Scholarship Request 2026

Event Phone: 317-910-2797

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**Please remember to register your child for camp right away, even if you are still waiting on assistance!!!**

 

Scholarships: – Saint John’s Camp knows how instrumental and formative camps can be for our youth. Our campers walk away impacted and renewed in their love for God and the people they interact with on a day to day basis. We do our best to make sure that a potential camper is not deprived of this experience because of financial reasons. We offer partial scholarships on a first come first served, per-needs basis. If you are in need of a scholarship, please request one using the form below.  If no scholarships are available (rare), we will work out a payment plan with you so that your child can still come to camp! If you are unable to pay for part or all of camp, PLEASE don’t skip registering simply based on monetary constraints;there are donors who contribute to the camp Scholarship Fund every year specifically so kids do not miss out.

Process for requesting a scholarship: Saint John’s Camp Programs makes it a priority to make funds available for every camper who wants to attend our camp programs. Funds are limited, so we ask that potential applicants be mindful of this. It is expected that you will have sought out other resources before requesting a scholarship from the camp. Prior to requesting a scholarship from Saint John’s Camp Programs, please first speak with your home church about about assistance for camp registration fees. If you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please use the form below to apply for a scholarship for the St. John’s Camp program for which you are registered. Scholarship applications will be processed by the St. John’s Camp Board finance committee, and will be awarded as funds are available, on a first come, first served, per-needs basis.  **The Camp Board also requires that all campers who receive a scholarship of any amount write a general thank you letter that can be passed on to our generous donors.**  Application does not guarantee a scholarship.  A Camp Board member will contact you as soon as possible regarding your application, once a determination has been made.

**Please remember to also register for camp right away, if you have not already done so, even if you are still waiting on assistance, as we will need a registration to credit the scholarship award to!!**

Begin your registration by selecting a ticket below……..

 

Details Price Qty
Summer Camp 2026 Scholarshipshow details + $0.00 USD  
Emmaus Retreat 2026 Scholarshipshow details + $0.00 USD   Goes On Sale
August 1, 2026
Winter Retreat 2026 Scholarshipshow details + $0.00 USD   Goes On Sale
September 1, 2026

  • Summer Camp 2026
     July 12, 2026 - July 18, 2026
     9:30 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Emmaus Retreat 2026 (Date TBD)
     October 10, 2026
     1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Winter Retreat 2026 (Dates TBD)
     January 1, 2027 - January 3, 2027
     12:00 am - 6:00 pm

A Week to Remember

Dear Mr. Beecham and scholarship donors,

I am writing to thank you and the people who donated toward the cause of scholarships for St. John’s camp, for generously gifting me one. I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend camp, as it was one of the best times of my life. Thank you so much! I think my favorite part of camp was the feeling of freedom that came with going to camp.

All my counselors in the Junior High boy’s cabin were extremely friendly and understanding when it came to me being homesick on my first day there, and all they wanted to do was help in any way they could. On my second day, I felt right at home. From that point on, everything went smoothly, and I never wanted camp to end. If possible, I plan to enroll and attend next year, as it is now one of the highlights of the year for me.

I also want to thank the staff, because they were very cheerful and helpful, and they too did anything they could do to help. When we had pizza for dinner (and I couldn’t eat it because I am gluten-free), I told them my problem, and they specially made me a burger on a gluten-free bun. I will never forget how understanding and friendly they were to me.

This is why I am grateful for camp. Again, thank you so much!

Finding Something More

When my mother first announced that my brother and I would be packing up and heading off to summer camp, we were initially far from eager. But St. Johns’ wasn’t just any camp; it was a church camp. And that meant praying. Lots of praying. And that also meant no technology. Not exactly our idea of a “fun” summer, although after giving it a try we were soon proven wrong.

Despite our reluctance, we felt right at home within St. Johns’. I was one of 90 sweaty campers, all of whom were looking to strengthen their faith and to have a good time. From late night swim parties to joyously singing during praise time, it was a week full of dedication, friends, valuable teachings and fun experiences.

