A road with a sign that says camp manitowa.

Overnight Summer Camps

& Year-round Retreats

For Schools, College Students, Scout Groups, Yoga Retreats, Music Festivals, Families, Wedding Parties & More!

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Camp Manitowa

Residential Summer Camp & Retreat Center

Camp Manitowa was founded with the idea of connecting communities and enriching lives. Whether it’s our summer camp community of 150 campers and staff from across the Midwest, a school group staying for a week, or a group of yoga enthusiasts sharing a weekend together, we believe that time spent at Camp Manitowa provides a meaningful and memorable experience.

Camp Manitowa is located in beautiful Southern Illinois, just 90 minutes from St. Louis, MO. Our intimate 40-acre facility offers a wide variety of programs, activities, and unique accommodations, and is just 10 minutes from the 70,000-acre Rend Lake Recreation Complex.

We offer a private, traditional sleep-away summer camp program, as well as year-round retreat opportunities and group rentals. Camp Manitowa is the perfect place to get away in beautiful Southern Illinois. Please "contact us" for more details.

SUMMER CAMP 20226 - June 21-August 1

We’re counting down the days until our campers arrive and we begin making memories that will last a lifetime. Our small property is ideal for helping kids feel safe and comfortable. We serve 80–125 campers each session, allowing kids to make friends quickly and feel like an important part of the Manitowa family.

Hover over the pictures below to see our summer camp dates and other upcoming events.

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SUMMER CAMP 2025 DATES

Session I (3-weeks)  6/21-7/10
Session IA (2-weeks)  6/21-7/4
9th Gr. Smoky Mtn trip 6/28-7/5
Session IIA (1-week) 7/12-7/18
Session IIB (1-week) 7/19-7/25
Taste Of Manitowa (1-week)  7/26-8/1

Camp Manitowa Rend Lake - Benton, IL

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Mother Daughter Retreat
May 16-17 2026

Festivals & Retreats

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Get Outdoors in Southern Illinois

We believe everyone can use some time away these days. Camp Manitowa offers families, groups, and individuals an opportunity to get out of the house, get out of the city, and get into nature.

Our midwest camp property in Benton Illinois is open for a variety camping opportunities. We limit the number of groups in camp at one time to maintain a feeling of exclusion. We provide the greatest opportunity for everyone to stay safe, have fun, and we adhere to state and industry guidelines. We offer yurts and heated cabins throughout the year with access to our programs and activities along with all that Rend Lake has to offer. 

Contact us to book your group’s retreat or rent our cabins for you and your family through Airbnb 

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