Due concerns around safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and core volunteers no longer being available to run the camp, Week 1 will no longer be held in person this year.
We’re considering potential virtual meetup formats instead, and Week 2 is still tentative. We will continue to see if the state chooses to reopen the camp this year and if there are enough people willing to volunteer to keep the camp running for Week 2. Please stay tuned for more news!
For Week 1, from July 19th to July 24th, Kester Wilkening will be our director. For Week 2, from July 27th to August 1st, Daniel Hess will be our director. Thank you both for stepping up again, taking responsibility for Camp! We appreciate all the work you do to help Shehaqua move onward.
Register for Week 1, Week 2, or Musical Meetup »
For concerns about holding camp during this time, scroll to the Please Read section below.
To protect Shehaqua family members, we have modified our Artist's Retreat Weekend into a more informal Musical Meetup! We will be gathering for this smaller program from July 24th - July 27th, between Week 1 and Week 2 of Family Camp.
In lieu of musical mentoring and randomized jam session groups, the Musical Meetup Weekend will provide practice space and outdoor performance opportunities for aspiring and veteran musicians. We have decided to modify the Retreat to allow participants' more freedom to physically distance according to their own judgment. This event is preferably BYOI (Bring Your Own Instrument) to increase participants' protection. Rather than the original educational seminars, we hope to provide an opportunity for people to invest in their craft or rediscover their love for another area of music.
We are encouraging those who wish to come and perform, practice, and/or spend time with other musicians to prepare a piece to perform during the gathering. The fees will be the same as for a regular Shehaqua Weekend. If you just want to get outside, this weekend will also be a more informal portion of camp. You may attend to play or listen comfortably in a relaxed and restorative environment.
With the winter finally coming to a close and Daylight Savings having come and gone, we look forward to our time-honored summer traditions and much needed days of rest, relaxation, and restoration.
Look out for our registration to open within the next month. We look forward to seeing you again this summer! As mentioned above, we are keeping tabs on the news and recommended guidelines to determine if we can safely hold Family Camp this year and will announce any changes as we learn more.
Family Camp Dates are:
Week 1 – Sunday, July 19th to Friday, July 24th
Weekend Music Meetup – Friday, July 24th to Monday, July 27th
Week 2 – Monday, July 27th to Saturday, August 1st
We have an exciting new event coming up for newcomers and frequent visitors to the Shehaqua grounds. This year, for the first time ever, we are hosting an Artists’ Retreat: Music Edition! This event is currently scheduled for July 24th - July 27th, between Week 1 and Week 2 of Family Camp, so clear your calendars!
Over the weekend, we will hear from Laurence Baer on composition, join Laurel Nakai in a songwriting session, and hone our soloing skills with Sebastian Jean. This prototype event is structured for any and all creatively minded people. Whether you are an aficionado or an amateur, there will be something for you. We will have a diverse set of tracks to play, whether you are interested in the lyrical side of music, want to brush up on your performance process, or enjoy singing with a group. Weather permitting, outdoor song sessions and games will be available in the afternoons as well. If you or anyone you know is interested, share this event. We hope to make this event educational and entertaining for all involved. We hope you’re looking forward to this weekend as much as we are!
When registering, you may choose to come for the full Friday to Monday program, just for the weekend or a single day. To get the full experience of the retreat, we highly encourage give yourself a three-day weekend and stay for the whole program if you are available!
(EDIT 3/28: Dates have been changed; the event is now in July instead of end of May.)
(EDIT 5/23: Changed the name from "Artist's Retreat: Music Edition" to "Music Meetup"
This year, Shehaqua Family Camp t-shirts cannot be ordered through our website at the time of registration. If you are interested in getting t-shirts, you will have to order and pay them through a third-party website. We will have two designs that can be ordered online.
Please note that you will not be able to buy any t-shirts at camp—all t-shirts must be ordered by you before camp. Please allow up to 3 weeks for the shirts to arrive at your address.
We are excited to invite all of you to the 25th annual Family Camp at Shehaqua! We are looking forward to spending time with family and friends, enjoying nature, and experiencing God's love. We're going to have fun, enriching activities for all ages. Classics such as Family Fun Night, S'Mores, dodgeball, volleyball, pool-time fun, and new programs will all be available.
As a reminder, here are the dates and directors of each program:
Shehaqua Family Camp Week 1
Monday, July 22–Saturday, July 27
Co-directors: Kester Wilkening and Daniel Mizutani
Shehaqua Family Camp Week 2
Monday, July 29–Saturday, August 3
Co-directors: Doug Ashley, Daniel Hess, and Levy Daugherty
Co-Directors: Daniel Mizutani, Kester Wilkening
Education Director: Jana Iparraguirre
A.R.O. (The new Supernova Adventure Program) Coordinators: Meta Learey and Luke Scazzero
There will be a special highlight on our adventure program for the Supernovas! (High school age)
A.R.O. is a new program organized by some of our amazing older brothers and sisters. It stands for Attitude of Raditude Outings, and it is a chance to discover an unconventional and new way of loving God, nature, yourself, and others. Youth will embark on adventures in God’s creation, grow their understanding of one another, receive spiritual content, get a fresh and new perspective of the life’s principles, and most importantly have fun! (25 spots are available, Additional charge of $65 per person.)
There will also be high-quality adult education, programs for toddlers, etc. It’s gonna be Super :)
Join us at Week 1 of Family Camp!
-Daniel Mizutani and Kester Wilkening
Co-Directors
Celebrate! Get packed and ready for this year's 25th edition of a true Family reunion at the Shehaqua Family Camp in Week 2, from July 29th through August 3rd. Relax, Renew and Revive old friendships in the lush Pocono Mountains setting of Camp Shehaqua.
Director Doug Ashley and Assistant Directors Daniel Hess and Levy Daugherty are planning a slate of activities for young and old. Bring your talents and your instruments for music and memories. There will be Crafts, Hiking, Swimming, Family Fun Night, Candle Light Prayer, Dodgeball Tournament, Talent Night, great food, panel discussions and presentations. Also, back by popular demand, the Adventure Race for teens will bring an extra dose of excitement to our time together.
But we need one more thing to make this year extra special — you!