Our mornings would start at 6:00 for those of us whom were restless enough to go out running. For the rest, it was morning exercises at 7:00. Afterwards, we went to Third Hour prayers and breakfast. First Teaching, counseling groups and Second Teaching were next, followed by a long-awaited lunch. Free time for things such as canoeing, swimming and zip-lining happened before dinner, and the day was then completed with Small Compline and praise time.

When the moment came to leave, I probably wasn’t the only one who felt a change. It’s when you find yourself gawking at the sky – just the sheer, beautiful blueness of it – that you know something has changed. A change that allows you to appreciate the little things, to stay awake and to be grateful.

And as we stood together in the last few minutes of camp, we sang our final song of praise together; tears rolled down cheeks and farewells were exchanged. But this wasn’t to be the end, of course. Next year we will be reunited with friends both new and old, and in the meanwhile we will take what we have gained in knowledge, and use it to grow closer to God.

Saint John's History

The roots of St. John’s Camp date back to the 1970’s with a growing community of young adults who held frequent retreats together. These retreats focused on community building, studying the early Church fathers, fellowship, prayer, teachings, singing, and games, as they desired to cultivate their life in Christ.

As this community of young believers grew, along with their interest in the ancient Church and liturgy, they eventually became members of the “Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC)”. They began raising families of their own, and soon – as “being fruitful and multiplying” will do – there was a growing number of young children. With an eye towards this next generation, they wanted their children to have the same experience of life in Christ through community and koinonia, thus the camp and retreat tradition continued. Summer camp was held annually in various locations before settling in 1992 at Camp Rivervale in Mitchell, Indiana (where it remains to this day). The summer camp and seasonal retreats drew youth from across the United States as well as Canada. 

In 2002, many members of the Holy Trinity EOC parish were brought into the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) under Archbishop Job of blessed memory, in the Diocese of the Midwest. That summer was the first summer as “Saint John’s Camp”. With the same energy and desire to share the experience of community and fellowship in the Kingdom of God, Saint John’s Camp has continued to hold an annual summer youth camp, a fall family retreat, and a winter high school and young adult retreat, still drawing youth from across the United States.

In the words of one of the camp’s original founders, Fr. Joseph Gibson of blessed memory, “One of the main purposes of these gatherings is [and always has been] to bring together people that represent the diversity of the Christian experience, focusing on the lived experience of our young people in the Church in order to create an intensive, Spirit-filled, Life-giving, life-changing community of love, acceptance, non-judgmentalism, and safety.”

By the Grace of God, these camps and retreats have continued for over 40 years, maintaining the same Christ-centered focus on community and fellowship, and nurturing the development of lifelong friendships so that our participants may grow in the fullness of the Christian faith and discover the depth of God’s love.

Glory to God for all things!

Winter Retreat

Saint John’s Winter Retreat takes place over students’ winter break. The retreat typically is a long weekend that falls over the New Year’s holiday. Students who are high school and college age may attend to retreat from the stresses they may be facing at the end of the semester and recharge before starting their spring semesters at school. The retreat includes fellowship, prayer, teachings, singing, games, karaoke, and some good old fashioned pick-up football games – don’t miss it for the World!

Register Now

Emmaus Retreat

Saint John’s Emmaus Retreat is a one day all-ages, all-parish family & adult retreat. A guest speaker is brought in to speak on the theme for the year. A meal and recreation time are shared together throughout the day as well. Free childcare is available to parents during the teaching sessions. Don’t miss it for the World!

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Summer Camp

Saint John’s Summer Camp is a weeklong camp aimed toward students going into 4th grade through those who just graduated from high school (“grade 13”). These age groups are divided up among the campground with special programming geared toward developmentally appropriate themes for each age. The week includes fellowship, prayer, teachings, singing, games, a climbing wall and zip-line, refreshing pool and water slide, pick-up football, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball games, and a talent/no-talent show – all in beautiful Southern Indiana! It is a week filled with wonder and one you won’t soon forget – don’t miss it for the World!

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This is a staging environment