Camp Friedenswald seeks to “Inspire Growth through Outdoor Experiences”. School groups from all over Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan bring entire grades and classrooms for 1-3 days to live the “camp life” and experience new things together. Educational activities like canoeing, archery, and natural science classes allow learning to be a memorable and profound experience. Many of our schools have been coming for years and find it one of the most meaningful and engaging parts of theirs students’ year.
Our programs and classes include Outdoor History Education, Outdoor Environmental Education, Pinnacle Experiences, and Team and Community Building.
Email us ([email protected]) for Detailed Information for Teachers and Chaperones
Outdoor Environmental Education 
We have 360 acres of wilderness and are on a 250 acre lake. There are two federally endangered species and many state protected species on our lands. On our property we have one of Michigan’s top ten old growth forests and two rare fen habitats.
Explore our unique habitats and experience the incredible life in a close and personal way here at Camp Friedenswald. Activities can include aquatic small world, canoeing, rare habitats hike, owl pellets, wildlife CSI, a soil study experiment, and Survival game.
Outdoor History Education 
Find a place that helps the past become relevant and alive in the present. Shavehead Lake has a rich Native American history and was an end point on the Underground Railroad.
Explore the way the Potawatomi people, prior to European influence, lived life in harmony with their surroundings. Learn about the risks enslaved people took on their journey to freedom along the Underground Railroad.
Activities can include archery, canoeing, fire building, treasure hunt orienteering, fishing, Underground Railroad, team building, and wild edibles.
Pinnacle Experiences
As part of our memorable learning experiences at Camp Friedenswald we offer these opportunities that will have a lasting impression on students.
Survival Game
Students take on the roles of animals in their struggle for survival and come to a new understanding of the impact of human activities on the natural world during this exciting simulation game. Please note that this is a whole group activity (30-120 people) and will be led only by Friedenswald staff. This activity lasts 1.5-2 hours.
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter
Recommended grades: 2-12
Fire and Light
It dazzles the senses and our eyes. With the use of darkness to accentuate the effects of light, exploring its fascinating properties will surely be memorable.
Popcorn Campfire
Sit around the campfire as we pop popcorn in a cauldron, tell tales, and sing songs.
Evening Activities
All aimed at fast paced fun. Games like Clue, Dutch Auction, Ultimate Scavenger Hunt, and Capture the Flag create camaraderie while keeping energy levels high.
Team and Community Building
Bring your group closer together and build individual problem-solving skills by engaging in a fun, challenging program to help everyone work together to solve problems.
We tailor a curriculum to fit your group’s needs and in the process can address topics ranging from bullying, goal setting, motivation, communication, and more.