I would caution Christian conservative families about sending their youth to Honeyrock. Our daughter was a counselor in 2020, and as a counselor ended up with a bad experience from the Honeyrock staff. Her views totally changed and not for the better. The pastors were not supportive of her faith and I believe turned her away from Christianity. There is a very liberal bias at the camp. I would not recommend this camp. 10/24/2024. read more

This is a place that knows that heart and soul of camping. Along with their ideal location on the lake they have plenty of acess to the vast forest around them. I would recommend coming as much as you possibly could. read more

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As a camper who went to HoneyRock very recently to attend a one-month program with 8 cabinmates and 2 counselors, I can say this camp is so wonderful. Not only is it a chance to make friends and meet other people, it's a wonderful chance to get to know yourself and how you interact with the various kinds of people you will meet and see at camp, as well as what kinds of different walks of life people come from. Of course, it's a chance to build people's impressions of you from the first impression up and kind of explore what kinds of positive effects you can have on others in various ways (e.g. try saying the person's name every time you thank someone). It's also a chance for you to be very honest and vulnerable with people whom you don't fear judgement from. The honesty and encouragement I experienced as my cabinmates and counselors would talk with and about me has really helped me gain a better understanding of who I am to others and what strengths others see in me. This camp, and the program I attended (2:22) really focuses on building one's own understanding of God and how He works in our lives. There is a large amount of cabin discussion and plenty of time to talk one-on-one with both counselors and cabinmates. Above all, this camp is so calming. During the school year I always feel a constant need to be doing something or feel like I'm falling behind; HoneyRock was "a place away" in the sense that I became comfortable with feeling peaceful and not needing to do something. We had plenty to occupy ourselves with, and there were certainly a lot of challenging days of hard work, but even though it was really tough getting through it at the time, I think it has greatly increased my appreciation for hiking and for the outdoors. This is especially true for this wilderness trip; some were doing a lot better than others, but this was reworked so that we were encouraging each other, distracting each other, trying to find high points and beauty in whatever we did. HoneyRock is also a place where I felt comfortable being myself and not always feeling like I had to be part of the conversation or fit in with others, but rather take the quieter position of observing others and their interactions, and also reflecting a lot on myself and what I learned from my observations. That's not to say we didn't bond; we had literally hundreds of inside jokes and memories that we made and shared and talked about constantly. Even now, sometimes in my everyday conversations something will come up that reminds me of one of my cabinmates and something they've said. I remember the details of what various cabinmates have told me in such fine detail; facts about their families, their schools, their lives at home, what they like and dislike, etc. My favorite event that took place during my stay at HoneyRock was Service Week, which is really only three days, but you get split into teams, roughly the same size as a cabin, but with members from both genders and all different cabins; you might have only one or two members that you're familiar with, including the counselors. The service teams each get assigned 3 different tasks, one for each day, in which they will serve the community in some way. It was absolutely amazing to work hard for a whole day and whine about the work but then come back to camp and know that the work you put has benefited the community more than if you put that work into doing something you just think is fun or entertaining. We worked at a camp for disabilities called Camp Daniel, did groundswork at camp, and helped a neighbor clear up her yard. It was hard work but very rewarding work, and the difference we were able to make was so obvious each and every day. I will end this review by saying that HoneyRock is definitely a challenge. It takes effort and courage to put yourself out there, to get to know new people, and to try new things. The good thing is that you're not alone, and you are going through the same experiences many other campers are. I am so grateful to have found people who I know and love without judging them based on their background, on their appearance, etc. but only from the common experiences and thoughts we shared at camp. read more

I attended Honey Rock Camp in the early 60's and our children attended in the 80's and other friends and family have attended more recently. We all had wonderful experiences at Honey Rock! The location is beautiful, the food was very good for a camp and the counselors and staff were caring and kind. I was very independent when I was a camper there and most every camper came because they wanted to be there. No one I ever met was pushed to attend from their parents. Healthy and well adjusted children who enjoy the great outdoors and Christian fellowship, will thrive at Honey Rock Camp! I grew spiritually, grew as a person and met wonderful new friends. This is a great place to explore nature, have fun and learn to enjoy being away from home to seek new adventures in a beautiful setting. read more

I attended two years in the mid 80's and had an awesome time. The religious aspect was important but not major. The majority of the time we were doing outdoors things and had a blast. They do have you test your limits and push you to grow as a person, physically, mentally and religiously. I am looking forward to sending my kids soon. As for the one star reviews. There were people back then that didn't prepare properly or cried when something got tough. You either grow as a person or whine about your failure in life. Camp is no different. If that sounds like you and your kids, DO NOT send your kids there. This camp is for fun loving kids that want a wholesome and moral building experience. read more

Wow. Actually shocked at the first review. Our daughter has attended Honey Rock for the past 5 years. I could write pages on how wonderful her experience has been. We rave about the camp and what a growing experience it has been for her. Facilities our outstanding!! Christian values being taught A+++. Honey Rock actually frowns on cabins consisting of all friends. Typically their are 9 kids in a cabin. Our experience has been that the cabin make is very diverse with very few girls knowing each other. It would be hard to imagine an experience being any better than what Honey Rock provides. No cell phones etc. Christian values being taught. Brainwashing?!! In our opinion this statement could not be further from the truth, unless your opinion of brainwashing is teaching how God can be part of your life and teaching your kids christian values. Our comment in this regard is coming from a not overly religious family. You could not go wrong in sending your kids to Honey Rock. You will not be disappointed and I would imagine that after your kids first experience at Honey Rock you will immediately sign up the for the next year read more

