TO REGISTER:

• Click the link below to open the Registration Form (Microsoft Excel). 
• Fill out the yellow fields in the form - on your computer
• Then, either (1) print the completed form and mail it to the address on the form, (2) print the completed form and bring it to church on Sunday, or (3) save the form under a new name, then send it via e-mail to: brent@genzlinger.com

Click here to open the Excel Registration Form

Organized by a few members of the Oak Arbor congregation, this is an annual event enjoyed by many families.  This weekend trip to Baldwin, Michigan features two days of canoeing, kayaking or rafting down the Pere Marquette River, considered to be Michigan's clearest and cleanest free flowing river. The journey offers you new opportunities around each bend to enjoy the wildlife and peaceful beauty of Northern Michigan.  A great canoeing river for the beginner to intermediate paddler, Pere Marquette follows a winding course through a mixture of National, State, and private forests. Before and after canoeing, families enjoy meals, activities and fellowship around a campfire. Many good memories have been made on this trip over the years.

The Memorial Day weekend trip is enjoyed by upwards of 30 families each year - and there are plenty more campsites for anyone who wants to join in on this backwoods adventure. The campground is secluded - yet has full bathroom amenities, an RV area with hookups, and two small cabins that can be rented. It is a great place for families that have never camped before.  Often, first time families will camp near a friend with more experience , and join together to cook meals. This makes the introduction to camping easier.

The Schedule

We arrive mostly Friday afternoon & evening to set up our camp. Saturday we pack lunches & canoe for a couple hours both before & after lunch. (on the river from 10:00 to 2:30). Back at camp there is plenty of time for building fires , cooking fancy meals ; general playing; smores & singing around the campfire.

Sunday includes a church service - & two hours on the river after lunch.

There are families with toddlers that may have 1 parent stay in camp all day – so there are things to do even if you do not canoe, such as an expedition to the beautiful state beach at Ludington. For the "canoers" there are rubber rafts (seats 6) for families with kids between 5 & 10 years old. There are also canoes & kayaks for older folks.

Some people go home Sunday night, but many stay for another low-key night of socializing, & pack up on Monday after breakfast. The weather can play a big role in the stay/go decision.

The Costs

This low-cost weekend getaway can be priced by looking at this years registration form that can be accessed by clicking here.  The form is in a spreadsheet format that will add up the various charges for your number of campers; RV/Camper hookups; and boat rental choices, and give you a total.  Please enter your information in the yellow boxes, according to the instructions.  You may hand in a hard copy of the form to Brent Genzlinger, or if you prefer, e-mail the completed form to Brent at brent@genzlinger.com.

The Area

Click here for printable PDF maps of the area

The Organizers

The Memorial-day camp/canoe weekend is set up as a group of families that happen to be camping together in the same place/time - - nothing more formal than that.  We like to have new folks, & we like to have people bring friends.  We hope that you can come along.

What to Pack

Don't know what to pack?  The internet is full of good checklists you can use.  You can start by clicking here for a camping checklist that we found helpful.  Be prepared for a variety of weather by having wet weather gear available, and clothing that can be layered.