Activities

Low Ropes & Challenge Course

Facilitated by our trained staff, these experiences can help to build your group into a community, helping them to reflect on issues of leadership/followship, service, communication, grace, problem-solving, trust/fear, etc. Minimum age is 5th grade, no maximum age. All participants participate at the level of their own ability and challenge. The course involves warm-up and group building field games, "low ropes" events using installed elements with cables, ropes, and lumber from one to five feet above the ground, and low ropes initiative events using similar elements, incorporating problem-solving challenges. Two to three hours is ideal to fully experience the course; times must be reserved in advance of your visit. A minimum of 8, and maximum of 15 per group or station. Multiple groups may participate simultaneously. Registration and health forms required. $2.50 per person per hour, $1.75 for United Methodist Church groups. $60 minimum.

Nature Program

The Kuntz Environmental Education Center is open and free for use by camp guests during camp office hours. It includes a wet lab area with live resident animals, audio visual area, library, and observation room with hands-on exhibits. There is also a rehabilitated prairie area/butterfly garden adjacent to the Center. Naturalist programs can be arranged by appointment. Programs can include hikes, crafts, environmental games, pond study, orienteering, Native American study (can include hike to effigy mound on our property), tree identification, animal programs, and more. Our staff will design a program to suit your group's needs, from one hour to a full day to overnight events, starting at about $4.50 per person for a day program. Suitable for any ages; church groups, scouts, and school groups welcome.

Waterfront

Pine Lake Main Beach is available to our overnight guests all year round. In summer, sand toys, sailboats, paddleboats, canoes and rowboats are available free for guest use. Day visitors must register and pay a $3/person day use fee plus additional boat rentals. In Fall and Spring, canoes and rowboats remain on our shore for fair weather use. Swimming in Pine Lake is only permitted with a lifeguard on duty. Fishing is permitted; bring your own gear, bait, and license. In winter, ice skates are available to borrow from Amphlett Hall. Ice fishing is permitted away from designated skating area. All ice activities are at your own risk. Waterfront rules are posted and must be observed.

Trails

There are several trails on our 400-acre property, suitable for hiking and/or seasonal cross-country skiing. In winter, skis are available in Amphlett Hall for rental by our overnight guests, $5 for a weekend's use. Sledding hill may be used at your own peril; bring your own sleds, tubes, and saucers.

Recreational Areas and Equipment

Amphlett Beach has a toddler playground, sand volleyball court, and horseshoe pit. There is a rustic basketball court near the main beach campfire pit. Oakwood field has a volleyball net and goals for soccer or other field games. Rustic Field has portable soccer goals and field space for two or more simultaneous games. There are two pingpong tables, paddles, and a 25¢ ball dispenser on Amphlett Hall porch. Pine Lake owns a multitude of sports equipment including portable soccer nets, frisbees, baseball bats and balls, bases, game cones, volleyballs, basketballs, an indoor bowling set, a parachute, rubber bouncy balls, hula hoops, and more. Just ask and we will be happy to loan any equipment free of charge. We just ask that all equipment be returned in good condition to the ball bin or its proper place after use. Also, no ball-playing is permitted inside our buildings, except for foam "nerf" balls. Board games and puzzles are available in closet in Amphlett Hall for indoor use by our guests.

Vesper Site

The outdoor chapel is a simple, sloping amphitheatre-style site with a cross overlooking Pine Lake. It has a campfire pit and rustic benches seating up to about 100 people. It is suitable for outdoor worship services, classes, and other group events.

Picnic Point

Just a few hundred feet beyond the Retreat Center and the sledding hill is the trail to Picnic Point. This outdoor space often gets the best lake breezes in summer, and provides a quiet setting for gathering for up to about 50 in any season. There are rustic log benches, picnic tables, and a campfire pit for guest use.

Rustic/Treehouses

Two "treehouse" cabins up on stilts can house your rustic outdoor adventure. Newer outhouses, space for a dining canopy, a fire ring, and a small picnic shelter complete your rustic home environment. Chop wood, carry water! Capacity is 3 adults per treehouse, or 4 children (12 and under) + one adult per treehouse. Total 6-10 people.

Videos and Songbooks

Pine Lake Camp has TV/VCR/DVD players for our guests to borrow, and a small selection of videos. The camp retains CCLI and CVLI licenses to cover use of videos, DVDs, and music at our site. We also have Songs and Creations songbooks, The Faith We Sing hymnal supplements, older United Methodist hymnals, and an assortment of other songbooks for guest use. Songbooks are stored in game/phone closet in Amphlett Hall.

Nearby Attractions

None of these local businesses solicit our endorsement. This is just a brief list of area activities our guests have enjoyed while staying at Pine Lake Camp. Our office can provide contact information upon request.

• Horseback riding at King Farm or at Sky Lodge Camp (Request special rates available to Pine Lake guest groups)
• Golf at Thal Acres
• Pioneer mini-golf (Memorial Day to Labor Day only)
• Fish hatchery tours
• Wisconsin Dells
• Roche-A-Cri tower and petroglyphs
• Road biking through scenic countryside