Winter Camps

Who is God our “maker” and who are we made to be? 

God is our “maker.” God created us in God’s image, wonderfully complex and intentionally designed to reflect who God is. This winter we’re diving into discovering more about our “maker” and who we were made to be as image bearers! 

We were created to know our “maker” God and to respond to God in worship. Worship is a shared experience with others but also an individual practice woven in each of our individual lives. Worship is a response to who God is and what God has done. From who we are made to be, the way we discover who we are and the way we use our unique gifts and callings are all ways we can respond to our “maker” in worship. 

The best part, we were never made to worship alone. We are made to worship in our everyday life, in our relationships, and in all the extra stuff in between. Together, we can form a community that reflects God’s character, celebrates God’s goodness and declares God’s awesome works.

This winter, students will explore what it means to be made in God’s image and made for worship. From recognizing God’s intentional design to celebrating God’s goodness and worshiping together, we want students to see that worship is not confined to a moment or a place. Our whole lives can become a worshipful response to our “maker!” 

Over the weekend, we’ll get into various Psalms of worship! 

Psalm 139:13-14 “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body… Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous, how well I know it.” You are created as image bearers of God, worshipful beings.

Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” You are made to share in God’s joy.

January 22-24, 2027: Rachel Johnson

Rachel was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and now works as the Worship and Family Ministries Pastor at Northbrook Covenant Church in the Chicago suburbs. As the “pastor of many hats”, she loves hearing people’s stories and finding engaging ways for everyone to become active in their faith. Rachel is a huge supporter of camping ministries and especially treasures her past experiences as a camper and staff at Camp Mission Meadows (a Covenant camp in New York state). In her free time, Rachel loves being active and outside, cheering on (and sometimes yelling at) the Steelers, and reading fantasy books. 

 

January 29-31, 2027: 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. He will graduate in December 2023 with a second MA in Leadership & Evangelism from the Church Evangelism Institute at Wheaton College. 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 12-14, 2027: Moriah Hill 

Moriah Hill is currently the Worship Leader at Bethesda Covenant. Prior to Leading worship, Moriah was the Youth Pastor and attended Winter Camps with her youth group for many years!

 

February 29-21, 2027: Erik Anderson

Erik Anderson has extensive experience in church leadership and ministry. Erik is currently serving as the Director of Events at Evangelical Covenant Church. Prior to this, they worked as the Student Ministries Associate at Modesto Covenant Church until February 2022. Erik’s previous roles at Crossroads Church (Evangelical Covenant) include Executive Pastor of Expansion and Executive Pastor of Campuses, where they provided leadership and oversight to the weekend services, future campus expansion, and campus pastors. Erik also served as a teaching pastor, the Woodbury Campus Pastor, and was part of the directional leadership team. 

 

January 22-24 & February 19-21 Divine Resonance!

Divine Resonance is a “God Glorifying MidWest Alt-Rock” band. Jake O’Marrah is the frontman of Divine Resonance and has been writing songs since he was 12. Jake holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Jake serves as the Discipleship Pastor at Resurrection Church and lives in Montgomery, IL, with his wife, Carol Marie.

January 29-31

North Park University Worship. This group will be let by Sunita Puleo the Worship and Arts Coordinator at North Park University.

Febuary 12-14 Megan Barta

Megan Barta is a 2025 graduate of Hope College and was a member of Covenant Harbors Summer staff. She is excited to be back leading worship for Winter Camp!

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.

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!

Please contact Josie Schultz, Program Coordinator, with any questions about the winter weekends. Or call our office at 262-248-3600.