Christian Berets Summer Camp
Christian Berets' Camp & Retreat Center, 24884 Hwy 108, Mi Wuk Village, CA 95346
About
Christian Berets Summer Camps offers a wide range of activities, including archery, ping-pong, basketball on a Sport Court with adjustable hoops, horseshoes, water games, whiffle ball, foosball, volleyball, frisbee toss, shuffle board, hiking, nature hikes, picnics, roasting marshmallows, and singing around the campfire. Campers also take part in putt putt golf, go-cart rides, puppets, role playing with costumes, skits, crafts, drawing, painting, chalk talks, and lively chapels, along with camp visits by forest rangers, fire trucks, therapy dogs, occasional hot air balloon rides, and photo opportunities sitting on motorcycles.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: 5-day, 4-night sessions with multiple sessions offered in June and July 2026
• Price: Pricing for all 2026 Summer Camp Sessions: $1,400 for High Functioning Campers; $1,700 for High Needs Campers.
Christian Berets Summer Camps offers summer camps for youth and adults with special needs, with High Functioning and High Needs camper categories and a defined 1:1 camper-to-counselor ratio for High Needs Campers for 24-hour care. Each week is described as carefully designed to meet the specific needs of campers, and camps are described as matching the abilities of guests in a safe environment and providing a well supervised camping experience. The program states that it promotes physical wellness, social interaction, and wholesome values based on Biblical principles, and it includes lively chapels as part of the camp experience.
Campers attend for 5 days and 4 nights during 2026 sessions scheduled for June 8–12, June 15–19, June 22–26, July 6–10, July 13–17 (Youth/Young Adult Week, Ages 10–20), and July 20–24. Transportation is included in the pricing and is provided by charter bus (Storer Transport) from the Modesto bus stop at Life Connection Church to camp on Mondays and back to Modesto on Fridays. Camper spots are held for those with paid registration and a 100% complete profile.
The facility used for Christian Berets Summer Camps is fully functional and ADA compliant, with Meadowview Lodge and Wirth Lodge together providing 90 beds for Summer Camps and guest groups. Meadowview Lodge is a 6,000-square-foot building designed to sleep about 50 guests and provide a multi-purpose room, and it is fully accessible and ADA certified. Medical staff are on site at all camp sessions to distribute medications and attend to medical needs.
Christian Berets, Inc. was founded in 1970, with its camp in Long Barn ready for guests in June 1973. Over the years, the organization expanded its property, including a land donation in 1981, construction beginning on an 11-acre parcel in 1995, the dedication of Meadowview Lodge in May 1996, and the completion and dedication of Wirth Lodge in May 2000. The facility name was changed to Whispering Pines Conference and Retreat Center in 2007 and then changed back to Christian Berets Conference and Retreat Center in 2012. Executive Directors have included Don Crooker (1970–2001), volunteers Mel Turner and Jack Coyle (2001–2003), Troy Thompson (2003–2005), Dave Shackelford (2005–2011), Brad Barnes (2011–2012), the Board of Directors (2012–2013), Tom Crooker (2013–2015), Rochelle Van Horn (2015–2016), Jeff Goudy (2017–2019), the Board of Directors (2020–2021/Covid year), and Kevin VanDonselaar (2021–present).
The current leadership team includes Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin VanDonselaar, who has been an attorney for 29 years, and Board President Mark Burns. The 2025 Board of Directors includes Michelle Mott (Vice-Chairperson), Wayne Mott (Secretary), Kelly Luth (Treasurer), Brian Balsbaugh, Rich Brown, Russell Crooker, Tom Crooker, Frank Oliveira, Carletta Evans Steele, and James “Woody” Woodhead. On-site Camp Facility Hosts are Dan and Lisa Sedlmeyer, the Camp Chef is Casey Paulino, and there is a Director of Outreach, an Office Manager, and a Program Director and Activities Coordinator who provide support during the summer months.
Christian Berets states that it is motivated by compassion and love and that it reaches out and cares for those with special needs and their families by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through camping, retreats, and a variety of activities. The organization describes itself as a non-profit, non-denominational, donor supported ministry that is well connected with many volunteers who offer their time and services throughout the year. Its outreach is described as supported by people who pray and give their time, resources, and financial support, with a Circle of Influence that includes the Greater Modesto Area and the counties of Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Fresno, Sacramento, Tuolumne, and beyond.
Christian Berets notes that its ministry is donor supported and partnered with sponsors and community partners listed on its supporters page, and it thanks AllCare IPA, Burns Truck and Trailer Services, John Sikkema Construction, Inc., and Speelman Excavation for Gold Sponsorships of the 2025 Celebration Dinner Event and support of Christian Berets. Christian Berets is a member of the American Camp Association.
