeklong volunteers, especially male […]

June 2024 Updates Michigan Area United Methodist Camping’s Board of Directors dedicated the income from the sale of camp properties to site improvements and investments (not for operations). In the last few years, over $2 million has been invested in site renovations using funds from camp sales and donations. Wesley Woods Renovations Retreat Lodge complete […]

At the Heart of Camp By Allison Vitale, Program Director Summer Camp is like nothing else. At camp, you are surrounded by the most encouraging counselors, an intentional Christian community, and the beautiful outdoors that constantly reveal God’s amazing character. Plus, studies show that the confidence and resilience gained at camp stays with campers throughout […]

You can help make camp accessible to everyone by donating to the Camp Affordability Fund. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor who will match all camp scholarship donations, you can double your impact! Your gift helps campers:

By Rev. Cora Glass “The retreat helped me intentionally be present before God through scripture and prompts.” Fifteen participants gathered at Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center in February for the Introduction to Contemplative Prayer retreat. They immersed themselves in a number of creative prayer practices including a Taizé worship service, sacred imagination, visio divina, […]

More Than a Summer Job Grace Outside announces the return of its summer intern program. We are grateful to the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church for the funding grant that fuels the summer camp internship program. The ideal candidates are 18-25-year-olds looking to expand their knowledge and skills in outdoor education, ministry, recreation, […]