Our Story
Summer Camp & Retreat Center in Southern Illinois
Camp Manitowa was co-founded in 2010 by Andy Brown and Dan Grabel, who have operated summer camp properties across the Midwest together since 1994.
After nearly two decades of leading camps, Andy and Dan set out to build one of their own. Following a two-year nationwide search, they discovered the perfect property in Southern Illinois — formerly Lake Benton Baptist Camp, which operated from 1947–2005.
They purchased the property and invested more than $1 million renovating and rebuilding the entire camp, bringing new life to a place with decades of camp history.
Today, Camp Manitowa operates as both a coed overnight summer camp and year-round retreat center, located just 90 minutes from St. Louis.
A Family Camp
Camp Manitowa is a family operation.
Andy lives in St. Louis with his wife Stephanie (née Zetcher). Their oldest daughter Dylan serves as Camp Director, and their youngest daughter Lily is Program Director. Their middle children, Gaby and Jake, also spent their summers growing up at camp.
Dan lives in Denver with his wife Lisa and their daughter Cora, who began as a camper at age three and now serves as a counselor.
Year-Round Experiences
During the summer, Camp Manitowa hosts campers entering 2nd–10th grade from across the Midwest.
Throughout the rest of the year, the camp welcomes a wide variety of groups including:
- School groups
- Scout programs
- Yoga retreats
- Music festivals
- Weddings
The camp sits among three lakes in Southern Illinois and offers a wide range of outdoor activities and programs.
The Spirit of Camp Manitowa
Fun
Campers choose their daily activity sessions, giving them control over their camp experience. If they find something they love, they can do it all week.
Campers also take daily trips to the Rend Lake Recreation Area, where they enjoy the 20,000-acre lake, sand beaches, bike trails, frisbee golf, and the Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center.
Adventure
At Camp Manitowa, we believe in Adventure by Choice.
Camp is a place to try new things and push personal boundaries — whether that means climbing our high ropes course, trying a new sport, performing in front of the campfire, or simply making a new friend.
Adventure looks different for everyone, and our programs are designed to help each camper discover what it means for them.
Community
We intentionally keep our sessions small — around 100 campers per session — so everyone gets to know each other.
Campers quickly become part of a tight-knit community where friendships form easily and everyone feels included.
Responsibility
Camp Manitowa promotes environmental stewardship and responsible living.
Through our programs and daily routines, campers learn to respect the outdoors and care for the natural spaces around them.