Summer Camp & Retreat Center in Southern Illinois

Camp Manitowa was co-founded by Andy Brown and Dan Grabel in 2010. Andy and Dan have worked together since 1994 running summer camps across the Midwest and have over 50 years of combined experience with children, youth, and families. Owning a summer camp had been a lifelong professional dream for both, and after a two-year nationwide search, Camp Manitowa was born when they purchased the perfect property in Southern Illinois. Previously owned by the Lake Benton Baptist Camp, which operated the camp from 1947-2005, Andy and Dan invested over $1 million to renovate the entire property. Both grew up attending and working at summer camps and have a combined 50 years of experience running camps and working with children and youth.

Andy lives in St. Louis, MO with his wife, Stephanie, and they are proud parents of four grown children. Their oldest, Dylan is our current Camp Director; their youngest, Lily is our Program Director; and their other two, Gaby and Jake, have both spent their summers at Camp Manitowa. Dan lives in Denver, CO with his wife, Lisa, and their teenage daughter, Cora, who has grown up since she was three as a camper and is now a counselor.  

Camp Manitowa hosts coed overnight summer camps and year-round retreats at its location in Southern Illinois, just 90 minutes from St. Louis.

During the summer, Camp Manitowa serves campers entering 2nd-10th grade from all over the Midwest. During the fall and spring, Camp Manitowa hosts school and college groups, religious groups, scout groups, music festivals, yoga retreats, weddings, and anyone wanting to get away for a fun and meaningful camp experience. Camp Manitowa utilizes three different lakes and offers a wide variety of programs and activities for all our participants.