Take this review with a grain of salt as I last attended this camp nearly 13 years ago but I would NEVER send my child there. Everyone who attended the camp was from Wheaton and requested to be in cabins with people they already knew (so much for getting to know new people). It has/had a reputation for being a camp for the "cool," "popular" and affluent kids in Wheaton. There was a great deal of teasing and bullying--far more than my public school back home. This camp holds an extremely conservative Christian ideology to the point of brainwashing kids into doing things that may not be safe and are certainly not fun in order to bring you closer to god. For example a popular activity is hard rock club which involves getting up at 5am running one mile, jumping in the lake and swimming, an memorizing about 5 pages out of the bible (which is a lot to ask a 9 year old). There is little free time and hours of personal devotion each day. The activities are not appropriate for children. One year I attended I had a contact rip (this was pre disposable lenses era). My prescription is -8.0 which means I am completely totally blind without correction. This in itself should have warranted a call to my parents to overnight me new contacts but the camp has an extremely strict policy against contacting parents. Hence I wore my glasses, which severely limited my activities (could not swim, run, or climb very well in them but could not see without them) and they broke, at which point still no call! My camp counselor, who also had a strong prescription, lent me her and I spent therest of the week with a headache and feeling cloudy and wearing the wrong prescription! When my parents arrived to pick me up they were justifiably irate nobody had let me call them to send me new contacts! My friend attended the camp had her appendix burst 2 days after returning home. She had stomach pains during the entire camp period but again, they did not contact her parents and when she suggested it could be her appendix, the camp nurse refuted. Last but not least my camp counselor told me that literally (not figuratively) a little man (the devil) was going to come and sit on my dresser and tell me what to do. I was traumatized for the next 3-4 years. I now have a graduate degree in psychology now from an Ivy League institution. Parents - please don't send your children here. There are other, more nurturing, Christian camps out there. read more

i love this camp. i made many new friends and grew super close to God. i would strongly recommended this camp.

This is in response to the first review. I attended Honey Rock Camp (HRC) in the late seventies, early eighties and our daughter recently attended for the past two summers. It is unfortunate that the other reviewer had a poor experience. Although, HRC does emphasize an independent mindset during the camp with limited parental contact, both as a camper and a parent, I have never felt that parents were not contacted in emergency situations. Currently, parents may email campers throughout their stay. During my time there, I pulled the ligaments in my leg as a result of a water skiing accident. My parents were immediately called and I received medical care. Additionally, our daughter had some medical concerns prior to attending camp, and our concerns were addressed by both the camp director and nursing staff. We also checked in with staff, halfway during the session to follow-up on our daughter. We never had any problems cited with the first reviewer. HRC helped shape what was important to me and assisted me in setting long-term goals for myself. I loved it and obviously, sent our daughter there as a result. Her experiences at HRC from kayaking to backpacking along with the spiritual emphasis were wonderful. There are multitudes of things to do at HRC and wonderful memories to make. Presently, the camp attracts kids from all over the country. We are not from Illinois. It is, however, a Christian camp and that is a part of its emphasis. I would not hesitate to recommend HRC to anyone. It is an amazing place with great people. Just for the record, I am a practicing psychologist with a doctorate from a secular institution. read more

Hello! I am a recent Service team person of the year 2018. I must say that it was simply amazing. I worked at Camp HoneyRock for 2 months in the barn, kitchen, housekeeping, grounds, auto shop, Trip kitchen/ Trip Locker, Construction, and many other work areas. The first day that I was there we went on a 4 day wilderness trip and it was a great bonding experience with the girls of ST. I highly recommend this for teenagers because it teaches them how to have a serving heart and not just doing the action. This place helped me about 4 years ago get closer to God and to truly see how He gives us His strength. This year they tested my strength and my relationship with God. I am glad that I went. The people who are saying that Honeyrock makes you memorize 5 pages of the Bible as a 9 year old? That is simply not true. They are asking them to remember a few works, possibly a sentence. The Resident campers (Young ones until High school) if they are doing solid rock get up at 6AM to do solid rock when they normally wake up at 7AM for normal times. For kids in the High school programs such as Advance camp, Service team and Venture they will have to get up at 5:00 AM or so to do that because everyone wakes up at 6:00AM to get ready to either take care of kids or get ready for morning watch and then breakfast. Life at Honey Rock is going to make your kid grow up in the spirit of the Lord. If your kid was crying on family day then I am truly sorry for the kid. Sometimes 2 weeks without your parents isn't the easiest thing to do. Yes, Honey rock strives to have a place a part attitude. They are humans as well and have lapses in judgement at times. read more

