Special Friends Camp at Camp Manitoqua
Camp Manitoqua & Retreat Center, 8122 W Sauk Trail, Frankfort, IL 60423
About
Special Friends Camp at Camp Manitoqua includes access to a pool area, hiking trails, archery, arts and crafts areas, a gaming room, and numerous outdoor games and activities. The program takes place within a Christian summer camp setting and is part of Special Friends Ministries, which focuses on individuals with disabilities in a unique outdoor setting.
In August of 2023, the first annual Illinois Special Friends Camp was held and has returned the first week of August every year since. Leaders Dennis, Amanda, and Joshua Pieper bring 30 years of experience running Special Friends Camp in Michigan and over 30 years of experience in the special education field. Special Friends Ministries states that it is dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus through service to individuals with disabilities in a unique outdoor setting and to providing an outdoor experience for campers, staff, and family members or caretakers that will strengthen community and grow individual and collective faith. With the help of Good Shephard Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Special Friends Ministries reports that it is expanding and spreading the Word of God to a new population. Special Friends Camps are scheduled to be featured in Exceptional Needs Today's national magazine in March and May, in an issue highlighting camps that cater to people with disabilities. The Assume I Can Podcast on Spotify shares updates and interviews from Special Friends Camp and aims to spread positivity and open people’s eyes to the world of disabilities. Camper Joseph shared that it was his first year and that he enjoyed being on the “extreme team” and spending time in the great outdoors, and parent Duane shared that his son Kyle was happy to be part of camp and that he hopes to return.
Last updated May 23, 2026.
In August of 2023, the first annual Illinois Special Friends Camp was held and has returned the first week of August every year since. Leaders Dennis, Amanda, and Joshua Pieper bring 30 years of experience running Special Friends Camp in Michigan and over 30 years of experience in the special education field. Special Friends Ministries states that it is dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus through service to individuals with disabilities in a unique outdoor setting and to providing an outdoor experience for campers, staff, and family members or caretakers that will strengthen community and grow individual and collective faith. With the help of Good Shephard Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Special Friends Ministries reports that it is expanding and spreading the Word of God to a new population. Special Friends Camps are scheduled to be featured in Exceptional Needs Today's national magazine in March and May, in an issue highlighting camps that cater to people with disabilities. The Assume I Can Podcast on Spotify shares updates and interviews from Special Friends Camp and aims to spread positivity and open people’s eyes to the world of disabilities. Camper Joseph shared that it was his first year and that he enjoyed being on the “extreme team” and spending time in the great outdoors, and parent Duane shared that his son Kyle was happy to be part of camp and that he hopes to return.
Last updated May 23, 2026.
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