For 2026 registration, camper medical evaluations by the camper’s current physician must be performed in 2026, and parents or caregivers must use the 2026 Medical Form provided by Christian Berets. It is the parent or caregiver’s responsibility to contact Christian Berets if there are any medical or health changes between registration and camp attendance. Partial scholarships are described as possible for campers who are not receiving funding from a regional center and who have no other source of financial assistance.
Last updated March 16, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: 5-day, 4-night sessions with multiple sessions offered in June and July 2026
• Price: Pricing for all 2026 Summer Camp Sessions: $1,400 for High Functioning Campers; $1,700 for High Needs Campers.
Christian Berets Summer Camps offers summer camps for youth and adults with special needs, with High Functioning and High Needs camper categories and a defined 1:1 camper-to-counselor ratio for High Needs Campers for 24-hour care. Each week is described as carefully designed to meet the specific needs of campers, and camps are described as matching the abilities of guests in a safe environment and providing a well supervised camping experience. The program states that it promotes physical wellness, social interaction, and wholesome values based on Biblical principles, and it includes lively chapels as part of the camp experience.
Campers attend for 5 days and 4 nights during 2026 sessions scheduled for June 8–12, June 15–19, June 22–26, July 6–10, July 13–17 (Youth/Young Adult Week, Ages 10–20), and July 20–24. Transportation is included in the pricing and is provided by charter bus (Storer Transport) from the Modesto bus stop at Life Connection Church to camp on Mondays and back to Modesto on Fridays. Camper spots are held for those with paid registration and a 100% complete profile.
The facility used for Christian Berets Summer Camps is fully functional and ADA compliant, with Meadowview Lodge and Wirth Lodge together providing 90 beds for Summer Camps and guest groups. Meadowview Lodge is a 6,000-square-foot building designed to sleep about 50 guests and provide a multi-purpose room, and it is fully accessible and ADA certified. Medical staff are on site at all camp sessions to distribute medications and attend to medical needs.
Christian Berets, Inc. was founded in 1970, with its camp in Long Barn ready for guests in June 1973. Over the years, the organization expanded its property, including a land donation in 1981, construction beginning on an 11-acre parcel in 1995, the dedication of Meadowview Lodge in May 1996, and the completion and dedication of Wirth Lodge in May 2000. The facility name was changed to Whispering Pines Conference and Retreat Center in 2007 and then changed back to Christian Berets Conference and Retreat Center in 2012. Executive Directors have included Don Crooker (1970–2001), volunteers Mel Turner and Jack Coyle (2001–2003), Troy Thompson (2003–2005), Dave Shackelford (2005–2011), Brad Barnes (2011–2012), the Board of Directors (2012–2013), Tom Crooker (2013–2015), Rochelle Van Horn (2015–2016), Jeff Goudy (2017–2019), the Board of Directors (2020–2021/Covid year), and Kevin VanDonselaar (2021–present).
The current leadership team includes Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin VanDonselaar, who has been an attorney for 29 years, and Board President Mark Burns. The 2025 Board of Directors includes Michelle Mott (Vice-Chairperson), Wayne Mott (Secretary), Kelly Luth (Treasurer), Brian Balsbaugh, Rich Brown, Russell Crooker, Tom Crooker, Frank Oliveira, Carletta Evans Steele, and James “Woody” Woodhead. On-site Camp Facility Hosts are Dan and Lisa Sedlmeyer, the Camp Chef is Casey Paulino, and there is a Director of Outreach, an Office Manager, and a Program Director and Activities Coordinator who provide support during the summer months.
Christian Berets states that it is motivated by compassion and love and that it reaches out and cares for those with special needs and their families by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through camping, retreats, and a variety of activities. The organization describes itself as a non-profit, non-denominational, donor supported ministry that is well connected with many volunteers who offer their time and services throughout the year. Its outreach is described as supported by people who pray and give their time, resources, and financial support, with a Circle of Influence that includes the Greater Modesto Area and the counties of Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Fresno, Sacramento, Tuolumne, and beyond.
Christian Berets notes that its ministry is donor supported and partnered with sponsors and community partners listed on its supporters page, and it thanks AllCare IPA, Burns Truck and Trailer Services, John Sikkema Construction, Inc., and Speelman Excavation for Gold Sponsorships of the 2025 Celebration Dinner Event and support of Christian Berets. Christian Berets is a member of the American Camp Association.
For 2026 registration, camper medical evaluations by the camper’s current physician must be performed in 2026, and parents or caregivers must use the 2026 Medical Form provided by Christian Berets. It is the parent or caregiver’s responsibility to contact Christian Berets if there are any medical or health changes between registration and camp attendance. Partial scholarships are described as possible for campers who are not receiving funding from a regional center and who have no other source of financial assistance.
Last updated March 16, 2026.
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