Wow, I too am shocked by the first review. I attended HRC both as a child and as a teenager and loved it, and now all of my kids go there and love it too. No child in my cabin or in any of my kids' cabins have ever known anyone else except perhaps one or two other kids they came with. The second reviewer is correct about HRC discouraging a lot of kids from rooming together who know each other - campers are only allowed 2 roommate requests. The camp counselors (college students, usually from Wheaton College, but not always) have always been very compassionate and nurturing, and the office staff is wonderful to deal with. The food is good, there are many activities, and no one pushes anything on the kids - and I'm saying that from the perspective of one who, like the second reviewer, is not overly religious either. I have no idea what the first reviewer is talking about regarding children running at 5am, etc. Kids sleep until it's time to get up for breakfast, at least that was my repeated experience and that of my children as well. Also, my family was anything but affluent growing up - I come from a single-parent home and am ethnically a minority. Never was I picked on at HRC or made to feel like I didn't fit in, and I know my children would say the same as well. I can't say enough good things about HRC, and now that my youngest is old enough to attend this summer, he is so excited to follow in the footsteps of his older siblings and me. The camp has a wonderful program for campers entering Grades 3-5 that is only 5 days (plus the morning of pickup), during which the campers' parents and siblings can go for Family Day on the 5th day and spend the afternoon and evening with the campers doing various activities, meet one-on-one with their counselors, have a picnic dinner, enjoy a waterski show at the lake, and attend an awards ceremony. It's great exposure for younger siblings to be able to get a feel for the camp so that they can look forward to going someday. read more

Our daughter has attended HRC for the past three summers and will go again next week. She is excited and this will be her fourth summer! We live in OH so she does not have a crowd of friends who go with her. She has kept in touch with some girls from other summers, though, and reconnects with them. I love the facilities and the programming. My daughter loves to waterski and learn about wilderness skills. They also have sailing, kayaking, canoeing, mtn. biking, horseback riding, and more. The Christian values are at the core of the programming, and my daughter benefits greatly from that instruction. They have the Solid Rock club, which involves the disciplines of running, swimming, and Bible memory. You do not have to participate in that. My daughter also loves the "trip" her cabin takes into the wilderness for 2 days...they canoe to a campsite, set up camp, etc. I also attended HRC in the 80s and loved it. It is expensive, and it is a challenge for us to set aside that money. They do have scholarship programs, though, and will give $200 off the price if the camper has earned $200 throughout the year toward camp. Overall, it is a great experience and a true highlight of my daughter's summer! read more

My 13-year old son had a horrible experience at this camp. After two weeks here, my husband and I came to get him on Family Day. When we arrived, he was standing by himself in an area where other groups of kids and their counselors were congregating to greet parents. No one was paying any attention to him, not even the adults who were completely disengaged despite his obvious state of despair. He was crying convulsively as I approached him and I hardly recognized him since he had lost weight and hadn't showered in three days. It was only now, after not having communication with him that I learned of his complete misery and homesickness, which was not adequately addressed by the camp to say the least. The two counselors who had my son in their care this whole time looked over at us talking to him, but did not come and say "Hi." Instead they looked over at us with a expression of indifference and having given up, almost as if to say, "Please take your son." I had called one week into the camp to inquire as to his well being, and one of the directors told me that he was "fine," which was not accurate because I later learned he was crying every day. My son said he begged them to call me and that he was desperate to come home, but they would not allow this and told him that they would "continue to pray for him." Unless your child is extremely self-sufficient and does not require any type of emotional support, I would not recommend this camp. Their philosophy is dated and they do not cater to a child's individual needs but have a "one size fits all approach" which is not simply not practical. read more

I am so grateful for HoneyRock. Two of our daughters have been going for the past 6 years. They don't go with any friends, but quickly make friends on the bus ride up to camp. I have watched them grow in confidence as they have opportunities to work through various levels of mastery in the activities they sign up for. They have grown in their faith and have made it their own. They have a deeper appreciation for nature and can find peace in solitude. As the kids get older the camp also stresses service. For my oldest daughter, this has led to going with a group to serve at a nearby Native American Reservation. She was really impacted by this. I have never had any concerns for safety or fear of "brainwashing" as was mentioned by a reviewer. This is a place where I have always felt their counselors appreciate them as individuals and help them grow in the security of knowing who they are and how to know God more. To clarify the Hard Rock Club, this is a morning activity that a cabin can choose to participate in. The kids get up an hour earlier and run, swim and then study a Bible passage with the goal of memorizing the verses. There has never been 5 pages of Bible memory (unless the previous writer had printed it out in large handwriting). The amount of verses increases by age and length of time at the camp. It seems to range form 8 verses to 20 - hard but not unreasonable. Not every kid accomplishes this, but for those who do, they stand up at the closing ceremony and are applauded. I think it has been good for my daughters to see that they can accomplish challenging things and to do it within a group that will support and encourage them along the way. One of my daughters struggles with memorizing and her counselor was able to adapt the passage to her ability. My favorite thing about HoneyRock is that I see my kids come home refreshed, confident, secure in their faith, developing new skills and the impact of a year's worth of stress seems lifted. I work in the field of psychiatry and am very careful of the situations my children are in. I have no reservations at all about HoneyRock. read more