Dads Camp

One Dads Camp session is $575 per pair. This does not include the cost of travel to Camp Paradise or anything you’d like to buy at the camp store while you’re there.

Pack a good sleeping bag and pillow in a labeled, large plastic trash bag. Try to pack one suitcase or bag per person. Download and reference the packing list here.

Click here for a map and directions for getting to camp.

Bring money for meals for your trip to and from camp. You may also wish to bring cash to spend at the camp store, which sells: snacks, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats during the afternoon. This is optional and is the only place you would need money at camp. The camp store is cash only.

Five dads and their five kids share a cabin. Each father/child pair has bunk beds and cubbies as their space for the session.

For the Women’s Retreat, the standard is 5 women per cabin. However, up to 10 people can be accommodated in one cabin if desired. If you are attending with more than 10 people, let us know and we can assign you to neighboring cabins.

We suggest that you leave for Camp Paradise by 7 a.m. The trip will take approximately 9–10 hours, depending on weather and number of stops. The first and last days of your camp session are travel days. You will need to arrive between 4–5 p.m. (Chicago time). The last boat going to Camp Paradise will leave at 5:15 p.m. CST. If you arrive later than 5 p.m., you will miss the 6 p.m. dinner and will not be picked up until 7 p.m. Upon arrival, staff will show you where to park and will help load your luggage into a boat. You will travel ½ mile up the Tahquamenon River to the camp. Once settled in your cabin, listen for the bell and head to the main lodge for dinner.

On the morning of your last day, a continental breakfast will be available before boat service begins at 7:00 a.m. Camp Paradise stays on Chicago time (CST), so make sure you adjust your smartphone or watch.

Meals are served at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.

While at camp, only emergency messages will be relayed to you through the camp office (224) 512-1689. Messages are checked frequently during the camp season.

For Dads Camp: 

• Fathers or significant male role models (i.e., grandfather, uncle, close friend) can attend with their child between ages 8-12 years old.
• While Camp Paradise is a ministry and partner of Willow Creek, you do not need to be part of Willow Creek to attend. People from many different backgrounds and churches attend.

In order to maximize memory-making potential, Dads Camp adventures are intended to be experienced “one on one.” Every facet of Dads Camp is designed with quality time in mind, from cabin layouts to High Ropes Course challenges. For this reason, each adult can attend with only one child at a time.

We recognize that this may limit potential campers who wish to attend with multiple children in one summer. Some campers navigate this challenge by attending alternating years with each child or applying for a scholarship for one of their Dads Camp sessions.

If you need to cancel, please contact the camp office by emailing deana.liggett@willowcreek.org or calling (224) 512-1689. We will provide a refund less a $100 non-refundable cancellation fee if you cancel up to 30 days before your session. If you cancel less than 30 days from your session start day, we will not be able to issue a refund.

Because Camp Paradise is in a remote location and serves 150 people at each meal, we have unique challenges when it comes to special diets. Please download and read our Food Policy document for more details. Please contact Louisa Michael (louisa.michael@willowcreek.org) for more information.

Please don’t worry if you don’t receive a spot right away; we intend to fill every bunk at camp! We will contact you immediately if an opening becomes available for you. We will use the email address you provided when you made your request. Once contacted, you will have 48 hours to confirm your spot by making your payment using the link in the email. If we do not hear from you during this timeframe, your spot will be given to the next requester on the waiting list for that session. If a spot doesn’t open up for you this summer, register again next year and we’ll make sure you get in the following summer!

Camp Paradise has a scholarship fund to make sure everyone has a chance to attend, regardless of finances. If you need scholarship assistance, please complete this form. We will do our best to assist you! Please contact Deana at deana.liggett@willowcreek.org for more information.

Select up to four dads to room with on your request form. Every attempt is made to accommodate your cabin requests. Once cabin assignments are made, they are final.

If you receive a spot at camp, please do everything you can to attend that camp, working other events around those dates if possible. The switching policy is as follows:

• Switching sessions is allowed if there is an opening in the session you want to move to AND no waiting list for that session at the time of your request.
• Switching is NOT be possible if sessions are full or have a waiting list.
• You may not request to be on the waiting list for an additional session if you are already registered.