Winter Camps

January 10-12, 2025: Kiya Cox Bey

Kiya Cox-Bey is a dedicated youth minister at Calvary Covenant Church of Chicago, where she
has served since 2020. Her passion for youth ministry began during her early years as a
recreational leader at various camps, where she discovered her calling to impact the lives of
young people through faith-based programs and activities. Kiya is the author of Kinky Curly
Wavy, a children’s book that promotes self-love and identity. Kiya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film
Studies and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Olivet Nazarene University. She brings a fun, energetic approach to her work, ensuring that
each youth she engages with feels seen, heard, and loved.

January 24-26: Joon Hwang

Joon Hwang was born in Korea, grew up in Canada, and spent ten years as a youth pastor in various Korean immigrant churches in the Chicago area. Then, in 2011, Joon planted a church with twenty of his former youth students, called New Life Covenant Church in Palatine, IL.  Joon loves meeting people, networking with pastors and churches, and enjoying a variety of foods. He is married to Julie, and they have two sons and three daughters.

 

January 31-February 2: Jeff Root 

Jeff Root has been a pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church for 12 years. While he spent his first years after college in the world of finance, it was clear that his true passion and calling in life is pastoral ministry. He spent 9 years as a youth pastor and is now the Lead pastor at Glen Ellyn Covenant Church. Jeff loves Jesus, his family, camping, board games and Star Wars. Jeff is twice a graduate of Wheaton College, with a B.A. in Business/Economics and a M.A. in Biblical Studies. Jeff is outgoing and inspiring; his authentic love for Christ shines through in the way he communicates. Jeff’s passion in life is to inspire those he is with to a more authentic relationship with Jesus, others, and themselves. He and his wife, Jori, both grew up in Wheaton where they now live with their three children, Everly, Kysa and Casey.

 

February 14-16: Natalie Swanson

Natalie Swanson lives in Chicago with her dog, Leia. She is currently a student at North Park Theological Seminary and will graduate in May with her Master of Divinity and Master in Nonprofit Administration. Camp has formed Natalie into the person and pastor that she is and she always consider it a gift to lead with camp in any way.  Her hope and prayer for winter camp is that each camper and leader may truly believe and experience that we are each an important part to God’s community, that we truly notice and experience God in our midst this weekend, and that we might all experience God’s good news of great joy as we retreat together.

 

February 21-23: Joon Hwang

Back for a second weekend, Joon Hwang was born in Korea, grew up in Canada, and spent ten years as a youth pastor in various Korean immigrant churches in the Chicago area. Then, in 2011, Joon planted a church with twenty of his former youth students, called New Life Covenant Church in Palatine, IL.  Joon loves meeting people, networking with pastors and churches, and enjoying a variety of foods. He is married to Julie, and they have two sons and three daughters.

We are so excited to welcome back for the second year, Divine Resonance!

Divine Resonance is a “God Glorifying MidWest Alt-Rock” band. Divine Resonance was formed in 2017 by members Billy Hart (drums) and Dan Leffingwell (guitar) as a way to escape from the craziness of life. After Jake O’Marrah (lead vocals) came on board it became more than just an afternoon jam, it became Divine Resonance. Since then they have added Gabe Douglas (keys) and James Markham (bass) to their ranks, have defined their sound, played shows and festivals, won contests, and released an album.

Arrival and Departure:

Winter Camp will officially start between 7:30-8:30pm Friday night. Please arrive between 6:30-7:30pm to allow time to check-in, move in and attend a leaders meeting. Winter Camp will wrap up by 10:00am Sunday morning. Please schedule your return to home to allow you to fully participate in Sunday morning events. 

Weekend Basic Schedule: 

Friday 

6:30pm: Arrival and Move In 

6:30-8:30pm: Evening Activities Open

9:00pm: Welcome Session

10:00pm: Group Discussion Time 

11:00pm: Late Night Activities and Quiet Hours Begin

Saturday: 

8:30am: Breakfast

9:30am: Morning Activities 

10:30am: Morning Session

11:30am: Sacred Spaces – This time includes stations for students to engage in different spiritual disciplines and connect with the Lord.

12:00pm: Group Discussion Time 

12:30pm: Lunch

1:30-5:30pm: Free Time Activities 

5:30pm: Dinner

6:30pm: Evening Activities 

7:30pm: Evening Session 

8:30pm: Group Discussion Time 

9:30pm: Late Night Activities 

11:00pm: Quiet Hours Begin

Sunday: 

8:00am: Breakfast

9:00am: Closing Session

9:45am: Group Discussion Time 

10am: Pack up and Depart 

Winter Camp Pack List

The winter weather provides lots of opportunities for outdoor activities. Please be prepared for the weather. All winter housing units are heated and linens are NOT provided. Students may want to bring $10-$30 for snacks and camp merchandise at the camp store as well as to purchase additional tickets for the Giant Swing, Indoor Climbing Wall and Zip line ($5 per person/per activity). Please leave personal electronic equipment (i.e. cell phones, iPods, game systems, etc.), knives/weapons, and fireworks at home.

Clothing

• Pants, shirts, underwear, socks
• Sweatshirts
• Sneakers
• Warm winter coat
• Snow pants
• Mittens/gloves
• Winter hat
• Snow boots
• Swimsuit (if doing Polar Bear Dip – JH/SH only)
• Pajamas

Cabin

• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Towel
• Toiletries

Miscellaneous

• Bible
• Notebook
• Pen
• Face masks
• Water bottle

Optional

• Flashlight
• Camera
• Snacks (no nut products)

***Covenant Harbor cares deeply about creating a space where everyone feels welcome, safe, and accepted. In order to help everyone feel at ease and enjoy the weekend together, please do not bring clothing or other items that could cause discomfort or division, including references to political or social issues. Thank you!

What Not to Bring

Do not bring cell phones or any pets, electronic devices (including cd players, Game Boys, and iPods), personal sports equipment, firearms, weapons of any kind, fireworks, tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

***Please note that peanuts/tree-nuts or peanut/tree-nut products are not allowed.

Please contact Emma Mueller, Program Director, with any questions about the winter weekends. Or call our office at 262-248-3600.

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you interested in volunteering for a weekend of Winter Camp? We love to have volunteers connected and plugged into our Winter Camp weekends! Our volunteers get to assist in facilitating our activities such as tubing, stumpball, and the polar bear dip as well as helping greet guests and welcome them to Covenant Harbor. Whether you have come to Covenant Harbor for years or this is your first event, we would love for you to join. Please fill out our interest form below and we’ll get back to you!